07 November 2007
This picture is almost exactly the same as the last one. Except with different things. And later in the day. But otherwise -- EXACTLY the same.
See, I usually have hot cocoa (or now a latte) around 8:00-8:30 in the morning, and by 10:00, I'm good and ready for breakfast. This might sound dumb, but I've decided to get stricter with myself about eating more, earlier. If I don't pay attention, I wind up eating far too little throughout the day, in order to eat a lot at night. And that? Not so nutritionally sound, especially considering what I tend to eat at night.
So I made some pumpkin scones to get myself off to a good start. (Recipe if you click the 'continue...' at the bottom of the post.) They're not very sweet, but they're low fat and very tender. I like to spread a thin layer of Tofutti cream cheese on both sides and sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar. I paired it with warm applesauce this morning. I mixed cinnamon and raisins into the sauce, and it wound up being a very autumn-flavoured breakfast.
'Round about one, I'm ready for lunch:
I bought some plastic-lidded glass containers the other day, as I'd like to get away from using plastic bins for storing leftovers. These are working great -- the only problem is that they're so much fun to eat out of! With a flat bottom like a plate, but edges like a bowl, you can get a really satisfying nest of food in there.
I made my current standard for tofu. (I don't have exact measurement, but I mix up 2 tsp tahini, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, and sprinkle in garlic salt, paprika, chili powder, Cayenne pepper, regular pepper, and a bit of cumin. It'll cover about 1/3 - 1/2 a block of sliced tofu. After carefully tossing so all sides are covered, I lay it out and sprinkle over rice flour and a tiny bit of cornmeal to give it a good 'crust'. Fry in a pan on all sides until crisp -- no need to use lots of oil.)
I also picked and ate what might be the last of the broccoli from the garden, but who knows? It got down to 20F last night, and this afternoon the broccoli plants were all, 'Oh, really? Twelve degrees below freezing, you say? I guess I might have felt a draft.'
Pumpkin Scones
Note: I'm very bad at getting exact measurements for spices. Go with your instincts!
1 cup Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
2-3 packets sweetener (I used a combo of Splenda and stevia)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch ginger
pinch nutmeg
pinch salt
1 Tbsp margarine
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 T chopped walnuts
Mix together all the dry ingredients -- everything up to (but not including) the margarine. Add the margarine and work it in with your fingertips until there are no chunks remaining. Add the pumpkin and stir with a spatula (or use your hands) until just combined. Add the walnuts and gently mix them in. As always, the trick with scones is to handle them as little as possible.
Shape the dough into three scones and place them on a baking sheet. You can sprinkle a bit of brown sugar over the tops, if you like. Bake for 12-16 minutes in an oven heated to 350F.
I have just wandered over from flickr and realized with an astounding jolt of dumbness that "twelve22" is Anna Torborg. Your London studio is the first photo I ever saved as a favorite on flickr. And of course there is your book . . . how have I not figured this out before?
Thank you for the lovely recipes.
posted by suzanne b. at November 8, 2007 06:40 AM
Madame, you are divine! I have just received possible the most delectable package!!!! You angel, such delights, and all entirely edible within my limitations. Thank you, a thousand thank you's sweet Anna.
To my shame, there is almost nothing left of it all, we were travelling all day to see my Uncle who is finally in the rehab unit learning to walk again, somehow by the time we got home again the package was very very much lighter.
Those cookies were INCREDIBLE, truly, they had that all American cookie dough taste that I LOVE but have never before found in dairy+wheat free format.
I have a tub of mallow filled delights for you (you know what I'm alluding to, 5 fit perfectly into a chinese take-away tub) but I'm having a bit of a financial crisis just now cause of this CFS lark, so they've been sitting on the table for 3 months till I have money to post them. I've been SO tempted to eat them several times but have been steadfast and not caved... though if my money isn't sorted to post them soon I'd best replace them lest they go out of date. Wouldn't want to cause you a sore tummy, though I suspect my speed in sampling your package will most certainly cause me one before midnight :0)
Thank you again Anna, the entire parcel was so sweet and beautiful, the gorgeous papercut (hanging now with an autumn leaf casting delicate shadows), the beads and bag (oh such bluey hues), and those letterpressed, lovelies, oh how I adore them.
You are all goodness and kindness, truly, and you brightened my day immeasurably. I hope you know I will willingly return your kindness as soon as I am able dear friend... xxx
posted by cally at November 10, 2007 10:42 PM
I'm making them. This week. Yum. Thanks.
posted by sulu-design at November 11, 2007 05:13 PM
Hi!
My name is Maria and I´m from Sweden. A while ago I saw an adorable owl you made, and also the pattern you shared, but now I cannot find it. I think it was made 2004 and was showed on crafster. Is it possible to find the pattern anywhere? It was from a japaneese book I think...
posted by Maria at November 12, 2007 09:36 AM
Hi Maria. I'm afraid I don't have that pattern anymore. Good luck finding it elsewhere!
posted by Anna at November 12, 2007 03:35 PM
Thanks for the quick reply! What a pity about the owl-pattern, but never mind, I got a lot of inspiration from watching a slideshow with your lovely bags & stuff on flickr so I will keep busy sewing anyhow! :) (Not as skillful as you ofcourse!)
posted by Maria at November 12, 2007 05:33 PM
absolutely stunning recipe, pictures, and site layout. I think I'm in love! ;)
posted by Celine at November 13, 2007 03:14 AM
Hi Anna! I've been a silent reader of your blog for a few months now, and just wanted to say how much I enjoy it. I absolutely love the way you write, and of course your creativity just makes the reading pleasure go a step further. Will surely keep coming back for more! :)
posted by Meena at November 14, 2007 01:50 AM