Asparagus Galette

When Smitten Kitchen announced this springtime variant of the winter squash galette I love so much, I had to give it a try. The asparagus smelled faintly of green tea while I chopped it, which was weird but nice.

Notes:

• I used Artigiano Classico cheese because it was in my fridge already and it has a similar texture and flavor (slightly sweet and nutty) to the types suggested in the recipe.
• My bunch of asparagus yielded about 3.5 cups after trimming and chopping.
• I skipped the egg wash on the crust because I was lazy.
  

Verdict: I liked it a lot! It's kind of labor intensive (about an hour of active work) but worth it. I was a little skeptical of the lemon in the asparagus but I think it was just the right amount.

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RECIPE: Spring Asparagus Galette (Smitten Kitchen)

Oatmeal Pancakes

Once I was finished with college in the late 2000s and finally had a significant amount of time to pursue my hobbies, I got heavily into cooking. I don't remember how I got there but I found the blog Orangette, Molly Wizenberg, and her book A Homemade Life. It introduced me to several staple recipes, including this one for oatmeal pancakes. I liked it so much I made them for my parents once, and it has now become a favorite among my whole family. I liked pancakes as a kid (especially chocolate chip pancakes!) but didn't really make them once I got out on my own because I didn't think they were very healthy. The oatmeal in these satisfies my need for pancakes to be more healthy and it honestly makes them taste way better too. Paired with real maple syrup and some fruit on the side (and maybe some bacon or a sausage link or two), they're one of my favorite breakfasts.

Notes:

• I usually make it with half the butter it calls for, and my mom has left it out entirely before with no ill effects cooking-wise, though it might taste a little different.
• I usually have milk but not buttermilk on hand, and it's easy to make a substitute (1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup, mix and let stand for 10 min to thicken slightly). I have also thinned out Greek yogurt with water in a pinch. My mom has made it with buttermilk powder + water.

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RECIPE: Oatmeal Pancakes (Orangette)