friday links

Happy Friday!

We survived another massive storm and we still have power.
I'm really happy for having power. Last year we lost power for 4 days in 35 degree days and 18-20 degree nights!
Not fun, and our house stayed at 43 degrees (yes I monitored it as I was afraid of pipes freezing).
This storm-around, the sustained winds weren't as high as the February 2013 blizzard; winds gusts were 65 mph - 75 mph, and the sustained was at 35- 45 mph!
As I write this, it's 2pm and I have the worst case of cabin fever!
I haven't left the house yet, been stuck inside for about a day and half; hubby is still digging out the driveway.  He started at 11am....
So with these friday links you'll see a lot of links!  Sorry, I got a little bored.
No beach or storm photos...
But I have this one and it's pretty spot on:


Cookbook that I'm loving right now: Baking Sourdough Bread by Goran Soderin/George Strachal.
If you're a homemade sourdough bread lover AND you want to learn how to "kick up" your homemade sourdough breads a few notches, then this is exactly the book for you.
Not only does it show you how to start a good, healthy sourdough starter at home, but it also shows you the chemistry process, ingredients, and the golden rules of sourdough dough, and most importantly how to properly store sourdough which myself included don't know how to do the right way.
Inside you'll find recipes for sweet and savory sourdoughs: rye, wheat, spelt, oat, potato, lentil, wild yeast, crackers, hazelnut bread, beer bread, carrot bread, levain, russian sweet bread, wheat buns, and so many more variations.
I highly recommend Baking Sourdough Bread if you want to learn how to take your homemade breads up a notch.

Baking Sourdough Bread


Rye Ciabatta bread pg. 42

I had the most amazing greek salad at a local pizza joint, that I shall now call my pizza joint here on the cape.  Zoe's Pizza in Mashpee, makes the best salads I've seen in a long time.  It's hard (if you don't live in the city) to find a good greek salad.  And this one was made with real salad greens not that horrid iceberg, and obviously they give a nice hefty amount of feta.


What I'm reading now:

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin.
"...one Sunday afternoon, as she unloaded the dishwasher, Gretchen Rubin felt hit by a wave of homesickness. Homesick—why? She was standing right in her own kitchen. She felt homesick, she realized, with love for home itself. “Of all the elements of a happy life,” she thought, “my home is the most important.” In a flash, she decided to undertake a new happiness project, and this time, to focus on home.  And what did she want from her home? A place that calmed her, and energized her. A place that, by making her feel safe, would free her to take risks. Also, while Rubin wanted to be happier at home, she wanted to appreciate how much happiness was there already.
So, starting in September (the new January), Rubin dedicated a school year—September through May—to making her home a place of greater simplicity, comfort, and love.
In The Happiness Project, she worked out general theories of happiness. Here she goes deeper on factors that matter for home, such as possessions, marriage, time, and parenthood. How can she control the cubicle in her pocket? How might she spotlight her family’s treasured possessions? And it really was time to replace that dud toaster.
Each month, Rubin tackles a different theme as she experiments with concrete, manageable resolutions—and this time, she coaxes her family to try some resolutions, as well.
 With her signature blend of memoir, science, philosophy, and experimentation, Rubin’s passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire readers to find more happiness in their own lives...."
Happier at Home is really good, written with thoughtful research, not just personal opinions from afar.


Ham on Rye, remember this one?  Did you read this in grade school?
I always loved reading Charles Bukowski; he is a brilliant writer.
What are you reading?


Do you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder)?
I tend to get a hefty touch of it by January & through February.
Last year I finally bought, after reading all the high reviews, the Philips goLite Blue Light Therapy device.
It worked so well last year, I already have mine out for January & February.
I cannot recommend this enough. And I bought it from this retailer on Amazon, safely & soundly.
If you do get it, don't set the light too high in the beginning, start off slow, as it's a strong light.
This works far better than those white, giant, boxy lights; this one mimics the blue sky of summer.
And it's portable!

Around the web:

more benefits of drinking coffee!  YAY!
personalized prize ribbons (brilliant!)
how to 'knock on wood' and why it helps
big sur cabin spray in a bottle (love this, send samples please!)
the dictionary of american regional english is done (charting under-the-radar regional language nationwide)
broccoli beef recipe
easy garlic broccolini
worlds biggest ship graveyard
what is chromium and why do you need it?
most searched diets of 2013
cozy reading nooks
seasonal affective disorder: bring on the light
christmas tree shaped snack cakes! (so cute)
tips for baking oat-porridge bread
creative food art
Mmm dan dan noodles!
3 ways we sabotage ourselves + how to stop
have you been following the ship rescue in Antarctica? 
create a jar of "awesome" for 2014
finding your niche
an apple a day....
exercise & the brain: mental conditioning
the origin of the candy cane
how to make golden brown pizza crust
worst customer service horror stories
cinnamon can help lower blood sugar: which variety?
how to fall asleep when your mind won't shut off
adding years to life & life to years
london artist ron mueck creates real-life sculptures
cabbage patch inspired hats for kids (adults?)
cinnamon roll pound cake
6 year old break-dancing star
must friends, trust friends, rust friends, and just friends
38 haunting abandoned places on earth
most miserable time of year
bourbon sea salt caramels
michelangelo's handwritten 16th century grocery list
how to scald milk
slash your risk of stroke by eating (real) vitamin C
how to clean/repair a sluggish toilet (very handy)
miracle healing wonders of carrot juice
flourless brownie cookies
best & worst places if you had to shop at one store
the teacher fit program
peanut/tree nut allergy lower among children whose mothers ate them during pregnancy
I love love love this!  The joy of cooking with Samin!
raw vs. cooked? (excellent analysis)
lemon marshmallow cookies (heavenly!)
paleo diet manifesto
the BEST selfie ever!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Best Recipes of 2013 (chosen by you)

Happy New Year!

What good luck superstitious things do you do to ring in the new year?
We like to eat Chinese food and hold money in our hands as the countdown begins.

I complied a list of the top recipes, chosen by you, not me.
These are what my google stats say you clicked on most.

The number one has been, number one for the last two years: coconut truffles.
I love that you love coconut as much as I do. These little cuties got a lot of hits, a lot!


Another savory favorite over the years: cheesy artichoke bread.
What a serious flavor combo, and it's very easy to make.


Blackberry-cream cheese crumb cake made the top 5.
This is made with blackberry coulis, and I promise you, it is so worth the extra time.
One heavenly, decadent crumb cake.


My obsession with cloning some of the best cookies in the world continues on.
The Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookie clone made it to the top 10 of your favorites.


The cake filled peanut butter cups was voted one of your favorite photos of all time.
IN fact, I use this photo as my logo. I think the photo pretty much describes what this blog is all about:
creative recipes & unique eats.


The salted nutella cookie bars were posted a mere couple weeks ago, but they got enough hits to warrant them in the top 15 most popular posts of 2013.


Brownie bundt stuffed with coconut cream cheese.
When I decided to take brownie batter, put it in a bundt to see if it would well, "bundt"?
I also stuffed it with a coconut-cream cheese filling because it needed something extra.
This bundt was the most popular bundt I've ever made.


Homemade cheesy tater tots!  I think we all know why these made the top list.
I need to make these again and show you the step-by-step instructions, since I know a lot of
you might be put off by the deep frying aspect, but truly it's very easy.


Crispy, buttery, sweet and tangy: lemon crunch bars.


My infamous tomato pie.  I made this in 2009 and it still continues to be in the top 10 of all
time favorites. Have you made it?
I also made a hand pie version using pre-made pie crusts!


Quarter pound mint stuffed cookies! Yes a quarter pound cookie (aka a cookie meal).


Pumpkin oreo's.  Kind of glad something-pumpkin made the list, as I make a lot of pumpkin recipes.


Banana-sour cream ice cream made with pudding!  Super easy.
Pretty much one-bowl easy AND no cook!


Chocolate cupcakes with cookie butter crunchies. Seriously? These were heavenly.
Don't they look cute?  And I used some of the batter to make mini loaves. Great as gifts.


And lastly, one of my favorites homemade snowball cakes, just like you remember as a kid only
better because there are no chemicals.


Happy New Year kids!

friday links

Happy Friday!

How was Christmas?  I'm exhausted; I'm ready for a long winters nap.

Early morning fog at Nauset Beach, Wellfleet, MA
So so so soothing; I love this place.

The view from where I take the photos isn't too shabby either.


I discovered this dangerous combo on Christmas eve.


That's right--tis the season for yoga pants all day.


Let's remember this saying for 2014.


Around the web:

this cake, oh this salted caramel ding dong cake has me in a tizzy
ham & gruyere thumbprint cookies
mike's hot honey--well doesn't that sound perfect for fried chicken
cape cod life magazine photo contest 
magnetic flat pack furniture?
this common problem can destroy your willpower
when you're at the end of your rope: 7 tips to help
thundershirt for cats review
candy cane cupcakes!
berries & all their wondrous protective properties
14 excellent sources of clean protein
alexander mcqueen made rugs? (pricey rugs too)
inside the notebooks of authors, artists & visionaries
balloon lamp (I would love one)
google has an online art gallery in the works?
how to manage the chill of winter (let me know if it works LOL)
the broken link: women trusting women
how to store a cake: of almost all sizes
writer bukowski-themed bars are really taking off
I am in love with this bow ear warmer
no-bake protein cookies
5 health foods that are over-rated
god or satan desk signs
how do I substitute coconut oil for butter in baking?
does sleep sweep the brain?
photographer captures people's insecurities on camera
cheesemonger (I love that word) approves a few cheese items at grocery store
best panini recipes of 2013
richard branson's top 10 business tips
'miserable men', an instagram account that captures the sad side of shopping
pantone color of the year is.....(lol)
harvard university snow of past & present
how to write a novel synopsis: 5 tips
homemade mustard (love this)
the weirdest books ever published (I can't stop laughing at this)
24 people that decide "what's cool" in America
10 proven ways to relax (really now?)
in case you needed another fashion blog to bookmark....
(take 5 mins for this...it's worth it) this place


Have a wonderful weekend.

chocolate-cherry tart bars (no mixer, one bowl easy)

It was interesting and comforting to receive emails from some of you telling me you loved the "no mixer" recipes I shared.
Definitely comforting as I always felt like the oddball for not having a mixer.
I want one, just don't have the money for one.
Other priorities pop up in life, and the luxury of buying a mixer gets thrown on the back burner yet again.
And you see that book ---> "Baking By Hand"  yes that one, I can relate!
Every year I promise myself I'll get one, and I even post here that I will, but it never happens, so in the mean time I'm more than happy to keep creating "no mixer" and "one bowl" easy recipes.
I think you guys like it too.


These chocolate-cherry tart bars are pretty much like a cross between a shortbread and tart, definitely have the taste and feel of a rich chocolate shortbread.
I wanted to freshen them up a bit with some cherry jam and a hint of texture and crunch with toasted sliced almonds.  You can get creative and use whatever jam you like.

So easy to put together.
As long as you don't mind using your clean hands to mix the dough.
I actually prefer using my hands to mix breads, shortbreads, pastry, and cookie doughs.
You get a better feel for the dough and you have a less chance of over-mixing/over-working the dough.
No one will ever know that you threw this together with no mixer, in one bowl and in minutes.
Shhhh.



Such a pretty tart isn't it?

For me, making it in a round form makes it more fancy schmancy.


chocolate-cherry tarts bars
recipe from vanillasugarblog.com
print recipe

dough:
19 TB unsalted butter, cold
1 cup granulated sugar
3 TB unsweetened cocoa powder (not dutch process)
2 ½ cups flour
1 ½ ts baking powder
1 ts sea salt

jam filling:
¼ cup +/- of cherry jam

Toasted, sliced almonds for decoration & crunch

Cook notes: I did not use a mixer for this as I don’t have one, but feel free to use one.
Just don’t over-work the dough.  You can use any jam you like, I wanted to see if cherry would go well with this and it did. Don’t spread the jam to the edges, it will ooze out when baking and make it very hard to remove tart from pan.
I used a 9 inch cake pan, you can use an 8 inch or other tart pan if you have one.
If you're kitchen runs really hot or it's summer, after you've assembled raw tart, pop in fridge for a few minutes to firm up before baking.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Butter and/or non-stick spray up  8-inch cake pan.
In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Next add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt right on top of the creamed butter. Using your hands mix until you have everything ‘just’ mixed.  It might be a little dry, and that’s fine.
Take your greased cake pan, spread out 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan, making sure to get all the sides well covered. Please make sure to push this down, so there are no cracks. If you do get a crack, just pinch the dough together.
Next spread down a layer of the cherry jam, not letting it get to the edges.
Take remaining 1/3 of dough and making giant crumbs (by squeezing clumps of dough) and place on top.  No need to cover the top completely, we want to see the jam on top and the giant crumbs on top will make a nice crispy topping.
If you want to use almonds, sprinkle a handful or two on the top.
Bake the dough for 23-30 minutes, until the tops of the crumbs are lightly crisp; the dough will still be a bit soft, so let it sit for about 30-60 minutes to firm up.
Once it’s cooled and firm, carefully remove tart from pan using a frosting knife or thin spatula.
Use a sharp knife to slice into wedges.

friday links

Happy Friday!

Oh the beauty of our sunsets here on Cape Cod.  This is chatham fish pier.




The French Baker: Authentic Recipes for Traditional Breads, Desserts, and Dinners
by Sébastien Boudet, Olaf Hajek and Carl Kleiner
"...Head to the kitchen and get ready for a delicious voyage into French traditions and cuisine! Follow second generation–baker Sébastien Boudet from Paris to rural France, as he teaches the art of baking artisan breads, the craft of creating the perfect main course, and how to whip up desserts to die for. Containing luscious photographs of family, food, and the French countryside, and rich with delightful drawings, paintings, and illustrations, The French Baker tells the story (and the culinary secrets!) of a family devoted to the art of preparing beautiful food...."




Extra peanut butter sauce please!


Only on cape cod!


It's really all about the bacon...


On a recent stop to Stage Stop Candy in Dennisport, MA....



Their candies are all homemade, and all quite good, but that's a little pricey for dipped Doritos!
Make em at home!

Living Lean with Trader Joe's by Jamie Davidson M.S.
Want to know what you can pick up at Trader Joe's that can help you lose weight, making the process practical, doable and delicious? Need some new ideas to get out of a menu rut? This book offers over 150 easy, delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, appetizers, entrees and desserts, as well as lists of suggested Trader Joe's products that are heat and eat or super-convenient to put together quickly for those on the go.
It's filled with recipes that I've already done and loved.  Mostly it's a great reminder of how many Trader Joe products with with each other to boost up the flavor.  AND it's only $13.46 on Amazon!



Around the web:

20 ways sitting in silence can transform your life (I want to try this, but I can't get my mind to be still)
should I foam roll before or after a workout?
cookie dunkr cup!
how to stop a bully
red velvet peanut butter blossoms
holiday pine cone cheese ball (so festive!)
are you at risk for facebook envy?
high heel protectors (brilliant!)
homemade peanut butter dog treats
pizza sticks! (already printed)
prevent frozen pipes in crawl spaces & outside walls
double chocolate crunch bark
2-ingredient PB cup cookies!
chipotle-lime texas trash snack mix
10 maxims for successful bloggers
superfoods to give your body a holiday boost
is it normal to think about suicide?
sliced deli 'sticky notes'
how chefs feel about food critics & food bloggers
mentally strong people: 13 things they avoid
perfectly rolled sugar cookies
chinese 5 spice chicken wings
introducing the 5-dollar 'bill murray' bill
the BEST line up of caramel candies: caramel candies 101
how to decorate cookies w/ icing: the easiest way
the chris mccandless obsession problem
chocolate chunk-clementine shortbread
top 'checked in' locations via instragram & facebook
10 best museum exhibitions of 2013
15 tips for better cookies
glass-bottom platform opens in the alps (love this)
DIY confectioners sugar
22 healthy holiday crockpot recipes
insomnia & depression: cause vs. effect 
christie's & sotheby's degree programs
3 pain relieving yoga poses for distance runners
21 ways to give big-hearted gifts on a small budget
GMO's cause horrible birth defects in pigs
how to create a daily appreciation ritual 

Have a wonderful weekend!