Rhubarb Ginger Muffins

This past weekend was spent packing up my belongings. Taking clothing out of the closet, folding it in baskets, and dearly hoping that it doesn't wrinkle. Pulling the baking supplies off the shelves, wrapping them in layers of paper towels and coffee filters, and placing them in boxes marked with the word glass in thick black marker. I wondered what's important enough to bring along or trivial enough to leave behind. I wondered if I've chosen correctly. It's strange to see my life packed up into cardboard boxes (and stranger still to see them fit neatly into the back of my car).

It's moving day.

Moving has always been such a bittersweet process for me. It's one of life's true adventures. New cities, new countries, new stories, and new friends are all out there, waiting to be discovered. The thought is exhilarating enough for the butterflies to awaken and whirl and twirl around my stomach. I'm attracted to the idea of moving, of cutting ties and embracing something fresh with open arms. The spirit of moving is looking the unknown in the eye, shaking his hand, and greeting him with a hello.

By the same token, moving is hard. I don't want to have to say goodbye to the place I call home, to the city I've grown familiar with, or to the people I love. Though I wish all my goodbyes could be see you later's, the truth is that sometimes they aren't. People or places get left behind; they fade away into oblivion, into memories, despite best efforts to clutch tightly onto them. I've moved a dozen times in the last five years. I've left so many things behind.

This time I haven't moved very far—only half a state and three hours away. For the first time in my life, I'm living alone. My belongings are unpacked, finding refuge in closets and cupboards. I feel optimistic. My adventure no longer sits on the horizon, to be gazed at with all the longing emotion of a fading sun. It's here and now. It's today.

As I sit here on this new-to-me couch, with my feet propped up on a borrowed coffee table, I wonder how long it will take for this new place to become home.

These Rhubarb Ginger Muffins were a whim on a Tuesday afternoon. Whole wheat ginger muffins meet a wonderfully tart rhubarb and lemon jam, blending bold flavors seamlessly. Just before baking, the muffin batter is topped with a spoonful of jam. Due to the weight, the jam falls directly into the center of the muffin while baking, making these muffins self-filling and giving them an unique appearance. I was surprised by how taken I was with these muffins; they easily fall into my nearest and dearest favorites.

Click to read more ...

Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

Winter has its charm, with a world covered in white. Spring lures me in with the green seedlings of new life. Summer romances with vibrant colors and fragrances from exotic places, but autumn will always hold the colors to my heart.

The fading of green leaves into muted tones of yellow, orange, red, and purple is one of the most fascinating transitions to watch. I fear that their time is coming to a close in the Midwest. The colors of the leaves have now dimmed further still and their luster is lost as they fall gracefully to their rest among the cracks in the sidewalk. I can only wish the colors would linger longer. I don't think I've yet had my fill. The weatherman is talking of a snowstorm this weekend and I'm not ready to give in to cold winter just yet.

When I sat down to photograph this oatmeal before breakfast last weekend, I couldn't help but notice something strange. Though I typically choose to shoot food in the late afternoon autumn sun (I love the long golden rays and the charm it lends), this day was an exception. At first, I thought I had accidentally left the overhead light on (since I photograph food exclusively in natural light, this would create a problem for me in terms of shadows and white balance—the food never looks as vibrant or real). But, as it turns out, I hadn't. I looked around for another source, but came up empty handed. It couldn't be, I thought. Is the autumn sun really flecked with gold in the morning light?

And, if you look at the picture below, I think you'll find it's true.

When you next have a moment of time to enjoy the morning sun, I hope you'll sit down to a bowl of this apple cinnamon oatmeal and watch as the autumn sun turns your bowl into flickering golden lights.

This Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal makes for a hearty, comforting breakfast. Steel cut oats, unlike traditional oats, are a less processed version. They are full of texture (long gone are the days of mushy oatmeal) and I find the oats to be heartier and more filling. Apples and cinnamon are a classic fall flavor combination. The apples lend a sweet taste and soft texture to this oatmeal while the spices round it out, bringing the flavor closer to that of a good apple pie.

Click to read more ...

Sweet & Spicy Peanut Chili Chicken Wings

Growing up in the Midwest, spices weren't necessarily used frequently and with great abandon. Well, at least not in my home. In fact, I had only two spices in my repertoire—salt and pepper. The salt was brought out whenever anything needed extra flavor. Butter noodles feeling a bit bland? Salt. Mashed potatoes need a little flavor? Salt. When I was feeling very adventurous, I'd break out the pepper. Pepper was the special occasion spice—to be used sparingly and with great respect.

You see, just a few years ago pepper had too much heat for my poor taste buds.

As someone who loves food, I also love flavor. Unusual flavor combinations, new profiles, new experiences—I'm all for it. In restaurants, I like to choose dishes with bold flavors. Chicken and mushrooms served with a Marsala wine reduction? Mmmm. Scallops in a rich sun-dried tomato butter? Yes, please.

Though I love flavor, I don't always practice what I preach when I cook at home. The sad truth is that I could subsist off of unseasoned noodles and plain oatmeal without complaint. And I do. I often find myself falling into a routine of making and eating bland food so much that it seems unusual when I sprinkle my eggs with a bit of pepper. Perhaps there is some truth to the Midwest stereotype that we love our bland comfort food.

Nevertheless, I've been trying to break out of my flavorless cooking shell. When my friend Frances urged me to try to replicate a recipe for Thai Peanut Chili Chicken Wings that she happened upon at a food truck, I jumped on the idea. Despite the fact that I had no idea what the original even tasted like (and thus had no right to even attempt to replicate a recipe), I was intrigued by the idea of a spicy peanut chicken wing. Spicy, salty, and sweet all at the same time? I needed to know what these tasted like. I needed to have them in my stomach. And now, after making these, I know you need to have them in your stomach too.

Hello, flavor! It's been too long.

Do you ever find yourself in a flavor rut?

These Sweet & Spicy Peanut Chili Chicken Wings are exactly that—sweet and spicy. Chicken wings are marinated in garlic and ginger before being baked (not fried!). The wings are then coated in a peanut chili sauce. Peanut butter lends a sweet quality to the dish while the chili keeps your taste buds awake. Believe me, it really is a bold, beautiful flavor combination. I love that not only the coating of the wings holds bold flavor, but the chicken itself does too, thanks to the marinade. If you are looking to add a little spice into your cooking life, these chicken wings definitely fit the bill.

Click to read more ...