Apple Cider Chess Pie (& roommates)

November 18, 2019 AmandaLeave a comment

I had chess pie for the first time when a former roommate of mine made it in South Carolina. It’s a southern staple – essentially a custard pie thickened slightly with cornmeal.

Now, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of the pie the first go round. I wasn’t really a fan of my roommate, either. Not because he wasn’t a great person & friend – he was! I just don’t like roommates very much. Of any kind.

So far, Seth has remained the exception. I like hanging out with him, I’m relaxed and totally myself when he’s home, and my hair hasn’t started falling out from stress (as it has with previous roommates).

It certainly helps that he is a willing and enthusiastic taste tester. I’m learning how to gauge his reactions to a recipe rather quickly now. I can tell whether he likes something without any words, simply by reading his body language and facial expressions.

Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin (& working)

November 8, 2019 AmandaLeave a comment

I’ve been fully self-employed for a little over a month now.

Obviously, there’s been quite a learning curve. I’ve never owned a business before, never been my own boss. There have been victories (magazine cover coming soon!) and I have been defeated (lost a major client). On the whole, though, I’d say there have been more positives than negatives and even the negatives have been great learning experiences. (Or at least, that’s what I’m telling myself with the new tools I’m learning in therapy.)

For instance, I think my videos are getting better and better. To the point where I’m actually proud of them!

Browned Butter Sage Stuffing with Walnuts & Cranberries (& a Thanksgiving Menu)

November 20, 2018 AmandaLeave a comment

This is better than I thought it would be. Truly, when I went to put together suggestions for this year’s festivities I thought it would be slim pickings. That there wouldn’t be much to choose from because I hadn’t gotten up nearly as many posts as planned. I’d been behind, slacking, negligent about my duties and responsibilities. Turns out, that wasn’t (entirely) the case. It’s rewarding to look back on the year and see what’s been accomplished. I got more up than I planned! And a lot of it would fit nicely on the Thanksgiving table, if there’s still room.

O’Henry Bars (& asking)

May 12, 2018 Amanda3 Comments

When did you realize your parents were humans?

For me, it was Christmas two years ago.

We had just finished eating dinner and my mom walked toward the kitchen making a comment about how “it’d be nice to have a little help cleaning up” as she wandered away, continuing to mutter.

“Mom,” I called. “If you want me to clean up, just ask! I can’t give you what you want if you don’t tell me what it is. Being passive aggressive isn’t going to help anything!” (Home for the holidays, amirite?)

She huffed. “Fine. Will you please do the dishes? I’m tired from cooking.”

Yes, I could do the dishes. Yes, I would do the dishes. And while doing them I thought about how I had found myself in my mom’s position a multitude of times. Wanting help, guidance, acknowledgement, but being unable or unwilling to ask for it.

So that’s where I had gotten it. From my mom. In addition to a multitude of positives – my sweet tooth, my determination, my penchant for sweatpants – I had gotten my tendency toward passive aggression from my mother.

Because she’s only human. As am I.

So, for the last two years I’ve made a conscious effort to be more straightforward, more upfront, ask for what I want. And so has my mom. No more muttering about dishes, no more wishing for people to read minds. It’s made a marked difference to both of us, I believe.

When it’s important, it’s easier to ask for things. Like my mom did years ago when she asked for the recipe to these O’Henry bars from the women in her hospital’s cafeteria. And like she did weeks ago when she made it very clear what she wanted for Mother’s Day. A shovel. Yes, I could get her one. Yes, I would get her one. Yes, I did get her one. All she had to do was ask.

Cinco Leches Cake (& a secret ingredient)

May 4, 2018 Amanda3 Comments

I have a hard time liking what I make.

Not because it’s not good. It is! My friends and family and random strangers who I share my wares with all enjoy what I make. They are enthusiastic and emphatic in their praise.

I am, however, my harshest critic. Always have been, (probably) always will be. (I shudder to think at someone being harsher to me than I am.) I’ve got a bad case of perfectionism with a touch of the imposter syndrome – so even if a dessert is good, even great, I think it can be better.

There are exceptions – of course. My banana cream pie, for instance. Or my browned butter chocolate chip cookies. Marion’s mayo cake is beloved by everyone – even me!

And now, there’s this cake. A cake so good it sold out in one night the first time I made it (something my coconut icebox cake was also capable of). A cake so good I waited an entire year to make it again, because I just had to make it again. A cake so good even I like it.

Cake Batter Waffles (& Galentine’s Day)

February 14, 2018 Amanda4 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Or Galentine’s Day!

Or Palentine’s Day!

Or Mardis Gras!

Or Anna Howard Shaw Day!

Or Wednesday!

I made these waffles in honor of Galentine’s Day’s largest and most well known supporter and perpetuator – Leslie Knope. She loves her friends. She loves her waffles. She loves her work (but work always comes third). Making them cake batter waffles seemed like a decision she would applaud, as did the copious amounts of whipped cream. And I think she’d also understand them going up a day after Galentine’s Day – seeing as how I was too busy actually Galentine-ing with my bestie since birth, Mandy, to get it up in time. Work comes third, remember?

Midwest Nice

Just be nice.

Category: Holidays

Apple Cider Chess Pie (& roommates)

Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin (& working)

O’Henry Bars (& asking)

Cinco Leches Cake (& a secret ingredient)

Cake Batter Waffles (& Galentine’s Day)