Cake Snob

I admit that I am a cake snob. In labeling myself as a snob, I don’t mean that the cake must come from a “brand name” bakery or be made of the most expensive ingredients available. I only mean that I have a particular idea of what a cake must taste like.

I am like most Americans and expect my cake to be slightly moist (Europeans expect their cakes to be a bit dry), but not cake-mix moist (most boxed cake mixes contain pudding that makes the cake super moist). I also like the cake to be made from scratch. This, I believe makes all the difference because boxed cake mixes, unlike those made from scratch, contain too many preservatives and “stuff” that affect the flavor of the cake. Not surprising, my snobbery have lead me to bake and find the perfect recipe for whatever cake I may be in the mood for. I think I’ve found the perfect recipe for chocolate cake and I’ve been working on a carrot cake recipe. [Personally, I think the carrot cake has been maligned and there’s some awful standard recipe that gets passed among most bakeries—who therein bake and sell something that is supposed to be carrot cake to its customers.]

Anyhow, I won’t further bemoan about the inferiority of boxed cake mixes. I am a cake snob, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t eat cake made from a box (although my preference is for a cake made from scratch).

NaNoWriMo

I recently saw a news headline stating that the creativity of Americans may be diminishing (probably due to too much television). This prompted me to help spread the word about NaNoWriMo (visit the website at http://www.nanowrimo.org/).

I came across NaNoWriMo almost a year ago, via an internet article. Although I should’ve written about NaNoWriMo at an earlier point, it’s never too late to spread the word about it. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and November is the designated month. The purpose of NaNoWriMo is to have participants (there’s no official membership process, although one could sign up to be part of a collective) to begin writing November 1, with the goal of writing a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. Regardless of these very flexible guidelines, NaNoWriMo is intended for all participants to write, emphasizing quantity and not quality. The ultimate goal is for participants to just write (and I think, to be creative).

Last year, when I participated, I came up with a lot of ideas and I actually wrote several pages. Not surprising, I turned my “novel” into a “play,” which I have not yet finished. However, going through the process (i.e. taking time out of each day to concentrate and write my “novel”) has taught me that the writing process is hard, and I have also gained a lot of insight about myself and my writing style. Anyhow, I will participate in NaNoWriMo this year, even if it’s already November 8. I already know that I may not write a 175-page novel, but I’m willing to try my best, and to stretch my creativity limbs. The worst thing I can get out of this experience, again, is that I learn more about myself.

Winter is Coming

It has finally gotten cold in my part of the world (especially since it’s already November). Every year I tell myself that I can withstand the cold, and it’s especially easy to forgive the cold during the spring and summer seasons (really, the cold just doesn’t seem that bad). However, my misgiving about the cold disappears when the frigid air actually envelopes me and enters into my lungs. I then curse to myself (unfortunately too loudly) and wonder why I’m still in Minnesota.

Since this is the first year that I’m trying to establish my cottage garden, I actually care as to how the weather will affect my plants. In previous years, I’ve only grown a vegetable garden and didn’t really care about the state of my garden (once the tomatoes and herbs have been picked, I’d just wait until spring to clear my garden and replant). Now, I’m worrying whether my plants will survive the winter and all things related to my plants’ survival (e.g. has the ground frozen, do I have enough leaves to provide a cover for my plants, should I bring my containerized plants into the garage now, do I even have enough room in my junky garage for my container plants, etc). At some point, I eventually have to rein in my worries, and have faith that I know enough to get by and that Mother Nature (in her own way) will take care of my garden.

Pride and Prejudice

Okay, I will admit that I was prejudiced about the 2005 movie, Pride & Prejudice (which premiered in the US on November 11, 2005). I thought the movie was going to be mindless and vacuous, in which the movie’s romance would be driven by marketing executives. My prejudice was further fueled by my opinion that too many movies today, that are based on a book, have been poorly made and often don’t live up to the spirit of the book. [Not surprising, the book is often way better than the movie.] So, I resisted watching the movie.

Then one evening in the spring of 2007 (almost two years later) I happen to catch the movie on cable. And I am not ashamed to admit that I was so very wrong about the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. I’m so in love with that movie right now, and I will admit that I’ve been watching the movie more often than I should (at least three times in a week, especially since I got the DVD as a birthday gift). The cinematography and the musical score is FANTASTIC. The director’s vision of the movie is very different from the book, but it’s so beautiful. Kiera Knightley makes a wonderful Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew McFadyen is so dreamy as Mr. Darcy. Even though this movie does not strictly follow the book (like the 1995 BBC mini-series, aka the “Colin Firth version”), the movie lives up to the spirit of Jane Austen’s book. I won’t go on and on about what I love about this movie, but I believe that it’s well made, and I personally believe that it’s better than the 1995 BBC version.

Anyhow, if you have not seen the movie, go rent it. Or else, you can just wait to watch it with me. The movie will make you swoon and believe in romance.

A (Cherry) Tree Grows in St. Paul

About a month ago, I purchased and planted a Mesabi cherry tree. The tree is now in my backyard and I’m so happy that it’s there (and I have not yet lamented about the price I paid for it).

I actually did a lot of research about cherry trees before I made my purchase. I had to consider the fact that I needed a cherry tree hardy to my zone (I’m in Zone 4), not only so that it can withstand Minnesota’s harsh winters, but it needed to be able to fruit in Minnesota’s short summers. I also needed a tree that was self pollinating, or else I would've had to purchase two cherry trees. For example, I was told that a Bing cherry tree needed a pollinator, in other words, another cherry tree in order for the Bing cherry tree to fruit (FYI-one can grow a Bing cherry tree in Minnesota, but it wouldn’t fruit adequately because of the weather here). I also needed a dwarf-sized cherry tree, due to my small back yard. Lastly, I wanted a tree that would provide cherries that I could pick and eat. Many sweet cherries (such as the Bing cherry) are grown on the West Coast, but sour cherries (cherries used in making pies) are mainly grown in the Midwest. Generally, sour cherries often have to be cooked first before it can be eaten. So, after much research, I purchased my Mesabi cherry tree (which was developed by the University of Minnesota), which produced semi-sweet and tart cherries that I could pick and eat.

To make the long story short, I’m really excited that I'm growing a cherry tree in my yard. I think it’s three to five years old and I’m hoping that it will fruit within the next two to three years (yes, it sounds like a long time, but time does fly by).

Embracing Minnesota's Winters

I’ve started reading My Garden [Book]: by Jamaica Kincaid (an author I first heard of when I was an undergraduate in college). She writes about her gardening experiences (a pursuit she took up as an adult) and ties it to issues relating to colonialism, imperialism, feminism, racism, etc. It’s a fascinating book.

Ms. Kincaid doesn’t hide her disdain for certain subjects, and this is especially true for the cold (at the time of writing she may have been living in Vermont). She despises the cold and will not embrace it (instead, only allowing herself to love the spring-especially spring and summer) because the winter hides her garden. Even though I agree with Ms. Kincaid on that point, as a gardener, I have reluctantly learned to love and embrace the Minnesota cold. The reason is that there are many plants that I love and have in my garden (blueberry plants and daylilies), which requires a cold period in order for the plant to bloom. Therefore, many of these plants would not produce as well (or even survive) in a warm climate (such as Fresno, CA). Thus, I have learned, RELUCTANTLY, that I need to love the cold (at least for the sake of some of my plants).

Cheese Curds

Since coming to the Midwest, I've discovered cheese curds. Every year at the State Fair, I'd get a little basket of greasy, cheesy, salty, hot and gooey deep fried cheese. At first, the thought of eating battered deep fried cheese was a bit revolting, but I admit that I was wrong and I'm a convert. Cheese curds might just be a Midwest treat and I don't think they sell them on the West Coast (i.e. California), but it's the perfect food to get at the fair. I've bought them "out of season" (outside of the State Fair), but it just didn't taste that great. Anyhow, if you ever get the chance to go to the Minnesota State Fair, pick up a basket of cheese curds (you might become a die hard fan).

Potential "Cottage Garden" Material?

I’ve been living in my house for three summers and it wasn’t until the end of this summer that I’ve made a conscious decision to actually turn a section of my backyard into a “cottage garden.” [Type “cottage garden” in Google image and you’ll get images of what I’d like my garden to look like.] I was also thinking about turning it into a Japanese Zen garden, but I think the cottage garden is more in sync with my personality and I know I won’t have time to keep the Zen garden meticulously neat and well groomed. This is not saying that a cottage garden is messy and without order, because it does require some planning, but I love the spontaneity and unrestrained vibrancy that are found in cottage gardens.

As you can see, the section that I will turn into my cottage garden borders the alley, but it is located behind my vegetable garden. I have a metal-link fence enclosing my property and I don’t intend on removing it anytime soon. I’m thinking about growing morning glories to provide some cover for the metal-link fence.

I’ve already been planning out what I will plant in this back area. Currently, I intend on planting perennials (plants that will grow back year after year) and I’ve already started envisioning how I will stage the plants I want to grow, so that something will flower throughout the spring and summer seasons (e.g. some of the plants will only flower in the spring, but others will flower in the summer and early autumn). I may add some annuals too (plants that only live for one season). The biggest addition I’m going to add to that area will be a Mesabi cherry tree. I’m really excited and I should have added it to my yard this year (so I’ll have one less year to wait for the tree to fruit), but I can’t wait to plant the tree and for it to fruit (so I can make my own cherry pies). In September, I’ll begin to tear out the grass and start working on the soil in preparation for Spring 2008. I'm sooooo excited!

First Cantaloupe

I picked the first cantaloupe from my garden yesterday, but I didn't cut it open until today. It was firm, and I was afraid that I had picked it too early (even though I thought it was perfect for the picking).

After cutting the cantaloupe, I think I may have picked it a little bit early, but it doesn’t matter. Despite the green close to the rind, the flesh is perfectly tangerine in color, is very fragrant, fresh, and very sweet. My cantaloupe is organic (like my tomatoes and herbs) and I think that makes a big difference in the color and taste. I still have two more cantaloupes and a Spanish Melon in my garden. I can’t wait to “harvest” them.

All Things Green (Part 2)

In my first posting I mentioned making fried green tomatoes. Upon a request from a good friend, I’ve decided to share my recipe for fried green tomatoes. I just want to put you on notice that if you don’t eat cornmeal too often, it’s definitely an acquired taste. However, once you’ve eaten your first slice of a fried green tomato, it leaves a savory and tangy taste that lingers in your mouth, and you inexplicably just want more. I eat my fried green tomatoes with an Asian chili sauce. I also find that fried green tomatoes pair very well with a fried egg.

You can use any unripe (green) tomato to fry. I’ve found that soaking the tomato slices in vinegar (I use white wine vinegar) adds additional flavor, and the vinegar pairs well with the slightly sour tomato.

**I’m sure you already know, but just in case, you cannot eat a green tomato raw.**

Recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes

1 green tomato, sliced into 1/4 inch thickness
1/4 C vinegar
1/2 C cornmeal
Seasoning (e.g. seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc)
Oil (preferably olive oil)

1. Marinate each tomato slice in the vinegar.
2. Add the seasoning to the cornmeal. Season the cornmeal according to taste.
3. Take a tomato slice and dip one side in the cornmeal, then dip the other side in cornmeal. The vinegar will help the cornmeal adhere to the tomato. Lightly tap off excess cornmeal from the tomato slice and put on a plate.
4. Heat pan and put in 2-3 tablespoon of oil in the pan. The oil should be hot but not sizzling. Pan fry the tomato slices on medium heat. Each side should be fried for 2-4 minutes, depending on your stove. The cornmeal coating should be golden brown.
5. Serve right away. Fried green tomatoes are best eaten warm.

YUM!!!