DIY DONUTS (sort of)
As I have written about before, I have a serious sweet tooth. When we are on the farm, out in the middle of nowhere, it is not really a problem. We only have honey - so most of my sweet baking experiments remain relatively healthy. But in the city - not only can I go to the store for a cup of sugar whenever I want, but there are so many adorable little shops and cafes with muffins and cupcakes and gelato and donuts - it is terribly tempting....and all within walking distance. So, when I get a craving for something sweet, instead of heading to the bakery - I have been forcing myself to either do without or make it myself. Cooking your own food - be it your dinner or your dessert - means that you are directly in contact with your ingredients. Just as cooking your own meat forces you to realize that it actually used to be an animal, watching yourself pour three cups of sugar and a stick of butter into a mixing bowl might make you rethink your chocolate chip cookies.But you guys....I really love donuts. One of my favorite memories of my life in Nashville during college was going to Fox's Donut Den, a little shop down the street with bad coffee and wonderful cake donuts. Many a late-night study session were fueled by those donuts. So, to keep me away from Fox's, I decided to make my own. Now, I am using the term 'donut' here very loosely - these are essentially honey cinnamon muffins. But trust me when I say, they are delicious and donut-like in flavor. PLUS - they are cheap (that's a very important quality around this household). No fancy ingredients that we didn't already have.Here's the recipe in case you find yourself in a similar state of craving. They are very simple, and would make a special treat for Christmas morning!For the DOUGH:
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup oil (I would recommend lard. Obviously. But I used olive oil, because we had a vegetarian in the house and it worked very well.)
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup milk
For the COATING:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup turbinado sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Combine your flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in one bowl - and mix your oil, egg, honey and milk in another. Slowly add your dry ingredients into the wet and stir just enough to mix. Bake in a greased muffin pan for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.While the muffins are baking, set up an assembly line: the melted butter in one bowl, and the sugar and cinnamon (mixed together) in another.When the muffins are done, shake them out of the muffin pan while they are still warm. First, dip each muffin into the butter, and then roll it around in the cinnamon sugar mixture, tapping off the excess.And there you go! Pretty little honey cinnamon donut holes - no deep-frying or corn syrup required!- Hannah.
Recipe adapted from here.
A DAY IN PHOTOS: A CHRISTMAS PARTY.
Woodland Wine Merchant had their annual Christmas party last night, and it was truly magical. Good friends and good conversation, a mind-blowing dinner, a backyard bonfire, gingerbread pudding with homemade ice cream and candied kumquats (!!!). Oh yeah, and lots of incredible wine! This is a sampling of what we tasted.
Even though I still can not believe it, it is getting to be that time of year...Christmas is NEXT WEEK! I don't know about you, but we've been having a hard time comprehending that is is even December, let alone Christmastime. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that is currently 60 degrees and thunderstorming outside. Gross. Fortunately, last night's party was a big dose of yuletide cheer. Gathering with friends, sharing stories and food and drink, being thankful...that is a happy holiday, merry and bright.- Hannah.
ON A SAD DAY.
While the majority of the internet is currently a horrifying mess of opinions and politics and arguments, these simple words from a truly wonderful man of peace are bringing me comfort today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Connecticut.- Hannah.
A VERY UNEXPECTED LUNCH.
Lately, I have been craving seafood. All. The. Time. It is serious. I had to leave the room while we were watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain the other day because I could barely control myself. It was like food pornography. I don't have anything against eating seafood - we just only eat meat that we raise ourselves or was raised by someone we know and trust (here's a little more about our food philosophy). And because fresh, local seafood is pretty much non-existent here in Nashville, that basically equals no lobster for me.But then today, as Jesse and Willie were returning from playing basketball, the next door neighbor walked over and randomly handed them a grocery bag full of LIVE TROUT. After we watched the bag flop around for awhile in the sink, Jesse watched a few YouTube videos about cleaning and gutting fish and got to work on the most delicious and surprising lunch ever. I finally got my seafood! It is a Christmas miracle.- Hannah.
