Garlic Herb Braided Bread

I love to make bread.  Not only do I love eating the stuff, but the smell of baking bread is quite possibly the best thing ever.  It always gives your kitchen that homey, cozy feeling that I'm always craving during the chilly fall and winter months.  One of my favorite bread recipes is this garlic-herb braid recipe.  My mom and I first came across it a few years ago, and since then, it has become my go-to bread recipe when I'm craving a homemade loaf or want to add something special to a dinner party.  The combination of dill, garlic, rosemary and basil give it a burst of flavor that really sets it apart from that same-old, dry, store-bought bread, and it really doesn't take as long to make as some other bread recipes that I've encountered, so it will only look like you've slaved away in the kitchen for hours.

First, you'll need to gather your spices, add them to the other dry ingredients, (I used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose to make it healthier), and mix it all together.

Next, heat up your butter, milk, and water (don't let it get too hot though, or it will kill the yeast), add to the dry ingredients, and mix until just blended.  Beat in an egg and then add enough additional flour to give yourself a soft dough.  Knead for a few minutes on a floured surface until smooth and then cover and go read a magazine for 10 minutes.

Once you've finished dissecting the meaning of your horoscope, go back to the bread and divide the dough into 3 equal sections and then roll them into snakes of equal length (about 15 in.).  Put them on a greased or foiled baking sheet and then braid them.  Don't worry if you're not the most skilled bread-braider in town.  Mine always looks a bit wonky, but no one ever seems to notice and they are just delighted by the fact that you made a braided loaf of bread.

 

When you've finished braiding, pinch the ends together and fold under, and then cover and go back to the magazine for another 25 minutes.  When you've finished picking out your fall wardrobe, pop the baking sheet in the oven at 375.  After 20-25 minutes, take it out of the oven, brush with some melted butter, slice, serve, and enjoy!

Pair it with soups or pasta (if you're in the mood for lots of carbs) or make a sandwich or bruschetta out of it.  Or just eat it with a little butter or olive oil, all by itself.  Just look it at it.....how can you say no?

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Anthropologie Pop-Up Farmers Market

GK and I have a bit of an odd shopping tradition.  There's a Mexican restaurant in Harvard Square that is our old standby place to go when we've had a long week and want to kick back, relax, and bury our faces in chips and salsa.  Whenever we go, we almost always have one-too-many margaritas and then end up going to the nearby Anthropologie store to tipsily ogle all the pretty things and inhale the volcano candles (btw, these smell amazing, even if you're sober.  I would highly recommend getting one if you haven't tried one.  Your house/apartment/smelly roommates will thank you.)  Anthropologie, therefore, along with having lovely merchandise holds a special place in our hearts, so when we heard that they were having a special Pop-Up Farmers Market event last Saturday, we knew that we had to check it out.

The store was transformed into a showcase of several local businesses, including Taza Chocolate, Eat Boutique (my favorite stand, they sell small batch gourmet foods), Salt Traders (also delicious and unique) and Foret, each with tables displaying food, drink, or flowers.

Luckily, there was much opportunity for sampling and chatting up the owners/employees about their products against the charming backdrop of Anthropologie's pretty homegoods and clothing.

The event was a great way for Anthropologie to support local artisans and purveyors by introducing them to their own loyal customers and it was a lot of fun to explore the different offerings and hear about the business philosophies firsthand, straight from the source.

All of the tiny tastings had really worked up our appetites, so after leaving Anthro, GK and I headed to the Plough & Stars for brunch.  A low-key Irish pub, the Plough & Stars is cozy and has a friendly atmosphere that makes you want to sit back and make brunch last all day.  GK and I did our best, and started with a round of mimosas, which are larger than at most brunch places.

We both ordered the special, French toast that had been made with Cointreau and topped with strawberries, and shared a side of homefries.  

The brunch menu here is the usual basic pub breakfast fare, but they almost always have a unique French toast special, which is usually what catches my eye.  I've had some of their eggs dishes as well, which also don't disappoint.  If you're looking for a laid back brunch option with good comfort food, this is the place for you.  They also have live music almost every night of the week, so dinner would be a fun idea as well.

As GK and I sipped our mimosas while listening to the soothing Rat Pack era music wafting around the pub, we agreed that this is what Saturdays were made for....exploring new things, eating delicious food, and chatting with good friends.

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The Beehive

Recently, M and I were in the mood for a classy brunch outing, so we made our way to the South End of Boston to The Beehive.  M had been there before and I hadn't, but I had heard rave reviews about this popular restaurant/bar/jazz club, so I figured that it was definitely worth the trip.

 While the outdoor seating area looked fun and picturesque, it was actually a pretty hot day and M and I decided that we were more in the mood for a dark, moody jazz atmosphere, so we headed inside and down into the depths of the restaurant.

 

On the bottom floor, small, intimate tables surround an alcove where a jazz band plays while you enjoy your cocktails and food.  The softly lit room and the sultry background music make you feel as if you've walked into a smoky jazz club in 1920s Paris and suddenly, there's no hurry to go anywhere else.  You start to think that this place must have some secrets to tell.....but then your reverie is broken by the sound of a Boston accent the next table over.  You realize that you had better get down to business and order something delicious.  I went for a Kir Royale and M and I split the chocolate chip mocha coffee cake to start.

In terms of texture, it was really more of a pound cake than a coffee cake but I didn't mind because it was so good...not too sweet but moist and chocolatey and divine.  Next, I moved on to the Thick-Cut French Toast with Chantilly Cream and Maple Syrup and a side of bacon.

The bacon was sadly rather forgettable but the French Toast was AMAZING.  Seriously, I know that it's a large claim to make, but this was hands-down the best French Toast I have ever had (and I consider myself something of an expert).  The outside was perfectly crispy with a buttery, maple flavor and the inside just melted in your mouth.  I was worried that the Beehive might be all about the atmosphere and that the food might be pretty average, but I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case.  M went for the omelet with goat cheese and fresh herbs with toast, mixed salad and frites.  

I snitched a few of the frites and they were delicious as well.  When I go back, I think I'd do a side of those instead of the bacon.

If you decide to go, be sure to make a reservation on the Beehive's website.  This place is popular and the empty seats filled up fast while we were there.  They do dinner as well as brunch and have live music nightly.  I dare you to go and not feel as if you've gone back in time to a sexier era.  And one of the added benefits of the dim lighting is that you can inhale all the food that you want and no one will notice.....

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One Last Summer Fling

I love fall....crisp air, crunchy leaves, and pumpkin-flavored everything.  But this weekend, noticing the first hint of autumn in the air, I decided to have one last fling with my summer wardrobe.  I had bought this adorable striped number over a month ago and had yet to take it out for a spin, so I thought that it was time to do so before the warm weather left for good. 

I love me a cute dress with pockets!  I was heading out for a brunch date, so I threw on a chambray shirt (borrowed from E.  Living with your sister does have its perks.) and knotted it to give the dress a more casual and relaxed air.

Dress:  GAP (sadly no longer available);  Shirt:  Banana Republic (similar here);  Sunglasses:  Loft (similar here);  Sandals:  Target (old);  Watch:  Fossil (similar here);  Bracelet:  J.Crew Factory

 I was glad to get one last summer wardrobe romp in before I start snuggling into sweaters, boots, and scarves.  Which summer pieces will you be sad to see go back into the closet this fall?

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