Yes, the first third of 2013 is already behind us. While I could easily panic about everything I haven't done, the healthy and productive thing to do is to recognize and celebrate what I have done so far this year! Do you remember that list of 2013 Goals I posted in January? Join me as I pull them out of my little blogging back pocket and taking a look... ;)
While I haven’t made much headway in using new and interesting ingredients in desserts (pomegranate, cherries, sweet potato, tea), but I did make cookies with kettle corn and coconut oil in January.
From the homemade food standpoint, I’m beyond excited to have finally made my own nut butter. Now that I’ve started I can’t seem to stop! Another problem: I’m so happy with my nut combination that I haven’t ventured out to try new flavors! I’m looking forward to making ice cream sandwiches and preserves this spring / summer. Strawberries are beginning to come into season and I’m anxious to make plans for berry picking! (Granola bars, bread bowls, pita bread, and crackers are also remaining.)
Something else I have dabbled with is dessert pizza, it’s just not been perfected yet…too many dough and topping options! Still on the list for fun and/or challenging foods to make are regular croissants (I made chocolate ones last year), French or Sourdough bread, cake roll, and fritters. I’m thinking fritters should wait for apple season!
I also wanted to broaden my horizons by exploring some gluten-free baking. Last month I made peanut butter cookies using Trader Joe's gluten-free flour blend and wasn't completely happy with the results. They were too crumbly and a little dry for my taste. I do, however, have my eye on a particular brownie recipe or two.
Now we transition into my three breakfast-geared goals. This year's quest for perfecting and trying more blueberry pancake methods has started out slowly. So far, I've made multi-grain buttermilk blueberry pancakes (with sprinkles!) and then ricotta pancakes a few weekends ago. I'll definitely be testing them out again before sharing. While good, they were seriously dense and could benefit from some folded-in whipped egg whites, like some other recipes suggested.
Something that's required probably the least amount of effort: The search for the best places for breakfast & brunch in Richmond has continued! Check out the RVA Breakfast Search tab in the navigation bar for some new additions, including: The Roosevelt, The Village Cafe, Helen’s, Bonvenu (now closed), and Parkside Café.
Y’all, I have finally grown up and tried poached and fried eggs! And I'm happy to say that I've decided to accept runny yokes into my life. I unintentionally had my first poached egg when visiting friends in Northern Virginia; and then intentionally ordered eggs benedict for breakfast during my birthday weekend (fitting, right?). Both were well-prepared and—guess what?—I actually like them! As for fried eggs, I decided to make one myself using local eggs bought at the South of the James Winter Market. (That gorgeous blue egg below had two yokes!) Since then, I've ordered and enjoyed this preparation of eggs at a few places. My favorite: BLT with a fried egg ;)
Not terrible for four months, right? The progress I've made and the experiences I've had are really encouraging! Next week, I'll be reviewing the (less-than-stellar) progress I've made with my personal development goals.
This evening, I'm planning to enjoy summer's first Friday Cheers concert at Brown's Island. Tomorrow, I'll be paying a visit to the FIRST South of the James Market of the season; and then it's off to see my college roommate get married (at a vineyard!).
What will you be up to?
While I haven’t made much headway in using new and interesting ingredients in desserts (pomegranate, cherries, sweet potato, tea), but I did make cookies with kettle corn and coconut oil in January.
From the homemade food standpoint, I’m beyond excited to have finally made my own nut butter. Now that I’ve started I can’t seem to stop! Another problem: I’m so happy with my nut combination that I haven’t ventured out to try new flavors! I’m looking forward to making ice cream sandwiches and preserves this spring / summer. Strawberries are beginning to come into season and I’m anxious to make plans for berry picking! (Granola bars, bread bowls, pita bread, and crackers are also remaining.)
I also wanted to broaden my horizons by exploring some gluten-free baking. Last month I made peanut butter cookies using Trader Joe's gluten-free flour blend and wasn't completely happy with the results. They were too crumbly and a little dry for my taste. I do, however, have my eye on a particular brownie recipe or two.
Now we transition into my three breakfast-geared goals. This year's quest for perfecting and trying more blueberry pancake methods has started out slowly. So far, I've made multi-grain buttermilk blueberry pancakes (with sprinkles!) and then ricotta pancakes a few weekends ago. I'll definitely be testing them out again before sharing. While good, they were seriously dense and could benefit from some folded-in whipped egg whites, like some other recipes suggested.
Something that's required probably the least amount of effort: The search for the best places for breakfast & brunch in Richmond has continued! Check out the RVA Breakfast Search tab in the navigation bar for some new additions, including: The Roosevelt, The Village Cafe, Helen’s, Bonvenu (now closed), and Parkside Café.
Y’all, I have finally grown up and tried poached and fried eggs! And I'm happy to say that I've decided to accept runny yokes into my life. I unintentionally had my first poached egg when visiting friends in Northern Virginia; and then intentionally ordered eggs benedict for breakfast during my birthday weekend (fitting, right?). Both were well-prepared and—guess what?—I actually like them! As for fried eggs, I decided to make one myself using local eggs bought at the South of the James Winter Market. (That gorgeous blue egg below had two yokes!) Since then, I've ordered and enjoyed this preparation of eggs at a few places. My favorite: BLT with a fried egg ;)
Not terrible for four months, right? The progress I've made and the experiences I've had are really encouraging! Next week, I'll be reviewing the (less-than-stellar) progress I've made with my personal development goals.
This evening, I'm planning to enjoy summer's first Friday Cheers concert at Brown's Island. Tomorrow, I'll be paying a visit to the FIRST South of the James Market of the season; and then it's off to see my college roommate get married (at a vineyard!).
What will you be up to?
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