Crumpets!

So I'm back! I know you were all sad. The other morning I was hungry, it was breakfast and there was no food so I rifled through my baking book for something delicious. Due to the lack of anything (eggs, fruit, cheese, buttermilk) I opted for crumpets, yum! Which are pretty much just homemade English Muffins. I ended up using soy milk instead of real milk because ours was bad, and they came out just fine. The only downside was I wanted something quick but these had a sort of double rising, as the batter is initially leavened by yeast and then baking soda is added just before cooking. This continues the leavening process and gives it extra air which produces all the characteristic "holes" in the bread. 

The Batter after both leavenings.

After making the batter, you pour them into metal rings. Mine are not crumpet specific and are different sizes and have handles, which make getting the crumpets out difficult.

Like pancakes, you wait until there are holes before flipping.

Best eaten with butter or jam.

10 pm is late

So it's pretty much past my bedtime, but at least there are no drunk people outside my window like when I lived in South Oakland. Sigh. Anyway despite some serious car troubles (emissions system pretty much needing to be completely replaced) my car passed inspection today! Whew.

So since I had today off, I got to do all sorts of exciting things...like browsing the internet, getting my car inspected, then I went grocery shopping and had the hardest time finding rice cakes. Then I went to lunch at this adorable little tea place in the center of town. A little expensive, but really really delicious, kind of like the Crêperie on Craig St. Except with tea and scones, awesome scones. Next I went to the track practice at the high school and helped out with the hurdlers...makes me kind of nostalgic. Hopefully next week I'll remember running gear and get to demonstrate for them :) Lastly I cooked dinner, roasted halibut with a mustard parsley sauce, honey and ginger carrots and couscous.

Tomorrow, I'm back to work and hoping the commute isn't bad (it's been really good due to the holiday) and then to the track meet after work.

Oh Dear Me

Today I almost hit a deer, drove to THREE separate places to get my car looked at, saw the movie Julie and Julia and rediscovered that I can in fact see many stars from my driveway.

All things considered, it was a good day. I hope this doesn't mean I'm getting soft.