COFFEE TALK

Hey you!  Start smiling, running in place, or drinking more iced coffee than you know you should because *drumroll* it’s Friday!! 

I have had an adorably fluffy houseguest since Tuesday and we are just beginning to be friends.  I scared him at first with my vacuuming, then there was a smoke alarm incident and the garbage disposal...  Needless to say, it has taken us some time, but I have high hopes that hugs are on the horizon and the terror is nearly behind us.  His name is Benjamin, Benjamin Bunny. 

Mr. Pedantic and I are going to attempt to make brioche buns over tonight and tomorrow.  We will be using the “Rich Man’s Brioche” recipe from The Bread Baker's Apprentice and I could not be more excited.  There's such magic to bread-baking. When we were in London, our hotel was just around the corner from a darling little French bakery that sold the most incredible brioche buns.  We quickly got into the habit of picking up two or three each day before venturing out into the city.  We have high hopes that our home-baked versions will almost measure up, though it is hard to compete with the charm of a walking breakfast on a chilly, London morning.  

I am still planning on doing a full tour of Norwyk Manor, but each time I go to take the pictures I realize that I want to hang something there or move that around or…something.  Hence the absence of pictures.  One of our dining room walls is giving me particular trouble.  It definitely needs some pizazz and while I have considered mirrors, I am much more inclined to give into another beloved trend and go for something woven.  This piece is my current favorite, but I’m also eyeing this one and this one.  Etsy is a dangerous, wonderful world. 

Then again, I am tempted to try making my very own woven masterpiece.  I found a class, now I just have to find the time. Ha. Haha. 

Would you live here?  Part of me is screaming “yes, yes, yes!!!,” but the other part of me, who has already run out of prop storage in her own spacious apartment, is like “no way.”  They are adorable regardless. 

How gorgeous is this wallpaper?  I know it would make the prettiest nursery, but I am not entirely ruling it out as a bathroom possibility.  

I thought this was a fun read!  I liked matching up our budget to the recommended estimates.  It felt like a BuzzFeed quiz, but it seemed more meaningful than knowing which flavor of popsicle I am. Our monthly spending fell in between the thrifty and low cost categories for two adults, which surprised me.  I buy plenty of food and we typically have company once a week but usually have no problem staying within our budget.  I had actually considered it one of our more generous categories, so this made me feel a little better.  

I am thinking of adding a couple of these jars to my kitchen.  My pantry space is limited here at Norwyk Manor, and I think bringing out a few of my pantry essentials, such as chocolate and oats, would clear up some shelving space and bring some extra pretty to my counter space.  

We were just gifted a patio table and I am eager to begin bringing our outdoor space to life for quiet summer nights.  The table needs a coat of paint, and I’m eyeing this hue.  I am thinking in the realm of Edison string lights, plenty of potted herbs, and dusty purple accents.  Thoughts?  As much as I am not a fan of the summer heat, I do love having dinner outdoors on those warm, slow-going evenings.

How are your weekend plans shaping up?  I hope you are planning to bake cinnamon rolls, I really do.  Every weekend needs a good dose of cream cheese and carbs.  

Happy, happy Friday!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie. 

Strawberry Grapefruit Spritzers

It's officially spring!  Cue the sandals, pretty drinks, and paper straws.

I know we still have a couple of weeks until Easter, but it's not too early to start working on the menu.

May I suggest including an irresistibly pink spritzer? 

This is one of those drinks that feels luxurious while still being really refreshing.  The grapefruit is bright and tangy and the strawberries are bold and sweet.  

It's also really pretty, and I love it when a drink looks as good as it tastes.

We are making two components for this drink - a sweet, tangy grapefruit simple syrup, and something called a coulis.

A coulis is just a fruit-based sauce that has not been cooked.  It is as simple as a couple handfuls of berries, a squeeze of lemon, and a bit of confectioner’s sugar for a little extra sweetness. Blend it up and then run it through a fine mesh strainer.  

It is so quick and simple, and makes a wonderful drink base or morning yogurt topping.  

Mr. Pedantic loves this sauce because it is full of strawberry flavor but is free of the seeds he hates so much.  

Grapefruit syrup is whipped up in minutes by bringing equal parts water and sugar to a boil with a couple of grapefruit peels.  It is amazing how much the grapefruit permeates the syrup in such a short time.  

Like so many of my favorite drink recipes, most of the components for this drink can be prepped ahead of time. The sauce and syrup can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the drinks!  Meaning that you could start working on your weekend refreshment options right now. 

The grapefruit syrup is mixed with fresh grapefruit juice and a bit of bubbly - also known as sparkling water. 

The bright pink coulis is drizzled in the bottom of each glass and topped with plenty of ice before our grapefruit-ade is added.   

The combination of tangy grapefruit and sweet strawberries strikes a perfect balance.  

This is what spring tastes like.    

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie

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Strawberry Grapefruit Spritzer

serves 4

for the coulis

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar 

1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Place strawberries, confectioner’s sugar, and lemon juice in the work bowl of your food processor or blender and pulse until completely smooth.  

Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and refrigerate until ready to use.  

Coulis will last refrigerated for up to a week. 

for the grapefruit syrup

3/4 cup granulated sugar 

3/4 cup water 

2 3-inch peels grapefruit zest* 

In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, and grapefruit zest.  Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.  Bring the syrup to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.  Strain to remove grapefruit peels.  

Syrup will last refrigerated for up to a week. 

*Use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove strips of grapefruit zest, being watchful to avoid peeling away the white pith, as this will make your syrup bitter. 

assembly

1 cup fresh grapefruit juice

1 cup sparkling water 

fresh strawberries, for garnish (optional) 

In a 1-liter pitcher, combine grapefruit juice and cooled grapefruit syrup; stir to combine.  Top with sparkling water and stir gently.  

Cook's Note: While the grapefruit juice and syrup can be mixed in advance and refrigerated, do not add the sparkling water until just before you are ready to serve the drinks. 

Place three tablespoons of coulis in the bottom of each glass and top with plenty of ice.  Fill to the top with grapefruit-ade (about 1/2 cup).  Serve each drink with a straw or spoon for stirring and garnish with a fresh strawberry. 

COFFEE TALK

Good morning! 

Welcome to this fine, mid-March Saturday.  I hope you already have your second cup of something warm and wonderful in hand.  I’m sending all the donut vibes your way. 

Let’s talk it out, Saturday-style. 

This is my new favorite teapot. I snatched it up last week and I am IN LOVE!  It is the perfect size for two and it cleans up so easily.  Mr. Pedantic and I primarily drink loose teas, so the fine mesh diffuser makes all the difference.  It was certainly the best $9 I have spent in a long time! 

While I was in beautiful IKEA-land, I also snatched up a package of these biscuits.  I am very much annoyed that I only bought one because they are so darn good and they make afternoon tea even more exciting. 

I sewed the first few stitches of my llama last night and I am so excited.  I’m also slightly concerned because her face may be a bit crooked.  Oops. 

Have you discovered the portrait camera setting on your iPhone?  Mr. Pedantic and I sat in a gelato shop for a half hour last Sunday taking pictures of each other and gasping in awe over the results.  I really love my iPhone 7.  #notsponsored

I am absolutely trying these french fries within the next few weeks.  In the past, I have made many a batch of french fries that took 3+ hours to soak, fry, and fry again.  I swore I was done with homemade french fries, but Deb has convinced me to give them a second chance.  

I am also intrigued by this bread.  Thoughts? 

In other news, I had my first iced coffee of the year yesterday and I am really happy about that. 

What does your weekend hold? 

Happy, happy Saturday!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie 

This post was not sponsored. All of the products mentioned above were bought by me and all opinions are my own, as always.