Okay, I have had a craving all week for something. What is it? I don't know! But nothing I have stuffed down my gullet in the past five days has even come close to satisfying my insatiable desire for food. And no, I'm not pregnant :) It's just that I get into these mysterious food kicks, you see? Ever since I was a teeny, tiny toddler I would get into these.. streaks where only ONE thing, one food item would really hit the spot and end my hunger. And make no mistake... I will keep eating until I figure it out and really, that isn't always as fun as it may sound.
Sometimes it's as simple as looking in my amply stocked kitchen. Other times I need to get my ass off of the couch and journey to the store to find out exactly what I need. Hence why I spend endless hours on a crowded weekend walking through Jungle Jims. But even more times still, I find myself here, online, searching some of my favorite food blogs until bam! That one perfect thing with its alluring little photo POPS off of the page and devilishly lures me into a food adventure.
So, for your reading and gastronomical pleasure, I have compiled a tiny list of my favorite food blogs that inspire me daily. Starting with the one that really made me want to cook. Not just bake cook. I introduce you now to Deb Perelman and her wonderful little gem, Smitten Kitchen This a sweet, honest blog about a delightful woman name Deb. She lives in NYC and makes the most stunning things out of her truly tiny kitchen. I can't count how many times I've made her Penne Alla Vodka. From main dishes to noshes to desserts and even drinks she does it all. All the while reminding us that she is no professional and if she is capable of making such delectable dishes in her tiny kitchen with no formal training AND a toddler at her feet, so can we. Did I mention she takes stunning photos, tests her recipes rigorously and is writing a cookbook? I say, step aside Martha. Deb is the new modern domestic goddess.
Next up is Bakerella. This blog is written by Angie Dudley. Its very girly, kitsch kind of website that contain recipes for the most indulgent baked goods your eyes have ever laid sight on and your teeth have ever sank into. She comes across just as sweet as the stuff she makes. A lot of the times she even uses mixes and I don't mind a bit! Her signature? Cake Pops. Little balls of cake on a stick dipped in chocolate. There is a book and a subsequent book tour dedicated to them and they are so adorable they make Hello Kitty look pitiful. Everything is in fantastically cute colors. And to bump it up and notch? Macaron Pops with little bows tied to the sticks. I die. For my birthday, I made myself her Cookie/Brownie Bars. Just recently, she received an impromptu call from Blake Lively, apparently a great baker in her own right, to come on over for the day, hang, and bake. And Disney has commissioned her for various projects involving her whimsical Cake Pops. What a life, huh? Let's hope she doesn't forget us little people down here.
Orangette is such a fantastic find. Molly Wizenberg started her blog, named after one of her favorite candies, six years ago. Before that she spent time in Paris and was in a Ph.D program for a bit. I adore her Cabbage Gratin. And while her recipes are worth the look see alone, I stayed because of the story. Soon after beginning her blog, Molly fell in love with a reader. They are now married and living in Seattle, Washington. In August of 2009, they opened Delancey, a wonderful little restaurant that on a trip to visit family, I had the pleasure of dining in. I kind of bullied the fam into going. I had to try it! I had the Hot Salami Pizza and a spicy Ginger Cake for dessert. The Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce would taste good on a shoe. I'm so jealous. She has written a New York Times bestseller and currently has a monthly column in Bon Apetit. She has a lot on her plate and after eating what she puts on her plates, I'm not the least bit surprised.
Honestly, next time you are bored with nothing to do. Make a cup of tea or fill up your wine glass and have a look at any of these sites. I promise you, within forty-five minutes you will be dying to make at least three things. Hopefully one day, my humble little site will do the same. Until then...I shall dream!
Smitten Kitchen
Bakerella
Orangette
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A Feast For Five, Eaten by Two
Hello my lovelies! I am sorry for my absence. It seems that the New Year thought it would be wonderful to bestow upon me what I am now calling, "The Zombification Virus". Be careful, it's goin' 'round! :) Joking aside, it was a major suckfest. I despise anything that makes laying in bed, watching Netflix all day totally unfun.
New Years was nice. Nothing special but I think I was in need of a big, healthy dose of boring. That's how I always remember them in my house, too. My family mostly spent the day noshing on cheese and crackers, leftover holiday fixings and cookies, and playing board games. Backgammon, Yahtzee, Scrabble! Just enjoying the last little moments of holiday magic. So, for mine and J's shut in holiday, I cooked.
While J played PS3, I slaved away in the kitchen making mac n' cheese, crumbles, crackers, and sticky buns! All of them were new recipes picked to be decadent, hearty, and warm and to usher in the New Year in total comfort! It gave me a chance to use my new ramekins, Le Creuset baking dish, and totally zone out and destress from my holiday funk.
I suppose it's best to start at the beginning of the festive feast with breakfast. I made Sticky Buns, Bacon, and Scrambled Eggs. I think scrambled eggs and bacon are in no need of explanations. I do however bake my bacon on a wire mesh cooling rack/ baking pan combo in an oven at 400 degrees until crispy. It saves you and your oven from messy grease splatters, burns, and the bacon never gets over done! And the Sticky Buns!! Mmmmmmm.... so simple and sticky. They are flaky unlike cinnamon rolls. They even made me love raisins that aren't chocolate covered. Momma would be sooo proud!
For lunch, we noshed. Holiday leftovers sandwiches, cookies, and an elevated cheese and crackers. Stilton and Walnut Crackers with Granny Smith Apples. Homemade, the crackers aren't like Ritz. They are dense and remind me really of savory shortbread. Cheese and crackers all in one is definitely a plus. Perfect to munch on with sliced, tart green apples and a Manhattan, which, I did :) All while preparing dinner and dessert. I was waaay to excited about these because I got to use my new over price Le Creuset ramekins and deep casserole dish. ( I also got a cast iron dutch oven, tea kettle, and a souffle dish! Santa was ooohh sooo nice this year!)
For dinner, I made the most decadent, fantasical Beer Baked Mac N' Cheese you could possibly imagine in my new casserole dish. Thank God Jungle Jim's is just up the street. It made buying all the cheeses easy and what's best is they have such a great selection. Seriously, my mom has a banging baked mac n' cheese recipe and I love it and will make it for decades to come because it's what I know and love but this... THIS... ooey, gooey, molten, cheesy love! And I don't even like beer! It also rebakes like a dream. Serve it with a great, big green salad and drift away into a food coma for the next few hours.
And just in case you haven't had enough... I made Plum and Raspberry Crumbles for dessert. It's now my favorite non chocolate dessert. Before this.. that did NOT exist. You can make Peach/ Blueberry, Cranberry and Pear, or Strawberry Rhubarb if you like but I love Plums. They looked sooo gourmet all bubbled over the sides of my new ramekins. I put a dollop of Vanilla Bean ice cream on top. Note... let the ice cream melt just ever so slightly. You'll thank me. Even if your tummy doesn't after eating all this :)
Unfortunately, the digi cam is down so all the lovely photos I took cannot be downloaded, at the moment. I promise to just as soon as I can. In the meantime, enjoy.
Easy Sticky Buns
Stilton and Walnut Crackers
Beer Baked Mac N' Cheese
Plum and Raspberry Crumbles
NOTES:
1. When it comes to the Mac 'N Cheese, you can really use whatever cheeses you like AS LONG as you use the same ratios but really, even if blue cheese is off putting to you, try it this way. I promise, you don't notice it.
2. The crumble recipe made ALOT. I only had four ramekins. I made four right away, baked two immediately and refrigerated the others for the next day. The rest? I poured the fruit into a smallish baking pan, topped it, and baked it. The grandparents got it as a New Years Eve dish.
3. No ramekins? No problems! Just bake it in a traditional baking dish. In the future, I'll probably do the same.
New Years was nice. Nothing special but I think I was in need of a big, healthy dose of boring. That's how I always remember them in my house, too. My family mostly spent the day noshing on cheese and crackers, leftover holiday fixings and cookies, and playing board games. Backgammon, Yahtzee, Scrabble! Just enjoying the last little moments of holiday magic. So, for mine and J's shut in holiday, I cooked.
While J played PS3, I slaved away in the kitchen making mac n' cheese, crumbles, crackers, and sticky buns! All of them were new recipes picked to be decadent, hearty, and warm and to usher in the New Year in total comfort! It gave me a chance to use my new ramekins, Le Creuset baking dish, and totally zone out and destress from my holiday funk.
I suppose it's best to start at the beginning of the festive feast with breakfast. I made Sticky Buns, Bacon, and Scrambled Eggs. I think scrambled eggs and bacon are in no need of explanations. I do however bake my bacon on a wire mesh cooling rack/ baking pan combo in an oven at 400 degrees until crispy. It saves you and your oven from messy grease splatters, burns, and the bacon never gets over done! And the Sticky Buns!! Mmmmmmm.... so simple and sticky. They are flaky unlike cinnamon rolls. They even made me love raisins that aren't chocolate covered. Momma would be sooo proud!
For lunch, we noshed. Holiday leftovers sandwiches, cookies, and an elevated cheese and crackers. Stilton and Walnut Crackers with Granny Smith Apples. Homemade, the crackers aren't like Ritz. They are dense and remind me really of savory shortbread. Cheese and crackers all in one is definitely a plus. Perfect to munch on with sliced, tart green apples and a Manhattan, which, I did :) All while preparing dinner and dessert. I was waaay to excited about these because I got to use my new over price Le Creuset ramekins and deep casserole dish. ( I also got a cast iron dutch oven, tea kettle, and a souffle dish! Santa was ooohh sooo nice this year!)
For dinner, I made the most decadent, fantasical Beer Baked Mac N' Cheese you could possibly imagine in my new casserole dish. Thank God Jungle Jim's is just up the street. It made buying all the cheeses easy and what's best is they have such a great selection. Seriously, my mom has a banging baked mac n' cheese recipe and I love it and will make it for decades to come because it's what I know and love but this... THIS... ooey, gooey, molten, cheesy love! And I don't even like beer! It also rebakes like a dream. Serve it with a great, big green salad and drift away into a food coma for the next few hours.
And just in case you haven't had enough... I made Plum and Raspberry Crumbles for dessert. It's now my favorite non chocolate dessert. Before this.. that did NOT exist. You can make Peach/ Blueberry, Cranberry and Pear, or Strawberry Rhubarb if you like but I love Plums. They looked sooo gourmet all bubbled over the sides of my new ramekins. I put a dollop of Vanilla Bean ice cream on top. Note... let the ice cream melt just ever so slightly. You'll thank me. Even if your tummy doesn't after eating all this :)
Unfortunately, the digi cam is down so all the lovely photos I took cannot be downloaded, at the moment. I promise to just as soon as I can. In the meantime, enjoy.
Easy Sticky Buns
Stilton and Walnut Crackers
Beer Baked Mac N' Cheese
Plum and Raspberry Crumbles
NOTES:
1. When it comes to the Mac 'N Cheese, you can really use whatever cheeses you like AS LONG as you use the same ratios but really, even if blue cheese is off putting to you, try it this way. I promise, you don't notice it.
2. The crumble recipe made ALOT. I only had four ramekins. I made four right away, baked two immediately and refrigerated the others for the next day. The rest? I poured the fruit into a smallish baking pan, topped it, and baked it. The grandparents got it as a New Years Eve dish.
3. No ramekins? No problems! Just bake it in a traditional baking dish. In the future, I'll probably do the same.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Another Year Over
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine? Well, it was magic, you see. Everything worked out! Really. It wasn't 100% what I wanted but it was an 8/10 and honestly, I'll take it. I got a pretty banging candy basket, for one. And two, watching Jeff play with Cocoa was hilarious. She loves him.
Looking back on this year, it's a lot to take in. So much has happened. Up and down. But here I find myself, two days from the New Year, not having any major regrets. I can't remember the last time I thought that. Sure, I might change a thing here or there but nothing life changing.
I grew this year. Learned this year. And loved this year. First, I'll start with love. Of course I was in love before. It's not that I wasn't. I just wasn't loving with all of the faith and abandon one dreams of when they are a little girl. I promised myself this year, I would never settle for a love anything less than what my mother and step father had. What no movie, book, or song tell you is how much work really goes into a good relationship. But it is sooo worth it. Below are my favorite pictures of them.
I learned a lot this year, too. I learned I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I mean, hey, I'm still here. I learned that I have waaay more control over my emotions and actions than I would like to pretend. I haven't yet learned how to fully apply this knowledge, lol. Practice makes perfect, right? And I learned that honesty really is the best policy. No matter what happens or how bad things get, if you are honest, you can hold onto that and know you did all you could.
As for growing, well, I think that explains itself. You can't go through what I've gone through and come out the other side still willing to love, and learn, and live with hope unless you grow. I haven't moved on yet. I haven't forgotten it or accepted it or even to a point where I understand it yet but... I have grown. For I know now, that life whether you like or not, does go on. And so will I, in a New Year, with new friends, new goals, new hopes, and better confidence in myself. I hope and wish all the same for you and yours.
Happy New Year all and God bless.
Looking back on this year, it's a lot to take in. So much has happened. Up and down. But here I find myself, two days from the New Year, not having any major regrets. I can't remember the last time I thought that. Sure, I might change a thing here or there but nothing life changing.
I grew this year. Learned this year. And loved this year. First, I'll start with love. Of course I was in love before. It's not that I wasn't. I just wasn't loving with all of the faith and abandon one dreams of when they are a little girl. I promised myself this year, I would never settle for a love anything less than what my mother and step father had. What no movie, book, or song tell you is how much work really goes into a good relationship. But it is sooo worth it. Below are my favorite pictures of them.
I learned a lot this year, too. I learned I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I mean, hey, I'm still here. I learned that I have waaay more control over my emotions and actions than I would like to pretend. I haven't yet learned how to fully apply this knowledge, lol. Practice makes perfect, right? And I learned that honesty really is the best policy. No matter what happens or how bad things get, if you are honest, you can hold onto that and know you did all you could.
As for growing, well, I think that explains itself. You can't go through what I've gone through and come out the other side still willing to love, and learn, and live with hope unless you grow. I haven't moved on yet. I haven't forgotten it or accepted it or even to a point where I understand it yet but... I have grown. For I know now, that life whether you like or not, does go on. And so will I, in a New Year, with new friends, new goals, new hopes, and better confidence in myself. I hope and wish all the same for you and yours.
Happy New Year all and God bless.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Day Ten: Oatmeal Chocoalte Chip Cookies
Hooray!! I didn't think I would make it to the end of this project. I usually quit things halfway through. I'm proud. And tired of baking. And my body is probably worse for the wear but it was nice. I woke up this morning early and finished my shopping and wrapping. I made my breakfast casserole to take to the boy's mom's tomorrow. I even did a load of laundry and I'm blogging. I love the fullness of the day. It's keeping me calm.
I always remember this day being calm during my childhood. We would snack all day on goodies and watch Christmas movies. And every year after we returned home from our car trip tradition, we would watch Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I love it dearly and I can recite every word. :) And no, I haven't seen the Jim Carrey version and probably never will. I recorded it this year on my dvr and plan to watch it tonight before bed. It always bittersweet now. Maybe when I have kids of my own, the joy would return in spades.
However, since I am so busy, eating a real meal until Christmas Eve dinner tonight is not likely. Luckily last night I made some seriously delicious and what I tell myself is nutritious, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. I loaded one batch up with Ghiradelli White Chocolate chips, dried Cranberries, and pecans. The other batch I threw in Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate chips, Dried Cherries, and walnuts. They could not have been better. The cinnamon with the chocolate does something amazing and you can even taste the salt which is fabulous! The oustides are crispy and the inside is so so soft.
I think they are my best cookie this year. Enjoy everyone and have a Merry Christmas!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
NOTES:
1. Once I started making these I noticed I only had 1/2 cup of brown sugar in the house. I substituted regular granulated white sugar and it turned out just fine.
2. I didn't follow the baking time exactly. I pulled them out when the edges looked a light brown color and the centers looked a bit wet.
I always remember this day being calm during my childhood. We would snack all day on goodies and watch Christmas movies. And every year after we returned home from our car trip tradition, we would watch Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I love it dearly and I can recite every word. :) And no, I haven't seen the Jim Carrey version and probably never will. I recorded it this year on my dvr and plan to watch it tonight before bed. It always bittersweet now. Maybe when I have kids of my own, the joy would return in spades.
However, since I am so busy, eating a real meal until Christmas Eve dinner tonight is not likely. Luckily last night I made some seriously delicious and what I tell myself is nutritious, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. I loaded one batch up with Ghiradelli White Chocolate chips, dried Cranberries, and pecans. The other batch I threw in Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate chips, Dried Cherries, and walnuts. They could not have been better. The cinnamon with the chocolate does something amazing and you can even taste the salt which is fabulous! The oustides are crispy and the inside is so so soft.
I think they are my best cookie this year. Enjoy everyone and have a Merry Christmas!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
NOTES:
1. Once I started making these I noticed I only had 1/2 cup of brown sugar in the house. I substituted regular granulated white sugar and it turned out just fine.
2. I didn't follow the baking time exactly. I pulled them out when the edges looked a light brown color and the centers looked a bit wet.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Day 9: Christmas Morning Casserole
Breakfast is far and away my favorite meal of the day. In my house weekdays were cereal and toast. All kinds of toast. With melted butter, sweet cinnamon sugar, or my favortie, creamy peanut butter. Always with hot tea. The weekends were eggs and sausage and oatmeal and all the jazzy things you go to Bob Evans for. At least at home you can avoid all the old people. (Take a look around sometime. It's creepy.) Sometimes, we would even have breakfast for dinner. I didn't know there was such a thing as ready to go pancake mix until I was at least fifteen. Mom always made them from scratch.
But now older and somewhat wiser, I always look for ways to cut corners to have more than just toast or cereal on a regular basis. A great way to do this is make a breakfast casserole. There are hundreds of variations on these things but as long as you follow the steps of the recipe, you can add anything you like. However, as it comes below was the house favorite. And just in case savory doesn't make the cut on your holiday morning I've included a sweet one, too. I've made it many times on the fly using raspberries more often than blueberries. I thought they would make nice additions to the holiday recipe list as a last minute idea that you can make Christmas Eve and pop in the oven on Christmas morning. No hassle. Just King/Queen of Christmas Delight and Deliciousness.
And really, it should sit over night if possible. It does this wonderful thing to the flavors and texture. Serve it with something hot to drink and maybe a nice fruit salad to keep up appearances that you are "watching my figure". Happy Christmas Eve all.
Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Blueberry Cream Cheese Freach Toast Casserole
But now older and somewhat wiser, I always look for ways to cut corners to have more than just toast or cereal on a regular basis. A great way to do this is make a breakfast casserole. There are hundreds of variations on these things but as long as you follow the steps of the recipe, you can add anything you like. However, as it comes below was the house favorite. And just in case savory doesn't make the cut on your holiday morning I've included a sweet one, too. I've made it many times on the fly using raspberries more often than blueberries. I thought they would make nice additions to the holiday recipe list as a last minute idea that you can make Christmas Eve and pop in the oven on Christmas morning. No hassle. Just King/Queen of Christmas Delight and Deliciousness.
And really, it should sit over night if possible. It does this wonderful thing to the flavors and texture. Serve it with something hot to drink and maybe a nice fruit salad to keep up appearances that you are "watching my figure". Happy Christmas Eve all.
Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Blueberry Cream Cheese Freach Toast Casserole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)