Nordljus turned One!

13 February 2006

... more than a week ago. It seems to have gone so quickly and I’d like to thank all the readers of this site for your support – I’ve been inspired by all your feedback and I’m sure I’ll continue to be so!

Wanting to make something to celebrate this small anniversary, I got some ideas from my old books/magazines and conjured up this pink cake. I hoped it would look suitable for a birthday even though it doesn’t have a candle on top – however, when I took the pictures of it, I realised that it looks much more like a Valentine cake (!) so I’d rather use it for a Valentine dessert suggestion :)

This cake consists of pistachio mousse inside covered with raspberry mousse and pink macarons. I made pistachio praline and put it into the mousse as well as scattering some on top, it really adds a contrasting texture. The base sponge is also made with pistachio – although this combination is rather classic, I really like the rich nutty flavour and subtle tang. You can add chocolate of course, as I did here, all the flavours work really well and if it’s for Valentine’s day, it must be even better to add a rich, romantic touch :)

As an extra thank you to you all, I’ve made some desktop images with pictures from my previous posts and my photo blog – each one has four sizes so I hope you find one you like and that it will fit on your monitor!
 

FOR FOOD LOVERS


Tiramisu – read the post
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Rocket Pesto and Mozzarella Loaf – read the post
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Summer Berry Parfait – read the post
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Pomme d’Eve – read the post
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Lavender Pear Ice-cream – read the post
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White Chocolate Cake with Roses – read the post
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FOR FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE LOVERS
 


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Two Weeks in Provence – read the post
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FOR ENGLISH BEACH LOVERS
 


Hunstanton, Norfolk – read the post
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Stackpole, Pembroke – from photo blog
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FOR (NAUGHTY) CAT LOVERS
 


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Food - Sweet    Misc    89 comments    Permalink

  • Hi Keiko- I have to agree that the cake is more suitable for Valentines rather than a birthday. But it doesn’t matter as it looks so good, actually better than thosse that I saw previously on some pastry shops in my country! I never tried the pistachio raspberry combination and I wonder how it tasted. I want to ask if the chocolate-raspberry-pistachio combination good? and what flavor do you like best to pair with your chocolate? And by the way the rose petal makes the cake look soo good!Thank You.

    Posted by Cathy | 13 February 2006 #

  • hi keiko, happy blog birthday! i saw the raspberries and rose petals and macarons and the first thought that popped into my head was you had come up with your very own spin on ispahan ;) your pistachio flavoured confecton sounds equally lovely! and what a gorgeous picture, as always

    Posted by Joycelyn | 13 February 2006 #

  • So beutiful as usual ! really "pro"

    Posted by mercotte | 13 February 2006 #

  • happy bloggy birthday! rock on with your fine self.

    Posted by santos. | 13 February 2006 #

  • happy b-day Nordljus! :)

    Continue excel and shine through the second year and on!

    Posted by chika | 13 February 2006 #

  • Keiko, Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on one year of superb food blogging. Thanks for offering your lovely desktop images...I have been looking for a new one!

    Posted by hag | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy Birthday and I wish you yet another year filled with delightful pics!

    Posted by ilva | 13 February 2006 #

  • Many Happy Returns Nordjus!

    Your blog is a visual feast Keiko and your photography is something we can all aspire to.

    Posted by Bron | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy anniversary, Keiko!

    Your new cake is gorgeous as always. And I love the desktop images. I’ll pick a foodie one(tiramisu).., or the beach..hm. can we pick more than one?

    Posted by Dreska | 13 February 2006 #

  • Felicitaciones Keiko, this desktop image idea is a bomb...it’s really original! I read your provence post. My boyfriend is from that region and I’ve been spending quite some time there. Love all the pictures you’ve taken. Kudos!!

    Posted by kel @ Green Olive Tree | 13 February 2006 #

  • great photos!!!! wooow!

    Posted by toasted | 13 February 2006 #

  • as the greeks say

    NA TA EKATOTISEIS

    may you live to the hundredth

    the blog till the hundredth ;-)

    amazing pictures keiko

    Posted by sha | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy blogday Keiko and Nordljus! Keep up the good work and the awesome looking cakes (Oh, and the other photographs of course - right now I’m just busy salivating over this one...)

    Posted by Zarah Maria | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy Anniversary! Love cake and your photos!

    Posted by Kat & Satoshi | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy anniversary! What a pretty cake!

    Posted by Rabbit | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy Birthday!! You are a real artist! We look to you for great recipes and beautiful photos!

    Thanks Keiko.

    Melissa

    Posted by Melissa | 13 February 2006 #

  • keiko,

    Happy blogday!

    very lovely valentine colors.indeed. it will surely melts any girls heart :P hide ring in one of macaron (if anyone proposing) definitely give her a big surprise hahaha ... i like the whirling pattern of the plate, it seems to make the fabulous valentine sweetie stands out even more!!!

    p.s: oh btw, Happy Valentine Day as well! :)

    Posted by slurp! | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy 1st anniversary! I stumbled on Nordljus some time ago, but didn’t get to check out the archives until a few weeks ago. I love the photos. Keep up the excellent work and thanks for the nice desktop images, Keiko! :-)

    Posted by SkyJuice7 | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy Birthday Nordljus!!!

    Congratulations Keiko for so fantastic pics and perfect foods!

    Thank you for our present:) So how should we thank you :/ !?

    Posted by dilek | 13 February 2006 #

  • it looks amazing! happy blogday!

    Posted by tiptup | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy birthday Nordljus - what a beautiful photo - just like every other beautiful photo on your site. I am envious!!!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Posted by Ruth | 13 February 2006 #

  • ohh! keiko! your pink dessert matches my pink tagliatelle! :) Happy Birthday!!

    Posted by fiordizucca goes english | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy Blog Birthday! I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to another year of your exquisitely beautiful images.

    Posted by melissa | 13 February 2006 #

  • Happy blogday to you,

    Happy blogday to you!

    It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, both on and off your blog and I wish you lots of success and fulfilment with Nordljus over the coming years :-)

    Posted by Jeanne | 13 February 2006 #

  • happy happy birthday to you!!!

    Posted by megwoo | 13 February 2006 #

  • hi keiko, happy bloganniversary!! funny, mine is tomorrow.. :) but you really go all out to celebrate, and as usual, your post is flawless and so beautiful..

    Posted by Lil | 13 February 2006 #

  • The beauty of your pictures and the gentleness of your words..Happy blogday!! ; o )

    Posted by valentina | 13 February 2006 #

  • Lovely, as usual. Thank you for giving us such a beautiful year of sharing your talent!

    Posted by Fran | 13 February 2006 #

  • HappyBlogBirthday Keiko ! Just overwhelmingly beautiful.

    I’m speechless with admiration...

    Posted by Carolg | 13 February 2006 #

  • I found your blog through the Food Blog Awards and have been blown away by your photos! In addition to your technical skill with a camera, your kitchen skills and plating are also fantastic! How did you ever learn to make sweets look likes these? ;)

    Posted by Olivia | 13 February 2006 #

  • Keiko

    A very happy anniversary to you. Many thanks for all the beautiful words and pictures from this last year. I hope your blog has given you as much pleasure as you have to all your readers :)

    Posted by jo | 13 February 2006 #

  • Keiko,

    Happy birthday to your blog! I am so happy that you have shared your amazing skills with us and hope you continue to do so!

    Posted by Anita | 13 February 2006 #

  • Most odd, I thought I had posted my congratulations but it seems to have disappeared. Happy 1st anniversary! Your photos are an inspiration to all and your food always looks almost too good to eat! Thanks for sharing with us!

    Posted by MM | 14 February 2006 #

  • Happy blogiverary, Keiko. I am really loving the soft, rather romantic look of the cake and think that the wallpapers are a fantastic gift to your readers.

    Posted by Nic | 14 February 2006 #

  • Hello, Keiko! This is a very, very nice blog you have here! Absolutely love the photography skills. Is it taken by you? Wow! Really, really, nice!

    Posted by coffee81 | 14 February 2006 #

  • Keiko,

    First of all, Happy Birthday to your blog!

    As always your photos are incredible! I feel like I could reach out and grab anyone that I wanted!

    I will most definitele enjoy my Valentine’s Day with these photos and desserts!

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Posted by Ivonne | 14 February 2006 #

  • Happy, happy blog birthday to you, Nordljus, and thank you, Keiko, for a luscious year!

    Posted by Molly | 14 February 2006 #

  • Congratulations Keiko on the most inspirational discovery I have made on the web. I have only recently come accross all this blogging and am an addict, especially of your wonderful offerings.

    Keep up the wonderful images and how can I even start to describe the wonderful food....

    Posted by froglette | 14 February 2006 #

  • Happy blogging-versary, Keiko!

    I love the dessert you have made here - it sounds yum. I can’t use those images for my desktop tho because

    1. I would be hungry all the time

    2. I can’t decide which one I like best

    Btw, your cat really does look like both Bella & Tasha!

    Posted by Cin | 14 February 2006 #

  • As we say in Italy: Auguroni!!

    Posted by Alberto | 14 February 2006 #

  • Happy Anniversary Keiko!

    Posted by David | 14 February 2006 #

  • Hi Keiko, Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to more delicious posts from you! ;-)

    Posted by Piggy | 14 February 2006 #

  • Hi Keiko Happy birthday to Nordljus, I wonderful and most recent discovery for me. Your talents are inspiring!

    Posted by Lushlife | 14 February 2006 #

  • Keiko, Happy Anniversary to a beautiful, artistic and well-presented blog! May you have many many more successful years here...

    Another beautiful, rosy and yummy caked! perfect for valentine’s suggestion like you said. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone...

    You’re very generous, Keiko...what a bunch of wonderful choices for screen saver! I do enjoy your photos to the fullest...

    Posted by Maya | 14 February 2006 #

  • Happy delayed blog-birthday, dear Keiko! And thank you for sharing all these gorgeous pictures with us - and a glimpse of your oh-so-pretty-in-pink cake!

    Posted by Pille | 15 February 2006 #

  • You are an inspiration!

    Posted by Kathryn | 15 February 2006 #

  • Happy happy birthday to Nordljus and Congratulation !!!

    I worry about which photograph I choose. Thanks :D

    Posted by joujouka | 15 February 2006 #

  • very beautiful and mouthwatering photos. Spoilt for choice.

    But, I nearly missed them: both RSS and Atom feeds generate an XML Parse Error

    Posted by jakob | 15 February 2006 #

  • Hi everyone, thanks so much for your kind notes and wishes - I hope you all had a lovely valentine’s day!

    Cathy - I really like the combination, I think it works really well together and personally prefer without chocolate. I hope you give it a try some time and let me know what you think ;)

    Joycelyn - ispahan was definitely in my mind ;) but mine turned out rather less classy unlike his...

    Hag, Skyjuice7, dilek, Maya - hope you’ve found one you like :)

    Dreska - choose as many as you want :)

    Kel - any chance that I can see your lovely pictures from Provence? :)

    Slurp - you are so romantic... unlike me! When I read your idea of hiding a ring in a macaron, I thought about fortune cookies!

    Fior - I love your matcha pasta as much as the pink one ;)

    Jeanne - I must be ’more social’ this year even though I live outside London, looking forward to meeting you again soon.

    Lil - happy bloganniversary too!

    Carol - your paintings are absolutely beautiful :)

    Olivia - I’m self-taught and need to learn lots of things!

    Cin - Bella and Tasha are really beautiful (and I’m sure they are not as naughty as my cat :))

    Jakob - could you try to subscribe my photo blog (which is a new version), if it works, I can update my food site too.

    Posted by keiko | 16 February 2006 #

  • Keiko,

    Happy birthday to Nordljus. You’ve tempted us for an entire year with gorgeous photographs of mouthwatering desserts. I can’t wait to see what the year ahead is like. I just wish that I lived closer so that I could taste them all!

    Posted by Reid | 16 February 2006 #

  • Keiko-san

    Happy birthday for one years old Nordljus!

    I really love your pictures and want to see more!

    I hope see you soon!

    Posted by Sagami | 16 February 2006 #

  • Happy Anniversary! Thanks for all your work. The artist in you certainly made the world a brighter place. :)

    Posted by obachan | 16 February 2006 #

  • Happy Happy Birthday dear Keiko!!! :-)

    Thank you dear for you passage on my blog!!!

    If you wanna came in Turin... I’ll wait for you!!!

    Kisses and hugs...

    Sandra

    Posted by Gourmet | 16 February 2006 #

  • Your blog has truly made the year a beautiful delight. Looking forward to more!

    Posted by s’kat | 16 February 2006 #

  • Hi Keiko

    You’re pictures are sublime. I added your cat to my desktop, it reminds me of Woezie. Thanks for your kind words.

    It looks great, like always. The cake is indeed a beautifull valentine’s cake, like to taste it :-)

    Thanks for the support.

    Keep up the good word

    Lots of greetings

    Shanna

    Posted by Shanna | 16 February 2006 #

  • Hello Keiko and Happy Anniversary to your blog! wishing you all the best for the coming year and no doubt it will bring the reward you deserve.Thank you for the wonderful photos. I love especially the rocket pesto one. Your valentine cake is also beautiful and rasberry with pistachio must be a joy. Your cat is cute and looks alike my firt Ludwig. I am not sure you understood that my sweet Douce has been killed last week but really want to thank you for visiting my blog.

    Posted by bonheursdesophie | 16 February 2006 #

  • Can I ask where did you get an english version of Hidemi Sugino’s book - or can you read Japanese?

    Kind Regards

    Justine

    Posted by Justine Cox | 16 February 2006 #

  • Opps sorry for the last comment? Do you know of an english version of Hidemi’s book?

    Justine

    Posted by Justine Cox | 16 February 2006 #

  • Happy Belated Birthday Keiko! And many happy returns. The cake is gorgeous, but what else is new ;-). Well done and thanks for the images, they are luscious!

    Posted by Vivilicious | 17 February 2006 #

  • I hope my wishing is not coming in late, Happy B’day to Nordljus!

    Posted by coffee | 17 February 2006 #

  • Happy b’Day!

    You have such a lovely blog and as always, your photos are exquisite :)

    j

    Posted by jasmine | 17 February 2006 #

  • Ahh late again.

    誕生日おめでとうございます！

    Posted by anthony | 17 February 2006 #

  • Here’s to many more years of Nordljus! Thanks for all the inspirational posts Keiko!

    Posted by Kelli | 17 February 2006 #

  • Happy first blogday Keiko! Here’s to many more beautiful and inspiring postings. I love the idea of the desktop pictures - but which one to choose! Tiramisu is definitely speaking to me pretty loudly, but then the exhilarating seagull view of the beach at Stackpole brings the tang of salty air to my room...

    Posted by Anna | 17 February 2006 #

  • Keiko, M is reading and looking at your post

    He said congratulations and he fancy the tiramissu for his screen...

    Posted by sha | 18 February 2006 #

  • A happy birthday to Nordljus! Congratulations Keiko, how very special! I love the desk top images - all are wonderful but the second cat pic is very special - I shall nab that one for my desktop xxRuby

    Posted by Ruby in Bury | 19 February 2006 #

  • belated happy birthday, Nordljus!!

    お久しぶり。忙しいですか？photoblogのお写真、ほんと素敵です。

    またゆっくり見に来ますね＾＾

    Posted by akane:rgb~nanairo-nianco | 20 February 2006 #

  • Happy Birthday and thanks for the wallpapers.

    Posted by Chubby Hubby | 20 February 2006 #

  • Happy Birthday Nordljus. I can’t figure how lucky i was when i clicked on ’nordljus’ on the kiplog page! I remember thinking ’hum strange name, i love it’.

    And now i can’t live without checking your food blog and your delicious photoblog every other day.

    Keiko you do such a geat job. I hope you’ll keep up and publish a book or something with all your pictures.

    But for the moment i’m happy enough with those gorgeaous wallpapers.

    Love

    Fanny

    Posted by fanny | 20 February 2006 #

  • Happy happy blog birthday! And congratulations as well for your win at the food blog awards...extremely well-deserved! :) And what a sweet gift the wallpapers make...I am choosing mine right now...thank you! :)

    Posted by joey | 20 February 2006 #

  • Ok, I just downloaded some of your gifts and placed on my desktop...oh my! So beautiful! Thank you for giving me a gorgeous piece of culinary art to inspire me as I work :)

    Posted by joey | 20 February 2006 #

  • Happy birthday to your beautiful blog ! Please continue that great job of yours... I really need to get my fix of wonder.

    Thanks;

    Fred

    Posted by Fred | 20 February 2006 #

  • I’m a little late Keiko but Happy Blog birthday.

    Posted by Barbara | 21 February 2006 #

  • Happy much belated birthday to Nordljus! As always, your creations are beautiful and look delicious. I love your choice of wallpapers. I’m going to save them to put on my desktop later (after I’m off my diet.. they’d be too tempting if I put them up now!).

    Posted by Alan | 23 February 2006 #

  • happy anniversary!!!

    Posted by babe_kl | 23 February 2006 #

  • Hi Keiko, just another question - how do you encase (does this mean somthing in english?) the pistachio mousse inside the raspberry mousse. I’d very curious to know it.

    Fanny

    Posted by fanny | 23 February 2006 #

  • Pretty pink and nice. Again, you have a great eye for photography. Congratulations on turning ONE, keep blogging Keiko!!

    Posted by steffles | 26 February 2006 #

  • Hi everyone, apologies for the extremely late response and thank you so much for all your kind notes.

    Shanna - I hope you are getting through it, take care.

    Sophie - I’m so sorry about Douce, I hope your other kitties are doing OK...

    Justine - I believe there is only a Japanese version available at the moment.

    Anna - have you been to Pembroke? Stackpole has really beautiful beaches.

    Sha - I’m looking forward to seeing more of M’s gorgeous creations (as well as yours :))

    Ruby - come to see the naughty cat!

    Alan - have you finished your diet yet? :)

    Fanny - I’ve done a few other similar cakes, you make the inside mousse first and freeze it. Then when you pipe the outer mousse into the moulds you push in the frozen ones. Make sure to make the inside ones smaller than moulds’ size.

    Posted by keiko | 22 March 2006 #

  • beautiful and breathtaking - that’s the two words i’d use to describe your photography. and i’m so glad you’ve put up those beautiful wallpaper graphics. i’m definitely going to use them. i adore your blog - been oogling at the photos you put up for a long while and i’m one impressed fan. keep up the good stuff keiko! :) cheers!

    Posted by cheryl | 27 March 2006 #

  • Hi Cheryl - thank you so much for your kind words, I hope you’ve found one you like, I’d like to make some more again.

    Posted by keiko | 31 March 2006 #

  • Keiko san,

    have been admiring at your pictures for some times now, tell you what, still can’t get enough of them. I also bookmarked you. Your photography skill is awesome (the angle you chose for the pictures). I wonder what camera are you using ?

    Keep it up.

    Thomas.

    Posted by thomas lawrence | 27 April 2006 #

  • Hi Thomas - thank you for your kind notes, I got a Canon 350D as I wanted a small, light camera.

    Posted by keiko | 9 May 2006 #

  • thanks for all the pictures, ive never seen such beautiful ones!

    Posted by teodora | 9 December 2006 #

  • ...what do you think about Ferran Adrià? thanks ale

    Posted by alessandra | 13 March 2007 #

  • Hello Keiko
    My name is Lotte. i´m from Denmark…
    I was friday-evening-surfing and somehow I just ended up in your pictureworld with the most wonderful food, food og very very much food…
    I´m suddenly hungry again…hihi
    You are GOOOOD...a real picturegourmet…hihi
    I will surely come visit Nordljus…many times from now on…

    Have a very nice weekend Keiko…
    smile from Lotte

    Posted by Lotte | 25 May 2007 #

  • Hi Alessandra and Lotte, thank you for your notes and I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you.

    Alessandra – I neither know him personally nor have tasted his food, but I think he is a great chef as everyone believes :)

    Posted by keiko | 21 January 2008 #

  • Oh—my—god. These pictures are wonderful, and so are the other wallpapers! These are just so elegant, but I can’t put them as wallpaper because my computer won’t let me!

    Posted by Sarah | 18 March 2008 #

  • I am lucky that I got to know your blog through my friend. Your photos are amazing. I love photography myself, so I really appreciate your photo shots. You are not only good to shoot the patisserie, but all the shots. Bravo ! Always enjoy your photostream !

    Teresa

    Posted by Colourful Life | 15 May 2008 #

  • Hi, have you published the recipe for this pistachio raspberry mousse anywhere? It looks amazing!

    Posted by bridie | 30 June 2010 #

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