Strawberry Shortcake

Do you belong to a CSA? Some of my family members and I get food boxes from Growing Washington, and it's so exciting to open the box every week and come up with a plan for all the fruits and veggies. Recently we got a couple of cartons of strawberries and decided to make Strawberry Shortcake. We usually make whipped cream with heavy cream, a sprinkle of sugar, and a dash of Disaronno. I wanted to make homemade biscuits too, so I searched a few recipes, and decided on this one from Joy the Baker.

Strawberry Shortcake

About 1 carton strawberries

Some sugar

Some heavy cream

Disaronno

2 C flour

1/4 C sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1/3 C cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C heavy cream

Cut the strawberries into small slices and toss in a few sprinkles of sugar. Refrigerate until needed. Whip together the cream, some sugar, and a glug of Disaronno. Refrigerate until needed.

Preheat the oven to 400, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl whisk together the egg, vanilla, and heavy cream. Add the butter pieces to the flour mixture and mix in with your hands until the mixture resembles little crumbs. 

Make a well in the center and pour in the wet ingredients. Knead until the mixture comes together. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured cutting board and knead for a few minutes. Form the dough into a rectangle and cut into 6 pieces. Brush the biscuits with some extra heavy cream, sprinkle with sugar, transfer to the baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, until lightly browned.

To build the shortcakes, cut a biscuit in half, pile the bottom half with strawberries, top with cream, and then top with the top half of the biscuit.

Where has Jamie Been?

So I've been a little MIA recently, but it's been for good cause! I've been doing this:

and this:

and this! (sorry, didn't take any of my own photos!)


The strawberries are just strawberries dipped in tempered chocolate. The cake is the same recipe as this. But the brownies! I will give you the brownie recipe. I've been making an effort to buy more cook books recently. I obviously love cooking, and I love books, but I get most of my recipes and inspiration from the web. So, I picked up Baked NYC's cookbook, Baked. I was drawn to their rustic styling and use of ingredients like malt powder. 


These brownies are very delicious - on the fudgey side. Brownies are one thing I often don't make from scratch (egad!), I just don't find homemade brownies THAT much better than boxed. But these - these brownies are worth it. Make them from scratch.


1 1/4 C flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp dark unsweetened cocoa powder
11 oz dark chocolate
1 C unsalted butter, cut into 1" pieces
1 tsp instant espresso powder
1 1/2 C granulated sugar
1/2 C light brown sugar
5 large eggs, room temp
2 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350 and grease a 9x13 pan. Whisk together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder. Place the chocolate, butter, and espresso powder in a large heat proof bowl (glass). Place this bowl over a double boiler (an inch or two of water simmering in a sauce pan) and gently stir until melted and smooth. Turn off the heat but leave the bowl over the water, whisk in the sugars until combined. Once the mixture is room temperature, add the eggs one at a time and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla and stir - don't over beat at this point or the brownies will be cakey. Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture and fold in gently with a spatula. Pour into your prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting.

 ~ By the way! All of these treats were made for Mr. Olivier Wever's 40th birthday party - the talented and innovative artistic director of Whim W'him, a contemporary ballet company in Seattle. Find out about the company here. And more pictures of the party are here! ~ 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I really wish I had taken some more attractive photos of this soup. Dan and I made this in between watching a hockey game and going to a concert, so I didn't have much time to take nice photos, but let me tell you, it's delicious. The aged cheddar and mustard make this soup much more sophisticated than what you are probably picturing Broccoli Cheddar Soup to be. Plus it's pureed. I have a thing for pureed vegetable soups, which I admit is definitely weird. Anyway, make it. It's not that hard. The croutons alone are worth it!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup


Croutons


6 oz whole wheat bread torn into pieces
2 tbsp salted butter, melted
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp dijon mustard
sea salt


Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl whisk together the butter, oil, and mustard. Toss the bread pieces around to coat. Spread out on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until crouton-like.


Meanwhile...


Soup


2 tbsp olive oil
1 shallot, chopped
pinch of salt
1 medium onion, chopped
3 small potatos, peeled and chopped into small pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
32 oz. chicken broth (or vegetable, if that's your preference)
1 large head of broccoli, cut into small pieces
3/4 C grated aged cheddar
2 tsp dijon mustard
A bit of freshly ground pepper


In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook the shallot, salt, and onion in the olive oil until the onions start to turn translucent, a few minutes. Add the potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and broth, put on the lid, and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the broccoli and cook until that is tender, a few more minutes. Take off the heat and blend with an immersion blender. Add half of the cheese and mustard and blend some more. Add the rest of the cheese and mustard and some freshly ground pepper and finish blending. Serve with some extra cheese on top and croutons.

Fresh Fruit Please!

A few weeks ago I went to Mississippi for a business trip. It seems that all anyone eats in Mississippi is fried seafood. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE fried seafood, but when I got back to Seattle I was craving fresh produce like no other. This led to over purchasing of sexy looking produce aisle items, such as juicy ripe strawberries, which led to this cake. It's simple, it's delicious, it's light, it could be adapted in infinite ways with different fruit. Winner.

Strawberry Cake


6 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C plus 2 tbsp sugar
1 large egg
1/2 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb strawberries, hulled and halved


Preheat oven to 350 and grease a pie plate. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl. Beat butter and 1 C sugar in a large bowl together until fluffy. Stir in the egg, milk, and vanilla until just combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Pour into the pie plate and arrange the strawberries cut side down around the plate, pushing into the batter a little bit. I couldn't quite fit the whole pounds worth, but certainly didn't mind eating the extras. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tbsp of sugar. 

Ready to bake

Bake for 10 minutes, reduce the oven to 325, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes more. Cool in the pan. I served with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, but fresh whipped cream would be great too.

Bourbon Banana Bread (yep.)

Last weekend I volunteered with Rebuilding Together. About 30 volunteers from my office got together and helped do repairs on a house inhabited by three mentally and physically disabled residents. Tasks ranged from rebuilding the wheel chair ramp, landscaping, rebuilding a fence, and my new expertise: repainting the house! I had a lot of fun, it was a beautiful day to spend outside helping others.

At the end of the day there was a ton of leftover food that was provided for the volunteers, so I snagged a bunch of bananas to take home. I've been patiently waiting for these bananas to brown so I could make banana bread. I began my banana bread recipe search at Smitten Kitchen of course. My search ended as soon as I saw bourbon listed as an ingredient. Sold!

Bourbon Banana Bread

4 bananas, smashed

1/3 C butter

3/4 C brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp bourbon

1 tsp baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Pinch of cloves

1 1/2 C flour

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix together the banana and butter. Add the sugar, egg, vanilla, and bourbon and stir to combine. Sprinkle the baking soda, salt, and spices and stir to combine. Finally, stir in the flour. Turn the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a tester comes out clean (I had to bake for at least 60).

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Disclaimer: Otis did not aid in any baking activities

I'm house/dog sitting this weekend while my brother and sister-in-law are on a romantic weekend getaway. I've decided to spend a romantic weekend baking with this guy:

My brother had a bag of carrots in the fridge I know he's been trying to use up, so I obviously decided to make cake. This is a great basic carrot cake recipe, which can be amended to include walnuts or raisins or whatever you like.

Carrot Cake

2 C flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

2 C sugar

1 1/4 C vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 cups grated carrots (grated very fine)

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a medium bowl. In a larger bowl, whisk together sugar and oil. Whisk in the eggs one at a time. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until combined. Stir in grated carrots (and any nuts or raisins if you're using). Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans and bake for about 40 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Very finely grated carrots makes for very moist cake!

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

2 8 oz. packages cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

2 C powdered sugar

1/4 C maple syrup

Blend all ingredients with a hand mixer until thick and creamy. Chill for a few minutes to achieve an easily spreadable consistency.

Cinnamon Buns: Conquered

So... this is the third time I've tried this recipe. The first time I didn't set up my bread machine properly, my bad. The second time the yeast didn't rise, I still don't know why. Today, I was inspired to make my final cinnamon bun attempt before letting the recipe lie. I mean... it has 4,238 five star reviews! How could it not work?! Turns out third time's the charm!

Bread Machine Cinnamon Buns


Dough
1 C warm milk
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 C melted butter
4 1/2 C bread flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 C white sugar
2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast


Filling
1 C brown sugar
2 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 C butter, softened


Frosting
3 oz cream cheese
1/4 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt


Fill the bread machine with the ingredients in the proper order. For my machine, that is first wet ingredients, then flour, then the rest of the dry ingredients with yeast on the very top (so it doesn't touch any wet ingredients). Turn the machine on to the dough setting. When it's finished, roll out the dough to a large rectangle, about 12"x20". Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Roll up into a log and cut into 12 slices. Preheat oven to 400. Place in a 9x13 pan (I used two 8x8s, worked fine), cover, and let rise for an additional 30 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes. While the buns are in the oven (hehe) make the frosting by beating all ingredients together with a hand mixer. Serve warm topped with frosting.

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Sausage

I don't know where I've been recently... but I just realized tonight that I haven't made a nice complete dinner in a long time. This pasta dish completely hit the spot. I was inspired by this recipe, made a few alterations, and added the sausage when I walked by it in the store and thought, that'll do. The pasta was nice and creamy but not heavy like mac and cheese, the lemon and asparagus taste like spring, and the sausage rounded this dish out to be a complete meal. Yum!

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Sausage


1 lb spiral pasta
1 lb asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 lb sausage (whatever you like, I found an artichoke and garlic blend which was very tasty)
3 spoonfuls mascarpone cheese
3 spoonfuls ricotta cheese
a few generous glugs of olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste


Cut your asparagus and sausage while your salted pasta water is coming to a boil. Cook the pasta to package directions. Meanwhile sauté the sausage in a skillet. About three minutes before the pasta is to be done, add the asparagus to the boiling pasta and finish cooking. Reserve a few ladlefuls of the  pasta water, and drain the pasta. Dry out the pot and combine the oil, cheeses, and lemon juice in the pot. The residual heat will help loosen the cheeses. Add the pasta/asparagus back into the pot and toss until well coated. Spoon in some of the reserved pasta water as needed to get a nice creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with the cooked sausage.

Floral Baking - Part 2

Ok, I know this is much delayed, but my first floral baking endeavor was to accompany another for my sister-in-law's birthday party (Happy Birthday Katie! ... two weeks ago!). I'm finally getting around to posting the second recipe. 

This chocolate cake recipe is slightly adapted from the one on the back of the Hershey's cocoa powder can, a tip from Danielle and her mom. With a few alterations, the recipe is really easy (one bowl!) and always comes out perfect. I make it all the time. The frosting is from a Joy the Baker recipe, perfect buttercream texture and just a hint of rose.

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 3/4 C sugar

1 3/4 C flour
3/4 C cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 C milk

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 C vegetable oil

1 C very hot coffee

Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. In a large bowl, use a wisk to incorporate the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and oil, and beat until well combined. Add the coffee and stir until combined, batter will be very thin. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full with batter (a levered ice cream scoop helps for even distribution). Bake for 22-25 minutes.

Rose Water Buttercream

2 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 C sugar

1 C milk

1/3 C flour

1 1/2 tbsp vanilla

1 tsp rosewater

In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until soft. Add the sugar and beat on high for 7 minutes, until fluffy. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1/4 C of the milk with the flour and vanilla. Whisk until there are no lumps. Over medium heat, slowly add the rest of the milk. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Allow the milk mixture to cool to room temperature (the fridge or freezer helps). With the mixer on low speed, slowing add the milk mixture to the butter and sugar. Add the rose water, increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.

Floral Baking - Part 1

My sister-in-law's birthday is coming up, and I have a few ideas for cupcakes to bring to her party. Last year I came to visit for her birthday, and that is when I officially decided I would move to Seattle, so I consider this an extra special occasion! 


I've been wanting to experiment with lavender for a while, and thought the light floral flavor would make a nice spring time cupcake. I read a ton of different recipes, some making a lavender custard to fill the cupcake, some using expensive lavender sugar, and some with actual flowers in the batter. I ended up finding lavender extract at Sur La Table, and combining elements from several different recipes.

Lavender Cupcakes with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting


Cupcakes (makes 2 dozen)


1 stick butter, room temperature
1 1/2 C sugar
2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C milk
1 tsp lavender extract
4 egg whites


Preheat oven to 350. Line your cupcake tins with liners. In a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside. Mix the milk and lavender extract. With the mixer on low, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk mixture, in 3 parts each. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until well incorporated. Divide evenly amongst the cupcakes tins, and bake for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.


Frosting


1 stick butter, softened
16 oz. cream cheese
1 - 2 tsp citrus zest (I mixed blood orange and lemon)
2 -4 tsp citrus juice (again, blood orange and lemon for me)
4 cups confectioners sugar


With an electric mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese until well incorporated. Add the zests, juice, and half of the sugar. Beat until well combined. Continue adding the rest of the sugar until desired consistency/sweetness is reached. 

Scrambled Eggs? Ok!

I can't say scrambled eggs are something I think much about, and I certainly don't think about experimenting with recipes. However, recently I came across this video of Gordon Ramsey explaining how to make scrambled eggs, and it was so wildly different than the way I've always made them, that I had to try. I'll admit my typical scrambled eggs are of the dry, chopped up omelet variety, but these were smooth and creamy and really good! It takes some attention, but, it's scrambled eggs, so we're talking like 5 minute meal. Let me know if you try!

Gordon Ramsey's Scrambled Eggs


3 eggs
"nob" of butter (1-2 tbsp)
salt and pepper
dollop of creme fraiche*
2 tbsp chopped chives (I didn't have any)


Crack the eggs into a saucepan and add the butter. Put over medium heat and start stirring with a plastic spatula. Stir constantly until the eggs start to come together, taking off of the heat and putting back on every few minutes (the heat of the pan will continue to cook  the eggs, leaving constantly on the heat is too hot). Once the eggs start to look done (like the picture), season with salt and pepper, and stir in the creme fraiche. Now would be the time to add the chopped chives if you have them. Serve over a piece of toast!


I made these eggs for dinner (like I have time to cook eggs before work...), so I rounded out the meal with a bowl of cereal and some fresh fruit. I haven't had breakfast for dinner in ages!


* BTW - creme fraiche is French, and similar to sour cream but a little thinner and less sour. You should be able to find it in your grocery store, in mine it's near the mozzarella cheese. I've eyed this product for years and read lots of recipes that use it, but this is the first time I've actually picked some up, so I'm excited to look for some more uses.

Tiramisu

My sister-in-law Katie found this recipe for tiramisu a while ago and we finally had an occasion to make it on Saturday. I found this recipe really easy to put together (granted you have either a stand mixer or hand held electric mixer, and are willing to dirty every bowl you own), and very tasty. The whole recipe comes together in about 30-45 minutes (plus chilling time), and the dish is very light and airy, due to the egg whites being whipped separately. I would definitely make this again!

Tiramisu


1 package of lady finger cookies (24 cookies)
8 oz mascarpone cheese
3 eggs, separated
Pinch of cream of tartar
1/4 C sugar
1/2 C espresso or strong coffee
1/2 C Kahlua
1/4 C heavy cream
1/2 C grated chocolate


Brew the coffee, let cool, then mix with the Kahlua in a bowl and set aside. Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff peaks form and set aside. Whip the egg yolks with the sugar and set aside. Put the mascarpone in a large bowl and loosen with a whip. Add the yolk/sugar mixture and mix thoroughly (no lumps!). Add the heavy cream and mix until well combined. Use a spatula to fold in the egg whites. 


Set up a work station with a 9-inch spring form pan, the egg/cheese mixture, the cookies, the coffee mixture, and the chocolate at hand. Dip each cookie into the coffee, holding for 2 seconds, then let drip (careful, they'll get really soft), then layer in the bottom of the pan. Continue doing this until you have a single layer of cookies, breaking some before dipping if necessary to fill gaps. Spread half of the egg/cheese mixture on top, then sprinkle with half the chocolate. Repeat the cookie dipping process to make another layer of cookies, then spread the rest of the egg/cheese mixture. [Tip: store the rest of the grated chocolate in the fridge or a cool place so it doesn't melt together, you want to keep it as shavings] Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (I refrigerated for about 4 and a half hours, and I feel like it could have been firmer).


When ready to serve, take off the ring of the pan and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate. Cut into wedges to serve.

This picture is evidence that a few more hours of chilling couldn't have hurt, but it was still delicious!

Cheesy Mushroom and Ham Frittata

I'd never really really made a frittata (or Italian omelette) before, but they seemed easy enough so Kate and I decided to do a little fridge cleaning Sunday morning in the form of breakfast. We might have gone a little overboard with the cheese... but can anything ever be too cheesy?! Yum!

Cheesy Mushroom and Ham Frittata


2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 of a medium yellow onion, diced
1 lb crimini mushrooms, sliced
Salt and Pepper
1/4 cooked ham, diced
3 tbsp chives, diced
5 eggs, beaten
1/2 C cheddar, grated
1/2 C muenster, grated

Preheat the oven to 350. Heat an oven proof skillet with oil over medium heat. Saute the onions until they start to turn translucent, then add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have turned soft. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the ham and chives and stir to distribute evenly. 

Pour the eggs on top and cook until the frittata is almost set. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the whole frittata is set, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes, and serve!

Obviously this can be adapted with any ingredients. So easy, and such a fun quick brunch!

Bread and Butter

I saw this post on Smitten Kitchen the other day and knew I wanted to make it immediately. I actually tried to convince myself to wait (I'm not sure why... an exercise in restraint?). I lasted one day... I had everything on hand! But who cares, this bread, and most importantly, this bread with honey brown butter spread, is AMAZING. It's like eating a hug. And who doesn't want a hug?

Sally Lunn Bread


2 C all purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 + 1/8 tsp active dry yeast
3/4 C milk
4 tbsp butter, softened
1 large egg and 1 egg yolk


In a mixer, combine 3/4 C of flour, the sugar, salt, and yeast. In a sauce pan, heat the milk and butter together until the butter is just melted, it's ok if there are still some pieces. Add the milk to the flour and beat for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and 1/2 C more flour and beat for two more minutes. Add the remaining flour (3/4 C), and mix until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour. Turn the dough into a greased and floured loaf pan, cover with greased plastic wrap, and let rise for another 1/2 hour. During this time, preheat the oven to 375. Bake for about 35 minutes, until crust is golden and a tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out and cool for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Honey Brown Butter Spread


1 Stick of butter, divided
2 tbsp of honey
Pinch of sea salt


Melt half of the butter in a pan over medium heat. As soon as the butter is all liquid, turn the heat down to medium low. Continue heating, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom (that's the good part), until the butter smells nutty. Take off of the heat and cool. Whip the rest of the butter with an electric mixer. Slowly pour in the honey and browned butter and continue whipping until combined. Add a pinch of salt and mix to combine. Refrigerate this while your bread is rising/baking and it should be good to go by serving time.

Shrimp and Grits - Revisited

Some of you may know how I joke that I am a meeting planner. I'm not - but the nature of my clients' work has me organizing a lot of meetings and conferences. While this is annoying, there are some perks, mainly hotel club points (some day I will rent the nicest room Marriott has to offer) and free stuff. Often when I check in to hotels I'll have a gift basket waiting. One hotel I worked with three years ago continually sends me odd gifts. On Monday, they sent me a kit to make shrimp and grits.

While unfortunately I can't provide a recipe since this came from a kit, I can tell you the general idea. It was a little different than my last go at the dish. This one included a gravy. Typical grits, I added butter and cheddar cheese. Really can't tell you what was in the gravy... and then shrimp sauteed in some butter and mixed with the gravy. I threw some chives on top for garnish. 

And, if you ever find yourself in our lovely southeastern portion of the country, I do recommend planning a meeting at the Charleston Place hotel. :)

Happy Pi Day!

To celebrate Pi Day, I decided to make quiche. Ok, quiche isn't technically pie, but it comes in pie form, and I've been wanting to make quiche forever. I was scared of quiche until recently (why younger pickier Jamie, why??) but now I love it, and it's such an easy quick dish to throw together and have on hand for leftovers. Of course, I turned to Smitten Kitchen for a recipe.

Spinach Quiche


1 pie crust
1 3-oz package cream cheese (I doubted I'd be able to find a 3 oz package of cream cheese, but sure enough, they exist)
1/3 C half and half
3 eggs
1 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 C grated cheddar
1/4 C grated parmesan
4 to 6 green onions, sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper


Preheat oven to 425. Prepare the pie crust in a pie plate or tart pan. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add in the half and half and eggs. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan, bake for about 25 minutes until crust is lightly browned and filling is set. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

I was a little distracted while making this, chatting with Danielle and Jared (hi guys!), so I completely forgot the salt and pepper (gasp!) and probably should have taken it out of the oven a minute or two earlier, but it's still very tasty. I'm sure proper attention would make it that much better. Sorry quiche, sorry Pi Day. 


Next time, in addition to remembering all of the ingredients, I might add an extra egg or two. I found this more spinachy and less eggy than other quiches I've had, and it couldn't hurt to fill the pie plate higher.

German Pancakes

I've seen recipes for German Pancakes in a couple of different places (sometimes called Dutch Babies). After a failed bread machine cinnamon roll experiment, I needed a quick easy weekend breakfast with ingredients I had on hand. German pancakes have kind of a crepe taste and a souffle texture... definitely different. These were really quick to put together. Next time I'd spruce them up with some sauteed fruit.

German Pancakes


4 eggs
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 C flour
2/3 C milk
2 tbsp soft butter


Heat oven to 350. Grease two 9 inch cake pans (or any equivalent size, I used one cake pan and one 8 inch square pan, I'm sure a pie plate would work too...). Put eggs in a blender and select the "stir" option until the eggs are light in color. If you don't have a blender a hand mixer, or just a whisk will work fine.

Switch the mixer to "mix", remove the cover, and add the remaining ingredients. Pour into the two prepared pans. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until they puff and begin to fold, but before they get too brown (mine probably baked a little long). 


I've read many serve with lemon, I served with maple syrup, powdered sugar could work, I'd love to try sauteed cinnamon apples, or even savory toppings!

Spinach and Muenster Mac and Cheese

Did you know there's an entire website of solely macaroni and cheese recipes? There is. Check it out here. Normally I don't endorse recipes requiring a specific brand (in this case Wisconsin cheese products), but cheese is cheese and you can use any brand. Plus macaroni and cheese is awesome and worthy of making exceptions to rules (like dinner not consisting solely of dairy?).

Spinach and Muenster Macaroni and Cheese


1 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/4 C green onions, minced
2 tbsp flour
2 C milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 C muenster cheese, chopped
1/3 C parmesan cheese, grated
2 C fresh spinach
4 C cooked small pasta (elbow, shells, etc.) - this is about 2 C uncooked
1/2 C breadcrumbs 

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 inch pan. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onions. After one minute, add flour and stir constantly. Whisk in milk (pour slowly, cold milk doesn't like hot pan!), salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil. Allow to boil until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Turn the heat to low and add the cheese, stir until all melted. Turn off the heat and add the spinach, stir until wilted. Stir in the cooked pasta. Turn into your prepared pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes.

FYI: I'm eyeing this recipe next, but have decided to justify purchasing truffle butter I need an occasion. If you would like to be that occasion, let me know.