Forking Up

Though my can't-skip-it morning coffee is a recent development of my working life, I can't remember a time when I didn't love coffee. I can recall making my parents breakfast in bed, and mixing coffee crystals into tap water that was as hot I could get it and pouring a heavily sugared version for myself probably at age 6 or so.



Little did 6-year-old Ashley know that there was a bigger, better world of coffee waiting. Lately I've been somewhat of a coffee snob, though I still enjoy a good instant from time to time! And what better pairing for a high quality brew than a coffee cake donut?





I made these gorgeous Coffee Cake Donuts. They really are the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of joe. I've always wondered--why doesn't coffee cake contain actual coffee? I felt the need to rectify this by drizzling them with espresso glaze.

I daresay it's perfetto itself ;)


Coffee Cake Donuts with Espresso Glaze

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of salt

Crumble Topping

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp butter, melted

Espresso Glaze

• 1/4 cup brewed espresso
• 1 cup powdered sugar

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a donut baking pan and set aside*

-Sift together all dry cake ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients. Be sure the butter is melted but not piping hot, and add to wet ingredients SLOWLY so as not to cook the egg.

-Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, whisking to get rid of clumps. Pour batter evenly in donut wells.

-In a separate bowl, mix together the crumble topping ingredients. The topping should stick together lightly, making large crumbs. If mixture is too wet, alternatively add more sugar and flour until desired consistency is reached.

-Sprinkle topping generously over donut wells. The cakes will rise and separate, so more is better for a full coating.

-Bake for about 20 minutes, until cake is spongy and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool to room temperature.

-Mix together the glaze until it is about the consistency of glue. It should be thick, but fall off the spoon. Drizzle over cooled donuts and let the glaze set.

-Serve with your favorite Lavazza coffee!


*Alternatively, you can use a muffin tin, this will make about 8 cakes.

Y'all, I am the basic bitch of Quarantine. If there is a stuck-inside-foodie-trend, I am ON IT. So far I've made that fancy coffee, endless cookies and breads, and even HOMEMADE BUTTER!

I'm feeling pretty accomplished.

But we all know the most popular trend going right now is SOURDOUGH BREAD. Why is sourdough so popular? Well, if you've been to the grocery store lately you may have noticed that yeast is one of those coveted, hard-to-find items. Sourdough requires no yeast, you literally grow your own in a jar!

I've never been much of a baker, so my go-to easy bread has always been this recipe, which I actually re-posted from my old blog since I thought people could benefit from a no-fail bread.

Two popular recipes I've seen floating around have been this Simple Crusty Bread from the New York Times, and the ONLY "Easy" Sourdough recipe I've EVER found called Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread from An Oregon Cottage. My first time attempting sourdough was that recipe and it was PERFECT. Both of these recipes are great, so I thought I'd compare the two, so y'all know what you're getting into!

Simple Crusty Bread


Is it truly easy?: Yes! It's a bit time consuming, but most of that time is simply waiting for the dough to rise. Everything comes together rather quickly and requires NO kneading. Simply mix the ingredients, let rise, shape, and bake! It even gives you the option to save some dough in the fridge for a future recipe.

Ingredients and equipment: Requires yeast, which is hard to come by right now, but other than a bowl, spoon, and oven, you truly don't need much else!

Crust: Wonderful! A bit floury, but that's probably moreso my fault than the recipe's. It crackled and cracked perfectly.

Crumb: A soft interior with a light crumb. I was really impressed with how it came out!

Taste: This is the one place it didn't thrill me. It tasted like NOTHING. I mean, bread is supposed to just be a vehicle for other things, but it really had no flavor at all.

Tips: While the recipe says to use a pizza stone, I used the Dutch oven method and it came out wonderfully--heat the Dutch oven (covered) in your oven for 20-40 minutes, then place the dough inside and bake, covered, for the first 20 minutes. Take the cover off for the remainder of the bake.

Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread
(I use this recipe for the starter)

Is it truly easy?: A bit more hands-on than the no-knead, but if you use a dough hook you really don't need to knead it at all. It takes more rising time, and during the rise you need to fold in the corners of the dough and turn it over. But it is pretty simple!

Ingredients and Equipment: No yeast! You will need a starter, but using the link above you should be able to grow one in a week or so. Takes some planning ahead but it's worth it! You'll also need a Dutch oven, or a covered baking dish, to bake this bread.

Crust: Softer than the no-knead but the moisture in the Dutch oven probably contributed. Still tasty!

Crumb: Denser than I would like, but not too bad. Still some good holes and fermentation.
Taste: SO GOOD! The slight sour taste that is typical of a sourdough really stands out. This is a bread I could really just eat plain with butter. It's also a bit more sturdy, so would work great for sandwiches.

OVERALL: I liked the crust on the "Easy Crusty Bread" better, but the FLAVOR of the sourdough just can't be beat.

What bread recipes have you baked while in quarantine? What should I try next?

Can you tell from this blog that I am NOT a baker? It might be hard to recognize, but my best recipes tend to be dinner recipes, or drinks. Because that's what I can do pretty well on a regular basis. Honestly, baking scares me.

Why? Because baking = chemistry. And guess what necessary high school class Ashley ended up not taking? Yep. Chem. Here's the short story: I went to a TINY school in New England. This meant we didn't have very many "fun" classes. When I decided I wanted to go to Art school, I decided I needed to take an extra year of art to build my portfolio. Unfortunately, the only art class was opposite chem. I was told I totally could take chem senior year... until senior year happened and chem was opposite gym. That's right, chem was not a graduation requirement, but gym class was.

Luckily, my college didn't require I take chem. Even more luckily, one of my best friends, John, was a baking fanatic and was able to teach me the basics. For a while John and I met weekly for Foodie Friends Night where he'd make the baking portion of the meal--everything from bread to cakes to cookies--and I'd make the rest. One day I got a call from John at 4am with a serious plan to open our own bakery/restaurant. If we both weren't drowning in student debt, I may have joined.

Our baking nights are one of the things I miss most about New England. John's bread skills are way more advanced than this super easy recipe, but it does the trick.


With a little planning ahead I can whip this up for dinner. The slices are narrow, so they make excellent dinner bread slathered with butter, or great cafe sandwiches.

If I can make this, so can you!

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp yeast (1 package)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 1/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, whisked
• Herbs or mix-ins (I like using roasted garlic!)
• cornmeal for dusting stone

"Our motorized grocery scooter" by beancounter is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Wow, guys. 2020 is definitely throwing us for a loop, isn't it? I've been mandatory work from home at my job for a week, and been seriously social distancing since the weekend. Grocery stores are empty, bars and restaurants are closed.

In these times, I feel like home cooking is a necessary skill that not all of us have. While this blog has gone closer to reviews recently, or more advanced recipes, I thought I'd share a different sort with y'all today.

These are all meals I've made using mostly pantry staples, with inexpensive fresh ingredients as well. They're tasty, moderately healthy, easy, and cheap. Feel free to substitute fresh for frozen foods where needed.

You won't see the usual pictures here (using Creative Commons to break up the text), because this is kind of a last-minute post. I wanted to put these recipes out there for people who are looking to go beyond boxed mac and cheese or pasta with sauce in their pantry staples as we hunker down for however long.

"Massa" by c.alberto is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Pasta Carbonara

• 1 package pasta
• 3 slices bacon or pancetta, chopped
• 3 large eggs, whisked
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp parsley

-Boil pasta according to directions.

-Whisk together the egg, milk, cheese, and season with salt, pepper, and parsley.

-While pasta is cooking, cook the bacon over medium high heat in a large skillet until desired crispness is reached. Add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent.

-Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. Take skillet off the heat and slowly mix in the egg mixture, stirring constantly. The sauce should thicken due to the heat of the pasta, without scrambling the egg.

-Serve hot, with extra cheese.

Tips

• You can make this as cheap or as expensive as you'd like--in a pinch, I've used shelf stable Parmesan cheese, parsley, and bacon.
• If you do go the cheap route, you can still heat up the bacon in the skillet and it should release some fat.
• I use milk in this recipe. Purists will tell you this is a big ol' NO, but in my opinion it helps the sauce spread and doesn't impact the taste at all.
• Use any pasta you'd like--spaghetti is traditional, but I like any sort of curly pasta that holds the sauce.

"MOE_0016" by gangnam of solace is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Fried Rice

• 2 cups rice, cooked
• 1/2 to 1 cup protein, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup petite peas
• 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 egg, whisked

-In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and butter. If using meat as your protein,  brown it in the skillet. Add the carrot and cook for three minutes, then add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. If using mushrooms or tofu for your protein, add it now.

-Add the rice and mix well. Pour over the soy sauce (adding more for color and flavor, if needed).

-Add the peas and cook until warmed through. Pour the egg over the rice and mix until the egg has cooked. Serve hot.

Tips

• This is a great "kitchen sink" dish, as you can use whatever leftovers you have on hand.
• I also love to add kimchi to this, towards the end, cooking it just enough to get hot.
• Depending on how much protein you use, you can use this as either a main dish or a side.
• Add more soy sauce, as needed.

Souped Up Ramen Soup

• 1 package ramen noodle soup
• 1 boullion cube plus 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, OR the included flavor packet
• 1/4 cup protein of choice
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sriracha sauce
• 1 stalk green onion, sliced thin
• 1/4 onion, diced
• 1 egg, soft boiled
• 1 lime wedge
• Other toppings: corn, peas, parsley, cilantro, kimchi, nori

-Prepare the broth: add one and a half cups of water plus the boullion mix and bring to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook until desired done-ness (check package for preferred cooking times).

-Add the rest of the ingredients, and serve!

Tips

• Another good "kitchen sink" recipe, since you can use whatever veggies or protein you have as leftovers.
• Cooking the noodles in the broth makes for a more flavorful noodle.
• The included flavor packet is very high in sodium, but if you like the flavor feel free to use it!

Souped Up Ramen Noodle Salad

• 1 package ramen noodle soup
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 carrot, sliced into toothpicks
• 1 stalk green onion, sliced thin
• 1/4 onion, diced
• 1 lime wedge

-Cook the noodles according to the package, but do not use the flavor packet. Drain.

-In a microwave safe bowl, microwave peanut butter, butter, sriracha, juice from the lime, and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds, and mix well.

-Toss the noodles, sauce, and all remaining ingredients. Chill overnight.

Tips

• Can be served hot or cold.
• The peanut sauce is a great dip for chicken or drizzled on tofu.

Lazy Golumkis
This is the version I grew up with--not necessarily authentic, but tasty and inexpensive!

• 1 lb ground beef (these days I use a plant-based substitute as well as mushrooms)
• 1 can condensed tomato soup (10.75oz cans)
• 1 can diced tomato (12 oz can)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups white rice, cooked
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp dried parsley

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the meat. Drain the fat, and add the onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent.

Add the soup, ketchup, and herbs and spices and stir to combine.

Once the mixture begins to bubble, add the cabbage. Stir and cook until the lettuce has wilted. Add the rice and heat until dish is warmed all the way through.

Serve hot, I like to top it with Parmesan cheese!

Tips
I omit the salt because the tomato soup and ketchup are salty enough as-is, but feel free to add some if it needs it!



What do you cook when you are working with limited resources? Share in the comments!

Guinness Pot de Creme

1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup Guinness
2 cups (12oz) semisweet chocolate chips
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Bailey's Whipped Cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbs Bailey's

Directions
Combine heavy cream, Guinness, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over low heat and let simmer just barely. Remove from heat.

In a food processor, combine the chocolate chips, eggs, and salt and blend for 1 minute until the chocolate is completely chopped. Pour in the Guinness mixture, and blend again until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is thick.

Divide mixture into ramekins (it made 4 large for me), cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.

Before serving, prepare whipped cream: Whip in a hand mixer until cream is thick, fold in Bailey's and whip until desired texture is reached. Serve pots cold with dollop of cream on top.

Once you've made that tasty, delicious load of Guinness beer bread... you'll probably want to make another batch, and turn it into this ^^

Last year, St. Patrick's Day came and went in Austin with nothing but a few local bars serving a corned beef special. Since it usually occurs in the middle of SXSW, Boston's favorite holiday (where the streets run green with dyed PBR) goes relatively unnoticed.



Who knows, maybe this year there will be more celebrations, in the wake of our big festival being cancelled...

This little holiday reminds me of Massachusetts, or my two trips to Ireland. It reminds me that I need to return to Europe someday...




This year, I have corned beef and potatoes waiting in the fridge, some Guinness at the ready, and this dessert on the table. Also, fun fact: Thanks to 23 and Me, I discovered my family IS actually a significant amount of Irish! So cool.

I love bread pudding. It's the nemesis of low carb diets for sure, but if you happen to make this for your St. Paddy's Day table and take a bite, I won't tell. It's so easy to make, and is so editable to whatever you want it to do. This pudding has all the flavors of Ireland's famous liquors: Guinness, Bailey's, and Jameson.

PS. Check out this awesome Buzzfeed list I made a few years back of the best St. Paddy's Day recipes that are NOT green! :)



For the Bread Pudding

• 1 loaf Guinness Beer Bread
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 heaping tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp Irish Cream
• For topping
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (I used coconut sugar)
• 1/2 stick of butter, melted

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x9 baking dish, set aside.

-Cube the beer bread and set out to dry out a bit while you mix together the rest of the ingredients. Or, you can put them on a single layer and pop them in the oven while you prep.

-In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, cream, and Irish cream until well combined. Once beer bread is slightly hard to the touch, toss in the mixture until well-coated. Let sit 5 minutes.

-Prepare topping by mixing together until at a crumbly consistency. If the mixture is too wet, add more oats or a bit of flour. You want big crumbles of slightly moist crumbs.

-Pour bread mixture into baking dish, top with crumbles. Bake for 45 minutes, or until pudding is set. Finished pudding should be springy, not wet, when pressed with your finger or a spoon.

Whiskey Salted Caramel

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 stick of butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp Irish whiskey

-In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the sugar over high heat until caramel in color. Be careful not to burn!

-Carefully drop in cubes of butter, whisking until well combined. Once melted, SLOWLY pour in the cream.

-Reduce heat to medium, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to foam.

-Remove from heat and stir in salt and whiskey. Let come to room temperature and pour into jar.

Guinness Chocolate Sauce
(adapted from AllRecipes.com)

• 1 12oz bottle of Guinness
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla

-In a medium saucepan, heat the Guinness over medium-high heat. Boil until reduced by half, about 40 minutes, watching it carefully to prevent bubbling over.

-Add sugar, cocoa powder, water, and vanilla. Let come to a simmer, and stir frequently until mixture is thick, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature, and pour into jar.

Irish Cream Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp Irish Cream

-In a stand or hand mixer, whip cream and powdered sugar on high until stiff peaks form. Reduce speed to low, and mix in the Irish Cream until just blended.