molly irwin

lemon poppyseed pound

Lately I've been honing my photography skills on food related images it seems.   Being Easter, and since I've been up since the crack of dawn with eager kids, I used our special holiday desert as a short project.  How I do amuse myself ...

Here's my Easter gift to you: a photo essay of Rose Levy Beranbaum's Lemon Poppyseed Pound Cake, found in The New Basics, but the same recipe is also available online, here.  This would be terrific for Mother's day or any special spring/summer occasion really.

There is no shortage of beautiful food photo inspiration online, including smitten kitchen (who provides some wonderful photo advice) and 101 cookbooks.

Have a wonderful Easter!

before + after

BEFORE

AFTER

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Mixed, baked and photographed this morning; new additions to my 'taste' flickr set.   That's my breakfast on the left and something for the kiddos' at right.

Recently, I discovered (and have been savoring) the delicious-looking combinations and gorgeous photography at smitten kitchen, especially her pumpkin waffles and roasted acorn squash + gorgonzola pizza.  I must try those.

Happy weekend!

diced, sliced and julienne

This was just one of those days spent doing little things around the kitchen.  Washing all the herbs and veggies.  Dicing, slicing and generally getting them ready for the three recipes I have selected.  It took a while and Paul doesn't really get this: he thinks it's a chore; something to just quickly get done.  But I enjoy the colors, textures, pace, and sensations of it all so much.

Now I know tomorrow afternoon, I can just whip up sweet potato chowder in a snap.  And the next day throw together my chicken with herbed polenta triangles.

Just look at all this fresh goodness! If only the rest of the house was so organized.

a baking manifesto

Because I've always wanted to.  Because it would make my Grandma proud.  Because to bake my way through this book is a new goal I have established.  Because I don't want to feed my kids high fructose corn syrup and soy lecithin.  Because it really doesn't take that long and isn't difficult at all.  Because I never want to run to the grocery store At 10pm on a school night again.  Because nothing beats the aroma that fills up the whole house.  Because we finally have cool days and even cooler nights.  Because this = love.

Besides, you can't have chicken and biscuits without a good homemade biscuit.  I also tried the pumpkin muffins (with cranberries) from the Clayton book last week.  No photo, but boy were they good.

day of breakfasts

Today:  8:30 AM spinach and cheddar omlette.  11:30 AM bagel, triple-onion cream cheese, salmon, coffee (with Andrea, Donna, Candace and Tracy).  5:30 PM pancakes.  Entirely unplanned.  Completely delightful.