November 28, 2021

Squash Toasts with Ricotta and Apple Cider Vinegar

I wanted to try a new way of preparing winter squash and I also had a lot of ricotta cheese on hand, so I decided to make this, even despite my misgivings about cooking vinegar into it.


Notes:

  • I used buttercup/kabocha squash.
  • I only used 3 tablespoons of maple syrup because I greatly prefer savory preparations of winter squash to sweet ones.
  • I didn't have any fresh mint so I skipped it.

Verdict: I did enjoy it (yes, even with the vinegar cooked in!) but I will make less next time if I'm the only one eating it. I was getting sick of it by the 4th round.

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RECIPE: Squash Toasts with Ricotta and Cider Vinegar (Smitten Kitchen)

November 25, 2021

Parsley Leaf Potatoes

My partner doesn't like mashed potatoes so I am always looking for other ways to prepare potatoes, especially for holidays. This recipe appealed to me because it looked really easy but still fancy.

Notes:

  • If I have it, I use duck fat.
  • I make as many potatoes as will fit on the pan (so there isn't an empty spot just spitting grease in the oven). I have used gold potatoes and Russets and both work nicely.
  • One time I made it without the parsley leaves because I didn't want to go to the store. They tasted great anyway.

Verdict: Absolutely wonderful and not fussy in the least. These are probably going to be my go-to special occasion potato.

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RECIPE: Parsley Leaf Potatoes (Smitten Kitchen)

November 14, 2021

Apple and Cheddar Scones

I made these because I wanted to use up some odds and ends in the kitchen and this knocked out the most things at once.

Notes:

  • I have used Cortland apples and a mix of Fuji and Gala apples. The Cortland apples tasted better to me but ended up very soft. The Fuji and Gala apples kept their shape a bit better but maybe aren't the best for baking.
  • I think the dough turned out a little too soft/sticky for me both times I've made them (the final product has less structure than there looks to be in the original recipe photos) and I'm not sure why. I have tried measuring the flour by weight and volume, and I mixed the dough more thoroughly the second time because there were puddles of melted butter during baking the first time. Maybe I cooked the apples too much? I'll have to keep working at it.

Verdict: Definitely keeping this recipe around for later. Even with the dough being a bit too soft the flavor is great, much better than I anticipated. They're a little more fussy than I'd like but not prohibitively so. I missed them after they were gone the first time and made a second batch a month later.

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RECIPE: Apple and Cheddar Scones (Smitten Kitchen)

November 9, 2021

Chana Masala (Indian Chickpea Curry)

After a failed attempt a long time ago I have been hesitant to try making chana masala from scratch again, but this recipe seemed a lot more approachable and I was determined to make something healthy to eat today, so I steeled my courage to try again.

Notes:

  • I did not have green chili pepper. I used red pepper flakes instead.
  • I served it with steamed basmati rice.

Verdict: Both my partner and I really liked it, and I liked how easy it was to make. I would make it again.

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RECIPE: Authentic Chana Masala (Tea for Turmeric)

November 3, 2021

Italian Soda Float

One of my favorite things to look at on Instagram besides fancy street fashion is Japanese retro style cafes and coffee shops. One of the things that's really aesthetically pleasing to me in addition to the environs is the brightly colored cream soda floats that so many places serve. I have a plane ticket to go to Japan in February 2022, but it's starting to look unlikely that they'll be allowing tourists back into the country by then. Whether or not I get to go, in the meantime I wanted to try making my own soda float. I used this page for inspiration.

Notes:

  • I used raspberry Torani syrup for the flavoring.
  • I used a cherry flavored seltzer water because it's what I had in the house.
  • If you want a pretty gradient effect like in the photo, add the syrup to the bottom of the glass, then the ice, then gently pour the soda water down the side of the glass.

Verdict: The flavor was nice (not overly sweet thankfully). The crushed ice helps support the ice cream on top and makes it look pretty, but it really gets in the way of eating the ice cream (but maybe you're supposed to mix it to melt it into the drink). I'm starting to wonder if this is a food that generally looks way better than it tastes. I would like to try again with less ice, and maybe a melon syrup for that bright green or blue color.

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RECIPE:

Italian Soda Float
Serves 1

2 tbsp flavored syrup of your choice (fruity flavor recommended)
6-8 oz soda water
4-5 ice cubes, crushed (enough to fill about half the glass)
1 scoop (about 3-4 oz) vanilla ice cream
1 maraschino cherry (optional)

Add syrup to the bottom of an 8-10 ounce glass. Add crushed ice to the glass. Slowly, gently pour the soda water down the side of the glass to almost fill it. Gently place the scoop of ice cream on top of the ice. Top with maraschino cherry. Serve with a long dessert spoon or straw.

October 30, 2021

Spinach with Sesame Dressing

I have a similar experience to this recipe's author in that this is one of the first vegetable dishes I discovered in Japan that I went wild over. I always got excited when I saw this on the dinner table. It took me several different recipes for it and attempts to make it at home before I got it to taste good, but this particular recipe has worked well for me. I strongly recommend this for children or people who might be unsure whether they like spinach -- I refused to eat spinach any way my mom prepared it, but I loved this immediately.

Notes:

  • Please please please do not skip toasting the sesame seeds. It makes a big difference.
  • The biggest key to this recipe working correctly is making sure that you thoroughly squeeze out the water from the spinach after it is cooked. Any excess water will dilute the dressing and it will not taste as good.
  • I saw my host mother make the dressing entirely in the mortar bowl (adding the soy sauce and sake to the ground sesame and sugar, mixing it, and then pouring over the spinach) but I have a feeling that the soy sauce could stain the inside of the mortar and it can be harder to scoop out of the grooves when it's wet because it's fairly thick.

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RECIPE: Horenso no goma-ae (from Let's Eat Japanese Food, by Amy Kaneko)

October 18, 2021

Plum and Apple Oatmeal Crisp

I had a lot of prune plums but wanted to try something other than stewing them, and landed on this.

Notes:

  • I replaced some of the 2 1/2 pounds of plums with Cortland apples.

Verdict: It was pretty good. I wish it had ended up a little less soupy, but I did enjoy how tart and brightly colored the plums made the filling. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to make it again but I did enjoy it.

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RECIPE: Plum Oatmeal Crisp (Martha Stewart)

October 8, 2021

Lychee-Rose Shochu Highball

I wanted to make a chuhai (shochu highball) drink and got attracted to this recipe by the beautiful pink and green color palette in the original recipe's photo. It is inspired by a drink at a bar in Sydney, Australia called the Miss Wednesday.

I originally tried the recipe a couple of months ago with sweet cherries instead of lychee because it was what I had on hand, rose and cherry go well together, and I wanted a pretty pink and green drink, but it was just OK. I went and got the ingredients to make it properly. I made it exactly as written.

notice the pretty rose shaped ice cubes

Verdict: I really enjoyed this drink! I was a fan of the taste (especially the combination of lychee and rose). I am still getting used to the look and texture of lychee fruit. It just doesn't look appetizing to me. But I would definitely have this again.

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RECIPE: Shochu Highball (The Gourmet Traveller)

October 7, 2021

Emeril's Braised Chicken Thighs

I had chicken thighs in the fridge and needed to cook them, and decided to try this.

Notes:

  • Used Penzey's Cajun seasoning instead of the Essence/Essence Creole seasoning because I had it already, it seemed similar, and was less work than mixing my own.
  • Didn't use the third tablespoon of butter and I didn't miss it.
  • Served with basmati rice.

Verdict: It's pretty good (smells AMAZING after the chicken first browns) but I think I'd change a few things next time. Maybe less liquid (2 cups instead of 3) because it seemed like a lot and didn't taste like much. Especially when you brown the chicken right at the beginning and immediately dilute all that beautiful browning and sog up the whole thing with tons of liquid. I realize the browning is probably more for flavor than crisping, but I think soggy chicken skin just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe if I roasted the chicken afterward instead of braising it, or removed the skin before serving.

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RECIPE: Braised Chicken Thighs (Emeril Lagasse)

September 14, 2021

Focaccia and Pizza Dough

I make this with a bread machine from a cookbook that my mom got with a different bread machine in the 90s. Something's wrong with the heating element on mine so I only use it for doughs (because anything that's supposed to be baked inside the machine doesn't turn out right).

Verdict: Absolutely delicious. I would love to make it again. I will have to find another way when my bread machine finally gives out, but until then this is how I'm going to do it.

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RECIPE:

Pizza Dough / Focaccia
from Salton/MAXIM Housewares bread machine cookbook, 1998
makes 1-2 lb

for 1 lb (makes 12" pizza):
3/4 cup warm water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp yeast

for 1.5 lb (makes 15" pizza):
1 1/8 cups warm water
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp yeast

for 2 lb (makes two 12" pizzas):
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp salt
4 1/4 cups (531 g) all purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp yeast

All purpose flour, for dusting

For pizza (per 12" pizza; you'll need slightly more of everything for a 15" pizza)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (suggestions: cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, sliced olives, chopped fresh tomato, cooked bacon)

For focaccia (per 1 lb dough)
-
3-4 tbsp olive oil
- 2-3 tsp fresh or dried herbs of your choice (suggestions: Italian seasoning, rosemary, oregano, basil)
- 2-3 tbsp grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Place liquid ingredients in bottom of bread machine pan, then add flour and other dry ingredients on top. Set machine to Dough cycle and let run until done (mine takes 1 hr 30 min). If using immediately, transfer dough to a floured board. If saving for later, place in a bowl greased with olive oil, turn dough over to coat it in the oil, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

For pizza dough: Heat oven to 400°F. If you made 2 lb dough, divide it into two equal pieces. Pat with your hands or roll the dough with a floured rolling pin into a 12 in or 15 in circle (depending on the size of your batch of dough). Transfer to a baking sheet or pizza peel/stone dusted with cornmeal or flour. Spread pizza sauce over dough, leaving at least 1/2" at the outer edge. Sprinkle cheese in an even layer over the top of the sauce. Place toppings over the cheese. Bake for 13-17 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown and cheese is bubbly.

For focaccia: Heat oven to 400°F. On a board or other surface dusted with flour, pat the dough into a circle about 1/2 in thick. Place on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal or flour. Spread 2 tbsp olive oil on the top surface of the dough with your hands and dimple the top of the dough with your fingertips (deep enough so that oil will pool in the indentations). Once done, drizzle 1-2 more tbsp of olive oil over the top and sprinkle herbs, cheese, salt, and any optional toppings over the top. Let rise for 15-20 minutes. Bake until golden brown (this took about 20-22 minutes for 1 lb dough in my oven). Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

September 13, 2021

Matcha Green Tea Cookies with Almonds and White Chocolate


I made these because I wanted something with matcha and to use up a few odds and ends in the baking pantry, and these sounded great. I have been looking for a solid green tea cookie recipe.

Notes:

  • I only had about half of the amount of white chocolate the recipe called for. Even with that amount it was plenty sweet.
  • I only had whole almonds in my pantry, so I used those instead of slivered almonds. I gave them a rough chop before mixing them in. They had a nice rubble-y texture, and I liked that because they still had the skins on, they were visually easy to tell apart from the white chocolate chunks.

Verdict: I loved them! They had enough green tea in them to be appropriately green and you could taste the green tea flavor clearly. Some green tea cookies I've tried before ended up very dry and crumbly, but these stayed together nicely and had a pleasant soft texture. I would definitely make them again.

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RECIPE: Almond White Chocolate Matcha Cookies (Jacinta Halim/Jaja Bakes)

September 9, 2021

Purple Plum Torte

so good I didn't even get a shot of the entire thing.

I first made this in 2013 for a housewarming party for my sister (at her apartment because my oven was broken!). This is the second time I've made it and as soon as I tasted it I wondered why I'd waited so long to make it again. Pumpkin spice who? Cinnamon and plums are where it's at for fall. I made it exactly as written. This particular batch had fewer plums in it than the recipe called for because I was distracted and didn't buy enough, but I think it's better with the full amount, for sure.

before baking

Verdict: Tastes way better than you'd think it might for how easy it is to make. If you can find prune plums, absolutely give it a try. The combination of cinnamon and plums together is magical. It might be my German roots talking but it's the truth.

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RECIPE: Purple Plum Torte (Smitten Kitchen)

August 27, 2021

Chinese Greens with Mushroom Sauce

I bought yu choy and shimeji mushrooms and needed to use them up, and I wanted to give it this kind of treatment so I was happy to find this recipe.

Notes:

  • The batch pictured above used only half the amount of sauce in the recipe because I didn't have very many mushrooms.
  • I didn't use the dark soy sauce.
  • I did mix in some oyster sauce as the sauce was cooking and thickening in the pan.

Verdict: True to its title, this recipe was easy, as well as quick and delicious, and also looks attractive. I'd love to make it again.

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RECIPE: Easy Chinese Broccoli (Omnivores Cookbook)

August 25, 2021

Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil

Every year I buy corn when it's fresh (in August where I live) and then am not quite sure what to do with it besides boil it and eat it off the cob. This year I tried to find something a little different and settled on this. I love that you don't even have to cook the corn. It's good without the feta cheese but I think I prefer it with (it's a little more salty and I like the extra texture).

Notes:

  • I made this more by feel with the amounts of ingredients I had than anything else.
  • I used Tropea onion instead of red onion (the farmer I bought them from described them as "like red onion but sweeter and sharper", and they're delightful here).
  • Used lime juice instead of cider vinegar.
  • Added some ground chipotle powder for some heat (but you don't have to).
  • You can make it vegan if you leave out the feta cheese.

Verdict: The first time I made it, it was so good I made it again right away after it was gone. It has a lovely mix of flavors, textures, and colors. Definitely keeping this one to make again.

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RECIPE: Fresh Corn Tomato Salad (Basil and Bubbly)

August 18, 2021

Eggplant Parmesan Melts

Our neighbors invited us to come pick their vegetables while they were away last week, and the eggplants were in full swing. I am still learning how to cook eggplant in ways that I like it, and I thought this would be a sure bet. I cooked it exactly as written.

Verdict: Breading and frying things is a lot of work, but 100% worth how it tastes. Absolutely delicious. Would definitely make it again if I felt up to the task.

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RECIPE: Eggplant Parmesan Melts (Smitten Kitchen)

August 15, 2021

Natural Peanut Butter Cookies

I arrived at this recipe after finding myself with a surplus of natural peanut butter (the kind that's just ground peanuts and sometimes salt) and finding that it does not cookie all that well. I have substituted it for regular peanut butter in other recipes and the cookies came out kind of dry and crumbly so I wanted to make sure I used a recipe that specifically called for it.


Notes:

  • I didn't have a fancy cookie stamp so I flattened my cookies with a potato masher.
  • I rolled the cookies in turbinado sugar before flattening for some extra crunch and sparkle.

Verdict: I thought they were really nice! I might make them smaller next time, but sometimes big cookies are fun.

EDIT 10/13/2021: I made a couple of variations on this cookie for my partner's birthday with peanut butter candies. I made thumbprint type cookies with a mini peanut butter cup in the middle, and another kind where I mixed in Reese's pieces (peanut butter filled hard-shelled chocolate candies). Both worked pretty well and tasted great. I think I liked the Reese's pieces ones the best.

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RECIPE: Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies (Lovely Little Kitchen)

August 14, 2021

Black Pepper Tofu and Eggplant

I tried this because I had all the ingredients and this looked like a tasty way to use them up.

Verdict: Delightful. The sheet pan technique worked well. I would love to make it again.

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RECIPE: Black Pepper Tofu and Eggplant (Smitten Kitchen)

August 1, 2021

Zucchini Butter Spaghetti

This sounded delicious when a photo of it scrolled by and I had to try it for myself. I made it exactly as written.

Verdict: It was really nice and used lots of zucchini. I'd gladly make it again.

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RECIPE: Zucchini Butter Spaghetti (Smitten Kitchen)

July 25, 2021

Coffee Jelly, Round 2

After a lackluster first attempt, I decided I was ready to try making coffee jelly again, and this time it turned out much better! I used a different recipe and got a softer set and more intense coffee flavor.

Notes:

  • This is best made with fresh coffee.
  • I poured it into a loaf pan to set and it ended up about 3/4 inch deep.
  • I served it cubed in a small glass (wine glasses work nicely) with a little bit of heavy cream poured over it (once with a splash of coffee liqueur mixed in for a little extra sweetness), whipped cream on top, and chocolate shavings.

Verdict: I have finally found a coffee jelly recipe I like and would love to make it again if I were in the mood. However, I'm not sure how well this would stand up to being put in the bottom of a drink. I'd like to test that next time I make it.

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RECIPE: Coffee Jelly (Allrecipes)

July 18, 2021

Roasted Zucchini with Pesto and White Beans

This sounded like exactly what I wanted to eat on a hot summer afternoon with fresh produce from the farmers' market. I ate it with my favorite rosé after an afternoon of swimming and it was perfect.

Notes:

  • I sliced the zucchini in rounds instead of making it into ribbons.
  • I roasted the zucchini in the oven instead of grilling it.
  • I sprinkled some mild red pepper flakes on before eating.

Verdict: It was really nice, healthy, refreshing, and exactly what I wanted at the time. The leftovers were also really good. I would love to make it again.

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RECIPE: Grilled Zucchini Ribbons with Pesto and White Beans (Smitten Kitchen)

July 14, 2021

Hot Fudge Sauce

I made this a couple of years ago to bring to a dinner party at a friend's house where their young children would be present. I hoped it would be kid friendly and I am happy that I was correct. The adults really loved it too.

I recently had a strong hankering for an ice cream sundae and remembered this sauce, so I made it again.

Verdict: Still as delicious and easy as I remember. Much better than anything you could buy at the store. It's a keeper.

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RECIPE: Best Hot Fudge Sauce (Smitten Kitchen)

July 13, 2021

Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie

I have been making this for so long I forgot where I originally found the recipe, but it is a great way to use up a lot of watermelon and is a nice fruity drink for summer. It also lends itself nicely to becoming an adult beverage with the addition of vodka or gin.

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RECIPE:

Watermelon-Strawberry Smoothie
Makes about 2 1/2 cups

2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tbsp sweetened lime juice (or 2 tsp lime juice and 1 tsp your favorite sweetener), or to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 20-30 seconds. Pour into a tall glass. Serve immediately.

July 7, 2021

Thai Style Red Curry

This is the one Thai recipe I've cooked at home that I like enough to put on repeat. It's especially good with summer vegetables. There are a lot of notes because I have strayed significantly from the original recipe to make it fit my tastes better and cook it in one pan.

Notes:

  • I serve this with jasmine rice.
  • I like to use full fat coconut milk because "light" coconut milk is just full fat coconut milk diluted with water (and light vs. regular usually cost the same). If you want to lighten it up, you can add some extra water or stock to the broth when you add the coconut milk -- and then make a larger portion! I tend to add too many vegetables anyway so it's a good failsafe to not dilute it too much.
  • You can make it vegetarian if you use tofu (or another vegetarian protein) and vegetable broth, though I usually make it with chicken. If you do use tofu, I highly recommend dry frying it first.
  • You can use a total of 2.5 cups of whatever vegetables you like. In the batch pictured I used carrot, bell peppers, and broccoli. Additional suggestions: zucchini, eggplant, pea pods, winter squash (already cooked), white/button mushrooms (or any other mild flavored mushroom), tomato, canned bamboo shoots or baby corn. Start by adding the vegetables that will take the longest to cook first (like carrots) then after a few minutes add the softer ones. For delicate vegetables like pea pods that you *could* eat fresh, you can add them while it simmers, or to each portion immediately before serving.
  • I use regular fresh basil or regular dried basil (about 1 tbsp) when I can't find fresh Thai basil.
  • I use less curry paste than it calls for because I like mildly spicy food (1 tbsp instead of 2 tbsp). I use Maesri brand curry paste that you can buy in a 4 oz can; you may need to adjust the amount based on the brand of curry paste you use and how spicy you like your food.
  • Leftover curry paste can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Because of all the capsaicin in it, it will keep for a long time (though over time it will become less spicy).
  • I like to squeeze lime juice in just before serving.
  • The leftovers seem significantly less spicy the next day/after being allowed to stand overnight in the fridge.

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RECIPE:

Thai Style Red Curry
adapted from Food.com
Serves 3-4

1 1/2 cups (dry) jasmine rice
2 tbsp neutral oil, such as canola
1/4 cup fresh Thai basil or regular basil leaves, torn
1/2 large (about 4-5 oz/175 g) yellow or white onion
2.5 cups vegetables of your choice (suggestions: carrot, bell pepper, broccoli, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, baby corn)
1-2 tbsp red curry paste, such as Maesri
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 can (15 oz) coconut milk, shaken well
2-3 tbsp fish sauce (I recommend Squid brand)
1/3 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1 large (about 9 oz) chicken breast, raw, sliced thinly (or another protein of your choice)
Lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

Cook rice according to package directions on the stove or in a rice cooker.

While rice is cooking, prepare curry. Chop vegetables into bite size pieces. Heat oil in a large skillet until hot. Add onion and vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and vegetables are softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Push vegetables to one side so there's an area of bare pan, and add the curry paste and brown sugar, and stir them together to combine. Add a little bit of the coconut milk, just enough to break up and dissolve the curry paste and sugar. Add the rest of the coconut milk, the fish sauce, and then chicken stock, then add basil and stir everything (including the vegetables) to combine.

Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and let the vegetables finish cooking. Uncover the pan and add the raw slices of chicken one at a time so that they do not stick together. Raise heat to medium and allow to cook for several minutes, stirring once or twice. Once the chicken is cooked through and the curry begins to simmer again, it's ready. Remove from heat. Divide rice among serving dishes, then ladle curry onto the side or over the top. Serve with wedges of fresh lime, if desired.

June 22, 2021

Rhubarb Crisp Bars


I made this Smitten Kitchen recipe with all rhubarb and no strawberries because I do not like cooked strawberries. I only got a picture of it before baking, haha.

Notes:

  • I did not use the extra 2 tbsp flour because I was not using strawberries (rhubarb is a lot less juicy).
  • I did use the cornstarch.

Verdict: They were a little hard to get out of the pan, but they did taste nice and were not soggy. I would definitely consider making these again if I wanted my rhubarb in bar form.

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RECIPE: Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Bars (Smitten Kitchen)

June 16, 2021

Blackberry, Lavender, and White Chocolate Scones

A visiting friend (it feels so nice to say that) left me some blackberries, my neighbor brought me some lavender from her garden, and after making matcha chocolate covered strawberries I had a bunch of white chocolate left in my pantry. Enter these scones.

Notes:

  • I did not put the glaze on top, but in hindsight I think I would have liked it for a little more sweetness.
  • The dough was a bit wet for a scone and a little hard to shape, but it ended up working out.
  • I made my own buttermilk (1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup, mix and let stand for 10 min to thicken slightly).

Verdict: They were surprisingly good! If I make them again would put more lavender in next time, and maybe add some lemon zest, and add the glaze that was in the original recipe.

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RECIPE: Blackberry, Lavender, and White Chocolate Scones (Half Baked Harvest)

June 14, 2021

Fruit Pizza

A friend left us a block of cream cheese and thought this would be the perfect thing to make after picking 10 pounds of strawberries. We used to make fruit pizza sometimes when I was a kid but it had been a long time since I'd had it. It's a giant sugar cookie frosted with cream cheese frosting, then topped with any kind of fresh fruit you like.

Notes:

  • You can make it on a sheet pan (like I did) if you don't have a pizza pan.
  • You can use whatever fresh fruit you like; I used all strawberries because it was what I had.

Verdict: Just as good as I remember from when I was a kid. A 12-inch round seems like a lot but it was way easier to finish than I expected. This would be a really good thing to bring to parties since it doesn't keep especially well. I would definitely make this again, especially for a summer party.

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RECIPE: Fruit Pizza (Sally's Baking Addiction)

June 2, 2021

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Looking for a good basic red wine vinaigrette for vegetable salads. I made it exactly as written, scaled down to half.

Verdict: This one is just what I was looking for.

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RECIPE: Red Wine Vinaigrette (Culinary Hill)

May 29, 2021

Bee Sting Cake


I made this for a bear-themed tea party. I've been wanting to try it ever since a friend mentioned it to me, and the tea party was a perfect excuse.


Notes:

  • I used cornstarch in the filling because I had it on hand. I was a little worried that it would make the filling too gloopy but it ended up being perfect. I personally think it's worth making the filling from scratch.

Verdict: The honey caramel topping all sunk to the bottom of my cake during baking. I removed it from the pan and the middle was very soft; I thought it was underbaked, but thankfully it was completely cooked. However, it was not structurally sound enough to split it horizontally and fill the entire cake, so we split and filled the individual slices as we cut them (which was probably better for us anyway, since it's just two of us and the cake wouldn't get soggy that way). I loved the flavor, but it was a lot of work. I would make it again if someone specifically asked for it, and probably use a different recipe with more flour so the topping is more likely to stay on top of the cake, but I probably won't go out of my way to make it again.

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RECIPE: Bee Sting Cake (Smitten Kitchen)

May 20, 2021

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

 

What do you do with a large surplus of ricotta when there's still a lot and you're sick of pasta? Make this, I guess.

Notes:

  • The weight measurement for the ricotta cheese is really inaccurate; I went by the volume measurement. 
  • You might have to adjust your heat as you go. It says to cook them on medium-low but that was too cool for mine so I cranked it to medium and after a couple of batches that was too hot.
  • My batch made 14 pancakes.
  • I served them with raspberry sauce instead of the sauteed apples because it was what I had, and I liked it.

Verdict: I am glad I tried them but they were kind of fussy for pancakes, and I don't usually keep ricotta cheese in the house so I don't think I'll go out of my way to make them again.

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RECIPE: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (Smitten Kitchen)