Vanilla Delight

Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream.

What could be more classic or basic or simple? And yet, part of me wants to describe it as complicated? Can a cupcake be both?

I’ve been watching Gordon Ramsay on iTunes the past few weeks.  One thing he stresses quite a bit is…if a chef cooks elaborate food, make sure the chef has a good handle on the basics.  I have to believe the same holds for bakers, right?

This got me thinking... I’ve put together a few complicated flavors, but could I bake a Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream?  It seemed simple and old and not very sexy.  However, just imagining it the light and fluffy goodness featuring my favorite Mexican Vanilla ... oh, sooo yummy.

This afternoon I was able to spend a stretch in the kitchen, I worked with wonderful ingredients and enjoyed the time spent baking.  I had on my apron, a towel thrown over my shoulder, and the mixer humming.  Good stuff.

Vanilla Cupcakes are simple, but not easy.  This echoes my journey through sobriety as well as most things worthwhile…relationships, parenting, education, good health, etc.  Certainly, a spiritual life is simple but not easy.

As a young person, I wasn't interested in vanilla because I was drawn to the sparkle of chocolate, peanut butter, coconut, ... anything but plain old vanille.  Thank goodness I've come to appreciate this all-time favorite.

 

I have a great life. Some days are vanilla…and other days are Chocolate Mocha Caramel Nutty!  And that's ok.