The Persuasive Power of Pumpkin Cheesecake (and the joy of being snowed in!)

So January's culinary adventures culminated in an attempt at my first cheesecake.  All of you know that I am more of a cookist, not so much a bakist.  Still, I felt the draw towards this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake, and I simply gave myself to it.  I also have a couple of cans of pumpkin puree circa October '09, so I thought it would be good of me to use one of them.  I must say, dear readers, this cheesecake was FANTASTIC.  The crust was sweet, crumbly heaven, and the actual cheesecake was creamy and more on the fluffy side (not that so-hard-you-need-a-knife-to-cut-a-bite cheesecake).  As she promised, it was indeed rich (3 packages of cream cheese...and I didn't skimp on the fat, though I'm sure the neufschatel would do just fine).  I brought it to my small group on Monday, and it was a hit.  Just look at their satisfied faces!  As I reflect, I think Paula's recipes are better for apps and desserts, as I felt most success with this recipe and the black eye pea dip at the beginning of the month. Granted, I didn't make many things from her book, but what I did led me to this conclusion. 

As many of us living in the South experienced a wintry blast, allow me to share some pics of the snow from my apartment.  I've basically been in my apartment for the past 48 hours, and I've loved it.  Lots of relaxation and pajama wearing.  I was supposed to host a cooking club with friends from the Summit last night, and though I am sad we didn't (I had quite the menu planned), we'll reschedule and there will be plenty of pictures of our creations.  Of course, being a true Southerner, I immediately go the grocery store for the necessities, which translates to an excuse to make Giada's Tomato Soup with Pancetta (yes, again) and Hot Russian Tea.  I came home from Harris Teeter and began destroying the kitchen.  I even baked two loaves of the rosemary bread, taking one to Brannon and Adrienne for our game night.  I'm not kidding you people, this bread is awesome.  

Speaking of that delicious expression of carbohydrates, dare I say that I may have found a way to improve on my sister's Rosemary Bread?  Can you say garlic?  I have now baked six loaves successfully, and I can't help it: I am so proud of this last round and my new spin.  I have updated the link with the garlic-lover option; just scroll to the bottom.  Taking a picture of one of the loaves was the perfect opportunity to use my new platter from Target.  I've been stalking (a phrase my sister and I use for all the things we like at Target) it since summer, and finally it was on clearance.  I got it, four bowls, and six appetizer plates which are perfectly sized for olive oil dipping!  

As we are exactly one day away from February, I hereby announce my book of the month: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients.  I've watched Ina Garten's show many times on Food Network, and I anticipate some yummy results from her book.  I am just going to have to pretend to be cooking in a renovated barn kitchen in the Hamptons. 

Not 100% Convinced

Alrighty, I have spent the past week and weekend catching up on my Deen promise, and, I hate to say it, but I just can't recommend Paula's book/recipes with the same enthusiasm as I did Rachael Ray and Giada de Laurentiis.  I was craving some warm, hearty soup last Thursday, so with eight yellow onions on hand, I christened my new dutch oven with a batch of French Onion Soup.  I should have known something was up with the recipe when it said saute the onions over low heat until yellow and tender.  My goodness, nothing, much less an onion, can become tender over low heat.  I took liberty and increased the heat.  Then I began looking at some other recipes for the soup, and many of them involved more flavor; Julia Child's even suggested caramelizing the onions.  Basically, after doing everything the recipe instructed, I ended up with a pot of bland soup.  Despite those lovely aromatics above, my beloved garlic, fresh thyme, and a bay leaf, it just didn't have any zing.  I had to add quite a bit of salt.  Now what was a lovely discovery was gruyere cheese.  Thanks to Trader Joe's, this mild, yummy, melty cheese wasn't too expensive, and what a lovely topping it was to the slice of French bread.  Basically, the bread and the cheese were the best part.  So, I'll give you the link to Paula's French Onion Soup, but I don't recommend it.  Next time, I'm caramelizing onions with Julia.

To continue with the trend of breaking in my Christmas gifts, I made her sweet potato biscuits.  I had a bit of trouble with the food processor (didn't know the feed tube had to be inserted in order for it to run), but soon, with the immense help of my roommate adding flour to a sticky mess, I ended up with sweet potato dough.  I rolled it out a bit too thin, and the book's instructions said to slice it into non-traditional squares with a pizza cutter.  Result? Flat, square biscuits that were, appearance aside, quite tasty.  The second batch I attempted to reshape the dough, and well, you can see for yourself.

The recipe I used is not what I linked you to above.  The link will take you to one that is a bit more revised, not even involving a food processor.  Some of the comments suggest adding cinnamon, nutmeg, etc., and I agree with those suggestions.  It was very good with the butter and honey, though.  I will make these again, but I will have a more traditional look, rolling out a thicker dough and using a biscuit cutter.

To round out the evening, I used some heirloom tomatoes from Trader Joe's and crafted the scrumptious bruschetta that made mouths water while watching Julie & Julia. Basically, cut up your tomatoes, toss with chopped basil, olive oil, fresh ground pepper, and kosher salt (to taste).  Then fry (yes, fry!) your slices of French bread in some olive oil over medium heat.  Put the glorious tomato mixture on the bread and poof!  You have the epitome of culinary simplicity.  Oh, it's so yummy.

As I type, I have Paula Deen's last chance to impress me baking in the oven: Pumpkin Cheesecake.  Stay tuned!

A Deen, some beans, and a smidge of Boston

Hi all! January is Paula Deen month, and I began with making her Black Eye Pea Dip for my small group girls as we watched the BCS National Championship game. Much to Chrissy's chagrin and conversely Adrienne's delight, I cheered on Alabama. With the exception of Florida, if it's an SEC team playing, I'm all SEC. Let's return to the food. The dip was tasty, but absolutely, by no means, do you need all the liquid she calls for in the dressing. I think you could decrease by at least 1/2 if not 2/3. As with all recipes, you don't know until you make it, but now I know, so if you want to make it, save that precious olive oil for other occasions. Good for anytime of year...a refreshing mix of flavors that requires minimal prep work. I served it with blue corn chips.
I have not made anything else yet because I spent last weekend with my friend Emily in Boston. Oh, Boston. I knew when I visited there in April 2008 that I would be back, and there I was, not even two years later, strolling the streets of this fantastic city. It's charmingly European while being distinctly American. The only difference in the experience was the need to be bundled, layered, and wrapped to ward off the cold, a cold that must have come straight from the Arctic Circle. Brr. Despite that bitter wind that laughed in the face of my scarf and mittens, Em and I had a blast. We were staying in Wayland, a town outside of Boston just minutes from Walden and Concord. Speaking of Walden, Thoreau's beloved haven in the woods was simply overwhelming in its beauty. The snow created a serenity that has surely calmed the most chaotic of hearts for centuries. Beth, our host in Wayland, then guided us to the battlefield where the "shot heard round the world" rang out, marking the beginning of the Revolutionary War. We traipsed through snow and gazed at this historic site, markedly quiet and desolate due to the cold. Most, I'm sure, would prefer to make these American pilgrimages in warmer temps, but the winter was rather perfect to me. No crazy tourists to hinder my camera's eye. Following Lexington Green, we went to Author's Ridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (no headless horsemen here, that's in New York). At the highest point of the cemetery, we found the grave sites of American literary giants: Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne and all the Alcotts. After paying our respects (and wishing we had a stone to lay on Emerson's rock), we proceeded to Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott's childhood home.
As many of you know, I have quite the fondness for Little Women, and being in her home, the place that inspired her to write of Meg, Beth, Amy, and Jo March, sent literary joy all through my veins. Em and I bought a few things at the shop, and I came up on this quote from Ms. Alcott: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." I love those words. Well, after touring the house, taking in all its glory and splendor, we drove around quaint, picturesque Concord again and then on to lunch at the Wayside Inn, an absolutely lovely establishment that has been feeding and boarding patrons for over 300 years. I opted for a fairly traditional lunch of clam chowder and Yankee pot roast, and both were just what my chilled bones needed. Finally, Em and I went into Boston for the night. We ate dinner at Casa Romero, a more refined Mexican restaurant that was recommended to us by none other than Rachael Ray's show, Tasty Travels. Our meal consisted of guacamole, ceviche of fresh fish, Baja style fish tacos, and the soup du jour, a killer bowl of butternut squash soup. We left with full, happy tummies. The next day began with breakfast at Flour, Joanne Chang's super chic, urban cafe/bakery which boasts an out-of-this-world sticky bun, a pastry that easily defeated Bobby Flay's on his show Throwdown. I know that most people go to Boston for its history, but I'm telling you, you must go to Flour. No option. Go. You won't be disappointed.

Emily and I both enjoyed a sticky bun, savoring each and every sweet, buttery bite of delectable pecan-covered brioche (are you salivating yet?). We then did some walking and shopping in Beacon Hill, and we both emerged triumphant with stylish coats from Second Time Around, a gem of a consignment shop on Charles Street. My attention was assuredly caught by Deluca's Market, a recommended stop by many on the Food Network. I mean, how could any self-respecting foodie not be drawn in by this storefront?
Our day ended at Bukowski's Tavern near our hotel in Copley Square (there's another location in Cambridge). We scarfed down some yummy sweet potato fries and watched the basketball Vols pull off what didn't seem possible: an unquestionable win over top-ranked Kansas. Em and I might have been a little obnoxious during the game, but hey, how could you not? It was the perfect ending to the weekend.

I didn't think I was going to give you such a play by play of my time up there, but I do hope you enjoyed it. Whenever you make it to that city, perhaps my suggestions and musings will prove helpful.

I will be spending more time with Paula "Embrace Butter Always" Deen and cooking up some of her creations, but for now, let me leave you a successful baking experience with my sister's rosemary bread. It took one failed attempt with yeast to understand what "warm" water actually means, and now I have something to be proud of. Yes, Ashley, it was easy. Thanks for answering all the phone calls!

Culinary Christmas

Not surprisingly, my friends and family knew what to give me for Christmas. I received all kinds of new kitchen items, from a beautiful silver platter, a couple of santoku knives, Pyrex glass cookware and storage, a french press for my coffee adventures (yum!), to the Blackberry Farm Cookbook. The two additions that literally have my head spinning with possibility are my new Cuisinart and 5.5 quart dutch oven (cream colored...my favorite!).

I will no longer be frustrated when the recipe's directions say, "in a food processor..." or "in a dutch oven..." Watch out previously daunting recipes...nothing's stopping me now. Many thanks to all of you for contributing such wonderful kitchen accoutrements. I'm so excited!

For today, allow me to blog without sharing a recipe, but rather a compendium of fun from the holidays. After seeing Julie & Julia this past summer, my friends Michelle and Ginny and I resolved that we would cook Boeuf Bourguignon, the dish that sent Julie Powell to the floor in tears, during my holiday visit home. While we had no such crying fits, we did have some Larry, Curly, and Moe moments while transferring from pot to pot and back to the same pot. And yes, this dish is demanding of your time, but my goodness, how delectable was the result! It's a star, one I'd only create again for a special occasion when I have all Saturday to cook. As proof of our victory, Ginny took a couple of pictures. Lovely photography, my friend!

From a bit uncertain in a large pot......to scrumptiousness in a lovely bowl.
For my dad's New Year's Soup extravaganza, I contributed Tomato Soup with Pancetta, the soup I cooked for my supper club in December. Despite charring the onions a bit with my dad's gas burners (it's amazing how cooking is different in someone else's kitchen with someone else's pots), the soup was again quite tasty. With all this cold weather we're having, I can't think of a better recipe to warm you up. A side note: apparently the rye bread needed for the soup is also known as pumpernickel. Who knew? Now you and I do.

When I returned to Raleigh after nearly two weeks of traveling, I worked feverishly and furiously on returning my apartment to normal sans Christmas decorations, laundry, and luggage. A mere three hours later, success! I sat down with a glass of petite syrah and my new DVD of Julie & Julia. Needless to say, my tiredness coupled with that warm, cozy wine effect put me to sleep before the movie was halfway through. I finished it the next day, and I plan on watching it many more times to come. It makes me smile.

One last Christmas gift that is not necessarily "kitchen" but is certainly wonderful is My Life in France by Julia Child (thanks Michelle!). Fascinating and charming...makes me want to move to Paris and just eat bread. Anybody with me?

Posts forthcoming with Paula Deen creations.