As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto edited by Joan Reardon collects select letters between Julia and Avis from the beginning of their penpal friendship to the early 1960s when Julia moves to Cambridge (where Avis lived).
The first letters are far more interesting than the latter ones because they remind us of how much has changed. The invention of such things as dishwashers, tin foil, garbage disposals and frozen food are little gems of information in the early letters. The discussions of the political situation are not always particularly insightful since they depend on a background of knowledge contemporary to the letters. The chapter introductions by the editor can be useful, though a bit confusing at times since she tells you what Avis and Julia will be discussing in the letters you are about to read. For the political info, that's useful-- as well as for some of the background needed to understand what happens outside of the letters but there are some "spoilers" where Reardon tells of other things that (slightly) ruin the fun of finding out on your own through the letters. Not as intriguing as "My Life in France" but still a good read.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reader's Year in Review
Per Shelfari (which is about as accurate as it gets), I've read 77 books this year. Here are my Top 10:
10. The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris: Much less graphic (in all senses) than the TV series, this is a campy, funny mystery series reminiscent of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Fun, fast reads.
9. Nine Lives by William Dalrymple: NPR did a profile on this book that sounded interesting-- the story of nine different religious sects in India. A fascinating profile of (an)other culture(s).
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. Although this is a bit of a cliffhanger (something I'm generally opposed to), I enjoyed this second book in the series very much.
7. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson: A delightful tale of an elderly man in love. Quirky, touching, satisfying read.
6. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly: I'd gone through a streak of so-so books when I picked this one up. It reminded me of how well Connelly writes-- he crafts the story with skill. In mysteries, the plots can all be reminiscent of each other but a good writer, like Connelly, elevates the narrative through descriptions and character development.
5. The Caliph's House and The Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah: The very funny description of Shah's renovation of his house in the first book is an intriguing view into Moroccan life as Shah battles the workers' fears of djinns while appreciating their fine craftsmanship. In the second, Shah's search for his grandfather is a blend of fairy tales and travelers' tales that is an interesting and compelling read.
4. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall: Maybe because I wasn't expecting it, I was surprised by how good Udall's book is. In fact, I'll be on the watch for anything else by him. Golden Richard's life as a polygamist is funny, outrageous, sweet and very, very ordinary. The Shelfari description reads: "Beautifully written, keenly observed, and ultimately redemptive, The Lonely Polygamist is an unforgettable story of an American family—with its inevitable dysfunctionality, heartbreak, and comedy—pushed to its outer limits." I agree.
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein: after last year's favorite, the Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I didn't expect to find another story with dogs so soon that I'd be willing to read. This is a tender, sweet tale told from the dog's perspective. Enzo, the dog, is quite funny and very insightful. For dog lovers, this book will confirm what you already know about your companion's ability to read into your heart and know the truth.
The biggest disappointments:
10. The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris: Much less graphic (in all senses) than the TV series, this is a campy, funny mystery series reminiscent of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Fun, fast reads.
9. Nine Lives by William Dalrymple: NPR did a profile on this book that sounded interesting-- the story of nine different religious sects in India. A fascinating profile of (an)other culture(s).
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. Although this is a bit of a cliffhanger (something I'm generally opposed to), I enjoyed this second book in the series very much.
7. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson: A delightful tale of an elderly man in love. Quirky, touching, satisfying read.
6. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly: I'd gone through a streak of so-so books when I picked this one up. It reminded me of how well Connelly writes-- he crafts the story with skill. In mysteries, the plots can all be reminiscent of each other but a good writer, like Connelly, elevates the narrative through descriptions and character development.
5. The Caliph's House and The Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah: The very funny description of Shah's renovation of his house in the first book is an intriguing view into Moroccan life as Shah battles the workers' fears of djinns while appreciating their fine craftsmanship. In the second, Shah's search for his grandfather is a blend of fairy tales and travelers' tales that is an interesting and compelling read.
4. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall: Maybe because I wasn't expecting it, I was surprised by how good Udall's book is. In fact, I'll be on the watch for anything else by him. Golden Richard's life as a polygamist is funny, outrageous, sweet and very, very ordinary. The Shelfari description reads: "Beautifully written, keenly observed, and ultimately redemptive, The Lonely Polygamist is an unforgettable story of an American family—with its inevitable dysfunctionality, heartbreak, and comedy—pushed to its outer limits." I agree.
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein: after last year's favorite, the Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I didn't expect to find another story with dogs so soon that I'd be willing to read. This is a tender, sweet tale told from the dog's perspective. Enzo, the dog, is quite funny and very insightful. For dog lovers, this book will confirm what you already know about your companion's ability to read into your heart and know the truth.
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockton: An extraordinarily well-written novel that shows life in the south and race relations in a way that speaks to the contemporary reader. I was surprised to discover how young the writer is since the novel appears at times to be a remembrance of things past. Stockton is able to convey the feelings of the characters and the moeurs of the times in a light-handed (but not flippant) way that helps the reader to understand how things were different then such that small steps by today's standards were huge leaps in the past. Sensitively written, the novel is a beautifully written portrait of a difficult time. I hope the movie will do it justice.
1. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. See review from earlier this month.
The biggest disappointments:
- South of Broad by Pat Conroy
- Cleaving by Julie Powell
- The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Two of my favorite authors (Conroy and Atwood) and a new author from whom I was expecting more (Powell wrote Julie & Julia, based on her blog of the same name). I couldn't finish any of them. Conroy's story feels like a "been there, done that" but not in a good way (because I love his other novels and would be very happy re-reading them). For Atwood, I gave up after about 50 pages. Dull. Powell's book was just painful. The story of her indiscretions juxtaposed by stories of meat getting hacked up... well, it was all kind of icky. I didn't want to know more.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Pumpkin Biscuits
Yum! Per the reviews, I prepared for the sticky dough by putting the flour in a super large bowl. After mixing in the wet ingredients, I kneaded in the bowl then turned the dough out onto a Silpat and arranged in a rectangle that I cut into 12 parts. I then baked my square biscuits. Tomorrow, I'll be whipping up some scrambled eggs to assemble some biscuit breakfast sandwiches to wrap in tinfoil, freeze, then throw in the oven for a tasty breakfast.
FFwD: Getting to Know You Meme
Name: Terri; Pseudonym "Aubepine" comes from the Proust novel, Remembrance of Things Past that I studied for my dissertation where one path (Guermantes) led towards society & sophistication and the other path, bordered by the hawthorn blossoms ("aubepines") led to the country & simpler pleasures.
Hometown: My dad was in the Air Force so I grew up all over.
Current town: Redlands, California (since 1995).
How you pay the bills: Online
How many in your household? 2: my mom moved in with me after my father passed away in 2005
What is your favorite comfort food? Cookies.
Favorite dessert to whip up at midnight? I'm more likely to nosh on whatever's in the fridge or cupboard than to make something, but that might change after a few more months cooking with Dorie!
The best restaurant you have ever been to? (and what did you have?) I've been lucky enough to have visited many extraordinary restaurants. For my farewell from Paris, my French family took me to an amazing restaurant in the Parc Montsouris where I had an hachis parmentier made with foie gras and truffles. Another amazing meal was at Elizabeth on 37th in Savannah, Georgia where I had a pecan crusted trout. In Carmel, California, I love Casanova Restaurant. I've had several fabulous meals there. Again in Paris, the Atelier Maître Albert has the most amazing cantaloupe soup-- perfect for a hot day. There are more restaurants but what made each special was sharing it with friends.
Worst habit or vice? Inability to form habits... especially the ones that are good for you.
If you were a biscuit, which would you be? A scone.
What is your mother’s best dish? Meatloaf. It was a special dish when we were growing up; I still get excited when it's meatloaf on the menu.
What is your motto? Live, laugh, work and travel.
Which kitchen gadget do you use the most? A steak knife. As a long-time student, I didn't have the money for extras like vegetable peelers so I used knives from a free bank-offered 6 pack of knives. Now that I have the gadgets, I often forget to use them!
The soundtrack to your life is? Changes all the time.
Any last words? I've enjoyed my first month with FFwD. It's fun seeing the innovations others have made to the recipes-- they inspire me. I appreciate the straightforward recipes from Dorie-- they make me feel more competent in the kitchen. I'm having fun exploring the recipes-- they remind me of my other home (Paris) and they're fun to share with friends here in the U.S.
Review: The Bronte Project
Jennifer Vandever's The Brontë Project: A Novel of Passion, Desire and Good PR" is in the same vein as the Cookbook Collector -- a somewhat formulaic grad-school romance with characters that are sit-com typecasts of real people. On the other hand, the main character, Sarah, is better developed and the novel isn't as long so it's a quick read when you feel like a bit of fluff. Not as entertaining as, say, Bridget Jone's Diary, this book has moments here and there that make you chuckle or think.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Review: Cookbook Collector
Allegra Goodman's book, The Cookbook Collector, is somewhat deceptive... except for a few paragraphs about Suzanne, you'll wonder what the title has to do with the story. Actually, even after having completed the book, you may still be wondering. I'd read several good reviews of the book but the book didn't live up to my expectations. Frankly, I just never cared about any of the characters so I was invested in what happened to them. There are clearly themes of desire that motivate the plot-- more desire of riches or religious epiphanies or ecological victories-- but without a strong sense of who the people are on emotional terms, the story left me feeling like it was more about the intellectual framework than anything else.
Friday, December 24, 2010
French Fridays with Dorie: Leek & Potato Soup
Very easy soup to make. I followed the recipe exactly (for a change). It does need generous salting, though I let my guests decide on the last salting on their own. I was surprised, though, that the soup was relatively thin. Though this might be preferable for the chilled version, I think the hot soup would be better thicker. I'll make this again, following some of the other FFwD ideas such as adding ham, cheese or other add-ins on the second day to give a bit more variety.
As for Marie-Hélène's apple cake, it's great with the coconut rum! In fact, I'd like to do it again with a little bit of toasted coconut on top. It might even be good with a bit of pineapple, too. I'm making it again for Christmas! I found it interesting to look at the photos of the other FFwD cakes (in November): many people cut the apples into cubes. I cut the apples into thin slices about an inch long, using the photo on page 431 as my reference. Once I find the cord to download my photos, I'll have to try and get a photo: it has a completely different look! (BTW being able to see photos of others' results is very reassuring!)
Finally, a note on the Sweet & Spicy nuts. I sent my brother a bowl of them and he called to thank me-- the kids had to grab it away from him to try it themselves! Thanks, Dorie!
As for Marie-Hélène's apple cake, it's great with the coconut rum! In fact, I'd like to do it again with a little bit of toasted coconut on top. It might even be good with a bit of pineapple, too. I'm making it again for Christmas! I found it interesting to look at the photos of the other FFwD cakes (in November): many people cut the apples into cubes. I cut the apples into thin slices about an inch long, using the photo on page 431 as my reference. Once I find the cord to download my photos, I'll have to try and get a photo: it has a completely different look! (BTW being able to see photos of others' results is very reassuring!)
Finally, a note on the Sweet & Spicy nuts. I sent my brother a bowl of them and he called to thank me-- the kids had to grab it away from him to try it themselves! Thanks, Dorie!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Empanadas
I've been wanting to try to make empanadas for a while now. My grandmother used to make pasties (pronounced with a long "a" like cat and, no, they're not the little buttons with tassles worn by pole dancers). On a trip to Cornwall, England, I learned that pasties are actually a Cornish dish made for the miners: basically a pie crust filled with chopped meat, turnips, potatoes and onions (see here). Empanadas are the same idea but from Argentina.
I found two recipes that looked good (here and here) but wanted to work with what I had in the kitchen. First I made the cream cheese dough recipe. I wanted to try something that was different from Grandma's dough so that it wouldn't taste like a weird pastie; I'm glad I did. I doubled the recipe from the Dinner with Julie website: beat 1 brick of cream cheese, 2/3 cup of butter, and 4 eggs with the mixer until thoroughly combined. Add 2 cups of flour (1/2 cup at a time) using a rubber spatula and/or your well floured hands. This dough is super soft (be sure to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling out) but it has a great texture when baked. In fact, while baking, the butter comes out and it sizzles and browns as if it was frying a little in the oven!
I had frozen a couple of chicken sausages from Trader Joe's: chicken basil pesto and chicken with sun-dried tomatoes. I was able to peel the skin off the pesto sausage but not the other. Instead I chopped them up very fine. I sautéed half a yellow onion in about 2 tablespoons of butter. Then I added the 4 finely chopped sausages (which already had some spices in them) and about 1/2 cup of diced green olives with pimentos. I scraped all of the brown bits off of the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle on about 2 teaspoons of paprika. Set aside (or in the fridge) to cool. It doesn't look like enough filling, but I had just the perfect amount to fill up all the dough circles.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the chilled dough. I used a glass from the cupboard to cut into circles. If there are two of you, it makes things easier since if the dough sits at room temperature too long it becomes difficult to work with (you can stick it in the fridge if there isn't a helper in the kitchen). Put about 2 teaspoons in the middle the dough circle. Pull the far side of the dough up and over the filling. If the dough breaks, just smush it together with your fingers. The dough is so soft you don't need to do much but pinch it together. Use a fork to crimp the edges. Place empanadas on a cookie sheet. I greased one sheet and used a Silpat on the other. Given the butter in the dough, greasing may not be necessary. Cook for 12-18 minutes, depending on your oven. They should be a pretty golden yellow color. I ended up with about 30 empanadas (I had 3" circles of dough).
Eat while hot or even cold. I put them in a covered plastic bowl in the fridge... then snuck one out later in the evening. Yum! These would be great picnic treats. Julie's website suggests that you could also freeze the empanadas before cooking them-- a perfect suggestion if you are having a party and want to do all your prep ahead of time.
This dough is spectacular and I think other variations would be possible-- sweet and savory. Next August, when peaches are ripe, I might try slicing in ripe peaches as the filling. Or finely diced apples seasoned with cinnamon and sugar. And, I really need to experiment with some chocolate chips and marshmallows (though this has me wondering if I could somehow convert the dough to use brown sugar and make it more graham cracker like)!
I found two recipes that looked good (here and here) but wanted to work with what I had in the kitchen. First I made the cream cheese dough recipe. I wanted to try something that was different from Grandma's dough so that it wouldn't taste like a weird pastie; I'm glad I did. I doubled the recipe from the Dinner with Julie website: beat 1 brick of cream cheese, 2/3 cup of butter, and 4 eggs with the mixer until thoroughly combined. Add 2 cups of flour (1/2 cup at a time) using a rubber spatula and/or your well floured hands. This dough is super soft (be sure to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling out) but it has a great texture when baked. In fact, while baking, the butter comes out and it sizzles and browns as if it was frying a little in the oven!
I had frozen a couple of chicken sausages from Trader Joe's: chicken basil pesto and chicken with sun-dried tomatoes. I was able to peel the skin off the pesto sausage but not the other. Instead I chopped them up very fine. I sautéed half a yellow onion in about 2 tablespoons of butter. Then I added the 4 finely chopped sausages (which already had some spices in them) and about 1/2 cup of diced green olives with pimentos. I scraped all of the brown bits off of the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle on about 2 teaspoons of paprika. Set aside (or in the fridge) to cool. It doesn't look like enough filling, but I had just the perfect amount to fill up all the dough circles.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the chilled dough. I used a glass from the cupboard to cut into circles. If there are two of you, it makes things easier since if the dough sits at room temperature too long it becomes difficult to work with (you can stick it in the fridge if there isn't a helper in the kitchen). Put about 2 teaspoons in the middle the dough circle. Pull the far side of the dough up and over the filling. If the dough breaks, just smush it together with your fingers. The dough is so soft you don't need to do much but pinch it together. Use a fork to crimp the edges. Place empanadas on a cookie sheet. I greased one sheet and used a Silpat on the other. Given the butter in the dough, greasing may not be necessary. Cook for 12-18 minutes, depending on your oven. They should be a pretty golden yellow color. I ended up with about 30 empanadas (I had 3" circles of dough).
Eat while hot or even cold. I put them in a covered plastic bowl in the fridge... then snuck one out later in the evening. Yum! These would be great picnic treats. Julie's website suggests that you could also freeze the empanadas before cooking them-- a perfect suggestion if you are having a party and want to do all your prep ahead of time.
This dough is spectacular and I think other variations would be possible-- sweet and savory. Next August, when peaches are ripe, I might try slicing in ripe peaches as the filling. Or finely diced apples seasoned with cinnamon and sugar. And, I really need to experiment with some chocolate chips and marshmallows (though this has me wondering if I could somehow convert the dough to use brown sugar and make it more graham cracker like)!
Friday, December 17, 2010
French Fridays with Dorie: Sweet & Spicy Cocktail Nuts
Actually, I made these nuts last week... but I'm posting today (it's Friday) so I think that counts, right? Very easy recipe. I bought roasted & lightly salted cashews and almonds from Trader Joe's. Since they were already salted, I didn't add salt to the recipe, though I think when I make batch #2 this weekend (with some pecans this time as well as the others), I might add about 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon. Will also add just a bit more cayenne pepper. I was worried that it would be too much of a kick but it just wasn't enough.
I made the double batch last time and there was enough egg white left to do more nuts so will use 3 bags of nuts this time. I don't have the patience to wipe off each nut. I did my best while putting them on the tray then also rubbed off the extra after they cooled. They looked very pretty in clear plastic bags with ribbons to give away as gifts... if we hadn't eaten so many of them ourselves!
It didn't really feel like cooking... it was very, very easy. But also very very tasty. They sell a sweet & salty pecan mix at Trader Joe's for $4.39 for 6 oz. This is better and with lots more nuts!
Tonight I have some friends coming over for a light supper so I'm going to try the soup. I also made last month's Marie-Hélène's apple cake ... with coconut rum because I didn't check to make sure I have dark rum and with a bundt springform pan because I don't have a plain one. It looks pretty (I cooked it for about 45 minutes); I'll let you know how it tastes next time!
I made the double batch last time and there was enough egg white left to do more nuts so will use 3 bags of nuts this time. I don't have the patience to wipe off each nut. I did my best while putting them on the tray then also rubbed off the extra after they cooled. They looked very pretty in clear plastic bags with ribbons to give away as gifts... if we hadn't eaten so many of them ourselves!
It didn't really feel like cooking... it was very, very easy. But also very very tasty. They sell a sweet & salty pecan mix at Trader Joe's for $4.39 for 6 oz. This is better and with lots more nuts!
Tonight I have some friends coming over for a light supper so I'm going to try the soup. I also made last month's Marie-Hélène's apple cake ... with coconut rum because I didn't check to make sure I have dark rum and with a bundt springform pan because I don't have a plain one. It looks pretty (I cooked it for about 45 minutes); I'll let you know how it tastes next time!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Loved, loved, loved this book. It gave me the same delicious feeling as when I saw Secret Garden on Broadway. A return to childhood but with an adult perspective... joy in the escape and the sense of wonder yet with the ability to see how hardships and flaws can affect one's capacity to love. I loved the nod and wink to Hodgson Burnett; Morton's story is an echo of the original story of a secret garden but with the complex understanding of all that this forgotten garden represents. I may now have to go back and watch Agnieszka Holland's lush film adaptation of the book or even the Margaret O'Brien classic rendition.
Friday, December 10, 2010
French Fridays with Dorie: Spiced Butter-Glazed Carrots
As a well-known TV chef might say: Yum-Oh! This is a quick, easy, tasty recipe that will surely be part of my regular cooking repertoire. I used about 1/4 of a large onion. I had ginger in the freezer (it keeps very well in a zip-loc bag-- just peel as you need it) but no cardamom so I used fresh nutmeg sprinkled on the carrots instead. We reheated the carrots the next day and though they were much softer they were still very, very tasty.
Can I say, too, that I really appreciate the large format of this book? It's easy to read and it lays open and flat while on the countertop. No fussing with trying to hold the cookbook open to the page you need (and no dirty fingerprints on the pages).
Can I say, too, that I really appreciate the large format of this book? It's easy to read and it lays open and flat while on the countertop. No fussing with trying to hold the cookbook open to the page you need (and no dirty fingerprints on the pages).
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Book Review: Lost Girls
I finished The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents, One Unconventional Detour Around the World (Baggett, Corbett and Pressner) last night. It was a fun read, though I don't think that this kind of traveling is up my alley. I couldn't handle the dorm-style youth hostels... or the cockroach infestations. I most enjoyed the stories of their connections with the local people, especially Sister Frieda in Kenya. They are certainly a plucky trio. I'd give it 3 stars (of 5) as an enjoyable armchair-travel adventure.
Bread-making frenzy
Due to all those medical bills, I'll be doing a home-made Christmas for all this year. So, this week-end was the beginning of the baking frenzy. Started off with loaves of a savory cheese bread from Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table. Made one with cheddar cheese, chives and a teaspoon of dill; the second was feta and sun-dried tomato. The cheddar was a bit moister than the feta but both had good flavor. I think they'd be good toasted (maybe with a bit of goat cheese or dip)-- kind of a mix between a cracker and a bread.
Also made Orangette's Ginger & Chocolate Chip Banana Bread which is extraordinary. I now keep candied ginger on hand just for this bread. Also had two persimmons that were ripe so I searched the web for an easy recipe and found this one at Joy the Baker's site. I used some of the ginger I stuck in the freezer. The bread is more of a batter than a dough after you mix it but it rises up nicely and the taste is delicious. Very, very gingery. The bread holds together well and isn't too crumbly.
Finally, made the first batch of biscotti: a dried cherry and chocolate recipe I found at Food Network (see here). I didn't have any almond extract but I found a mini bottle of Godiva liqueur in the spice drawer so I used a teaspoon and a half of that instead. Mom & I only ate two of the end pieces but it was extraordinary! Am going to have to make several more batches (and pick up some more of the liqueur at Bev' Mo!). Reviews all stated that the cookies were a little dry and hard, so I only baked them 8 minutes on each side for the second baking. They came out perfectly: soft enough to bite into without cracking a tooth but still firm enough for dunking.
Now all that's left is to make the Spicy, Salty Nuts from Dorie's book (it's one of the Friday's with Dorie recipes for December) and some Moose Crunch (chocolate caramel popcorn). I think my holiday gift plates are going to be a hit!
Also made Orangette's Ginger & Chocolate Chip Banana Bread which is extraordinary. I now keep candied ginger on hand just for this bread. Also had two persimmons that were ripe so I searched the web for an easy recipe and found this one at Joy the Baker's site. I used some of the ginger I stuck in the freezer. The bread is more of a batter than a dough after you mix it but it rises up nicely and the taste is delicious. Very, very gingery. The bread holds together well and isn't too crumbly.
Finally, made the first batch of biscotti: a dried cherry and chocolate recipe I found at Food Network (see here). I didn't have any almond extract but I found a mini bottle of Godiva liqueur in the spice drawer so I used a teaspoon and a half of that instead. Mom & I only ate two of the end pieces but it was extraordinary! Am going to have to make several more batches (and pick up some more of the liqueur at Bev' Mo!). Reviews all stated that the cookies were a little dry and hard, so I only baked them 8 minutes on each side for the second baking. They came out perfectly: soft enough to bite into without cracking a tooth but still firm enough for dunking.
Now all that's left is to make the Spicy, Salty Nuts from Dorie's book (it's one of the Friday's with Dorie recipes for December) and some Moose Crunch (chocolate caramel popcorn). I think my holiday gift plates are going to be a hit!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Pim's Cheesecake in a Jar
Last week, I ran into about 3 easy cheesecake recipes so I had to try one. I chose Pim's Pumpkin Cheesecake in a Jar (see here)-- mostly because I still had lots of fresh pumpkin puree left over from my CSA share pumpkin.
This recipe's a keeper. Even with the numerous substitutions I ended up making (when do I ever follow the rules?) I didn't have any pretty glasses like Pim's (I'll be on the lookout for some) but I had the rest of the ingredients... except the gingersnaps. I substituted some roasted pecans and some granola for the gingersnaps. My bottom crust was a bit chewy but the granola flavoring was quite nice. I'd use it again in another variation of this recipe. Also, my food processor isn't as big as needed. I didn't figure this out until I got to the third block of cream cheese. So I just spooned out some of the liquid into a bowl, finished up the rest, then mixed it all back together with a spoon.
Pretty much a four step recipe: gather ingredients, pour into processor & whir, pour into cups (or press down, in the case of the crust), and bake. The taste is creamy, thick cheesecake. It does taste better after its been thoroughly cooled in the refrigerator. I think it would be easy enough to substitute other flavorings for the pumpkin. In the future, I might try it with a hint of vanilla flavoring and an oreo crust, or even plain with a graham cracker crust adding a little extra sour cream to make up for the pumpkin purée and to add a little more "sour" flavor.
This recipe's a keeper. Even with the numerous substitutions I ended up making (when do I ever follow the rules?) I didn't have any pretty glasses like Pim's (I'll be on the lookout for some) but I had the rest of the ingredients... except the gingersnaps. I substituted some roasted pecans and some granola for the gingersnaps. My bottom crust was a bit chewy but the granola flavoring was quite nice. I'd use it again in another variation of this recipe. Also, my food processor isn't as big as needed. I didn't figure this out until I got to the third block of cream cheese. So I just spooned out some of the liquid into a bowl, finished up the rest, then mixed it all back together with a spoon.
Pretty much a four step recipe: gather ingredients, pour into processor & whir, pour into cups (or press down, in the case of the crust), and bake. The taste is creamy, thick cheesecake. It does taste better after its been thoroughly cooled in the refrigerator. I think it would be easy enough to substitute other flavorings for the pumpkin. In the future, I might try it with a hint of vanilla flavoring and an oreo crust, or even plain with a graham cracker crust adding a little extra sour cream to make up for the pumpkin purée and to add a little more "sour" flavor.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
#1 Time to think this through...
I love my job... well, most of the time. I didn't know what I wanted to do for a very long time but once I did, I worked hard to get where I am today. Years of college (multiple degrees) then mountains of research, a tenure-track job and now, mid-career, at the halfway point between Ph.D. and retirement. It's time to reassess, rethink, rebalance. A virtual tree pose, if you will, so that I'm back upright and not toppled over to the side, spending all of my energy on paperwork, policies and pettiness. Teaching brings joy and changes; administration does not.
So, an attempt to blog-- for myself, anyway-- about the other things I love. Reading, traveling, cooking... maybe even some thinking. Let's see how it goes.
So, an attempt to blog-- for myself, anyway-- about the other things I love. Reading, traveling, cooking... maybe even some thinking. Let's see how it goes.
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