Vanilla Bean and/or Orange Shortbread Cookies January 31, 2013

I made some super fantastic cookies for my mom on her birthday.

The vanilla bean shortbread is great on it’s own or can be doctored up in many ways. You can opt out of the vanilla bean part and just use the vanilla extract, but you would be missing out on a really awesome taste.I made a huge batch and split it in half, adding orange zest and juice to one of the halves. I would also recommend a shot of espresso or a packet or two of  Starbucks via. I think they make a Blonde roast that is far less bitter than the regular roast.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• Interior scrapings of 1 split vanilla bean
• 3-4 cups flour depending on moisture and altitude
• ** for orange version**
• 3 teaspoons finely grated fresh orange zest
• Juice of ½ orange
• Juice of ½ lemon

Preparation

In a mixer or with electric beaters mix butter, sugar and salt until creamy.

Continue mixing; add the egg yolks one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and scrapings from the vanilla bean, orange zest and citrus juice.

Reduce speed on mixer and add flour one cup at a time, allowing flour to incorporate before adding more. Add flour until the dough starts to look dry, but still soft.

Remove dough from mixer, roll into a log and wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.  

Preheat oven to 375°F and unwrap dough. Slice the dough to create rounds about ¼ to ½ inch thick and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake until cookies look dry and lightly golden.

 

Screw you shingles! December 30, 2012

So it turns out that the super itchy and painful rash on my scalp neck and face is shingles. I really wasn’t expecting that when I went to the doctor.

She gave me meds to get rid of it and another pill for itch, which isn’t really working. Since the majority of the area is on my scalp, calamine lotion seemed like a bad (or at least unattractive) idea. I know chamomile and oatmeal are often used for itch and irritation so I figured I’d make some kind of soak.

Before I got started I did a little research online and found some helpful recipes, which I then combined and specialized for my somewhat specific need.

From what I read, many people use chamomile to lighten their hair. I’ve done it with lemon juice before and it was pretty effective- in case anyone is interested. The Internet also says that green tea seems to work better for hair and scalp health, so I used both.

As I read on I found other ingredients that seemed beneficial: either for itch relief, astringent properties (to dry out the sores and promote healing) or moisturizers. I ended up with a sort of manic solution to all my problems, which turned out to be more of a shampoo than rinse/treatment.

The result was quite good. I had instant relief on application and then as I massaged it in I started to feel a tingle from the astringents. I kept it in for a few minutes and rinsed when the stuff got in my eye (not fun). After rinsing my hair felt clean and to my surprise not tangled. From what I can tell that was the xantham gum, which I added to thicken and keep the solution mixed. Be warned, I sneezed and added too much xantham in the first batch and it turned into a goo that reminded me of the pink slime in Ghostbusters 2.

So here is the recipe for my anti itch shampoo with a description of the qualities of each ingredient:

*4 cups water (most recipes called for distilled, I just used regular tap)
*2 green tea bags (soothes and moisturizes – has natural Panthenol)
*2 chamomile tea bags (antiseptic and anti inflammatory)
*1/2 apple cider vinegar (antibacterial)
*1/2 cup oatmeal – non instant, just oats (anti itch)
*1/2 cup Dr. Bronners soap (very gentle Castile soap for lather)
*1/3 cup jojoba oil (moisturizer, could be replaced with olive or coconut oil)
*1 tablespoon tea tree oil (pretty intense astringent, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic)
*1 teaspoon xantham gum (thickener, detangler)

Boil water with tea bags. Once boiling reduce heat and add vinegar and oatmeal, simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and return to pot. I’m keeping the oatmeal to grind up and use as a paste for itchy spots.
On a very low flame and stirring constantly, add the rest of the ingredients xantham gum last. Stir until everything is incorporated, pour into a squeeze bottle and let cool.
I didn’t put the xantham gum in until after I took it off the flame and it ended up clotting a bit, I think the trick is to move quick while mixing.

Time for Outsidelands August 11, 2011

Here is my schedule

Here’s some last minute tips for SF Outsidelands, happening this weekend in Golden Gate Park.

Prep:

- Check out the lineup and schedule and make a plan. There are a ton of amazing bands, many playing at the same time. Decide which ones are must see shows and then work around those times. It takes a while to move from one stage to another, so keep that in mind while you plan.

- Look at the map. It’s big and there is a lot going on. Get an idea of the layout ahead to save some time as you run between stages.

-Pack the night before. Gates open at 11am and it will take at least an hour to get there, even if you live in the city. I live 40 miles from SF, it usually takes me an hour to get there (and park) but I’m planning on a two hour trip. I don’t know about you, but I just want to grab and go tomorrow morning.

What to pack:

- Sealed bottle (max 1 liter) of water or empty reusable bottle. They will make you empty your bottle unless it’s factory sealed. You can add water any time at one of the refilling stations inside.

- Snacks. SF offers amazing food and this festival is no different, but the lines are long and the prices are high. Grab some snacks to cover you between meals.

- Layers! The forecast is sunny with highs in the low 60′s and temp dropping ten degrees in the evening. No idea about wind and no guarantee this forecast is accurate. Bring something warm for the late shows; you can use it as a cushion or pillow during the day.

Don’t forget sunscreen! It might not be that hot, but it’s full sun all day. Protect your skin or you will get burned.

Other tips:

- Camp out (as in watch the band(s) lined up before.) If there is a band you really want to see, you might need to get there early to ensure good seating. This is important for the big name acts at the end of the night, it gets really crowded and if you want a good spot you’ll have to put some time in. Hang out at that stage ahead of time and move forward as the crowd clears.  I’m pretty sure I will be parked at Lands End all day Saturday.

- Take public transit. Unless you already made parking arrangements, you will not find parking. Believe me, it’s hard enough to park in that area on regular days.

- Explore the City! SF is a great place, grab breakfast near Irvine street before you head in and grab drinks after the show anywhere in the city. Check out yelp for suggestions.

- Be green! Outsidelands does their best to stay green with a solar powered stage, recycling and compost bins. Follow along and bring reusable or recyclable containers for your snacks. And of course, don’t litter.

- Be careful, be smart! This is a safe place as long as you are smart. If you get trashed and wander off to a sketchy area, you are really asking for trouble. I know a lot of people like to party hard at concerts, but three days outside in crowds and funky weather is rough enough for me, I can’t add booze without burning out.  Don’t do anything that will end up messing up your experience.

Extra warning to people planning on stopping by Hippie Hill for mischief during your trip: There’s good odds you’ll get ripped off and/or busted. Everyone knows about the concert and will be looking for tourists to scam and police will be in full force and on the lookout for knuckleheads.


Super Easy Hollandaise August 1, 2011

For the longest time I was intimidated by hollandaise sauce, but today I conquered my fear. It was brilliant! Instead of a double boiler, whisk and a prayer – I used a hand blender and microwave.

The following is a recipe for hollandaise so easy, you’ll feel like you cheated.

Super Easy Hollandaise

2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
2 sticks butter
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of cayenne pepper

Cut butter into cubes and place into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about a minute and a half, or until completely melted. Add yolks, cream and lemon juice into standard blender, or  if using a hand blender, tall cup the with of the blender or high walled bowl. Blend for a minute until incorporated and frothy. While blending, slowly pour in butter, leaving any milk solids in the bottom of the container. Add salt and cayenne, taste and season more if desired. Serve right away.

How easy is that?!

Rant July 21, 2011

As a warning, I’m having a hard time figuring out how I feel about a few things, so I’m gonna go all ranty   I suggest you read my repost of  feminism and the new domesticity before continuing. It might help to understand my internal debate.

Ok readers, I cranky and I’m not ever sure who I’m cranky with. You see, the last few times I’ve been to the supermarket I’ve been “praised” for knowing how to cook. I have also heard that I was a good girl or a good catch because I was domestic. This irks me for few very different reasons.

Many of the women in my social circle do not know how to cook and many of the women in my age range that I’ve met casually don’t know how to boil water.

How are these women feeding themselves?! Ok, I know that it is possible to feed yourself without ever touching your stove. But I question how well these women understand nutrition. Do you really understand what you are eating if you don’t know how it’s made, what it’s made with and where it comes from?  With obesity levels skyrocketing and more and more studies tying disease to chemicals in food, I wonder if there is a correlation.

It’s a fair argument to say that a person who cooks every meal could be just as unhealthy as someone who eats only prepared meals. I’ve cooked some horribly unhealthy dishes, but I don’t eat those every day. And I bet my butter laden French concoctions don’t compare to a Big Mac when it comes to sodium, saturated fats and preservatives.

I worry about the health of the women in my generation and the families they create. Remember the people in Wall-E? Sure that’s a little extreme, but it’s not impossible.

In general I’m a little sad for people who don’t know the basics of cooking because they are limited in what they can eat. You can’t eat something that a store or restaurant doesn’t provide pre-made. They are also losing out on the sense of accomplishment from a great meal you made yourself. This sounds sappy, but I’m a firm believer that homemade food tastes better because it was made with love.

If you didn’t grow up in a household with a parent who cooked and didn’t grow up watching PBS with cooking shows featuring Yan Can Cook or Julia Child (like me). Do yourself a favor and read more blogs like this, better yet read a blog less manic. One with regular recipes with lots of step by step instructions and pictures. Learn about the food around you, what’s in it and where the ingredients come from. Educate yourself so you make healthy decisions about what you eat, even if you choose live on pre-made meals.

Thoughts like the ones I just mentioned really piss off my inner feminist and make me feel cynical

Why is it assumed I would make a good wife and mother if I know how to make a meal? Does anyone who finds out I am a savvy couponer and cutthroat deal hunter think I would make a fantastic CFO?

I am for the most part torn on how modern domesticity falls on my feminist radar. But honestly, I’m not a hard-core feminist. I AM a strong, independent woman, capable of  supporting myself on economic and domestic fronts. And I am truly sad and a little disappointed for women who can’t make that claim.

Why is homemade and handmade “Trendy”?

I did mention I’m cynical right?

I love Craftzine and Martha Stewart is nobody’s fool. But I have to ask, why is something that was a necessity for so many generations now a trendy thing to do for the upper middle-class? Is it because food and materials are so expensive it has forced the poor to buy cheap, pre-made things – usually of poor quality? Did we screw over the poor with our funky, shabby-chic weekend projects?

Am I just a hipster douche for blogging about my made from scratch goodies or am I actually contributing something to the interwebs?

Update: tags were supposed to read “domestic 30something girl questioning feminism and her contribution to the internet slash world” but it got all jumbled

Ricotta Two Ways July 20, 2011

I worked at Cafe Gratitude for a month doing their books. Like a chump, I didn’t take full advantage of my employee discount. I did use it once at their location on Harrison St and had an amazing polenta (I AM WARM-HEARTED) with faux-ricotta made with cashews. It was sooo damn good that I have been searching the web for recipes. In my searching I also noticed a few recipes for real ricotta and was surprised how easy it is. I think I’ll be making both kinds on a regular basis.

These are the recipes I tried out:

Fauxcotta

1/2 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 lb extra firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or kosher salt
1/4 cup basil, parsley or herb of choice (optional)

Throw the first four ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth, crumble the tofu into the blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend until desired consistency is reached.

Homemade Ricotta (dairy)

4 cups whole milk (1 quart)
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup buttermilk *optional – give you a creamier cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Slowly heat dairy in a nonreactive pot, be careful not to burn the milks. Just before boiling, add lemon juice and salt and stir. As it boils it should start to curdle, the longer you let it boil the firmer the ricotta will be. When it is the desired consistency,  drain the curds from the whey through a strainer lined with a few layers of cheese cloth. Set the strainer on top of a bowl and let it slowly drain and cool. Twist the cheesecloth and give it a little squeeze to shape the cheese and remove any extra liquid. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Small Obsession

My sweetie and I have been creating a list in our heads of songs that use unique words in the lyrics. Unique as in no other song uses that word. It’s a little hard to prove, but some are givens. Like in Jessie’s Girl, he uses the word “moot”, common enough word but I dare you to find another song that uses it.

Other easy words are the ones the artist made up, like Lucubrious  or Pompitous.

Then there are words like abolitionist, proposition, compositions, procreation, statistics and hallucinatory – I think they might be unique, no one has proven me wrong yet.

So that’s why we made a tumblr blog! To share the insanity!! Add words you think are unique or disprove words already posted.