Baked

It's Monday, so it must be game 3 of the Canuck's run to the cup! Ok, that's out of my system. Won't mention it again today.

I baked these over the weekend, and I didn't feel half as bad eating almost a dozen since. They're made with white bean puree instead of heaps of butter. Believe it or not, they're not dry and you don't taste bean either!

Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies - makes about 36-40

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup ground quick oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup drained white beans (save liquid) - any white bean will do. I used white kidney.
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a food processor, or blender, grind oats until finely ground but not "dusty".

Mix oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Puree the beans with 2 tablespoons of the saved liquid, until smooth. Combine puree, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl and beat well. On low speed, mix in the oat and flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts by hand. Drop batter by the tablespoons, on the parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for about 13-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool on wire racks. Enjoy!

These are really tasty. Hope you give them a go! 

If you haven't already click here, to enter my little give-away. I'll make the draw on Wednesday. 

Back soon!

Janis

Sunday Observations

It's been a pretty great weekend here, for Vancouverites, with the Canucks up 2-0 against the Bruins. Go Canucks! Bring it home!
We took advantage of the sunshine in Vancouver today, before jumping on the ferry to Victoria. I'm back in Victoria (on Vancouver Island) for another crack of dawn shoot. This time I brought my husband to assist me.

That's it for my Sunday. What did you do today?
If you missed Friday's post, click here to check out the give away! I'll be making the draw next Wednesday.

Back on Monday!
janis

Hey, it's Friday!

I hope you all had a great week! I ended up shooting everyday, so I haven't done a lot of blogging, but I have received a lot of really sweet emails from some lovely bloggers. It never fails to amaze me how nice and supportive the blog world can be. I so appreciate your feedback and comments, and for taking the time to check in. So to say thanks.....

I think you know by now that one of my hobbies is baking, as well as shooting the baking process. I'll
be adding a set of 16 recipe cards, selected from my "Baked" posts, in a cloth bag, to my shop next week. As a kind of happy-friday-thank-you, I'm offering one up as a give away. All you need to do is leave a comment, to be added to the draw. That's it. Nothing else. I will send it anywhere in the world. I'll make a random draw on June 8th.

Also, I did a very simple, and inexpensive, d.i.y. over at one of my favourite blogs, Poppytalk. If you have some time, pop over! Here's a sneak peek:

I hope you all have nice weekends where ever you are! Back soon.
janis

Baked

Hi everyone! For those of you enjoying a long weekend, I hope you've had a good one. To everyone else, just a big, old fashioned, happy Monday!

I made some really crispy, and pretty tasty, crackers. They are actually good for you too. Super easy to make but, the rolling out, I must admit, is pretty labourious. It's hard work rolling out to 1/8 inch! Keep in mind, it's good for the arms ;)

Walnut, Fig and Flax Crackers - makes about 48 2"x2" crackers

1/4 cup finely ground flaxseed (either grind your own, or buy flaxseed meal from a grocery shop)
1/4 cup whole flaxseed
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 chopped dried mission figs (any fig would work)
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 325F/160c. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, flaxseed, salt and sugar. Add the butter and mix at medium speed with an electric mixer until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs (you could also use a food processor).
Fold in the walnuts, figs, and milk and mix until you have a smooth dough. I use my hands for this part.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Spilt dough in two, and roll out to 1/8 inch on a lightly floured surface. Cut with a pastry cutter, or knife, into squares. You can use cookie cutters to create any shape you like, really. Transfer shapes, using a thin spatula, to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake crackers until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

I hope you try these crackers out. Again, they're super easy and, if I can make them anyone can!
Have a good day. Back soon!
janis

Sunday Observations

Just a few observations from my very quick trip to Victoria. It's such a pretty city. We squeaked out some beautiful weather for the shoot, so I'm relieved. Whew.

That's what I observed in the 18 hours I was in Victoria. What did you get up to today?

Rained out Photo Shoots

Where are you spring? Apparently you are the worst you've been for 50 years, here in Vancouver. I don't mind a little rain and cold (I keep telling myself that), but you're making it really difficult for me to get several garden shoots wrapped up. The flowers look like they're sobbing. Here's proof....

Off to Victoria for a shoot, this weekend. Always nice to hang out there. What will you be doing? For those of you in the U.S., have a lovely long weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! Back soon.
janis

Vancouver Neighbourhoods

How's your week going? If you're in Vancouver, do you have a voice left after the game last night? 4 more to go!

I shot a story, for Sunset Magazine, about one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Vancouver - Gastown. It's actually in the June issue, which is out now. It does have a touristy side, but it also has some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. Here are a few of the places I shot for the story.

Meat And Bread is a very popular lunch spot. Arrive at door opening, as the line-ups are long!

The Diamond is a fantastic "cocktail parlour". Josh made a real cocktail and I drank it after I shot it. Lesson learned. Don't drink on an empty stomach while shooting a story. ;)

L'Abbitoir is a great little restaurant that was Vancouver's first jail in the 19th century. Love that. It's a busy place, so reservations are recommended. 

That's my mini tour of Gastown! Definitely check it out next time you find yourself in Vancouver.

Have a great day! Back soon.
janis