Baking and motivation

I have had a hard time getting motivated to write this blog the last few weeks.  I have had finding work on my mind, as well as oh just a few current world events...  I've also been kind of frustrated with my photo taking ability.  I've been submitting some of my "good" photos to such sites as Foodgawker.com and Tastespotting.com but nothing is getting published because of "composition" issues (way to be vague!). Compared to some of the better food blogs, my pictures are fine but not exceptional and this is because they are not taken by a SLR camera so... I get it.  But I am allowed to stew and bake goodies to cheer myself up, right?

So, I have been baking a lot and wanted to share some of my favorites.  Baking has gotten me motivated to eat really well, go running and hiking and to give away most of my baked goods to friends, family and even prospective employers. So, I am feeling great.

Here are some of the delicious treats I've come up with in the last couple of weeks:

William Sonoma overnight cinnamon rolls

Made these when I stayed over at my sister's place - we finished 6 of them between three of us.  They were darn good!

before icing....

...after icing.

Blueberry muffins

And finally, I will share a recipe I adapted from The Naptime Chef for Oatmeal chocolate chip coconut cookies.  I have made two versions of these in the last week - one to share with some friends who needed a "pick me up" (made with cranberries instead of chocolate chips) and one to wow a prospective employer (chocolate worked here)!  They are really good, on the healthy side (I played around with adding applesauce instead of LOADS of butter and limiting granulated sugar...also substituting some whole wheat flour for the all purpose.)  They are still really good and virtually guilt free.  So enjoy!

Oatmeal chocolate chip coconut cookies:
1 c all purpose flour
1 c whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ c room temperature unsalted butter

½ c unsweetened apple sauce

1 c light brown sugar, packed

¼ c granulated sugar

1 tsp kosher salt

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 c mini chocolate chips (or dried cranberries or raisins or nuts)

1 c sweetened shredded coconut

1 c oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two baking sheets w/parchment paper or a silpat.

Blend flours and baking soda in a small bowl, then set aside.

In a mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add salt.  With mixer on low, add eggs one at a time until each is blended.  Add vanilla.

Add flour in thirds until incorporated (scrape bowl as needed). Using a spatula, fold in chocolate chips, coconut and oats (separately).

Place rounded tablespoons full of batter 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.  Bake for 16-18 minutes until edges are golden brown (don’t overcook – they will firm up after cooking).

Makes 40-45 cookies.

What are some of your favorite sweet treats?  What gets YOU motivated - I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to share.

Chow for now!

Comforting meals with some of my favorite moms!

Now, I don't know if I'll ever be a mom, but I am getting a lot of practice being the best aunt (blood related and otherwise). :)

Yesterday, I had a lovely lunch with my friend Diana who, even with an almost four month old in tow provided a very gourmet lunch of seafood terrine and cold cucumber soup.  Where does she find the time?  I think she might secretly have a clone.... I provided a loaf of french bread made earlier that day.  We also had delicious homemade crunchy almond cookies whipped up by my friend, baker and artist, Nicole. Didn't get a picture because we ate them too fast but they were scrumptious!

Today was another day of pampering those whom I adore and it started with providing much needed banana chocolate chip muffins to my very cute, pregnant friend Mandy who, in addition to becoming a good comrade, is also my personal chef guru.  We had a great chat and delicious tea and muffins and discussed, what else?  BABIES!  She is a glowing 5+ months along and I even got to see little boy Unruh kick (or punch) a few times in my visit...no doubt a reaction to the muffins: "more, mommy, more!"

After that visit I headed over to my sister and brother in law's to try out a new recipe that I got from Vegetarian Times.  Don't get excited meat lovers, I am not going veg, but I did subscribe to get some more ideas for my non meat dinners and also for future vegetarian/vegan clients.

I decided to make Poblano White Chili and corn bread.  Both came out really great!

Poblano White Chili
from Oct 2010 Vegetarian Times magazine

3 c cooked white beans or 2 15 oz cans white beans, rinsed and drained
1 recipe Rajas (see below)
2 c low sodium vegetable broth
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 c fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 c chopped cilantro plus more for garnish
1 T lime juice
1/4 c low fat milk
3 oz goat cheese
1/4 roasted pumpkin seeds

Rajas:
Roast and peel six  poblano or Anaheim peppers, slice into 1/4 in strips and set aside.  Heat 2 tsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add 1 large onion, sliced thin and two cloves of garlic, minced and cook 6-9 minutes or until onion is soft and golden brown.  Add 1 tsp dried oregano and poblano strips and cook 3 or 4 minutes more or until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chili:
1.  Bring beans, Rajas, broth, oregano and cumin to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat.  Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in corn, cilantro and lime juice.  Season with salt and pepper if desired,  Cook 2 minutes more.

2.  Warm milk in a separate saucepan.  Add goat cheese and stir until smooth.  Serve chili with goat cheese sauce, pumpkin seeds and cilantro.
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For the most part I followed this recipe pretty closely.  To save time you could prepare the Rajas and refrigerate ahead of time.  You can also roast the pumpkin seeds earlier.  I used sliced almonds since that was something I already had in the house and I knew the flavor and crunch would work well.  When using store bought Vegetable broth (or chicken, or beef) do look at the nutritional information.  These products are notorious for having a LOT of sodium.  I picked a brand that had 330 mg per one cup servings... some of the ones I picked up, including popular brands had almost 1000 mg of sodium!  That's way too much. 

This dish was great and the corn bread had a sweet/hot taste that really tasted great with the chili. The chili could easily be made into a meat-based dish by adding sauteed sausage, ground chicken or turkey.

What is your favorite way to pamper a loved one?  Comfort foods?  Chocolate?  Feel free to share here! 

Chow for now!  :)

When life hands you too ripe bananas...make banana chocolate chip muffins!

Oh, these are too good!  My house smells like bananas and cinnamon and chocolate-y goodness.  The muffins are soft on the inside, have a slight firmness on the outside, melty chocolate chips and delicious banana flavor.  They can be eaten for breakfast or a snack or dessert. 

I borrowed this recipe from http://www.babylovingmama.com/ who has a great website filled with "all that moms love." This includes recipes, discounts, product reviews, great photos and giveaways (I really wanted to win the Kitchen Aid mixer giveaway...).  Definitely check it out.

But onto the more important stuff at hand.  Pictures and recipe.  Please buy bananas and leave them out today so you can make these this weekend.  It's a really easy recipe!!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins (www.babylovingmama.com)


1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt or sour cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used minis)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt (or sour cream) and vanilla. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened

Fold in bananas and choc chips.

Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups almost to the top.

Bake at 350 for 22-25 min until toothpick comes out clean
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I added 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to the dry ingredients just for another layer of flavor.  I might add more next time.  Experiment and feel free to add chopped walnuts or another nut!
I think I will go have another.....

What's your favorite banana dessert?  Please feel free to share here!

Chow for now!  :)