Cooking Trials and Experiments

Ultimately, I should put my money where my mouth is, and last post I was talking about cooking some things from scratch. Here are the last three recipes I've tried in the last couple weeks, with some changes from trial and error. I think the only one I haven't tried a second time yet are the pancakes... After this, I have big dreams of making raspberry cream cheese popsicles, homemade bread, and perfecting my pot roast.

Blueberry Earl Grey Tea Scones

I came upon this recipe from Etsy, I think. It's good, but it definitely needs tweaking. I've made this recipe three times now and here are the changes I've incorporated:

• Freeze the stick of butter before using. I learned this from a coworker who was a baker in his past life! He suggested freezing the butter, which makes it easier to grate with a cheese grater into the batter! Tried this and worked like a charm. Made it so much easier to incorporate.
• Tea doesn't steep in milk, as the recipe suggests. I tried it the first time as the recipe guided and my scones turned out bland and not tasting like earl grey at all! What I did the second time around is to cut open the teabag of earl grey, chop it up finely (or put into a closed ziplock baggie and crumble with the back of a big spoon), and throw it into the milk mixture. When the recipe calls for the milk, some of the tea sediment will be thrown into the batter which is what you want. Throw in about a teaspoon of the tea that sinks into the bottom, too, and the scones will definitely improve.
• Trust the baking times! The recipe calls for 12-15 which I was really adamant about as first. I've found that baking them for 15, then turning off the oven and then letting them sit in the residual heat for an extra five minutes works perfectly. They might still seem a little undercooked when you pull them out, but by the time they cool down, they harden up a little bit but are still super moist and soft and delicious!

I like this recipe, but I think my next batch of scones will include a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract for just a little bit more of a delicious punch. 

Jay's Signature Pizza Crust

This recipe is pretty straight forward and delicious right from the recipe. This actually makes quite a bit of dough, so if you work it enough, you can make two pizzas. Considering my lack of variety when it comes to baking dishes, I made one big, deep dish pizza.

• Greasing the baking dish is key. Since I made a deep dish, it makes it super easy to pop the pizza out of the pan. Just a little bit of veggie oil on a napkin, smeared all over the pan is enough.
• The dough is a great base for additions to make it a little bit more fancy! I've sprinkled a little bit of dried rosemary and garlic powder onto the crust edges and it added a little bit more zest to the dough. 

I'm actually really looking forward to making pigs-in-a-blanket and maybe even cheesy-bread with this. Both would just be the dough cut into smaller pieces, rolled out, wrapping either hot dogs or cheese sticks. Simple snacks or meals for such a low-maintenance dough base.

Good Old Fashioned Pancakes 

This recipe still leaves a little bit to be desired. I've only tried the recipe once and I can't quite figure out what it is I have to change. The finished product is super dry-- which I should have been able to tell from the thick dough (Bisquik is water by comparison!). Do I add more milk or more butter? Less flour? 

Regardless, I'll be trying again next weekend to see what it is I can change. I'll probably start by adding more milk-- and maybe using buttermilk instead. Also, a couple shakes of cinnamon and maybe I'll even make a fruit mixture to put on top.

Any suggestions?

Voting With Your Wallet.

In a non-hippy way, I've recently decided that I would really like to start being even more conscious about my purchasing power and as the saying goes, "vote with my wallet!" Both of my plans of attack are pretty standard and people might just say "duh" to-- but frankly, it's a departure of how people normally behave.

New Clothes? No such thing!

l to r: BurdaStyle #119, BurdaStyle #131, BurdaStyle #114, McCall's 6555

First off, I've made the decision to not buy anything new when it comes to garments, my exception being undergarments and (MAYBE) higher end goods. It's honestly a combination of things that really add to this resolution:

• I feel guilty when I buy from big box stores. As much as I love the cute looks marched out of H&M, Target, and Forever 21, I just feel guilty about the entire thing. Yes, that cute blouse might be 15$ on clearance and fits me so well... I just don't want it. Not only is it not always ethically made, but being decently versed in textiles and construction, it's easy to tell when something isn't made properly. 
• Half the time, RTW doesn't even fit me properly. I have to get things tailored to fit me correctly and it's not worth it for a 15$ blouse that will fall apart after a few months.
• I'd like to transform my closet into vintage, second hand, and handmade. It gives me an excuse to flex my sewing skills and become a better seamstress. It allows me to have garments made for ME that fit my large bust, petite frame, and oddly shaped body. Having made a few garments in the last couple months, I can say with confidence that the clothes I made specifically for me are the ones I love the most and feel the most comfortable in. 
• With my exceptions, let's face it, making underwear and pantyhose is stressful and I can honestly say that it's not my priority. I will concede that for now. Though to say I make custom lingerie would be amazing! And as for higher end goods, well, they're higher end. If I buy a dress from Oscar de la Renta, a trench coat from Burberry, or scarf from Alexander McQueen, I know I'm paying top dollar for something made with amazing construction and attention to detail. As for a Chanel jacket... I want to make one inspired by the traditional look- though it'd also be fun to own a real one.

Of course, there are always exceptions to any of my above ideas. Neiman Marcus is teaming up with Target for a collaboration in December that I'm actually looking forward to. I just find, however, that the only reason I have shopped in the past at any of the lower-end retailers is because I needed something on the fly, not necessarily because I wanted to shop there specifically. With better planning, a fast sewing foot, and better construction techniques, I can make my own. 

Natural Nom Noms

I can't be vegetarian or vegan. It's not necessarily stubbornness-- it's just that I love cheese, love milk, and the taste of chicken and beef. I understand the ethical concerns for animals that are out there- I get it, and I sympathize with the plight of poor piggies being stuck in terrible cages and drugged up like there's no tomorrow. But if the animal is treated correctly, leads a happy life, and is killed in a decent way, I have no problem with eating it. Food chain and all that.

I guess the reason I say "natural" is because I'm trying to make a better effort at acknowledging and keeping track of what I actually eat on a day to day. I've started making more and more handmade goodies-- from scones to pancakes to pizza. The crockpot my dad gave me is being put to use. I am trying to buy less processed goods-- I actually want to know what's in the food I'm eating.

On that same token, I'm also slowly starting to switch to organic. I'm well aware that it's going to take time and money; I figure with a steady transition, it won't be as shocking, though. Organic lettuce, grapes, blueberries, carrots, and even oatmeal. It's not much and everything so far has fit into my budget. I think once I just become more used to it, it should be simple for me. Either way, it gives me an excuse to make more homemade treats with great ingredients.