tidying up

October 22 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Uncategorized » 21 comments

After what felt like weeks on end full of deadlines, pressure, and not nearly enough time in any given day, things have slowed down a bit for me. And, can I just tell you, it’s lovely. It’s given me the opportunity to smile and sleep and breathe a little more, not to mention spend more time cooking, baking, taking pictures and tidying up around this site. So, without further ado, here’s what I’ve been up to:

(1) The Recipe Index is current! An update was a long time coming. The site user statistics indicate that many of you out there visit the Recipe Index quite a bit, which, to tell you the truth, completely thrills me. If this site is a resource for even one person, I am a happy camper. So, take a peek at the index. Quick! Before it falls out of date again.

(2) While we’re on the subject of recipe indicies, may I direct your attention to the left hand column? There you’ll see a link for a new page, the Fall Recipe Index, which compiles the autumnal recipes I’ve made over the past nearly two (!) years I’ve been blogging. If you, like me, can’t get enough of apples, squash, pumpkin and steaming bowls of soup these days, you’ll surely want to take a visit.

(3) I joined Twitter. I am approximately the very last person to jump on this bandwagon, but it turns out that the bandwagon is full of lots of friendly faces and I quite like it. I hope to see you over there.

(4) Whitney’s interview of me ran on Gapers Block yesterday. Head on over to get some Chicago restaurant recommendations and to learn my stance on the age-old Chicago question: Cubs or Sox.

(5) Last, but most certainly not least, I made this carrot bread (actually, a Spiced Brown Sugar Carrot Bread, which sounds far more charming than plain old carrot bread). I baked it in my new loaf pan, which is pocked with the cutest little dimples and, as I’ve learned from looking at this post’s photos, features a concave edge. Nevermind the pan’s structural deficiences, though, because the cake that lies within it is delightful. It’s warmly spiced with cinnamon and cardamon, woven through with shredded carrots, and split just so down the arch of its back.

Well, there you have it. We’re all tidied up. I feel so accomplished. We should do this more often!

Spiced Brown Sugar Carrot Bread
Adapted from Food & Wine

Yield: 1 loaf

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
grated zest of 1/2 a lemon
1 1/4 cup shredded carrots (about 7 ounces)

Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or grease and lightly flour the pans.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom and salt.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the oil in a thin stream, beating at high speed until the batter has doubled in volume, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and lemon zest. Fold in the shredded carrots. Beat in the dry ingredients at low speed in 3 batches, mixing well between additions.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the middle of the oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a rack to cool completely.

21 comments so far. »
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tara says on October 22 2009 at 11:43 am:

You, dear Kristin, are knocking it out of the park lately. This is another great recipe – and the fall recipe index is truly inspiring! Thank you.
Noelle says on October 22 2009 at 12:27 pm:

I enjoyed reading the interview! I’m a Wisconsinite that transplanted to Minnesota, and couldn’t help but become a die-hard Twins fan soon after, so of course the primary reason for reading the interview was to see if you rooted for the dark side (Sox). Good choice
Whitney says on October 22 2009 at 1:16 pm:

I can’t tell you how often I use your recipe index. (a lot)
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com says on October 22 2009 at 2:41 pm:

Hoorah for you being so productive during your downtime! Can’t wait to check out the fall recipe section.
Ellen says on October 22 2009 at 2:47 pm:

your recipe index is one of my go-to places when i’m totally out of ideas! you have a knack for choosing some winning recipes. this carrot bread looks like it will be able to join the ranks!
Rose says on October 22 2009 at 3:05 pm:

Hey Kristin! This looks delicious. I am really loving all these breads for fall.
Laura says on October 22 2009 at 3:58 pm:

Know that your recipe index efforts are not going to waste…I certainly visit it often.
Half Assed Kitchen says on October 22 2009 at 4:40 pm:

A recipe index…what a great idea! I’ll go take a look-see now.
Polly Rice Sumner says on October 22 2009 at 5:47 pm:

I use the recipe index all the time, the carrot cake looks super yummy, but what I would like to thank you for the most just now is that you mentioned Mad Men in passing in a blog last year which got me thinking, I should check out this show…now a devoted fan. Good advertising, Don Draper would be proud.
Nic says on October 23 2009 at 1:19 am:

Not only do I use your recipe index, I have over 20 favorite food blogs bookmarked that I use regularly and they ALL have recipe indicies. In fact, a couple of them I have set to go straight to the Index — but not yours– I enjoy reading you thoughts on each recipe. The point is, I don’t know why ALL food bloggers don’t set up a recipe index. There are a lot of beautiful sites out there, but I won’t allow myself to fall in love with them if it’s difficult to get back and find the recipe that won my heart to begin with…that’s just me though.
Sophie says on October 23 2009 at 2:26 am:

What a wonderful & healthy bread!! Your bread looks marvellous!!

MMMMMMMMMMMMM,…
Linda says on October 23 2009 at 4:18 am:

where oh where did you get your beautiful loaf pan??? it’s just gorgeous! the bread looks and sounds fantastic too
Barbara says on October 23 2009 at 12:13 pm:

I’m really glad to hear everyone uses the index. I do and I always wonder if anyone else does. So many good recipes posted in the past- it almost makes you want to repost them!
I like the idea of a carrot sweet bread. So good for you and it’s not too sweet.
StephieLou says on October 23 2009 at 6:24 pm:

I heart everything about this blog except one thing…you don’t post daily! I know you are busy but you are my new fav food blog and can’t get enough. thanks.
Sues says on October 25 2009 at 4:29 pm:

I love carrot cake/bread and yours sounds especially delicous!!
Kristin at The Kitchen Sink says on October 25 2009 at 7:33 pm:

And you, dear Tara, are too kind. Thanks.

Noelle: Glad to hear you’ve become a Twins fan! The Yankees series was a heartbreaker.

Whitney: I’m so glad!

Ellen: That’s so wonderful to hear! Thanks.

Rose: Thank you. Me too — pumpkin, apple, you name it.

Laura: Fantastic!

Half-Assed Kitchen: Well, I sure hope you do!

Polly Rice Sumner: Yay! My very own Mad Men convert. This season, I think, is just getting good.

Nic: I find them handy too.

Sophie: Thank you!

Linda: At Sur La Table. And would you believe it cost less than $5? I did a double take. I’ve made a couple loaves so far and (bent side notwithstanding), it works quite well.

Barbara: So glad it’s useful! And you’re right about the bread. It’s much less sweet than your typical carrot cake. Which makes it just right for breakfast (or mid-morning snack, or late afternoon snack, or a lighter dessert, for that matter!).

StephanieLou: Ha! Well, thank you. There was a time when I posted daily, but I could never fit it in these days. The archives, though, are plentiful!

Sues: Thank you!
ovenhaven says on October 26 2009 at 9:06 am:

Hooray for updated recipe index! You know what the strangest thing is? Today I’ve adapted a layered chocolate cake into a bundt cake, and was looking for pointers, when I immediately remembered you had an entry where you did just that (with a 9×13 pan). Couldn’t remember the recipe, but I actually remembered your post title, and googled it! (It’s “call off the dogs” btw) Just goes to show how well your posts are written

p/s: Adding you on Twitter!
Sara says on October 26 2009 at 1:04 pm:

I found your blog recently and love it! I’ve shared it with my family and friends too. Love the new fall recipe index!. Can’t beat a great soup during these colder days.
Jessie says on October 27 2009 at 6:32 am:

Oooh, I just so happen to have a large amount of carrots… I should make this to use them up! Looks tasty.

PS: I’m another one of those people who uses the recipe index on a regular basis… thanks for updating it for us!
Ellen says on October 27 2009 at 5:37 pm:

looks wonderful – how do you keep it flat? without rising up in the middle of the loaf?
Allison says on October 27 2009 at 6:48 pm:

I just found your blog and I LOVE it! I’m a second year law student and started a food blog this semester to keep my life in balance. I’m so glad to see that there is life and food blogging beyond law school haha!