Mar 31
It’s no secret that I like to make food for other people (perhaps even more than I like to make it for myself), and something I’ve enjoyed most recently is putting together items at custom request. Someone dreams up something particular – maybe a little off the beaten path – and I test and experiment and tweak to put it together.
A “glitter Persian cake” was requested, and a glitter Persian cake was received.
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Mar 23
Remember when I decided that I didn’t really like chocolate cake? I tried recipe after recipe for traditional chocolate layer cakes, only to decide that I wasn’t finding what I wanted because I didn’t really like traditional chocolate layer cakes very much to begin with.
This was all a little ridiculous, because no one doesn’t like chocolate cake. It may not be on the top of one’s cake list (which I just made up and now want to make and laminate and put in my wallet), but seriously – no one honestly dislikes chocolate cake. I was fixated on finding that perfect recipe, and when I didn’t find it I basically said “I wasn’t playing anyway,” and all was well.
Until this looker came along.
I can get a little fixated on things sometimes. I’ll be the first to admit it. But together with a growing sense that it’s “no big deal” to churn out another batch of cookies or another shaker of cocktail or, in this case, another layer cake, that tendency to fixate means that sometimes I’m making a sizable volume of something in order to make sure I know how I like it best.
I’ve been trying to write this post for days.
I have things I want to say, but I just can’t figure out how to get them out. I’m a little exhausted, and a little scattered. It’s like how going on a trip is fantastic, but those few days ahead of time are chaotic, and stressful, and you can’t figure out how to pack less than five pairs of shoes, and you’re sitting on the floor surrounded by a monstrous pile of sweaters, and then you’re raising your voice to your husband. “Why don’t I have shoes that go with things? Why are all my shoes so awful? Why don’t I have anything nice?! Why is life so miserable and WHY AM I SO BAD AT IT?!” And he says “here, love: you should drink a little of this bourbon.”
(Two points: 1. Packing gives me major anxiety, and 2. Brett is pretty awesome.)
You could say I’m kind of in a trip preparation period right now, but it’s lasting for weeks instead of days. And I’m organizing time and emotions and energy and focus instead of socks and pants and sweaters and shoes. (Side note: Seriously – why don’t I have shoes that go with my clothes? It can’t really be this hard. Can someone help me with this, please?) And instead of a trip to somewhere far away, it’s more like a trip into a different everyday life. What comes next will be fantastic, but in the meantime there’s much to do and lots of focus on at once, and I’m one foot in this life and one in the next.
Two more points: To deal with stress, we should eat some cake. And then some more cake.
Deal?
Oct 31
Being in the kitchen can be a great way to deal with everything else going on in your life. Need some excitement in your life? Douse something with brandy and set it on fire. Need to get out your aggression? Smash some candies for peppermint bark. Feeling disconnected or homesick? Chocolate chip cookies.
Having trouble focusing? Peel some apples. Need to slow down a bit? Soak some currants in rum for at least a day. Feeling a little frantic? Bake them together, slowly, with crunchy bits of brown sugar crumble on top. Serve it warm, with a rather large dollop of softly whipped vanilla cream.
My name is Bowen and I'm a cooking instructor/food writer/home cook in Seattle, WA. I'm dedicated to community-based food systems that nourish people and planet alike, and this site is an extension of my kitchen - seasonal, fresh food and cocktails made with heart (and sometimes an indecent amount of olive oil) to share with friends and loved ones.
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