Baking up a Storm

Over the past few days, as we continue to anticipate the arrival of our first baby, baking has become an integral part of my daily routine, a way to start the day by completing a task. Most of the recipes I’ve tried have taken approximately one or two hours in total, if you count prep and clean-up time. It has become incredibly rewarding to start the day by completing a task, as if I can justify how I’ve been spending my time. A way to say, I did something today and I have something to show for it. And by the way it’s delicious!

The baking blitz started with some semi-healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies I came across on pinterest, which made for an almost entirely guilt-free snack. The next day was yet another semi-healthy household favourite, Cranberry Crumble Muffins, a recipe that I’ve recently adapted into a loaf, a great breakfast alternative. Then my sweet-tooth kicked in and the decadence level began to rise quickly.

The third day was a Valentine’s inspired shortbread twist that I adapted from a recipe posted on Glitter Guide.  These Raspberry Shortbread Cookies  were quite the hit with my family and when paired with a cream flavoured tea were the perfect addition to an afternoon tea party and always ready if guests decide to stop by.

Finally, my most recent endeavour was a family recipe that would win over any chocolate lover’s heart. Butter Chocolate Brownies, the peak of decadence. These brownies with their crisp exterior and chewy centre literally melt in your mouth.

If you’re having a hard time trying to think of a great gift for that special someone this Valentine’s Day, why not make him or her something delicious that you can share!

INGREDIENTS FOR BROWNIES

1 brick of butter (or 2 cups)       

2 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

11/2 teaspoons baking powder

DIRECTIONS FOR BROWNIES

1.     Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees  

2.     Grease a 9”x 13” baking pan. Set aside.

3.     Melt butter, add sugar and beat together.  Add one egg at a time to your mixture. Add vanilla extract.

4.     In a separate bowl mix flour, cocoa and baking powder.

5.     Add dry mixture to wet mixture slowly. Stir until completely blended.

6.     Pour mixture into your greased baking pan.

7.     Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the centre of your brownies are firm.

8.     Let cool for approximately 10- 15min.

9.     Cut brownies into squares, serve and enjoy!

For me baking brought out some incredibly creative thoughts, taking my mind off of the fact that I am officially three days over-due. In fact, the ideas for this blog and most of its writing came between melting butter and tasting treats!

The Start of Something New: A Cup of Creativity

Happy Monday everyone!

This is the first official day of my maternity leave and I can’t wait to start this new journey! The only catch is that we are still waiting for the guest of honour to arrive.

As my husband and I continue to play the ‘waiting game’ we started our day like any other, with a warm cup of Detour Coffee, a favourite of ours since we received our first bag of perfectly roasted beans last Christmas. Then we made the call to the Doctor’s office to book the next ultrasound, which will take place tomorrow. We are both excited to see what’s happening and can’t wait to meet this new member of our family!

With the coffee made, the day can begin! For some reason I always associate the beginning of a day or a new task with a warm drink, it’s as if the process of making a pot of coffee or cup of tea will initiate the progress of whatever task I choose to take on that day. A cup of creativity, I like to call it.

With so many rules and restrictions to follow during pregnancy I’ve become increasingly interested in making that cup of creativity particularly good everyday. Being limited to approximately one cup of caffeine a day, something that is very hard if you normally think of caffeine as a ‘life force’, makes that cup particularly special. So I’ve made it my mission to enjoy that cup to its fullest.  If we make coffee it has be the ‘good stuff’ Detour’s Holiday Blend or Yirgacheffe. My husband is a die-hard coffee lover, so tea is off the table if we're sharing. If I’m alone for the day or hanging out with another tea lover, I’ll either make a cup of Sloan’s Heavenly Cream or Earl Grey Cream from Say Tea. 

Tea and coffee lovers know that starting the day with a cup is something to be expected, but what about the social elements or the calming factor. For me a cup of tea really does solve almost everything. Wrapping your hands around a warm mug, a mug-hug it’s sometimes called, gives you the right amount of time to stop and think, a few sips later who knows what life will bring. The social element of coffee or tea drinking has been around forever and seems to cross cultural boundaries in the same way that sharing a meal would. In a time where so much of our interactions take place behind a screen a good chat over coffee or tea is something to be embraced.

While making a cup of coffee or tea might seem like something mundane or robotic, a routine part of the day, I’ve begun to see the creativity and joy in something as simple as this. Coffees and teas are both rooted in a deep and profoundly interesting history and I appreciate finding new and creative ways to enjoy a simple sip.