Monday, August 29, 2011

Smitten with The Smitten Kitchen

The Smitten Kitchen.  Such a cute name for a blog...I only wish I had thought of it!  If you have never heard of this blog, then please, go check it out.  It was started by a woman named Deb Perelman who does all of her cooking/blogging from her small kitchen in NYC.

First of all, I love the way she writes.  I feel like I know her...I can picture myself in her little kitchen, sipping coffee and consuming treats that she has made...and that makes me want to keep reading.  Second, I enjoy the pictures.  Yes, I am a visual person and she has a way of even making the simplist things look beautiful.  Lastly, she makes some delicious food...really, I've tried it.

I mention her on my blog because I happened to see an interview with her in my recent issue of Food Everyday by Martha Stewart (yes, we have already established that I love Martha).  Fun!  So, I am reading the interview and the last question is "Any Tips for Budding Bloggers?"  Her response? "Don't worry about what everyone else is doing; don't worry if it takes people a long time to find you.  Just be your bad, dorky self and they'll get there sooner or later."  Ok, see why I like her so much?

So, I am going to take Deb's advice and continue to be my "bad, dorky self."  My hope is that this blog will become a source of information (perhaps both good and bad), emotion (both joy and not so much joy), and entertainment (only works if you get my sarcasm).

Thank you to Deb...a pioneer in the food blog world.  I am truly smitten with Smitten Kitchen!

smittenkitchen.com

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Make Your Own Granola

I know what you're thinking..."why would I make granola when I can buy it?"  Well, I would actually respond to that question with the question..."why would you BUY granola when you can make it?" 

Ok, so I am not trying to be all high and mighty here because I am just now figuring this one out.  Honestly, I can't believe it's taken me this long to realize how easy it is to make your own granola.  Well, maybe I realized it, but just never really felt like making it until....

I was making my grocery list (this is a necessity to ensure items such as flavored sparkling water or olives from the olive bar don't end up in my cart) and asked my husband if he needed anything from the store.  He gave me his usual list...apples, bread, turkey, carrots (I know, so healthy, isn't he?  I am so proud of him!) and granola.

Granola?  Hmmmm..."why do I keep buying that?" I thought to myself.  So, coyly I asked him, "what do you think of me making your granola?"  Well, you would've thought I had asked him what he thought of spreadsheets (he loves spreadsheets by the way)!  He heartily agreed to this plan and so here I am...making granola.

I used Martha Stewart's Honey Pecan Granola as a base and it turned out beautifully.  I added some wheat germ as well as some sunflower seeds and cinnamon.  After the baking was done, I tossed in some raisins.  The great part of this recipe?  You can add as many ingredients as you want.  Lovely!!!  Try some pumpkin seeds and use pumpkin pie spice instead.  Or add other dried fruits like mango, pineapple, cranberries, etc.  The options are endless. 

Time for you to go make your own batch!

Honey Pecan Granola (Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
3 Tb butter (this isn't 100% neccesary, but does provide some good flavor)
1/3 cup honey (the better the honey you use, the better it will taste)
1/2 tsp salt

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 300'F.
2. Toss all ingredients together.  Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread in an even layer.
3. Bake 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Leave it to Mother Nature...Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park

What?  Where have I been?  Well, I am glad that you asked (or did you?)!  Yes, it is true, I was able to escape the urban jungle here in Chicago in exchange for a healthy dose of Mother Nature. 

Last Friday the husband and I flew out to Nevada...a crazy-weird state filled with deserts, casinos and sage brush...don't see too many of those things here in the midwest.  We had the fortunate opportunity to spend some quality time with family members that live out there.  They were AMAZING hosts and they not only fed us (oh boy, what a treat!), but they also drove us all around and showed us a great time.

On the schedule?  A trip to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.  If you have never been to either of these places, then you must do so at once (or just perhaps when you have the time and money).  Both are insanely beautiful. 

Our trip to Lake Tahoe involved a 10 mile (out and back) hike to the summit of Mount Rose (an elevation of over 10,000 feet).  It was magnificant and breathtaking and well worth the altitude sickness I suffered all the way down. 

The next day we drove to Yosemite via the Tioga Pass...entering from the Nevada side of the park.  It was a super crazy, twisty, turny drive (I think I threatened to puke at least 2 times) and it was again, amazing.  We arrived at Yosemite Valley and hiked the Mist Trail and saw Vernal Falls (awesome waterfall) and then Nevada Falls (super amazing waterfall!).  That night we ate dinner at the Ahwahnee Lodge (very cool, old hotel) and got some pretty poor service (our waitress, like the hotel, was very cool and old)...but the company was great.  :)

Picture of Yosemite Falls from Yosemite National Park Website
 The next day, we got up and hiked the Yosemite Falls Trail.  Wow, that was super-scary (again, I threatened to puke a few times...but didn't...of course) but totally worth it because the scenery was unreal.  We had the unique privilege of actually seeing the falls as it was such a wet spring.  Usually this time of year, everything is all dried up, but all of the falls were flowing and magnificant.

Ok, so maybe you didn't want to hear all about my amazing trip, but as usual, I feel like I really learned something from this trip.  Here's the deal, nothing gives you persepective about life like nature.  Being out there and experiencing all of the natural beauty in our country really made me feel alive and grateful.  I have never felt more free than when I was than standing on top of that mountain, breathing the fresh air,with the sun in my face, looking around at the beauty that surrounded me.  Truly a serene and peaceful moment.

So get out there and go to a park...even if it's just the one around the corner and take in the sights, smells and sounds of nature.  I gurantee it will lift your spirits!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Is that food in my hair?

Yes, that is really the title of this post.  Personally, I think it's hilarious and catchy...or maybe that's just my "different" sense of humor?  Regardless, I feel like I should elaborate.

Today was BUSY (oh boy, here I go again, all caps...I'll try to keep those at a minimum as I don't want you to think that I'm shouting at you)!  I spent the entire day working in a kitchen, racing around and cooking. The day was so busy that I joked to someone later this evening that I was sure that I had lost 5 pounds from running around and sweating so much.  The kicker?  It was so busy that I could barely remember eating lunch (wait, did I?)...that never happens!

I drive home, unload my car, and try to "relax" for a few minutes before I make dinner.  After the tacos were consumed (tacos are a favorite here in our house), I reached up to fix my hair and found a piece of rice.  My husband and I thought this was pretty darn funny.  I mean, how do you get through a whole day (or maybe part of a day?) with rice on your head?  Hilarious, yet kind of ridiculous and totally something that would happen to me.  

So, I am happy to report that there was only a small piece of rice stuck there...thank goodness.  I guess when you work with food, you never know where it's going to end up or what it's going to stick to.  :) 

It was a good, hard day, and it reminded me of why I love what I do and why I love food.  I am feeling good again and am funky-free! 

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Zucchini Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze

Guilty as charged...yes, it's true, I am a Martha Stewart fan.  When I had the opportunity to receive her magazine for a small fee, I didn't think twice about it...sign me up!!!

The magazine is more pretty pictures and ideas for things that I'll never do (decorate a lamp shade, make my own soap, build a birdhouse???  Really???  Who has time for that?), but occasionally there are some great articles and recipes. 

In the August 2011 issue there was a beautiful picture of a Zucchini Bundt Cake.  So pretty!!!  I want one!!!  So, of course, I had to make it. 

A few things I did to make it a wee bit healthier: 1) I didn't use the full stick and a half of butter.  I actually used about 4 tablespoons butter and then added about 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt.  I used pan spray instead of butter to prepare my pan too.  2) I didn't use all of that sugar...probably closer to 1 1/4 cup.  3) I added vanilla extract...about 1 teaspoon.  4) I added way more orange zest in both the cake and the glaze.

Overall, I would say it turned out pretty well.  Next time I will add a little bit of applesauce (to replace some of that butter) and perhaps some more vanilla and cinnamon. 

So....glossy...yes, indeed.
Zucchini Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze
From: Martha Stewart Living Magazine, August 2011
Ingredients:
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon anise seeds
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
Coarse salt
2 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each)
3 large eggs
1 ½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon grated orange zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 pinched ground cardamom (optional)
¼ teaspoon finely grated orange zest, plus 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Whole milk, as needed for thinning

Method:

1.       Preheat oven to 325’F. Brush a 6-cup Bundt pan with butter, and dust with flour, tapping out excess.  Whisk together flour, baking powder, spices, and 1 teaspoon salt. 
2.       Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater, then squeeze dry in a clean kitchen towel or press in a ricer. (You will need 2.5 cups)
3.       Stir together eggs and sugar, then stir in melted butter, zucchini, and orange zest and juice.  Stir in flour mixture.  Transfer batter to pan.
4.       Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.  Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let cake cool for 10 minutes.  Run a paring knife around edges of cake to loosen, and turn out onto wire rack.  Let cool for at least 30 minutes.
5.       To make the glaze: whisk together confectioners’ sugar and cardamom.  Whisk in remaining orange zest and juice, and whisk until mixture has the consistency of thick honey.  If mixture is too thick, whisk in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.
6.       Brush several layers of orange glaze evenly over cake.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Feeling Funky

A few days ago I was feeling funky.  Not funky in a good, let's go dancing kind of way.  Nope, funky, in a "why do I feel so down?" kind of way. 

It was weird.  I don't normally feel that way, but for some reason I couldn't get out of it.  So, of course, I told my husband.  I expressed my feelings and tried to explain what was going on in my crazy mind.  Perhaps it was a culmination of emotions...from finding out I wasn't pregnant (it sometimes feels like I am swirling the toilet bowl here), to a super fun, yet roller coaster experience that I had last week, to this crazy economy of ours to the anxiety I feel towards the future...is it all of these things/emotions that are causing this?

Yes, there was indeed some turmoil going on inside my head. Honestly, I'm not sure how we as humans do it.  How is it possible to have all of our crazy thoughts and still manage to function and move forward?  How is it that we are able to cope when things seem off-kilter and we are just a comment or question away from breaking down and crying our eyes out?

Yet, we do it every single day.  Is it that hope for a new day that makes it all worthwhile?  Is it the love of your family that motivates you?  Is it the good friend that inspires you?  Is it the fact that just by being here, you may be making someone's life a little bit better?

Honestly, I think it's all of those things.  I firmly believe that we were all put here for a reason.  We may never get to know that reason, but I know that we all serve a purpose.  After talking with my husband that night I realized that I have so much to be happy about and grateful for.  Sometimes it just takes a little funkiness to make you appreciate how good you've really got it.

Yes, I am sad that I am not pregnant, but I am pretty sure that I have a lot to look forward to.  I honestly and totally believe that I am here for a reason....and if I am lucky enough to be here to just make one person's life a little bit easier/happier/better...than that might just be enough for me.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Judging a Book by it's Cover...Gwyneth Paltrow

Weird title for a blog post, I know.  But here's the deal.  Gwyneth Paltrow recently came out with a cookbook.  Really?  I mean, really?  My first thought was just that.  Why is it that celebrities try do everything?  If you sing in Hollywood, you are amazingly an actor as well.  If you are an actor, you are also a gifted singer/song-writer.  So of course, if you want to write a cookbook, it absolutely makes sense that you do so.

I actually really like G. Paltrow, but when I saw her face on the cover of the June 2011 issue of Bon Appetit, it sort of annoyed me.  There she was, all beautiful and perfect, smiling in her million dollar kitchen.  Alright, so maybe it's just jealousy...ok, it is.  But seriously, this woman better be able to cook or I am going to be even more annoyed.

Because I like her, I decided to give her a chance.  Turns out she may actually know a thing or two about cooking.  From what I know, she learned to cook from her Dad who also shared a passion for food and cooking.  It's hard to knock that.  Sure, the pictures are a wee bit cheesy...no one looks that good cooking in the kitchen...seriously...who wears a skin tight dress to make dinner?  But the food sounded and looked good. 

One recipe caught my eye.  The Grilled Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce.  It required very few ingredients, most of which I already had on hand, and I figured this would be the test.  So, I made it and of course, it was delicious.

So, I am sorry G.P. for being so judgemental.  It turns out you are beautiful, talented and handy in the kitchen.  Kudos to you...maybe someday you and I can write a cookbook together!!!

Grilled Chicken With Peach BBQ Sauce
G. Paltrow, Bon Appetit Magazine, June 2011

Ingredients
1 cup chopped peeled fresh peaches or 9-10 ounces frozen sliced peaches, thawed, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce from canned chipotle chiles in adobo
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless organic chicken breasts
vegetable oil

Preparation

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan. Season lightly with salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer until peaches are very soft and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat; let cool. Pour peach mixture into a blender and purée until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place half the sauce in a medium bowl; add the chicken and turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes, or cover and chill for up to 8 hours, turning occasionally. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce.

2. Prepare a grill to medium-high heat. Brush grill rack with oil. Grill chicken until browned and almost cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side. Brush on all sides with reserved sauce; grill until glazed and cooked through, 1-2 minutes per side. Slice crosswise. Serve remaining sauce alongside.






      Picture from bonappetit.com

      Tuesday, August 9, 2011

      Woo hoo! Preheating the Oven Chicago has made it to it's 50th post!

      Can you believe it?  Neither can I!  This is officially my 50th post on the Preheating the Oven Chicago blog.  Amazing...honestly, I wasn't sure if I was really going to stick with this, but here I am, still babbling! 

      Thank you to the very select few followers and the even fewer non-followers reading the posts!  Hopefully you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have had fun typing them. 

      Ironically, I have never really been into journaling (that's a verb, right?), but this for some reason, just seems to work for me.  Somehow I am able to express myself quite clearly on this little blog and it's been a really nice outlet.  So thank you to all for supporting me in this...it has been fun and challenging (but in a good way).

      Here's to 50+ more posts!!!

      Sunday, August 7, 2011

      Door to Door Organics


      Ok, so don't get jealous, but that picture up there represents the AMAZING collection of yummy produce I recently received from Door to Door Organics here in Chicago. 

      How did I hear about this place?  Well, one of my good friends forwarded me an email from Living Social about a discounted deal on a box of organic produce.  Of course I had to check it out and after browsing their website and justifying the need for a full box of produce for just two people...I decided to bite the bullet.

      Of course not all of it's local (no banana trees here in Chicago), but it is organic and they do have the option of only choosing local goodies if you want. 

      All in all, I am impressed with everything I got.  I would absolutely order from them again.  If you are in the Chicago-area, give them a try, you won't regret it!

      

      Thursday, August 4, 2011

      Will they like me?

      Have you ever wondered that?  I feel like I wonder that all of the time.  I have a history of needing to know that I am accepted and liked.  I'm not sure, but I think it all started in the 2nd grade.  Back when being the new kid in the Catholic gradeschool was anything but cool.  I dreaded school and I couldn't stand that I never seemed to fit in no matter how hard I tried.  I was picked on and it was hard.  Crazy that I can still vividly remember all of the hurtful words and things those kids did to me.  My savior in all of this???  My dearest friend  (since the 2nd grade of course) of 25 years!  :)  She was the only one who didn't care what people said...and she's still this way...love that about her.

      Over the years, I continue to worry if people will like me.  I seek signs of acceptance and approval and it really drives me crazy.  After some good thinking on this and talking through it with some professionals, I have started to turn off that little voice that says "you're not good enough, you're not smart enough...you're just not enough."  Oh, it sure is hard, but necessary in order for me to move forward.

      That brings me to today.  As I sit here in the hours before a relatively important event, I have caught myself wondering "will they like me?"  Oh no, not again!!!  Luckily, I am able to identify this little voice these days and squash it...even just if it's just a little bit. So here's what I say.  I am who I am.  If they don't like me, they don't like me.  Not everyone is going to like me or approve of what I do or say and that's ok.  I need to stop being the one that gets in the way of me!!!

      So, here I go...like me or not!

      Wednesday, August 3, 2011

      A Meaningful Quote

      I had the fortunate opportunity of attending a local Resolve (The National Infertility Association) support group meeting.  I had been thinking about going for awhile, but never really put much effort into it.  Recently, I have felt like I needed the support of women like me and so I finally signed up and went to my first meeting.

      I met some amazing women going through some pretty difficult stuff.  It made me feel better hearing thier stories and listening to the different ways they deal with all of this.  It was so great to be surrounded by people going through the same thing as me.  We all agreed that while everyone has the best intentions, they can't always provide the support like someone going through all of this can. 

      The lovely woman who hosted the event left us with what I think is a very good and meaningful quote.  It's not only true for people on the baby journey like me, but for everyone.  I am personally going to post it on my refrigerator.

      "When you're negative and receive a disappointment, you've been hurt twice. But when you're positive and receive a disappointment, you've only been hurt once."

      So true!!!