Hey folks. Just wanted to quickly share a new recipe I tweaked and tried this weekend. And it was a hit, so I thought I'd better share it. Since you probably already shared some goods sweets and eats with your mama this past weekend - it might even be a good one to try out on your daddio next month! (Hint hint - he'll thank you for it, I promise.) Enjoy!
BLUEBERRY GREEK YOGURT TART
Ingredients
(Crust)
1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 c. sugar
1 egg, separated, room temp
(Filling)
6 tbs unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbs all-purpose flour
2 eggs, room temp
3/4 c. greek yogurt
1/2 tsp grated orange zest
(Topping)
2 cups fresh (or frozen but thawed) blueberries
1-2 tsp additional orange zest
Directions
(Crust)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg yolk, beating until blended. With speed on low, add flour mixture in 2 additions, combining until dough forms. (If your dough isn't coming together, add a few drops of ice cold water.) Flatten your dough out into a disc and press into the bottom and up the sides of your pan. You can use a 14x4.5 in rectangular tart pan, a 9-inch round tart or pie pan, or try individuals in cupcake liners. Refrigerate your dough for about 30 minutes (or freeze for 15), until firm. Once dough is cold and firm, whisk the remainder of your egg (the whites) and brush along the surface of your crust. Bake your crust for 15 minutes until set. Cool for at least 10 minutes.
(Filling)
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add in the tablespoon of flour. Add your eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition. Whisk in your greek yogurt, vanilla and zest. Pour your creamy filling into the cooled crust. Bake for 20 minutes, until slightly puffed and set. Cool completely. Once cool, pile the surface of your tart with a mixture of the fresh blueberries and zest. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
It's been ages, I know. I'm still grasping at straws to find time for myself these days, however, I have been able to sneak a few foodie and crafty time outs in here and there. To give you a peak at what I've been up to, I thought I'd put on my photo journalism hat and show you some visual proof that I haven't disappeared completely. Enjoy!
In no particular order...
Easter Lamb cake from work.
I wish I had a dog...! Me and Beast.
Black and white cookies.
Asparagus tart.
Good morning spring!
Special delivery to the John Hancock!
Bread & Cheese plate at Rootstock.
These cookies are the bomb.dot.com. And I'm not even a "Who" follower.
Homemade whole wheat gnocchi.
Grilled tomatoes & asparagus.
Handmade paper flower bouquet.
Homemade brioche.
Quick trip to Louisville.
Brioche roll filled with pastry cream and chocolate!
Sun-draped scene in downtown Louisville, KY.
Old architecture in Louisville.
There's a heart in my coffee...! How'd that get there?
Now that most of the major winter holidays have passed, I've started to reminisce about what I will miss most about this notorious "Windy City" season. Feeling unmotivated to go outside despite this timid winter weather? Nope. Experiencing "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" syndrome on all too many occasions due to the sudden scads of food that present themselves at every holiday? Nope. Having hands the texture of sandpaper throughout the winter months? Nope. One thing that I will miss? With the holiday season, comes the promise of my mom's homemade bread. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, there's always mom's raisin bread. Sometimes it even fills up every meal of the day - it's that good. I've even come to freezing it so I can sneak some during the non-glacial months of the year. Because of the power this bread has had over me, I've never really ventured into the realm of bread making myself - let's be honest, I never really had to. However, that all changed when I got a peek at the Flour cookbook. There were so many tempting recipes, I just had to make my own. (Sorry mom - don't worry, your raisin bread still takes the cake.)
Last week I was feeling inspired and made the basic brioche. Not only was it easy, all considered (aside from the whole testing your patience thing - making bread is a labor of love, do not expect to indulge in the fruits of your labor until at least 24 hours after you start making the dough), but it was multi-purpose too. The recipe I used makes 2 doughs. So with one, I made a basic loaf of bread and with the other I made brioche au chocolate (brioche filled with a light layer of pastry cream and sprinkled with semi sweet chocolate chips). Believe me, you'll have trouble waiting the 35-45 minutes for these suckers to bake, much less waiting the 2-4 hours for them to proof after you've assembled them. Like I said, labor of love. The waiting makes them all the more worth it.
Plus, the bread itself makes the perfect base for toast, grilled cheese, or really any kind of sandwich. This week I've found myself making any excuse to have a sandwich at every meal. Peanut butter, tofu "egg" salad, you name it. If I had some semblance of the ingredients in my fridge, I made it and put it on some brioche.
If you don't have access to something like the Flour cookbook for your foray into bread-making, I would highly recommend going to your local library (this is in stock at CPL, don't worry I already checked) - and checking out the Soup and Bread Cookbook. The perfect remedy for winter's doldrums meals of "whatever I can heat up quick in the oven."
Bread. It's something so basic and one of the simplest staples - that we tend to take for granted. When in reality, it's not all that difficult to make yourself. Some weeks might be more challenging than others to fit it in, but folks, that's what the beauty of the freezer is for - keeping your labor of love fresh for when you need it, even if it's a week or so later. At least give it a try. You won't be sorry. Promise.
Bread also goes quite well with another recipe I tried my hand at making from scratch this week - gnocchi! I made whole wheat gnocchi with cremini mushrooms and peas in a light butter sauce (aka - some melted creme fresh, so yum!) - and of course topped with some fresh shavings of parm. It was surprisingly easy and came out amazingly well for a first attempt.
What have you attempted to make from scratch this winter, dear readers?
I woke up the other day feeling not quite ready to brave the gloomy day that greeted me outside. So, I did something I rarely ever do. I turned on the tv. Not neflix, not hulu, not a dvd. The real, live public broadcast tv. As I surfed my way through morning cartoons and infomercials, I stumbled upon good old WTTW, Channel 11. And what did I happen upon, but an episode of Wisconsin Foodie. I can't even quite pinpoint what it was that made me stop, but I'm sure glad I did. The particular episode I caught featured the Underground Food Collective. After doing some research online, I was hooked. Just reading their about us section, speaks to the very core of what it means to me to be a "foodie."
Our training and travels give us a sense of the possibilities for food. This is more than just recipes; it's about how food is experienced and enjoyed. We carry these lessons with us as we cook.
Food isn't about how renowned the head chef is, or how many of the dishes are sprinkled with novelty, high-priced ingredients. It's about the experience of sharing food, gathering around a table, and working together to create something - a dish, an atmosphere, and orchestrating an evening - that someone else is going to enjoy. These guys get that. And for that, I applaud them.
After my "underground" discovery, I headed to a source of Chicago-style inspiration, Ipsento Coffee. A while back I had bought a bloomspot for a free coffee class there and I headed over to try my hand a pulling shots and steaming milk. My first attempt had too much channeling (it's an "espresso" term, don't worry about it) and was pretty awful. But my second shot, paired with some steamed milk, made my very first latte one to be proud of (even if my attempt at latte art left something to be desired. ("Well, it looks like... something. At least your lines are symmetrical." I'll take it for a first try.) At my day job, I witness the orchestra of making an espresso-based drink multiple times in a day, so it was nice to get my hands dirty and try it out for myself. Kind of like playing "queen" for a day - well, yesterday, I got to wear my barista hat (who needs tiaras, anyways?).
After a night of "coffee talk", I went home determined to finish out my day with something sweet. I had peanut butter on the brain for some reason. Probably because I was salivating over the Nutella specialty drink at Ipsento - and what goes better with Nutella than some peanut butter? Eh? So I set out to make the Momofuku Milk Bar peanut butter cookies. I've only made two of the cookies from their recipe book so far, but I haven't been disappointed with either one. This peanut butter cookie has that special Momofuku twist. Before making your batter, you make a quick caramel and peanut brittle (probably the easiest peanut brittle I've ever attempted! - caramels really aren't as scary as you think people) that gets chopped up and mixed into the batter. Genius, right? Like, why didn't I ever think of that - genius. I know. My mind was slightly blown as well. And the result was just as impressive. I had one at lunch today and I haven't been able to shake thinking about when I can have another. Can tomorrow come already?
While I wait for tomorrow, and dream about peanut butter cookies, share with me what has inspired your inner foodie lately, dear reader!
Life has gotten in the way a little bit too much again in this first month of the new year. But don't worry. I'm still here. While I'm still playing catch up, to tide you over, I'm including a hodge-podge of links and tidbits for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
Momofuku Milk Bar Compost Cookie
This month is not only the start to the new year, but also the month of my birthday. This one was a big one. I was so spoiled that not only did my mom bake me the Flour bakery birthday cake, but I also got the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook AND cookie mix. So this weekend I made the compost cookies. All you have to provide is butter, an egg, and some pretzels and potato chips. The recipe begins with creating graham cracker crumbles - something I would've never imagined making for a cookie recipe. According to some of the reviews I read online, a lot of people who have made them at home have had some difficulty with the outcome being really flat crunchy cookies. Mine did flatten out a bit from the original ball shape, however, they weren't exceptionally flat or overly crunchy. For a first attempt, they came out just right - a delightful combination of salty and sweet. Just how Christina Tosi would want it. Up next: corn cookies!
A new take on Pioneer Woman's Creamed Spinach Another thing I tried my hand at this weekend (gotta balance out the sweet somehow, right), was making creamed spinach. I had a bag of spinach taking up space in my fridge which I had intended to use to make a salad. Instead, it endlessly sat in my fridge until I finally fated it to become creamed spinach. Not wanting it to go to waste, I set about making Pioneer Woman's version, with a few twists of course. Instead of sauteing the spinach in butter, I opted for a splash of white wine, also sitting idly in my fridge. And, in addition to the spinach, I added a sprinkling of roasted red peppers. I think my roux got a little too thick, however the end result was still delicious.
"The Trip"
On a random night in, I decided to have a date night with my Netflix. Ok, fine so this is the case less randomly than I might be willing to admit. Browsing through the new releases, I came across a film called The Trip. The description promotes it as a mockumentary about a foodie road trip, which is the main source of the plot, but as with most things relating to food, the inspiration is so much more than that. I thoroughly recommend it for a watch. If not for the element of foodie exploration, than at the very least for all the Michael Caine impressions or Muppet references. You just never know what can and will happen when two people sit down at a table together to enjoy a meal. The conversations, and dishes, are endless.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - The "Super" New Collection
I can barely contain my excitement. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has a new collection. The theme surrounding it is being sneakily described as "cake-saturated". While the flavors within the collection haven't been disclosed yet, just browsing the pictures on the Jeni's blog site will be enough to get you salivating. Think hand-piped meringues from the bake shop and brilliant colors achieved with all-natural food colorings (beet and black carrot powders). Does it get much better than that? No it does not. Try to resist - the new collection won't be released until Feb 3.
Today, I had some unexpected time to myself and for once had the time and space to think and recollect about the happenings of 2011. So, I decided to come up with a list of random things, thoughts, happenings and ideas of Smashed Muffin related things (aside from the obvious) that are the "bomb dot com" in my book. (A friend of mine started saying that, or maybe she's been saying it for a while, but regardless, I love it and I'm totally stealing it.)
1) New Cookbooks and Foodie Reading Material Flour by Joanne Chang
A friend at work tipped me off on this one as she had worked at Flour and let me borrow her personal copy of the book. However, shortly after it became quite clear that I would need my own copy. And let me tell you, discovering the cookbook has brought a lot of joy to this household. I've only made a handful of recipes so far, but all of them have been winners. Still need to try the sticky buns, but they will be a must make in 2012!
A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
When I worked at the Sun-Times, we had quarterly book sales of material that had been sent for our review. Books, CD's, DVD's. I acquired quite a collection over the years and picked a lot of books and such at random intending to get to them later, A Homemade Life being one of those such books. A friend was visiting from out of town and noticed the book on my bookshelf in my kitchen and told me I had to read it. I finally got around to reading it and I was not disappointed. Now, I'm obsessed. So obsessed, that I'm hoping to plan a trip to Delancey (the restaurant the author opened with her husband in Seattle) sometime in 2012.
While doing my Holiday Shopping this year, I came across the magazine Lucky Peach. I missed the first issue, but the second issue was kind of perfect for me because it was surrounded by the theme "the sweet spot." Not only am I obsessed with it because it's published by McSweeney's, but this issue also had an article about someone else I'm currently inspired by, Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar. I can't wait to try making the grilled ham and cheese sandwich (with smart balance "ham" of course), which is wrapped between two corn cake cookies. As one of the editors writes in the introduction of the issue, the sweet spot in your life can be anywhere, event that moment "when you've eaten too many cookies and decide to try making a ham sandwich with cookies as bread." What's not to love? The mag even came with a page full of stickers for you to decorate your fruit with. Cuz, let's be real. Even if you're not a kid anymore, it's still hard to eat your fruit and veggies sometimes. But making it fun, makes it go down easier at the moments when you need an extra nudge.
2) Good Eats The Pickled Carrots at Birchwood Kitchen
Obviously, I couldn't recollect without mentioning the pickled carrots at Birchwood Kitchen. Not only was it the inspiration for this blog's beginnings, but those carrots were also one of my favorite go-to holiday gifts this year. With a feature on Tasting Table, I certainly hope others were as psyched as I was to bring a piece of the BK home with them.
This August, I was fortunate enough to visit Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Nashville, TN. They have other locations in Ohio, however, I really wish they would expand to Chicago. There are a handful of retailers throughout our local area that sell their pints of premium ice cream, however, it's not quite the same. Although, after discovering the new Jeni's sublime holiday video (I'm also obsessed with all their George Lange/Lange Studio videos by the way), I'm convinced that this should be the only way I chose to celebrate my new years, or any holiday for that matter.
4) All things Craft-tastic Pinterest
Pinterest is my new favorite hobby. When I'm not writing, or at work, or crafting, or baking, I'm probably pinterest-ing. Ok, that's not a word, but you get what I mean. It's got it all, fashion, food, crafts and a whole lot of randomness that will make you smile. Check it out. You might find yourself perusing for hours. Or longer. It's kinda dangerous like that, but still pretty great.
5) Movie Moments Stranger Than Fiction Ok, so maybe this movie isn't from this year, but I did watch it recently. And while doing so, was reminded how perfectly cheesetastic (yet oh-so-loveable) the scene is where Harold Crick brings Ana Pascal "flours" in an attempt to win her over. I mean, seriously. Who needs "flowers" that are going to wilt and die, when you have "flours" that you can bake with and enjoy the benefits of for weeks or months (thank you freezer)?! And I also second Ana Pacal's wish to make the world a better place with cookies. Bite by bite, it'll happen. Watch out world. Nothing makes the end of a long, terrible day seem to wash away than a delicious, gooey, out of this word cookie or dessert.
6) More videos to love
DOSE Market
This year, my new favorite thing to do when I'm not feeling Green City Market, was to splurge a little and visit Dose Market. The video sums it up pretty well, but if you're not convinced.... well I'm really not sure why you wouldn't be convinced, to be honest.
Tattly
I think I've already professed my love of Tattly, however this video just solidified my love that.much.more. It's very cute. And as they say on the blog, you won't be able to watch it without smiling, even just a little. Go ahead and try not to. I dare you.
Butcher & Larder video by Big View Makes
I know it seems weird coming from a vegetarian, but I completely stand behind the message in this video. Bring the neighborhood butcher back! And heck, the owner used to be a vegetarian too, so you really can't fight me on this one. We're all on the same side, regardless of what you choose to and choose not to consume.
So, dear readers... What are/were your favorite moments of inspiration that you stumbled upon this year? What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
It's just about that time of year. I've felt a little stumped on the gift ideas lately as I have yet to cross off anything on my own "gift-giving list", nor have the lists been properly made and organized (yes, I'm a little OCD). But, then I got those wheels turning a bit and I thought, to myself, "Dab Nabbit! Hows about a Smashed Muffin Gift Guide?!" So here you have it folks, my top suggestions for gifts to give to you and yours this year. Want to get your hands on my "highly inappropriate" but oh so delicious holiday rum ball recipe for the perfect DIY gift? Send an email to smashedmuffingoods@gmail.com and tell me what you're getting the lovelies on your list...!
1. A couple years back, I went to a book signing event at my favorite book shop in the city, The Book Cellar. Not only is it a great place to get gift ideas, but it also introduced me to the editors and concept behind The Smith Magazine Six Word Memoir project. Specifically, the Six Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak by writers famous and obscure. The idea seemed rather genius to me at the time. Now I've come to learn that there's a game, yes, cheesetastic, I know. But what can I say, I'm a sucker for a game that relates to writing. SOLD.
2. I've seen my fair share of tattoos, but I have yet to sport one myself. Getting a tattoo in my book has always meant applying with soap and water. For your fellow non-committal inkettes, Tattly has just the thing. Sign up for their subscription box and get 8 temporary tattoos a month, for 6 months, for $60. JUST ADD WATER!
3. Speaking of Tattly, they also recently came out with a custom Field Notes edition. I happen to be a fan of Field Notes to begin with. I mean, who can't relate to their slogan - "I'm not writing it down to remember it later. I'm writing it down to remember it now." Not only am I all about the writing, but who can't find a pocket notebook handy from time to time to jot down those shreds of ideas we come across during a day that we grasp to remember? And, it's made in the USA to boot. ADD IT TO THE LIST!
4. While we're on the topic of writing and books, I'm going to share with you one of my favorite coffee table books. It may seem silly to some, but when I'm having a bad day, nothing brings me more comfort than flipping through the pages of this book and not being able to help myself from cracking a hopeful smile. Not to mention that Everything is Going to be OK is published by my favorite publisher, Chronicle Books. With the stresses of the day, sometimes we all need a friendly, inventive reminder to put things in perspective. What are you waiting for? You might even want to buy one for yourself, it's that good. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. GO BUY IT ALREADY!
5. Wait, wait... Don't Tell Me! I know this one! The uber dork in me would love nothing more than to spend all my Saturday nights drinking chai in my living room and listening to the Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me show (and thusly trying not to snort said chai out of my nose during the intense fits of laughter). You can do my nerdalicious fantasy one better and go to a live taping of the show at the Chase Auditorium Theatre. And if you have a foodie lover on your hands, I've always thought it would be the best treat ever to recreate Wait, Wait's Sandwich Monday for someone - the absurd, disgusting, delicious and everything in between. Mix well and it sounds like fun for all to me! Some available at local haunts in the city, some you can fabricate live in your very own kitchen. Just sayin..... SIGN ME UP!
6. Growing up, I was always intrigued by nesting dolls. When I came across these nesting doll (ok technically they're called "matryoshka dolls") measuring cups at a recent trip to Paper-Source (or I've also seen them at Sur La Table), it was love at first sight. Not only are they adorable, but they're also quite functional. They're great if you're short on cabinet space - and you get double the measuring capabilities with tops and bottoms. Who can't use an extra measuring cup or two? Especially when they're so stylish and cute! ....WIN WIN!
7. When I first moved to the big city (from the nearby western suburbs, but still), I quickly discovered the thriving crafting scene in Chicago. And thus, quickly fell in love with Renegade Holiday Craft Fair. I instantly gravitated to my favorite vendor for the perfect gift for all my Chicagoan friends, Circa Ceramics. (I find their magnets to be great gifts, for your Chicago and non-Chicago friends alike.) Handmade in Chicago, they have a line of bowls, cups, vases, plates, you name it, in the blue stripe/red stars design of the Chicago flag. WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?!
8. While we're on the topic of making your kitchen fully stocked with functional and cute kitchenware supplies, I couldn't help but include this camera cookie cutter set from DIY Photography. I discovered these while browsing Feature Shoot's gift giving for photographers list. These truly will be the "best cameras you've ever tasted." SWEET!
9. Now that you're friends will be fully stocked with functional and fun kitchen ware, they'll need fresh and local ingredients to cook with. I can't think of anything better than a produce box from Green Grocer Chicago. GET COOKIN'!
10. My last gift suggestion kind of comes full circle. This blog's very first posting was about attempting to recreate, at home, the pickled carrots from Birchwood Kitchen. Then I got the newsletter from Tasting Table in my inbox last week, and it provided a friendly reminder of this blog's beginnings. If you don't have time to make them on your own, now you can take those pickled carrots (and more) home with you. At $7.50 per 12 ounce mason jar, you'll be stocking up on more than just the carrots (jars are also available in green and white wax beans, beets, cauliflower, and even brussel sprouts). WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR?!
