Sweet morning

It's a gray morning, but I made pancakes for breakfast to get into a sunny mood. With bananas and maple syrup. I'd love to share (I made too many..).

How do you start your day when it's sulky outside?

Banana bread with chocolate and crystallized ginger

This book by Molly Wizenberg has finally caught my attention. Apparently she's already been famous around the culinary blogosphere for a while now, and for some reason the contagious enthusiasm about her story and recipes had not reached me, until "A Homemade Life" was given to me by my brother and sister in law (thank you!).

I had to warm up to her style of writing over a couple of pages, but now I'm all in. Her description of the perfect french toast was already rather tempting, and she finally convinced me to swing my wooden spoon with her recipe of banana bread. Apart from the crystallized ginger, which is a little difficult to find around here (but was easy to make from scratch and gave me the "I did it all by myself" satisfactory feeling), it was all mixed together with little effort. And I didn't even need a mixer. Call me oldschool, but I love to bake cakes the traditional way and adore recipes that work without electrical equipment (apart from the stove, naturally). Plus, it's a nice workout for your biceps.

Molly's instructions are easy to follow, and something I am very fond of is the lack of pictures in her book. You won't be so caught up in your eagerness trying to achieve the same result as shown in professionally taken pictures of carefully arranged dishes. You'll just want to get started, and mess around in the kitchen.

"These days, I bake banana bread all the time, and I usually do it as Glenn did, with chocolate and ginger. It's homey but a little sophisticated, and it's almost impossible to stop eating. The flavours of banana and chocolate get along so well, and ginger makes them even better, cutting through their richness with its spicy heat. It's the kind of thing that begs to be cut into big, melty slices while the loaf is still hot."

Right she is.


PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway, it's up until tomorrow!

Weekend Treasures

I've enjoyed the beautiful sunday outside in the autumn sun, brunching, drinking spritzer, and chatting the day away. I've also started on some Christmas presents, unusually early. But it's the same traditional toil every year; come the week before Christmas I am stressing out like nuts and can't find anything appropriate for the ones I love. Because I want gifts to be special, thoughtful and suiting. Perfectionism always breaks my legs.

Well, but I started. And I would love to post the result right now, but the lady it's for stumbles upon this site every now and then, so I will have to keep it a secret. Oh, the tensionnnn...

Grandma sent me some recipes from my childhood (with the most awesome vintage illustrations). She used to make this unbelievably rich and luscious chocolate cake. And even though she says the recipe is nothing special at all (my grandma isn't exactly of the cheerful kind, as you might remember from the conversation at my grandparent's diamond wedding about her lovely hairstyle), it brings back memories from good old times. Like doing crossword puzzles together. Feeding the chicken. Spending half the day in that old tree, playing with my cousin. And 4 o'clock sharply we had to come in for tea. There it was, that juicy chocolate indulgence. Even though I've got a ton of new recipes for chocolate cakes, none of them will mentally send me back into that old tree - big-eyed and red cheeked.

And some more music is on the way. I'll see these talented guys in concert this weekend. Here's a little video of one of their rehearsals.

Plums and tomatoes

You probably guessed it already. It was baking time again. The terrible weather has reminded me of autumn, so I felt like baking a proper cake for exactly that season. The plums weren't really that ripe yet, but "sour things make you merry", as we say around here. And merriness was just what I needed.

This is a one-(wo)man cake, by the way, in case you were wondering why those plums look so gigantic. I've been using this special tin ring as well for my carrot cake, and it's been quite practical for those recipes you cut in half, cause you really aren't expecting such a big tea-party. It's also perfect for test-cakes, if you haven't tried a recipe before yet.

I have been enjoying my self grown tomatoes so much. I'm amazed how well they're doing. And it all began with such a tiny seed!

It's always surprising to meet people who don't like tomatoes. Well, of course you are allowed to dislike tomatoes, just as much as I dislike broccoli. And we won't argue about it. But if I ever had to go on a desert island and could only choose 3 kinds of vegetables, it would be tomatoes, garlic, and tomatoes - without batting an eye. 

Probably noone is going to ask me about my preferences in the department of vegetables I suppose, should I really ever be on a desert island.

Back home

It has not been a pleasant trip. I call it trip on purpose, not holidays. I have learned many things during these 10 days, and wouldn't miss the experience. There's one thing I can tell you right upfront. It doesn't really matter where you're going. It depends a lot on your company. More than you think. There are of course places that may somehow inspire you, or your expectations of them motivate you so much you simply get into a good mood automatically. But share your travels with someone who figuratively doesn't speak the same language as you do.. and joy and relaxation only comes with tremendous effort.

There are still a lot of things to be liked about Norway. Like the odd feeling you get looking at the clock and noticing it's past midnight, yet bright outside. Or the landscape, of course, Staring at the enormous rocks of those fjords makes you feel so tiny. And they've been there all along. And they'll be there still after you've gone.

I also enjoyed fishing, and we were lucky enough to angle a young codfish. It was so exciting, since I've only been fishing once in my life, as a little girl, with a little self made fishing rod, using breadcrumbs as a bait. I've been told real pro's don't use breadcrumbs. But they do work, don't they?

This carrot cake in a small café in Alesund mended my heart. It was simply delicious, and sharing it with someone I care for and could rely on during this trip, wiped away some of the worries and sorrows. 

The way to someone's heart is always through his stomach, they say. I tried that with a heavenly apple cake, made with an apple sauce you prepare a day or a few hours before. 

It was beautiful. It was tasty. It was juicy. It didn't work. The heart thing, I mean. Maybe one day it might, but it will take a whole lot of cakes.

 

After a long and tiresome ride home I was delighted to see my little garden had grown and survived my absence. Some tomatoes of quite some size were waiting for me. My first ones ever! I am so excited and afraid I could do something wrong before they are really ripe and ready to be eaten.

And here's a picture of my lucky clover. I planted it a while ago, hoping it would bring me luck. It's growing and flourishing every day. I know good fortune can't be constrained. But inspired, maybe. A little?

Late nights in the kitchen

This weekend has been so incredibly hot. The lovely sun has downright requested to spend as much time as possible outdoors. It's a miracle I found my way into the kitchen to try out a recipe that's been on my to do list for so long. I actually made this around 11pm, after the sun went down.

As I told you a couple of days ago, I am so inspired by this wonderful food blog. I've always wanted to make a carrot cake ever since I tasted one in London waaay back, and it's been such a challenge to find a recipe close enough to bring back old memories. 

The only thing I altered from this recipe is the amount of sugar. I don't like my cakes overly sweet, and I am still not sure if the sugar in other countries might be a little different taste-wise. I've been trying a couple of American recipes lately and always had to decrease the amount of sugar. Is it possible that it's much much sweeter over here in Europe?

What I will definitely recommend is the buttercream recipe used for this carrot cake. It's just so delicious and easy to make! And so much fun to slather on the cake after all the layers are done. Decorating is my favorite part. Besides munching the entire creation of course.

The layers are not as fluffy as I wished them to be, but I blame this on my fear of over-baking the dough. I remembered that adding a bit of sparkling water could also help, so I'll try that next time.

Oh, how I'd love to invite you all to have a piece! Some tea anyone?

Heaven

This is the most delicious buttercream I have ever made. Heavenly. I wish you could poke your finger in and try.

Wait till I show you what I used it for..

*I'll add a recipe very soon

Day 3, 4, 5 and 6 - The healthy week project

So you might be wondering how my healthy week project went ahead?

Of course it was interrupted by a slightly unhealthy weekend. I went to see old friends in the north where I used to live before, and there's nothing I enjoy more than a good old chat over some delicious food.

I was still very determined and motivated on Saturday and started the day with a mouthwatering fruit salad after I went running in the park at 7:30(!). The day is still so young and undisturbed at that time, and it feels like as if there's nothing that could bring you down.

We went to the flea market, but found nothing in particular. Maybe because we weren't really looking for anything in particular, and preferred staring at our shoes in the mirror, toecaps turned inwards of course. 

It felt nice to be back there. Few things have changed since I had left. Which was reassuring, too. Like those tasty croissants at the Portuguese. You'll have to queue up for them, but they are ever so worth the wait.

The late afternoon was for baking (the slightly unhealthy part). But I'll tell you all about the mishaps and pet peeves tomorrow. With pretty pics that definitely look better than the baked goods tasted. Unfortunately.

Childhood treasures and birthday cakes

Once upon a time in midwinter, 

when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, 

a queen sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony wood. 

As she sewed she looked up at the snow and pricked her finger with her needle. 

Three drops of blood fell into the snow. 

The red on the white looked so beautiful that she thought to herself, 

"If only I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, 

and as black as the wood in this frame."

I have such a weakness for old tales (particularly for having them told), and there is one specific book which I treasure most tenderly, since it has accompanied already my father, and after that myself through our childhood. It's from 1957, and probably out of print by now, which I consider a great loss for all those generations still to come.

Flicking through these pages brings me way back into my early years, when I foolishly ripped and tugged on the animated parts, not knowing of its true value yet. The pages still smell like those linen sheets of my grandmother, and I remember her voice reading the story to me long before I knew how to decipher it myself.

There are a couple of books that I won't be able to part with, and I can't wait for the day I'll be reading their lines to my own kids, watching them tug and tear on the pages. The kind of memories they'll plant in their minds are priceless.

•

This weekend the sun has been spoiling us to make up for all the rain a few days ago. I made a birthday cake yesterday, and apart from the slightly sticky dough (I had forgotten to buy baking powder and had no substitute at hand) it turned out quite delicious. 

It's called a Snow White cake and consists of a simple dough, cherries, buttercream and a luscious chocolate icing, and it's best to keep it chilly in the fridge until serving. Just perfect for these sunny days.

Sweet Love

I made cake. Chocolate cake. With sugar hearts!

This is also my way of saying sorry for the lack of pictures, and forthcoming low quality pics such as these ones. The fancy cam stayed with hubby. I am left with my little polaroid (but no scanner) and Imacs photo booth. Thank god I finally found out how to take pictures without that awful flash.

As soon as I can afford it I'll get my hands on my very own reflex camera. Once you understood what depth of field can do to you, there's just no way back.

Unless it's polaroid of course. I wouldn't trade my little Instax Mini for anything. Charming snapshots within seconds (and a couple of minutes shaking...)! Good mood was never this quick and easy! 

Now combine these instant memories with a present chocolate cake. Mhmyesyum.

Back in the kitchen

Yes yes, I know, I should be posting about the wonderful trip to London. But I am still not done sorting pictures, and then got distracted by my ambition to finally make a pie, with crust and all. The real deal.

So instead of bragging about the good times in London, I present to you Mr Strawberry Rhubarb (with a few redcurrants). It's a good substitute, right? For now? Alright, alright... I'll finish sorting pictures while you munch on this.

Come rain or come shine

In tough times like these you really know who your true friends are. I haven't had the chance to be in contact with as many people as I wish lately, and there have been too many things occupying my mind. Yet it feels good if you know there won't be any doors shut even though days and weeks and sometimes even months without words may have passed.

A friend I consider one of my closest put a smile on my lips with my delayed birthday present. It's becoming a trademark, she wrote, and I so agree (her Christmas present is right next to me, and aaaalmost ready to go... just a little ribbon here and some lines there...).

There are so many little bits and pieces I couldn't wait to get my hands on. I even unwrapped half of the package minutes before I had to rush to work and was a little late, too, but with new jewelry. Look at those lovely tulip earrings, the colors are simply perfect for my wardrobe. 

When I got back from my shift I discovered the rest of her lovingly wrapped gifts. Between some adorable candy I found a cute necklace (Yes, I do love that one, you really did meet my taste!) and a beautifully illustrated notebook for my own recipes. I know already what's gonna go in there. Some secret scribbles about the ingredients of my apple pie. I imagine how my grandchildren might find this little book one day in some dusty box up on the attic, and will start baking and filling their kitchen with the delicious smell of maple syr... uh oh... pretend you didn't read this.

Now don't forget to have a look at my friend's little etsy shop if you liked these earrings and the necklace just as much as I did. There's so much love in those, it will always push your mood right up the moment you put them on.

I will cherish these very much. Thank you again for a sunny day, even though it did not stop raining. <3

Housewifing

Every once in a while I bake a cake. And then, for those couple of hours I spend in the kitchen, I have the feeling I could indeed be a housewife and enjoy that sort of thing; rummaging around between pots and pans, rushing through the house with a duster, wearing my cute red apron.. until I come face to face with the pile of last week's dishes. That really takes all the fun out of housewifing.

Anyways. With a little help of my mother over the phone I managed to make this new creation, including bananas and a stiff chocolate sprinkled cream. The best part was coating the top of the cake with small crumbs and pretending to build a sandcastle.

Sorry for the sadly lighted picture though, the sun hasn't been out for a while now. One day, I'd love to make the achievements in my kitchen look like the wonderful creations on this site. 

Careful though, food orgasm included.