Mystery Pie

Oo, what's in it? Is it magic? Is it money? No, sadly, this is my first attempt at an apple pie. The recipe suggested I decorate the top with stars. As I had none, I used the next best thing. What I learned is that, contrary to what Muriel (from Courage the Cowardly Dog) says, vinegar is not always the best secret ingredient.

(Several months after) CookieBar!

I wanted to write this a few weeks after CookieBar to give my inner fangirl a chance to calm down. I rose early (like 8am!) to get a train to New York, so that I could beat the line that would certainly stretch down the block for Dorie and Josh Greenspan's amazing cookies. Turns out I was the only one there, twenty minutes before it officially opened. Normally, I would have circled to block a few times so that I wouldn't seem too eager, but my brain said, "It's cold out here and there are cookies in there. Now, what do you think is the right thing to do?" I strolled in coolly and told Dorie that I admired her work, peppering my words with witty phrases that she repeats to this day. Oh wait, that wasn't me. That was nobody. I was less like James Bond and more like a pterodactyl, screeching something like "Jam, I like it! You supah crazy cool! Cookies! Graaaah!" while swooping at the luscious treats on the table.

Donna is smiling out of fear. Or pity.

Dorie seemed surprised by my sudden attack of mouthfoam, but was extremely gracious (free cookie, what up?). I purchased one of each cookie and lined them up. I won't name them but I tasted all of them and my god...

I ate these. Clockwise.

I cite Dorie Greenspan as a great inspiration, not just because her food is delicious, but because it is simple and imaginative. Her Jammers, the buttery sables topped with fruit preserves, are honestly everything I've ever wanted in a cookie. Dorie manages to find a home for every ingredient in each cookie, as if they all simply belonged together but hadn't yet met. I am glad that I was able to enjoy this showcase of Dorie's skill, however brief and lovely.

Aaand We're Back!

So it's been a while. I have been baking and even cooking, but not posting. I'm sure some of it is laziness, but mostly out of application stuff. That's done now (finally!) and here I am. So, some stuff:
- Next couple posts will be stuff I did weeks ago. No big deal.
- I have decided to transition into going vegetarian, which means there will be recipes for real food! I figure I don't really eat meat anyway, so why not make it official.
- I pledge to do a little better with pictures from now on. I've been using my phone mostly, but I will use an actual camera sometimes.
That is all.