Zimtherzen

Technically, these cookies are supposed to be called Zimtsterne because they are supposed to be star-shaped, but I figured with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I'd put my own twist on them.

I can't lie--the dough was kinda b*tchy to deal with until I got the hang of it and I was hampered by no wax paper (had to make do with parchment).  But they are gluten free and taste even better the next day. Who knows--if Lulu proves to be a big fan, I may have to make some in shamrock shapes for St Patrick's Day?

Sweet Potato Pizza

Gropius and made an adventurous pizza earlier this week--with sweet potato! My inspiration was a recipe from the latest issue of Food and Wine magazine, but we did our own riff.  A nice green salad, a stiff drink, and some TV rounded out our meal.

Instead of mashing the sweet potato to replace the sauce, I thinly sliced the potato to layer on top instead and tossed it with some olive oil and fresh rosemary from the garden. We didn't have mozzarella cheese (which was a surprise) and ended up using cheddar. 

Rather than buying pizza dough at Whole Foods on the way to pick up Lulu, she helped me make pizza dough once we got home. Nothing says fun like using a food processor to make your own whole wheat pizza dough! She pulled up her step-stool and helped me measure flour and add yeast and water. I think she's got quite a future in the kitchen!

Picture-worthy meals.

Warning:  catch-up (ketchup?) post ahead.

Gropius and I have enjoyed a few good meals lately--last night's fondue with homemade bread was particularly tasty, but unfortunately, NO PICTURES FOR YOU! (insert Seinfeldian Soup Nazi voice here)

In the past couple of weeks though:
He roasted a tasty, small pork loin roast in the oven that we served with tiny, perfect, multi-colored potatoes, and shredded brussel sprouts (my preferred method).

And this past weekend, we enjoyed a spanish-inspired risotto with manchego and chorizo and a green salad.  Unfortunately, the close-up photo resulted in a not-so-tasty looking meal, but the first one I took isn't bad.

Backe, backe Kuchen!

the proud baker herself

pointing out the finer pts of her bread

Lulu baked her own cake today. Well, technically, she assisted, but she assisted quite a bit and was quite adamant that she could DO IT, Mama! So, I chopped up a couple of pears that were just this side of being tossed out and measured out the dry/wet ingredients which Lulu poured into the bowl and mixed together. Then, she spooned the batter out into the loaf pan I had prepared in the meantime and we popped our pear-walnut tea bread into the oven.

She was so excited to see the end product of her hard work--I think we might have a baker on our hands!

a close-up of the end product--very tasty!