"Baker Babes" is an ongoing collection of interviews from ladies that know how to use their oven like a champ. Michelle has followed my blog from the humble beginning, and she's here today to show off her adorable dress, cat mug, and new blog Vegan In A Pretty Dress.
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Name: Michelle
Occupation: Veterinary Technician
Dream occupation: Veterinarian...although sometimes I want to be Neil DeGrasse Tyson cause he is pretty freaking awesome.
Age: 27
What was your earliest memory about baking? I grew up in the kitchen with my Mom, so it's hard to pinpoint a single memory. Every year my Mom would make me a Filipino sweet and sticky coconut rice cake called Biko for my birthday. One year I thought I could recreate it on my own. It was an utter disaster! After a triumphant scolding from her, I remember her walking me through it step by step, although that was when I was 15! *chuckle* It is a crazy hard dessert to make, but so so delicious!
Howd’ja get started baking? I was heavily involved with my high school's culinary program, and although I mainly cooked savory dishes I enjoyed the pastry arts as well. There was nothing like the pride and sense of accomplishment in making my first loaf of bread. Before that experience, I had such a disconnect with bread. It just came sliced, white and prepackaged or magically appeared in cute little baskets at restaurants. I saw and experienced the science and subtle beauty that baking has to offer and finally felt a connection with one of humanity's oldest food staples-bread.
Occupation: Veterinary Technician
Dream occupation: Veterinarian...although sometimes I want to be Neil DeGrasse Tyson cause he is pretty freaking awesome.
Age: 27
What was your earliest memory about baking? I grew up in the kitchen with my Mom, so it's hard to pinpoint a single memory. Every year my Mom would make me a Filipino sweet and sticky coconut rice cake called Biko for my birthday. One year I thought I could recreate it on my own. It was an utter disaster! After a triumphant scolding from her, I remember her walking me through it step by step, although that was when I was 15! *chuckle* It is a crazy hard dessert to make, but so so delicious!
Howd’ja get started baking? I was heavily involved with my high school's culinary program, and although I mainly cooked savory dishes I enjoyed the pastry arts as well. There was nothing like the pride and sense of accomplishment in making my first loaf of bread. Before that experience, I had such a disconnect with bread. It just came sliced, white and prepackaged or magically appeared in cute little baskets at restaurants. I saw and experienced the science and subtle beauty that baking has to offer and finally felt a connection with one of humanity's oldest food staples-bread.
When you picture “a baker” what do you see? Someone with cracked hands, eyes that twinkle, and a heart full of love. Yes I am a romantic! Don't judge ;)
What qualities or skills does it take to be a baker? Patience. Hawk like observation skills. Perseverance.
What was the biggest baking FAIL you ever had? Remember that patience thing I just talked about? Um, yeah I'm still cultivating that skill. Once, I kid you not, I forgot to add the FLOUR to a cake recipe. It looked like two sad little bricks in a cake pan :) I'm notorious for not adding baking powder/soda, etc because I'm rushing. You know, cause I really really want to eat the cupcake/cookie/bread/pie.
How do you feel about Martha Stewart? On instinct, I don't really like or her products and avoid buying them at Micheal's, etc. Honestly, I don't know too much about her or her scandal but I tire of seeing her face everywhere.
Tell me something random that I don't already know: My cat is AMAZING!
Will you share your all time favorite recipe with us? I recently began eating vegan, and I'm loving it! I've made this recipe before on my blog, and have been wonderfully surprised that it's even better vegan! It's one of those things where someones jaw drops upon learning it's vegan (everything doesn't taste like tofu, it turns out).
Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies
1/2 cup of Earth Balance vegan butter
1/2 sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons of ground flax seed (I buy flax seed and grind it very fine in my blender)
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 1/8 cups of non bleached organic AP flour (I love King Arthur's)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips (Trader Joe's makes a vegan chocolate chip, and some other high quality chocolate chips are "accidentally" vegan)
3/4 cup flaked coconut
Directions
1. Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy
2. Add in ground flax seed, vanilla extract and coconut extract
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Then slowly add dry ingredients to wet.
4. Add in chocolate chips and coconut.
5. Make balls of dough approximately with 3 tablespoons (I like using a small ice cream scoop) and bake for 10-13 minutes at 350 degrees.
If you had to be an ingredient in a recipe, what would you be? Ground flax (that's the vegan baker's binding agent). I love to bring things and people together.
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Thanks Michelle... your description of a baker fits me to a tee... cracked hands and all. Damn sensitive skin + health code rules!
If you're interested in becoming a Baker Babe, or know someone who is, you can email me at themilitantbaker@gmail.com
that cookie seriously made me drool...
ReplyDeleteMichelle's dress is fabulous! And haha I always forge to include some important ingredient... ;)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous hair, gorgeous dress and dear Lord I want a cookie now! :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Jes! You have the twinkly eyes to match the other Bakery goodness that is you!
ReplyDeleteI agree... Who wouldn't want to be Neil DeGrasse Tyson that guy is awesome!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE that dress!!
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love that dress!!
ReplyDeleteI so need to try this! thanks, awesome recipe, great blogger :D
ReplyDeleteI so need to try this! thanks, awesome recipe, great blogger :D
ReplyDeleteI just adore Michelle. Those cookies look amazing.
ReplyDelete