that's what she baked.

Adventures (and misadventures) in the kitchen from a novice baker.

Posts tagged pecans

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Leap Day Baking: Banana Pecan Chocolate Chip Bread

I followed a recipe from my Moosewood cookbook that I’ve used before. I really like it, but I didn’t have all the ingredients. I skipped a couple of things (orange zest) and switched a couple of things (chai tea for coffee) and added a couple of things (chocolate chips and pecans) and it turned out quite fine. I brought a loaf and a half to the teachers room on Thursday and the tupperware was sitting on my desk empty, before the day was over. The middle of the bread took a really long time to bake, which I wasn’t happy about, but I brought my camera to Whisk, as I normally do, and was showing Phil (the guy I’m interning under) and he recommended making the batter thinner, and baking about 25 degrees lower (to more evenly bake the bread) for a longer period of time. I’ve had the problem of crust that’s too thick before, when I made cake, but I think I might be able to better tackle it next time. 

Filed under baking banana banana bread chocolate chips pecans sweets bread

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Here’s a picture of my new knife that I got at a tag sale! Actually, it was a gift since we don’t have good sharp knives in my apartment, this was purchased for me at a yard sale. What a bargain! I went to a cooking class last Friday (more on that once I get the pictures) and realized I really don’t know how to cook much. Yes, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking, but not cooking. I heat things up, I use boxes, I follow directions, I use the microwave as a tool too much, I am not a cook. I had so many questions and was nervous to do anything without an okay first by the instructor. While there, I used a good knife for maybe the first time in my life, I had no idea what I was missing. I haven’t really been a fan of sharp objects but having a good knife makes all the difference. I used it to chop up my pecans for the zucchini bread. I’m excited to have a good knife now. I’m going to get better at cutting foods and I’m going to cook more. Maybe. 

Here’s a picture of my new knife that I got at a tag sale! Actually, it was a gift since we don’t have good sharp knives in my apartment, this was purchased for me at a yard sale. What a bargain! I went to a cooking class last Friday (more on that once I get the pictures) and realized I really don’t know how to cook much. Yes, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking, but not cooking. I heat things up, I use boxes, I follow directions, I use the microwave as a tool too much, I am not a cook. I had so many questions and was nervous to do anything without an okay first by the instructor. While there, I used a good knife for maybe the first time in my life, I had no idea what I was missing. I haven’t really been a fan of sharp objects but having a good knife makes all the difference. I used it to chop up my pecans for the zucchini bread. I’m excited to have a good knife now. I’m going to get better at cutting foods and I’m going to cook more. Maybe. 

Filed under knife baking pecans cooking

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Making, but not baking: Simple Summer Salads 1 of 2

To me, my mother is the queen of thinking of interesting things to combine and make tastey. She’s also really good at whipping up gigantic delicious meals in a really short period of time.

I bring you what we call: Broccoli Slaw Salad

Suggested* Ingredients: 

  • broccoli slaw (you can buy this in a bag in the produce section)
  • pecans
  • sunflower seeds
  • dried cranberries
  • mayonnaise

Mix it up. That’s really it. There isn’t a lot of measuring, I just eyeball it. I used a wooden spoon to crush up the pecans, but the rest of ingredients you really just add to your desired taste. 

*The nuts are great because they provide protein and added crunchy-ness. The dried cranberries add a nice, contrasting, sweetness and a different texture into the mix.

Filed under recipe summer salad broccoli slaw mayonnaise dried cranberries sunflower seeds pecans