Cate, Author at Chez CateyLou

Buttermilk Biscuits

April 4, 2013 by Cate 13 Comments

I always get excited when I see biscuits on a brunch menu. Whether served alone with some jam or as part of a sandwich, I love the taste of biscuits. But for some reason I never think to make them. The other day, I was trying to figure out what to do with my leftover buttermilk. It seems like every time I buy buttermilk for a recipe, I always have some leftover – which really isn’t a problem, because there are so many great baked goods to make that use buttermilk. So as I ran through my old standbys – muffins, bread, pancakes -a new thought popped into my head. Biscuits! We would be having warm, fluffy biscuits for breakfast.

TheBetterHalf was very impressed that I whipped up biscuits so quickly. As much as I enjoy biscuits, he might like them even more. I think all of his favorite brunches in New York involve biscuits. Anyway, he assumed that because they are like bread, they would take hours to make. I do want him to think that I slaved away for hours, but the truth is these took no time to make! I’m so glad I re-discovered just how easy biscuits are to make – they are definitely going to become a more regular guest in our kitchen.

…

New York Style Crumb Coffee Cake

April 2, 2013 by Cate 26 Comments

Light and moist cake is topped with a thick layer of cinnamon crumbs. This New York style crumb coffee cake is the perfect addition to any brunch spread!

Apparently cake is not appropriate breakfast food. Or so I’ve been told. But add the word coffee in front and it automatically becomes acceptable to eat cake for breakfast! Now to be honest, this recipe for New York Style Crumb Cake is actually listed in the Cook’s Illustrated app under “dessert” rather than “breakfast.” However I’m adding the word coffee and turning it into a breakfast recipe!Typically my breakfast is more whole grain and less whole stick of butter, so I decided this recipe would be the perfect thing to make for Easter brunch with my family. I have always been a huge fan of crumb coffee cake. What’s not to love about butter and sugar baked together on top of cake?! And did I forget to mention Cinnamon?? The cake in this recipe is light and fluffy, the perfect complement to the rich, cinnamon crumbs. Next time I will double the recipe because this was gone before the morning was over!

…

Read More »

Hearty Minestrone

March 28, 2013 by Cate 10 Comments

Remember when Easter meant that the weather was starting to get warm? Maybe I am having selective memory, but I recall many Easter Sundays spent outside having Easter egg hunts and enjoying the nice spring weather. Every year I had a special outfit for Easter, usually some kind of floral dress, likely with a huge collar. And I don’t recall tights being a part of the outfit. Not so much this year. The calendar says spring and Easter, but the weather says otherwise, at least here in NYC!

But the one silver lining to the cold weather is the fact that I am still craving soup pretty much all the time. I professed my love for soup here and I’m back today with what I think is my favorite soup recipe that I have made all winter! That’s because bacon and parmesan cheese are involved. The soup is full of healthy veggies, white beans, and a surprising ingredient (v8!) but the real depth of flavor comes from the bacon and the cheese rind….

Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookies

March 26, 2013 by Cate 29 Comments

Let’s talk about chocolate chip cookies – life’s perfect cookie. I think everyone likes chocolate chip cookies and it seems that everyone has their own favorite recipe. I don’t discriminate, I like all different types of chocolate chip cookies – crispy, chewy, soft, I’ll eat them all.

But if you made me choose my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, it has to be Jacques Torres’. The large size means that the edges are slightly crispy, while the inside is soft and gooey. The caramel flavor of the brown sugar really shines through. The sprinkling of sea salt at the end is the perfect compliment to the rich, dark chocolate. I’m still open to other recipe suggestions, but I have tried quite a few different recipes and I keep coming back to this one. …

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

March 25, 2013 by Cate 22 Comments

Do you know what happens when you order a kale salad at Sunday brunch? You get to eat pancakes for dinner. That’s a real rule, right?

On Sunday morning I went to brunch with my friend JC and I had my typical debate of whether to go sweet or savory. It is really a struggle for me because I love pancakes. I mean I REALLY love pancakes. But savory usually wins out for two reasons: first, because I feel like it is usually a more balanced meal and second, because I like to bake my own sweet things (see here, here, here, you get the point). So I ended up ordering a kale salad (at Acme NYC). I love kale and I felt a little healthier starting my day with a superfood rather than with pancakes.

But then for the rest of the day I was thinking about pancakes. Dreaming about pancakes. I even thought about pancakes during my workout class, so I decided to do something about it. Breakfast for dinner, who doesn’t love that?! Plus I had some buttermilk to use up, so this was a perfect excuse! Waste not want not, right?…

Connect

Suggested Reading