Before anything else, I want to say a big thank you for your helpful and reassuring comments and e-mails about my blog identity crisis. Knowing I’m not the only person to have these feelings made me realize I don’t need to make a formal decision about where I want Espresso and Cream to go. Instead, I’m going to keep cooking and baking, and when other events seem post-worthy, they’ll make their way to these pages, too. Case in point…. … Read More
Confession and Cookies Time: Alfajores
Working as an editor makes writing as a blogger absolutely maddening at times. Throughout the day, I’m constantly thinking about editorial direction and cohesive themes to the pieces and recipes I’m putting into place. There’s a rhyme and a reason for everything, and every recipe serves a purpose. But life as a blogger isn’t nearly as cut and dried. Blogs by their very nature are extensions of the people who write them, and just like people are multi-dimensional, so are … Read More
Back to Basics: Caramel Sauce
Let’s make a deal: if you make this caramel sauce sometime in the next couple days, I’ll be back on Friday with a tempting, mouthwatering way to use said caramel sauce. Well, besides just eating straight out of the jar with a spoon, that is. Go ahead and try it; I won’t judge. Making caramel sauce has been on my list of ‘must make’ items for as long as I can remember. And now that I’ve finally done so, … Read More
Back to Basics: Baked Doughnuts
Happy Monday! Let’s get straight to the food, shall we? Maybe it’s a bit of a stretch to consider doughnuts part of this back to basics series, but for some people doughnuts are a basic breakfast staple. Me? I’m not a huge doughnut eater, but when I came across this recipe for a homemade version that’s baked instead of fried it intrigued me. As with all things homemade, these doughnuts are different than those you might pick up at the … Read More
Back to Basics: Eggplant (Baba Ganoush)
A few weeks back, I issued a challenge to J. – each week pick out one vegetable you’ve never cooked before and learn how to cook it. I promised to guide him through the process, thinking it would be a less-intimidating way to approach cooking and learning new skills. While I helped him cook asparagus over the phone, I decided I could use a bit of my own advice. Typically, unless I have a specific recipe in mind, I tend … Read More
Back to Basics: Roasted Potato Chips
Most of the cooking that goes on in my own kitchen is so simple it’s embarrassing. Sure, there’s always cooking involved and hardly ever any takeout, but simplicity is the name of the game. So with that notion in mind, Espresso and Cream is going back to basics for the next few weeks. I’ll be sharing with you my favorite ways to prepare veggies, simple soups, and other recipes that will make life in the kitchen easier. If you’re someone … Read More
Easy Coconut Cake
On Friday night I was sitting on my couch, waiting impatiently for J to arrive so the weekend could officially start. And when I heard a knock at the door, I sprung off the couch to answer the door. I wish I would have thought to take a photo of the sight in front of me: J, holding a homemade coconut cake with two candles numbering ’23’ glowing brightly. Seriously one of the best birthday cakes I can remember receiving. … Read More
Pear-Almond Butter Muffins with Spiced Greek Yogurt ‘Frosting’
I’m not entirely sure why, but lately change has seemed to be on the agenda. There’s a new mirror in my living room, new breakfasts at my table and last night I cut four inches off my hair on a whim. Like a breath of fresh air, this change feels good. Speaking of breakfast, I’ve been having so much fun rediscovering how exciting, varied and delicious the first meal of the day can be. This week my breakfast of choice … Read More
Quinoa with Spicy Tomato Peanut Sauce
I’ve been on a bit of a roll with quinoa lately. I’m not entirely sure why, though I do think it might have something to do with the fact that I’m trying to cut back on the number of dollars spent at the grocery store and use the ingredients I actually have at home instead. When I moved into my apartment 8 months ago my parents took me to Costco to stock up on the basics and get me on … Read More
MultiGrain PB&J Breakfast Cookies
Is it Monday already? If so, I seriously can’t believe it. Every time I go somewhere on the weekend, it becomes so clear that two days just isn’t long enough to get everything done, be rejuvenated and just be wherever you are. J and I made the trek out to Wisconsin for a weekend with some of our favorite people: J’s aunt and uncle and their four very cute kids. I wish I had some photos of the weekend, but … Read More
Greek Salad Pizza
J and I approach food in two completely different ways. It’s almost comical sometimes; the food editor who muses about all things culinary and savors every morsel and the former football player who has spent the last eight years of his life eating for fuel, wolfing down thousands of calories without much of a second thought about the actual taste of his food. I’m working on him, going to places off his beaten path, encouraging him to slow down and … Read More
Whole Wheat-Flax Seed Banana Bread
I spent all summer eating the same thing for breakfast day-in and day-out. This is not an exaggeration in the least bit. Aside from times when I was traveling, and even then sometimes, my breakfast consisted of Greek yogurt, some type of berries, a little cereal, and a dollop of homemade nut butter. Maybe that’s strange; in fact, it more than likely is. But for me, breakfast is a particular meal. It really does set the tone for my eating … Read More