The Mayan Armageddon has come and gone without a single hitch or hiccup and life has moved on. So what does a girl do when faced with the end of the world? Make cupcakes, of course. Duh. Last night, I decided on the eve of mass destruction to celebrate the potential carnage with spicy south of the border flavors and began making an experimental batch of Dark Chocolate Cayenne Cupcakes with Cayenne Cream Cheese frosting.
Now when I was growing up I had no clue what it was. I just thought it tasted good. Thinking back I’m sure the relatives had a ball watching all the youngsters chow on pig guts unknowingly. Sickos.
Yes!! Gardenia j. is edible! Used by cooks in ways similar to the addition of edible rose petals. A delightful taste sensation, although a complete surprise, given that this flower does not easily give up her perfumed scent mysteries. The taste is light, sweet, a bit buttery and Gardenia fragrant. The scent of this flower translates accurately to the taste buds, filling your mouth with it’s rich, yet delicate sexy perfume.
In retrospect, the fact that it was in no way fresh probably explains why it took all of my willpower not to vomit at the table the minute it hit my mouth. I had never used saki for mouthwash before that moment. And I’m not sure what disturbed me the most – that it looked like an orange tongue neatly wrapped in nori paper, that it smelled like dirty socks, or that it had the texture, color and consistency of butterscotch pudding.
