Brooklyn Bakeries

I have since my last post accumulated several new cookbooks, and have to do something about it so they don't fall over on top of me. Or not... I am an addict after all.

I just invested in Baked (the book), after trying the fabulous recipe from Oprah's Valentine's Day issue. I live 10 minutes away from Baked (the bakery in Red Hook) but have never been there. Field trip is set for Monday, my day off and I will let y'all know how that goes. The brownies I made for Kate's birthday were FABULOUS however, and if Oprah is a fan of the brownies they have to be on to something.

Another Brooklyn bakery that's got a fantastic book out... Sweet Melissa in Cobble Hill. Melissa Murphy peppers the book with anecdotes about concocting "the perfect recipe" and it's quite apparent that she does a lot of tinkering with old standbys to outstanding results. I've made her Red Velvet and Carrot Cakes and both are very unique, easy to make and I assure you they will earn you a reputation as a fabulous baker, and possibly cause you to gain 5 pounds while you're at it.

The verdict: buy both books if you are a baked goods aficionado, or need a most excellent Brooklyn-themed gift.

Hardcover Food Porn

I have to admit, I am a bit insane about books, and cookbooks in particular. What can I say? There's a reason I work in publishing.

I have a Brooklyn studio apartment the size of a shoebox, yet I insist on subscribing to Zooba, i.e. the Book of the Month Club. Every single month I indulge myself with just one more cookbook, while my shelving unit sags under the weightiness of it all, and my other possessions slowly get elbowed out by jacketed hardcover editions with 4-color photos. As a friend once said, they are porn for foodies. Mmmmm.

Had I ever invited you to visit my kitchen, you would understand why this is comical, delusional even. The standing area of my kitchen measures 3x6'. I have a 2-foot long, 8-inch deep "countertop" consisting of a warped wooden board nailed up some 20 odd years ago by a desperate renter.

It's very student-like, and not terribly functional. If I want to cook, I pull out a folding table to have a bit of workspace. Did I mention that I am a full grown woman? At my age, my mom had four children, one of whom was fifteen.

I've recently undertaken some renovation to my kitchen, bathroom, and life in general. I registered HOTY a few months ago and I was not entirely sure what to do with it, but I think I've found my point of entry. I'll start with cookbooks and take it from there.

It might not be what normal folks call growing up, but it's definitely something.