Maggie Marsek

Greetings from Ireland!

Maggie — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:53 +0000

We are having such a wonderful time in this beautiful country! I’m trying to shoot my signature film stock but the sporadic rain showers and dark shadows from the massive clouds are making it different to capture the hundred shades of green. I’m shooting a lot of digital just to cover my ground but still hoping to get some gems on film. In the meantime, I couldn’t resist sharing this little guy I came across on my walk where we are staying on the Dingle Peninsula (You can also follow along on our adventure via my Instagram.)

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mommas out there!

Recipe Wednesdays: Lemon Madelines

Maggie — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:45:16 +0000

Recently, while exploring wine country of San Francisco, we stopped at some great eateries and bakeries. The first one, Picco in Larkspur, along with it’s great selection of larger tapas -style ‘entrees’ had amazing Soft Center Chocolate Madelines. The second, Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, had the best French Macarons. Inspired by these great desserts I am on a French kick in my kitchen. I am starting with these little darlings…

You say “Madeleine” I say “Madeline.” I’ve seen it spelled both ways. This classic French pastry recipe comes from my trusty Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook. Every recipe I have made from this book -and there are more than I can count on my fingers- has been a roaring success. This one is now on top of the list of favorites.

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for pans

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract

3 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

I love how almond flour brings a lightness to the cake texture, but I have to say, the lemon is the star ingredient here.

Only 8 ingredients. I know, crazy right?

Directions:

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, whisk together flours and sugar; set aside.

Add the lemon zest and extract to the cooled butter, stirring to combine. In a large bowl, combine the eggs with the salt, and whisk until frothy. Whisk in reserved flour mixture until just combined. Fold in the butter mixture with whisk. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 12-mold madeline pans, and dust with four, shaking out the excess. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip. Pipe the batter into prepared pans, filling each mold about halfway.*

Bake, rotating pan halfway though, until edges of the cakes are golden brown, about 12-14 minutes. Immediately invert the madelines onto a wire rack to cool. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Madelines should be served the same day they are baked.

*I didn’t have a 1/2-inch tip, so I just used a regular plastic storage bag with the corner cut off. You can also simply spoon the batter into the pans. You will also notice I didn’t fill my pan (I only have one) just 1/2 way. I filled pretty much up to the edge. They didn’t rise much, so I thought they were perfectly proportioned

I still had a little bit left-over batter (*see note above) so I used these cute little tins I got from my Grandmother’s house.

C’est magnifique!! No?

These are absolutely amazing on their own, but for wow factor, serve with raspberry sorbet!

Local

Maggie — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:39:51 +0000

Just a quick post to share some of my favorite images I recently snapped and shared on my Instagram in my beloved neighborhood of Leucadia. Enjoy!

Tacos & Palapas

Maggie — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:25:41 +0000

Baby Photography: Vida

Maggie — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:37:59 +0000

You will recognize my friends Tom & Janet from here and this post last June. They have since had their beautiful baby girl, Vida Rae. The three of them, plus Hero the cat, have a cozy life in their new house in a new neighborhood not far from the beach. (which is unfortunately, not as close to us as they were.) Little Miss Vida is a very smiley baby who lights up whatever room she is in. I won’t apologize for the number of photos I’ve posted here, after all, I’ve had to make up for the last 6 months of not photographing her pretty face

Every baby’s favorite teething pal…Sophie!

When I worked the Queen Bee women’s art market last April, Tom stopped by my booth to show me this darling little romper he was going to surprise Janet with; this was early on before they knew if they were having a boy or a girl. Isn’t it (for lack of a better word) precious?!

Here are Janet and Vida last June…. and here they are 8 months later!

If you are dying to see more, the rest of the cuteness can be seen here

Recipe: Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes w/ Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting

Maggie — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:28:22 +0000

For dinner I’m making a Corned Beef slowly cooked in Guinness (don’t judge!) with Cabbage, potatoes and a carrot, parsnip & leek sauté. But what St. Patrick’s Day would be complete without Guinness… and Baileys? I’m bringing back the recipe posts on this fine, rainy holiday weekend with a dessert

I’ve adapted the recipe, which is intended as a cake, from Nigella Lawson. A couple years ago when I first tried the recipe, I put a spin on it by adding a little Baileys Irish Cream to the frosting. You could use a buttercream frosting here too, but I think the cream cheese lightens it and tends to resemble the light cream on a perfectly poured Guinness.

Cake Ingredients:

(*note my equivalents are approximate)

1 cup Guinness

2 sticks, unsalted butter, sliced or cubed

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups granulated sugar

4 oz. sour cream

2 eggs

1 tablespoon real vanilla extract

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons plain flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Prepare muffin tins with silicone or paper cupcake liners. (I used silicone). Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter and heat until the butter’s melted. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Whisk together sour cream, eggs and vanilla then add to the amzing smelling beer & butter mixture. Finally whisk in the flour and baking soda until smooth. Remove from heat. Pour the cake batter into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 30 – 45 minutes, check to see when tops are just barely firm to touch. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients:

10 oz. cream cheese

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups sifted confectioners (powdered) sugar

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

~2 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream *to taste

Directions:

Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, slowly mix in the sifted confectioners sugar. Add part of the cream and the Baileys and beat again until smooth. It’s not as dense as buttercream, but if it’s too thin, just add more confectioners sugar until desired consistency. Pipe or spread frosting on the cooled cupcakes.

Enjoy & Have a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day..Irish or not!

Adventure: Catalina Island

Maggie — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:40:23 +0000

We recently went on a trip to Catalina Island, off the coast of California. My parents were coming for a quick visit in celebration of my father’s Birthday. They have been to California so many times that they had seen it all and done it all. Catalina Island has been on my “Go see” list for a while and I felt this was the perfect excuse to check it off my list. My dad had been there maybe 30 years ago, and my Mother, Rob nor myself had ever been there, so basically, we were set for an adventure!

We took a fast boat out of Dana Point on a Saturday morning. I read up on some of Catalina’s fascinating history in the Catalina Islander while enjoying what could be my family’s signature cocktail, the Bloody Mary. We arrived in the little town of Avalon early in the afternoon to allow for plenty of sightseeing, lunch, more beverages, and a bit of shopping. Rob even surprised me with a round of miniature golf before we all capped off the evening with an amazing dinner.

Sunday we wanted to get a real taste of the history of the island, it’s landscapes and natural inhabitants before heading back home late in the afternoon. We scheduled a 3 and a half hour Jeep Eco tour run by the Catalina Island Conservancy. It was amazing! Our knowledgeable and friendly tour guide gave us a private tour, off road, all over the back country of the island. It’s just one of the most beautiful places I have seen..and Bison on the hills… with the ocean as the back drop?! So so cool! (The Bison were brought over in the 1920′s for a Zane Gray silent film, and were left there. A heard of 150 Bison call Catalina their home.)

I packed light for the trip, so I only shot with my camera phone and some film with my classic Canon AE-1. I highly recommend you make a visit to the island if you have the opportunity. I thought it felt like a little, European port town, with fishing, boating, shops, restaurants…and of course, the wild addition of Bison!

Steve’s Arnold Palmer: Lemonade, Iced tea, Sweet Tea Vodka & Strawberry Puree

View of Avalon Bay

check out the panoramic views!

Yeah, Bison & ocean

This is called Shark Bay, for a rock that is white tipped and looks like a shark fin

Cool little chopped truck with a long board on top

We didn’t actually see any of the foxes, which have adapted to the environment with dwarfism. They are supposed to be tiny & cute

very large Mai Tai!

Goodbye Avalon Bay at Catalina Island…hope to explore you again!

Finally…..It’s Here!!!!!!

Maggie — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:10:44 +0000

Oh man, I have almost been busting at the seams trying to contain my excitement for the release of my new art piece at Urban Outfitters!

You may remember last year they had an image of mine wrapped on canvas. Then they approached me wanting one of my collages and I recently hinted at the exciting announcement.

Here is a picture of my stitched collage commissioned by Urban Outfitters. The pieces are all from photos I have taken, all of which were shot on film. I pieced it and then carefully stitched it all together with contrasting black thread.

I did a high resolution scan and Urban had it enlarged and then mounted on wood. The piece is cut out to the outline of my actual collage. There are multiple colors in it so it will fit in just about any room in your house or office. It’s pretty neat and very affordable.

You can find it here!!!

Baby Photography: Beau

Maggie — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:07:09 +0000

In honor of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d post this little heart breaker, Beau Gardner Martin. My friend Mindy had Beau about 3 months ago, just one day after my Birthday. I was really hoping for his arrival on my actual Birthday but he came a day later and is definitely the gift that keeps on giving!

We had a fun little afternoon session of photos and Beau’s beautiful, big, blue eyes sparkled throughout. I get a kick out of his myriad of expressions, and how he appears so different depending on the position he is in…I’m really not sure which is my favorite!

These diaper pins were engraved when Mindy’s husband was a baby. How special is that?!

Check out these expressions!

I’m ending with this one – it looks like he’s leaning in and saying:

“Stay tuned ladies, there will be more cute where this came from!”

More here

Korduroy 2.0 is coming!

Maggie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:02:24 +0000

Remember how I said 2012 was all about MORE? Here is another example:

Korduroy interviewed me back in November and now I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Makers section of the all new Korduroy 2.0!

More interviews, more videos, more cool…..more YEW!!!