I Want My Babka

Yikes. It's been a while, huh? Work has been insanely demanding and I just don't have any time to write any worthy posts. The only thing I've had time to do is grab the camera and take pictures.

My friends Gretchen and Alison host a monthly brunch. Last month I decided to make a Cinnamon Babka. I've never made one before, but that does not give me pause. Combinations of flour, eggs, butter do not intimidate me in the least. My only misgiving was the fact that my Kitchen Aid stand mixer is broken and I would have to incorporate a lot of butter into a yeast dough by hand. (I hear all the knowledgeable bakers out there groaning...) But considering the weather has been cool, I was undaunted.

I was very happy with the results. I made 2 small loaves, which turned out fragrant, buttery and tender. I froze one and nibbled away at the other this past week. It tasted equally delicious whether it was toasted or not, eaten for breakfast with Stumptown coffee or for dessert with a glass of eiswein.

I wish I could share the recipe, but I can tell you that my recipe was inspired by the following: Dean & DeLuca; Joan Nathan; Epicurious.com; various blogs. Most recipes I found were for Chocolate Babka, so I improvised the filling using brown sugar, freshly ground cinnamon & matzo meal. I will make fastidious notes the next time I take this on- for my own reference more than anything!

Again, I apologize that I can't provide a more exact recipe, but I encourage anyone who has the slightest desire to make a babka, give it a go. It is one of those delicious foods like fava beans, oysters andsweatbreads that are worth the intensity of labor.

By popular demand- Cauliflower!

My Meltdown weight-loss is  utterly dependent upon my diet. I don't mean "diet" in the sense that certain foods are forbidden, but diet according to my definition, which is, "I can eat anything I want as long as I don't go over 1,000 calories a day."

For some people this might not work, as maybe they are more dependent on certain foods, such as fast food or candy, which will rack up the calories to the limit in one 5-minute indulgence. From watching The Biggest Loser, it seems another problem of the obese is that they don't cook and eat too much prepared and processed foods, which I detest.

Luckily for me, as much as I love fat and calorie dense foods like cheese, butter, cream, foie gras, pate, bacon, croissant, etc. Actually, looking at this list I can safely say my food foibles are milk and pig-based.

But I also love so many other whole foods equally, if not more: vegetables, especially cruciferous and greens like chards, collards, and spinach; eggs; whole grains; nuts & seeds; avocados, pears, grapefruit, berries, squash, mushrooms, more and more.

So I have not been feeling deprived at all. Portion control is an issue and so is the decreased wine consumption, but overall I'm having fun inventing amazing, lo-cal meals such as a Shrimp, Avocado, Grapefruit & Watercress Salad w/Sherry Vinegar.

But I've also been referring to some of my old standbys, like the incredibly simple Roasted Cauliflower. There is nothing to it: roast florets in a low oven until they lose moisture and turn into luscious, sweet, chewy-crispy golden nuggets. This dish satisfies my craving for what Miss B and I call the "Brown Crunchy Things." But unlike tater tots, egg rolls, fried mushrooms and other such calorie bombs, this cauliflower dish is loaded with nutrients and fiber- not calories.

Here's how you make it:

• Cut a head (or 2) of cauliflower into 1" florets
• Toss with 1-2 teaspoons EVOO
  and S & P
• Spread onto a baking sheet in 1 layer
• Bake at 300 degrees for approx. 1.5 hours

I used to accompany mine with a dipping sauce made of mayonnaise seasoned with Chipotle Pepper sauce from the can. My Meltdown version can stand on its own or be served with something less fatty, like Trader Joe's Punjab Spinach Sauce.

The cauliflower ultimately reduces down to such a concentrated morsel, that I can easily consume 2 heads in one sitting. But who cares? There are only 144 calories in 1 medium-size head (approx. 1.25lbs) and 57% of the daily recommended amount of fiber.

I'm melting...

So far, so good on the Team Meltdown. With just my 1,000 calorie-a-day plan,

I've lost about 8 lbs. in 10 days. This is without any additional exercise, apart from the occasional brisk walk.

I did get in some quality time outside last weekend, however. It was a bit chilly, but sunny, with a bright blue sky. My initial plan was to take the Max to the west side to hike around Washington Park, but I decided on something closer to home and headed on foot to Mt. Tabor.

Approaching from the East side, I took the stairs, figuring I would get the most intense workout. There are A LOT of stairs.Huffing and puffing I finally made it to the top and found an empty bench and enjoyed the view.

Now really, what better incentive than this?

Alder Street Cafe

Hey all my regular readers! Yeah, I'm talkin' to both of you! I've created another blog called "Alder Street Cafe." Both blogs will intersect, though this will be my primary. Alder Street Cafe will feature food related topics that will be covered here, but may contain more epicurean details, such as recipes and cooking links.

Here is where I need your help. I need a picture for my blog header and I don't know what image- or images- to use. So if you would please vote by adding comments to this post I would very much appreciate it.
The pictures that I am considering are:





Though the cafe is still under construction, I hope to have it beautifully decorated and stimulating your palates very soon.

I really mean it this time!

Getting in shape, that is. So I've gone public, announced it to just about everyone I know and I'm participating in the 2009 Team Meltdown at work. It's like The Biggest Loser, but with way smaller contestants. I could win cash money if I lose enough! It's only been a week, but I think I've already lost 4-5 pounds.

The most helpful tool in my weight loss so far has been my phone. (I know you're rolling your eyes now, so quit it.) There is an app called 'Lose It!' that you can record your daily meals and exercise and it gives you your calorie "budget." If I want to eat more food, then I have to go for a run to expand the budget. I haven't lost interest yet, and this bodes well.

The second most helpful tool has been the TEAM MELTDOWN wrist band they gave me at weigh-in. It allows the contestants special deals like classes, personal trainers, dieticians, etc. I just wear it as a reminder. That, plus the fact that I told at least a hundred people at work that I was going to win and if I weighed the same at the end of the 10 weeks I deserve to be ridiculed.

The Labyrinth

It did seem rather mystical. We were greeted by 2 bald eagles, soaring and dipping just overhead. The trails initially seemed aimless, wandering here there and everywhere. But we stuck to them and then realized their hidden logic.

We descended into oak groves teeming with wintering chickadees and nuthatches and ascended to high, barren hillsides supporting columnar basalt edifices made by earth, not man.We startled some deer on a distant hillside. Flinchy creatures that they are, they took off the moment we were detected. The funny thing was, they stuck to the manmade footpath. Deer are weird like that...

When we stopped for lunch, I sat upon a log with a thick cushion of moss. It was very soft and comfortable.

We encountered vigorous streams and creeks, all easily crossed. The most frightening moment was when we traversed a hill on a very narrow footpath (10"?) with a steep, uninterrupted 500' drop to our left. I have a fear of heights that has increased over the years, and though my companions were quite happy to walk along as homo sapiens, I hobbled and gimped, leaning into the hill and supporting myself with my left hand, clinging to the up-hill side of the incline, inching along like an orangutan with a stroke. Me so pretty.

We found several art installations consisting of animal bones along the trail. At first they seemed disturbing, but I quickly realized they were both beautiful and ruthless. To whomever took the time to craft them, I say "Thank you".

Let it snow, let it snow- just don't let it ice...

It has been snowing and sleeting on and off for a week. This kind of weather pretty much paralyzes PDX. There just isn't the equipment or manpower to manage the snow and ice. 

They closed work at 1pm on Wednesday because the weather was ramping up. By Friday I didn't even attempt to go into the office and worked from home. It snowed straight through Saturday evening. 

I had a hair appointment on Saturday that I was going to make no matter what the weather. It took 3 hours to get home and I didn't even have to cross the river! I still had a walk a couple of miles in howling wind and face-stinging ice. At least I was properly attired. I saw so many people yesterday without hats,  gloves or appropriate footwear. I documented my winter wanderings with photos and videos.

When I finally made it home, I made myself a cup of tea and watched the storm outside through my living room window. With the outdoors illuminated by the streetlights, it was just like watching a movie.

Now, on Sunday afternoon, I can hear the brittle, tinkling sound of frozen rain against the windows over the Christmas music on 'American Routes' on NPR. I'm in for the night and plan to make latkes for dinner.

I have a feeling I won't be going into work tomorrow.