Baking and Thinking

I was very impressed by comedian Mike Birbiglia’s short film “2Fresh 2Furious” with Terry Gross. If you love them like I do, you must see this, it is brilliant!  I LOVE this!! Here is the link.

So of course this got me Thinking and Baking!

After I watched the clip, I started to wonder what it might be like to have both Mike and Terry over for a little dessert and coffee. I think they are so talented and bright, did I mention funny?  I have been a huge fan of Terry Gross for several years.  She has inspired me to think about what it might be like to sit across brilliant people and just talk to them, pick their brains a bit and gain insight into their lives. As a psychologist, I have this kind of experience, but have more expectations on me than an interviewer. Terry has influenced my thinking regarding asking questions in general.

Brief history of my respect for Terry, Mike and don’t forget Barbara!

As a child, I was captivated by Barbara Walters’ inquisitive nature and her willingness to “dig deep” and ask personal, sometimes, “elephant in room” kind of questions. I thought she possessed much courage to ask those types of questions. She was my heroine and I continue to admire her very much.  Terry is another one of my much-loved interviewers. She is awesome. I love her voice. I love her style and her calm, cool thoughtful, well researched and always curious questions. Her even-tempered wit and expressions are admirable. She is my star!

Mike Birbiglia is a comedian who I also find to be interesting and of course funny. He is one my comedic favorites. I have listened to a great deal of his comedy. I have gone to a few of his shows.  I think his facial expressions, tones and the “look” in his eyes are hilarious.  Especially when his bright blue eyes open wide and he says “OOOOHHHHHHhhhh NOOOOOoooo” in a deep yet sort of slow motion kind of way, at least for a panic situation. So when I saw two of my adored people in this short film it was out of this world! Mike’s spectacular short film made me feel like I just wanted to scream funny and I sure did! After I saw it once, I then encouraged my husband to watch it. He is a big fan as well! I watched it again with him and we were laughing as if we were two little kids laughing at poop and fart jokes! You know how that goes. It’s the funniest thing in world!  I watched in a sort of positive disbelief (if there is such a thing). Terry Gross was out of character and so amusing! Terry was a great sport in the film! It must be tricky when you are poking fun at yourself.  What a great thing to be able to not take ourselves so seriously! It captured Terry’s personality with a great little edge to it! I think it is splendid and deserves great praise! I just loved it! Genius!

Thinking Part

So this left me thinking of what I would bake for the two of them if they came over to my home.  Seriously, yes you read it right, if they came over my home! It could happen! I know Mike likes pepperoni pizza so I would probably order that as a big appetizer. Maybe make a salad on the side to make it healthy? No doubt, the main course for our visit would be the dessert! I think it would be nice to nibble on some mini fruit tartlets while sipping on our cappuccino and talking. (I’ll get back to the cappuccino in another post!) I would tell Terry how much I respect and appreciate her work. I would ask her what she enjoys most about her career. I don’t know if words could actually express how much I appreciate her! What a talented woman! I would tell her that I aspire to foster the confidence and calm that she transmits. I  love the scarf she was wearing in the film! Yes I’d tell her that too! I would also say this “well Terry, thank you for joining us, I really love what you do. You are very inspirational. If you decide to retire someday, keep me in mind!”

With Mike, I would love to ask him how he processes the ongoing reframe of his everyday life situations and transforms them into funny matters.  I would want to know how, other than using comedy, how he has coped with his medical issues. I would tell him, “Mike, you are a riot and I love what you do, can me and my family tag along with you on your next tour?” I have not yet seen his new movie that is out called “ Sleep walk with me”  however, I will soon. I am sure I it will have me “in stitches” as they say!

Even though there is so much meaning that we can assign to various situations, for me it is helpful to not take ourselves so seriously at times. Terry was able to have fun with her own style of how she relates to others. Through Mike’s creation,  she spun herself into a dichotomy of her personality. It was funny because it was dichotomous to her real self. We can do this too. We can have fun and joke with who we think we are. Stop taking yourself so seriously all the time! We only have a little time on this great planet that we are spinning on in this fascinating universe. It is so amazing that as Elton John would say, “it’s a little bit funny.”  So , Terry and Mike “I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world!”  It’s been fun to share my fantasy scenario, (well it could become a reality, maybe I will send Mike and Terry an invite). Okay, now I will move on to the baking.

I think I would make Mini Fruit Tartlets for my wonderful guests. Let me tell you why! You see, Mike is the fruity, jokey one and Terry is the sophisticated, warm one, like a tart!Together they could make a fruit tartlet. I would explain this to them while I presented the tartlets!

Baking Part

I tried this recipe and it was great!

Mini Fruit Tartlets

Here is the link to the recipe from My Recipe.com

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mini-fruit-tartlets-50400000110054/

You will notice that this recipe calls for a jar of lemon curd.  Since I could not find the lemon curd in my local grocery store, I decided to make my own. I adapted the recipe for the lemon curd from the book “Baking Illustrated”, by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated Magazine. This book is a must for a baker! It is packed with tested and retested recipes!

Here is the link to the book. 
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore/detail.asp?PID=247

Lemon Curd Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup juice from 2 lemons
• 2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoon heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

You will need to heat the lemon juice in a nonreactive (glass, ceramic, stainless steel) sauce pan over medium heat. Eggs and yolk are whisked in a nonreactive bowl; then gradually whisk in sugar. Pour the hot lemon slowly into the eggs, then return to the saucepan and cook on medium heat. Stir constantly with wooden spoon till thick enough to stick to spoon. Remove pan from heat and stir in the cold butter until fully combined; stir in rest of ingredients and then pour through a strainer into a nonreactive bowl. Cover and refrigerate the curd until needed.

Delicious!

Cappuccino for you!

Tray of tartlets for you!

Let me know what you think!

Love,

Maria

Comare Sarina and me a few years back!

Sarnia’s Blueberry Bundt Cake and the Stars!

Recently some of my friends and family members have experienced losses, illness or injury. At times, I have felt helpless in their suffering. However, I feel that they are resilient and will endure. I can appreciate the love of family and friends, as it can carry many through in their days of harshness. I have realized that although we assign meaning to so much, for me, many situations are random and it is often how we decide to cope with them that ultimately determines the path.

I have recently been learning more about the universe. I will post more on that at another time. For now, I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are 400 billion galaxies and that we are made of the same stuff that make up the stars! We come from the stars! I am so intrigued that I am exploring possibilities of more formal education into astronomy and astrophysics! I am so appreciative of the beauty that abounds science and reason! We are all stars! Speaking of stars, I thought about my “Comare Sarina”! She is one of my superstars!

My dear Sarina recently was hurt and is recovering. I have thought of her often and am wishing her a speedy recovery. Growing up, I always looked forward to being around Comare. She told it like it was! She did not “sugar (yum) coat” and was not soft-spoken! I loved her sense of style. Comare is Sicilian, need I say more! She wasn’t and isn’t the traditional woman. I appreciate that she is not afraid to just be herself and forget about what others’ think! Power to her! Comare is a strong lady and I know she will bounce back as that is her way! In honor of her I made this Blueberry Bundt Cake which is her recipe. She gave this recipe to me a few years ago.  Hammonton, the town I live in is the “blueberry capital of the world” so they say. Since the blueberries are everywhere I had to make and share  with you. Thank you Comare, I love you and am wishing you a speedy recovery!!

Here it is….

My Fancy Written Recipe

Ingredients:

• Approximately one pint of Blueberries
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup of oil (vegetable)
• 2 cups of sugar
• 3 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• cinnamon – approximately a teaspoon, I eyeball it!

Of course you have to start with some fresh Top Crop Blueberries, sweet and yummy!

Washed and drained blueberries.

Wash and drain the blueberries, sprinkle a little flour and sugar so that the moisture is absorbed. Set these aside.

Mix the dry ingredients first and then add the rest.

Mix it up!

Fold in your blueberries! Then spray your bundt cake pan with non-stick spray of your choice. Pour into your bundt cake pan.

Ready to go into the oven.

Then bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until golden and toothpick comes out clean.

Have yourself a piece!

Top with whatever your heart desires. I like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or even cream cheese! Enjoy!

Guacomole Greatness

I gave myself permission to deviate a little, today’s post is not about baking. I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to share this because it was sooo good!

Last week  for dinner I wanted to make fresh guacamole as part of a Mexican themed meal. I wanted a really fresh tasting salsa with no added junk! My wonderful husband who is always trying to support me, offered his kindness by going to the grocery store to pick up some items! He called me from the store to ask which salsa he should get. He came across “Top Crop Fresh Salsa” . He said “it looks fresh, natural and healthy as you like it, should I get it?” I told him,  “yes, let’s try it!” Well, it was love at first bite!! It was so delicious, with all natural ingredients including tomatoes, green and red peppers, red onions, cilantro, garlic, etc. All GOOD STUFF!!  We devoured it with some blue corn chips.

I had an idea to mix it into a guacamole recipe.  The salsa really did the trick! This was one of the best guacamole dips I had made in my life! Yes, I loved it!

I live in Hammonton so I am very lucky to have this local produce; Donio Produce/Jersey Fresh” Here is their link check them out!

http://www.donio.com/Sb3iw3drpyjnvfo551df5k1qw))/default.htm

Maybe you can contact Top Crop/Donio Produce and have them ship some to you or your local store!!! It’s definitely worth it!

Thank you so much Donio Produce for “Top Crop, Fresh Salsa”!! LOVE IT!!

Here is my Guacamole recipe, adjust to your liking:

• 2 ripe avocados – peel, cut and place in bowl
• Approximately 1 teaspoon or to your taste of McCormick’s Perfect pinch Garlic and Herb- salt free seasoning
• Dash of Onion powder
• Approximately 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
• Fresh cilantro to taste
• At least 3 tablespoons of Top Crop Salsa, it’s up to you!

First squash the avocados. I used a simple mashed potato hand masher, then stir in the rest of the ingredients and waaallaaa it is done!! Easy and little time to make! Go for it!

Look how fresh!! Yum!

Finished product!

In terms of thinking, yes I was doing it! Even though it wasn’t baking I had some reflections.

If you are open to notice and appreciate it, the “Top of the Crop” or the “best of the best”, is there in the unforeseen day-to-day setting.  I was reminded that in the unexpected circumstances of life, you can find happiness. I didn’t expect to come across such a delicious, healthy salsa and have it complement my guacamole so nicely. This “pint-sized” unexpected situation fostered a little piece of joy that was extended to my dinner, to my family, my night and my life! See if you can cultivate openness and mindfulness for those unexpected events. They have the potential to blossom into delight!

Enjoy!

Maria

I made fresh bagels the other day and boy were they delicious. I know that we shouldn’t indulge in carbs. but a fresh home made bagel sure does taste great with cream cheese!! The recipe came from the Better Homes and Gardens Complete step by step cook book it is a classic I love it! The bagels are simple with only a few ingredients. Yet there are many steps involved with making them, including waiting for the dough to rise, boiling, baking, broiling. However, with these many steps a very basic, simple bagel is made! There was a great deal of pleasure in making these and I was reminded of the simple, basic step by step procedure in life and how it actually can be nice! A bagel is basic and yet a little complicated to make, just like many things in life! As I grow I really appreciate the “basic” and find great comfort and solitude in it, for this is where I came from. Basic is sometimes underrated. So for today, I think I will focus on the beauty of basic. There is simplicity everywhere and we can create and bring it into our lives. I want to stay with the basics, it feels good!!

Love ya,

Maria

The other day I baked blueberry scones. It gave me so much joy. There is nothing like fresh organic blueberries in your scones! I thought about how this simple abundance gives me so much joy. I wanted to share it with others. I did give some scones to my parents who enjoyed them. While I was baking the scones I watched old episodes of The Lucy Show…boy she was so funny. I loved her simple ways. I think there should be more of us who don’t take things so seriously. Although I didn’t do anything extraordinary by baking scones and watching a funny show. I did get to reflect on how much I appreciate the simple joys in life and how much it is nice to share in the joy. I plan to contribute to other’s well-being and help the planet and our humans. I know how valuable it also is to find that peace and joy no matter how simple or brief with in ourselves. I plan to keep doing this in small by steady amounts. For now I am signing off with more thoughts on the way.

This morning I downloaded the e-book The China Study. This book is about the truth behind health and nutrition. I can’t wait to read and learn! I will have to post some of my thoughts.

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