Winter Comfort Food-a-Thon (and some great local blogs)

Here in Maryland, we've been walloped with back-to-back blizzards, creating an unprecedented mess.  It was beautiful...

... but enough already! 

I've cooked/baked a little while being snowed in.  The problem: I've also been working from home on these weekdays, with a bored 3-year-old nearby all day long.  So, instead of sneaking in my cooking as I do on weekends, I've been sneaking in work whenever I can.   

So what have I been cooking? Nothing elaborate, and mostly things that you can start and forget about, or just stir or knead once in a while.  Jambalaya, chili, spaghetti and meatballs (homemade, but pulled from the freezer), bread.  (This oatmeal cinnamon raisin bread is fantastic!) Winter comfort food.  Currently working on some no-knead bread--love this clear bucket, so I can watch it grow and get all bubbly. It will be served with my favorite winter soup, lentil curry.

Until the daffodils start to peek through the glacial landscape that used to be Maryland, at least I can settle in with a pot (yes pot) of coffee and catch up on my blog reading.  I've especially enjoyed reading posts from fellow Frederick residents lately.  Live nearby? Even if you don't, you might like some of these:

• My Point of View - Beth's personal blog on food, photography, work and life from a business owner/Mom who loves to cook
• JessHibb.com- Jessica's "Everyday Adventures," with beautiful photography
• Frederick Foodie - Chef Christine of The Kitchen Studio writes about cooking (of course), and kids in the kitchen
• Grown in Frederick - Shannon and Yeon post about anything and everything that's in season in Frederick (which isn't much right now...)
• Hip As I Wanna Be - Jennifer, who just started her own business, shares about being a mom, among other things (she's a runner too!)
• Punctlilious - Mike is teaching his daughter to cook, and he's the grammar police
• Neutral Good - Geek dad Kevin likes the History Channel
• ultrarunnergirl - Kirstin runs (really really far) bike commutes, cooks up a storm, and lives in D.C.
• The Smart Dog Blog - Read Laurie's blog for all things dog
• Frederick Maryland Online - News and happenings in and around Frederick, and a big list of more local blogs
• Frederick County Office of Economic Development - great info for area businesses, or aspiring entrepreneurs
• The TP Index - so you'll know the appropriate panic level any time snow is in the forecast (which I hope is a long LONG time from now!)
• Savage Chickens - OK, so not local and not a blog, but they have a Zombie Valentine

What other great Frederick blogs have I missed? (And if I've missed you, it's not intentional... there are so many good ones. Who can possibly keep up?)

Comments

[Laurie Luck]

Do post again on how the no-knead-bread turns out. Looks so interesting! I'd love to try it.

[April F.]

Here's the no-knead bread recipe I use (from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything): http://nyti.ms/bU8AWl

I use 2 cups bread flour and 2 cups whole wheat flour, instead of all bread flour. I've only tried this using an enamel-coated cast iron Dutch oven, which works really well. Just remember to preheat it while you are heating the oven.

[Beth Schillaci]

Thanks so much for the shout out. I always enjoy seeing what you are cooking too. Can't wait to be part of the Truffle Shuffle Part 2 with you!

[Kiki]

It's funny how a blizzard makes you want to cook and bake like there's no tomorrow. I did the same thing until I got sick! Now I'm on bed rest for a few days until I get over my case of bronchitis and my strained back starts to heal. With that being said I am especially grateful for the blog links to peruse!

More snow is in the forecast for this week, I'm hoping it skips right on by and leaves no trace that it was ever here!

[Jess]

Thanks for mentioning me on such an awesome list! I'm very flattered. :-)

And I hear you on the winter comfort food. Christopher has been baking up a storm, and I'm concerned my work clothes won't fit when I finally make it back to the office!

[JenniferG of Hip As I Wanna Be]

Thank you for including me in such terrific company! Between you, Beth and Christine, I am going to have to learn this whole cooking thing. My husband is amazed at the fact that I now want to learn so much... heehhe!

[reverse phone lookup]

On may work days, if I am not careful, I can have a very rough step day