East of Eden Cooking

2014/01/272017/12/31

Rose Hip and Orange Marmalade

A Winter Adventure

“He walked by the sad little garden and all around the house—not a new house any more. Even the last added lean-to bedrooms were old and weathered and the putty around the windowpanes had shrunk away from the glass.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It took me several weeks to gather up my urban foraging courage. On my morning walk I pass a house that is empty with a forlorn “for sale” sign that dominates the front yard. A gigantic rose bush hadn’t been trimmed and was filled with bright red rose hips. I took a pair of clippers and a bag on my walk and set about stripping the bush of all the rose hips. While I was clipping, the neighbors drove into the driveway next door and gave me a puzzled look. Thank goodness they didn’t speak to me. I was on the verge of being the crazy lady who lives in the neighborhood. I was waiting for “Um, hi there, what are you doing in my neighbor’s yard?” “Oh, I, ah, live down the street and am gathering rose hips for making jam.” I gathered up my treasure and wondered if I had enough rose hips to make jam. I had no idea what rose hips tasted like or that they take time and patience to clean and cook. This is my kind of winter adventure. READ MORE . . .

2014/01/132017/12/31

Almond Breakfast Rolls with Amaretti Cookies and Amaretto

Smile from the Inside Out

“He read slowly, moving his lips over the words. Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I’m hoping almonds are a favorite. If so, this recipe will make you very happy. And happy is what we need to begin the new year. Resolutions and goals are perfectly fine, I made a few too. But I’m all for a big dose of being happy. I’m striving to be happier, to find joy in the present moment. Because really that’s all we’ve got. We know this, yet we don’t live as if we know this truth. We lost someone close to our family unexpectedly during the holidays. Our holidays are forever changed. With a basket of grief firmly griped in my hands I offer a gentle reminder to cherish each moment, smile from the inside out and find joy in each precious day. READ MORE . . .

2013/12/312014/03/30

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

A Celebration

“Some things don’t ever change their value, he said.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Be kind, be gracious, a new year is arriving and we have dessert for the celebration! Vanilla was nudging me. Past the river of chocolate and butter of Christmas. Clean, fresh, sweet, a refreshing bath of flavor to begin a new year. It tugged and melted into a pool of bright silver light worthy of a celebration. Happy New Year! READ MORE . . .

2013/12/192018/12/11

Russian Tea Cakes

A Favorite Christmas Cookie

“It’s not Christmas. No, said Cal, it’s better than Christmas.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

This Christmas cookie has been splashed across the internet and a version of the recipe can be found in every cookbook that has cookies as its theme. Of all the Christmas cookies I make this is the most requested. Russian Tea Cakes are the first holiday cookie of the season. A nutty shortbread cookie rolled in powdered sugar, simple to make and even easier to devour. There are many names and variations for this cookie, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Polvorones, made with cinnamon, pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts. I use the recipe my mom used. Changing a family favorite can be treacherous, especially at the holidays. I wouldn’t dream of adding cinnamon, although I imagine it would be fabulous. Over the years I have made a few tweaks. We grew up with cookies made with margarine and walnuts as butter and pecans were too expensive. I migrated to butter, added another handful of walnuts and toasted them before adding to the dough. With my changes the Russian Tea Cakes must taste better. But childhood memories can’t be argued with. Even though I know butter tastes better than margarine the best cookies I’ve ever had at Christmas were the ones my mom and I made together. That’s an ingredient you can’t buy at the store or include in a recipe, even though that’s what we’re all looking for at Christmas. READ MORE . . .

2013/12/092014/03/30

Lemon Cherry Bread

Kneading Conference West

“You couldn’t buy flour, white flour, any more without taking four times the quantity of brown flour. Those who could afford it ate bread and biscuits with white flour and made mash for the chickens with the brown.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Bakers of bread, owners of bakeries, farmers of grain and millers of flour gathered in Burlington, Washington at the WSU-Mount Vernon Research Center in September to share all things that make a better bread. Kneading Conference West was a dough filled weekend stuffed with learning and floury experiences in whole grain breads. Workshops, panels and presentations, field trips, networking and bread fresh from the oven are few of the highlights of the conference. Wood-fired bagels for breakfast, challah warm from the oven, tangy sourdough fruity and sweet with raisins and apples and a thrilling heritage wheat puff pastry all were part of the experience. READ MORE . . .