Chicken Soup with Glass Noodles

March 29, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Asian inspired, Fitness and Health, Soup Tags: carrots, chicken soup, glass noodles, mushrooms, napa cabbage, oysters, shitakes 209 Comments

We enjoyed another light meal this week of chicken soup with glass noodles. We’ve had a few more smoothies, which I must mention because I forgot to put a couple photos on the last post. The smoothie and a very moving one of a glass of water with a lemon slice- don’t fret, I’ll add it too. After pushing ‘publish’ last time, I had that sneaky little feeling I’d rushed it. I’m sure others have lingered in that moment. I re-read the post and thought, no it’s looks complete… until this morning during our weight class at the gym. The one I actually like but still can’t wait to finish… the one that I’ve NOT done in TOO long so I’m having to pause after every sentence I type to let my arms rest…the one I tend to day dream through. This was when two photos flashed before my eyes. I was like dammit janet, you forgot those two photos yesterday. How these thoughts, memories float to the surface of the conscious, is beyond me. I have recently read some very interesting articles concerning some of the intricacies of how the brain works. Here are a couple from the NYTimes-

The Brain On Love and The Brain On Fiction

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Lost, Found & Fresh

March 27, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in dinner, Fitness and Health, Fresh and healthy, Hamburg, Salad Tags: dinner, fresh vegetables, greek salad, lost and found, napa cabbage, zuchinni 19 Comments

Since we’ve been pounding the cupcakes lately, and that ‘diet’ way back when only lasted three weeks, I thought I’d throw something fresh your way. I sort of lost my way just like Chloe’s black winter coat last week. She left it on the public bus Friday afternoon, the first really warm day of the year. I couldn’t blame her…It was one of those days where you forgot how cold the morning had started and by the afternoon you were practically peeled down to your skivvies…. practically nothing that is. So of course it’s like ‘what coat’? It was fortunate she even realized where she left it. We (O) called the HVV(public Hamburg transport) yesterday and the coat was indeed located and we needed to bring in identification and some sort of proof that it was ours. Like in case someone else left a black winter coat on the 283, direction Bahrenfeld between 3.15 and 3.45pm. O found a year old photo on the computer. Can you imagine rustling through boxes of snapshots or negatives looking for a picture? My idea was to bring the detached furry hood that Chloe refuses to wear, as proof we are the rightful owners. Our particle reference number in hand, we arrived at the Fundbüro. It was like walking into an OCD dream. The quiet, organized main office had two employees and no que… and racks on six walls with hundreds of lost, stranded keychains, all tagged by location found, date and a reference number. It was amazing.

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Hello spring… Ricotta Pancakes, Bacon & Bike Ride

March 25, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in breakfast, Brunch, holiday Tags: bike ride, Elbe River, ricotta pancakes, spring 21 Comments

I don’t have loads to say today except thank you to the weather for the glorious sunshine and smiles we saw this weekend. From year to year, there is truly nothing new in this first wave of warmth. But each spring when the sun and air combine to evoke that feeling of relief and gratitude, a cloud lifts and people join together in the streets in mass welcome. We packaged up our last few cupcakes and spent Saturday afternoon at a neighbors.

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Back to basics… Chocolate cupcakes

March 22, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Cupcakes Tags: chocolate buttercream frosting, chocolate cupcakes 22 Comments

It would take days to exhaust the chocolate cupcake recipes in print and on the web. I started with the few cookbooks I have here in Hamburg (about 30). My baking books and of course “Joy of Cooking”. Unsatisfied with what I had in print, I spent far too long online. It’s like shopping for a dress or a CAR. These chocolate cupcakes were going to be sold in a ‘Taste of the Globe’ sale after all. My daughter’s reputation first, then mine on the line at the tenuous age of 8th grade and borderline mid-life… assuming I live till 88. Oh my god, I’m potentially over the half way mark. This isn’t about me though. Well it is MY blog. Right. Car shopping. You find one you love in the first go round but you are required to continue searching and cross-referencing to confirm your initial gut feeling.

The Joy of Baking came up within the top five on the first page of a google search for ‘chocolate cupcakes’. The recipe is simple and clean. And so good. I made them yesterday to give them that day of rest. Cupcakes, in my opinion, peak after a 24 hour rest and are delicious for a solid day maybe two, then start to dry out. Of course they rarely last too long unless you keep making 2 doz for 3 people. This batch though was for export… well minus three…. or four.

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Sushi for St Patty

March 20, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Asian inspired, dinner, Fish, Fresh and healthy, Hamburg Tags: rice, salmon, sushi, tofu 9 Comments

We strayed far from a traditional St. Patty’s Day meal. No cornbeef. No colcannon. No Guinness chocolate cake… although that’s definitely on my list. No green or otherwise beer. We had an evening at the sauna, and Irish meals after an evening of swimming and sweating, I do not crave. Sushi on the other hand, like spring rolls, is perfect. Having filled my luck quota this weekend with the coincidental green liner and napkin under the last round of cupcakes meant no tuna for us on Saturday. I literally was behind the man who bought the last tuna steak at our fish monger. The tuna I had imagined, during my twenty minute wait, spicing up with chili oil and mayo. The tuna I would place next to sweet mango and avocado. I guess I wasn’t the only one thinking tuna for St Patricks Day. I’ve honestly never made sushi without fresh tuna. We still enjoyed fresh salmon, smoked salmon, shrimp and tofu.

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Say it with me… Triple chocolate chunk Banana nut cupfin

March 17, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Cupcakes, Fruits Tags: banana, chocolate, cream cheese, walnut 7 Comments

It was either cupfin or muffcake. I just don’t think the latter works. Are you with me? Somehow I don’t think it will be the next “cake pop”

I’ve migrated from the deep philosophical ponderings of the last post. Although maybe these little bundles of yum might think differently. Maybe they feel a need to explore their various expressions. Am I a muffin? Am I a cupcake? Am I bread? Am I teacake? I digress.

I’ve just spent a few moments trying to learn if there IS a definite distinction between cupcakes and muffins. It was a few moments too many. I have different images and feelings about each more than a concrete verbal definition for them individually or in comparison. Muffins can be healthy if they aren’t wrapped in plastic with an expiration date 18 months out. Cupcakes are for the most part little cakes with frosting. I did like this anonymous quote I found.

“If you threw a cupcake against the wall, you would hear something of a “poof!” If you threw a muffin, you would hear a “thud!””

As you might have noticed, I make a lot of banana bread/muffins/tea cake. I just love it and so does the family. And today, well yesterday I threw in three chocolates. White, milk and dark cut up from bars.

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Rumblings, Frogs & Scones

March 14, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Baked Goods, breakfast, Brunch, Hamburg, My life Tags: frogs, life, scones 17 Comments

I know you are asking, “What the….?” Well, I’ll tell you. First off, it started this morning reading Joy the Baker. She wrote this week about rumblings and the desire to shake things up a bit in her world. Now here is a blogger who is doing quite well in my book. Popular writer, lives in a sunny place and has a new cookbook ready to order that’s getting good reviews and she has rumblings? And did I mention young? I know I’m simplifying, and we don’t know the complexities we all face in life. But I do wonder, do rumblings, stirrings, the need to shake things up a bit seem to permeate all people irrelevant of age, stage of life, success or gender? Or can it be pinned to a certain personality type? Are there people continuously satisfied with life? I’m not talking about happiness but satisfaction. Or do they go hand and hand?

Frogs came to the forefront today when I went out for a little nordic walking and saw these signs that are posted annually in March to protect the wee ones crossing the road. Is that sweet or what. They even put up an eight inch barrier and cover the manholes so the little guys don’t drop in. This is a sign for me in Hamburg, that spring is on the way.

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Stuffed French Toast… NYC & Hamburg

March 10, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in breakfast, Brunch, NYC Tags: apricots, brunch, NYC, Purl, stuffed french toast 19 Comments

My last day in NYC started with brunch at Serenity T in Soho with my son and niece. The place gave mixed messages with it’s atmosphere and servers. An interesting menu, way laid back servers and a little chaotic looking in the dining room. But the food was great. My niece, remember who juiced me a montage of vitamins, had the spa brunch choice and tea. They offered a cool tea service… hence the name Serenity T … Made me want to return my coffee in a glass mug. Pretty but cools too fast.

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New York City snapshots- Brooklyn to Upper East Side

March 7, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in Culture, NYC Tags: Brooklyn, Central Park, New York, Pratt, shoes, Travel 15 Comments

I loved my four days in NYC. Both great quality time and fun do nothing time with my son and plenty of plodding around the city on my own. Each of my five of my senses, often simultaneously stimulated, could give you a recount of how we spent the days. Here is a visual recap with some support from the others.

I had a fun morning in Brooklyn visiting with my niece who pushed about eight pounds of fruits and vegetables through a juicer to produce two large gorgeous glasses of fresh juice. Sweet from the apple, with a bite from the kale, plus a hint of lemon, a reprieve from my days of indulgence. This deserved a photo but I was to wrapped up in the moment. So nice to have a few quiet moments face to face to catch up a little. Before wandering from her apartment we watched a NYPD traffic van illegally back up and rear end another car. Ouch. Also wrapped up in that moment, the cars were clearing as I thought to get my camera. Auditory… check.

From her apartment I wandered down Myrtle Ave, past Fort Greene Park in the direction of Pratt. As I mentioned, my grandparents met at Pratt Institute in 1924, fell in love and produced my father. Tragically, my grandfather, out for a spin on a buddy’s new motorcycle, died in an accident on that spur of the moment trip around the block. He left behind a small toddler and a woman who I believe lost her true love. But all events lead us to today and here I am, grateful. Willie Thomas, my father, jazz musician and a legend in his own mind, also spent many years in this same neighborhood as a doorman by day and a fierce horn blower by night. I snapped shots of interest as I walked.

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new york city the first day

March 2, 2012 By Wendy Ellen Thomas in dinner, NYC, Travel Tags: cupcakes, Dean&Deluca, Gramercy Tavern, new york city, Travel 17 Comments

I arrived into JFK in pretty good shape. I stay hydrated with water and emergen-C’s and put lotion on my hands and face about every hour to combat the plane air sucking the life and elasticity out of my skin. Our section was so open it really lent itself to a relaxed flight. People= energy. Few people=calm. I’m sure the flight crew enjoyed the break too. My only complaint was I didn’t start Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy early enough to be finished before the “entertainment portion of our flight” switched off. Damn you flight attendant lady. This is a very confusing movie. Not one to be watched on a 5×5 screen with poor sound quality. And missing the last fifteen? minutes didn’t help. It’s on the rental que!

A long rainy traffic filled hour later I arrived at my big kid’s apt. We ordered in and relaxed. Talked about life and the next few days. I enjoyed the fact that these days ahead were going to unfold. No big agenda’s or script to follow.

I woke up my first full day here imagining what it would be like to wake up in this city everyday. Such an array of so many really different people with such vast cultural and economic diversity. So many thoughts traveling through so many minds every morning before millions of feet hit the floor.

My thoughts started about 4.30am. I actually try to stay on an early track for these short trips to ease the transition back. I walked out the door about 10am and started at the bottom of Broadway (downtown) and made my way to Madison Square Garden. The day went a little something like this…

We all know how many hundreds/thousands of food stands are on the streets here. I love them all.

But this cupcake one deserved a snap shot

These got me thinking, “I would like to have something sweet now”… O’s line following a meal. So I just happened to pass this great specialty food store you might have heard of and got myself a chocolate chip crumb cake with a fantastic proportion of crumb to cake. Like a lot of crumb. Good crumb I might add.