girl meets joy...in life, love and in the kitchen

I've Moved!

Hi All!

I've finally decided on a new name for this blog and moved to a new address today...please come visit me at www.apinchofsparkle.wordpress.com!

See you there!

Marissa

Snickerdoodle Dreams...

I started a new job yesterday.  Well actually it’s my old job but for the sake of my sanity I’m looking at it as a new beginning.  When I walked into the building yesterday (after overcoming a brief stint of violent butterflies outside on the sidewalk) it felt like I was returning to high school after summer vacation.  Here I was in a familiar setting, wearing a fabulous outfit...

Weston Wear "Dulcie" Dress from Anthropologie (worn with faded Chambray shirt underneath), Pansy Corset Trench by Elevenses, J Crew Lula glitter ballet flats, Crystal Spike Necklace from Nordstrom                      ***Despite what some may think tulle is perfectly acceptable office attire***

feeling a little bit wiser and armed with the preparedness to succeed at my “new” job.  All the while reminding myself that this is only a job.  IT IS ONLY A JOB.  Since it’s only a job (sorry for the repetition, it’s a hard concept for me to swallow), I am left with plenty of time to continue my search for my life’s missing pieces.  I actually just admitted to having “plenty of time”.  I’m always in such a rush.  Like if something doesn’t happen for me overnight I just assume it will never happen.  When I should really be reminding myself that these things take time.  Some dreams don’t come true over night.  Some dreams can take a whole lot of nights to manifest themselves into a reality.  I’m all right with that.  I’ll just keep my sight set on those stars – I’ll get where I’m headed someday…oh man I was not expecting to get this deep!  All I really meant to write about was the snickerdoodles I baked last night!  Well let’s get to the cookies, shall we?  Oh but first one short, teeny tiny story…

Once upon a time…

Just kidding…

The rehiring process was sort of a whirlwind and my new role isn’t exactly defined yet.  I also don’t have a computer or a phone in my shared cubicle.  There was a joke circulating around the office that instead of a computer, I should be given an easy bake oven.  Now somewhere someone has written a book or plans on writing one titled, “Girls That Bake Don’t Get the Corner Office”.  I know this because at one time “Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office” resided on my bookshelf…actually it was forgotten about under my bed…I mean is being nice really that bad?  I can’t help it that I’m a nice girl…(I hope my girlfriends are smiling over that sentence – it’s a private joke between us that I will not be sharing at this time).  So if people want to refer to me as the “nice girl that bakes” I’ll proudly accept that title.   Because that is one of the ways I plan on bringing a little bit of my passion into my “it’s only a job” job.

Marissa’s Cubicle Bakery is officially open…

Snickerdoodles Two Ways

Snickerdoodles have been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember.  I give credit to my Auntie Karen and Aunt Georgia for baking enough of these cookies to make me fall in love with them.  When I was at college in Burlington, Vermont, the snickerdoodles at the Red Onion Cafe were also an almost weekly treat.  I'm happy to say that I found two vegan versions of this whimsically named classic cookie...

Vegan YumYum's Snickerdoodles

Makes about 18 Cookies (or less if you're like me and your cookie dough always yields 5 less cookies than expected)

What you'll need...

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Earth Balance
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 prepared egg replacement
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/4 tsp Baking Soda

Cinnamon Sugar, for rolling

Please click here for full recipe...

I also whipped up PPK's Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles and they were so amazing.  The cayenne pepper gives an unexpected but welcome kick at the end.

You'll need...

For the topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the cookies:
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons almond milk (Or your preferred non-dairy milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chocolate extract (or more vanilla extract if you have no chocolate)
1 2/3 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Both were enjoyed by those that stopped by my desk and all were surprised to hear that they were animal-friendly!

 

 

Vegan "Beef" Stew

To complain about the weather is part of every Bostonians' psyche.  We can't help it, really we've tried to stop but there is always something to complain about.  At least we're not in denial.  If the sun is shining a little too bright, if clouds are rolling in a little too fast or if there's not a cloud in sight, if there are gale force winds or barely a breeze, blizzard-like or tropical-esque conditions, we've got something to say about it.  Halfway through the summer the topic of conversation is the excessive humidity and when it will end.  We find ourselves wishing for the end of September to arrive so we can cool off in the crisp fall air.  And then when Autumn rolls in, we're all up in arms about how we missed out on an Indian Summer.  But weren't we just saying that we had had enough of the summer heat?!?  Winter...bring it on!  We love the snow - the city looks so beautiful blanketed in white!  Well that sentiment won't last long because by mid January we are swearing up and down the slush covered sidewalks...the snow doesn't stay pretty for long in the city.  It's a neverending cycle of complaints but it is what gets us through the seasons and makes us appreciate what what we love about each one...even if those loves will eventually turn into hates...

There is one thing I won't complain about during any season and that is food.  What I love about fall and winter is the opportunity to welcome hearty soups and stews back into my kitchen.  If you are feeling a chill in the air I suggest making a warming stew like my version of beef stew.

Vegan Beef Stew

 1 package of West Soy Seitan Strips

½ cup whole-wheat flour

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 onion, cut into small pieces

3 carrots, cut into small pieces

3 parsnips, cut into small pieces

1 turnip, cut into small pieces

3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

4 cups vegetable broth

1 ½ cups red wine

Dried thyme and rosemary, about a teaspoon

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

*I would have added potatoes too but I'm fresh out!*

Combine the whole-wheat flour, fresh rosemary and sea salt in a medium bowl.  Add the “beef” and toss to coat.  Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat (preferably in an aubergine colored LeCreuset 5 ½ quart round French oven!) and add the “beef” strips.  Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes and add the garlic.  Cook for another minute or so.  Add the onion, carrots, parsnips, turnip, dried thyme, red wine and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and cook until vegetables are tender.  Taste along the way and add salt and pepper if desired.  Serve with whole grain bread.  Enjoy and stay warm!

Seitan is the perfect substitute for beef

my new Le Creuset French Over...looks great against my tile back splash

mmmmmm...looks just like meat...perfect way to trick a skeptic into eating Vegan!

 

 

 

Weekend Love...

When it comes to gifts there are those who are all about the giving, those that prefer to be on the receiving end and those that fall somewhere in the middle.  I'm one of those in the middle.  I love nothing more than finding the most perfect gift to bestow upon a family member or dear friend.  That moment when you hand them that bow topped box is full of excitement and anticipation.  You can't help but be anxious and wonder if they will love the gift as much as you thought they would.  While I truly believe that it is better to give than to receive, I'd be lying if I said there weren't moments when I prefer to be the one tearing the paper off a beautifully wrapped box.  My dad, however, is definitely all about the giving and he's pretty damn good at it.  He has this knack for giving me something that I've wanted my entire life or giving me something that I never even knew I wanted my entire life.  So when he told me to expect a delivery from UPS I was intrigued.  Last year he sent me "Toasted Notes" and another delivery yielded Jessica Kagan Cushman bracelets so as you can see I never know what to expect from him.  On Friday night I came home to a rather large box from Williams-Sonoma and knew right away what was inside...

LE CREUSET COOKWARE!

I was slightly alarmed by the outside of the box.  My dad is color blind and I was worried that he confused orange with aubergine.  My worries disappeared when I discovered that the boxes held the gorgeous aubergine pieces I blogged about not too long ago.  I'm currently reorganization my kitchen so these pieces can be properly displayed.  Check back later for pictures and for my recipe for Vegan "Beef" Stew.  Thanks Dad!!

Weekend Love...

my new favorite necklace

Today is the kind of autumn day that I wish we had more of and I should be outside taking advantage of every minute because these days won't last for long.  I however spent a majority of the weekend in the kitchen and putting some finishing touches on my Halloween decorations.  I did manage to sneak out to HomeGoods yesterday where I picked up this tray to display some of my favorite new accessories...
a great find at HomeGoods - perfect to display my necklace and rose gold "wonder woman" cuffs

   homemade eclairs - a traditional pate a choux dough with vegan vanilla pastry cream and chocolate ganache.  I could have easily eaten the entire batch last night.  

my first spanakopita...to be judged by my YiaYia Marie...I think it came out perfect and hopefully she will feel the same!
Harry completes my Halloween centerpiece
Harry again...just because he's so freakin' cute!
Halloween table decor...

My Latest "Must Have...Someday"...

You know that moment when you are out shopping and something catches your eye, immediately stopping you in your tracks and causing you to forget about the person on the other end of your iPhone?  It’s like you can’t see anything else but that pair of shoes (handbag, dress, jacket, jewelry, etc...) You have these flashes of where you would wear it and start thinking of ways to justify the cost...if I wear it at least 15 times, it will essentially cost me next to nothing...It’s a momentary fantasy.  It’s something you will think about long after leaving the store and if your wallet is feeling extra friendly you might even go back and make it your own.  Well I lived through yet another one of these moments yesterday but oddly enough it was at Williams-Sonoma, not at Nordstrom’s or Barney’s as usually is the case.  I walked into Williams-Sonoma to buy a pastry bag and fluted tips when I saw it...the new Aubergine collection from Le Creuset. 

I've already committed to shades of green in my kitchen but an accent piece or two wouldn't hurt, right?  I know it sounds silly but cooking would be that much more enjoyable and food would taste even more delicious coming from cookware this color...

 

Coconut Macaroons

Sometime last year I called my mum and said, "Mum, I've been thinking...".  I barely finished my sentence before she replied, "I don't like it when you think...it usually involves spending lots of money."  I was mildly offended for a few moments until I realized that she was absolutely right.  Most of my thoughts are elaborate and require the use of credit cards.  Well I had another one of my brilliant ideas today but I'm not quite ready to leak the details just yet.  I know some of you are dying in anticipation but y'all will just have to wait a little while longer.  I will say this...out of all my great ideas this one is actually feasible and carries a high probability of success. 

But for now I will just share with you the macaroons that I baked this morning.  I think it's important to try out a variety of ingredient combinations and techniques before deciding on your favorite recipe. 

The first batch of Coconut Macaroons I made was David Lebovitz's version found here...these are what you imagine as the perfect macaroon...crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. 

I tend to overestimate the size of everything so I wanted to be sure my macaroon mounds were close to one and half inches

after 20 minutes in the oven...golden brown and delicious.  I couldn't even wait for them to cool before popping one into my mouth.

melted dark chocolate to coat the bottoms...

For my next macaroon trial, I followed the recipe found in James Petersons Baking.  This version calls for only 3 ingredients: egg whites, sugar, and coconut.  The egg whites and sugar are beaten into stiff peaks and the coconut is folded in gently.  The meringue is shaped into 2 inch rounds and popped into a 200 degree oven for a little over 3 hours.  I forgot to take pictures of the baking process but here is the finished product...

coconut macaroon "meringue" clouds

Both are delicious but I prefer the "cake-ier" version.  Now the only thing left to do is find someone to help me eat them...all 48 of them!

A Wedding Weekend...

My friends, Christina and Jeff, were married over the weekend just outside of Burlington, Vermont.  I am so grateful to have been able to share this special day with them and am sad that it had to end.  You couldn't have asked for better weather and I couldn't ask for better friends than the two of them.  Here are some highlights from the wedding at The Barn at Lang Farm in Essex, Vermont...

                Bryson making his way down the aisle...

the newlyweds and a tractor...love this one!

The Barn at Lang Farm

most wonderful centerpieces - a DIY project for the bride

a chalkboard greeting

pumpkin cupcakes - so delicious that it was impossible to only eat one

she's going to kill me for posting this picture but I just couldn't resist...Christina's older sister, Nikki, found this piece of paper crumbled up while on vacation with Christina and Jeff and presented it to her sister during the Matron of Honor speech...when a girl practices writing her married name it could mean nothing less than absolute head over heels perfect love...

a bare barn wall is the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photo shoot...and Katie and I are always quick to pose for the camera...the two of us both attended college in Vermont and it seemed like all of our conversations this weekend were punctuated with comments like..."we're totally moving back here or "when we move back we'll live here and eat at these restaurants and do this and this and this"...my dad probably just put his head in his hands...don't worry this move won't happen for at least a year!

a beautiful bride and a forever friend...

Turnovers Are Tradition

It’s been a while since I preheated my oven but with the Fall weather moving into Boston, today seemed like the perfect day to spend some time with my baking books.  I picked up a few Cortland apples from the Farmer’s Market this morning and knew right away that I wanted to make Apple Turnovers.  To me, apple turnovers represent a long standing tradition between my mum and Auntie.  The two of them have been sitting at our kitchen tables with coffee, piles of magazines and turnovers for as long as I can remember.

James Peterson’s Baking is like an intensive pastry course bound in hardcover.  So after reading over his recipe for Quick Puff Pastry a few times, I got to work.  To make Puff Pastry all you need is All-Purpose Flour, Butter, Water, and Salt.  Don’t be fooled by the short list of ingredients – it is not as easy at it looks.  I immediately thought I failed at my first attempt because the flour and butter were not coming together. (I couldn't even take a break to take photos of the process - I didn't want the butter to become to warm!)  But what I have learned about baking is that you just need to have some patience and a little faith.  Almost miraculously, my dough came together and I was able to complete the 3 “double turns” necessary for flaky pastry.  For my turnover filling I sautéed chopped Cortland apples in butter and sugar for about 10 minutes.  I decided to add in some raisins at the last minute.  A filling of blueberries or raspberries would have been my second choice.

I found the turnover to be perfect…I ate it right out of the oven and the pastry was flaky and buttery.  I still would like a second opinion.  Since I so rarely eat non-vegan food anything prepared with copious amounts of butter is going to taste like heaven…I guess every once in a while it's ok to surrender to sugar, flour, butter and eggs.  What’s life without dessert anyway?

my new measuring cups from Anthro (on sale!) golden brown and dusted with powdered sugar

flaky, buttery, deliciousness

 

What's In A Name?

My dad takes the credit for picking out my name, Marissa Christina so it only makes sense that he would give me my nickname.  His nickname for me is Rambo.  Everyone always questions the name and I can understand why.  For the most part I am a quiet, laidback girl so I guess the similarities between this guy and me aren’t all that clear.

My dad’s general response to the common question of “Why Rambo?” is something like…”Well, you’ve seen the Rambo movies, right?  You know how Rambo is a bit crazy and causes a lot of destruction?  Have you ever walked into a room after Marissa’s been in there?  Or been to her condo?"

If you have, then it's no secret I can cause some destruction at times…usually most of the times.  If you walk into a room after I’ve gone, you can put yourself in my shoes (quite literally actually because they will be in the middle of the floor) and trace my every move because I never close a cabinet or drawer, I don’t put anything away after I’ve used it, and I leave bits and pieces of me all over the room – shoes, jacket, jewelry, handbag, sunglasses, keys, credit cards, money, etc.  My whole day is laid out for you in that room.  If I ever (God forbid!) went missing, I assure you that you would have no trouble finding me – a trail of my stuff would lead you right to me. 

You know what I’ve realized though?  Having so much stuff lying around can be really distracting!  So much so that I forgot about blogging and a lot of other things I was working on.  I had to stop, take a look around, and control the chaos before I could go any further.  So that’s what I’ve been doing and I’m almost finished.  YAY! 

This afternoon I took a break from cramming for the GRE’s to assess the prime disaster area – my closet – and get it under control.  The break turned into a 7-hour project that I just wrapped up a few minutes ago.  The first year of living in my condo, I was forever reorganizing my closet.  My grandmother, Ma, would call on random nights and ask if I was going out with friends and I’d always be cleaning my closet.  She often asked if I ever did anything else.  I just couldn’t get it the way I wanted.  Well 3 years later and I think (hope!) the closet organization process is complete. 

The one part that I’m most excited about is my new accessory display.   It’s my dad’s old briefcase, which now holds silk scarves, evening bags (including 3 gorgeous bags that belong to my YiaYia Marie), and Jimmy Choo’s 3 Ways…I’m going to see about lining the inside with a printed fabric but for now it’s just fine the way it is. 

I’m still working on simplifying my life and clearing out the chaos so there will be fewer things to distract me from all that I need to accomplish.  Getting back on this blog is a step in the right direction!  I’m in search of a new name though so if anyone has any suggestions, I could use them!