To Kick Off Your June

I have learned to never NEVER complain about having sunny, hot weather as long as I shall live. However, hot weather does take it's toll on the baker. I remember one summer day in pastry school the kitchen we were working in was 95 degrees! Inside! Our instructors response? "Get used to it! This is what it's like!"

Let's face it, when it's hot out and, like many homes in Seattle, I lack air conditioning, I don't want my oven to be on too long. I also can't make anything tricky because my butter will get too soft. Lastly, I generally don't want to spend too much time standing at my counter working on anything when I could be basking in the the sun. In conclusion, if I'm not getting paid to be baking I'm not sure I want to be doing it right now. The problem is I STILL WANT CAKE!

I found the perfect solution. This cake mixes fast, bakes in about 30 minutes, and is super easy and nearly un-mess-upable. Plus, the fresh raspberries make it a phenomenal summer dessert. Trust me- if you don't bake much, bake this one. It's really good!


Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (about 5 oz)

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well.
• At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.
• Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter raspberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar.
• Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

Oh, Seattle, you're such a tease!

Until I moved to Seattle, I had never experienced seasons (I know what you're thinking, but I don't consider Indiana as having seasons. It had only two times of year- snowy and humid. Also, I try not to think about Indiana as much as possible). As much as I would love to live in a place that was 75 and sunny year round, I do so love the changes of the seasons. It's a way of letting you know that you're life is continuing on, reminding you that (turn, turn, turn) there is a time to snuggle in and rest, and (turn, turn, turn) there is a time to experience regrowth, and (turn, turn, turn) there is a time TO GET OUT IN THE SUN!!!!

Normally, at this time of year in Seattle I am still eating soups, slow cooked meats, granolas, and lots of cooked vegetables. In other words, normally, at this time of year in Seattle it's still winter. We have been ever so fortunate this year to have had an absolutely beautiful May- and I don't mean beautiful on Seattle's terms where it's sunny but 45 degrees, I mean beautiful on my terms. Nearly every day has been full sun and over 65, the last week being in the 70's, and today even hit 80 (which is about as warm as it ever gets here)!

I am amazed at the way the body adapts its cravings as the weather changes. Even though I had not generally grown up this way, it did not take me long to learn the joys of seasonal eating. And now, in the midst of a 75+ degree week, my body has ever so quickly become ready for summer foods. I am now totally in the mood for home made ice cream, fresh salads, fish, grilling, fresh fruit, grilling fresh fruit...not to mention I am generally just so much more happy at being able to go outside and tend to my little zuchinni plant (more on that later). I am WARM! Yippee!

Of course (here comes the pessimism), I know this is not going to last. June is often the gloomiest month of the year in this city, but I am oh so grateful for the happy May I've had. Just like the rest of the changing seasons, it has made me ready to move forward and think about what to cook next!

Eat Less- But Eat Better

That is my new mantra. Not in a "going on a diet" way, but more in a not constantly trying to keep my shelves and cupboards stuffed full of food kind of way. It is a philosophy that I have actually had for quite some time now, but have never been able to put it so eloquently. Those who know me (family and close friends) often find me silly or preachy- perhaps because I have not been able to put it clearly before.

This article from gourmet.com, "The Price is Wrong," is everything I already new, supplemented with a few hard facts that I didn't know, put into very strong and inspiring words. I love this quote, "We pride ourselves on having the cheapest food in the world. It’s almost viewed as a right. But the notion of all you can eat—quantity over quality—is now starting to change. Eat less, but eat better—it’s a cultural shift."

Why is it that we Americans- with Costco, the "grocery game," double coupons, etc. are so darned proud of ourselves when we come home with pounds and pounds of prepackaged food for the very least that we could spend? Ok, I know that's not fair. I, too, get very excited on finding a deal. It's thrilling to pay less for something that it was originally priced at. But is the thrill really worth stocking your shelves full of six gigantic bottles of ranch dressing that are full of fillers, artificial ingredients, and preservatives?

I am going to venture to say that perhaps (generally speaking, of course) the more bags of groceries you come with per trip, the unhealthier you are eating. Think about it- if a family of three regularly brings home eight bags of groceries there's no way they could be eating mostly fresh and healthy foods, simply because if all those bags were filled with fresh foods they would spoil before they could be eaten. Of course, there is the exception of those raw foods people who literally need to eat eleven pounds of fruits or veggies a day just to keep their calorie intake high enough to sustain themselves. I suppose they must take home a lot of bags of groceries.

English Peas

I wanted to share with you a nice happy accidental discovery I had when was very tired Wednesday after work. Wednesday happens to be the only evening in the work week that Raj and I have to spend together. This means that no matter how tired I am or how much I don't feel like cooking, I need to, because it's the only day of the week I can cook for my husband and we can eat together.

Still though, being tired I decided to go simple- roasted chicken and fresh vegetables. On my way home from work I ran into the market and grabbed chicken and what I thought were sugar snap peas. When I got home I realized something was awry.

You see, sugar snap peas look like this:


While English Peas look like this:


What you can't tell from the picture is that English pea pods are also a lot bigger than the sugar snap variety. I should have known. By then I was at home and didn't feel like going out again, so I did what anyone would do and googled how to cook English peas. I found purees, soups, and salads, but I wanted something easy.

What you do is remove the peas from the shells (and mind you, a large bag full of pods yields only about a cereal bowl of peas), blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then top with butter and salt.

Oh man, these were like no peas I've ever had before. Have you ever noticed how parents buy frozen vegetables, throw them in the microwave, and then wonder why their kids don't like to eat them? Hell-OOOO! These peas were so sweet, went perfect with the butter and salt, and they pop in your mouth when you eat them! I wanted more when they were gone. So remember these are fun and easy, and to buy a lot!

Food as Fashion as Food...Part 2

I just read this article, and I found it so funny that I thought I'd share it with you. It's much shorter that the article I left you a few days ago, and couldn't be on a more different subject.

If you are not familiar with Forever 21, it is a clothing store that makes trendy, inexpensive clothing for young women. The appeal is that they are very quick to have "of the moment" pieces hit their stores fast for a lot less money than other places. Trovata, on the other hand, is a very high end, very expensive designer of beautiful clothing.

Forever 21's Delicious, Cinnamon-Dusted Defense Against Trovata's Copying Charges

Thursday, May 14, 2009, by Izzy Grinspan

"Forever 21 has been sued roughly fifty times for selling clothing that looks suspiciously like the work of other designers, but up until now, every one of those cases was settled out of court. On Tuesday, however, local label Trovata brought the mega-retailer to trial, and the resulting ruling could have far-reaching consequences for designer knock-offs.

So far, as the Cut pointed out, the case sounds like a battle of the metaphors. Trovata's lawyer compared his clients to composers: "The notes, the chords, the sharps and flats are all known; it is the way they are combined and arranged that make new music.” But Forever 21's lawyer seems to know the real way to the jury's heart. He countered:

Much like a recipe for something like apple cobbler, Trovata is saying they didn’t invent the apples or the cinnamon or the sugar, but they are claiming the right to the combination.

This is, of course, a time-honored legal maneuver known as "distracting the jury by mentioning dessert," and it definitely works, because all of a sudden we're much more interested in cobbler than justice."



So this made me think again about something I've thought about before. How do recipe copyright laws work? Are there any? How can someone mix together apples, cinnamon, and sugar and make sure no one else makes money from mixing those together? What does the variance on a recipe (half a teaspoon? more?) have to be in order for it to be printable in one's own cookbook? It can certainly be done with music, so there MUST be laws with food, also. Or is that why businesses keep recipes so secret?

Anyone?

Flying Squirrel, Seven Hills, Mamma Mia!

Oh yes, I just invented a new recipe tonight. A recipe for relaxation. Here it is: pizza, wine, and musicals.

I had a long week at work- and I don't just mean it felt long because it was tedious or difficult. I mean it was literally seven days long, four of which were 14 hour days. It was loooooong.

I was finally set free at about 6:30 tonight, and the first thing I needed to do was go for a run and get all my tension out. And of course what must a girl have after a long week and a good workout? Ahhh, carbs.

I needed desperately to treat myself tonight, and I wanted pizza. Luckily, the closest pizza place to my house happens to be the up and coming Flying Squirrel Pizza Co. Also luckily, it's really, really, awesomely good pizza. It's a thin crust type of pizza with catchy toppings like lemon-herb-garlic roasted potato with blue cheese, or egg and arugula. Today I went for a more classic sausage and mushroom pizza.

After getting my pizza I was very happy when I remembered the open bottle of Seven Hills Riesling in my refrigerator that would go absolutely perfect with my pizza. It's not expensive or fancy or anything, but it's affordability (usually around $15- $20 a bottle) is one of the reasons that it's my favorite wine.

And with my yummy little pizza and quarter...er, ok third....half??? of a bottle of wine I knew exactly what movie would be perfect to watch. Sure, I could have been intelligent and watched Frost/Nixon just so I could say I was informed and political. But not tonight. It would not have been a good pairing with my riesling. I would probably recommend something like a full bodied cabernet to go with that movie. No, I needed something light and fun, and a movie that I know got terrible reviews and no one seems to like but me (and I like it so much, in fact, that I think it might be on my "movies I could watch any time" list).

So now I feel verrrry relaxed, and I have tomorrow off to enjoy my day. Hurray for pizza, wine, and musicals!

About the Swine Flu

I recently got this email from a naturopathic doctor I see- Dr. Virender Sodhi. I would put it in my own words, but this article is so articulate, well thought out, and intelligent that I thought I would just copy and paste word-for-word (And I don't think he minds me doing so. What's important to him is that the information gets out there). It's long, but thought provoking.

The Panic Over the ‘Pandemic’:

Is Swine Flu a Scientific Fact or Media Frenzy?

Dr. Virender Sodhi

With new alerts and warnings being issued on an almost hourly basis - with words like “pandemic” and even “plague” now being used - it’s hard not to be concerned about the swine flu outbreak. Although CDC (Center for Disease Control) is on hold issuing next warning and now toned down from the previous warnings. The WHO (World Health Organization) has decided not to raise its alert to a full pandemic, since the virus has yet to cause sustained transmission outside North America. More than 100 people have died in Mexico. But to put this in to perspective, every year more than 36,000 people die with influenza virus.

Health care authorities, politicians, and media spokespeople cite statistics, issue travel advisories, and point to maps showing the rapid worldwide spread of the virus. While authorities reassure us that a new vaccine is being developed, and anti-flu medications are being “stockpiled,” they continue to fuel the fear that we are on the brink of imminent disaster. Most of us are left wondering whether we should travel, visit public places, or send our children to school.

In the face of this growing panic, I believe a dose of healthy skepticism is good medicine. A brief look back at the history of flu outbreaks sheds new light on the current situation. The established public health response to viral outbreaks of the flu in recent years has been less than perfect. The side effects and complications associated with flu vaccines, which can be debilitating or even fatal, are never mentioned. And as usual, herbal, natural and nutritional therapies to prevent and ease the effects of viral infections are almost never mentioned. But it will certainly sell billions of dollar worth of Tamiflu, which yet to prove its effectiveness.

Although the strain of the flu virus spreading through human-to-human contact today appears to be unique, this is not the first appearance of swine flu. More than thirty years ago, in 1976, a swine flu “pandemic” was declared, and a public health effort was launched to vaccinate millions of people worldwide. As it turned out, the swine flu pandemic never materialized, but the vaccine itself claimed its own casualties. Within a few months after vaccinations began, 25 people had died, and $1.3 billion in claims had been filed by people who suffered paralysis due to the vaccine. Hundreds more developed crippling Guillain-Barré Syndrome, in which muscle paralysis can lead to respiratory failure and even death. Tragically, healthy young adults ended up as paraplegics.

As an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic practitioner, I find events such as these particularly frustrating. The complex balances involved in human health are poorly understood and inadequately addressed in the mainstream medical establishment. According to the prevailing mentality, the swine flu virus is on the loose and the only solution is a one-size-fits-all vaccine. Simple, natural therapies such as curcumin (turmeric) and garlic can reduce the viral load on the body, ease inflammation and strengthen natural immunities without the risk of injurious side effects.

The more recent history of the bird flu virus offers a strong case in point. Beginning in 2003, the avian flu virus began to appear in Asia. First in Vietnam, then in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, a massive public health effort was launched to dispense vaccinations as widely as possible and millions of birds were slaughtered. Ironically, however, it was traditional Chinese herbal medicine that provided one of the most effective therapies. Curcuma longa, widely known as turmeric, acts as a natural preventative against many flu viral strains. Turmeric’s active ingredients, called curcuminoids, have been shown in laboratory investigations to have powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.¹

Like the original deadly influenza of 1918 and the original swine flu, the current viral strain appears to over stimulate the body’s natural immune system. This explains the fact that most of the deaths so far have occurred in relatively young patients with robust immune systems. The swine flu virus appears to activate a response known as the cytokine storm, in which large amounts of immune system hormones (cytokines) are produced. Left unregulated, this inflammation can lead to respiratory and organ failure. In most cases, deaths occur when excess fluids accumulate in the respiratory system. According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

· fever, which is usually high

· cough

· runny nose or stuffy nose

· sore throat

· body aches

· headache

· chills

· fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme

· Diarrhea and vomiting

The beauty of using turmeric against flu is that it's a natural protease inhibitor. In order to affect the respiratory tract, the flu virus needs the proteasome enzyme complex. Curcuminoids inhibit the release of these enzymes, leaving the virus unable to replicate itself. Since turmeric is a natural food substance, I believe that taking it regularly can provide a safe and effective anti-flu therapy.

During my more than 30 years of medical practice, I have never used influenza vaccinations for myself or my family. In spite of exaggerated exposure to these germs, I have warded off the flu with care and natural remedies only. My best advice to my patients is to use simple, common sense measures to strengthen their natural immunities and avoid infection.

When my patients ask me how they can avoid the flu, this is the advice I give them:

• Do deep breathing exercises (outside if possible), and circulate more fresh air throughout your home. Exercise regularly. Walking for 45 minutes a day will increase the body's immune defense mechanism. However, do not over-exert yourself. Exercising longer than 90 minutes per day may actually increase your risk of upper respiratory infections.
• Reduce the "allergenic load" in your home. Carpets, gas heaters, wood burning fireplaces, fungi, mold and chemicals of any kind can weaken your immune system. Consider using electrostatic and charcoal filters in your house to clean the air.
• Reduce your sugar and dairy intake. Eat fruits and vegetables instead. Winter is a holiday season when we tend to consume a lot of sugar. According to published studies, seven tablespoons of sugar a day retards the immune system dramatically. One can of soda contains nearly four tablespoons of sugar. Avoid foods you are allergic to.
• Take antioxidants. My personal favorites are combination of Amla ( Emblica officinalis), Guduchi( Tinospora cordifolia), Tulsi( Ocimum sanctum), Vasaka( Adhatoda vasica), Bahera( Terminalia bellerica), Mulathi ( Glycyrrhiza glabra)Tikatu and Amla products made into a paste. (For more information about these herbs, please visit www.ayush.com) These are natural source of anti-oxidants and an excellent immune builder. Add to this vitamin D3 5000 IU twice a day, Ayurvedic herbs can also be taken, such as Triphla and Trikatu( one three times per day), Holy Basil standardized extract (250 mg three times per day) and Curcumin (250 mg three times per day). When you have a cold or an upper respiratory infection, drink ginger, licorice and holy basil tea. Garlic and green tea also have immune balancing properties. Drink plenty of warm fluids. Add fish oil one teaspoon three times per day.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap solution. A study of day-care centers showed that people who washed their hands frequently got 50 percent fewer colds than those who didn't. I do not like antibacterial soaps because they sometimes force the body to develop drug-resistant bacteria. Avoid frequent touching of your nose, eyes and ears.
• Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can increase your chances of catching a cold.
• Avoid and reduce stress. Mental and emotional weaknesses have an effect on the physical system and actually increase your chances of catching cold. Perform yoga or tai chi and spend quality time with your friends and family. A study published in The Journal of American Medical Association found that people, who report three or less social ties, such as with friends, family, coworkers or community groups, are more than four times at risk of catching a cold than those with six or more such ties.
• Do not use antibiotics indiscriminately. Antibiotics have no benefits and can weaken your immune system. According to a study published by The Journal of American Medical Association, 50 percent of the patients suffering with colds, upper respiratory infections and bronchitis demanded antibiotic prescriptions. Most of the upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria. Overuse of antibiotics can leave the body vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can be life threatening.

Ayurveda teaches that health is a matter of balance. Disease is the result of an underlying imbalance. Our bodies are constantly bombarded by contagions, and if these were the only cause of disease, we would be sick all the time. I believe that a balanced immune system is key in the quest for health and the conquest of disease. Learn to listen to your body and treat its imbalances in a holistic way. In the end, you are your own best physician.

References

¹Siddiqui AM, Cui X, Wu R, Dong W, Zhou M, Hu M, Simms HH, Wang P. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in an experimental model of sepsis is mediated by up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. Crit Care Med. 2006 Jul;34(7):1874-82.

²Ammon HPT, Wahl MA 1991 Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica 57(1):1

³lyengar MA, Rama Rao MP, Gurumadhva Rao S, Kamath MS 1994 Anti-inflammatory activity of volatile oil of Curcuma longa leaves. Indian Drugs 31(11):S28

⁴Srimal RC 1997 Turmeric: a brief review of medicinal properties. Fitoterapia 68:483

⁵lyengar MA, Rama Rao M, Bairy I, Kamath MS 1995 Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Curcuma longa leaves. Indian Drugs 32(6):249

⁶MulkyN,AmonkarAJ,BhideSV1987 Antimutagenicity of curcumins and related compound: the structural requirement for the antimutagenicity of curcumins. Indian Drugs 25(3):91

⁷Toda S, Miyase T, Arichi H, Tanizawa H, Takino Y 1985 Natural antioxidants. III. Antioxidative components isolated from rhizome of Curcuma longa. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 33:1725

⁸Selvam R, Subramanian L, Gayathri R, Angayarkanni N1995 The anti-oxidant activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7(2):59

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Now, anyone who knows me and my family knows that for all of us grandkids, the dish my Grandma is most remembered for is her crepes. Every single time we spent the night at her house, we would unfailingly wake up in the morning to crepes (at our request, of course).

Our favorite was always cinnamon and sugar, but we would experiment with other toppings like peanut butter, jam, or cheese. In the end, though, the cinnamon was always the best and we would eat it until we felt sick.

My Grandma cooked for us out of total love, but I don't think she realized two things were going to happen from it:

1. She was giving us a little bit of culture. To us, crepes were so familiar that I couldn't believe later on how many people didn't know what they were. Just like any building block you give a child, crepes were a building block for an entire world of cuisine for me!

2. She created a family legend/ tradition. I was challenged as soon as I could to begin making crepes for anyone special who happened to spend the night at my house. My recipe is different from my Grandma's- just as it should be since cooking is a very personal art. If you learned to draw from a grandparent, would you copy their drawings exactly? I don't think so. This was a great example of "the older women teaching the younger women" to take care in the kitchen.

So thanks, Grandma, for the memories. You gave me a tangible, taste-able, and smellable way of remembering my younger years, and the genuine love you showed for me and my cousins. I love you.....oh, and can I spend the night some time?

My [wannabe] Life in France

I am insanely jealous of Julia Child.

And not because she became a world famous chef, had an amazing culinary career, and will now forever be a food legend. Those things are nice and all, but what really gets me is that Julia Child lived in Paris is the late 1940's. Please note that I find that just as important to living in Paris was that time period in which she did- the post WWII era 1940's. This was when most food (in France) still came from small farms, a person of normal means could afford an apartment two blocks from the Seine, no one knew smoking was bad for you, and the Cordon Bleu admitted people with no cooking experience (and still had less than ten people in a class). Oh, not to mention a person could get an amazing meal for two, with wine, for $3.70.

Le sigh

I must admit first off that I have only spent four days in Paris. However, my senses were so alert when I was there- I was really trying to take in every second- that I find I had a very rich experience. I became a true blue Francofile right from the start.

Recently I picked up a copy of Julia Child's biography My Life in France. The book is about moving to Paris with her diplomat husband, and how she began to discover food- namely, French food- and the beginning of her culinary career. As I began to read, I was pleased to see how much of my first experiences with Paris were similar to hers: The total awe of the landscape and the countryside, preferring the food from mid-range restaurants and hole in the walls to l'gourmet, fancy restaruants, and finally the total wonder that anyone could find Parisians to be rude or generally disagreeable in any way.

Our situtation differ, however, in the fact that she got to LIVE THERE! Aaaaahhhh. She got to buy cheese from the woman who knew exactly when a certain piece of camembert would be "ready," she got to learn French by conversing with the vegetable lady who could tell her exactly what she needed for that night's supper. She got to take weekends away in Provence and vacation in Cannes!

Lastly, she got to eat French food every day. She got to get up every morning and buy a cafe au lait and fresh croissant before she went to the Cordon Bleu for her culinary training! Oh to have these experiences. Sadly, I must live vicariously through Mrs. Child's beautifully written and descriptive book. Thankfully she has a vivid memory and is able to describe in detail meals that were eaten 50+ years ago so that I can pretend I am the one eating those meals.

I have been inspired now to pull out my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and cook through it from cover to cover like I had determined to so long ago. Thank you, Julia, for all you did!

Going Retro

I remember eating cream of wheat many-a-mornin' while I was growing up. It used to be one of my favorite breakfast foods before being home schooled by my mom. By third grade we were done with home schooling and off to a regular school like everyone else. There was no more time for morning meals that took 30 minutes or more to cook, and somehow cream of wheat just got lost in the hustle and bustle of life.

I saw cream of wheat (Bob's Red Mill "Creamy Wheat" to be exact) at the store a while back and picked it up. I had completely forgot about it until the other morning, when, due to the lack of eggs and other foods being present, I decided to try it out again.

Do you guys remember how good this stuff was? It's still that good! There just something about wheat that has been refined to smithereens (did I spell that right?) and covered in butter and brown sugar...mmmm.....No, it definitely does not meet the definition of a "whole food," but at least it's all natural! And while in my world cream of wheat dates back to the 1980's, in the real world it was invented in 1893 (according to Wikipedia).

So I think I might be eating it for dessert from now on- as I so often do with sugar cereals and other sweet breakfast foods- but I'll definitely be eating it again.

Something to Blog About

This may be a sort of a Debbie downer blog, but I am going to write today about something I just realized that I really miss in my life.

We moved to Seattle almost five years ago. In those years we have made some dear, dear friends here. As much as we love every single one of them, none of them share our taste and love for food enough to devote the amount of time and income that we do to trying new places and things. So, I make the most of the circumstances I have been given, and usually I look at food times as a chance to have a date and sit across from the man I love doing something we both enjoy.

This weekend, though, I realized how much I miss sitting across the table from friends that I love. Sometimes it's good to know that people are with you because they choose to be with you, rather than because you're family and stuck together. And I've said before that nothing is more meaningful to me than doing this with food- sitting around the table, eating, and just talking to my favorite people. It's one thing that I enjoy most and get to do least.

So to those who are far away, but would love to go out and have a meal with me, know that I really miss you and I'm getting cheesily teary-eyed writing so.

Love,
Annika

My brownies

I am a brownie purist. I do not like anything in them or on them. No chocolate chips, no sprinkles, and absolutely no nuts (The exception is the brownie recipe that my grandma made last time I saw her, where it actually seemed as though she went nuts with the toppings. She put everything on there from frosting to marshmallows, caramel, and who knows what else. Those were amazing).

Anyway, a simple brownie needs to be just that. Simple. Well, simple and fudgy. I found this recipe does the trick, and even with melting the chocolate it is really quick to make. I actually pulled the brownie part from another recipe that had a fussy chocolate frosting with it. They don't need it.

Annika's Brownie Recipe

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a 2-quart bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla and mix well with a spatula. Add the flour and stir to combine. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes.

I almost forgot to tell you

As if I didn't have enough reason to look forward to my trips back to California...


I have established a new and most enjoyable tradition. It's called the Euro Pane Bakery, and it's in Pasadena. I guess I should back up a lot....waaay back.... to my hair dresser, John. As far as hair dressers go, I love him. So much so that back while I was in college for four years, and in the almost five years I have lived in Seattle, I still plan getting my hair done around my trips back to California. It feels very posh, by the way, to be able to say, "Oh, yes, I fly down to LA to get my hair done." Kind of Oprah like, really. But I'm getting off topic.

You see, around the corner from the salon is the little Euro Pane Bakery. From the front it looks like it could be any of those odd, non descript mediocre cafes that simply litter southern Cal. I would have never walked in had my wonderful stylist not recommended it. My first impression was absolute shock when I saw this:

A real live bakery! One that knows how to make real live artisan breads! What I wish I had was picture of is the pastry case full of amazing looking sweets, croissants, tarts, etc...They don't look fancy or anything, just absolutely delicious like someone seriously knows what they're doing. The decor and the staff had absolutely no pretense (pretensiousness is a big problem with most good food establishments in Seattle). It was just good.

Second of all, take a look back at the menu above, if you can read it. Those are sandwiches served on their in-house made breads. Ooooh so good. And if you don't believe me, ask the twenty people that were in line in front of me.

Now every time I make the trip to Pasadena beautify myself, I swing by the bakery and get whatever I fancy at that time. Last time they had a roasted beet and goat cheese tart that was pretty much the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. They don't have a website. The best I could do for you is this page here, but it's got all the info you need.

I urge you friends

I love the food around Easter!

I would like to take this time to remind you to dip some strawberries in chocolate.



Make some deviled eggs.



Maybe have a mimosa or two ;).



And maybe a hand full of Jelly beans.



Enjoy your time with friends and family, and happy Easter!

The Way to Throw a Dinner Party

Something great about living in Seattle for the past four and a half years has been our "home group" that we attend every Sunday evening. From the very start of our marriage, Raj and I have been getting together with a few other families every week for dinner and Bible study. Each week we rotate houses, and everyone takes turns cooking and hosting. So basically, every few weeks I am responsible for throwing a dinner party.

Currently, there are about eight or ten people that come on a regular basis, but in the past there has been as many as sixteen people to cook for in my little kitchen. When I began hosting, it would take me all day to cook, my kitchen would be a mess, and I would spend hours cleaning after. As the years went by, though, I became a very seasoned dinner party thrower. I figured out what kinds of recipes are best for big groups (ones with lots of do ahead steps), and which are not (for example, Indian dinner is definitely not a low stress menu, nor is a salad nicoise good to make for a lot of people).

Sunday was our day, and it was quite simple and delicious. I made the mexican lasagna I told you about the other day, assembling it on Saturday so there was no cleanup the following day. I marinated some chicken strips, grilled them, and then let Trader Joe's do the rest. Sure, I could have sliced pineapple and mango myself, made my own guacamole, and washed and cut up my own salad greens, but with places like TJ's who are fresh and reasonably priced why not outsource a few chores, am I right?

So now that you know how easy it is, go throw your own dinner party!

Only my thoughts for you today

As I grew from a teenager into adulthood, I became unintentionally inclined to the domestic arts. Cooking is the obvious interest, but I also found myself drawn to sewing, decorating, child rearing, and general house keeping. Which is why I am sort of embarrassed to say outright that I know jack nothin' about gardening.

It comes as no big surprise to anyone in this city of outdoorsy tree huggers that Seattle is full of people who just luuuurve gardening- and we're talking obsessively tending to the outsides of their homes. Frankly, and maybe it's the southern Californian in me, I am not inspired to do anything that's going to force me outside when it's 45 and raining.

However...

On those very special days like today, when for some reason we are getting a 70 degree sunny day break from our usually dreary weather, I open my drapes to view my back yard and I'm ashamed of myself. I told Raj that we are those neighbors- you know the ones- with the horridly weedy, dirty yard full of dead plants. And a fire pit full of rain water (that, I might add, we've only used once in our three years in this house). So since I have some free time today I am planning on cleaning up a bit. I'vee already thrown away our soggy remnants of what was once a doormat, a dead basil plant, old charcoal from our grill, and five or six broken flower pots.

Once everything is cleaned up, I think I might entertain the idea of growing some vegetables, which are things that I know grow fantastic here in the northwest. I sometimes feel that it's my duty as a self proclaimed food snob to know how to grow some things. From what I've heard, it's very satisfying to pick and eat your home grown food. Not to mention super healthy. And if I can get good at it, I will be one step closer to my dream of buying a rural plot of land and living like the Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie family except with electricity, plumbing, and heating. And the internet.

So if I start this project I will be certain to take you along with me on my journey. No promises yet, though, I'm still weighing the pros and cons.

Fast and easy...

...seems to be what my life is all about right now. Except the easy part.


Sometimes I really miss the days of pastry school, when I could go in and just get lost in learning about becoming a pastry chef. No quotas, no customers. Just 5 hours of baking and experimenting, tasting... What a wonderful time it was indeed.

But life is not pastry school, and sometimes things need to be done fast.

So to make this fast....I looove this Mexican Casserole. All the flavors are there, and it can be different depending on what salsa or beans you use. The recipe calls for pinto, but sometimes I use black. Also, I like to add some shredded chicken on occasion for protein.

Here you are:

Mexican Lasagna
Serves 4.

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 4 scallions, coarsely chopped
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1 (15.5 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup prepared salsa (mild or medium)
• 8 ounces pepper Jack cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, combine cilantro, scallions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with as much spinach as will fit; pulse, adding remaining spinach in batches, until coarsely chopped.
2. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Lay 4 tortillas in bottom of dish (they will overlap slightly). Layer with half of beans, salsa, spinach mixture, and cheese; repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with cheese and pressing in gently.
3. Cover dish with foil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes; remove foil, and continue baking until golden, 15 to 20 minutes more. Cool 5 to 10 minutes.
   

Waaay Over the Top

Ok, so when I gave you the recipe for my very favorite frittata, I mentioned that I like to serve it with berries. BUT I DIDN'T MEAN WITH BERRIES ON TOP!!! Look closely at the picture above. Why, yes, that is a berry and bacon garnish you see!

What better month than this to say that I think Better Homes and Gardens has taken brunch a little too far? Allow me to give you their Bread Pudding Quiche with Berries and Bacon. Oh, and did the title forget to mention that it's made with a cinnamon swirly buttery crumb crust? Or that the filling is more cinnamon swirl bread with gruyere, onions, and HAM? Yup...

And let me tell you, I love all the things listed above. But dear, dear BHG, I also love smoked salmon and chocolate, and you don't see me making smoked salmon truffles! My point here is that I am all for innovation and mixing flavors, but this is entirely too much. Basically, I think this dish is what happens when you are too lazy to use more than one serving platter.

Better Homes and Gardens, please, for the love of all that is tasty, stick to your dried flower boquets and teddy bear decor and skip the food experiments. Thanks.

A Little Word of Advice

If you never listen to anything else I tell you listen to this....If you want to impress people, and make them think you are a super good and fancy cook, you will always make French toast using challah bread. I hope you know what challah is- I am surprised to find how many people don't. But just to make sure:

Challah is a traditionally Jewish bread that is made with white flour, eggs, and a bit of sweetener (sugar or honey). It's braided into a loaf (sounding familiar now?), and then baked with an egg wash to make the crust golden, soft and shiny. Like so:



So, when you're making French toast and you've already started with a soft, rich, sweet, eggy bread, once you add all the ingredients to make the bread softer, richer, sweeter, and eggier, you have got a combonation that can't be beat! The recipe I am sharing with you today is a great recipe, but really you can use any French toast recipe that you might like. Just replace your normal bread with challah. You can even do it with the "it's too early to read a cookbook and/or measure things out and I'm just going to estimate the ingredients" morning French toast.



I am sharing with you a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. I have only made it once, and it was quite delicious (the only reason I have not made it again is our complete lack of self control at the breakfast table when the platter was set before us). What set this recipe apart from others is that it uses orange juice and zest to give the French toast a good kick. Usually, if it's just two of us eating I will cut the recipe in half. I buy a whole loaf of challah and then freeze the second half for later use.



Challah French Toast

nocoupons

• 6 extra-large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon good honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large loaf challah or brioche bread
• Unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil

nocoupons

• Pure maple syrup
• Good raspberry preserves (optional)
• Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.

Where is the Best Brunch is Seattle?

That's a toughie. I don't know if I can tell you that, but I can tell you that without a doubt, the restaurant we go to more than any other is Geraldine's Counter. And when I say we go there alot, I mean it's kinda like our Cheers. In fact, when we walk in everyone says, "Norm!" Not really. They don't know our names, because it seems the wait staff is always changing. I am sure that they recognize Raj (he's easy to recognize). Anyway, it's the kinda place we go to and order without even looking at the menu. Our frequency there is partly due to the fact that it's the closest good food to where we live in Seattle, and mostly because we like the food and it's very affordable (we can both eat and be full for around $20).

Geraldine's is simply a diner and nothing more. What sets it apart is that, unlike when you are sitting at some other diner with your disgustingly greasy grilled sandwich and flavorless soup, this is the way you always hope your diner food is going to be. Yes, your bowl of soup may cost $7 instead of $4, but isn't it worth it to get soup made in the restaurant rather than shipped there in a tub and reheated?

So, of course we rarely have soups or sandwiches (unless I have a late night hankering for their BLT with avocado and yam fries) since we are almost always there for brunch. Usually I go in with the intention of getting the steel cut oatmeal with fresh fruit or the Cafe Fanny organic granola and yogurt. These things are delicious and leaving me feeling pleasantly full and healthy. Inevitably, I walk in and realize that I can't possibly leave without eating the French Toast. It is the most unique french toast I have ever had- crispy on the outside, soft on the inside- and always has a different fruit topping. Everyone who dines here must try it once.

So go try Geraldines- just not on a Saturday or Sunday since it's already crowded and I don't want to you to be in front of me in line to be seated. And don't go on Monday, either! It's closed, and Raj and I have made that mistake more than once....