Saturday, October 22, 2011

Speechless

I have lost my voice.  I have lost my words.  I have lost  my passion.  Nothing I do seems to bring them back.

I hope that this is not the end of this blog.  I hope that something brings me back to normal--whatever that is.

In the meantime, I'd like to share a couple of fun recipes.

Lemon-Cornmeal Sheet Cookies
Adapted from a recipe by Martha Stewart, these cookies are delicious and made with an unusual method.

3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon demerara sugar
1 large egg and
1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons slice almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in  a medium bowl.

Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Beat in 1 egg and lemon zest.  Reduce speed to low, and beat in flour mixture.

Press dough into and even 1/4" thickness on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash; sprinkle with almonds and 1 tablespoon demerara sugar.  Bake until golden, 22-25 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack, then break into uneven pieces.





The other is a nice little treat to have before dinner with a glass of wine.


Roast some sweet red grapes tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper in a hot oven until they begin to soften, about 20 minutes.  Top toasted bread slices with fresh ricotta, the roasted grapes, a sprinkling of thyme and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. Those lemon cookies are calling my name!

    ReplyDelete
  2. No, No NO (she screams in anguish)! It had better not be the end of this blog..... Please no...
    I hope you find inspiration again soon.
    Roasted grapes -I must make them soon and can I pretend to use Martha Stewart as inspiration next time a batch of cookies go haywire and become one giant cookie in the oven? It looks delicious and would it be necessary to break it up or could you just eat it as one big cookie in one sitting? Although it might be a little too big to dunk?

    ReplyDelete
  3. LITTLE HUNTING CREEK: Thanks for stopping by. I hope you try the cookies--you won't be disappointed.

    KATH: You make me laugh--at least I know I have one fan. Definitely try the roasted grapes. And as far a the cookies go, please snap a photo with you dipping that one big cookie in you tea. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michele--you have more than one fan!! please hang in there, and don't fret. inspiration will return...I see it right here and now on this page. both recipes look terrific. I forget how luscious roasted grapes can be.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NANCY: Thanks for the encouragement. Patience is needed here. As for the roasted grapes, I am surprised how good they are every time I make them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michele - What would we all do without you? Don't lose hope. I was feeling quiet and lost for a while there myself. Then the season changed and inspiration sprung. It will happen to you as well, when you least expect it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. TRACY: Thank you.I appreciate your words of encouragement. It's difficult for me to let go and allow things to happen organically. But I think that is what's needed here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Michele, This too shall pass. I don't recall who originally said it, but it is what I always try and think during such times. Also, I watch Enchanted April. And sometimes treat myself to an almond croissant. Take care, Denise

    ReplyDelete
  9. DENISE: I appreciate your thoughts. Maybe I do need to take better care of myself for a little bit.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Michele, Just missing your posts and thought I'd stop by and say hello. Hello.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Denise. Your sweet message touched me more than I'm able to convey. I'm still amazed there are people out there reading me! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete