Apple Pie

Oops, I accidentally took two weeks off. Sorries!

Gladly, I'm back. The new apartment is in a kind-of-order. A kind-of/piles-of order. But the kitchen, friends. The kitchen is all set. To celebrate that major coup, I baked a pie. My first ever pie with a fully-functioning top crust. Also a major coup. And there it is. I used Bittman's sweet pie crust for the crust and, for the filling, Joy of Cooking's apple pie recipe. The apples were Granny Smith and Braeburn. I think. It was my first trip to a new and new-to-me giant Whole Foods near the new neighborhood, and I was a little overwhelmed.

Whole Grain Raspberry Cake Reprised

Hi, moderns. A quick note to say I'll be taking a week or so hiatus. We're moving, so I have no kitchen!


In the meantime, I offer you this photo, which is really the only one you'll need to see for at least a week. Remember that cake I made without managing to photograph it as it ought to have been photographed? I made it again for a thank you party in honor of our (truly wonderful) department chair who is stepping down from her post at the end of this month. The cake is surrounded by other delicious foods prepared by the equally wonderful grad students in the department of Art History at the University of Chicago. Photo by the talented Tara Morin.

Easter Egg Radishes with Fromager d'Affinois on Ciabatta

Kind of a trend, I know. What can I say? It's a winning formula.

Are you familiar with Fromager d'Affinois?

Spring Tacos

A taco with slices of French radishes and arugula is a little different and a lot delicious.

+:
refried beans
cilantro
guacamole
chihuahua cheese
sour cream
corn
lettuce
hot sauce

++:
instructions to make your own chips are here.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

There are just those same cookies that I've made before + ice cream. Be warned, this is rich. RICH. Almost disgusting. Almost.

Fava Bean and Roasted Garlic Spread on Toast

To make the roasted garlic paste:

Garlic
Oil
Salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Remove as much of the "paper" from the garlic bulb as possible, then cut the tips of each clove to expose the garlic. Rub bulb with olive oil and sprinkle with some salt. Place the bulb into a small baking dish and cover with foil. Cook for about 45 minutes, until the garlic is soft and sweet.

Pop the softened cloves out of the bulb and mash them onto toast. Top with fava bean spread:

fava beans
heavy cream
salt + pepper
parmesan cheese

There's a great guide for preparing and cooking fava beans here. Follow that, then boil the beans for about 20 minutes, mash them with some cream, salt, and pepper to taste. Spread onto toast and top with a bit of grated parmesan.