Finn has had a pretty rough week. I left the boys alone for three days and come home to this sad situation:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Finn vs. The Cone
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Picasa + Hot Chocolate
WOW! Who knows about this Picasa thing?? I can thank Karen and Clayton for introducing this to me... and now I can't stop. I may lose a boyfriend in the process, but this is my new obsession! How much fun! I made hot chocolate the other day, it was rainy and foggy and Dave Mac and I decided we would stay in and have an Office marathon. What a perfect marraige. . . hot chocolate and The Office that is.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
makin' biscuits
I have found the most delicious, the most divine, light, fluffy, oh so devourable (if that is even a word) biscuit recipe in the whole wide world (okay, that might be a bit over the top, but they are really good!) I will eat these for breakfast, I will eat the for lunch, "I would eat them in a box, I would eat them with a fox" ... okay, you all get the picture, they are absolutely fabulous.
Something has gotten into me and I have been a baking fool these past couple of days. With the biscuits, last night for dinner I made these farmhouse tarts with ricotta, sage leaves, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper to taste as well as a lemon butter cake with a tart lemon glaze for dessert (which was also divine with coffee this morning!). Oh so good. Tonight? Feta pies. I also have two cheese and basil loaves rising as well as a sun dried tomato and a pan au levain. This little cottage is full of warm doughy love!
Friday, March 27, 2009
a dying culture.

picture courtesy of Caffeinated Politics
On March 16th the epic story of moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton came to an end. At 62 Popcorn was sentenced to 18 months in a federal penitentiary for distilling over 850 gallons of liquor and decided at 62 he would prefer to take his own life than serve the term.
I know I am not much of a liquor (especially moonshine) connoisseur, however I have a universal respect for any artisan producing his or her passion no matter what the repercussion (though 850 gallons is and awful lot!). Distilling Moonshine is said to be "legitimately an expression of culture of this region" and is a shame that this was the end result for a man with so much history and love for the old ways of the Appalachia. May the great stories of the past stay alive. Long live the moonshine!
Friday, March 20, 2009
getting back to bread
My sourdough starter is chillin' in the fridge and I had a craving for a more substantial loaf, so flipping through my books, I came across a Tyrolean Ten-Grain Torpedo in The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum. A two day bread and quite easy, though I found I needed to be close to home every couple of hours to tend to it. I altered the original only by using a seven-grain cereal instead of a ten-grain (you can use how many grains you want). I found this bread to be quite satisfying for a loaf made in my gas oven with minimal steam. The crumb is open and and chewy, great for toast and sandwich bread. It's really an easy recipe and you can make it any shape you like, feel free to use a loaf pan if you want sandwich bread.
Seven Grain Torpedo
Dough Starter:
2/3 cup (3.5 oz) bread flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1/2 Tablespoon malt powder, barley malt syrup, honey, or sugar
3/4 cup (6.2 oz) water - room temp
1. Nine hours ahead or the night before, make the sponge. In a bowl whisk all ingredients until very smooth (will look like a thick pancake batter). Scrape sides, set aside, and cover with plastic wrap.
Grains:
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (3.5 oz) cereal mix (seven, ten, twelve...I used seven)
1/2 cup (3.5 oz) hot water
2. Eight hours or the night before soak grains. Cool and refigerate 8 or up to 24 hours.
Flour mixture:
1 1/4 cups plus 1/2 Tablespoon (7 oz) bread flour
3/4 teaspoon instant yeast
3. Combine flour and yeast and mix (if using a dough hook - mix on low speed for about one minute until dough is moistened. Raise the speed to medium and knead for about 7 minutes. The dough will be very sticky, allow to rest 20 minutes.
4. Add 1 1/4 teaspoon salt and the grain mixture and knead another 3-5 until evenly incorporated. The dough should be just barely tacky. If it is still very sticky knead in a little flour.
5. Let the dough rise. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning the dough over to coat top with oil. Cover the container and let rise until doubled 1 1/2 - 2 hours (this will also depend on the temperature of your kitchen).
6. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and give a 1 or 2 letter fold to redistribute grains. Round the edges and set back in container. Oil surface again, cover, and allow to rise until doubles about 45 min to one hour.
7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter, shape into an 11 -inch by 2 - inch high torpedo (or loaf if you are making sandwich bread). Set it on a prepared baking sheet and cover with a large container or cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap. Let dough rise until doubled about 40-50 minutes. (It is fully proofed when you can gently press the loaf with your fingertip and the depression will slowly fill in.
8. Preheat oven to 450.
9. Slash the bread three times at a diaganal. Spray with water. If you have a baking stone, slide loaf onto baking stone, if not place loaf on sheet pan in the oven. Spray the oven sides with water and close the door. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bread is golden brown (rotate 1/2 way through if needed) The inside temperature should register about 208 degrees.
10. Remove bread from the oven and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Friday, March 13, 2009
morning bake
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
bakery update:
It has been a while since I mentioned Squash Blossom Bakery, however, I want you all to know it is still kickin'. Goods are still being made and delivered to The Sea Store in Spruce Head. Regular appearances are made by: 
ginger molasses cookies
peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
chocolate chip cookies
pumpkin whoopie pies
chocolate whoopie pies
almond - vanilla granola
carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
&
raspberry or strawberry breakfast bars
Recommendations and special orders are always welcome. It has been a quiet winter and come spring and summer there will be many more goodies to choose from. Who knows... maybe I can bring back the danish??!!
Happy almost spring to Mainers... happy spring to the rest of the world!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
crystalized ginger
Historically it is native to southeastern Asia and is also mentioned in ancient Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern writings. Once Romans discovered and began importing ginger almost two thousand years ago it's popularity in Europe remained centered in the Mediterranean region until the Middle Ages when it spread throughout other countries. Ginger, was a very expensive spice until Spanish explorers introduced it to the West Indies, Mexico, and South America in the 16th century. Top commercial producers today are mainly Jamaica, India, Fiji, Indonesia, and Australia.
I use crytallized ginger in the ginger molasses cookies I make and it adds a wonderful spicy burst to the cookie. Buying crystallized ginger can be expensive and making it is quite simple here is a recipe for you to try, happy crystallizing!
- Peel and thinly slice one pound of fresh ginger root.
- place sliced ginger in a heavy saucepan
- cover with water and cook gently until tender, about 30 minutes
- drain off water and weigh the cooked ginger and measure an equal amount of sugar
- return ginger to the saucepan ~ add sugar and 3 Tablespoons of water
- bring to a boil, stirring often, and cook until ginger is transparent and liquid has almost evaporated.
- reduce heat and cook, stirring constantly, until almost dry.
- toss cooled ginger in sugar to coat
- to store: seal in an airtight jar for up to 3 months.
recipe courtesy of about.com home cooking.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
obsessed
I love food. I love food a lot. There are moments in my everyday life that I realize this more than others. Take today, for instance. Every Saturday Dave Mac and I go hiking, sometimes they are a bit more strenuous than others but usually nothing I can't handle (occasionally I pick and choose when he has two or more hikes or activities planned). Today, however, as I climbed into his Trailblazer (so fitting) I noticed two sets of snowshoes stashed in behind his seat. After one failed attempt at getting into a parking lot for the Bald Mt. hike (snowed in up to the windows) we went up to Mt. Pleasant. As I was getting out of the car, my intuition told me to grab that bag of granola I had stashed in my bag as I ran out of the house to go meet him. Stuffing it into my pocket I strapped on my snowshoes and headed over the snowbank.
This hike, it turns out was straight up one side and straight down the other. Then you get to the bottom turn around, and go straight back up and straight back down. Now, on my second straight back up I found myself looking for my happy place, which, turns out to be a nice cozy little cafe, with good espresso, tasty pastry, and a fireplace. Not so out of the ordinary. Now, the moment I realized my profound love (and desperate need) for food was when Dave Mac, about midway up was telling about the yummy chocolate espresso beans he had in the car for me when we got back if I could just hang in there (from my silence he knew...hunger + jess = disaster). However, when he looked back he found me, mittens in pockets, CHOWING on a bag of granola that I had, to him, magically summoned to the top of this mountain. So when he noticed the bag of granola, I kindly told him that I had a snack with me (mouth full of granola)... and as much as I didn't want to, asked if he wanted any. To my relief he was all set till we returned to the car. Me, I couldn't wait another minute.
I secretively stashed a bag of snacks in my jacket and when I was hungry, I secretively consumed that bag of snacks in hopes of not having to share any of my gold mine with the one I love. Now, for those that don't know me, normally I am pretty good at sharing (well, my food at least!) but I realized when I was caught red handed that the hunger in my belly overcame any and all thoughts concerning others possible need for nourishment. I am truly and officially obsessed.
(for those worried about Dave Mac malnourishment on our hike, he did in fact survive and no harm was done to his appetite)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
wrappin up food in '08
The 2008 Slow Food Almanac came in the mail about two weeks ago. Today, sitting on my warm porch in the rocking chair, I kicked my feet up and dug in.

Network
Biodiversity
Local Economy
Tradition
Pleasure
All are key words used in the Almanac to describe the Slow Food Movement in 2008. All are vital words to the life, growth, and understanding of this pivotal crusade.
I learned of Slow Food in 2007 while at my baking internship in Flat Rock, NC. The owner, Scott, was a member and introduced me to one of the most important shifts happening world wide in the way we grow, purchase, and consume food. Started by one brilliant visionary, Carlo Petrini (current Slow Food International President) in 1986 with only 61 other members - it has grown to a staggering 72,000+ members worldwide in June of 2008 from 132 different countries.
In the way of food, this movement is a saving grace. Focusing on everything from school food programs to agricultural biodiversity, wine to coffee, fish to carrots, this movement is trying to save our food systems and the way we live.
As I continue reading I will keep posting my favorite articles and thoughts. One excerpt I found particularly striking was a quote by Francesco Angelita describing the Snail (which was chosen as Slow Foods logo)...
Long live the Snail...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
a moment to gloat
I know this has nothing to do with food (well, it does if you consider Finn's (sometimes) over extravegant eating habits) but I couldn't resist... check out Finns moment of fame on the Loyal Biscuit blog site!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
a roasting we will go....
I have had a little experience roasting coffee while volunteering on a coffee farm back in the day. . . here is what I know:
Coffee beans are picked from coffee trees once ripe (which is a big thankless job).
A ripe coffee bean is called cherry.
When these cherries are picked at the right time, processed the right way (to strip off the outer "cherry" layer), dried to perfection (to it's "green bean" state), stored correctly, roasted and consumed in a timely manner, one great coffee experience awaits. And Dave and I have been blessed with fresh roasted coffee every morning since Christmas (thank you dmac). There is no going back.
green beans on right.... fresh roasted on left....
HAPPY ROASTING!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
blueberries in the dead of winter
Blueberry muffins are one of the quintessential breakfast quick breads to me, and I have come across the best one to date. Believe it or not, these do not sell at the Sea Store, so I save the Maine blueberries in my freezer for cold Sunday mornings and this muffin recipe. Light, fluffy, crispy on the top, with a hint of lemon zest, it couldn't be better with your morning coffee.
Blueberry muffin recipe:
courtesy of the bread bible (see picture) in cups and ounces...
4Tbsp 2oz butter
1/2 cup 3.5oz sugar
2tsp lemon zest
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup 4.75oz all purpose flour
3/8tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3cup 2.75oz sour cream (I also use plain yogurt)
3/4cup 3.5oz small blueberries
- Preheat oven - 375
- Cream butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy
- Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt
- Spoon 1/2 flour mixture and 1/2 sour cream (or yogurt) into butter and fold in
- Repeat with the rest of the flour and sour cream
- Fold in blueberries
- Pour into a 6-cup muffin pan that is lined with paper liners (and buttered, I found helps)
- Fill empty pans with water and bake 25-35 min.
Otherwise, this is a tasty recipe. Enjoy!
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