Joy the Baker

Vegan Carrot Cherry Breakfast Cookies

August 31, 2011

New Joy the Baker Podcast is ready for your ears! Get your listen on!!

When I was a small little baby girl, I was super stoked to grow up and:

Wear sunglasses like Jackie O. Stop doing homework. Shave my legs (um…. wwwhhhhyyyy!?). Stay up past 9:30. Watch all the Beverly Hills 90210 ever ever ever made. Do my own hair. Roller skate without a helmet. Play basketball better than my little sister (I can not. I mean… come on). Be a firefighter, writer, or veterinarian. Eat cookies for breakfast, Cheetos for lunch, and fried chicken and chocolate cake for dinner.

I’m a real-life grown-up now.

I’ve moved past my haphazard Jackie O phase. I’m pretty sure that email is the new homework. I shave my legs, but wow… the appeal of that pastime is loooong gone. I stay up as late as I want… because I’m grown. Beverly Hills 90210 has been replaced by Real Housewives of Minnetonka. I get my hair done did…. and that feels nice. I wear a helmet because I’m totally over trying to look cute. I’m totally into trying to look alive. I realized I don’t like fire, dictionaries, or sick animals. I don’t eat Cheetos for lunch. If I ate fried chicken and chocolate cake everyday I would be a happy and hefty lady.

But! but but but but but….. I can totally have cookies for breakfast.

I may have known absolutely nothing about my adult self as a young youth…. Meh! At least now there are cookies, and coffee, and iPhones.

143 Comments

Pretty Pretty Bando Giveaway!

August 29, 2011

I’ve got pretty things for you in a quick and dirty giveaway.

Ready?

These are pretty pretty shoe clips from Bando. Bando is a Los Angeles based, awesome-ladies-making-awesome-things, company. They inspire me. They have gorgeous and fun headbands, fluuuufffyyy pompom pins, hair clips, and shoe clips.

I happen to be obsessed with their shoe clips. Hearts, PomPoms, and Rhinestones that you can clip to you flats or heels and instantly, instantly feel more like a pretty lady with pretty things.

Note: sometimes it’s important to feel like a pretty lady with pretty things.

More Important Note: it’s always important to feel like an intelligent, confident, and capable lady. Don’t get it twisted.

I’d like to give three sets of sparkling, fun, effervescent shoe clips to three of you sparkling, fun, effervescent readers.

To win a pair of Bando shoe clips, here’s what needs to go down:

Pick up your technology phone and let someone know that they inspire you, let someone know that you appreciate them, let someone know that you love them. Drop some sincerity and good love in the world in a phone call, text, or email. Then come back here and leave a comment.

Put some love in the world. Don’t worry. It feels GREAT!

Giveaway ends at the end of this day.

photos from bando. giveaway from joythebaker.

571 Comments

Salt and Vinegar Potato Salad

August 29, 2011

I made a thing that tastes like another thing…

Salad that tastes like chips.

Wait… would anyone sign up for chips that taste like salad?

No.

Wait…. Cobb Salad chips? Yes. How can we make this happen?

Ok. I’m totally distracted. I need to tell you about potato salad before the summer slips away.

This salad is special. There’s pickling and beans involved.

62 Comments

Easy Sunday Lemon Pasta

August 28, 2011

Sunday is special.

Sunday is my day for farmer’s market strolls, off-key church singing, and giant bowls of pasta.

Sunday is not my day for standing in long grocery store lines, trying terribly to sing on-key, and dainty salads.

I don’t take out my measuring cups. I leave a few dirty dishes in the sink. I try not to work too hard… excepts I end up working a bit anyway.

At least there’s pasta.

Easy Sunday Lemon Pasta

Cook pasta in boiling salted water. When the pasta is almost cooked through, add a good handful of frozen peas to the boiling water. When pasta is al dente, drain. Return hot pasta and peas to the pan. Douse liberally with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Add lemon zest if you’d like. Sprinkle generously with red pepper flakes, salt, fresh chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.

For some added kick, saute some minced garlic and diced onions in olive oil and add to the hot pasta. Add chicken. Add grilled steak. Add roasted cherry tomatoes. Throw in a splash of cream. Basil! Oregano! More cheese! Live well. It’s Sunday.

72 Comments

Lemon Raspberry Breakfast Rolls

August 25, 2011

The dream house that I hold in my head is sunny and smells like banana bread. It has a real-life adult couch and big, fluffy, matching, totally not hand-me-down bathroom towels. The bookshelves aren’t dusty and my desk is huge and spotless. There’s also a lovely woman that comes over everyday to help me clean my kitchen. She’s wise and knows everything about life. She’s my secret, dream house guru… and she does dishes.

My dream house has hints of food everywhere. Raspberry colored lamps in the living room. Black coffee colored walls in the bedroom. A French vanilla bathroom. Avocado rugs. Pink Himalayan sea salt for a little girl’s room. Fig colored guest room. Cauliflower whites through the office.

This is what my brain does. It makes a dream house and fills it with beautiful food smells, food colors, love, cat hair (why!?), and kid laughs.

222 Comments

Whole Wheat Flat Bread with Herb Yogurt Cucumber Dip

August 23, 2011

Psssst! New Joy the Baker Podcast ALERT!

Oh my gosh.

I did this thing today. I hate when I do this thing.

I did this thing where I convince myself that I’m not working hard enough, that I’m missing something, that my hair looks dumb, and I’m wholely unsatisfied.

Do you do this? I can’t be alone in this. It’s entirely frustrating… isn’t it? It’s a temporary funk. I have to make it as temporary as possible. I mean seriously… how much time am i going to waste wallowing for no reason? Silly silly silly. Stop it!

How do I get out of a funk?

I give myself time to make something new.

I make tea. I remind myself to be kind… to myself.

Lemons help. Carbs work wonders. And Tina Fey is always the answer.

Ps. I’m fine… I’m totally fine. I’m just saying… sometimes I randomly beat myself up. Pps. I’m totes fine.

163 Comments

Whole Wheat and Millet Banana Bread

August 21, 2011

I’m the girl that will stone-cold stare a banana into ripeness just so I can make banana bread.

Banana bread is just one of those things this girl has a crush on…. along with boys who open doors for me, handwritten letters, and kitten figurines.

This is how banana bread always starts… after a bowl of stale popcorn for breakfast and hot hot coffee. I’m living right. Obvi.

142 Comments

Summer 2011. As it Goes.

August 19, 2011

You’ve seen this part of my summer living… the part that’s in focus, well lit, and having everything to do with food. You know this part of me well. You’re probably hungry all the time, just like me. This is why we’re friends… no doubt.

There were the Roasted Apricots and the completely uh-mazing Angel Food Cake. Tracy encouraged me to pour vodka over strawberries… so I did. I also made tender Almond Meringues, and individual Peach Cobblers. These are the things that have kept us together all these years… am I right? Let’s be real.

There’s a part of my summer that you haven’t seen… the part where I scorch my skin to a lobster-esque hue, the part where I fall and scrape my knees, the part where I hang out with Tracy, eat in the grass, and meet new cats.

This summer has been graced with beauty and blessings. Want to see? It’s blurry.

126 Comments

Cold Avocado Soup with sweet corn and bacon

August 18, 2011

I know what you’re craving. I know what you’ve got on your mind. I know juuuuust the thing you need.

Cold. Green. Soup.

Sexy right? Just the thing you’ve been yearning for? The answer to all of your burning questions? The great treasure?

Wait…. no!?

Cold green soup isn’t your thing? Come on…. let me at least try to change your mind.

This soup starts with creamy, ripe, delicious avocados. We’re off to a wonderful start! It’s the start of amazing things like guacamole. But wait… stop thinking about guacamole. We’re not making that.

Psssst! Sneak up top and check out the podcast page for the latest Joy the Baker Podcast!

107 Comments

Peach Blueberry Pie

August 15, 2011

Before you roll your eyes, and dismiss this dessert as something that’s too complicated for you… something that’s out of your skill set… something that you simply don’t have the time or energy for… please. Just give me a minute.

Everyone should know how to make a pie.

If you know how to make pie, you know how to make love.

What do you do for a living? Are you an accountant? How do you do that? I can barely count. Are you a barista? A lawyer? A super mom? A welder? A hat maker? Awesome.

I want you to know how to make a pie. It’s really important to me. Can we get on this together?

There are things you should know before we start.

Making pie is not necessarily easy. Pie is rarely perfect. Making pie might be a little frustrating.

Wait… who was that person that said the best things in the world are also the easiest? No one. People don’t say that… because it’s totally not true.

Am I doing a good job with this pep talk? Do I need to yell?

273 Comments

A Girl Obsessed: Nail Polish Giveaway!

August 11, 2011

Update! We have a randomly selected winner! Thank you to the many many many of you who are as obsessed with nail polish as I am. I’m glad you’re here. I have a feeling we’ll be playing around with more nail polish giveaways in the future! Love to you!

I am a girl obsessed.

I’m a girl obsessed with butter and sugar. I’m a girl obsessed with my cat, and the cats of others. I’m mildly obsessed with doughnuts. I’m becoming obsessed with beer making. I’m totally obsessed with my bike. I’m newly obsessed with wearing a bike helmet.

And I’m bonkers obsessed with pretty nail polish and wacko nail design. I’m. So. Into it!

I want to share my obsession with you…. that’s why today’s giveaway is four pretty NAIL POLISHES! Let’s get those finger nails lookin’ right! We’re pretty and we know it (but we’re totally not snobby… just happen to be pretty, right?)(Pfffftt).

Click on in here, there’s lots of nail inspiration to be had.

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment below detailing your favorite nail color combination this season. I’m into glitter. It’s major. Comments close Sunday August 14th at midnight. Winner will be announced next week. Win pretty colors!

2,069 Comments

Peach Cobbler for One (or two if you’re nice)

August 10, 2011

Update! Check out the latest Joy the Baker Podcast! Episode 13 is LIVE!

Things I Say Too Often:

- Duh. Totes.

- How you livin’?

- Why is this orange juice making me more thirsty!?

- Shut it.

- Huh?

- Dddrrrriiiiiiiiivvveeeeee (faster please)!

- Small coffee. Room for cream, please.

This I Don’t Say Often Enough:

- Hey Mom. Thanks for birthing and raising me. That couldn’t have been easy. You did a great job.

- Hey Dad. Thanks for working so hard to 35 years to support your family. I appreciate you so much.

- Oh geez. Was I being passive aggressive just then? I’m sorry. I understand that that’s totally annoying. I’ll try to be aggressive aggressive next time.

- Thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate you so much.

- I understand where you’re coming from.

- I love you. From on the inside. It’s major.

- More pie, please.

226 Comments

Lemon Almond Meringues

August 8, 2011

Dear The French Laundry,

How did a humble baker girl like me end up at a fine establishment such as yours? Seriously. Breathtaking. How did this happen?

Ok… truth be told, my friend Tracy extended a last minute invite, I basically ran to my car in my slippers, a dress on a hanger flying behind me, and I sped from Los Angeles to Yountville in a cool 7 hours. I forgot my lipstick. Thank you for not judging.

Is it The French Laundry, or can I just call you French Laundry?

We’re on a first name basis, right? Good. Thank you.

French Laundry. You are Fancy. Capital F, Fancy.

… I can tell by the generous amount of gorgeous Thomas Keller flatware, delicious amount of caviar, and generous amount of champagne.

You brought me this tiny pearled spoon scoop and I thought about accidentally putting it in my purse for 3.45 seconds. It’s a good thing I remembered that I don’t steal things. I love that little scooper. Well played.

131 Comments

Lavender and Toasted Walnut Scones

August 5, 2011

How diplomatic is your shower?

Do you have minty unisex soaps? Do you have pleasant, not completely feminine smelling shampoo?

Do you hide the pumice stone in the bathroom cabinet? What’s going on with the face wash situation? Does it smell like… you know, soap?

I might have an issue. I’m rocking gardenia body wash, crazy flower town shampoo, an excessive variety of hair conditioners, lavender soap, and rose face wash. It’s a lady paradise. Truly.

… and I’ve noticed that not a drop of my lady products are used when a certain handsome-handed gentleman I know uses my shower.

I might need to get him some man soap. When do you buy a man mansoap ? Is that too forward? Oh gracious….

I suppose some people prefer to eat their lavender as opposed to bathing in it.

Wait. I’m certainly not complaining. I’ll keep the expensive lady’s paradise to myself… I’m just not sure about the timing of man soap.

I’ll totally share my lavender… in scone form.

**Update. Mansoap purchased. Mansoap in shower. No biggie. Done and done.

204 Comments

Fresh Corn and Goat Cheese Grits

August 2, 2011

Five Things I Learned About Myself Last Week

by Joy Wilson

My Los Angeles style of driving will piss many people off outside of Los Angeles.

When traveling, I will take an unreasonable, and possibly troubling amount of travel-sized toiletries with me no matter the duration of the trip.

I so so soooo want to be the girl that’s awesome at Frisbee football…. but I’m totally just not.

I’m stubborn. I practice. I’ll totally be good at Frisbee football one day.

In a canoe in the ocean? I’ll jump out. You won’t even have to dare me. Life is short and the water is warm.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I’ll score a 2.2 in gracefulness returning my body back to the canoe. Whatever. Remember that part about life being short. Yea. Exactly.

Some people might feel like a bikini top is a suitable shirt…. but I’m pretty sure it just feels like wearing a bra in public. That’s just me.

When on vacation is a warm place with tropical fruits and fresh fish… I’ll most likely be thinking about cheese grits and my monster kitten. I dunno.

121 Comments

Recipe Index

Vegan Carrot Cherry Breakfast Cookies

Pretty Pretty Bando Giveaway!

Salt and Vinegar Potato Salad

Easy Sunday Lemon Pasta

Lemon Raspberry Breakfast Rolls

Whole Wheat Flat Bread with Herb Yogurt Cucumber Dip

Whole Wheat and Millet Banana Bread

Summer 2011. As it Goes.

Cold Avocado Soup with sweet corn and bacon

Peach Blueberry Pie

A Girl Obsessed: Nail Polish Giveaway!

Peach Cobbler for One (or two if you’re nice)

Lemon Almond Meringues

Lavender and Toasted Walnut Scones

Fresh Corn and Goat Cheese Grits

Search

Social

The Book

Homefries

Breakfast

Lunch

and Cookies

Archives

Joy, Recently

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Search

Social

The Book

Homefries

Breakfast

Lunch

and Cookies

Archives

Joy, Recently