I was really, really excited about participating in the SF bake sale this year, but April has been full of surprises. This just goes to show you that, while planning is never a bad thing, you sometimes just can’t predict what you’re going to be doing tomorrow, let alone next month; had I known a little respiratory infection was going to knock on my body’s door and stay for a while, I never would have gotten so excited at the prospect of making more Chocolate Pistachio Cupcakes or these crumbly little chocolate pistachio and honey financiers (a teacake whose main ingredients are ground nuts, browned butter and foamy egg whites) that, with the help of La Tartine Gourmande, I whipped up a few nights ago when I actually believed that I was maybe, just maybe feeling better.
Wishful thinking, my friends, wishful thinking. In any case, if you’re in the Bay Area and you’re looking to support a good cause–Share Our Strength, whose aim is to end child hunger–this weekend, as well as to try some sure-to-be-amazing baked goods, then head to the endlessly fascinating Omnivore Books from 11-4. If that isn’t incentive enough, baker extraordinaire Alice Medrich will also be speaking at the bookstore at 3 (I once made her brownies with browned butter–yes, it all comes back to browned butter!–and haven’t tried another brownie recipe since)….As for me, I’ll just have to wait until next year.
Dining with Dostoevsky 
I am so sorry you're not feeling better, Katy! These treats look delicious (browned butter rules!).
If I can make it to SF in time, I may try to check out the bake sale as a spectator this year (which I wouldn't have known about if it wasn't for you; thanks!).
Incidentally, I'm not a sandwich person at all, but your recent sandwich post made me tempted to change my mind. Especially the one with the egg, and the one with the fennel and sesame — I am very grateful you included the recipe!
I am so sorry you are still sick:( Boo! And I'm sorry you can't make it this year, but at least you will have the comfort of those lovely teacakes and cupcakes! Hope you feel better soon!
Thank you, Moriah! But finally (finally!) I think the tide is turning–I can breathe through my nose again—which is the best news I've heard all year! If you make it to the bake sale, I'd love to hear about the various things they have; poking around on the website made me doubly sad to miss it. It seems like there are a lot of creative participants whose baked goods I would have loved to sample! Hopefully next year I can participate, though!
And I'm so glad to hear that the the sandwich post has made you rethink the whole “genre.” I used to work at Subway when I was in high school, so I've always been bitten by the sandwich bug (although Subway did test my loyalty after a time. A good sandwich is not made in under a minute). 🙂
Cameron, thank you! Sometimes I guess the healing just takes a while; I'm really hoping that this morning's burst of energy was not yet another false alarm. Looking forward to seeing the pictures from your journey, and so glad you're enjoying “In the Kitchen.” I love Melissa Clark's column. The pancakes she made recently look *amazing*.