Making a List, Checking it Twice.
I'm a list maker. I thrive on organization and categorization. There's something so comforting about knowing exactly what you need, when and where to get it.
Things. Lots of things.
Wrapping paper here. Ribbon there. Toasted almonds here. Butter there.
Needless to say there are a lot of lists floating around here right now. I'm sure the same goes for you too. I always tell myself I'm going to get my shopping done early and wouldn't you know it never happens. Despite my mad organizational skills I seem to lack motivation. It's not a good combo. My lists taunt me and call me names for months until I simply have to get out there and get it done. Otherwise my family would find gas station goodies wrapped in the funnies under the tree.
It's intimidating though isn't it? Shopping. And not just any shopping. Push-and-shove-endless-lineups-all-sold-out-interminable-traffic-fall-off-your-feet-dreaded-holiday shopping.
Let's take a break from the mall madness and mountains of lists shall we? Why not indulge and transport yourself to chocolate peppermint heaven? Step away from the tape dispenser. Kick off those boots. Put that pen down. You work hard. You deserve it.
When Good Bananas Go Bad…
...Make banana bread.
Then make bread pudding.
Dress it up with whipped cream and dust it with cinnamon.
And I don't think I need to tell you what to do with all that...
...But I will.
Eat it. Eat it all. And fast. Before I do.
I'm a picky banana eater. I like them yellow and only yellow. No green and no brown specks. As soon as there's brown present I don't want anything to do with them. That's a very narrow window in which to enjoy banana goodness.
But rest assured I have not thrown out brown bananas in years. It just doesn't happen. Because, as I'm sure you know, they are soft, sweet and begging to baked up in something special.
Like this Banana Cinnamon Bread Pudding. I have never eaten and most definitely never baked bread pudding before. I have to be honest I put it off for a few weeks. I think it was the custard. If you know me at all you know the long history I have with custard.
Oh yeah, me and custard go way back. Trials and tribulations.
I think it's time custard and I set the past aside and become friends. Maybe even best friends. I mean when a dish full of freshly grated cinnamon, sweet bananas and toasted walnuts extends that hand of friendship you don't say no.
I say yes. Heck yes!
It’s Not You, It’s Me.
Dear Exercise Bike,
I haven't been avoiding you. No really. I might use you as a coat rack from time to time. I might even have let your seat collect dust. It's a really uncomfortable seat by the way. You should look into that.
I know. I know. I told you I was going to ride you everyday. I promised you. I promised me. So I'm not the most motivated person in the world. You knew that getting into this relationship.
Don't look at me like that. I've been busy, ok? Those four seasons of Mad Men aren't going to watch themselves. Cookies need baking. Dough needs kneading. Hair needs washing. You know how it is.
Maybe we need to take a break. We obviously want different things. You're a fitness enthusiast. I'm a sucker for cinnamon buns. You like action films. I like chick flicks. You like to wake up with the sun. I roll out of bed around ten.
It's not you, it's me. We just need some time apart. I think it'll be good for us.
Tell you what, after the holidays if you're still into me we'll give this another shot. In the meantime just focus on yourself. I'll eat these Sesame Cookies with half a pound of butter and you can fix that seat of yours.
Take care.
Your friend,
Lindsey
Knit One. Purl One. Bake One. Eat One.
Oh hi. Hey you remember me. I'm that mildly funny blogger that bakes cookies and writes letters to both inanimate objects and weirdos.
No? I'm that perfectionist in the kitchen that obsesses over custard and cowers at the sight of yeast. Yeah I basically cry over spilled milk. Literally.
Nothing? I also have an unusually high attraction to all things with polka dots. I own not one, not two, but three polka dot aprons. With ruffles. And bows.
Oh yeah. You remember now.
I apologize for my absence. I have a good excuse though. I really do. Are you ready? Like really ready?
I've been busy knitting. No really. I knit. Now you know the awful truth. I am in fact a 50s housewife that vacuums in pearls, darns socks and spends the day in the kitchen with perfectly applied lipstick.
Ok maybe my pearls are fake and I can't stand lipstick, but I do spend blissfully happy days in the kitchen and I can knit up a storm. Well maybe just a scarf. And not those fancy cable knit scarves. Maybe next year.
To make up for my knitting induced neglect I made you some traditional Dutch Boterkoek. It's like shortbread only better. You just have to trust me on this one. It's dense, moist and chock full of almond goodness. You're going to love it.
The Hokey Pokey and Other Fine Hobbies.
Let's face it. We're busy people. We have people to see and places to be. Like walking the cat, erecting impenetrable snow fortresses, whittling sporks, colour coordinating the dishes, alphabetizing the condiments and knitting scarves. Putting your right foot in, putting your right foot out, putting your right foot in and shaking it all about.
I'll give you a moment to ponder which ones of those I've actually done.
I'll give you a hint. It starts with an all and ends with of the above.
So in our silly days filled with silly things it's nice to know there are easy, fast and delicious dinners we can whip up between moon walking and kite flying.
It's astonishing how some of the best foods are also the simplest. Next to chocolate covered cherries and self cleaning ovens it's about the best thing ever.
I recently discovered a few pasta recipes that were both stupid easy and scrumptious. Spaghetti alla Carbonara is just spaghetti, pancetta, parmesan cheese and eggs. Or Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe which is basically spaghetti, romano cheese and black pepper.
Here's another for you. Brown Butter Walnut Pasta. Mostly just farfalle, walnuts, parmesan, garlic and cream. Takes up only 15 minutes of your time not including all of three seconds it takes to inhale it.
Now that cat's not going to walk itself.
Warming Up To Winter.
On a cold Winter's day such as this one what's better than warming your kitchen and your heart with soft, chewy fresh from the oven Oatmeal Cookies? And not just any Oatmeal Cookies. Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies!
It's been particularly chilly here in Edmonton, which normally wouldn't come as a surprise at this time of year and in this part of the country. I guess I was enjoying Autumn so much I didn't realize Winter was already upon us.
I miss all the pretty colours. I miss walking out the door in just jeans and a sweater. I miss the sun. I even miss the rain.
Despite all this, each time the seasons change I decide on a new favourite season. It doesn't matter that I can't feel my feet, or that my nose turns an embarrassing shade of red, or that I get an electric shock from everything I touch, or that the zipper on my favourite coat is broken.
The ground looks like it's made of diamonds. The trees are glass. Breath hangs in suspended animation. Footsteps are forever.
Looks like I might be warming up to Winter. Pun intended.
As the seasons shift I thought it was a perfect time to change up a few things here at Hot Polka Dot. Time to mature. Time to grow up. Time for big bold photos. I'll miss the polaroids, but change is good.
Silver Lining.
When I discovered that I would not advance in Project Food Blog my mind reeled with a series of thoughts. The first of which I won't repeat here. But the second thing that came to mind was, well I guess I don't have to make those Cinnamon Buns anymore.
But really, why wouldn't I? I bought the pumpkin, pecans and maple syrup. I do still have a food blog right? Oh yeah, that didn't cease to exist when I got eliminated.
Sure maybe for a moment there I wanted to drown my sorrows in a vat of chocolate or order a fleet of pizzas for dinner. But I didn't. Instead I made the most delicious Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns. Let me tell you, it's hard to feel sorry for yourself with a mouthful of one of these lovelies.
So this would have been my eighth challenge entry to Project Food Blog. I probably would have said something a little more eloquent.
But at least now I don't have to feel so bad about using canned pumpkin instead of fresh.
A few of my new friends from Project Food Blog decided to share our pumpkin posts despite our recent exclusion from the contest. They've concocted some amazing pumpkin recipes. You should visit and remind them that they are all winners.
Asha from Fork Spoon Knife
Heena from Tiffin Tales
Josie from Daydreamer Desserts
Liren from Kitchen Confidante
Winnie from Healthy Green Kitchen
Last Stop.
Looks like it's time for me to exit the crazy ride that is Project Food Blog. Yesterday I learned with disappointment and a few tears that challenge seven would be my last stop and I would not be continuing in the contest.
It was a bittersweet realization because, while I would have loved to keep going to the end, I still have gained so much from this competition that I feel as though I've already won.
I have met so many ambitious, friendly and passionate people with beautiful blogs. People that I will never forget. Like Liren from Kitchen Confidante with an admirable way with words and a love for all things food. Or Damaris from Kitchen Corners with a kind heart and beautiful photography. Or Isabelle from Good Food, Good Wine and a Bad Girl with an adorable sense of humour and a diverse repertoire of recipes. And so many more. You know who you are!
I have learned so much from this contest about myself and what I'm capable of. I never would have made a vlog if it weren't for challenge seven. I never would have tried Kue Lapis Legit if it weren't for challenge two. I never would have knew how to make the perfect pizza if it wasn't for challenge five.
These challenges were designed to motivate us to be better and make our blogs better. Each challenge pushed me to improve my photography, writing and recipes and I am so grateful for that. That will always stay with me, winner or not.
I have had so much fun and I am thankful for this opportunity!
And remember, there's always next time!
The Spirit.
As the first snowflakes of the season flutter to the frozen ground I find my thoughts drifting to childhood memories of this time of year. Crackling fires, snowman sentinels, cozy socks and silver sprinkles. Momentary snow blindness after an exciting snowball fight. Mismatched pairs of shoes piled in the front hall. The soft glow of peeling glass light bulbs hidden in a snowbank outside the window. The smell of damp mittens slowly drying over an intermittent floor register. All the while A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack lilting in the background.
Over the coming weeks I'll be showing you a few of my favourite recipes to get you in the holiday spirit. Catch-yourself-humming-Jingle-Bells-eat-too-much-fruit-cake-dance-in-your-reindeer-jammies kind of spirit.
Starting with this one. Speculaas Cookies. Think of them as gingerbread cookies with a kick. A seven spice kick. These thin little cookies pack a wallop.
I don't want to be cocky, but I think that my gingerbread cookies could kick your gingerbread cookies butt. Any day of the week. Just saying.
You're probably still thinking, what the heck are Speculaas Cookies? Scooch closer. I'll tell you.
Closer...
They're these crispy buttery Dutch spice cookies and crazy tasty. You'll love them. Did I mention they were tasty? You might recognize them better if they lacked almonds are were shaped like intricate windmills instead. That's the traditional shape, but apparently it's super difficult to get your hands on century old hand carved cookie forms. Who knew? My Mom has diligently perfected this recipe in a effort to duplicate the taste and texture she remembers from her childhood trips to Holland in between care packages from family.
So this holiday season when you're hauling out your clattering collection of cookie cutters consider making these beauties instead. Sure they're not shaped like trees or snowmen or stars, but they are encrusted with toasted almonds. And remember boys and girls, things encrusted with toasted almonds are your friend.
I’m Blushing.
For real I am. I don't blush too often. It's rare.
But if you were profiled in a reputable online Canadian food journal you'd blush too.
Good Food Revolution has featured me in an article along with four other lovely Canadian food bloggers. We're the last five Canadians standing strong in Project Food Blog and we're all in it to win it.
Mardi from Eat Live Travel Write, Isabelle from Good Food, Good Wine and a Bad Girl, Angela from Oh She Glows and Heena from Tiffin Tales. I'm in good company. We're all writers, photographers and foodies. You should drop buy and visit their beautiful blogs. Maybe give them a comment or two.
If you'd like to read the article you can find it here. It's been beautifully composed by Beverley who's also blogs at Potato Chops and Boneless Chicken. She's clever. Thank you Beverley!
Foodbuzz is a US-based community of food bloggers, but it's important to note that the breadth of that community is international. Let's see if we can manage to have a Canadian win the big prize shall we?
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