by request
A few weeks ago, I off-handedly mentioned that I might bring extra baked goods in when I go on a baking bender, because having them at home is dangerous for a girl who is trying to watch her weight.
Today, I was totally called out.
I brought in some pumpkin muffins last week, but most of the baked goods journeyed west with the man and his pops. So when this was brought to my attention today, I asked what would be appreciated.
The first choice was chocolate chip cookies. But I wanted to make something a little different. So I combined the healthy information I received in one of my daily email newsletters (eight foods you should eat everyday, which included oatmeal) and I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
It might sound odd, but after acquiring mums for the front step (delightful off-white and decadent maroon courtesy of my lovely mum), and new delicious Glade Apple & Cinnamon candles (my absolute favorite), the smell of oatmeal and cinnamon and apple make fall feel completely official.
Join in the fun and enjoy some almost healthy (haha! it’s just the oatmeal!) Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
What you need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) + 6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional ~ and this time, I opted IN!)
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup chocolate chips (I used the mini kind, because that’s what I had in the house!)
What to do:
Preheat oven to 350.
1. Beat butter, sugar and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. (I did this by hand, but recipe I used implied that you should use a mixer on medium speed).
2. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Once combined, add to the butter mixture and mix well.
4. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
5. Using a small spoon, scoop dough onto cookie sheet (I fit twelve on a sheet). Press the center of the ball with the back of the spoon to flatten it and give it shape.
6. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. The edges will be browning, although the center may look as though it’s not finished yet. Remove from oven and leave on cookie sheet for about a minute (the cookies are still cooking!). After a minute, move onto cooling rack. If you’re nervous, poke the cookies with a toothpick ~ I like my cookies to be soft, so I just took the plunge and pulled them when the edges got brown.
Enjoy with a big glass of milk!
just a little manic!
With the man away, this little cat has the opportunity to play … unfortunately, she’d rather sleep! This morning I slept in a little (’til the sun was up!) but it meant a later night at work, and here I am, half past ten, just finished with Insanity Day #2, and still no cooking done (or even dinner made!).
On that note, I also realized today that I never added the recipes for Pumpkin Roll and Kale Chips (shame on me!). So, since I’m probably not going to whip up anything inspirational before crashing on the couch and catching up with Pan Am while color-coding my October calendar, here they are!
Kale Chips:
1 bag kale (washed and dried)
1 tbsp EVOO
Ground Sea Salt to taste
What to do:
1. Discard all stems and unappealing bits of kale. Rip leaves into bite size pieces.
2. Toss kale with EVOO, and season with salt to taste.
3. Lay kale on cookie sheet and bake 5-8 minutes at 350. (You’ll hear it start to sizzle ~ when the edges are crispy, the chips are probably done ~ it’s all about the timing, so you definitely have to keep an eye out!)
Pumpkin Roll: (** This recipe comes courtesy of some of my college roommates ~ I also have not yet tried it, but the man and his pops said it was a winner!)
What you need (for the roll!):
3 eggs
1 c sugar
2/3 c pumpkin puree
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 cup pecans
Confection sugar for dusting
2 clean dish clothes
What you need (for the frosting!):
8 oz cream cheese
4 tbsp butter
1 c confectioner’s sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
What to do:
Preheat oven to 350.
1. Grease & flour a 10 x 15 jelly roll (I used at 10 x 15 cookie sheet with sides ~ perhaps this is a jelly roll … I had never heard of one prior to this recipe).
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs and mix with sugar for 5 minutes. Gradually add pumpkin and lemon juice.
3. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Mix well, and gradually blend into large bowl with pumpkin mixture.
4. Spread batter evenly into the pan. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. (Minda toasts hers until fragrant … this lady just added them raw!).
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes (or until the center is springy when pressed). Loosen edges with knife and turn onto dish towel dusted with confectioner’s sugar. Lay second towel on top, and roll cake using towels while still warm. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile…. !!
1. In a medium bowl, combine frosting ingredients and beat together until smooth. (*** Little hint ~ pull your butter and cream cheese out of the fridge and allow to come to room temp while you put together the roll ingredients. It makes combining them during this step so.much.easier. )
2. Unroll cake, spread with frosting, and re-roll. Place on waxed paper (or, as I did, in Saran Wrap), dust with more sugar, twist ends and tuck under.
3. Refrigerate overnight. Slice and serve chilled.
heartache
I woke up snuggled in bed, a distinct chill in the air, and I was both excited about the fall, and all the wonderful things it holds, but also mournful of the season that has passed ~ cold drinks on the patio, the warm heat of the sun, sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, barbeques …. Ah well. Adieu ’til next year!
Despite wanting to have a low key weekend (I think of it as a battery recharge for the five days of work that wear me out completely) this one seemed to be jam-packed with things to do. Today, after a yum breakfast courtesy of my lovely Mama, we went over to the storage unit to assess the workload necessary to clear it out of extraneous… stuff (I’ll refrain from saying ‘junk’ because it probably isn’t junk … but it has been in storage for years, so I don’t think one could call it necessary). It’s amazing the amount of stuff I thought I’d lost, but it has been sealed up in boxes instead! Very exciting stuff ~ and probably a lot of work for an upcoming weekend.
Then, I watched the Steelers’ painful loss to the Texans with my father. No matter how much I try to be calm and collected, watching them this season (and with total honesty, the end of last season) is absolutely gut-wrenching. Where is the fire? And ~ say it with me Steeler Nation ~ where is our Offensive Line? Ugh. Not to mention the salt in the wound reading the news ribbon the rest of the day stating that Ben boarded the plane on crutches and a boot on his foot. For me, being a fan is deep-seeded. The Steelers are part of who I am. No matter what happens this season, or any other, I will always love them beyond what is considered normal. I have to have faith that they will figure this out and triumph as well. But I’d like to think it won’t take until we’re 7-5 to find the fire.
Today also launched my third go-round with Shaun T and Insanity. For some reason, those work outs work better for me than anything else. I’m disciplined about it, and I find it challenging, so I keep up on it. I was thrilled beyond belief that Workout #1 (Plyometric Cardio Circuit) was challenging, but not impossible (as it was the first and second time). Yippee!! I still think the man is crazy, but clearly, also very motivating.
On the food front, the peach cobbler has remained illusive thus far, but fingers crossed, it’s baking away happily tomorrow night. Monday is coming again …. and this girl must get some shut eye before the rat race begins.
happy birthday!
Welcome to the world Parker Olivia – we have all been anxiously awaiting your arrival & you did not disappoint. You are breath-takingly gorgeous and I know you will be spoiled rotten by all who love you.
Me included.
Love, Auntie Gwyn
Hunting Trip Eve
You know how there are those days, when you’re counting minutes (possibly seconds) until you can get home and put sweatpants on?
That was definitely my day today.
It’s the man’s last night before his Western adventure, so our apartment is a mess of hunting equipment, food, flashlights, blankets, and every possible odd or end that you could imagine needing to drive 30 hours across the country to hunt for two weeks.
Couple thoughts before I head into the kitchen to make some peach cobbler … oh, and dinner (lox and bagels, which is ironically appropriate considering today is Rosh Hashanah ~ altho’ the sun is down now, so technically, I believe the holiday is over ….? Chime in anyone!).
1. The kale is WAY better fresh than a day old, but still eminently edible.
2. I think that brownies are not my forte ~ I need Angie for brownies. But my batch from last night are good. Just not epic.
3. I haven’t tried the pumpkin roll, but it still looks good in the fridge. (!)
Also, the new season of TV is almost completely launched (save for some October debuts, such as Tim Allen’s ‘Last Man Standing’ ~). I’m surprised at what I liked and what I didn’t like. But my final word is, “The Good Wife” is still the best thing going on. Perhaps more on this later ~ for now, I’ve gotta eat some food!
Happy Thursday everyone. And Happy New Year!
whew!
Today has been a little crazy.
The restaurant launched a new menu (and several dishes hadn’t even been seen until today … which always keeps it interesting!).
More twists and turns in the great Out West Adventure for the man and his pa ~ so we hustled over to AutoZone after work to get a diagnosis for the truck, then to Kohls for some essentials (okay, okay, I got a few new pairs of earrings … but I haven’t gotten new earrings in YEARS, so I don’t feel so bad ….), and then to the grocery store to stock up on munchies for the man’s long drive, and odds and ends for my baking extravaganza this evening.
Have you ever had one of those shopping lists that is totally random, but you’re legitimately out of things? Some of the things on mine …. grated Parmesan, dishwasher pellets (yes, we’re those kind of people), bleach, shower gel and vitamin C tablets (the man, who NEVER gets sick, is feeling under the weather … my diagnosis? Imminent vacation ….).
As the clock ticks slowly (rapidly?!?) toward midnight -and my house fills with smoke because I forgot about the kale chips baking away on the bottom shelf and just rescued them- I’m feeling content with my accomplishments.
Someone once told me that their biggest irritation with me was that I never followed through with things. And that was true about some of my “life choices” in my early twenties (I started grad school for teaching, I was gonna do real estate … you get the idea). But the criticism has stuck with me ( I have an elephant’s memory, which is a blessing and a curse) so when I say I’m going to do something, I like it when I actually do it! So …. this evening’s culinary adventures (which will be duly photographically documented when I have a minute to figure out what the problem is with uploading) ….
1. Pumpkin Roll (it’s cooling in the fridge, so the verdict is still out, but when the pics go up, the verdict will be in, and I’ll share … it’s the man’s dad’s fav, so I hope it’s at least okay!)
2. Kale Chips (This was something I wanted to try, & every recipe said the end result was amazing … I didn’t believe it but had to try it anyway … and ~ the end result was legit amazing … altho’ the man wasn’t over the moon … but this may have had to do with the blue smoke billowing in the house and the crispy edged kale chips that instigated it).
3. Brownies, Version #2 (the man and his dad need some sweets for the trip!).
So, it’s been sort of a crazy Wednesday. I”m ready for b.e.d. now.
pumpkin-licious
Well, today at my casa (and yesterday, if I’m divulging the whole truth) we are experiencing some technical difficulties with the camera and uploading pictures. I’m bummed, cuz I made some kick a$$ pumpkin bread and muffins yesterday, and I had some pretty good pics to accompany my pumpkin kitchen adventure.
Unfortunately, I’m probably gonna have to add them at a later date. Big frowny face.
But … here’s the recipe. What I love about it is that it’s enough for three loaves, or two loaves and twelve muffins (which is how I rolled). One loaf of pumpkin bread just isn’t enough!). For yesterday’s baking agenda, I used canned pumpkins, but I did contemplate puree-ing my own pumpkin. (Then I realized that all I wanted to do was sleep, so I opted for the time-saver choice).
What you need:
3 cups canned pumpkin puree (about 1 and a half 160z cans)
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 ground cloves
(I also like this recipe because it doesn’t involve nuts. I know a lot of people love nuts, and I’m sure you could easily add them … and raisins and all sorts of other stuff … but I love plain pumpkin bread, so that’s what I made!)
What to do:
Preheat the oven to 350.
1. Grease and flour your bread pans or muffin tins.
2. Mix together the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil and eggs.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Combine with pumpkin mixture.
4. Divide batter between bread pans and/or muffin sheets. *** Cook muffins for 13-18 minutes.
5. Cook bread for 45 mins to 1 hour. (Helpful hint: the top of the bread should be springy when pressed).
Voila. The delicious taste (and, side benefit!!!, smell) of fall.
Can you believe that October is around the corner? Yeah, me neither. But I’m not complaining! (I will put a request in for a drop in humidity tho!).
Happy Monday folks! I’m off to bed.
the search for a jersey
Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot tell a lie. These past few weeks have been hectic for me, and while trying to balance long days, intense work requirements and a bundle of social commitments (this girl just can’t say no!), my blog has been woefully neglected. It doesn’t mean I’m not cooking … but it does mean that my time management skills have been pushed to the max.
I’m hoping between the Giants game this afternoon, and the Steelers SNF game tonight, I can finally do some baking, and (dare I say it?) some cooking! Thoughts from readers on this ~ I feel like people fall into two categories: either you’re a baker, or a cook, but rarely do people do both with passion. I love baking, but at the end of the day, I like making savory meals (and creating beautiful presentations) much more. Do you think that people fall on either side of the line, or do you think people do both? More on this later!
Today, we finally ordered jerseys online (something we have been discussing with much enthusiasm since … well, I’d say mid-July, but as early as the end of last season). Choosing a jersey, if you’ve never done it, is quite a commitment. A lot of factors come into it. What player do you like the most? What player represents your franchise best? What player is committed to your franchise?
I own three Steelers jerseys. My first was Hines Ward, #86, a Christmas present from my parents (that I strategically asked and lobbied for through my brother and his fraternity brothers). I still wear this one the most. (I have it on right now). My second and third were also both presents: Troy Polamalu #43 ( & IMHO one of the best free safeties playing the game right now), and a customized throw-back jersey with my last name and favorite number (#12). Twelve also happens to be Terry Bradshaw’s number ~ the Steelers QB from the ’70s who won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh.
The man has had less luck with his jerseys (a few of his jerseys are players who are no longer Giants, and that’s a bummer, because they are really nice, stitched jerseys). He’s been wanting a new jersey for awhile, but with budgets, and a thousand other things going on, it kept getting pushed back. As of today, a blue New York Giants jersey has his name on it (not literally … figuratively, as in, it’s his), and should be coming our way via the United States Postal Service in (we hope) a timely fashion.
It went down to the wire, as he hemmed and hawed, and debated the pros of each of the players he was contemplating (a throwback Bavaro, a retired great Strahan, or one of the current players Bradshaw, Jacobs, or Nicks). He’d made his mind up over the summer that if Kevin Boss remained a Giant, that was the jersey he was going for … but unfortunately, Kevin Boss left the Giants to go play for the Raiders. (Boo. And ps. Boo to the Giants for letting him go).
The man had different prerequisites than me, and his final choice of Brandon Jacobs (my fav Giant … hey, I watch them every week, so I’m bound to have a favorite!) reflects his thoughts on what makes a Giant player worth wearing. While Nicks may go down in the history books as one of, if not the best, Giants wide receiver in franchise history, my man doesn’t wear receivers. He doesn’t go for flash. He goes for the guys who sweat it out yard by yard. And after today’s beautiful touchdown by Jacobs, I think he’s quite pleased with his choice.
I may have mentioned this, but we really love football.
On another note, pumpkin bread and muffins are cooking in the oven right now ~ watch this space for the recipe. The man and his pops leave at the end of the week for their hunting adventure, and I’m trying to bake them some snacks to take along for the ride!
believe the hype
Just a quick check-in to let you know that if you haven’t had Honey Crisp apples, and someone recommends them (and then weirdly, you notice them everywhere … ), go immediately to the store and buy some.
This is definitely an instance where you should absolutely buy into the hype.
I was skeptical. Clearly.
I saw the piles upon piles featured in the produce section Monday, and hemmed and hawed (while frantically looking for Polenta) about whether to buy some. I’m a die-hard Granny Smith fan ~ when I eat apples at all (which, to be honest, can be rare … apples are a lot of work when you’re not comfortable just biting it and gnawing it down to the core-which I’m not). I like apples that have a little bite to them ~ apples that when cooked with, maintain some texture and flavor.
In the end, I figured even if I didn’t love them, John would enjoy having some apples for lunch. And yesterday, along with polenta leftovers, he packed us each an apple for lunch.
Mine sat untouched on my desk all day, and when I finally ran out of the office in a fluster at 6.45pm, I glanced at it and felt a wave of guilt for once again failing to eat my fruit. (Shamefully enough, this was not the first time I brought an apple to work with good intentions … ).
This morning, I didn’t bring lunch (we’re menu testing so I figured I’d grab food at the restaurant) and I was also (this is a true tragedy) out of Cheerios for the second day in a row. Such a disappointment. So at 10am, I looked forlornly at the clock, realized lunch was too far away, that the dregs of my Starbucks would not suffice for another three hours, and I turned to face the apple.
And here’s my conclusion ~ short and sweet. Believe the hype, and enjoy some Honey Crisp apples while they’re on the shelves. Cheers to Fall!
Easy peesy Jalepeno Poppers
Okay, so I’m dead tired, and it’s already past my bedtime (the Giants are winning, so the man is in a good mood, but boy oh boy, this is the longest game … ever!).
Tonight did not go as smoothly as I hoped.
First, the grocery store was not only still out of pumpkin puree (not totally unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless) but also out of polenta! Basic question ~ how does one make MNF Polenta without … polenta?!?! John and I had to visit our least favorite place … the other grocery store. You know what I’m talking about. The store you checked out once upon a time and deemed lacking in all areas before choosing your current, amazing grocery store (which did, in fact, drop the ball today… but let’s not focus on that!).
This followed us getting out of the city late, every person in Philadelphia driving like they just got their learner’s permit, and various other road blocks that, if I were a suspicious person, would have made me go “Hmmmm…..”.
This will be short & sweet, with pics to come later.
This past Christmas Eve I visited with my Italian side of the family, and they served this dish. I loved it so much, I recreated it for the man and my New Year’s Eve celebration (we’re pretty low key, but it was a great day/night).
Jalapeno Poppers
What you need:
10 – 12 small, firm jalapeno peppers
1 160z package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (or comparable)
1/2 package of bacon (I literally cut a package of bacon in half, and wrap and freeze the other half)
What to do:
Preheat oven to 325.
1. Cut the peppers in half longway ( I cut the top off first, and then cut them in half). Clean out the seeds and interior, and wash in the sink.
2. Fill pepper halves with cream cheese.
3. Wrap in bacon. Arrange on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until bacon cooks. (I never seem to have toothpicks that do that trick, but you can secure the bacon in place with a toothpick or spear of some sort … altho’ it’s not necessarily necessary).
4. Serve!
Just so you know, these are addictive. So if you’re cooking them, snag one before putting them out for people. I also made them for the Super Bowl this past year, and when I finally got to the food table, only 4 were left. I think of this as a huge triumph (rather than an epic disappointment) -I like contributing food people eat!
D5 Creation