4.6.08

martha mondays, strawberry shortcake, and a little break

first strawberries of the season

this is going to be an all-purpose post ...

martha monday on a wednesday? sure, why not! i was very happy to see that patricia from technicolor kitchen brought us her best brazilian martha dinner of rolled flank steak. oh yes, flank steak is my favorite, how did she know?! and with roasted peppers and mozzarella, need i really say more? go over and check out her post and all her other wonderful creations.

and what did i bring? some lousy herbed couscous. honestly, after i told the world to go out and check out martha's little "best easy dinners" i took a more careful look and couldn't find anything that caught my appetite, which is of converted omnivore who sometimes prefers to be a vegetarian. so i made the couscous (minus the chicken breast), which was super simple, but it didn't really have enough flavor. nor was it very photogenic so you'll just have to take my word for it!

but i don't think i'm going to continue with my little martha monday endeavor. i "met" some people with great blogs: addicted sweet tooth, the frosted bakeshop, columbus foodie, and technicolor kitchen but it was kind of a lonely event. so for now, it's taking a little break, and maybe it will come back tweaked and tinkered to attract more people. or maybe ya'lls just hate martha?? ;)

and honestly, when i started blogging i had no idea why i was doing this, who i was doing it for, and creating food wasn't even on my brain. but then it grew with me and i loved it and i couldn't wait to cook and bake and shoot a gazillion photos along the way.

but now i just don't feel the love anymore. it could be (probably is) because of personal things going on. it could be i'm a little bummed about the nomination, okay i'll admit it, a lot of pissed. it could be i have probably eaten more butter and sugar in the past few months than i have in the past few years. it could be, it could be, it could be.

whatever it is, i guess i feel i need to shrink back a little and be a little quiet. which is perfect timing because in a couple hours i'll be on my way to a sunnier place. it's only a week but hopefully i will come back to new york refreshed, balanced, happy, and energized.

and then we will see what happens.

in the meantime, here is a strawberry shortcake to get you excited about summer (i mean, if you live in the northern hemisphere). the strawberries have finally arrived in the farmer's market and what's not to love? i didn't even sugar these because they were so fresh and delish, none was needed.

maybe that should be my motto right now. no extra sugar needed, because it's great just the way it is ...

strawberry shortcake

strawberry shortcakes: makes 8
from martha's great food fast (2007, p. 86)

2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup butter, cold cut into small pieces
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tb
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk
6 cups fresh strawberries
whipped cream

1. preheat oven to 425F. in food processor, combine flour, butter, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. process until mixture resembles coarse meal. add milk and pulse just a few times to moisten. do not overprocess.

2. turn out dough on floured surface. with floured hands, gently pat dough into 4 x 8 inch rectangle.

3. dust knife with flour and cut dough into 8 squares. transfer to baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon sugar. bake until golden, 25 - 30 minutes. cool on baking sheet. split biscuits with knife, layer with berries and whipped cream.


close-up

strawberry shortcake tower

16 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful time away in sunnier climes... and never apologize for doing what you want to do on your own blog!
    Ann at Redacted Recipes

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  2. Looks wonderful! The strawberries look divine!

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  3. sorry i couldnt participate in the last two events. life got in the way. when/if you decide to bring it back - ill be here. have

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  4. have a great time in your sunnier place. im so jealous, i wish i had a sunnier place right now.....

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  5. I hope you enjoy your time away!! But don't take too long to come back because we will all miss you!

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  6. Enjoy the time off!

    I have to admit that I took things significantly slower after returning from Mexico. Sorry to not continue with the original efforts on MM. I have been following quietly though.

    It sounds like you need a well deserved break. Have a great time!

    Alexandra

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  7. I'm sad to see that you discontinued the event - new events take a while to catch on, did you advertise in all the usual places? I actually made something for the last one, but didn't get to post it by the deadline. If you'd like me to, I could take over hosting temporarily until you feel up to it again...let me know. :)

    Hope that whatever has you feeling down is resolved soon and that we see you back to blogging soon.

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  8. That strawberry shortcake looks amazing!

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  9. sorry to hear you are bummed out, and hope your break is just what you need.

    i also am disappointed about nomination...was hoping my my wellesley sister would go all the way!

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  10. Dear Mimi,

    I understand your wish for a break. But I have to agree with the others who commented - don't take too long 'cause we'll miss you!
    I'm kind of new to your blog but have become a huge fan already.

    Enjoy your time away and have loads of fun!

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  11. Anonymous5/6/08 20:14

    Your strawberry shortcake looks so delicious!

    We all need a break from time to time, for all sorts of reasons. In fact, I do need one too:) Enjoy your break and come back soon!

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  12. yum yum yum yum yum! i just made strawberry shortcake for my future brother-in-law's graduation party -- they were a big hit! such a perfect summer dessert!

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  13. Have a nice trip... and I look forward to reading more of your blog when you're refreshed and ready :)

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  14. Oh, its to bad about the Martha Monday! I actually came in here to see what was up next because I was hoping to participate. I made her Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk cookies on Sunday! :-(

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  15. mouth watering delicious strawberries...how i love fresh fruit.

    i hope you enjoy your vacation :) come back refreshed!

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  16. Have fun, and thanks for leaving us these gourgeous photos. I love strawberries!

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