real simple chocolate chip cookies

Posted on June 23, 2012 by allison

chocolate cjip cookiesSometimes when the world’s a bit hectic and reality isn’t quite what you expected or want it to be, there’s nothing that can warm the soul quite like a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie. The simpler the better too, because when everything else around you is moving at break-neck speed, you need a little stability and familiarity to bring you back down to the ground. A cookie can’t make the stress or the problems go away, but it can work a little magic nonetheless. From the taste buds to the soul, it can bring happiness and joy right back into your world. Continue reading →

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apricot blueberry & basil crumble pie

Posted on June 15, 2012 by allison

June is the best of times and the worst of times. Best because of all the stone fruits that are in season (cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, nectarines, the list goes on). The worst because of all the stone fruits that are in season (I have a perpetual stomachache from eating too many). There is nothing quite like binge-eating cherries to remind you that when it comes to certain things, you really have no self control. Continue reading →

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vegan thumbprint cookies

Posted on June 8, 2012 by allison

Until baking this recipe I had never seen so many tiny cookies in my entire life. I lost count after awhile, but I think it may have been close to 10 dozen batches that came out of this recipe. I think when I make it again, I’ll try to scoop larger pieces of dough at a time onto the baking sheet. Normally when baking cookies I tend to get a little over-zealous, scooping too much dough at a time onto the sheet and placing it too close together. The result is often several unattractive rows of blob-like cookies stuck together. Continue reading →

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strawberry peach crostata with fresh sage

Posted on June 1, 2012 by allison

The baking of this crostata, as it turns out, was a moment of self-revelation:

When I am alone in the kitchen, baking is a cathartic and creative experience. When I am not alone in the kitchen, baking is stressful.

I think it might be analogous to how most of us feel about singing (preferring to relegate this activity to the shower or reserving our vocal outbursts for solo car rides). The level of stress brought on by the presence of another person in the kitchen when I was baking this pie was laughable. How many times have I rolled out a pie crust without so much as thinking about what I was doing? How many times have I followed a recipe without ever second guessing myself? Introduce another body to the room, however, and I’m a ball of nerves. Even when the other body is a somebody who is contagiously excited about this pie and who I know will love me despite the outcome of this baking foray… So why the neurosis? I really can’t say. Continue reading →

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sour cream peach pie w/maple pecan crumble topping

Posted on May 25, 2012 by allison

May is a month for appreciation. Appreciation of Spring, new beginnings, academic endings, individuals who have given their lives in war, and last but certainly not least, Mothers. We’ve all got one. For better or worse, these strong women who brought us into the world should be appreciated for the sacrifice they made to give us life. Even those of us who feel a bit disillusioned by the world, or overwhelmed by its troubles, can usually find at some point or another a reason to be thankful we are in it. If we are lucky (and appreciative and resilient), we find reason often. Continue reading →

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salted fudge brownies

Posted on May 18, 2012 by allison

Wow. That’s what I have to say about these brownies. They are essentially fudge, and the hint of salt gives them a dangerously addictive flavor (salt + fat = humankind’s downfall). If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to take me up on this piece of advice: bake these ONLY if you have a plan for getting rid of the majority of them very soon after baking. They are dangerous if left lying around the kitchen. Recognizing this, I quickly packaged the bulk of them and shipped them off to my dear small brother at college. I sent them via priority mail (because that’s how great of a sister I am), hoping they would arrive in a timely manner and retain their moist deliciousness. They did. Well done, United States Post Office. Continue reading →

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strawberry apple crumble pie

Posted on May 10, 2012 by allison

Today I’m not writing anything at all. I’m a grown up! And this is my blog. I don’t have to. Continue reading →

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roasted strawberry muffins

Posted on May 4, 2012 by allison

Something I like about baking is that it forces me to slow down. I’ve had far too many mishaps — forgotten ingredients, missed or skipped steps — that have occurred simply because I was trying to move too fast. Unlike the short attention span required for most of what we do during the day, baking requires being thoughtful and thorough. It requires paying attention. In fact, when I bake, I usually try not to do anything else, like talk on the phone or read or even eat. I like to clear my schedule for the whole evening, or morning, or whatever it is, to focus on the recipe and nothing else. Continue reading →

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strawberry pie with chocolate lined shortbread crust

Posted on April 27, 2012 by allison

Each year, I have a tradition when strawberries appear at the farmers’ market. That tradition is to buy my weight in these juicy red gems and challenge myself to eat every last one before they have the chance to go bad. What I’ve discovered as a result is that strawberries are a wonderful accompaniment to nearly every kind of food. Salad, smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, fruit salad. Or, as we see here, in a pie. Continue reading →

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flourless peanut butter and jelly cookies

Posted on April 19, 2012 by allison

Raise your hand if you grew up on PB&J.

Raise your hand if you’re a creamy person.

Crunchy?

Now raise your hand if you adore PB&J to this day – and suspect you always will. In a pinch, on a hike, camping, picnicking in the park, when you’re feeling nostalgic, or when your pantry contains nothing else. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are where it’s at. Now raise your hand if you don’t like PB&J. This is probably where you’ll want to stop reading this post. Continue reading →

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