BitterSweet

Diversity is something of a buzz word here at my university, a feature that guidebooks, staff, and peers alike take great pride in extolling at any semi-appropriate opportunity. Even from someone jaded like myself, coming from a high school composed of classmates from very different backgrounds, the sheer number of countries represented in my dorm alone is awe-inspiring - 20, to be exact! Even so, I wouldn’t necessarily consider any student more unusual than the other, as I can tell you with great certainty that everyone here is extremely unique, even those that grew up mere miles from campus. Having seen so much of this… “uniqueness” on display since my arrival over a week ago, I didn’t think that much would come as a shock anymore. That, of course, was before I ventured into the library and happened upon a student from the most exotic locale imaginable…

Pouring over his books and appearing to be quite absorbed by the text, I didn’t dare break the silence that hung in the air like a damp blanket, muffling out all other sensory distractions. No, shyness not withstanding, I wouldn’t even have known what to say, as startled to see his brilliant green skin practically glowing in the midday sun that filtered through dirty library windows. Exactly where this unusual guy came from…? I couldn’t tell you if my life depended on it, to be honest!

Knowing how out of place I had felt early on, I could only imagine his angst, as it might seem as though he was in fact from an entirely different world! Undoubtedly we’ve all felt like aliens in new, uncomfortable settings, so I think I understand his quiet reserve, studying alone and out of the way.

Next time I see this little guy by himself, I will definitely pluck up my courage and reach out to him, as I wish someone else had for me.

To make your own alien, you just need a little scrap of black felt, #7 (US) DPNs, neon green worsted weight yarn and all you need to do is…

CO3 sts and distribute along your needles
Kfb into each st (6 sts)
Kfb into each st (12 sts)
K1, kfb* around (18 sts)
K2, kfb* around (24 sts)
K3, kfb* around (30 sts)
K even for 10 rounds
K3, k2tog* around (24 sts)
K2, k2tog* around (18 sts)
K1, k2tog* around (12 sts)
-stuff head lightly-
K even for 3 rounds
K1, kfb* around (18 sts)
K even
K2, kfb* around (24 sts)
K even for 8 rounds
K2, k2tog* around (18 sts)
K1, k2tog* around (12 sts)
K2tog* around (6 sts)
Stuff, gather remaining sts and tie tightly

Feet (Make 2):

CO3 and distribute amongst your nedles
Kfb into each st (6 sts)
Kfb into each st (12 sts)
K even for 2 rounds
K2, k2tog* around (9 st)
BO and leave a long tail to sew with

To assemble, simply sew the feet at the bottom of the body as desired, cut out little eyes from the black felt and glue them to the head. Embroider or glue on a little smile, because your alien should be happy to fit into its new home!

It seems as though I’ve finally met my culinary match…

My crepes are really more like craps. I know that it shouldn’t be that hard since I’ve seen loads of vegan crepes floating around on various blogs and such… But how? Anyone have suggestions as to technique or recipe?  I need your help on this one!

Although it may seem fairly straightforward and simple, I’m finding that heat is a relative term. At home, lounging in my comfortable air-conditioned bedroom, I thought it was terribly hot out- Sweltering, even! God forbid I actually venture outside and subject myself to the full force of that brutal, heartless sun! Now, enclosed in a dorm where my only “air conditioning” comes from a tiny, desk top fan that only moves hot air around, those “hot” summer days before were truly more like a temperate summer dream. With few options to aid the situation, I’ve been tempted more than once to squeeze myself into the mini-fridge at night to sleep. Opening a window at night lets in more sounds of drunken partying than cool air, and when morning comes it seems as though I must have gone sleep-swimming, judging by the pools of sweat surrounding me.

Truly, it’s inconceivable that anyone would actually be able to suffer through this sort of heat on a regular basis, and even more impossible that it might be an ideal habitat for some. Even ice cubes frozen solid don’t last long in temperatures such as this, but unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of sitting in front of the freezer all day; Eventually, it becomes evident that I might actually have to attend classes.

Marching outside to find the correct building, the bag slung over my shoulder becoming heavier by the minute, I can feel every follicle screaming under the sun. Eyes glazing over, it’s hard to know where I’m going, even if I had known the campus well in the first place. It must have been some strange mirage or the result of sun-stroke, but glancing over from the paved path, I could have sworn that a sandy desert stretched out before me, and it truly seemed appropriate to find in this sort of heat. Now, while the sudden change of landscape didn’t alarm me in the least, sitting serenely on a rock was the strangest creature I had ever seen.

Not only was it strange to find any sort of wildlife on campus, brave enough to walk alongside rowdy students, that dodos were completely extinct in the first place! If only I had any wits about me I might have been able to make more sense of this, but simply writing this odd sight off as a mirage or figment of my imagination, I gathered up what strength remained in my over-heated and tired mind and pushed on towards class, mopping the sweat of my brow and squinting just to see through the sun’s glare.

At this point, I could have seen a dirty puddle and imagined it to be a clear, cool oasis of drinking water and tried to slurp it up, so perhaps this dodo had been no more than common pigeon in real life.

A real dodo in Massachusetts, back from extinction? I guess we’ll never know…

Before I just launch into another strange and perhaps absurd story, I’d like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for commenting / emailing / pre-ordering a book. I can’t possibly respond to every single comment, no matter how much I’d like to, but I wouldn’t want anyone to think that they’ve written to me in vain- Even if my time for blogging and corresponding via the internet may become seriously limited, I will still always read anything sent my way, and I’m trying my hardest to keep up with everyone else’s blogs. It’s no small task to keep tabs on almost 200 different blogs!

So anyway, I’m finding that the basics are the only thing that can be counted on in this transitional period. Even things that seem so obvious end up getting left behind, and it’s hard to compensate for their absence. Take for instance, potholders: Sure, you could always use a towel or your roommate’s clothing, (kidding!) but I don’t know about you, but fuzzy terry cloth bath towels and sweaty garments aren’t exactly conducive to good eating. That’s why despite earlier hesitation on my part, I’m now certain that my housewarming gift to a friend will come in handy. A month ago now, this friend moved out into a place of her own, and I sent her along with just this very kitchen staple, and a very fitting rendition if I do say so myself.

My only regret is not being able to visit before shoving off for school, and I can’t say for sure that they’ve been put to use yet. It’s the thought that counts, so even if my friend isn’t terribly interested in handling hot pots and pans with this gift, I’m just happy to give her a token that might be a reminder that I’m thinking of her. And if only I had been thinking about myself I might have remembered to grab my own set of potholders, in this exact pattern but in black and blue, I might have a few less unsavory meals, speckled with towel fuzz.

[Skull Holder pattern from The Happy Hooker]

After all of the sweat, tears, and burns that went into making the book, it is finally printing…

Pre-orders are now available, so go reserve yourself a copy or two!

Feeling for all the world as if I had just swallowed a ton of bricks, the dread of leaving for school grew only more powerful as the hours passed, my days in a comfortable home numbered and quickly slipping away. There wasn’t a thing I could say to express my jumbled emotions, no matter how I tried to talk through it, ignore it, or try to keep my mind off it; I’m simply no good at keeping anxiety at bay. Laying awake in bed, pondering what on earth might make my mind at ease, there was only one answer that kept coming back, echoing through the depths of that tired brain, but I was desperate enough to try anything.

Early the next morning, before the first light had even filtered in through my bed room window, the oven was already cranking away at full speed. Yes, baking does calm me down, and even better, I could make a treat for my new roommate and perhaps bribe a few new friends to think of me kindly. Still reeling a bit from my last baking venture, successfully signing off on a full half-dozen new recipes, there would be no fancy-pants decorating or masterful creations here, but instead something that I myself might find comforting if dropped in an unfamiliar place with only odd eatables around. Subtracting as many ingredients that might be offensive as possible, I arrived at the perfect recipe that needed only to be veganized: Dorie Greenspan’s Korova Cookies, also known as Peace Cookies. Considering how I planned to use them as a crutch to be accepted by my dorm mates, I could only hope that they might become Peace Offering Cookies as well.

…And can I tell you? I think I made a lot of new friends already.

Korova Cookies
Adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s Paris Sweets

1 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Cup + 3 Tablespoons Margarine
2/3 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
5 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, Chopped

Begin by beating the margarine in your stand mixer just to soften it up a bit, and then cream in both sugars, salt, and vanilla, mixing until creamy and fully combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa, and baking powder, and slowly sift these dry ingredients into the mixer. Stir on a low speed until just combined, and toss in the chocolate chunks. Again, mix very little in order to simple distribute the chocolate, but manipulate the dough as little as possible. It should still seem rather dry and crumbly.

Divide the dough into two lumps, press them together gently to form two logs, and wrap them up in plastic wrap. Place them in the fridge to chill for at least one hour.

Once thoroughly chilled, go ahead preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats. Slice the cookie logs into 1/4 inch rounds- Don’t worry if you mush them into strange oval shapes, as you can easily reform them with your hands after placing them on the prepared baking sheets. Be sure to give the cookies plenty of room to breathe, since it should be no problem fitting them all on both sheets with lots of space between each. Bake them for 12 - 14 minutes, and although they will not look completely done, they will no longer be so shiny on top and appear to have firmed around the edges. Leave the cookies on the sheet to cool so that they can finish cooking and solidifying. This will leave you with a delightfully soft and chewy cookie!

[Supposedly makes about 36 cookies, but I only got 18.]

Moving forward in life sometimes moving away, leaving the familiar behind in attempts to grow as an individual, and face incredible change, both good and bad. I for one have immense difficulty for change- As a creature of habit, I’m not a fan of surprises or the unexpected, be it in tiny details or huge differences. To be completely candid with you, I’m fairly terrified with change. The unknown always seems ominous in my mind’s eye, promising struggles and malaise, while I can clearly see how non-threatening the present is, contented and at ease in my comfortable home with my loving family. Of course I know that nothing last forever, and that I would undoubtedly tire of the same old routine sooner or later, it’s just hard to be handed this deadline, a deadline to grow up. Packing up my belongings for the trip up to the college campus that I can now call my own, I can’t be entirely certain that I really did make the cut off date.

Storing years of accumulated junk away in the closet and selecting only the most important craft supplies, I can’t help but come to terms with the fact that I am scared. I don’t know what to expect, and that terrible, empty, black hole where experience should be just sucks me in and absolutely petrifies me. Maybe it will be fine, maybe it will even be fun, but there’s no saying what might happen. Knowing only what I’m leaving behind, it’s hard to understand why so many other kids my age are simply chomping at the bit to leave for school. My kitchen, my parents, my dog… There’s just no way to take any of that with me, and certainly nothing to replace them with.

Letting a few pent up tears slide hotly out of tired eyes, there’s simply no way to delay this natural progression any longer. I’m ready to go, but only because I’ve run out of excuses as to why I’m not.

Please bear with me in the coming days of transition- I promise the crafts, patterns, and recipes will keep on coming, simply because there’s no stopping that endless flow of ideas no matter what’s happening in my life, but the next few weeks might be rough. The posts might be short, the crafts might be quick and dirty, but change happens… And hopefully, I’ll adjust to that change in short time. Thanks for reading this far and letting me vent today.

College, here I come…!

Making the transition into college life means a lot of things- Moving further away from childhood and closer to the “real world,” meeting new people that could become your life-long friends, learning vital skills to form the foundation of your career… And of course, neglecting your diet just in time to put on a couple extra pounds of insulation for winter. The dreaded freshman 15 is the result of too much freedom for some, but I know that my own downfall would be the lack of time. Cooking will probably fall by the wayside as my schedule fills up with classes and assignments, so in trying to circumvent such horrible eating habits, I did some research in advance to find convenient but also nutritious ways to fuel up between study groups. Cereal is already my go-to snack, meal, and comfort food when pressed for time, so I knew that I would need to go find some good options that wouldn’t leave me comatose from sugar or lack of nutrients.

That’s why I naturally turned to Nature’s Path, producers of many different cereal products that I’ve loved for ages now. From oatmeal to waffles to hand pies, everything they make is organic and generally vegan (but not all) so I figured it would be hard to go wrong with this established brand. Venturing away from my usual buys and treading through unexplored waters, it was hard to pick and choose through the extensive selection of whole grain goods, but eventually I arrived at the checkout line with some enticing new options in hand.

With such an extensive product line, how is one to choose just a few different items? They all sounded potentially tasty, so I just grabbed the first box that caught my eye- Acai Apple Granola, with Pomegranate. Filled with decently sized clumps of crispy rice, oats, and chunks of dried apple, I could clearly see that there would be no mystery add-ins with unpronounceable names here, although there was still one ingredient that had me stumped. Acai has been popping up more and more often lately, purportedly used as a source of antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids, but to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t tell you what it tastes like if it bit me on the nose. Keeping that in mind, what hit me upon first bite was the wonderfully crunchy texture and light, natural sweetness. Lacking an overwhelming or intense flavor profile, it was quite agreeable to the palate nonetheless, something that a whole family with very different tastes could probably enjoy. Easy to eat and sufficiently filling to stave away hunger until the next meal, I can’t tell you that it necessarily tasted like pomegranate, but the tart apples did provide a nice crisp counter point to the simple, sweet grains.

Straying momentarily from my initial objective, I just couldn’t resist the lure of their Peanut Butter Granola Bars. As a huge fan of granola bars, it only makes sense to find some more portable snacking options too, right? Well that’s what I told myself as the package went through the checkout line, and let me tell you, I didn’t regret this quick pick for a moment once I took my first bite. Thick, chewy, but somehow not the least bit sticky or sickening, I don’t know that I’ve ever tasted such a delicious peanut creation! Packed full of hearty oats and full peanuts, you can literally see the quality ingredients that make up such an incredible nutty flavor, slightly toasty and completely delicious. Boasting a nice rounded sweetness that pairs perfectly with the strength of the peanut flavor, it somehow managed to be completely rich and indulgent on the tongue, but not the least bit unsettling in the stomach. Seriously satisfying, I could easily have gone hours before even thinking of my hunger again!

Being a fan of all things pumpkin, I was excited to see the title of Flax Plus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch plastered across the cardboard box near me, and into the cart it went. Upon opening up the inner sleeve at home, I was a bit disappointed to learn that the “pumpkin” in the title only referred to the seeds, not the actual flavor. All the same, it really didn’t need any additional character, making an impression as is. The thick, substantial flakes crunched solidly between my teeth, tasting vaguely nutty and decidedly hearty from the abundant flax seeds visible from the outside. These are not your typical bland wheat flakes- They’re an entirely different creature altogether, and in a very good way. Mixed in with these flakes were the most delicious oat clusters, bringing in a delightful sweetness to the party and lightening up this otherwise heavy cereal. Raisins can be a tricky addition, as some people are terribly adverse to them, while others want tons of the dried grapes in everything. In my opinion, there was a good amount in this mixture- Not so many that it completely overwhelms the other components, but enough that you occasionally get a small burst of fruit flavor and nice textural contrast to the crisp grains. Only occasionally would I come across one or two pumpkin seeds, but they were certainly a treat to discover, even if I wish there had been more. All things considered, I would definitely purchase this one again for a fast, hearty breakfast.

[UPDATE: Nature's Path seems to have changed the formula on this variety recently to include honey and is thus no longer vegan!  What a shame...]

Although I could have easily continued sampling many more varieties of cereals and granolas, I decided to cap off my grain-guzzling spree with a box of Soy Plus Granola. Pouring out a bowl of sizable granola chunks containing crispy rice and oats interspersed with spherical soy puffs, I wasn’t sure what to think of this final offering, since “soy” doesn’t evoke thoughts of any specific flavor. Thankfully, it wasn’t just a bowl of bland protein pieces like so many other soy cereals tend to be, but actually a lightly sweet, almost fruity taste. The soy puffs were the absolute best- Just like corn pops, but so much healthier! Unlike that sugar kid’s cereal though, this one is nothing to feel guilty about later; it won’t leave you feeling as though you just ate candy for breakfast.

With these delicious and healthy new choices in hand, I’m sure that rushed meals or fast snacks won’t get the better of me in
college!

[Written for Go Dairy Free]

Springing out of my cozy bed at the crack of dawn, I raced downstairs to start preheating my oven and assemble my mise en place for about a dozen new recipes. Time is running short in terms of my summer vacation, and I’m really feeling the pressure now. So many things are left undone, so many recipes left untested- This would be my last chance to just bake my heart out in the comfort of my own kitchen. Banging pots and pans to create the most wretched orchestra one could hope to hear before 8 AM, such a cacophony of cookware was buzzing right in my ear that I didn’t even notice a surprise visitor sitting at the table…

An old friend who must have just flown in from France, he certainly had a way about showing up on short notice! Disappointed that I was not the early bird this morning, beaten by the friend who was now eying my baking preparations hungrily, I figured that I might as well slow down a bit and chat with this unexpected guest. However, it was immediately obvious that this guy was not here for the conversation, as evident by his rumbling stomach and insistent questions about my plans for those sweet ingredients on the counter. Wielding a fork nearly as tall as himself, it was almost comical to think that he hoped to use it just as someone about ten times his size would! Nonetheless, far be it from me to refuse a friend in need, clearly my baking spree would have to wait until his appetite had been taken care of. Searching around in the pantry, there were many shortcuts that I tried to employ, offering frozen waffles, cereal, and fruit salad alike, hoping that this picky guest would be satisfied with an easy, ready to eat meal.

Ha, as if I needed to even ask! Nothing but the best for this breakfast connoisseur. Turning up his nose at the mere thought of eaten something out of a cardboard box, he seemed to become a less gracious guest by the minute. How was I to know what this French bear would want to eat? What do the French typically eat for the first meal of the day anyways? How about something like…. French toast?

As if I flipped some invisible switch with those two words, my friend at the table instantly perked up and grinned madly at the thought of sweet, sauteed toast with some spice and a soft custard-like texture in the center. Forget saving time and my own personal agenda, this French toast project became my one and only focus, my trial recipes temporarily forgotten. Slowly the sweet, cinnamon scent of my tried and true recipe filled the air, and my friend’s eyes grew the the size of saucers, imagining his luck at having such an easily manipulated personal chef, no doubt!  He’s just lucky that this very recipe happens to be one of my favorites, and is also included in my upcoming cookbook, so I’ve had plenty of practice making it.

Hot out of the pan and onto his plate, he didn’t even give it a moment to cool before cutting in and taking a huge bite. Grinning contentedly, I was just relieved that my duties as hostess could be considered fulfilled, even if I wasn’t a willing hostess to begin with. As much as I love having friends drop in like this, I wish he could have warned me in advance, so that I didn’t fall so far behind on my own agenda!

“Organic” may be the buzz word of the decade, but it’s a concept that’s more than just a trendy fad, doomed to fizzle out just like slinkies, space food sticks, and afros. Actually, the whole conflict of organic vs. conventional foods only began a few short decades ago, as chemicals weren’t always the standard when growing healthy crops. Strange to think about, now that pesticides are practically synonymous with farming and the pros in the business are often dependent on mutant franken-foods, impregnated with fancy growth hormones and antibiotics. In this age of technological advancement, it’s difficult to imagine how life must have been without such convenient short cuts, despite how simple it must have once seemed. I know first hand that critters won’t just turn tail at the sight of a mesh fence, and nothing will faze those virulent weeds and pests that manage to invade no matter what natural preventative measures are taken. Health and environment aside, it’s those days when I’m up to my ankles in invasive sprouts, picking through leaves full of holes and sickly brown splotches, that I can almost understand the argument towards more aggressive measures. Truly, how can one grow food in a conscientious way without surrendering it to the vermin scrounging about for a free meal?

Maybe, just maybe, the farmers of old employed helpful creatures to stand guard while they tended the fields! Absurd to think about, but while I was admiring the little jalapeños beginning to form in the garden, I noticed a cheerful little frog watching my every move, dutifully protecting the young veggies from pesky thieves. Snatching up flies, bugs, and errant sprouts alike, I could have sworn that his sole purpose there was to watch my thriving plants, ensuring their safety. Since this is perhaps the most I’ve ever seen produced by my own soil, I owe this little fellow quite a bit, but I’m betting he already feels as though he’s gotten his reward- With all of the pests that he’s managed to “contain,” he’s had quite a feast, his belly practically bursting with all sorts of buggy goodness. Judging by that wide smile on his face, I would have to say that this is definitely the best solution to organic farming!