Joy the Baker

Burnt Banana Chocolate Malted Milkshake

March 31, 2011

I like you, and I think about you often. Like… everyday.

I think about what kind of cookies you might like. I think about what kind of soup you’ll want to make. I think about vegan things for you. I try to figure out gluten-free things… and I think about how you might like to make buttermilk pancakes for your kids this weekend.

Yesterday though… yesterday I thought only of myself. I thought of me, and how much I could not live another second without a chocolate milkshake in my face. I over-scooped a hearty portion of ice cream, I busted out my malt powder, and I fried up a banana with just a touch of butter. See where I’m going with this?

Then… I counted the seconds until I could drink the milkshake. Hurry hurry hurry. These pictures were taken in haste. That’s no lie.

196 Comments

Lemon Meringue Cookies

March 30, 2011

If the dream fairies are taking requests, tonight I’d like my dreams to include:

the bright green grass of a perfectly manicured baseball field.

first kisses.

lemonade so cold and tart it almost hurts my teeth.

… maybe a waterfall… that might be nice.

… the sound of my aunt dede humming to herself?…. that could be pretty special.

and perhaps these lemon cookies, cold… from the freezer.

I rarely put in dream requests, but I’m feeling rather particular tonight. K. Thanks.

These cookies: little dreams… I swear to it.

Light meringues are infused with lemon zest and vanilla and baked until crisp and dry. That’s just the beginning.

221 Comments

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pineapple Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

March 27, 2011

I left my house. Small miracle.

I wore a cute dress. Purely accidental.

I left my house with salad in my car to have dinner with food blog friends. There was gin. Win.

Dinner with food blog friends includes laughs, several layers of flatware, boiling pots, large bowls to toss salads, lemon zest, wine… lots of wine, cameras… lots of cameras, and full bellies. So freaking full.

127 Comments

Thirty Things before Thirty Years

March 24, 2011

In two short months, I turn 30.

I turn 30. I turn 30. I turn 30. I turn 30!

If you’re curious; no, I’m not freaking out. There’s nothing to freak out about. I killed it in my twenties. I did college. I made myself a baker. I started a business. I dated a generous handful of darling gentlemen. I did numerous cartwheels. I enjoyed my fair share of bourbon. I learned how to make homemade ranch dressing. I fell in love with a kitten. I ate plenty of raw cookie dough. And! I’ve got a whole two months to fill with the reckless shenanigans of a 20-something.

The only sad things about turning 30 is that I might feel too old watching The Real World… I won’t be able to relate to to anyone on The Jersey Shore… Teen Mom will infuriate me, and I’ll have missed my opportunity to do a keg stand (but really, who wants to drink beer upside down anyway!? not cute). It looks like MTV will be completely out of the question. I’ll probably come to embrace shows like Hoarders, I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant and, Toddlers and Tiaras. Sigh. Whatevs.

Can I still say ‘Whatevs’ when I turn 30? Prob not.

Listen… I’m going on and on and on about 30-ness because I have a project to complete in my last two months of 29. I need your help.

I want to complete 30 things before I turn 30. I’ve got a list working, but I’m a little stumped. That’s where you come in. Help me fill this list. I’m counting on you… I got a lot of work to do!

664 Comments

Roasted Garlic Soup with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

March 23, 2011

I watch the movie Jerry Maguire once a month. I dunno…

I seem to make soup every two weeks.

I chase my cat around the neighborhood about once a week.

I think about buying fancy shoes I don’t need at least two times a week.

Every few days I ride my bike… and eat salsa and tortillas… not simultaneously.

Every day, I send an obscene amount of text messages and emails. Millions. Too many. Lots.

Today I made soup, watched Jerry Maguire, sent about 8.4 million text messages, and thought about buying unnecessary shoes. What am I going to do for the rest of the month?

I don’t know, but it better involve Nutella and pretzels… and maybe string cheese.

158 Comments

Baked Curry Sweet Potato Fries

March 20, 2011

186 Comments

Butterscotch Pudding with Caramelized Bananas and Cream

March 18, 2011

Fancy smelling dish soap and a fresh sponge are a luxury.

Lotion next to the kitchen sink is a luxury.

Fresh dish towels are a necessity.

Not-so-fancy olive oil is a necessity .

Fancy olive oil is a luxury.

Homemade pudding is a luxury… sometimes a necessity… depends on the day.

A full bottle of whisky is a total luxury… caramelized bananas and cream, just icing on the cake.

103 Comments

Grapefruit Honey Yogurt Scones

March 13, 2011

Pretty scones with pink fruit.

Also… I clearly have an obsession with patterned plates, napkins and table toppers. And I hate matching.

You should see what I’m wearing today: plaid, stripes, a stupid over-sized sweater, and weirdo shoes. I think I look cute.

Matching just doesn’t suit me- grapefruit does.

219 Comments

Spicy Chickpea Salad

March 10, 2011

Truth be told… I’ve been a bit distracted lately. I thought I could distract you with that Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread and disappear for a few days.

I’m had a friend visiting from out of town. My little orange cat is either trying to run away, or climb the screen door. I’m obsessed with bright pink Spring blush and this amazing Gin that’s been aged in a Whiskey barrel. I’ve spent a lot of time with my bike and the beach.

It’s been a nice break from the camera, and the kitchen, and the dishes, and the dishes, and the dishes.

A girl has got to eat…. and lately I’ve been eating Spicy Chickpea Salad. I’ve also been drinking far too much coffee and far too much gin. That’s a different story for a different time.

Hello and I love you.

168 Comments

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

March 7, 2011

I’m sorry. I know it’s Monday morning and you probably came here for some pretty pictures of food that you could glance at, and then move on with your day… and here I go thrusting warm, soft cinnamon sugar bread in your face.

It’s not fair. I know it’s not fair. I know that now you’re craving cinnamon rolls, and cream cheese frosting and chili fries and hot dogs. I am too… and I already ate half of this warm bread.

You don’t deserve this sort of torture.

This bread hits all the comfort spots in my soul. It’s yeasty and soft. It’s filled with cinnamon and sugar. AND! You pull it apart in sheets. And you eat it… all. Eat it all. Make this. Make it and eat it all. Make it and eat it all all all all all… then the torture will be done.

I’m sorry and you’re welcome and I love you.

1,636 Comments

Cashew Oat Milk with cinnamon and agave

March 5, 2011

Milk from nuts! Milk from oats! Milk with cinnamon. Milk with sugar.

Homemade Cashew Oat Milk is my new favorite… oh-my-goodness-I’m-totally-obsessed… thing.

Raw cashews are soaked, rinsed and blended with ground oats, fresh ground cinnamon, agave, and filtered water. The result is a surprisingly creamy, slightly sweet, dairy-free drink.

It’s delicious is coffee. I poured it in my tea. I drank it straight from the bottle. I dunked about 12 of these Vegan Ginger Cookies in this milk. I let my cat drink some. I thought about brushing my teeth with it. I thought about dating it. I thought about knitting it a shawl. I think I might be losing it.

… but I made milk. And I’m not a cow. And I’m pretty excited.

157 Comments

Blue Print Cleanse Winner and Discount!

March 4, 2011

Last week I told you all about my juicy juicy juice experience with Blue Print Cleanse, remember?

Last meals, juice, colonic, more juice, exercise… that whole no-food-thing.

I was amazed by your response. You all might be into juice as much as you’re into Peanut Butter Banana Bread.

Let me tell you two important things:

Laura Dunlop! You won one day of free juice, delivered right to your door! Stellar. Super awesome. I hope you drink and drink and drink and forget about food for one whole day.

And! Blue Print Cleanse was so thrilled with your response that they’d like to offer you all a 15% discount on juice! Seriously. Mega.

Discount applies to purchases made until 11:59 pm EST today March 4th. Discount applies to the cost of the juice and will not affect shipping costs. Not valid with any other discounts. Not valid retroactively on BPC Bridal or gift certificates. That’s the fine print.

Visit Blue Print Cleanse. The case sensitive 15% discount code is: JOYTHEBAKER (that’s me… I have a discount code named after me… I’m kind of a big deal) ((I’m totally kidding))

If you were interested in trying Blue Print Cleanse I hope this is just the nudge you need. Happy Friday!

Burnt Banana Chocolate Malted Milkshake

Lemon Meringue Cookies

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pineapple Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Thirty Things before Thirty Years

Roasted Garlic Soup with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Baked Curry Sweet Potato Fries

Butterscotch Pudding with Caramelized Bananas and Cream

Grapefruit Honey Yogurt Scones

Spicy Chickpea Salad

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

Cashew Oat Milk with cinnamon and agave

Blue Print Cleanse Winner and Discount!

Soft Vegan Ginger Cookies

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