Zucchini Bread

I dream of one day having a back yard. And in that yard, a flourishing garden. I'm picturing raised beds to nurture my oregano, parsley, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, and basil to perfection. A squash patch next to a bushel of sweet cherry tomatoes. Maybe even some lemon cucumbers (a delicious rare treat I discovered earlier this summer.) And daisies! And hydrangeas! And tulips! (Oh my!) Because in this perfect dream world, I am also a master florist and I can do these things. 

I've griped about my faux-gardening woes in the past. Window boxes and apartment livin' just don't cut it. (Sidenote: I am a glutton for punishment. What did I buy at Trader Joe's last weekend? Another basil plant. How is it doing today, three days later, after replanting it in a vase more conducive to growth and showering it constant nourishment and sunlight, you ask? 100% worse than in the store. I would say "Never Again". But I do not know that to be true.) However, when you have friends (and friends of friends) with bountiful, beautiful gardens, you have the luxury to mooch. And mooch did I ever.

When these friends of friends hand you a zucchini the size of a newborn baby, make zucchini bread. That's what I always say. This bread has a similar texture and flavor of carrot cake, but the zucchini flavor is unique and distinct. I added chocolate chips to mine (because, why not?) but I'd recommend going without, as I think it undermines the integrity of the zucchini flavor. I also halved Deb's recipe (her recipe yields two loaves) and it baked perfectly.

Doughnut Muffins

I'm not particularly tempted by muffins. (Remember when I made these?...Hardly touched a one of them.)

Or doughnuts for that matter. (Although, the fact that VooDoo Doughnuts is around the corner has moderately changed this.)

But when worlds collide - and, oh, did they ever collide - someone...anyone...please save me from myself.

These doughnut muffins are light and airy enough that you are sure to be coming back for more, and fortunately, they are small enough that you won't feel guilty indulging in a few (liberal estimate). 

Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon

This past month, I had the honor of hosting a slew of visitors. Family, friends, fiancés, all hailing from the east coast, getting their hippie fix for 2011. True to form, I showed each visitor my appreciation in the best (slash only?) way I know how. You guessed it. B-b-b-bakin'. 

First up: my best friend Jessica and her fiancé Ben, fresh off the plane from Raleigh, North Carolina. And for you I choose.....Sour Cream Coffee Cake. This is my mom's best friend's recipe, and I am not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. Well...maybe I'm exaggerating. But it's that good. What do you say we eat it while engaging in a riveting Mario Wii session? Yes? Perfect.