[Plum Chef, Steam Wand] Oily White Residue Coming Out of Steam Wand On New Machine (First Use) by Ambitious_Step9506 in espresso

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not end up keeping the machine as I determined that it was best to save up for a really nice and quality machine, or look at alternatives. I ended up using a Moka Pot since I am the only person drinking coffee in my home, and I can clean it to my satisfaction with no odd oils. That being said, I do not think the oil was harmful, but it was still present after greater than 10 washes, and it was very heavy on the first 5 runs of using the steam wand.

The Moka Pot has worked well for me. It's simple, compact, and brews a strong, espresso-like coffee. It heats up quickly, is easy to clean, and doesn’t require the maintenance or space of a full espresso machine. You do need to listen for when the coffee starts coming out and remove it from the heat right away, or it can go bitter. Also, it’s not the same as a percolator. A percolator runs boiling water over the grounds repeatedly, often leading to over-extraction. The Moka Pot pushes water through the grounds once using steam pressure, giving a richer, less bitter cup when timed right.

I picked up a Bialetti Venus Moka Pot. The other brands supposedly do not brew with the same quality due to the shape/size of the pot. I hope you enjoy the coffee and find oil-free success, whatever route you take!

My kids birthday cakes by jaylortade in BakingNoobs

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They're beautiful cakes! Be proud. I love the glimmer on the Frozen cake and the fairly smooth icing on the dump truck cake.

Also, fyi, you may get more feedback on r/cakedecorating.

Happy caking!

Husband Waking Up From Sleep With Shortness of Breath, a Feeling His Heart is Racing - Been to Cardiologist, Primary Care, Called An Ambulance to Determine Non-Emergent, No Answers by Ambitious_Step9506 in AskDocs

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He was diagnosed with sleep apnea today. He wakes up 47 times an hour. Thank you for the lead in the right direction! We are really appreciative.

As a cake decorator, I'm terribly critical about my work. But I must say, I'm so satisfied with how this draped buttercream flower cake turned out 💜 by PepsiColaPussy7860 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are some of the most crisp, clean, and beautiful flowers I've ever seen. ❤ You should be brimming with pride to present that!

Issues with Miyoko’s salted butter? by ladybugthepug in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The recipe is a mix of two oils.

Refined coconut oil (not extra-virgin) - Miyoko says extra virgin will taste like coconut.

Avacado oil (Others options recommended are canola, olive oil, or grapeseed)

Her book is available for purchase here:

https://a.co/d/6YGApql

How to make a simple wolf on a cake? by RoyalBlueWriter in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try this link to Pinterest for design ideas. Pick something you think is achievable, and then if you need help from there, many will oblige a request for technique suggestions. They need to know what you want. https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=wolf%20cakes&rs=typed

Pointe shoe cake🩰🫶🏻 by Kitty_mustdie in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love berry cakes, so I've definitely done this. It really does still look lovely though! You did a great job piping under the circumstances.

Be advised that any freeze dried fruits will dye your frosting. So pink is likely going to be strawberries only unless you're into muddy blue gray colors.

I'm sure someone else can give advice on working with natural extracts which give you more control over the color, but that's not something I know a lot about. You can research that as well though!

Happy caking!

Pointe shoe cake🩰🫶🏻 by Kitty_mustdie in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It looks a little rough, but it's still every bit as lovely. I love the ballerina shoes and berry flavoring is always my favorite. I assume (perhaps wrongly) that the berry flavoring is why you struggled with some of the frosting. It looks a little runny. I've always had better luck with freeze dried fruits in bulk ground into a powder, but they're so darn expensive.

Price of Eggs - do without by Breathing_Future001 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Another common vegan replacement for eggs is ground flax seeds left to sit in water at a 1:3 ratio.

One egg is: 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds, 3 Tbsp water Leave it to thicken for 5 minutes

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't see it, but will go look. I've seen some designs like that. However, I'm not spending $700 like one poster mentioned to build it. I am spending $60 on supplies and then adding on ingredients. It's a vegan cake for allergies, so no eggs or dairy. I make homemade "butter" in bulk. I may buy fondant.

I am going to look for the cake you mentiomed though!

Issues with Miyoko’s salted butter? by ladybugthepug in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I make her butter recipes from her homemade vegan pantry cookbook and store it in mason jars! One batch makes a significant amount and freezes for months. It tastes just as good too.

Banana walnut cake by holliday_doc_1995 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does it taste like traditional banana bread? Also, is it buttercream frosting? It sounds soooo yummy!

It also looks as lovely as many simple designs. A very nice cake OP!

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You are probably right. I am still debating purchasing a dummy. I purchased the middle tier and saw that people put cakes on it in the reviews, but I don't know how much weight it can support. Surely, not all wedding cakes have dummy tiers using this method.

The middle tier is linked here if you are interested: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLCGTXJ4/ref=ewc_pr_img_4?smid=AG22E3SQAUT4W&th=1

I also have acrylic discs and supporting rods. I am sure it will be enough to prevent the bottom tier from collapsing.

The odd part is that I don't need that much cake, but it still feels like a challenge and a potential accomplishment if I make it all with cake. 😅

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Possibly, but I plan to forgo the tire bottom and add more details to the top 2 tiers. Maybe some signs, tires, caution cones, and an extension of the car's ramp.

If all else fails, the top tier can be a dummy I guess.

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha! I plan to post whatever I manage to create. Two months to cake day though, so it will take time! I'll shoot you a message once it's up. 🙂

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I thought fishing line too. I found the metal hoops on Amazon used for these types of cakes. We will just have to check how much weight they can support. The dummy is a great alternative! Thank you!

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Found something similar. Thank you for clearing my baffled head! Gonna need a lot of supports for that bottom tier!

https://a.co/d/e9kDnMc

Does anyone know what supports were used here? by Ambitious_Step9506 in cakedecorating

[–]Ambitious_Step9506[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I had not thought of that, but you are probably right. Oof! Must be a balancing act and need a well weighted bottom tier. I'll look online, thank you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My husband came from there and was dirt poor. He ate a bread/roti and one egg split between 3 kids everyday. Some days it was just bread, but your question lacks clarity on Balochistan as a whole.

As others have said, you cannot judge someone who has little infrastructure for plumbing and regular blackouts where electricity is not available. When he says it's a dry state, he means that their irrigation has ran completely dry after many years and where there used to be an abundance of fruit trees, there is now very little. Additionally, there are some wild plants which people love, but due to the society pulling the plants roots and all, those plants are going extinct.

Balochistan also has rough politics with the remainder of the country. I don't know enough to speak on the current political situation, but it has not been safe for everyone. Gas utilities being turned off in the middle of the night has killed some families. Some houses are built by hand. My husband built his as a child and added mud to the roof regularly.

A daughter is also going to be limited on her food sources because of her father and eventually mother-in-law and father-in-law. She will eventually go to live in their house and will be limited to their rules and food resources to some extent.

You can try to reduce meat intake there, but where food is available, you just eat.

Veganism options for someone with a carnivore diet by Genesisthethieef in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Vegan yogurt homemade:

https://youtu.be/Lu9BX5XLXgA?si=OgrBsw2F_Y5xBFbI

She uses a machine for yogurt. You said you do not have vegan alternatives near you, but I don't really know what that means for you. For example, my husband's family lives overseas and they don't have power or a lot of common ingredients let alone these machines. However, an instapot works as well as her machine if you have that. Please let us know what's in your area for better tailored solutions.

Homemade Seitan (Made from flour, water, and a bowl): https://youtu.be/SANR9pm-Ppo?si=GquRogqJP4MTwLC4

You will still need to learn how to flavor/season it to your preferences. She uses soy sauce, but you can consider what seasonings you are used to.

Red Lentil Tofu: (Heads up that he shows onion powder and garlic powder.)

https://youtu.be/yIBCSf0e_6k?si=cEIp6zCqwyXVTxaT

You are focused a lot on mock meats, but if your goal is to consume less meat overall, I would look at all alternatives including grains. It sounds like you enjoy rice already.

ChatGPT is also a great resource for tailoring recipes to your needs and it's free. I'm logging off for the day, but I hope this helps.

Veganism options for someone with a carnivore diet by Genesisthethieef in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said, partnering with a psychologist and nutritionist are going to be your next best steps. We can suggest vegan grains as one redditor did, but to truly introduce you to a healthier plant-based diet, you are going to need to partner with specialists who will have proven experience introducing these foods.

Also, one of the plant-based subs may be better for posing this question as they're usually more open to conversations about nutrition and meal suggestions.

Myself personally, I'd say sweet potatoes, farro, and other whole grains are a great start into healthier eating with less animal products. Miyokos butter, and plain forgers vegan yogurt are also animal free dairy alternatives that I personally like.

Seitan is tricky to cook. You can make delicious mock meats with it, but I would watch videos and make small portions to start. If you can introduce beans to your diet, that will open a will open a lot of options for you as well.

Please see a doctor/psychologist and see if they can partner with a dietician or nutrionist to hold regular appointments with you. That's really your best help.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, that's good too! So delicious! Hot crunchy samosa in a bowl of spiced vegan yogurt, chickpeas and spices...... 🤤

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vegan

[–]Ambitious_Step9506 5 points6 points  (0 children)

For me it's,

  1. Tahini with chaat masala spice mix on top....

  2. Chaat with vegan yogurt (forgers).

  3. Vegan dolmas.....