^ the BEST Christmas cookies ^ (all recipes soon to come)
I stared blankly at the guts, splashed onto the concrete, I was not surprised plucking a white seed, my pointer and thumb slick with slime and I remembered – the aroma of toasting seeds filled the kitchen, her necklace needed adjusting, my tiny hands guided it back in its rightful place, she brushed my long hair each night – counting each stroke like a lullaby, until smooth to my pink fingertips that was a time ago, October is gone, slipping goodbye – teeth sugar coated – heels worn – make-up smeared – No one notices November. She doesn’t wear a mask but I guess that’s what people want, a painted smile and a seamless lie. my breath drains from me like an ethereal being as I drive my hands deeper into my pockets. I am going to be late, it was supposed to be two weeks sooner. My heavy boots clunk against the concrete as I shuffle – crossing the road, I double take and stop. There, jammed against the curb – muddy, torn, bent and exhausted is a pair of fallen angel wings. Happy November 1st. 
 the STUFF makes 6 muffins for the muffins . . . ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons nutmeg 1 egg 3 TBS milk ¼ cup sugar for the coating . . . 3 TBS butter, melted ¼ cup sugar what TO DO in a small bowl . . . combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg in a larger bowl . . . whisk egg add milk & sugar add dry ingredients in 3 parts stir thoroughly, but don’t over stir! in muffin pan . . . generously butter pan pour batter into pan, evenly dividing into 6 muffins in the oven . . . preheat 375 F bake for 15 – 20 mins. (until the tops are golden brown) after baking . . . melt butter dip/roll/drench muffin in butter dip/roll/toss muffin in sugar eat, enjoy! 
 They named us, crowning us with Laurel that world was ours – they promised mountains shaded by mossy canopies floating in a frothy sea, flora flushing neon in midnight. Could we bottle it, and shrink ourselves to slip under the cork? that’s where we’ll keep it – our secret land filled with all the splendor. I dreamt of rusty cars soldered to a ferris wheel revolving too slow, weighed down Could we imagine it to be like that delusion where the world is slow to spin Could we have more time to dream? _____ Pesto is a quick and delicious sauce. It’s great with fresh basil, fresh kale or …  the STUFF
1 cup fresh spinach 5 cloves garlic 4 TBS olive oil ¼ cup slivered almonds pepper, basil, parmesan cheese 1/2 pound pasta (penne, farfalle, or rotini) what TO DO in a pot . . . salt & boil water cook pasta in a food processor (or with a knife) . . . chopped spinach & seasoning in a skillet . . . add olive oil add chopped garlic, sauté remove from heat add spinach mix in a bowl . . . add cooked & drained pasta add spinach mixture stir – keep stirring (do this right after the pasta is done cooking so the pasta is still a bit wet and the sauce adheres well) if you've accidentally made some extra pesto or if you've discovered a new favorite, make some extra place in a jar - top with a little olive oil it should keep for about 4 days enjoy! - Coco       a bit delayed . . . but here they are, as promised . . . some photos from our studio trip to Chicago exactly one month ago.
Apples, under a crumble of butter, brown sugar, flour 'n' spices baked until warm 'n' crisp YUM. So is it a crumble or a crisp? Both actually. "A crisp is called a crumble in Britain" JANE DANIELS LEAR  Enough semantics, it's Monday and it's raining So here it is, for you, Monday Morning " Let it rain on my rooftop, So I can hear the sounds, Of passing winds through blowing trees, Says I'll see you around, When the seasons can say things, That I never can, When words describe nothing, When I come home again, Well I guess I must of lost it, In line of my luck, That says this is your life now, And you're done with growing up, Well I missed my mark, And I miss the trees, And I miss lying in bed today, To picture these things, " - Day At the Fair  Monday + Rain = Apple Crumble for two the STUFF 1 apple 1 TBS sugar 1 TBS cinnamon 1/2 cup flour 2 TBS cinnamon 1 TBS nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking powder 2 TBS butter, cold 2 TBS brown sugar 2 small baking cups what TO DO wash and chopped the apple (I personally enjoy the skin, if you're not a fan then peel the apple before chopping) toss the apple with 1 TBS sugar + 1 TBS cinnamon divide in two, spoon into two small baking cups in a small bowl . . . sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, slat and baking powder dump in brown sugar cut up the cold butter into 1/2" cubes, dump into bowl with your hands 'crumble' the mix together (it takes some time, but make sure all the butter 'n' sugar combine with the flour mixture) divide the crumble mixture in two, spoon on top of the apples in each baking cup preheat oven 350 F bake for 30-40 mins. (the apple juices should be bubbling up the sides a bit) check around 20 mins. to make sure the top does not burn if it is starting to, turn down the heat share your crumble with someone "only benevolence can capture what I mean"
wine cork hot plate courtesy of Papa John !
I dreamt of that house, as always this time of year. Perhaps the fragrant decaying leaves and crisp air reminds me of rotting crab apples, like the ones shaken from that tree out back. I dreamt of that house in its days of glory. When the front porch with ivy seats was so crowded, I sat atop the railing tiny, muddy feet dangling. I dreamt of that house before the white paint peeled back revealing a generation past. The ivy choked the gutters, seats sitting in solitude. I know my dream was dreamt, I was tossing crab apples, that’s how I know. They cut it down, that tree. - - - OFF DAY! Mid-Review is over! I can sleep. I did. Into the afternoon. It was glorious. Now for breakfast. Or brunch … ? No cereal?! AND no peanut butter?! I have one really rotten banana … and I have time. Here is a small batch of brunch muffins. It has the delicious combination of banana and honey, Enjoy! 
 Honey Banana Muffins the STUFF (makes about 4 muffins) 1 banana ½ cup flour ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons nutmeg 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons milk 4 tablespoons honey 4 tablespoons brown sugar coconut or walnuts (for topping) what TO DO in a small bowl … peel and mash banana in another small bowl … sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon in a large bowl … melt butter add honey, stir well (keep stirring, it really does mix) add milk, stir more add the dry ingredients and mashed banana (in 3 parts, alternating) note: mix thoroughly but do not over mix (this is a tiny recipe so you should get approximately 4 muffins) butter a cupcake pan spoon batter about ¾ full sprinkle tops with brown sugar sprinkle tops with coconut, walnuts, or drizzle on some more honey preheat oven 350 F bake for 15-20 mins. make some hot coffee (or tea) enjoy on a lazy morning - Coco 
 warm air mixed with orange tones, long walks and apple picking ! 
 Apple Fritters the STUFF vegetable oil 1- ½ cup flour 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup sour cream 1 large egg 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 -3 apples 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup water what TO DO in a saucepan… pour oil until 2-3 inches deep heat on medium heat until VERY hot (about 350 F) (heat the oil while you make the dough & the timing should be perfect) in a small saucepan... add apples (peeled and chopped), water, brown sugar & cinnamon cook on medium-low, for 5-10 mins, stir occasionally in a small bowl… whisk the egg add melted butter stir in the sour cream in a bowl… sift flour, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients FOLDING (it takes some work but do not over stir) add the cooked apples (drain extra liquid first) FOLDING if the dough is too wet, wrap and place in the fridge for 10-20 mins in the VERY hot oil… drop spoons of dough into the oil for about 1-2 mins per side set on a paper towel to dry/cool in a small bowl... mix powder sugar and milk dunk the apple fritters top with pecans wonderful after a crisp late afternoon autumn walk IF you have any leftover ... store in airtight container for up to 3 days enjoy! - Coco a knitted turtleneck, cause the late-afternoon air smells crisp, the sleeves slip past her little hands as the Macintosh meets her chapped lips crunching, her feet up on the dash. back and parked where they had tread their tracks that late snowy night. and now that one song plays on the radio, she can’t help but smile at the lasting memory, which tastes of hot chocolate and rum. now the leaves are burnt a muddy orange, as the sun bends backwards towards the weeping willow, turn the record over.   the STUFF capellini (angel hair) 4 cloves garlic 1 TBS olive oil 1 white onion 1 red pepper 2 carrots 1 can crushed tomatoes 1 bay leaf, basil, toasted onion, black pepper, crushed red pepper 0.5-1 lb ground beef Italian seasoned bread crumbs 1-2 TBS milk what TO DO mince the garlic chop the onion and pepper slice the carrots add oil and garlic to frying pan sauté the onions (about 2 mins) add the peppers and carrots (2 mins) add half the can of crushed tomatoes season, stir, cover place the ground beef in a bowl coat the top of the meat with bread crumbs add about 1 TBS of milk (this is the secret to making the meat moist) blend with your hands (then wash your hands) add the meat to the sauce add the remaining crushed tomatoes stir on med-high once the meat is cooked, lower the heat and let the sauce simmer covered cook the pasta traditionally meat sauces dresses tagliatelle (thick, flat spaghetti – similar to fettuccine) thick sauce, thick pasta – it makes sense so capellini? I know, I know – it’s just … so good. anyway cook whatever pasta your heart desires top your pasta with the Bolognese Sauce and enjoy with ….  Garlic-Olive Oil-Spice Bread
I know baking bread sounds intimidating, so when I say this is super easy, trust me. bread baked in a pot, yes a pot, it is easy and most definitely worth it! the STUFF 1 package active yeast 1 cup warm water 1 TSP sugar 4 cups bread flour 2 TBS ground black pepper 1 TBS coarse sea salt 4 TBS butter 5 cloves garlic, sliced 4 TBS thyme 2 TSP crushed red pepper 1 TBS toasted onion olive oil what TO DO slightly warm water to about 100F add the yeast and sugar, stir slightly let sit for 5 min. the mix should foam mix the flour with black pepper and salt melt butter add garlic, thyme, red pepper, toasted onion add the water mix and the butter mix to the flour mix it would be best to use a mixer but I don’t have one so I just used my hands … it worked it takes a few minutes, but trust me, it works cover the dough and let sit for 1 hour the dough should double in size on a floured surface knead the dough for about 4 minutes form the dough into a round loaf pre-heat oven to 475F coat the bottom of a pot with olive oil place the bread inside the pot cut an X on the top of the bread coat the top with some more olive oil sprinkle some more black pepper and salt on top place lid on pot bake for 30 minutes Remove lid and lower heat to 450F Bake for another 10-15 minutes Indulge. slice it and butter it or pick it apart and dip it in more olive oil mangia! 
studio has taken over, as it tends to do, shocker. mining away at my soul, yes, (lame) pun intended, my studio project is Mining Lake Michigan. this week will witness another series of all-nighters, yes, my coffee addiction has re-surged, because our site survey stuff is due and our studio is off to Chicago. so after this past week of schedule adherence, and before this week of charrettes begins, it is time for a break and a SPLURGE. (the shirt featured above, under the cupcake, was a gift from my Aunt - she dubbed it my "splurge shirt") I imagined this dessert … …hear me out … oreos … with peanut butter … … inside a chocolate cupcake … yeah.
for the chocolate cupcakes…
12 oreos (preferably double stuffed) peanut butter 1 cup all purpose flour 2 tablespoon Cornstarch 1 cup Sugar ½ teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 3 tablespoons Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix ½ cup Coco Powder 1/3 cup Olive Oil 1 tablespoon Vanilla 1 cup cold water 1 teaspoon white vinegar for the chocolate peanut butter frosting… 1/3 cup milk 2 tbs butter 8 ounces semisweet chocolate 1/3 cup PB what TO DO for the chocolate cupcakes... in a medium bowl... shift together flour and cornstarch (this makes a homemade cake flour) Add sugar, salt, baking soda, pudding & coco powder (if you do not have pudding mix, that’s okay, but the pudding mix makes the cupcakes super moist) in a large bowl... whisk together olive oil, water, white vinegar & vanilla keep whisking & gradually add in the dry ingredients in a cupcake pan... line with parchment paper (cut 5" squares and press into the pan) twist apart each oreo generously spread some peanut butter on the stuffed stuff re-sandwich each oreo place an oreo at the bottom of each cupcake holder fill each cupcake holder with chocolate batter in the oven... preheat to 350 F bake 20 mins for the chocolate peanut butter frosting… in a saucepan heat milk and butter bring to boil pour over chocholate, whisk (keep whisking … if the mix is thin, add more chocolate) stir in peanut butter spread on top of cupcakes take a break from working or studying or whatever bogs you down and enjoy a few too many of these cupcakes - Coco |
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