Baking

Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

October 5, 2011 by Charles 6 Comments

You have to applaud the marketing efforts of Nutella. Nutella is, as the box proudly proclaims, little more than sugar and a mix of hazelnuts and cocoa. Indeed, the first ingredient listed is sugar. Owing to its healthy mix of hazelnuts, the spread also has its share of fat. And yet, Nutella is branded as a necessary component of a balanced breakfast – as if it contained some vital, indispensable nutrients. In almost all of its marketing literature, Nutella is featured at the breakfast table.

In fairness, Nutella does not advocate downing spoonful after spoonful of its spread. Instead, the company notes that without Nutella, you might forego that piece of otherwise boring whole wheat toast. In that respect, …

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a Kick

July 23, 2011 by Charles 9 Comments

The other day, I noticed that there were three unopened boxes of elbow macaroni, sitting peacefully in my cabinet. And I know what happened. Every trip to the Kroger leads me through the pasta section. And I think, “Hmmm. I wonder if I have any macaroni at home?” Better safe than sorry, I pick up a box and add it to the cart.

Tired of pushing those boxes out of the way…

Homemade Cinnamon Twists

June 5, 2011 by Charles 4 Comments

If you’ve seen my camera after I’ve been in the kitchen, you might think that it doubles as my sous chef. The shutter button is a little greasy and there’s flour dusted along the hand grip and on the aperture dial. There may even be a little sugar along the shoulder strap. Even the tripod may bear some semblance of kitchen work. Cinnamon or nutmeg may be sliding down its leg.

One of my favorite parts about creating my blog entries is assembling the collage, putting together the step-by-step tasks that create the final product. But to do so requires shuffling my floured hands back and forth, from the cutting board to the shutter, and then, possibly, to the white balance meter and the focus arrows.

Once the shot looks good, it’s back to the board, …

Cheese Straws

June 5, 2011 by Charles 2 Comments

A savory alternative to cinnamon twists is cheese straws. The preparation and process is much the same, but instead of cinnamon and sugar, try gruyere, parmesan, …

Whole Wheat Banana Oat Yeast Bread

May 28, 2011 by Charles 10 Comments

Over the last few days, I’ve watched my bananas go from a bright yellow, worthy of wearing the leader’s jersey in the Tour de France, to a soft brown, like a tattered and mud-splashed elementary school bus.

Banana bread and banana muffins are always easy options for an overripe bunch. But banana bread is – let’s be honest – closer to cake than either bread or a trip to the bottom of the food pyramid. For that reason, I took my overripe bananas and turned them into real banana bread – not the quick kind. Indeed, if you know me, you know that I often enjoy taking the long and meandering route, passing through several culinary steps and preparation detours over what might have otherwise been a one-step, ten-minute trip, down the intercity highway (see curried couscous).

While this banana bread requires kneading and resting, rather than mixing and pouring, it is …