Recipe Maverick

Browsing Archive: January, 2010

Noodle Stir-Fry with Zucchini and Mint

Posted by Emma Barker on Saturday, January 30, 2010, In : entrees 


    The sun has returned from its lengthy vacation, making things considerably more cheerful here in Davis. While I still catch myself daydreaming about sandy beaches and turquoise waters in class, I am also reminded of the many charms of Davis in winter- like the somber beauty of rain-soaked olive trees under a gray sky, and the millions of creative ways in which people wear scarves.  Now that the sun is actually sticking around past 5 pm, it's starting to feel like spring isn't so far away....

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Warm Goat Cheese, Walnut and Honey Toasts

Posted by Emma Barker on Friday, January 29, 2010, In : Sides 


    Sometimes in winter quarter I feel like I've run into a patch of the doldrums. All the papers I turn in start to blend together, until I might as well just be writing the same paper over and over again. Any urge to get out of bed in the morning and actually do something is immediately quashed by the sight of frost riming my windowpane. At times like this, the thought that keeps popping into my mind is, "I'd rather be in Paris right now". And of course, this is not particularly helpful sin...

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Panzanella

Posted by Emma Barker on Sunday, January 24, 2010, In : Salads 


    Over the weekends, I always want to do something special for lunch. On weekdays I often only have time to throw a sandwich together or buy something on campus, but on Saturday I want something better for myself. I want to make up for all the less-than-satisfying lunches I've eaten over the course of the week with something delicious and preferably, healthy. Of course, I still don't want to spend all day making it...

    Ages ago, I saw a gorgeous panzanella on Smitten Kitchen, and ever sin...

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Mocha Cupcakes

Posted by Emma Barker on Saturday, January 23, 2010, In : Desserts 


    In my philosophy classes this quarter we've been talking quite a bit about mind/body dualism, the theory that the mind and the body are separate. The difficulty lies in explaining just how the two are separated-after all, if the mind is non-physical, how can it have an effect on the physical world? And how can the physical world affect it?

    Cupcakes are the answer. These little morsels of sugary goodness transcend the physical sensation of eating and bring joy to the very essence of you...

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Chicken and Dumplings

Posted by Emma Barker on Thursday, January 21, 2010, In : entrees 



    I have noticed that if you have a facebook profile, you never need to look out the window or go outside to know what the weather's like. If it's raining, you'll read in your newsfeed all about how your friends need new rain gear, got soaked on the way to class, can't believe how hard it's pouring, or are afraid to get onto one of the packed busses. To say it was raining today doesn't  express how it was raining today. It was raining hard, with strong winds that drove the rain in your face...

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Orange Soda Pork Chops

Posted by Emma Barker on Saturday, January 16, 2010, In : entrees 


    So. After yesterday's post, in which I extolled the virtues of healthy eating, I'm going to tell you about the pork chops I had for lunch today. The pork chops that I braised in, of all things, sodie pop.

    I'm not sure who first got the idea to cook meat in coke, but it's something you run across from time to time in cooking blogs and magazines. That's why, when they were giving away free sodas at work the other day, I took one home with me instead of just explaining that I don't drink...

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Lentil Stew

Posted by Emma Barker on Saturday, January 16, 2010, In : entrees 


    After spending most of fall quarter being sick, one of my goals this quarter is to try to stay healthy. It can be hard to prevent illness when you're interacting with hundreds of people every day, and when you are dealing with stress from school and work. That's why I'm trying to give my immune system as much help as I can by eating right.  Sugar is out (well, maybe not completely), and veggies are in.

    I think there's a lot of anti-new-years-resolution backlash in mid-January, because ...

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Chicken and Goat Cheese Rolls

Posted by Emma Barker on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, In : entrees 


       Yesterday was Monday, and I think most people will know what I mean when I say it felt like a Monday. According to my mom, my grandma calls it Junk Mail Day, because it's the day when you get the most junk mail. It's just that day when all the stuff you were supposed to take care of over the weekend catches up with you, when all the junk mail catches up with you, when all the junk catches up with you.

    This particular Monday, I got home from class and started calling up people who w...

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Candied Kiwis

Posted by Emma Barker on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, In : Desserts 


    This quarter has gotten off to a fast start. It's certainly not one of those quarters that lounges around waiting for someone to tell it to get a move on. No, it's one of those quarters where you find yourself scratching your head at the end of the first week and wondering where all your free time went. Really, though, I would like to know what happened to it. And if I could maybe have it back sometime soon... please?

    In spite of the fact that I have suddenly become busy and am current...

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Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Fritters

Posted by Emma Barker on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, In : Sides 


    I've had potato latkes, and I've had Okonomiyaki (japanese cabbage pancakes). After tonight I can say I've had spaghetti squash fritters, and boy, were they good! Even when I forgot to add flour to the first batch, they were still pretty good. With flour, they were exquisite: crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside. Mmmm.

   Winter quarter started today, and so far all of my classes look like fun. Philosophy of the Mind was particularly entertaining-the professor has a deligh...

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Spicy Spaghetti Squash

Posted by Emma Barker on Monday, January 4, 2010, In : Sides 


    I have fallen in love with spaghetti squash. The sweet strands of squashy goodness yielded by baking a spaghetti squash look, smell, taste like potential. "We could be great, you know," they try to say, but find themselves lacking in vocal chords.

    This is the first of what will probably be several spaghetti squash recipes, since I still have two containers of cooked spaghetti squash in the fridge waiting to be turned into something.  It is extremely easy to make, and the spices and le...

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Welcome to my blog! I'm Emma, a recent college graduate with a BA in French. I am passionate about cooking and writing, among other things. Come share in my love of food!

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