Bread

The aroma of fresh baked bread has been filling my house this week as I experiment with a master recipe from the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzerg, MD and Zoe Francois. The recipe can be found at the NY Times.

I have long wanted to bake my own bread but as I'm a bit lazy, never really embarked on the process. I know, a bread machine could have helped but with a bread machine, would I have the fabulous, crusty baguette that I so adore? I really have trouble with buying bread in the store. It doesn't taste like bread. Its consistency is just, for lack of a better word, weird. It never really turns moldy, just gooey making me wonder what I'm putting into my body.

This year, I'm trying to eat more natural foods and good fats. I think all these fake low-fat foods and substitutes have not helped us at all. They often leave us unsatisfied and eating even more. I want food that tastes good and satisfies. I know, food is only supposed to sustain life. It isn't supposed to satisfy on an emotional level but for me, it does. That doesn't have to be a negative so long as we're eating properly and not to feed the emotion. But face it, food is emotion. The aromas elicit memories and the taste can bring such joy. Why should I punish myself by not eating food that brings such joy and satisfaction? The key is to make sure that I'm not over eating or feeding an emotion. That I'm eating when I'm hungry and stopping before I'm stuffed. Slowing down and thoroughly enjoying the food that I place into my mouth. The same could be said for all of living. Slowing down, taking the time to taste, feel and enjoy life.

Will I lose weight? I hope so but what I really want is good health and to enjoy life to its fullest. And for that baguette to cool so that I can break some bread with loved ones.

From Freezing Fog

to freezing rain tonight. It's been a strange January. Some days just aren't that good and on those days, I either snuggle deeply into my bed or cook. Today, it was cooking. I received a Belgian waffle maker for Christmas and have been working to perfect a recipe. I'm getting close. I'm not one to make it difficult by separating the egg whites and whipping those before adding. Simple but tasty is what I want.

French Toast

French Toast with bananas.

**note: if you make the peaches, make sure to spread melted butter.

Grilled Peaches

It seems cooking and taking photos of the food I've prepared could just be a coping mechanism. Just saying, that's all.

Grilled peaches are quite tasty and super easy especially if you have a grill pan (cast iron preferably). Halve the peach, removing the pit, spread some melted butter* on the halves and grill until hot. I served it with sweetened sour cream.

*Melted Butter. Edited for clarity and accuracy.

Tonight's Dinner

I watched some Food Network this weekend and saw part of "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" The first thing was this Avocado Crostini that was supposed to contain crab meat. I skipped the crab meat and what was left is quite yummy.

I served it up with a salad taken from one of Giada's cookbooks.

Arugula, cantaloup, toasted walnuts, red onions and a raspberry vinaigrette.

Breakfast

Homemade (not instant) apple, cinnamon oatmeal. I used apple juice, sauce and cinnamon along with a dab of butter. Can you say yum?!

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart. I attempted the caramel sauce and failed miserably. While doing so, my cookie cooled a bit longer than I would have liked and the ice cream didn't melt, oozing over the chocolate. The cookie was and is delicious, though. Of course, I added a ton of chocolate chips.

All Gone

I ate the last of the tortillas I made. Must make more. I eat them like bread, which in a way, the are.

American Idol is winding down, getting to the point when all the remaining have talent. Some you like more than others but all can sing. I’m not sure who will win but Adam Lambert (except for that awful version of Ring of Fire) has continued to put his spin on popular songs. My favorites from this week were Kris, Matt and Adam. Allison and Danny were just okay, to me. Sorry Matt, you didn’t get the vote and home you go.

Which of these three would I pay good money to own? You’ll never know….. or maybe you will. Sampling in iTunes lets the now playing plug-in import them. That said, a signed photo….. Kris, Matt or Adam? That said, no reviews written (and not enough ratings) for Allison or Danny’s performance. Does that mean they aren’t selling?

*Now playing: My Funny Valentine (American Idol Studio Version) by Matt Giraud - My Funny Valentine (American Idol Studio Version) – Single

*Now playing: The Way You Look Tonight (American Idol Studio Version) by Kris Allen - The Way You Look Tonight (American Idol Studio Version) - Single

*Now playing: Feeling Good (American Idol Studio Version) by Adam Lambert - Feeling Good (American Idol Studio Version) – Single

Most likely do to the President’s address last night, my recording of LOST was interrupted, losing the entire program. I’ll have to find it on-line or on-demand. Makes me wish I’d stayed home and had dinner in last night.

I Made These

Flour tortillas are super easy to make. Just takes flour, hot water, salt, shortening and some recipes call for baking powder. This recipe used baking powder and it’s my new favorite. :-)

Warning

  Cooked raisins ahead....*

Sticky buns minus the pecans. I used a puff pastry to make these and can't tell you if they taste good yet. Still too hot to eat.

*Shirley, don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

The Mister is out Christmas shopping for me and I've had to tell him what to buy in the way of back-up hard drive. I know I've told him before, not the small, wallet sized but just a USB drive. The more the better. That's all I asked for this year.  Added to my list, a healthy SallyCat.

Full

That would seem to be the word of the day after a weekend of eating and more eating. Toss in shopping followed by more eating and full is the word. The other word, sad. It's not easy dropping your kid off at the airport. I had so much fun while she was home and I'm feeling the silence deeply today.

Mashed potatoes baked with lots of parmesan and mozzarella cheese, topped with bread crumbs and more parmesan cheese. These were delicious. The recipe came from the Food Network during their Thanksgiving themes.

I baked a pie for Thanksgiving and experimented with using Tapioca as the thickening agent. While I liked it and the Mister, M.... not so much. She just didn't like the way tapioca looks.

So I baked this pie last night, just for her. No tapioca.

That's all the food photos I took.

It's beginning to look a lot like a winter wonderland unless you're trying to fly out of O'Hare. De-icing, snow/rain and reduced visibility are making for a few delays. It could be worse and probably will be as the evening progresses.

*Now playing: Winter Wonderland by Faith Hill - Joy to the World

Guilt Free

Guilt free microwave potato chips. Marie over at Blue Ridge Blog shared the link and I had to try the recipe. While I'm thinking about it, thanks to Marie for the shout out and Brillante Weblog award.

To further tempt you, a second photo of the chips. Next time, I'm going to make the salt and vinegar chips. I was completely out of cider vinegar.

True Blood, well Bill the vampire is quite intense and smoldering. Think I'll be watching it again next week.

Cupcake and Coffee

I've not done any writing on my piece of fiction. It's just an exercise in what I might be able to do. Not sure how much will ever be shared here or if I'll continue.

But I did bake some cupcakes. Who doesn't like a cupcake?! :) Happy Monday.

Polaroid does brunch

Brunch: Breakfast and lunch. Well, I had breakfast for lunch along with a yummy, homemade latte. I snapped this one pretending that Polaroid Integral film would always be available. I have been torn between living in the moment and trying to save Polaroid Integral film for a time when it is history. This day, the moment won.

*Now Playing: The Hurting Time by Annie Lennox - Bare

Look What I Found!

Butter Rum Life Savers!! I found them at the airport (O'Hare to be exact)! And they taste as wonderful as my memory recalls. It's those simple things that make my world a bright place. I have found the 5-fruit Life Savers at Walgreens but thusly, not the Butter Rum.

On another note, April is playing a nasty fool's joke with warm temps and thunderstorms today but plunging temps tonight and SNOW flurries tomorrow. April showers, maybe somebody should make that less ambiguous by adding April Rain showers....

Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday, Megan!! 17 years!! :) Enjoy your cake (Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake).

My Contribution

Apple Pie with homemade crust. I don't make the prettiest crust but it is tasty (most of the time). Someday I'll learn how to make the picture perfect edging. The bluebird is functional. It allows for the pie juices to bubble up instead of over and onto the oven bottom.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. See you on the flip side of turkey day.

Did you remember

to change your clocks? Fall back one hour for the end of Daylight Savings Time.

Nothing says fall like a bowl of steaming tomato soup. Perfect on a chilly day after raking up a mountain of leaves.


Just my slightly Warhol look at Tomato Soup TtV.

Have a beautiful day, dear friends.

Break Bread

It's a Sunday. A perfect day to break bread with family and friends. Good food, laughs and maybe a few tears... enjoy the day.

It's what's for breakfast

Fruity Cheerio Goodness as seen Through the Viewfinder of my Brownie Starflex. Now, it really is Friday!! And so far the sun is shining but clouds loom in the distance. Depending upon which forecast you listen t0, we may get a few passing showers/drizzle today or maybe not until Sunday. Either way, I must walk The Wonderdog. Have a great day and make it a wonderful long weekend.

Photo Notes:
Through the Viewfinder—Brownie Starflex
Fruity Cheerios
Image hosted at Flickr