Kneadful Things

Banana Chocolate Chip....Candidates gone bananas.

So I made another Martha Stewart cookie recipe...this one was banana chocolate chip. It was very good, but I felt as though it needed more banana. One cup of banana didn't seem sufficient. But the texture of the oats mixed with the semi-sweet chocolate chips was a welcome one. It wasn't too dense or chewy, but a great mix of chewy and crisp edges.  They have the "melt in your mouth" quality you are looking for in a chocolate chip cookie. Needless to say.....they are just dying to be dunked. God Bless Milk.

Ok, so the latest on the primary front is that my favorite candidate, HRC, has become that cousin that never knows when to leave a party. My feeling is that, if the super-delegates overturn the popular vote, the party is stabbing itself in the foot. It would be pulling a circa-2000 GWB style win....Yuck. Even my one month old thinks it sucks....and he only knows about pooping and boobs. I am still pulling for the dream ticket, though.

And now....more gratuitous baby pics....

Martha Stewart's Cookie Book-God bless the ergo baby carrier.

So, thanks to the magic wonder of the Ergo Baby Carrier, I was able to try out a new recipe from the new Martha Stewart's Cookie Book, which I bought over the weekend. I tried the chocolate sugar cookies.  I know, I know, blogging about this goes against my "do not promote the super self- promoter", but I loved the cookie. It was chewy and flavorful, with a a huge punch of chocolate. Sorry, but I am going to have to install myself into Martha's menagerie of minions. I will now hang my head in shame.....(while reaping all the benefits....learned that trick from Eliot Spitzer!)

By the way, I have already been typing this post for an hour....I really need to figure out this whole wake/sleep thing better...if that's even possible.

  The Bounty. Next time, the batch will be doubled...or tripled.

And now, it's time for a proud mama's gratuitous picture of her son.

My first week as a mother.

First of all, let me just say, I now know what "The Grinch" felt like when his heart grew. I never had any idea that something so small could create such a huge reaction in me. Sometimes it's as though my whole body aches with the overwhelming feeling of love and contentment I receive from him.

But that hasn't made this week easy. Four days at the hospital, three days of familial visits, 2 days of "cluster feeding" and forgetting to brush my teeth and/or hair, has me looking fairly haggard. People tell you how hard it is going to be, and yet, it seems twice as hard. How is it possible that I wish he could stay this size forever? Why can't I always have him curled up on my chest as I type on my computer? I have documented many hours of his existence.  I don't think that I have seen my husband's face from beyond the camcorder since Elijah was born.

I am now amazed at what my body can do. I understand childbirth is "a natural process", but really, I had no idea how much your body just does on its own. It's incredible. I find myself looking at my baby, and then looking at my torso, and wondering how in the heck did he fit? Seriously, it doesn't seem physically possible. The geometry doesn't seem to match up at ALL.

Did I mention, or did you notice, he looks NOTHING like me? I saw that coming a mile away. My recessive-as-heck McWhitey genes had nothing on the turbo-charged DNA of my Chinese husband. He is a Xerox copy of Tim. A mini clone. It did not take long for people to doubt my motherhood. In the waiting area of the hospital, while I was waiting for Tim to pull the car around, a nice old woman came up to me and said, "He's beautiful, is he yours?" I had to laugh on the inside, a bit.

That was a crazy day.

First, it took the garage 25 minutes to find the car. Then, when Tim parked the car in the hospital's drive, another car hit us. Third, BuyBuyBaby lost our order for our stroller. Thankfully, they had another of the same model in stock. Before you ask, NO we did NOT buy a bugaboo. I honestly cannot fathom buying a $900 stroller. It just seems ridiculous. And just a wee bit NUTS. But, to each their own.

It's a Maclaren Techno XLR.

I chose this stroller for the sturdy wheels and adjustable handles. It has yet to be road-tested, but I will let you know.

So, I am exclusively breast-feeding and have been trying to eat as healthfully as possible. I know that whatever I eat is going to him as well. (As in pregnancy.) That said, I have had something scandalous. Last night I had my first beer. ONE BEER HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS. It was hilarious. One hard cider. I haven't had a reaction to alcohol like that since high school. I couldn't help but laugh. I nursed that one beer for an hour.  Thank you Bierkraft. I have no idea when I will have the next one...

Oh So Tired.

Elijah

March 2nd, 2008 at 2:30pm Elijah was born. 7 lbs 10 oz and 20.5" long. He came fast and furious and was born just under 3 hours after I arrived at the hospital. He is way more fun than cookies and even cuter than a puppy.

On Napping....

Why is it that when you REALLY want to take a nap...you can't even relax your brain enough to stop twitching.

My Internal Dialogue:

"I think I should launder the baby carrier before he gets here.....Can I launder the baby carrier?"

I get up and go check:

"Definitely need to wash that soon"

"Should I have a batch of fresh baked cookies to take with me to the birthing center? I know the nurses would appreciate it.....But what kind?.....No nuts, that's for sure."

Tim texts me:

"I told him I was napping and he texts me to ask what is for dinner? I think I am feeling homicidal.....

I really need to organize that junk drawer.....oh, I should also put together my books I plan on donating......I wonder if Tim wants to donate any of his?

I think I want dim sum tomorrow....I wonder if I can get there prior to my appointment.....I think I will have the siu-mai."

I tell myself to shut up. It doesn't work. I roll around for 20 more minutes and then I go get myself a yogurt. Now it's too late to nap. Maybe I'll just make cookies.

I laugh in the face of anemia.....and then I go to Bouchon.

So, in addition to being very, very, pregnant...I am also very, very, anemic. So much so, that I require IV iron infusion at the hospital. The hospital is very near Columbus Circle, which happens to be the home of Bouchon Bakery, and it's time for SPRING MACAROONS! Coconut Passion-Fruit, Bananas Foster, and one that I am not sure what it was....(needless to say, my least favorite)

Cute packaging says a lot.

 

Bananas Foster

The bananas foster mac was light and airy and bursting with banana and caramel flavor. Not a disappointment at all.

Passion Fruit

The coconut-passion frut mac had a nice tart interior, and sweeter exterior. The cookie itself had a texture more similar to an American macaroon due to the coconut...I didn't think I would like it, but found the textural contrasts in the mac to be delightful.

macaroon of unknown origin

It was cloyingly sweet and I have no idea what it was....what does that tell you? It tasted vaguely of hazelnut-I think. Not their best.

Tonight, I plan on testing the first of many recipes I plan on sending off to the "Cooking Light" 4th annual recipe contest...I would tell you what I am making, but I would then have to kill you. It's a vegetarian appetizer, I will tell you that. As for right now, I am so absurdly tired, I MUST TAKE A NAP!

What Would Martha Stewart Do? Chocolate-Chip Raisin Cookies and Low-Fat Mac and cheese.

  I often find myself in a quandary....I want to bake something, I NEED to bake something. (I cannot explain this phenomenon, but it seems the closer I get to D-Day the more I NEED to bake...just to do something with my hands.) I have often made so many darn things already that week, that I am fresh out of ideas. When this happens, I simply ask myself, "What Would Martha Stewart Do?" or more simply, "WWMSD?" She is, after all, mistress of all things domestic. (Unless domesticity includes avoiding a federal pen, in which case, being the wife of a cop, I feel I could give her some pointers....like, Never listen to that guy again....apparently he is as dumb as a box of rocks!) That and so few people can pull off the orange jumpsuit....I bet she looked HOT. Plus, you can garden in that thing and never care if the knees get pulls.

Pulling things out of my cupboard, I decided that I wanted an oatmeal-raisin cookie....no, wait, make that a chocolate chip....no, I DEFINITELY want an oatmeal-raisin....DARN IT,  "WWMSD?" I KNOW!!! I'll just combine the two!!!! I looked through my cookbooks, then I decided to scan the inter-web, and found this recipe, It was just what I was looking for. Of Course! Why didn't I go to Martha first! (I am willing to bet that if HRC had gone to Martha first, her poll #'s would be looking a lot better!) I made the cookies as written, though I omitted the nuts. (So, I guess, that's not really "as written", is it?) They are buttery and rich and brown. I baked them a little longer so they would really crisp up. (They take in more coffee or milk, that way!) The recipe seems to yield more cookies than what they state,

The first time I took a bite, I was listening to "Touch Me" from "Spring Awakening" on my ipod, it was fitting. That's all I can say about that.

For dinner, I made my famous, low-fat mac and cheese. I made a major error, though. Tim bought the wrong cheese at the store, and I used it on top. Note to everyone, NEVER EVER USE FAT FREE CHEESE ON THE TOP OF YOUR MAC!! IT WILL NOT MELT PROPERLY!!! YOU WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED! My recipe other than that is very basic, roux made of smart balance and flour, skim milk, part skim sharp cheddar, barilla pasta plus, salt and pepper, a little paprika, but the little surprise is roasted onions and a few tablespoons of dijon mustard. The vinegar in the mustard gives it a little something extra! Really brightens the flavor.

You see? IT DIDN'T MELT! Grrrr.

I REALLY need to go do some squats now. I am feeling large and in charge, and TIRED OF BEING PREGGO!! (Are we seeing a pattern?)

Gary Busey is a whack-a-doo, Girl Scout Cookies are BACK!!

Gary Busey is a whack-a-doo. I feel bad for Jennifer Garner. Holy Scary Dude, Batman! I don't think that when you are getting ready to talk to Ryan Seacrest, you think to yourself, "Hey, I wish Gary Busey would try to make-out with my neck." Yeah, I seem to doubt that came across her mind. I would imagine something more along the lines of "How can I avoid an uncomfortable, Tara Reid, boob exposing moment?"

Moving on to a very important topic....something greatly anticipated all year long....that annual epic event that inspires mass hysteria across our great land....Even the Presidential Candidates are not exempt from their draw. I am talking, of course, of girl scout cookies. HRC, a former girl scout herself, has been known to nosh. Who and the heck could blame her? They are deliciously teaching life skills to millions of girls across the US. Even though, I did not get to be a girl scout, (My mother REFUSED to be a troupe leader) I am a huge fan of the thin mint, and do not turn my nose to a tag-a-long, or a samosa.

At this point in my pregnancy, I could rip into a box of thin mints with more fervor than Perez Hilton rips into celebrities. (That takes effort.) But, I fear, this would lead to even more excessive amounts of back-fat. Seriously, isn't the baby supposed to grow up front? What's with the muffin pudge? Moreover, how in the sam heck do you rid yourself of it? (Or the rest of the 20lbs I have packed on, for that matter!) I guess I could start with LESS cookie baking. That should help.

As for babies, how is it that a simple, baby swing can bring a grown adult to intermittent fits of rage? Do the employees at Graco sit around their meetings going "How can we drive hormonal, pregnant, women completely mad?" "How much more cryptic can we design these instructions?" The swing itself, it pretty neat. The sweetpeace has tons of functions and even plays your ipod. (Though I think "The Strokes" may be a bit mature. We are going to have to start slowly...."Johnny Cash" and the like.) I just cannot believe how much space one baby can take up. His weight estimate today was just under 7lbs, how is it possible that something that tiny can take up such a huge amount of square footage? It's quite simply amazing.

The whole thing is amazing, really.

Epicurious Top Rated Cookie Recipe...Yup...it's that good.

Epicurious.com Lists these wonderful, chocolate toffee cookies as the top rated cookie EVER. (On their site) I heard about it through various places, The Today Show-Other Baking blogs...etc. And thought...."They can't possibly be that good"

I was wrong. Dead wrong. They are just that good.

After shopping at my favorite grocer and realizing....THEY DON'T FRIGGEN SELL HEATH OR SKOR BARS, I went to my local Duane Reade and BAM! They had the necessary ingredient. 5 Skor Bars. (I won't tell you about the sixth skor I bought to eat just as a bar with my hubby. (Who I fear is going to become a "chubby hubby" at this rate.) He's still cute. Just need to get that boy some learnins' on portion control.

These cookies are amazing! They are these HUGE crackly-topped chocolate cookies that are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are worth every ounce of skor bar chopping effort. Yum. Though, I may need to make several more batches to decide for sure. Yes. That is my story and I am sticking with it. They are best eaten the first day, but still taste pretty darn yummy on the 2nd and 3rd. They are EVEN better with a cup of really good coffee or  delicious, delicious, milk.. You will love these.

 

An update on baby, I am 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced. STILL PREGNANT. SO OVER IT. He isn't listening to my eviction notice. I am going to have to send in the Marshalls. GRRRR.

Stew Leonards....what I made from the bounty.

When I am home in the city, I almost always shop at Fairway, but when I am upstate for some reason, I ALWAYS stop at Stew Leonard's a wonderful mecca of fresh foods. They have their own dairy, for goodness sakes! They have animatronic characters singing you their praises. They have more fresh ice cream than any one person should have to see. They make their own cider. They kettle fry their own potato chips, and best of all? They have freshly made donuts all day long. Apple Cider Donuts. Fresh. ALL THE TIME. How do you top that? You don't. Sure, you could gaze longingly at their hand butchered cuts of steak, or freshly stewed clam chowder, or even muddle over their house roasted coffee, but I go for the apple cider donut holes. My husband and I can eat an entire box. (But we don't, however tempting.) You. Must. Try.

While I was there, I picked up some of their delicious freshly baked bread and dairy products and went home to make a BREAD PUDDING, BABY! My recipe is a little different because I bake it half-way and then top it with maple syrup and finish it in the oven. It's more of a french toast bread pudding than anything.

It's gooey on the inside and caramelized on the top.....mmmmmmm. It's a true "Bread PUDDING"

I also decided to put their impeccable butter to good use by making chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies from Martha Stewart. They turned out very well, but I did double the peanut butter butter cream recipe and added vanilla and more confectioner's sugar to the mix. The result was a cream not unlike a certain pb cup's interior. They were a hit yesterday at a get together that I brought them to. The texture of the cake is just firm enough to be sandwiched without being brick-like. Great Recipe.

Tonight, in honor of the primaries, I am making Hillary Clinton's cookie recipe. She said that she "could have stayed home and made cookies" So, I want to see if the cookies she would have made, are any good. I will let you know.