Crumb Cake

I’m not too fond of pretentious, intricate desserts and that’s exactly what this crumb cake is not. It has a light and fluffy texture, and the topping makes it crunchy. This cake is a perfect match for tea or coffee.

I found the recipe on RecipeZaar and scaled it down by half. I was going to add blueberries but I only remembered about them after I put the cake in the over. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

Ingredients:

(For the cake)

½ stick of butter, softened

4 oz cream cheese*

5/8 c/140 g sugar

1 egg*

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ c milk*

1 c flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

*At room temp.

For the topping:

¼ stick of butter, cold

¼ c flour

¼ brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 355 F. Grease an 8”x8” baking pan and set aside.

Cream butter and cream cheese together. Add sugar. Then add the egg, vanilla and milk. Mix until well-combined. Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and gradually add to the wet mixture.

Topping: Combine the sugar, cinnamon and flour and cut in the butter. The consistency should be that of a coarse meal.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the topping. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Bad Girl.

Wow. It's been over a week since I last posted. I'm a bad girl.

I've been extremely busy with classes, trying to get more involved in my school, reading, writing papers, preparing for examinations, work (at the office,) taking dance classes with the Mister, spending time with friends, finally getting my Learner Permit and learning to drive and... planning a trip to Paris in the summer!!!!

Even though there's no room for anything else on that list, I don't want to abandon my little blog - especially since its first birthday is coming up next month.

I promise to post something yummy later in the week.

<3

Happy Valentine's Day

When I was younger, I used to think this day was silly and that it was invented by Hallmark to “boost the economy.” I used to think Valentine’s Day was just a way to make single people feel badly about themselves.

Now that I’m a bit older, I no longer feel that way. I believe that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. It’s a day to show the person you love how you feel and to appreciate their place in your heart and life (though I think people should do that every day and not just one out of the 365.)

Love is indefinable. It is the strangest and most beautiful thing about being human. It is capable of bringing one to the highest high and the lowest low. Love can be fulfilling yet unfortunately draining as well. Love makes us grow up. True love is rare and it is truly invaluable.

This is one of my favorite quotes from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Here Edward Rochester is addressing Jane. He has a slightly childish yet touching way of expressing his love:

“I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you – especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame.” (Chapter XXIII)

If you are unsure of what to get your Valentine, just cook for him/her. Duh. It will mean much more than any oversized teddy bear ever could. The best V-Day meal is light, chic and simple…and easy on the garlic if you’re planning to do any kissing ; )

My suggestions:

· Crepes

· Crispy Baked Tilapia Fillets

· Gnocchi alla Vodka

Have a great day, everyone!

Mushroom and Pasta Frittata

Yesterday I was watching Everyday Italian and Giada was making this frittata. It looked so easy and delicious that I decided I should make one myself – but then again, Giada could be making a heart soufflé a la True Blood and make it look easy and delicious…

Yesterday being Friday, official refrigerator clean-up day in my house, I had to use what I had on hand. The frittata came out tasty and certainly good-looking, although it was missing something, some layer of flavor. I wouldn’t want to add meat to this dish because the mushrooms are hearty enough, but maybe bacon? Any suggestions?

(Serves up to 6)

Ingredients:

6 eggs

3 tbsp milk

¼ c grated parmesan cheese

3 tbsp chopped parsley

8 oz baby bella mushrooms, chopped

¾ c slightly undercooked short-cut pasta

1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and cheese. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a greased round baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve with marinara sauce.