Kiss My Bundt - A CSN Review and Giveaway

I'm a brand name snob. Not when it comes to groceries - I will buy knock offs like Oatty Os and Crispy Rice like nobody's business. But, when new kitchen gadgets are involved, I feel the need to only collect the big names on the playground. For instance: Kitchenaid mixers, Silpat mats, and Le Creuset cast iron are all must haves. There's only one problem.

I can't afford my snobbery. I have a Black and Decker hand mixer and a no-name silicone mat. I don't even own a cast iron pan. Shame on me.

Luckily, a magically fairy (named CSN Stores) came a-knocking on my door. They offered me a gift certificate so I could review something bright, shiny and new for you all. Of course, I had to go with a big name. And, of course, I had to go with bakeware.

Norticware is one of those brand names that I dream having in my kitchen. Now, thanks to CSN, I'm going to have one delivered to my door. I chose one of their amazing bundt pans - mostly because I don't have one in our test kitchen yet. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever baked a bundt before. Horrifying, I know.

This is where the giveaway part comes in. When my new Norticware pan gets here from CSN, I'm going to need a really kick-ass recipe to try out for my official review. I need you - my baked-goods-worshiping friends - to provide me with such a recipe. And, for your yumminess, you will be rewarded with your very own bundt pan from CSN Stores. Pretty sweet deal, eh? Here's the deets for y'all:

1. Leave a comment and link us your best bundt recipe. It can be from your own blog, or from one that you love. All that we require is that it's both unique and super yummy. 
2. In order to be officially entered, you must follow us on Google Reader or some other RSS feed thingy. 
3. For another entry, you can tweet: "Kiss my Bundt and win a new Norticware pan from @CCCakery and @CSNStores - http://tinyurl.com/5tjak2v"
4. We'll be choosing our favourite recipe on Wednesday, March 9th. If we can't choose, we'll just use good ol' random.org!

Awesome? I know. Can't wait to see all the amazing recipes come flowing in!

True Grit Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

I liked the Oscars much better when Billy Crystal was up on stage, dancing around and trading jabs with Nicholson in the front row. Oh, and Ellen. She was a hoot. The last couple award ceremonies have been pretty flat. To add injure to insult, most Hollywood movies have also left me cold. Going out to the cinema is sort of like a crapshoot - you could be paying 14 bucks each to see a real gem, or sit through two and a half hours of complete doo-doo. This is why I've started being real selective with my movies - I carefully watch their rating on Rotten Tomatoes, or I wait until Oscar season is among us and watch the entire "Best Picture Catagory".

There was one movie I had to run out and see before I saw any review (well, two if you include Scott Pilgrim). The Coen Brothers have consistently bewitched me with their stories (re: Fargo, Lebowski, O Brother, No Country, Burn After Reading etc etc). When I heard they were remaking one of my favourite John Wayne films, I got excited. When I heard they were remaking one of my favourite John Wayne films with Jeff Bridges, I peed myself a little. Then made cornbread to celebrate the glory that is True Grit.

Cthulhupalooza II: Son of Cthulhupalooza

You may have figured it out by now, but we're real big nerds. While you guys are out at the park, having a jolly old picnic with your families, we're huddled in a basement, playing D&D while consuming superhuman amounts of Cheetos and Mountain Dew. That's just how we roll. We love hanging out with other nerds, chatting about the latest Deadpool comic or the new World of Warcraft expansion. Lucky enough for us, there's a group that organizes geeky get together in Vancouver.

They're named Second Level Wizards. And they're totally our heroes.

Last Friday, we were able to bake for one of their amazing events, Cthulhupalooza II. Yes, this was the inspiration for our latest terrifying creation. Our cupcakes were along side some amazingly nerdy baked goods that I just had to share with you:

Break My (Dark Chocolate Bread) Heart

I'm so glad Valentine's Day is over. I'm pretty sure my retinas have been permanently damaged by all the pinks and reds floating around the blogosphere. Come on, people. It's time to hide all those little chalk conversation hearts and move on.

Or not.

This month's Dessert Wars called on us to create a delectable dish that featured both dark chocolate and . . . hearts. This means I'd have to journey back to the land of Valentines to get the job done. Cupid thrust an arrow into my chest and gave it a few twists. No matter how painful it was, I'd have to swallow my pride and make something romantic, passionate, and utterly amorous.

Or not.

Journey Around the World (of Cake): Pistachio-Rosewater Cake

I've gotten a lot of emails recently about these bad boys. We love the flavours, you tell me, but a cookie? For Valentine's Day? That doesn't seem too romantic. Okay. You're right. Cookies aren't romantic. I don't know anyone who seductively feeds their significant other oreos in bed. I don't even think you could eat an oreo seductively. I realize that my rosewater cookies aren't the best for a lovely romantic romp. But I do have a cake that will do the trick. It's got rosewater. It's got pistachios. And it's really exotic.

Say assalamu alaikum to the Iranian Pistachio-Rosewater Cake.

Spinach Banana-Nut Muffins

So, you over did it during Super Bowl weekend, didn't you? One too many chicken wings and mugs of cheap beer? I understand. For some reason, you think a bunch of guys tackling each other in tight pants is a big deal. Enough of a big deal to absolutely throw that New Years resolution to the wind and completely engorge yourself. And now, even days after the big game, you've still got heartburn. What's worse, you've finally noticed the flat tire that's started to settle around your middle. It's like the ghost of Thanksgivings past has come to haunt you.

But, it's okay. Football season is now over. You now have couple days to detox before you consume that giant box of stale cinnamon hearts. Time to make the best of it.

Rose Creme Sandwich Cookies

I really have been avoiding the large pink elephant that's been standing in the room for the last four days. All the other super-blogs around have already invited it in and embraced it. But I have yet to follow suit. Oops.

Honestly, Valentine's Day is not too big in this household. Not because we're anti-love or anti-fake-holiday-created-by-the-card-companies. It's just not our thing. Why book a restaurant that will be packed? Why buy each other stuff we don't need? Why designate a special day to stuff ourselves with chocolate when we do that the other 364 days of the year? All good questions. But, even with all the reasons out there to forget about Valentine's Day, there will still be thousands of couples out on the 14th gargling bubbly. Hey, my friends, more power to you.

So, I guess it's my dessert-blogger duty to pander to the all the lovey dovies out there. For you, my little shmoopies, I have a delicate little sandwich cookie that will quickly replace that stale box of chocoaltes you picked up at the grocery store. The flavour is pure, liquid love - exotic rosewater. The creamy filling just seals the deal.  I know this treat will really kick off your Valentine's Day.