Tag Archives: cornmeal

Looking back and tapping into my Christmas Spirit

Posted in Alice Medrich, Baking Recipes, Christmas & holidays, Cookies, From the books by

Can you believe it’s the last day of November already? I certainly can’t. This was probably the fastest year yet for me, and I don’t even feel like I accomplished anything particularly special this year. I always try to do at least one thing I consider epic- like something that goes toward a personal goal, or something to slash off my bucket list- each year. I don’t feel like I did any of that this year. Sometimes I feel a little like I’m living in limbo for the rest of the year, but when Christmas comes knocking at my door, I let it in and let myself bask in the good feelings. It’s always what I need at year-end because I’m either tired from all the shenanigans I’ve been doing, or I’m just sad I didn’t do enough.

But Christmas, it always brightens up my spirits regardless of what state I may be in at the moment it arrives. And well, these biscotti helped a whole lot too. Continue reading for the recipe

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Thinking of blogging’s role in my life over Cornmeal & Olive Oil Biscotti

Posted in Alice Medrich, Baking Recipes, Cookies, Experiments & experiences, From the books by

How has everyone been? Me, I’ve been tired. It’s the kind of tiredness that seems to flow from the soul outward to the eyes. My eyes sear in the way that a person who hasn’t slept for a week would experience. I would like nothing more than to close my eyes for a good 24 hours. Unfortunately, I have responsibilities to attend to.

The good news is, things have been getting better for me. I’ve begun to learn how to look at the difficult things I have been encountering lately through different perspectives. The bad news is, I’ve been thinking an awful lot; and all the thinking has been giving me a chronic headache. Recently there have been nights when my mind literally won’t shut down and I stare at the ceiling for hours on end, just willing myself to sleep. It’s probably one of the reasons why I’m so tired. Despite this, I couldn’t resist sitting in front of my computer tonight to write this post. Apparently I’m never too tired to blog.
Continue reading for the recipe

This is how I handle a cornmeal craving

Posted in Baking Recipes, Cupcakes & Muffins, Dearly Dreaming Dorie, From the books by

You can ask me but I honestly can’t give you answer: Why on earth, of all things, would I have a sudden urge to stuff myself with things made of cornmeal? I don’t know, I don’t know. However I have to be honest with you… I liked it.

I’m glad that I’m having these kinds of cravings to balance out my propensity to stock my pantry with cornmeal, even before I finish the old packet. I’m hoping to correct that, but I cannot be blamed for all the baked goodies I imagine myself making every time I pass by a box of these yellow sandy crystals. It seems only logical to make sure I have enough cornmeal to make all of them.

Next to regular old cornbread, I figured the easiest thing that would vanquish my craving would be to make muffins. It’s basically a one-bowl deal– mix, scoop, and pop into the oven. I’ve made a couple of cornmeal quick breads before, and all of them turned out really well– favourites in one way or another actually. I wanted to go find another recipe to add to my growing list of well-loved cornmeal treats.

Continue reading for the recipe

{Dearly Dreaming Dorie} The BEST Corn Muffins. Ever.

Posted in Baking Recipes, Cupcakes & Muffins, Dearly Dreaming Dorie, From the books, My favourite things, The Breakfast Bin, Timeless Treats by

I think I have established by now how much I absolutely adore things made with cornmeal. Most of these goodies look really simple: cornbread, corn muffins, scones… Just by looking at those words one would never assume there was anything special about them, but people who have had the pleasure of eating them know that indeed cornmeal adds something special to what would have been a common dish. This is one of the reasons why I love it so much. It makes the food look so no-frills, and yet taste so so good. It is such a classic example of how not to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a muffin by its simplicity.

Continue reading for the recipe

{Dearly Dreaming Dorie} Of things fair and golden

Posted in Baking Recipes, Bread-making, Cookies, Dearly Dreaming Dorie, Experiments & experiences, From the books, Yeasted breads by

The first thing I ever baked when I got my copy of Dorie’s book (not counting the recipe I found online before I actually bought her book), if I’m not mistaken, was her Lenox Almond Biscotti. It caught my attention because, for one thing, I hadn’t made biscotti in a while, and for another, they looked luscious from the photo. And really, I haven’t found anything made with cornmeal that I hadn’t liked to some degree. I’m fairly determined to bake through Dorie’s book, mostly because I’ve been pleased with all the recipes I’ve made so far (most of which I haven’t gotten around to writing about yet, but I promise I will). I’ve been so delighted in fact, that despite my hesitation towards recipes that have more than 2 sticks of butter- the same hesitation that has stopped me from making croissants thus far- I decided to make her Golden Brioche Loaves because I just had a feeling that it would work out for the best in the end. I just really trust Dorie and her recipes.

Following my tradition of writing my Dearly Dreaming Dorie posts talking about two of her recipes at a time, I decided the theme for today would be gold, which I guess us the only thing these recipes have in common, aside from the fact they both come off Dorie’s book of course. And as I mentioned, one is a a delectable, dip-in-your coffee biscotti, and the other one is a loaf that is a cross between a full-bodied bread and a flaky croissant.

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A cake that reminds me of The Hulk. Well, sort of.

Posted in Baking Recipes, My favourite things, Quickbreads & Loaves by

I have a confession to make: I can’t seem to control my urges for a piece of this cake. Once I get started during breakfast, I keep slicing and savoring each bite ever so slowly, then I just keep wanting some more. I don’t think any other cake I’ve made has had this sort of effect on me. And did I mention it’s perfect with coffee?

I found this recipe way back as I was browsing Joy The Baker’s website and was immediately curious. There are quite a few pound cake recipes I’ve come across that I would like to try, but none that have piqued my interest as much as this particular one. I’ve already made cakes with zucchinis in them, but avocados? Isn’t that just for guacamolé and fruit smoothies? But wouldn’t it be ever so interesting though, to eat a cake that is made of avocados, or simply a cake that cannot help but be green?
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