Treats for appetites of every size
When Marj comes to town, it’s pretty much a given that we’re going to bake. So when she offered to pick up cherries at her market in New York, I asked (OK, maybe told) her to bring a recipe to use them in as well. And did she deliver.
My only complaint about blog-life is that I feel like I can never repeat recipes. When I’m going to bake something new every week, there doesn’t seem to be time. And when I know that my dad’s favorite thing I’ve made is Lemon Meringue Pie, but I need to make something new, it’s kind of frustrating to have to say no.
If I could have any kitchen appliance added to my collection, it would be a food processor. I talk a big game about wanting the Breville ice cream maker, but in terms of versatility, it’s no match for a Cuisinart food processor. I could make pie dough. And lots of other stuff that I can’t think of right now that always tells me I need a food processor.
Vacation baking can be difficult. You’re in a new place. Your kitchen lacks all of your favorite gadgets. You maybe kinda definitely would rather be lying out in the sun. All of these things are magnified when it’s spring break and you’ve dedicated the week to devouring as many books that don’t talk about the law as possible.
Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly blog-writer-ish, I take stock of what I’ve posted and what I’m lacking. In the world of baking, it quickly becomes apparent that I love to make cookies. I have four pages worth of cookie posts, and they are always what I turn to when I’m not sure what to make. I also like cupcakes. And brownies/bar cookies. But then I get to my pie category, and realize that it could use some love.
This post starts with a new Saturday morning tradition. Last week was the first time we tried this, but since its been two weeks in a row, I’m calling it a tradition. I start a run from my parents’ new house and my mom starts to walk. I go out around to the beach and back, and it times out perfectly (like, arriving-at-the-door-at-the-exact-same-time perfectly) that we meet at the bakery we always used to go to from their old house.
Last week was my birthday, which is the best day of my birthday week, which is the best week of my birthday month. I’m not sure when exactly I decided my birthday was in fact a month-long event, but it was definitely a decision that I stand by. In fact, I was still celebrating my birthday week this weekend at Taste of Country Music Festival, which is why this post is a day late.
On Friday, I played a round of golf with my dad (I get out maybe once a year) and we were discussing summer desserts. I, personally, am of the belief that any real dessert has to include chocolate, and the denser that chocolate, the better. However, my dad, also a sweets connoisseur, was arguing for the merits of a light, sweet, lemon meringue pie. I have always shied away from meringue, because some part of me was convinced it was far too hard to make (it’s not), and have never actually truly made a pie from scratch, crust and all. …
Happy Diwali! Sorry for the Monday morning rather than Sunday afternoon post – but I don’t have school today so for me its like a Sunday. And I don’t have school Thursday. And I don’t have school Friday. And I don’t have school next Monday. Life of a school teacher in November.
This weekend, I was beyond excited to have my parents visiting my new apartment. Living in a new state, a little bit of home was long overdue. They indulged me in walking (farther than I may have told them) to my farmer’s market and then took me out apple picking in the unseasonably warm 85° weather. Thanks, Mom and Dad! Love you guys!