Thank you for your report on your Hawaii trip and the latest in dining in Honolulu. My late husband was born and raised in Honolulu, and when we would visit, the dining highlight was Alan Wong's, which is now closed. I still have great memories of it. My husband's food memories went to more local food--malasadas from Leonard's bakery, shave ice, kahlua pig, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia. It is wonderful to read about all the food creativity in the islands, and your description makes me want to go back. It's great that you went on that trip with your family.
It was a wonderful trip and I we ate so well. I had haupia ice cream - and now I want to make a dessert with haupia. I loved it! We did have shaved ice. And I did have more local fruits than I mentioned, including "egg fruit". If I'm lucky enough to go again, I'd love taste more local food. You were lucky to have a "local guide" - xoD
Bonne Année, Dorie! Thanks for taking us to Hawaii! (I've never been.) So wonderful that you got to spend it with family and what an honour to see your cake served and credited on the menu!
Thanks for these lovely updates. There's an immediacy and enthusiasm in your writing which I really appreciate especially as I can tell that you're not oblivious to the pain of the world but are able to see it and still be cheery and upbeat. It's a gift and an inspiration.
I baked sugar cookies at Christmas with your do-anything vanilla cookie dough, and they were a hit. The look of sheer pleasure that spread on the face of my 16-month old granddaughter, Layla, was epic. I'll try and post a little video of her eating her first sugar cookie ever in a comment on your FB page.
I haven't gotten any of your books -- austerity oblige -- but faithfully collect all the recipes you publish online.
Maia, thank you so much for your sweet, sweet words. I love writing this newsletter and it always makes me happy to know that readers like you are enjoying it. It means everything to me. And I also love that you made my cookies and shared them with your granddaughter. How wonderful that you baked her her first cookie! I'd love to see the video. Merci mille fois :) and happy new year - xoD
Thank you - you’ve made my flexibility around baking like learning how to paint outside the lines.
My question: made a KAF recipe for Harvey Wallbanger Bundt cake that called for 3T cornstarch and 1/4 C vodka. This baffled me as vodka is tasteless and burns off. I queried KAF and got a response about the addition being a throwback to the original drink. I queried a friend in London and got a surprise answer: she said he use of cornstarch/vodka was common in Poland and eastern bloc baking in that it added lift to baked goods. I figured you might actually know about this. Thanks again for helping me to enjoy my baking. Byron
Oh, I'm afraid you've put too much faith in me. I don't know the answer, but you've made me awfully curious, particularly about the idea that it might have been common practice in Polish baking. Off to see if I can gather any info. And thank you so much for your kind words - I love what you said about painting outside the lines - xoD
I thought about you a lot while was in Hawaii. I can see why you love it so much. Wishing you a happier new year - maybe this will be the year that we meet IRL - I'd love that - xoD
Thank you for sharing your food experience in Hawaii. It makes me want to return to try the wonderful foods. I am happy you had a wonderful time, it is a beautiful place.
Katie, it had been forever since I'd been to the beach and I didn't even know that such beachwear existed! Having a bathing suit with sun protection is a game-changer - xoD
I have been baking from “ Baking with Dorie”
Blue Cheese Bites, Iced Hermits and chocolate chip cookies…. I add dried apricots to all. Good 2023. Drina
I'm delighted that you've been baking from my newest book and soooo happy that you've liked what you've baked - hooray! Happy new year - xoD
Thank you for your report on your Hawaii trip and the latest in dining in Honolulu. My late husband was born and raised in Honolulu, and when we would visit, the dining highlight was Alan Wong's, which is now closed. I still have great memories of it. My husband's food memories went to more local food--malasadas from Leonard's bakery, shave ice, kahlua pig, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia. It is wonderful to read about all the food creativity in the islands, and your description makes me want to go back. It's great that you went on that trip with your family.
It was a wonderful trip and I we ate so well. I had haupia ice cream - and now I want to make a dessert with haupia. I loved it! We did have shaved ice. And I did have more local fruits than I mentioned, including "egg fruit". If I'm lucky enough to go again, I'd love taste more local food. You were lucky to have a "local guide" - xoD
Bonne Année, Dorie! Thanks for taking us to Hawaii! (I've never been.) So wonderful that you got to spend it with family and what an honour to see your cake served and credited on the menu!
Merci and a très bonne année to you, too Marsha - xoD
I’m sure my 2023 will be happier with you in my life, Dorinha. Thanks for taking us to Hawaii. Loved it!
You are always the sweetest - xoD
Happy New Year, dear Dorie! You can buy longan in the stands on Canal Street in Chinatown. That’s where I had it for the first time.
Happy new year, Micki, and thank you - you've always got great info - xoD
Thanks for these lovely updates. There's an immediacy and enthusiasm in your writing which I really appreciate especially as I can tell that you're not oblivious to the pain of the world but are able to see it and still be cheery and upbeat. It's a gift and an inspiration.
I baked sugar cookies at Christmas with your do-anything vanilla cookie dough, and they were a hit. The look of sheer pleasure that spread on the face of my 16-month old granddaughter, Layla, was epic. I'll try and post a little video of her eating her first sugar cookie ever in a comment on your FB page.
I haven't gotten any of your books -- austerity oblige -- but faithfully collect all the recipes you publish online.
A thousand thanks, as the French would say.
maia
Maia, thank you so much for your sweet, sweet words. I love writing this newsletter and it always makes me happy to know that readers like you are enjoying it. It means everything to me. And I also love that you made my cookies and shared them with your granddaughter. How wonderful that you baked her her first cookie! I'd love to see the video. Merci mille fois :) and happy new year - xoD
What a lovely 2022/2023 Hawaiian Trip! Thanks for sharing all the details!
How can you eat like a king and stay so slim? Do you just take a few bites and leave the rest?
Oh, Rita. I'm a card-carrying member of the clean-plate club. Except when I bake - whenever I bake, I share. I call it "bake and release" - xoD
Dorie:
Thank you - you’ve made my flexibility around baking like learning how to paint outside the lines.
My question: made a KAF recipe for Harvey Wallbanger Bundt cake that called for 3T cornstarch and 1/4 C vodka. This baffled me as vodka is tasteless and burns off. I queried KAF and got a response about the addition being a throwback to the original drink. I queried a friend in London and got a surprise answer: she said he use of cornstarch/vodka was common in Poland and eastern bloc baking in that it added lift to baked goods. I figured you might actually know about this. Thanks again for helping me to enjoy my baking. Byron
Oh, I'm afraid you've put too much faith in me. I don't know the answer, but you've made me awfully curious, particularly about the idea that it might have been common practice in Polish baking. Off to see if I can gather any info. And thank you so much for your kind words - I love what you said about painting outside the lines - xoD
Now I have to get over to Oahu. This sounds AMAZING. Mahalo, Dorie! Happier New Year.
I thought about you a lot while was in Hawaii. I can see why you love it so much. Wishing you a happier new year - maybe this will be the year that we meet IRL - I'd love that - xoD
Sounds wonderful- what a fantastic trip it must have been.
listening to you (in written form) makes me so happy!
Dear, dear Marlena, thank you! It's been so very long, but I think of you often. I hope that all is sweet in your world - xoD
Thank you for sharing your food experience in Hawaii. It makes me want to return to try the wonderful foods. I am happy you had a wonderful time, it is a beautiful place.
I hope you get to return. I hope to return also. It is, indeed, a beautiful place, and the food was so very, very good - xoD
I love Dorie’s very chic beach wear. And practical, too – no sunburn!
Katie, it had been forever since I'd been to the beach and I didn't even know that such beachwear existed! Having a bathing suit with sun protection is a game-changer - xoD
Mahalo nui Dorie, as always.
xoxoD
Lovely letter. As always, your warmth shines in your prose. Happy new year!
Thank you so much, Jolene. Here's to a lovely new year - xoD