Welcome to Cinnamon Bunny–miscellaneous thoughts below, baked goods to order on the right. Baked goods are available both wholesale and retail–vendor queries are welcome. Want to know more? Just email the Bunny at meg(at)cinnamonbunny(dot)com or use the contact form. Bun Appetit! =;D
Hullo from the Cookery
March 6th, 2010Mindful Eating
March 6th, 2010Like a lot of women, I have at least two wardrobes on hand at any given time: skinny clothes and fat clothes. In the past 30 years my weight has swung as much as 25 pounds in either direction–and several times. The range has been from 120 to 170. This is not good for the heart–or the clothes budget! A year ago I lost 20 pounds (no secret diet–just ate less), and since then I am very careful to keep it within a 5-pound range. It’s better than succumbing to the mad swings of my goofy metabolism and appetite. If it’s creeping up–drink more water and eat fewer carbs. Dropping down? Time to sample some new muffins & scones! Now my goal is to unclutter the closets and have just one good well-fitting wardrobe. Better late than never.
Hudson Coffee Company
February 10th, 2010There’s a new coffee shop downtown called Hudson Coffee at 9 Lincolnway, sharing space with the popular clothing store Bangles. This is the same space previously occupied by Isabella Bean coffeehouse. New owner Andrew Hudson is making the place his own more and more every day. He is now carrying my Cinnamon Buns, which have always worked well with the Allegro line of coffees. Best of luck to Andrew and congratulations on selling out of soup today!
Uptown Cafe
February 2nd, 2010There’s a brand-new coffee shop in town, Uptown Cafe . Man, they have some good coffee there, a wonderful atmosphere, and good eats. Go there if you want to try my Roasted Veggie Lasagna, Macaroni & Cheese with Prosciutto, Ham and Potato Gratin, various quiches, lemon tarts, berry tarts, carrot cakes, and of course my signature Cinnamon Buns.
Uptown will have it’s public Grand Opening Thursday, February 4th, starting at 6 pm. I’ll be there and hope to see you there, too!
Happy Groundhog Day!
February 2nd, 2010Maybe that rodent in Pennsylvania saw his shadow, but none of the ones around here did–spring IS around the corner! That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it! =;D
Idiot-Proof Bread–it’s Fast, Cheap, & Vegan, too!
January 19th, 2010In the course of life as a professional cook, it’s easy to run out of time to feed yourself and your family. The no-knead bread recipe I used for our dinner party last year was a hit and I made it often afterwards, simpifying the procedure even more. We find it to be the sort of heavy, filling bread that you don’t need a lot of to feel satisfied, a real boon when you’re watching your weight. It goes well with the comfort foods I tend to cook. And at 75 cents a loaf, it’s a real money-saver, too. (I cook, not code; if the text & images below are cockeyed, I did my best.)
There are 4 ingredients: flour, water, salt, & yeast. Ceresota Unbleached flour is really nice. The yeast, though, needs to be the instant kind. The only place I have found it in the area is at Gordon Food Service in Merrillville. Anyway, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a 1/2 teaspoon of the instant yeast. Stir in @ 1 2/3 cups of 120-degree water. It’ll make a really stiff dough. Spray cooking oil on the inside of both the lid and the pot of an enameled cast-iron dutch oven, preferably a 3- or 3-1/2 qt. one like this KitchenAid one:
Having an Early Groundhog Day
January 11th, 2010–and so far I haven’t seen my own shadow. Haven’t posted anything since just before Thanksgiving, as it’s just been one of those times when it is best to lay low. You know the kind of thing I mean–when you’re not quite sure where you stand, or which shoe is going to drop next, or whether things are very very good or very very bad, don’t trust your own instincts, feeling the lack of sunlight, lack of energy, and just wanting to save what little there is of your best for your nearest and dearest during the holidays.
But the holidays are over now, and life is going on!
Gluten-Free Apple Pies
November 25th, 2009Just got done baking a pair of apple pies for a Thanksgiving order. These are gluten-free, no wheat flour in either the crust or the filling. They smell soooo good, and they look sooooo yummy!
Here they are on the cooling racks
A nice flaky closeup!
Where Will I Hop Up Next?
November 10th, 2009Sometimes things get beyond one’s control, and during these days of a difficult economy, that is the case for nearly everyone I’ve talked to. I am no longer supplying baked goods and soups to Isabella Bean Coffee House. We parted on good terms, and I wish Karen, and Paulette at Bangles, the best of luck.
This leaves me a free agent to pursue new coffeeshop relationships, and I am interviewing with one tomorrow morning. Who? What? Where? When? We’ll see what develops…
Today I am experimenting with some new gluten-free recipes and a twist on my signature Cinnamon Bun. In the Artisan Food business, there is always room for improvement!
The Latest Happenings at Isabella Bean
October 21st, 2009My favorite boutique, Bangles, is moving into the front half of the building occupied by Isabella Bean coffeehouse and Frizzy Izzy hair studio! The painting is done, the fitting rooms are almost done, display pieces are moving in, and it’s looking great. Both shops are planning a grand opening soon, and I’ll post more info as soon as I can.
