Monthly Archives: April 2012

On writing a book and eating cookies.

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This week marks the ending of a very important journey of my college life; my senior thesis has been completed. Or better yet, it will be completed when I get around to writing the ten page paper that goes along with it all. That’s not due until the week of May 8th, so I’m giving myself a few days to recover from the roller coaster of this past month because man, I deserve it. I’ve pretty much been inches away from a breakdown but who knew that bouncing from stressed, happy, relieved, pissed, angry, hungry, anxious, nervous and nauseous that by the end of it I would just feel kind numb.

The big news: I wrote a book. Yup, a 109-page cookbook with full photographs of each and every recipe.  I would like to share some key things about this phenomenon, my process and some things that I’ve learned. I almost feel like running a marathon would have been easier.

I made and photographed all of the recipes; about ninety percent were cooked and photographed in my dorm room. On a coffee table no bigger than 2 ft by 2ft. With pillowcases and scarves as my cool tablecloths and props. A girl has got to improvise. And make frequent trips to Target to see if there are any new kitchen decor items on clearance.

I was able to use this book as an excuse to spend hours at the grocery store and Trader Joe’s every week. To say that I spent, on average, three hours a week grocery shopping would be pretty close to the truth. No matter how many times I felt like I had gotten everything on my list for the week, I always, without a doubt, forgot something.

It also made it perfectly acceptable to have dozens of cookies in my freezer at any given time and to then, in fact, have cookies for breakfast when short on time. From eating cookies for breakfast, I learned the important of a balanced diet. Meaning, if I accidentally ate cookies for breakfast, then I should try to eat more greens for dinner; because in the end, it all totally balances out. Trust me, because I’ve eaten quite my fair share of cookies this semester. I’ve also run my fair share of miles as well.

I was scared to use a tripod in the shooting of these photographs and therefore spent a lot of time leaping from chairs to couch in order to get the picture that I wanted; I only fell twice. Once on my dog, she got mad at me. I fed her peanut butter and all was forgiven.

I’ve learned that I’m capable of doing anything when I set my mind to it. When I first started this project, it was so daunting and I had no idea where to begin. Now that I’m finished, I’ve surprised myself with how well everything worked out and how rewarding it is to say that I’ve written and designed every single inch of something. Everything in this book is me; I put my heart and soul into it.

As happy as I am for this book to have finally been completed, it’s also bittersweet. I never felt so in control and driven to complete something. This has truly been an experience that I will always remember and hold on to. I thank anyone that has been with me from the beginning of this; especially my family. And don’t worry, I’m still going to be here on Must Come Hungry. I’ve fallen in love with this experience and I’m not ready to give it up! I’m ready to re-devote myself to this blog and share my kitchen adventures :)

Overnight French Toast

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I have a serious breakfast addiction. And some serious writer’s block.

Although, I’m not sure if writer’s block is the correct term; it’s more of a lack of inspiration. Hence the reason why I have defaulted back to breakfast posts, they’re kind of my comfort zone. Hopefully I’ll break out of this rut soon.

If your stuck in any sort of rut, I think you should make this french toast. Why? Because it takes your breakfast to a whole other level; like the kind of breakfast you would enjoy at an outdoor cafe in garden. I’m stuck in a breakfast rut as I find myself eating breakfast foods for practically every meal of the day. This is what happens when my life becomes exhausting; I eat oatmeal for at least two out of three meals a day…and I would love to curl up on the couch with this entire pan of french toast right now.

I’m also incredibly jealous now that I’m looking at these pictures. Look at all that sunlight! It has been non-stop raining here today and it’s really putting a damper on my mood. I’m so ready for summer, for flip-flops and sundresses…I’ve already got my first sun-burn of the year yesterday and now the weather is doing a complete 180 and is back at a chilling forty degrees. Can we just move permanently to summer now? Okay, thanks!

I’ll just put away all my winter clothes for good now and live in shorts, tanks and dresses until the end of September. I will also plan a fancy brunch party and make this french toast, in which I can wear a pretty sundress and one of those big floppy sun hats. Or I could nix the brunch party and just enjoy this brunch pool-side in some sunglasses and shorts with my feet dipped in the water. Yes, that sounds perfect. Is anyone else as anxious as I am for summer to get here?

Overnight French Toast

1 baguette french bread, cut into 1″ slices
6 large eggs (I used half whole and half whites)
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. lite cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 tbsp. light corn syrup

In a buttered or greased baking pan, layer the bottom with the bread slices, covering it completely. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and spices; mix well. Pour this mixture over the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight (the bread will absorb the liquid).

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine butter, sugars, nuts and corn syrup; mix well and spread over the bread. Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed up and golden brown. Serve warm and with maple syrup.

It’s like cinnamon bun and french toast had a very delicious child.

Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

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I’m not even going to lie here; I kinda fell off the face of the earth for a few weeks. Real life really caught up with me pretty darn fast.

Between my upcoming thesis and some new job opportunities, I have been swamped. Do you ever realize that when you’re incredibly busy so many other things start happening that you also have to deal with? It’s like these things have been waiting in the wings for their shining moment to drop on you at the most inopportune moment. That’s been my life for this past two weeks; I knew I had enough when I had three straight days of headaches and migraines. That’s when I threw in the towel, collapsed on the couch and ate massive amounts of cheese.

When I think about the things in life that I could not live without, I think that cheese would have to be at the top of that list. Followed closely by peanut butter, ice cream, and oh yeah, my family; in no particular order, of course :) When I was younger, my dad would make pizza pretty much every Friday and I liked to help by shredding the cheese. It was the best part because I could sneak handfuls of the cheese when no one was looking.

I want cheese. And I want it all the time. Let’s be honest here…whether melted, sliced, shredded, cubed, on a cracker, in a sandwich…cheese makes everything better. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing my ramblings on cheese but I love these enchiladas for two very important reasons. One, they’re filled with plenty of cheesy goodness. Two, I can eat plentiful handfuls of cheese in prep! It’s like sampling several spoonfuls of cookie dough before you pop it into the oven. Any dish that I can nibble on while I’m making it, is a definite plus.

I also love spicy foods. Any food that will make my eyes water is perfect. These enchiladas are not that spicy, so don’t worry. The spice can also be easily adjusted by using more milder sauces or even you’re adventurous, even more spicy. It’s not often that we get to have spicy food in my household because my younger sisters don’t have a taste for it.

I’m still trying to regain some semblance of my life prior to these past few stressful weeks. I think that in order to fully recover, I’m going to have to do some serious retail therapy followed by even more serious cheese and wine therapy. I’m not sure if it should be more wine or more cheese…I am pretty sure, though, that my family is reading this and thinking that there better only be cheese involved; but I cannot make any promises :)

Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
makes 12 enchiladas

1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 c. red enchilada sauce
1/2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded
(or 15 oz. can chicken chunks in water, drained)
1 c. part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
12 tortillas

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large frying pan, simmer onion, green peppers and chiles in the chicken broth and 1/3 cup of the enchilada sauce; simmer for about five minutes. Add in the chili powder, pepper, garlic and chicken; mix and cover for five more minutes. Place the tortillas on top of the chicken mixture in the pan and cover again for about a minute (to soften them).

Remove chicken mixture from heat and remove the tortillas. In a baking pan, line the bottom of the pan by pouring about 1/2 c. enchilada sauce on the bottom. Place about 1/3 c. of the chicken mixture in each tortilla, spread lengthwise; roll the tortilla and place it seam down in the baking pan. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. Once the pan is filled with the enchiladas, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over top and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden.

All this talk of cheese has me craving mac and cheese.

Sweet & Spicy Thai Quesadilla

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One of the first things on my list of boyfriend approved meals are quesadillas.

I probably make him one at least once a week; usually as we are bumming around catching up on our television shows together. Most of the time, okay, all of the time, they are pretty much your straight forward quesadilla; cheese and tortilla. Not very exciting. It’s a lucky day when I have some chicken in the fridge or maybe even two types of cheese. This time I figured I should go for something exciting. Something spicy, something sweet…

So I went with something Thai; a cuisine that I discovered with the boyfriend and we both love it. Speaking of which, it’s also a cuisine that we don’t eat the frequently because in all honesty, I kind of forgot about it. Especially when it’s so easy to go out for pizza and frozen yogurt. This quesadilla, however, will never allow me to forget Thai food ever again.

As soon as the tasted the peanut butter sauce, I knew we had a winner here. Instead of scarfing it down for dinner, I very carefully tucked them away into the freezer to share with boyfriend the next time he is here. I’m so nice, I know. There still may be a bit or two or three missing…

Sweet & Spicy Thai Quesadilla
makes 2 quesadillas

1/4 c. peanut butter
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. water
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 tsp. hot sauce
1/2 c. pineapple, diced
1/2 c. broccoli, cut into small florets
1/3 c. cheese, grated (any)
2 flour tortillas

In a bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, hot sauce and half of the water. Stir until combined; heat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, stir again and add the rest of the water if the peanut butter mixture is too thick. (It shouldn’t be the consistency of a sauce but not quite as thick as regular peanut butter.)

Spread the peanut butter mixture onto one half of the tortilla. Top with half the broccoli, pineapple and cheese; fold over and repeat with the other tortilla. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the quesadillas one at a time about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. They can also be cooked in a george foreman type grill (which is what I did) for about 6-8 minutes. Cut in half and enjoy!

Rainy, Awesome Weekend.

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He is an April Fool’s baby. We had some great plans this weekend to go into NYC but it was raining and freeeeezing. When it’s cold, I’m seriously the biggest pain in the butt ever. I don’t stop complaining and take on the appearance of a turtle as I burrow my head and neck as far into my jacket and scarf as possible. And I’m cranky to the billionth power.

So, imagine our extreme disappointment when we woke up on Saturday morning to find it pouring, windy and just barely forty degrees. I was all in for ditching our plans for staying in pajamas and the heat all day, I’m a great girlfriend aren’t I? But, the boyfriend insisted that we still try to make it a fun day and head into the city because there were things that both of us had been looking forward too.

You see, Joy the Baker was speaking and signing her new, amazing cookbook at the Brooklyn Kitchen on Saturday. Being a huge fan and avid reader of her site, I practically begged the boyfriend to let us go there on his birthday weekend. Of course, he agreed :) There were yummy, free snacks and free beer (the best kind according to boyfriend). I’m glad that I braved the cold weather because Joy was extremely sweet and a pleasure to listen to and meet. She even signed my copy of her cookbook!

The place was packed! But we were lucky to be close to the front of the line and didn’t have to wait too long. We left a little after 3:00 and I braved the cold weather again as we walked down the street to the real reason we dragged ourselves to Brooklyn on this rainy Saturday; the Brooklyn Brewery. I planned on taking the boyfriend there for his birthday celebration and to take a tour of the place. Well, we got there and there was a huge line waiting to get inside!

After a freezing thirty minutes, we were allowed in! This place was really neat and it was packed. We bought some beer tokens and stood in the longest line I have ever seen. Long story short, we got some beer and listened to some fun history about the brewery. We then decided it was too cold and realized we had been standing for the past four hours, so we wimped out and started to head for the train home! I think we’ll be back for another trip to the brewery when it’s not so miserable outside.

The brewery was extra interesting because we hadn’t eaten anything besides a few nibbles of goodies at the Joy the Baker book signing. We couldn’t wait to get home and have some dinner; we even cheated a bit and grabbed some ice cream at the train station before heading home.

We were pooped and it was barely 5:30.