TWD: Otherwise known as Sundays with Pepto
August 26, 2008 at 5:28 pm | In Tuesdays with Dorie | 13 CommentsTags: ice cream torte, Tuesdays with Dorie
I will keep this short. I made the Chocolate Banded Ice-Cream Torte (chosen by Amy of Food, Family and Fun) on Saturday night and planned to serve it on Sunday. This post was originally going to be about how all of the stops and starts with the recipe forced me to come up with activities for the kids during each “freezing period.” (see below for bonus recipe). Well, that was until Sunday morning hit…
I want to preface by saying that I was not nervous about the eggs in the ganache. I am not a super adventurous eater, but I am definitely not a squeamish eater. I lick the bowl. I believe in the 5 second rule – maybe longer. I share drinks. With my kids. But I was the only one who ate any of the ganache on Saturday and I was the only one whose stomach was in full revolt on Sunday. Maybe it was the uncooked eggs? Maybe it was leaving the ganache on the counter? Maybe nothing related at all. My husband and I always joke that I could digest rocks so who knows.
Unfortunately, my suspicions were raised and I couldn’t -ingood conscience – serve it to anyone else. I threw it out. All of it. Killed my soul a little. I made the caramel sauce from the back of the book and swirled it through the vanilla ice cream. I also added malted powder because malted powder makes everything better. Thankfully, I only made a 6 incher but somewhere my 95yr old FRUGAL grandma had a little heart palpitation when it the trash bin.
The pictures aren’t good because I just didn’t care at that point. I left the torte out while I ate lunch on Monday to soften. It passed soften to melty. I will try to read the other blogs this week but no promises. I am not feeling love for the torte.
Next week: Chunky Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Chocolate Chipsters. I was planning to make these last Sunday for Operation Baking Gals. HA! Check out the other non toxic tortes here.
Bonus Recipe: One of our Saturday night activities was making homemade sidewalk paint out of a kids craft book. Mix 1/4 quarter cup cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Add food coloring. Tah Dah!
Triple Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
August 24, 2008 at 6:37 pm | In recipes | 5 CommentsTags: chocolate, loaf, zucchini
Every Friday at work we have “Breakfast Club.” If you have worked in an office, you know the drill. Basically, we take turns bringing breakfast for the floor. Some people are strictly bagel and cream cheese bucket types. Some forget and grab a box of granola bars and some even bring in a bag of McDonalds McMuffins. For reasons I can’t fathom, this is a VERY popular option. And there those few like me who make something when it is their turn. My assistant, god love her, has been bringing the same egg and sausage casserole for years. I, of course, am a nerd who likes to “shake it up” every month.
I was planning to make the Perfection Pound Cake out of Baking From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan. It is one of the recipes I missed before joining Tuesdays with Dorie. BUT I didn’t have enough eggs. On to plan B. I was flipping through a Maida Heatter collection of cakes when I came across a zucchini loaf. It satisfied the most important criteria–I had all of the ingredients on hand. And – bonus – easily transportable. Following my usual theory in life that everything goes better chocolate, I altered the recipe significantly to make a Triple Chocolate Zucchini Loaf.
Bottom Line: Very chocolatey. Very good. I am sure it could be perfected but did you read the first paragraph? I work, people. Perfection will have to wait. I was hoping my notoriously picky second son would eat it. It has vegetables, right? I don’t know why I get my hopes up. He didn’t like it. Ohe well, there is always the first born…
Ingredients
- 2 C. grated zucchini
- 1.5 C all purpose flour
- 1.25 C whole wheat flour
- 1/4 C cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1 C. vegetable oil
- 1 C. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate (melted)
- 3/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare a ten cup loaf pan or two smaller pans. I used a 9 by 5 by 3in. pan and a 6 in. cake pan. Grate the zucchini so that you end up with two packed cups. Set aside. Sift together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Mix in the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend well. Add the sifted ingredients and mix just to incorporate. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. The batter is very thick but the zucchini thins it somewhat.
Spoon into pans and bake. I baked the 6in. pan for 45 minutes and the 9in loaf pan for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool in the pans for 15 minutes and then unmold.
Enjoy!
Barefoot Bloggers: Panzanella
August 22, 2008 at 6:27 pm | In Barefoot Bloggers | 2 CommentsTags: Barefoot Bloggers, panzanella, salad
The first Barefoot Blogger recipe for August was Panzanella chosen by Melissa of It’s Melissa’s Kitchen.
Gah. I am late again. I think I know why. This recipe sounded great, incorporating many ingredients I love but one of the members of my immediately has recently undergone a dietary change. No bread. No vinegar. Difficult to accomplish this recipe without either. So, I waited until I had an excuse to make it without. That time didn’t come before August 12. That is also why I didn’t get to the bonus recipe this month, California Grilled Pizza. Sounds great and I will get to it I am sure.
In short, I really liked this salad. I used an olive oil rosemary bread that was fabulous to begin with. I toasted mine for quite awhile and did not let the salad sit as I have a thing about soggy bread. I am against it. I didn’t quite have all of Ina’s ingredients on hand, but that is the best thing about this type of recipe. It can be altered to suit your preferences/needs. I used balsamic instead of champagne vinegar and skipped the yellow pepper. I am sure there are a lot of great variations out there. Check out the Barefoot Bloggers: Whose Turn Is It? page.
TWD: Going Granola
August 19, 2008 at 4:25 am | In Uncategorized | 27 CommentsTags: cookies, granola, Tuesdays with Dorie
It is obvious after reading many of my fellow TWDers blogs that they are FAR too young to have experienced let alone remember any of the 70s. Well, let me take you on a little history tour. In the 70s we had three channels (and they still found time to air “What’s Happening, Mama?” – go figure). Our roller SKATES had four wheels and we had a penchant for satin disco jackets. We had to heat everything on the stove and every appliance really was avocado green or harvest gold. Food out of a box was progress and we all ate margarine, except for grandpa who could taste the difference, thank you very much.
You know what else we had? Granola. Granola bars, specifically. Not granola layered in yogurt parfaits. We were too busy eating Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks for breakfast (what happened to the prizes by the way?). For a time, every self respecting mom was packing granola bars in lunch boxes as a healthy snack. They were crunchy and they all seem to be cinnamon flavored. General Mills had yet to figure out that you could fill them with M&Ms or coat them in PB and Chocolate.
So, I had to laugh when I saw the recipe this week. Granola cookies. Whatever tenuous claim to health food granola was still hanging onto has just been obliterated. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE granola but the tastiest has oil, brown sugar and honey. Just like an apple, right? (Of course, in the 70s with our three channels, we were out running around a lot. So, we’ll give mom a break). I make my own so I can control for however many calories I feel like using on granola. I have issues with portion control so I usually cut down on some of the good stuff.
(the lighting is horrid but it was late and I was packing)
When I made these I did make several substitutions. I cut out the nuts because I wanted to eat them and nuts? Ruin all good desserts. I used dried cranberries, dried cherries, and chocolate chips. I also went for the flaxseed just because I didn’t have any wheat germ on hand. I had some issues with the bottoms browning quickly so I lowered the temperature.
Grandpa and grabber on the boat.
These were really good. I loved them and ate WAY too many of them. I made them to take to the lake for the weekend. I thought they would be a great snack to have around. I did not, however, anticipate grandpa (my dad) bringing ice cream, licorice, pretzels, etc. The cookies were overshadowed to say the least. Oh well. I am sure I will make them again when there is less competition and when I can be assured of some help in consumption.
This picture doesn’t have anything to do with the cookies other than it is from the same lake trip. My husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary and I am pretty happy about it.
A big thank you to Michelle of Bad Girl Baking for choosing Granola Grabbers this week. I was so ready for a cookie! The recipe can be found on her blog. Check out all of the other blogs here. Next week: Chocolate Banded Ice Cream Torte. ICE CREAM AGAIN!
A note about making homemade granola: Do it! Not only do you get your favorite combination but it makes the house smell wonderful!
The agony of defeat
August 13, 2008 at 4:48 am | In Uncategorized | 3 CommentsI am obsessed with the olympics. I am watching the women’s gymnastics team finals. I feel so bad for Alisha Sacrimoni. Poor thing. If her parents are there, I am sure it is taking every ounce of self control not to run down to the floor and take her in their arms.
And the Chinese? Great gymnasts but they are all 16? I am feeling very 25 today. yup 25.
And what happened to Romania? 7 points behind? They were the POWERHOUSE. Despite my youthful “age” I am feeling very old…
TWD: Chocolate PB and Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwiches
August 12, 2008 at 4:21 am | In Tuesdays with Dorie | 36 CommentsTags: blueberries, ice cream, Tuesdays with Dorie
There is always that moment in a relationship when you look at the other person and think “where did you come from?” or “who raised you?” I remember distinctly having one of these moments with my now husband then boyfriend many years ago. It was the dead of winter in Kansas, and we had just gone out for Mexican food. I brightly suggested we top off the night with a little BR (that would be Baskin & Robbins for those of you who did not spend your childhood establishing a close relationship with all of the ice creams shops in your area). He looked at me and said, “But it’s cold out.” Yup. As if the weather had some bearing as to whether we should have ice cream. My response: Ice cream knows no season.** I loved him but knew there were some serious cultural differences.
We ate ice cream in my family. A lot. I still know my mom’s signature order at BR – a dip of Pralines & Cream and a dip of Chocolate Mousse Royale (not to be confused with DQ where it is a peanut buster parfait). In fourth grade, I gave up chocolate malts and popcorn for lent and it was TOUGH. We had them together every Friday night. Great combo, by the way. Salty and sweet.
All this ice cream, however, and I don’t think I have ever had blueberry ice cream. I was excited to try Blueberry Sour Cream Ice Cream chosen by Dolores of Chronicles in Culinary Curiousity for Tuesdays with Dorie this week. I am not a sour cream lover so I cut it down to a half a cup. I also went with a little lime zest and no juice. I love citrus flavored dessert, but I always cut the citrus down when it is not the feature flavor.
I thought it would be fun to make peanut butter cookies and make a “PB&J” ice cream sandwich. Well, I got a little carried away and made chocolate peanut butter cookies. It went really well together. The ice cream was good. At first I thought the sour cream was overpowering, but it grew on me. It tasted a little like blueberry cheesecake. My kids both ate it but didn’t ask for any the next day. Hmmm…I may try it with another flavor and see if it garners a little more excitement. Otherwise, this may not be in the rotation for a long while. I can’t shouldn’t eat it all myself.
The blonde told me –after he ate it– that ice cream sandwiches should have white ice cream. Good to know I have a conniseur in the house.
To see how everyone else fared check out the TWD blogroll here. To get the recipe visit Dolores‘ blog.
Next week: Granola grabbers. I eat granola for breakfast almost every morning. This could be…dangerous.
**While ice cream is great any time of year sometimes ice cream alone isn’t the best when it is hot. On a hot day, nothing is better than half vanilla ice cream, half orange sherbert, and sprite. Put it all in a blender and go. REFRESHING.
The Best Birthday Gift.
August 11, 2008 at 12:08 am | In Uncategorized | 4 CommentsTuesday was my birthday. At my age I am well past waiting for it on pins and needles. Frankly, the next one can come as slow as it would like. Wouldn’t bother me. BUT it is always fun to be celebrated. I wasn’t in the mood for cake so I had a giant thick chocolate malt. Seriously, is there anything better? Definitely my desert island dessert. My mom and kids decorated our house…
Unfortunately, my mom is a little absent minded. While it has been awhile since I have been carded, I am not yet ready for “the home.”
Yes, it says “80.” It was unintentional. So, she claims.
But, really, I could have given a rat’s *&% about the sign. Why? Because I got the BEST birthday gift ever (insert Hallelujah chorus and shining white light here):
My husband rocks! He did well. Very well. I registered for a kitchen aid mixer for our wedding. TEN years ago. Yup. I have been patient and I have been rewarded.
TWD: Bananas and Chocolate for Breakfast!
August 5, 2008 at 4:00 am | In Tuesdays with Dorie | 28 CommentsTags: bananas, Tuesdays with Dorie
Dear Earth -
Let me just start with the apology. I realize I live smack dab in the middle of the United States…which puts me very very far from any real live banana trees. I understand about carbon footprints, peak oil, pesticide abuse and botanical diversity. And I realize that my consumption of bananas is pretty much a slap in the face to them all. But, and it’s a big but, I can’t help myself.
Oh, I try to be good. I recycle, use canvas shopping bags, buy the curlicue lightbulbs. I shop at the organic farmers’ market and, dang it, I even ride my bike there. But I can’t quit my bananas, not quite a “local” food. A college aquaintance called bananas nature’s most perfect fruit and he may be right. No washing, no seeds, no sticky juice, great alone and even better with yogurt, chocolate, oatmeal and so on. If we could eliminate banana breath…perfection!
So, yeah, I’m still eating bananas. I enjoyed a couple this week (with chocolate!) in the Black and White Banana Loaf chosen by Ashlee of A Year in the Kitchen. Good for dessert or breakfast. Some people had problems with runny batter and underbaked loaves but mine was great. See? The bananas are just returning the love. It’s not my fault I don’t hail from the land of bananas (or mangoes, but let’s not even go there).
I will keep trying but we are just going to have come to a truce on the bananas. ‘Kay? Great. I knew you’d understand.
Kel
PS If I don’t make this loaf again soon, can we consider it water conservation?
Banana bread lovers check out all of the loaves here.
Next week: Blueberry Sour Cream Ice Cream. Can’t wait!
Special thanks to my egg cracking expert this week (yes, there is a pineapple in the background…it’s a weakness).
BB: Under the wire, baby, just under the wire
August 1, 2008 at 4:08 am | In Barefoot Bloggers | 1 CommentTags: Barefoot Bloggers
The second Barefoot Blogger recipe for July was Smoked Salmon Spread chosen by Ashley of the Spicy Skillet. I could relay some sob story about how busy I was and how great I am for getting it done at all. But that would be mostly a lie. July was super busy but, frankly, this was mostly plain old fashioned procrastination. I am an expert in that particular field so I should know.
Why did I procrastinate so? Well, there was nothing and, I’m sorry, but nothing that appealed to me about this recipe. Nothing personal, Ashley. I am a little picky.
Cream cheese – only sweetened in baked goods for me. Sour cream – tolerable if highly disguised (see baked goods reference above). Dill – worst herb ever. Salmon – vegetarian, ’nuff said.So, why didn’t I take a pass? It’s the vegetarian thing. I know something will come up that I just won’t be able to work around. So, I attempted a work around on this one. The only person in my family who likes sour creamy type dips is the six year old. yup. I made a six year old size serving. I traded rosemary and olives for the dill and salmon. Will loves olives.
The dip is chilling now. I’ll let you know what he thinks. He is asleep. He is only six, you know. If you’re curious as to what the dip might taste like as written, check out the barefoot bloggers here.
PS It says August 1. That is just annoying. Not everyone lives on the east coast…
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