SNAP! Rosemary Cornmeal Grissini

Crunch CRUuuuunchhhhhh CRUNCH

What? Did you say something?

snap.

Nibble nibble....

SNAP

Don't mind me, I am just blissing out on bread. Bread sticks. Perfect longer than necessary rustic bread sticks. 

Grissini

Rosemary cornmeal grissini because I know you are dying to figure out what that noise is.

They just sound sexy. They are more rustic than sexy but baking bread is sexy if you ask me.


Don't be intimidated by the fact that there is yeast in the ingredient list or the fact that it sits on the counter until it doubles in size.

Jump in. You heard me.

With the quick mix of the stand mixer or whiz of a food processor or your elbow grease, you will master the bread stick, ahem, grissini. No rolling or kneading needed here folks. Simply pat half the dough out to about eight by four inches, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt. Then, cut into  pencil size strips. Stretch the dough pencils out the length of the cookie sheet and bake for about thirty minutes. Perfect breadsticks. No kidding.

Crunch....

I had to go back for more.

These long straws make a great addition to any meal or snack. Just try not to make them a meal, unless they are accompanied by a bottle of wine. That is a meal. Don't argue. This is true.

I was inspired by Wild Yeast to make these. I didn't change the recipe, it is perfect, she knows more than me about bread. Go and check out the recipe here.

Wild Yeast also post a weekly roundup of all things creative and beautiful in the world of bread. You can find me in the round up at YeastSpotting! It is inspiring.

Check out Bread Baking Day #36 at Girlchef.


Grissini

On love & Meyer Lemon Bars

Its cool.

 

We can fall in love. 

 

I will not tell.

Its the season, actually, its always the season in my book. That is just how I roll.

 

Love has that timeless style going for it.

 

Love has a style that never fades.

 

The bright and sunny style of Meyer lemons never ceases to win my heart. Whomp, my entire fluttering heart hits the floor with an enthusiastic thump with the simple zest of these rays of sunshine in the middle of a cold winter here in the desert. 

 

It might also be the shortbread that is making my heart pitter patter.

 

Buttery shortbread smothered in lip smacking, face puckering Meyer lemon custard. 

 

I know that everything is going to be okay. 

Yeah, you can call it love. 

 

Rays of golden love pouring into my life and aiming for my thighs and my love handles, that's where I keep it stored. 

 

Butter, lemons, flour. We are in love. 

 

My thighs can prove it.

 Go ahead. Fall in love.

Don't worry, my pants don't fit either. Blame it on love.

Meyer Lemon Bars

I came across this recipe in The Joy of Cooking. I substituted Meyer lemons for the traditional variety. I also added a bit more flour which creates a sturdier custard.

(makes 16+ servings)


Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup Meyer lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated Meyer lemon zest
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
confectioners sugar

Directions:
1. Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl.
2. Mix in the flour and salt until it comes together.
3. Press it down into a greased 8 inch square baking pan.
4. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
5. Beat the eggs and sugar until smooth.
6. Mix in the lemon juice and zest.
7. Mix in the flour.
8. Pour the mixture onto the crust.
9. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until set, about 20 minutes.
10. Let cool and sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Meyer Lemon Bars

Sweet Potato Soup

I have great in-laws.

Seriously.

Great in laws that raised a fine young man.

I told you he was fine. He cooks!

I am not saying this because I know they may be have been reading my blog since the very first awkward post. They are great. They love me.

They are southern.  They grow okra in their back yard and have sliced tomatoes as a side dish through out summer. Oh Texas....

They eat a lot of beans and a lot of meat. They also know I don't really fancy all that much meat and make sure there are ample fruits and veggies around the house.

Like sweet potatoes.

These are Mr. B's sweet taters.

Or should we say sweet potato pie(s).

This is sweet as pie. Mr. B's sweet potato pie to be exact.

They really do know how to treat a lady in the south.

Mr. B's pie factory. This is serious. He sent me these photos, it is worthy.

They are my in laws. No, you cannot have them. Unless you are strapping man ready to whisk my lovey sister in law off her feet.  Then we can talk. Only then.

Like numerous dishes such as chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, OKRA (!?!), black eyed peas, collard greens, corn bread and biscuits (it is true) I have never heard a mention nor tasted a crumb in all my years of growing up in the pacific northwest, I most defiantly never came across a sweet potato pie until I the Stiles entered my life. It has been seven years this month that J with his red beard came waltzing into my life. 

Oh how sweet it is. The Stiles Family and the whole southern cooking thing. And the whole seven year thing.

Once you go Texan you never go back.

Every year around the holidays MY father in law seems to come across a box of sweet potatoes and makes pies for the entire South. Well it seems like that. They are perfect, I am sure the everyone South of the Mason Dixon Line would like to get their hands on one. Well, I am north and I want one  more than ever.

He recently made a dent in a forty pound box of sweet potatoes making these famous pies. Really how many pies can a person eat (lets not find out - please) until they crave something savory.

J made soup the other night - a sweet potato soup that was delightful. His special signature ingredient is beer. These days J has been putting it in nearly every dish besides our eggs. I like it.

J's sweet tater soup
 Like most soup, this is a great opportunity to devour lots of vegetables. Include leeks and carrots if you have them on hand. Try topping this soup with celery leaves, sour cream, crushed peanuts, a scoop of peanut butter or be carnivorous and add crunchy bacon bits.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp (1/4 stick) butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 small celery stalks, chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
• 4 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano

1 Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add chopped celery stalks, sauté about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes.
2 Add sweet potatoes, chicken stock, and spices; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
3 Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return to pot.
4Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool soup slightly. Cover and refrigerate soup. Bring soup to simmer before continuing.) Ladle into bowls.

"Going Bananas" Chocolate Muffins

The winter can often pose troublesome for me. Frustration. Boredom. Restlessness. Frigidness.

I yearn to be outside, catching glistening rays of sun and a fresh breeze without feeling like hypothermia is immanent.

I dream of Mexico and warm beaches, tropical fruit, monkeys eating tropical fruit. Yeah it might be the cabin fever.

Monkeys? Really?

The fact of the matter is that I am a fair weather person. News Flash! Being too cold is one of the worst feelings imaginable along with being at sea with waves that are three times bigger than your little lifeboat.

Being too cold is miserable. Boo Hoo...

I understand that the month is January and bone cold. I can’t change that.

I am learning enjoy January as the toughest month of the calendar year.

I am learning to accept that I am going to cozy up for the month, in a warm house, content with the gloomy situation outside. This is part of the cycle, my days are not going to be spilling over with excitement and amusement on a daily basis. Life just isn’t like that. That is life.

Strikes and gutters.

Amen.

There can be joy and beauty in reading by daylight. I usually save such leisurely activities for a means to fall asleep, not wanting to waste precious daylight hours sitting inside. Things change, we grow, we learn, I relax and enjoy the ride.  I read during the day, with what sun light peeks through window onto my over-sized reading chair. That is me sitting with my fannie plopped down reading a book.

I also fire up the oven and come up with tropical treats so I will stop thinking about monkeys.

I have yet to find a better way to warm up than a hot oven and piping hot gooey muffins dripping with golden honey. Oh, chocolate. They must have chocolate. This makes reading all that more enjoyable folks. Trust me.

"Going Bananas" Dark Chocolate Muffins


Adapted from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook


These are big and beautiful muffins that are easily adaptable to several variations. Cut the bananas into pieces about half the size of a dice as opposed to the usual mashing. I like the gooey chunks. Add nuts, coconut or dried fruit. Be fancy. Be fun.


3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
2 large eggs
2 large bananas cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly


1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 12 cup muffin tin.


2. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk the yogurt and eggs together in a medium bowl. Gently fold this wet batter into the dry ingredients with a spatula until just combined. Fold in the bananas and chocolate chips. Fold in the melted butter.


3. Using a scoop, evenly divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The muffins should golden and a toothpick inserted to the center should come out with a few crumbs.


4. Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes then turn onto a wire cooling rack for another 10 minutes. 

5. Dive in and curl up with a book!

The beer drinkers guide to Bellingham

I miss a few things about Bellingham.

Well actually the list is pretty long, good thing the bustling little town is a stone's throw away. A throw that maybe only a professional stone thrower could make. Never mind.  I love going back to see my friends and get a dose funky patchouli drenched, fern worshiping, dirty tree thumping culture.

I miss the men with facial hair. The women with armpit hair - yep - sad but true. Sandals with socks. The sea of Subarus, dreads, guys in tight jeans and ladies in lots of linen. The coffee, the beer, the bakeries, how sweet is their nectar.

How else does one survive insurmountable rain all year long?

Caffeine, booze, baked goods.

I miss our hang outs. J and I could post up at numerous locations, they seem like extensions of our house. Bellingham is comfortable like that. I think it is all the rain, people tend to congregate around libations and caffeinated bevies wearing house shoes.

Fresh beer is to be revered. On tap, poured into a sturdy pint glasses.  Proper fresh beer worth indulging in. J teaches me important things like this and that beer and peanuts are a complete meal on some occasions. He is smart like that. Smarty pants!

Where in Bellingham do you get good beer you might ask?

OH I have been hoping that you would ask!

Here is my beer drinking guide to Bellingham:

Chuckanut Brewery
In a town obsessed with mind numbingly over hopped beers, people clutch to their frosty IPAs with a passion.  The Chuckanut Brewery sets the bar high with their lagers. They are good. They win awards. They are not the typical Pacific Northwest crafts - I would wager that you will enjoy unique and quality driven brews they offer.

Boundary Bay Brewery
Boundary is an institution in Bellingham. You are going to have to wait in line to get a table most days of the week. You should do it though. It is what the locals are doing. Go squeeze your belly up to the bar. The community that is created at this brewery is astounding, the art is always rotating, there are always musicians close at hand, they have well worn old wood floors, mismatched tables and there is something on the menu for anyone, including YOU. Their beer brings home a some awards as well. You will get hooked. Most people have.

Northfork Brewery
Pizzeria, beer shrine, wedding chapel.
If we had got married state side it would have been here. Yep, at a brew pub. My eyes are welling up, I adore this place. The small batch, British style ales will win your heart. The pizza will have you begging for more. You will stay for more because the rustic atmosphere is for real and will have you grabbing games off the shelves, playing for tab or simply listening to the locals can provide hours of entertainment. It is a short and scenic drive east from Bellingham, but what draws the crowds seems to be the universal necessity of a pint and a slice on the way home from Mt. Baker. It is a sacred place.

Green Frog Acoustic Tavern
If you are strolling around downtown Bellingham, this is a bar not to miss. They bring in great music most nights of the week, which attracts a humble following. The taps are ever rotating, 23 beers to be exact and they feature predominantly Northwest breweries. There is no crap on tap. It will make a beer drinker out of anyone. You can eat peanuts and toss the shells on the ground, play numerous instruments that adorn the walls and the neighboring pizza joint will deliver you a pizza. The Green Frog is a keeper.

Back Country Essentials
They have gear and beer. They have like 100 bottles of beer on the wall. Life is simple. That is all there is to it folks. This shop, staffed by fantastic outdoor enthusiasts and is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham. A must stop anytime you are in the area. You can grab a six pack of mix and match beers from across the world as you squeeze puffy jackets, flex skies, click cams and talk shop with friends. Keeping it real, go playing outside.

Now there is some beer high quality beer for a quaint little town. Are you ready to make a trip? Drop me a line if you want to know more. I love to talk.

We lack a sufficient hangout here in the desert. It is unfortunate.  A reliable hang out is a must, especially when you live in a dinky apartment or a rainy college town.

We give props BCE over here in the desert

Beer brought home in a mason jar is cool too.

We are adjusting to a different life style. Change is good.

The pour technique from a small mouth mason is a wee bit challenging. J can master anything.

J stopped in at Laht Neppur in Waitsburg to have a pint and peanuts on his way home from skiing at Bluewood. Lucky me, he brought home a mason jar of the Waitsburg Winter Warmer. He was incredibly stoked to share it with me, he knew I would love it. He had a great day skiing

Me like. I did drink. I drank two pints.

Everything is good.

End of story.

Bacon wrapped peppers

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.




- Aldous Huxley


We brought in 2011 with style. Bellingham style. Best friends style. Sweaty dance party style. Mountain bike ride with my favorite lady rider, in freezing temps, great trails, epic conditions, blue skies, sun and snow style. Kissing my favorite Stiles at the crack of midnight.

These things make me happy.

I know 2011 is going to bring change. 2010 took me out of my hometown. That is a big deal folks. 2011 is shaping up to take us even further from the "city of subdued excitement" but we will let that play out, as of now we still working things out, actually we will perpetually be working things out. Everyone is.

I know one thing to be true.

Bread is better with butter.

And....

 

My friend has the lushest hair I have ever seen.

And....

There is nothing I cannot do with my man by my side. Seriously. He pushes me to new heights, supports me on the journey and provides me with anything and everything to achieve my greatest potential. This man is amazing. As I push 30, I am coming into my own and know that there exciting and new adventures in my future. Things are going to be great. Things are great. It is exciting.

Bacon can be pretty exciting too.

If the peppers are large, cut them in half

And cheese.

And peppers.

These will make you happy.

Simple things will make you happy.

They create more time.

Personal time is good.

Bacon Wrapped Poppers

I watched my dad make these over the holidays. He has brought them to every gathering they went to since he learned to make them. In order to make them bite size, find small jalapeno peppers. If the peppers are longer than about two inches cut them in half. Bite size is key.

I am not going to give exact amounts. Use what you have on hand or how many you need based on the number of nibblers you have around.

Keeping it simple for you!

Preheat the over to 350 degrees

Ingredients

Jalapeno Peppers
Cream Cheese (room temprature)
Bacon

Put on rubber gloves.

Seriously. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Slice the peppers lengthwise and scrape the the seeds out. I often use a spoon to do this.

Smear enough cream cheese to fill the pepper.

Wrap the cheese filled pepper with a slice of bacon. The ends of the bacon should overlap a bit but not wrap around twice. 

Spear with a toothpick.

Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is nie and bubbly and the bacon is crisp.

Let cool on wire rack or paper tows.

Nibble