Monthly Archives: February 2006

Bagels, Manhattans, and Carrot Cake

Mindy, John, and I decided to make dinner together a few nights ago. I have tried to make bagels in the past with mediocre to good success. That afternoon I found myself ogling Floydm’s recipe and photos over at the Fresh Loaf and couldn’t help myself from throwing together the sponge well before we had […]

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mumu - You’ve made the two things in my mind these two weeks, bagels and carrot cake! I’ve been meaning to make them. soon, soon.

mindy - That was some damn good cake…
And the bagels were pretty impressive as well.
I had a lot of fun. We’ll do it again soon, shall we?

gemma - Hi Mumu, they are two of my favorite things! I hope yours turn out well.
Yes Mindy, let us do it again soon. This week in fact.

Salad with Warm Soft-Boiled Eggs

Today has been nice. I haven’t been outside yet and I am still in my pajamas, but I have been basking in the warm sunshine streaming through the dining room windows while I happily cross various tasks off of one of my many lists (yes, I am one of those people). I *may* have gotten […]

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J - hi gemma, there are many of us compulsive list-makers ;) what a beautiful orchid – thanks so much for sharing it

gemma - Hi J, I am glad to hear I am in good company. Yes, isn’t that one beautiful flower?

Sautéed Radishes with Nutritional Yeast

I’ve been feeling pretty anxious since returning to Chicago. I don’t know if it is restlessness, the frustration of trying to find fulfilling work, that the dynamics of my circle of friends feels a bit foreign, or hearing “plane crashes on Chicago expressway” over the radio just as my dad’s plane was getting into O’hare. […]

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Music Downloads mp3 lyrics and more - Best Music Buys CD Search and Price Comparison

It’s generally considered one of the best albums in pop music history. For all that renown, Astral Weeks is anything but an archetypal rock & roll album: in…

Tastefully Yours

My mother and I went out for a pre-Valentine’s lunch last week in Barrington, IL after a misguided attempt to find a new bakery that had been recommended to me. A woman suggested Tastefully Yours to us just before we unhappily entered Einstein Bagels to find something to eat. Located near the train station, this […]

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Rosemary Focaccia with Pasta and Egg Bake

Two of the best things about being home are seeing friends and family and having access to their kitchens. Recently my dearest friend Eileen and I made dinner at my parent’s house in Woodstock. I made focaccia with fresh rosemary and coarse sea salt using a recipe from Williams and Sonoma Essentials of Baking. My […]

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mumu - your focaccia looks wonderful! I made focaccia a couple of weeks ago for the first time and it wasn’t too successful — too flat and hard. But I’ll be trying again!

Adrienne - mmm focaccia! Welcome back!

john - First I uncover you heinous scheme to make carrot cake without me, and now I find out you’ve been making foccaccia behind my back. How can be so cruel?

gemma - Hi Mumu. Good luck with the second attempt. If you would like advice, it sounds like you may have either had a dry dough or didn’t knead for the proper time. In the end it just takes practice though and I am sure your next one will turn out great!
Hi Adrienne, thank you! It is good to be home.
Oh John, you know I wouldn’t leave you out of the carrot cake affair. . . You might have to actually come see my parents some weekend to get your hands on some focaccia though. . .

mumu - Thanks for the advice. I’ll be watching out for these things the next round. 8-)

melissa_cookingdiva - It looks delicious Gemma! What I love about foccacia is that it is easy and quick to prepare, perfect for when having last minute company for dinner :) Hugs,
M

gemma - Hi Melissa, I agree. For that reason it is one of the breads I make most often!

tara - The foccacia looks wonderful; I have such a weakness for good bread. I must admit, I was first glancing at this post I thought the egg bake somehow involved the preceeding recipe. So now I’m obsessed with the idea of focaccia and eggs!