Cue the Halleluia Chorus

This time I tried hand mixing, turned the oven up about 10 degrees, used a bigger scoop, and made sure my pan was cool. Mine look different because I also added blended oatmeal, but they spread and baked evenly, at least on one of my pans. The other pan yielded the less spread, dark bottomed cookies, even though they were better than Trials 1 and 2.


Although I'd like to try again, I think I better take a cookie detox first.

For those who wondered if "Big Cow" might be insulting: It was between that and Da Niao (Big Bird). I'm assured by my distinguished colleague that Da Niu is a real name--the Chinese equivalent of Aloisius, in that, yes, it's a name, but old, rare, and kind of weird.

-MsLin

Secret Cookies

I went to DBF for a personal lesson in cookie making. From the softness of the butter to the size of the cookie scoop, I tried to notice things that he did differently from me. Not much that seemed relevant was different. I observed every moment, and noted, in my mind, what he did. He didn't do the hokey pokey, burn incense, or pray to the cookie gods. Yet, the result was way better than mine. Compare:


So, I may have to face the music on this one: cookies are not something that I can make really well. Yes, I made a new batch when I got home tonight. I even mixed it by hand, but it doesn't look like his dough, so I'm already sure it won't be as good.

Today, after much suspense, I successfully sniped a kitchen witch on Ebay. As the time ticked down to 30 sec, I placed my bid and won. It is ugly like my mom's, and it has a green dress. I'm hoping that this will solve my cookie problems.

We also gave DBF a Chinese name: 文大牛, which means Big Cow (Da Niu) Wen. :)

-MsLin

If at first you don't succeed...

DBF has the best cookie recipe. He's made some for me, and they are the perfect amount of chewy, with a flavor of store-bought ready-to-bake dough cookies, without the store-bought preservative flavor. So, I asked for the recipe, including the secret ingredient, which he has developed. He emailed me the recipe, and I tried to make it yesterday. They turned out horribly (left cookie). After 8 min., I saw that the edges were crispy and the middles were raw. The end result was a cookie with a gooey center and lacy dark edges. They were inedible. He's out-of-town, so I called to ask what I could've done wrong. After some conversation and internet inquiries for "cookie problems," we finally arrived at the truth of the matter, which was that he had typed "1 tsp. soda," but the actual ingredient is "1 tsp. baking powder."


I tried the right recipe this morning. They didn't turn out like his, but a vast improvement (right cookie). And now we know what happens if you use baking soda instead of baking powder. I feel like I should get a girl scout badge for this little experiment.

-MsLin

Whirling around DC

Last week was Spring Break, and I spent it in DC visiting my old roommate. I was only there for 5 days, but I saw a lot. Of course, I could definitely go back and see all new things. We took a walk around the memorials and the capitol. I had a tour of the capitol and heard the lecture at the Supreme Court. I saw the Constitution at the National Archives.

The weather was beautiful and warm. A couple of days I didn't even need a coat. Here I am walking to the Jefferson Memorial.


The FDR Memorial is pretty interesting, divided into sections that represent his four terms in office, with plenty of photo opportunities. I did the obligatory pose while petting Fala. (click pic for larger image)


I was definitely the Country Mouse. I didn't even wear my own shoes or carry my own handbag around the city. We made sushi one night, made Thai noodles another, went out for fresh guacamole made table-side, went out for Greek tapas, and drank wine with bread and cheese (lemon Stilton was the ultimate) every night before dinner.

-MsLin

Love is in the Air

The days are getting longer, and the birds seem to have noticed the scent of spring. They have started vying for the attention of any available female birds, and finding none, started vying for the attention of any available female of any species. Finding my attention divided (or tri-vided, as the case may be), they started vying for each other's attention. Finding themselves to be uncomfortable with that prospect, they cycle back to looking for female birds. Roscoe, in particular, has been updating his eharmony profile, starting with "talents: able to whistle loudly in high pitches and flap wings at the same time." He started doing this while Kavi was sitting on my knee on the couch, and he was alone on top of the cage.

Blogger has been tetchy about uploading vids, so I'm linking to my YouTube this time:
"Roscoe the Stud" Vid It's a little dark, but you get the idea.

-MsLin