Janis bakes just like her sister

My very good friend Janis has just completed her recipe and sent the following update.

“So…I receive my cookbook with all the anticipation of a wanna be chef..and its a BAKING BOOK! Deflated, I had to wonder if Chef Gui was subjecting me to some conspirancy and warped sense of humor, since it is a well known fact in our circles that I can NOT bake. In fact my sibling, Beth Karam Putt: SweetSistersCakes.com (yes, that’s a plug, visit her website) is a ‘darling pastry chef’ in the NJ/NY metropolitan area. I did not inherit those genes. I have in fact, proven that even the simple task of dipping strawberries escapes me, and my one and only layer cake attempt collapsed into a lumpy, BUT tasty concoction. So what to do? Coward that I am, I scoured the book for something harmless, where finishing aesthetics would not necessarily matter, and, if it ‘didn’t rise, or, was over or under cooked perhaps I could get away with it.  Finding gorgeous varieties of cherries in season at the fresh market in Chicago, I decided on creating Calfouti…a sorta custard like cake…dessert for breakfast…worked for me.  I crisped the edges since I did not do what the recipe advised which was to bake it in the skillet, but my husband ate it all… that must tell you something. It will be added to my brunch menu for large crowds to be sure. It’s an easy dish to prepare. One note–use tart cherries when they are in season–perfect for this dish– not to sweet, not too sour. Serve it up with fresh peach slices and a strong cup of expresso.”

Now, let me emphasize that Janis and Beth are two very talented sisters. As Janis mentioned, Beth is one of the very best pastry chef on the East Coast and you can check her work on her website.

Janis, on the other hand, is arguably not much of a baker. However, she is an extremely talented Fine Arts Consultant & Appraiser, and you can contact her through her LinkedIn profile.

Both are dear friends of mine, and it’s great to hear from them.

What is this blog about? Read the first post here.

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Where are the Itinerant Cookbooks now?

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Here are the Itinerant Cookbooks:

Started in Tampa, FL with Margaret. Was in Tampa, FL with Noel, in Mt Elgin, Ontario with Rosemary. Now in York, Ontario, with Janice.

Started in Brandon, FL with Dave. Now in Brandon, FL with Dave.

Started in Nice, France with Marc-Antoine. Was in Bar-sur-loup with Faye. Now in Exeter, UK with Judie.

Started in St Petersburg, FL with Janet. Now in St Petersburg, FL with Janet.

Started in Dunedin, FL with Janis. Traveled to Chicago. Now in San Francisco, CA with Liz.

Started in Gainesville, FL with Esther. Traveled to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Now in Tokyo, Japan with Martin.

Started in Plant City with Lynne. Traveled to Ann Arbor, MI with Horace.

Started in Largo, FL with Marty. Was in Madeira Beach, FL with Carol. Now with Sharon in Brandon, Mississipi.

Started in Brandon, FL with Debbie. Now in Tampa, FL with Jeff.

Started in Dunedin with Bob. Traveled to Chicago with Bob. Now in NY with Dan.

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