Cake and Eggs

I’m somewhat impulsive by nature. If I get an idea in my head that at once seems like a good one and seems marginally feasible, odds are, I’ll act on it. By and large this serves me well. I find good jobs and good apartments, I’ll make impulse purchases that offer me a little bit of retail satisfaction and good food tends to come out of it too. An idea turns into a craving turns into me convincing anyone within earshot that we have to go get bahn mi/make a trip to the Korean taco truck/trek to soma for sandwiches.

Win win for everyone.

And lately, there’s been a new compulsion, a new impulse. Making cakes. Simple ones, ideally. Just a few ingredients, inspired by what’s in my fridge and what’s in my pantry. They’re satisfying to make, a perfect simple end to dinner, or, in my favorite application, a great way to have breakfast for the week.

Now, before you start thinking, “Cake for breakfast? What kind of a ridiculous indulgent life are you leading, Margo? Why not go all the way and have some ice cream too? Maybe stick a candle in it?”

Hold on there, partner. Remember when I said they were simple cakes? They are. Maybe a lemon olive-oil cake. Or a quick apple cake with cinnamon and brown sugar. A lightly sweetened cocoa cake. No frosting. No lemon curd. And cake for breakfast? Totally reasonable. I assure you, the calories and fat are far less than your typical coffee shop scone, let alone that flaky croissant. A little cake, a little coffee and a perfect little omelette all adds up to a perfect little breakfast.

A post without pictures

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night, and remembered, “That’s right, I used to have a blog.”

It’s been awhile.

And I think this happens just about every year.

I become bored by the winter produce. I order the same things from my CSA, replenish the cupboard with the same staples. Pasta and quinoa, shallots and cauliflower, pesto and frozen peas.

It’s been a lot of pasta with scallops and peas. Still.
Quinoa with pesto and roasted cauliflower. Still
A huge bunch of chard with shallots and bacon. Still.

I’m as bored as you are.

But there have been changes since the last post.

I went to NY with Max and we ate far too much. Highlights included The Best Pizza I’ve Ever Had at Di Faro and The Best Lunch I’ve Ever Had at Del Posto. There was more. There were many courses. And there were too many moments of tension that ultimately had us going our own ways by the end of January.

It happens.

And now? Like the Great Grains Experiment of 2009, the East Bay Stint came to a successful end. I’m back in the city with what might be, the best apartment I’ve had.

It’s huge. A kitchen that’s bigger than is reasonable. A full living room. A nice bedroom. And a dining room. Almost reminds me of the place I had in Portland. I loved that place. It was where I found a love of entertaining and a great dinner party.

I already had my first dinner party at the new place. And there’s a housewarming tomorrow. The cooking will be modest, and I’m looking forward to the night.

More to come. A lot more.