1000 pizza doughs

A New Year's Walk

There is a certain calm in winter. Barren trees paint a bleak landscape, but upon closer examination, life still abounds. Songbirds, gray as the trees, flit despite January’s frozen kiss. Grasses, faded and brown, lay resting, rebuilding for their spring emergence. What began as the dreary, obligatory trudge of resolution became a wonder-filled amble.

Wonder is indeed a wondrous thing. Long dormant under the shackles of adulthood, mine emerged again on a New Year’s morning. Today the world collectively pushes the reset button. We all have the same 365 days. What we do with them, I think, is a matter of perspective. This year, I resolve to wonder what might be possible.

 

What's the Star of Your Kitchen?

I am going to confirm what some of you have suspected for years: I think I might be just a little bit crazy. Here's proof.  I am about to profess my undying love for a pot. No, not Prop 19 pot, dude. An actual pot.

Because my husband and I eloped (try it--it's cheaper!), we didn't have a registry. Thus, I have no fancy china, and you'll find nary a gravy boat here. (Though I will confess every Thanksgiving I contemplate buying one.)  But, in my kitchen you'll find no shortage of gadgets.  "Thingamabobs? I've got twenty." (Bonus points if you can name the movie!)

I've got gadgets for juicing, grating, zesting, crimping, slicing, kneading, whipping, tenderizing, basting, pasta-making, temperature-taking, dating, tempering, scooping and pureeing. Had one once for creme-bruleeing, but sent it back as I suspected no good could come of me having a blow torch--however small--in my kitchen.  (And, in case my insurance agent is reading this, there's a fire extinguisher in there. A big one.)

But the star of my kitchen? A basic eight-quart stock pot.  

 

This pot rarely sees the inside of a cabinet. Tonight it steamed the last of my CSA broccoli (the steamer insert is handy). It also has a larger pasta insert, which is why I bought this particular pot, but I don't use it often. It's actually easier to boil the pasta in this pot without the insert, and use a colander.  But this pot is the perfect size for pasta, stews and soups, and it's deep enough not to be hazardous when using with an immersion blender (if you've ever splatted yourself with boiling liquid, you know what I'm talking about). 

Now, of course, I do have a bigger one. Twelve quarts, I think. I even had to buy a special giant wooden spoon just to use with it.  But I only bring that one out for stock-making, and one ill-fated attempt at canning. Another confession: I'm still afraid to actually try the jam I made.

So, I wonder... what's starring in your kitchen?

Foodie Heaven: La Boqueria

On summer weekends, you can usually find me wandering around at a farmer's market, or riding my bike and thinking about what I'll buy later at the market. So when we went to Barcelona (part of this epic adventure), I had to go to La Boqueria. You should go too. Get on a plane. Now.

The market is what seems like miles and miles of beautiful produce, like this:

They also had eggs...

And seafood...

Including whatever the heck this is (anyone know?):

And there was bread...

And ham, glorious ham (sorry, channeling my husband there for a moment)...

 

Just outside the market there were tons of tourist shops and flower stands...

But one of the best sights I saw all day was a bit different. You see, on the last night of our cruise, the show introduced my daughter to the "wishing star." Later, we caught her at the window looking for the star so she could make a wish. What would she wish for, we wondered?  A giant pink ice cream cone. I want to remember the time when her wishes are so innocent forever.

No Matter How Much You Run...

Very soon, I'll be marking a milestone birthday.  Let's just say I'll be turning 29... for the sixth consecutive year. This year, I've decided to accept a few things as a gift to myself:

1) No matter how much I run, I will always have my mother's hips.  You know the ones: "good for child-bearing" - seriously, I don't even know how many times I heard that growing up. In the 20th century.  Even marathons don't cure them, and short of losing so much weight that people ask if I'm sick, they're here to stay.  Luckily, by now I know what not to wear (thank you Stacey and Clinton!). And yes, I know those running shorts should be on the list... but it was summer! Now, let's gang up on the person who invented "skinny jeans" shall we?  Who's with me?

[Yes, that's me in the photo, trail running in Boulder about 5 years ago. But--wait for it--here's the picture my husband sent me just now, when I asked him to find a photo of me running.  This is me about 40 pounds ago, post-baby. He said, "Well, here's a reminder of why you should run." Don't worry ladies, he is indeed in trouble now.]

2) Life isn't getting any shorter.  No one is going to give me that day off unless I ask for it.  And, from now on, I am going to ask for it.  Not too often, of course, but every now and then, Mommy needs a break.  And trust me--once you are the Mommy (or Daddy), there is no break. Unless you're lucky enough to have super-grandma living nearby, of course. So hello mini staycation grown-up day off. 

3) I'll probably never finish my cosmic checklist.  It is, admittedly, quite optimistic.  For example, I'd like to study volcanoes, although I have yet to take a geology class.  But tinkering with the list is fun (I've just added photography, thanks to @jesshibb).  And if I did finish it, what would I look forward to?  Best to always have some dreams, I think. 

Thanks for indulging me in a moment of (thankfully rare) self-reflection.  Stay tuned for more of our usual programming... the Truffle Shuffle - Part 2 (Revenge of Chunk?) is happening on Friday!

A side note: it's a mite telling that I could find approximately 17 photos of pies, but had to really dig through the archives to find just one of me running. I did find some in various stages of triathlon get-up (mostly the swim part-ugh!), but trust me: no one wants to see that.

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?)

The Truffle Shuffle - Part 1

(Sorry, could not resist a reference to the greatest movie moment of my childhood.) 

I am a firm believer in the value of lifelong learning.  Especially when said learning involves chocolate. And champagne. And hors d'oeuvres. And did I mention chocolate?

I spent a lovely evening yesterday at The Comus Inn in Dickerson, Maryland, which I had previously viewed in passing from my bike, but had not been inside. (Public service announcement for parents: The Comus Inn welcomes your children, they say, especially for Sunday brunch.) The event? Gourmet Truffle-Making Demonstration.

First, we "got ready" for the demo.

Then Chef Jose Molina did a brief demonstration and offered tips for successfully experimenting with flavors.  For example, add any flavored liquors, such as Grand Marnier, directly to the chocolate, not the cream, and use sparingly, since the alcohol will not burn off.  Here he is demonstrating the chocolate-cream mixture that is refrigerated for at least an hour, then scooped into balls to form the inside of the truffles.

 

After refrigerating (up to overnight), form the chocolate-cream mixture into balls with a small ice cream scoop. Gloves are recommended, not necessarily because it's messy, but because they keep your body temperature from melting the chocolate as quickly.  This would be a fun (and messy) party: have truffles ready up to the point of scooping, or maybe already formed into balls and kept in the fridge. Then guests/kids could dip and coat them.

Chef Jose also recommended 60% cacao as the ideal truffle-making chocolate, to avoid bitterness, and cautioned that heavy cream is a necessity (I'll second that!).

These discs were melted alone to form the outside coating.

Like so... and then we dipped some previously refrigerated balls in this chocolate, and coated them with finely chopped toppings including Oreos, pistachios and toasted coconut (my personal favorite). 

While our truffles went in for their final chill, Chef Jose and his very friendly and laid-back staff fed us bacon-wrapped scallops, mini spanakopita pockets and other fantastic food. And more champagne.

And we all took home the truffles we made in class, and neat little recipe cards with the exact instructions. Luckily, they had extra pre-made truffles available for purchase, because these lasted all of about 1 minute after I got home.

So why was this Part 1? In my continued pursuit of (ahem) higher education, I will be attending another truffle class next week--this one at Frederick's own Kitchen Studio. Learning is fun!

p.s.  I am creating a new category for my blog inspired by this post. Despite my best efforts to eat whole grains, veggies, etc., it's the more sinful foods that generally awaken my inner muse. Welcome Wicked Indulgence.

An Unnaturally Clean Kitchen

Where have I been? Hard to believe it's been a couple weeks since I posted.  Harder still that another year is gone.  Lately, I've been behind and on top of my refrigerator.  (Really.)

I decided it was time--exactly one year after selecting a color and purchasing the paint and supplies--that it was time to paint my kitchen, which was still builder's white 4+ years into our time here.  So, I resigned myself to no cooking for a couple days, and set to taping. And taping. And taping. (Did I mention, I hate painting?)

If I never have to get behind or on top of my refrigerator again, it will be too soon.  I also sealed the countertops (granite always seems like a good idea, until you have to do this...).  So, the kitchen was cleaner and shinier than ever.  Here's the finished product, a cheery yellow. 

No, I don't normally have fresh flowers either, but they helped cheer me up after taking down the Christmas decorations.  It always feels so bare.

For Christmas dinner, I made this Hot Chocolate Cake with Homemade Marshmallows.  I saw this several weeks ago on a different blog, but can't remember where (if it's yours, please post the link in comments).  I used a different marshmallow recipe, sent by Chef Christine, and finally found a use for the candy thermometer I bought several years ago.  Making marshmallows really is easy, if a bit sticky. 

 

Thankfully, I made all the pieces a day ahead, and just assembled them on Christmas. Otherwise, we may have eaten dinner at midnight.  Aside from the buche de noel I learned to make in cooking class a few years back, this is by far the most impressive cake I have ever made.  (I'm working on it, but am just not great at cakes... yet.)

Look how tall it is - three layers!

I probably should have noted that the recipe says it feeds 16 before making it for 3 people.  We're still working on it. And, as I'm still on vacation for a couple more hours, I'm going to log off and kick back with a book and my new Snuggie.  Laugh if you will, but I dare you to try one... 

Made in Frederick Gift Basket

Every year for our company holiday party, each member of management donates a gift basket that means something to them personally, and an employee is drawn at random to win the prize.  For example, our CFO has donated a "basket of cash" for several years running, and another manager--an avid home brewer--donated a beer basket. 

This year, I have enjoyed learning more about all the great things that are grown and made in Frederick County, Maryland, so I decided to do a "Made in Frederick" basket.  I have been slowly gathering the items for my basket for about a month, thanks to some great suggestions from my Twitter friends.  (I could have found more too, but the party's tomorrow!)

So, what might you find in a Made in Frederick basket?  (Note: the actual basket, as far as I can tell, was not made in Frederick.  It is recycled from a very nice gift of wine and dark chocolate I received last year from some people who obviously know me very well. The cat is not happy about this, as she rather enjoyed sleeping in this particular kitty-sized basket.)

• Elk Run Vineyard wine - I chose a chardonnay, since that's all the liquor store was offering, and I didn't have time to visit the vineyard. (Making this basket could really be a full-time job.)
• Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale - I sent my husband out for this one, with the request only that he didn't choose the Raging Bitch... this is a work party, after all.
• Dublin Roasters Guatelmalan Antigua artisan roasted coffee, hand-roasted in New Market, Md. I was hoping for some Highlander Grogg, but the selection is whatever's been recently roasted.  I also picked up a couple other items for the basket in their cute little store, including:
• Local honey from Bill McGiffin's apiary in Mt. Airy, Md., and
• A selection of Seven Angels lotions, made in New Market. I think I've seen them at farmers markets too.
• While in New Market, I stopped at the New Market General Store, hoping for something small by a local artist. I found McCutcheon's Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix, and some Swedish fish (for my husband, not the basket).
• And what basket would be complete without chocolate? First, a variety box from Perfect Truffle in Frederick's Shab Row.
• Finally, my personal favorite, a Raw Bar (with cocoa nibs) and an Espresso Bar from Zoe's Chocolate, a relatively new addition to downtown Frederick.

Here are some photos of my adventures along the way:

Dublin Roasters - very cute, but easy to miss if you aren't looking closely. (Their coffee is also available at the Common Market in Frederick.) It smells heavenly in there. If you think heaven must smell like freshly roasted coffee, which I do.

 

New Market General Store - it's like a trip back in time.

 

A sampling from Perfect Truffle (this was similar to the one in the basket, but was for, um, personal consumption). My husband loved the cayenne flavor (the red one).

And, finally, at Zoe's, where I had some assistance with my selections.

 

Now, I'm finally in the holiday spirit. (See, all it takes is chocolate...)

Dinner in the Kitchen at Volt

Last week, my husband took me out for a lovely dinner knowing that I was unlikely to pay much attention to him during the meal.  In fact, he's the one who encouraged me to blog about it. (Did I mention he is awesome?)

We went to Volt.  Three letters describe the experience on several levels: Wow. First, for the food. Then for the wine pairings. Then for the service. And last, of course, for the bill. We can't afford to eat like this every day (or maybe even every year), but I'd say it was worth every penny. It was a bit dark in there and I had the flash off, so as not to disturb the other diners, so the photos came out a little dark, and they really don't do the food justice - this art is meant to be eaten.

The meal started with the cutest little amuse-bouche. I can't remember what they said these were, but they were cute. And really tasty. (The top right one used to be the one at left... couldn't wait!)

    

I love that Volt uses local ingredients whenever possible, and I know they get a lot of produce from Farmer Rick at Summer Creek.  So given the choice between the kitchen menu and the market vegetable menu, I went with the all vegetarian option.  To me, a good chef can make magic with just vegetables.  By that standard (and probably a lot of others) Bryan Voltaggio is one heck of a good chef.

My first course was a shitake veloute with pinenut sabayon (which, if you work in computers, apparently has something to do with gnomes, or maybe I've just been reading too much Terry Brooks?) paired with a chardonnay.  While I've never cared for mushroom soup, this one was pretty good.  And I've never had a proper wine pairing until Volt. That much was evident upon the first sip. The wine intensified the flavor of the soup, and didn't overshadow it.  I have to say though, I liked my husband's soup better (he got the regular kitchen menu): a potato leek chowder with sea urchin. (Not something I've ever put in my potato leek soup...)

 

Next up was one of my favorite dishes: a Cherry Glen Farm goat cheese ravioli with butternut squash, sage brown butter and chanterelle mushrooms (left, below), paired with a gruner veltliner. Note to self: learn to make brown butter. Hubbie had a Hudson Valley duck liver (right, below) with seckel pears, pistacio, anise and vanilla brioche bread.

  

Next up, yellow oyster mushrooms with pea leaves, black forbidden rice, cardamom spiced carrot broth and ginger glazed carrots (left, below) paired with a pinot noir. Hubbie had the Nantucket Bay scallops served over a similar rice mixture (right, below). Another thing I had apparently never tasted before that evening: a properly cooked scallop. I actually thought I didn't like them (these were divine).

     

Next came the pork trotters, which were my husband's favorite (didn't manage a bite or a photo... wasn't quick enough!) and I had some tender chickpea gnocchi with calypso beans, petite red ribbon sorrel and more sage brown butter (pictured below), with a Botani muscatel seco. These were the prettiest beans I've ever eaten!

The final dinner course was Pineland Farm beef strip loin for him (left, below), and variations on eggplant for me including caponata, parmesan, zhatar, roasted pepper and beluga lentils (right, below), paired with a big Argentina merlot.

    

So pretty.  And it tasted even better! Next up, we got the optional selection of artisan cheese to share.

 

I saw that Highlander Grogg from Dublin Roasters was on the coffee list, so of course I had to have a cup. Came with its own little coffee press!

And, what meal would be complete without chocolate? The "textures of chocolate" included a dark chocolate ganache, milk chocolate ice cream, and chocolate caramel, paired with a Broadbent colheita madiera. I also seem to remember some chocolate dust, although after all that wine sampling, it's possible I was imagining things.  

Now that's my kind of art.

Finally, when we couldn't possibly eat any more, out came the cutest little ice cream sandwich cookies ever.

They almost followed us out to our car with more food -- the bill came with muffins to go!  I grew up with no idea that macaroni and cheese wasn't supposed to come from a box, so fine dining critic I am not. The critics give Volt decent reviews too. And why wouldn't they? Great service, charming location and absolutely fantastic food.

From what I hear, it's getting a bit difficult to get a reservation, so call way ahead if you want to go, especially if you want to sit in the kitchen. And trust me, you want to sit in the kitchen.

New York City - A Weekend of (Completely Non-Glamorous) Firsts

It was once my dream to live in New York City.  I would be fashionable and glamorous, with a sweet job at a PR firm or magazine.  In all fairness, I could have made it happen, but I chose another path.  One that led me to Florida and a non-profit job after college instead (after realizing that the non-profit job I was offered actually paid more than I was offered to work in NYC -- the PR firm handed me brochures for women's shelters where their entry-level employees often lived.  I wish I was making this up.). 

I would never change that decision, because any other way I don't think I would have met my husband, or had my lovely daughter.  This weekend, the three of us went to NYC.  Before we went, I pictured us eating in chic restaurants, shopping in cozy boutiques and maybe even catching a glimpse of a famous chef or two.

There were several firsts for me on this trip. (After seeing the list, perhaps you'll see why I am hoping some of these are "onlys" too.) 

Before the "firsts" here's one that is an all-too-regular occurrence.  Stuck in traffic going to train station. From back seat hear ominous wretching.  Every single trip... it's like the exorcist back there.  Couldn't stop though, so got to train station and stripped the wee one in the parking garage.  Hosed her off as best we could with a few baby wipes, then sprinted for the train.  No one wanted to sit next to us...

The first first: a pigeon pooped on my head as we were walking on the Upper West Side.  Completely ruined my daydream that I will live there one day.  If you've never had this experience, it is indeed as disgusting as it sounds.  We were on our way to the Children's Museum of Manahattan, which is a nice place, albeit full of hyperactive children and their weary parents.  Or nannies.  We did see a disconcerting number of what could only be nannies pushing $800 strollers in that neighborhood.  Sort of felt like an alternate universe.  One where you don't have to clean up your own kid's vomit if you're rich enough.

So lunch that day was at a popular diner near Times Square, and our hotel.  The only one who really liked the food was the kid... PB&J and chocolate milk, which is pretty much the only thing she eats. Ever.  Dinner was at a coal-fired pizza joint.  Pizza was awesome.  Beer was pricey.

The next day, we walked down to Chelsea.  The highlight of the trip for me was finding an awesome little shop called Three Tarts, where I bought some homemade marshmallows and this fabulous apron (I think I was born in the wrong half of the 1900s.) Then we went over to the Chelsea Market, where I was really hoping to stalk Tyler Florence see some Food TV excitement.  The closest I got was a copy of the new Food Network Magazine, which is like Glamour for foodies.  (I am so getting a subscription.)  The market is really cool though, with shops like the Fat Witch Bakery and Eleni's, where the baked goods are more art than pastry.  Couldn't browse too much though because both husband and daughter become like zombies around cupcakes... must... have... frosting...

We then went farther south to Greenwich Village (another first for me, but a good one) to find the Peanut Butter & Co. shop.  After seeing it on television, we wanted to try it.  (Also, see earlier note about only foods child will eat.)  It is about the size of a large closet, and was practically bursting at the seams with people, so we got a couple sandwiches to go.  Took the train back, where I got shut in the doors as they were closing (yep, a first).  These subway doors... they're not like the elevator where if you get stuck they open again.  Had to fight my way into the train... not pretty.  That night we ate at a brewery near Times Square.  The beer was great (still expensive though), and I tried a bison burger (another first).  It was a little gamey, but not bad.  I'd eat it again.

Saturday we saw a matinee of The Lion King -- first Broadway show for both my daughter and me.  We loved it.  Unfortunately, had another first shortly thereafter.  Fell down a (sadly, non-moving) escalator in the biggest toy store I've ever seen.  Twisted, or maybe sprained my ankle.  Then we walked over to Carmine's, hoping to get some authentic Italian food. The wait was about two hours (bad timing... right after matinee and before late theater shows).  I am not proud to admit this, but my ankle really hurt, I was starving and just wanted to sit down... so we ate dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (I have even been there before, so I knew what a tourist travesty it was.)

We did a lot of touristy things.  Build-a-Bear where my daughter created a dog named Princess Candy, complete with a skirt, pink purse and pink patent shoes, Macy's where I bought clothes I don't need (but I can wear them to work... acceptable rationalizing?) and a sidewalk artist, who sketched an eerily good likeness of the wee one in charcoal.  One of the best meals we actually had was a "brunch" of bagels at Penn Station on our way home.

So I didn't get glamorous photos of chefs or boutiques, but it was a trip of many firsts... not all good, but one to remember.  If I ever finish this Everest of laundry, that is.

One photo I did manage... Princess Candy, in all her glory: