This one's for you, Jill

We recently got back from a vacation to Vancouver and in our amazing hotel they served this appetizer and gave the recipe!!
It was in metric, so I had to adjust the recipe as best as I could.  I also halved it so it would be small enough to put in the bread maker.  I didn't want to touch that sticky mess more than I had to.

Cheese Herb Bread
Combine in bread maker:
1 Tb Sugar
1 Tb honey
1 Tb salt
1/3 c olive oil
1 3/4 c water
1 1/2 tsp yeast
3 1/4 c flour

Yeast dissolved in warm water, other liquids, then mix together flour, sugar, salt and herbs and add to bread maker.  after raising twice, scoop gooey dough by 1/4 to 1/3 cup into oil (in pan or fryer) preheated to 400'F  When golden on both sides remove from oil and drain on paper towels.  Dust with Parmesan cheese and serve with Tomato Chutney.

The original recipe says to let it proof once, then knead on floured table, cut into 12,  roll out using cornmeal.  Allow to proof again and then fry.

Tomato Chutney

1 crushed clove garlic
1 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 in stem ginger peeled and finely chopped
2 lbs tomatoes (blanched/skin removed, eyed, seeded, and rough chopped)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 TB raisins

Saute garlic and ginger in a little oil using a hot thick base saucepan.  Add all remainder of ingredients and bring to a boil, simmer.  Cook until it has reached a thick consistency, correct seasoning, and cool.

I thought the chutney was too sweet so I haven't made or experimented with it.

Better Than Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

These thick, pale, moist cookies resemble Lofthouse (pink frosting an inch high topped with sprinkles)  but taste sooo much better.  Why?  Because they don't taste like preservatives.  I dare you.  Try it.  Lofthouse in one hand and these pale babies in the other.

Thanks Jamie for the recipe, by the way.


Sugar cookies


3 c sugar

1 1/2 c butter softened

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 c buttermilk or plain yogurt

8-10 c flour

Add flour until dough is barely more than sticky then refrigerate. 

Roll dough to 1/4 in thick and bake at 375' for 8 min.

Cookies should be doughy but firm not brown--not even on the bottom.

The baking time is what makes or breaks the cookie.  Shiny on top is not baked enough.  

Bake too long and they will not be moist.  I think I baked mine for 6.5 min but It might be 

a Seattle thing.

Frosting

1 cube butter

8 oz cream cheese

2 tsp vanilla

2 lb powdered sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Cream together and spread over cookies.

Sneak Peek

I've been busy with Brianna's room and only need to hang some curtains and find a lamp or two and it will be DONE!  I started this thing in January.  

Here is a pic of the last two walls to be painted while the tape was still on.  It was quite dizzying.

Floral Mobile

Some art I liked.  my friend Elizabeth helped with suggestions.  I also got a couple of fine art pieces that add a nice classic look to the room.

Brianna loves butterflies and calls them "flies" so we added some paper butterflies.  I still need to add some antennas and attach them to the wall with something other than scotch tape.

Teddy and a little bouquet.

Brianna eating a coconut milk ice cream cone.  I love this picture and I think she's really starting to look like I did when I was little.  Nothing more childlike than a pink dress and an icecream cone.