Happily Stuck

Saturday's are supposed to be quiet, still, and happy. But they are even better when you wake up and there's snow coating them. In Kentucky people think the world might end in the event of three inches, but I know they are secretly dazzled by it just as I am. Why is it so exciting to be stuck somewhere when it snows? Like there is a community around you just waiting to band together as soon as snow tragedy strikes. This might be in my imagination. No matter, my band of brothers just happened to be eggs, and almond flour, and ginger this morning, and we weathered the storm together, coming out on the other side with biscuits, and jam. Because I have loved ones in the midst of the "Makers Diet" I made these grainless, dairyless, and sugarless. Surprise. 

Grape and Ginger Jam (adapted from lovefoodeat)

5 cups of cleaned grapes

1/2 cup raw honey

2 inch piece of fresh ginger

Clean and wash your grapes well. Combine the grapes, crushed ginger and sugar in a saucepan and slowly bring it to a boil till the sugar completely dissolves. Reduce the flame and let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes til the fruits start to disintegrate. Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool down a little.
Sieve the mixture to get rid of all the seeds and the skin. Press as much of the pulp of the fruits as possible with the back of your spoon to get all the juices of of the fruit.
Place the thick fruit juice/pulp back on the stove and let it simmer slowly. I simmered mine for more than 30 minutes to get to the desired consistency. You can stop when you think your jam is thick enough. Remember it’ll thicken further as it cools.
Store it in an airtight bottle.

Simple Biscuits (grain free)- Adapted from realsustinance

2 packed cups Blanched Almond Flour
1/2 Cup Arrowroot starch
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1/2-3/4 Tsp Baking Soda 
1/2 Cup Coconut Butter 
2 Large Eggs
3/4 Tsp Lemon Juice. 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine the Almond Flour, Starch, Salt and Baking Soda.. Cut the coconut butter into the flour until it is about the size of a pea. In a separate small bowl whisk together the eggs and lemon juice. Pour mixture in with the flour and mix just briefly and gently until the dough comes together. It will feel a little wet. 

Dust a sheet of parchment, or your counter with additional starch. Gently pat the dough into a round and cut into 6-8 biscuits using a biscuit cutter or the top of a round glass. Use as much starch as needed to prevent sticking. Bake for 18 minutes.

P.S. These are especially lovely with coffee and frosted windows.

*Embarrassing disclaimer: due to the fact that I was on the phone with a friend when these came out of the oven I did something I'm not sure I'm proud of. I couldn't balance the knife and biscuit properly while holding the phone, so after pondering it for a very short second, I dove my hand into the jam and proceeded to spread it on my biscuit with my fingers like a small bear. or any other animal you would now like to insert here.

Snow (warning: this has nothing to do with food, sorry)

We finally got ourselves some snow... a big fat lot of it... for Kentucky that is. My day was "supposed" to be not so great, but snow has a way of making everything better. My car is deciding to fall apart and I had to drive it out along the winding back roads to the shop, sliding and spinning the whole way. God turned things all white and sparkly so that my terrifying drive could be less so... He thinks of everything. Of course I brought my camera...

"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!...

He gives snow like wool."

"He scatters the frost like ashes.

He casts forth His ice as fragments,"

"Who can stand before His cold?

He sends forth His word and melts them

He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow."

-Psalm 147:12-18-

On Pie.

One, this post is because half the pictures I took over Thanksgiving were of pie in it's various stages. 

Two, because I believe pie is a universal love language, and not only does it deserve it's own post, but it is the bringer of much joy. And we just need joy. 

Spiced Pear Pie, with Toasted Walnuts and Gorgonzola Cheese in a Buttermilk Crust. 

I took this little wooden mold and made acorns out of the leftover pie crust. Brushed them with cream and sprinkled with cane sugar and allspice. Perfect. 

 

 

~Recipe Here~

"Where there is life, there is hope. And need of vittles."

-J.R.R Tolkien

Every Thing. (On Being Greatful) Part 1.

There are those times when everything seems to move a little slower. It's when you are so content and greatful for the present that you savor a moment more than a normal human would. The moments are crystal clear. Suspended. You think in that space, "I will never forget this."
That was my Thanksgiving.
There was a sence in these past few days that said, this is unrepeated time, treasure it.

And I Did...

 

 Every laughing leap.

Every siblings Silhouette.

Every time the wind blew through the cracks of the window.

Every cold walk down the country road.

Every form of home, wherever it was found.

Every carful shaping of dough.

Every Every Every bite of pie....

Every time I licked my fingers.

(Dark Chocolate Truffles with Cane Sugar and Sea Salt)

Every exchange of cooking wisdom between my gifted sister and I.



(Crispy Fried Shallots)

Every warm nap on the couch wrapped up in Naomi's little arms, and her in mine.

Every smell of bacon smoke, and yeast dough

(Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing)

Every time my Papa said, "I am so happy right now."

Every creek in the floorboards.

Every foot ball tackle and chest bump.



 Every still moment.

Every belly laugh.

 
 To be continued....