School, Seattle, The Northwest… The World?
October 9, 2009 at 10:40 am 1,595 comments
I think the first time it happened was near the end of April last year.
I was standing in line for lunch, feeling bored and hungry and a little irritated, when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and faced a girl I didn’t recognize, whom I’d never met before. She looked a little nervous and said, “Sorry, I just had to ask – are you the girl with the food blog? My mom and I really like your photography.”
It was such a strange feeling and such an unexpected moment, to be recognized. It didn’t feel like fame, but I had no idea how else to put it. I thanked her, gave a real smile because I was grateful and honored, and went on with my day in a much better mood. But it’s happened over and over again since then.
On Facebook, I have an album called “Food Photography.” It has around 250 comments and is “liked” by 40 people, many of whom I never talked to until they complimented me on my baking. I’ll be sitting in environmental science when someone will quietly complain, “I’m so hungry!” and give me a meaningful look. The sophomores who ride my bus smile at me and ask if I’ve made anything neat recently. And teachers stop me in the hallway to say they’ve heard about my blog, and could I please write down the address for them?
Even though I’m a senior and my high school is relatively small, I’m not well known. I have classes with the same people over and over, and I’ve never been much of a social butterfly. And I know I’ve said this before, but it’s true – when I first created 17 and Baking I didn’t tell anyone about it because I thought it was embarrassing. I didn’t think it would be cool to have a food blog. I thought people would think I was weird. So I kept it to myself and tried to hide it from the world.
I only showed it to one of my friends when I’d written about him, and I thought he would get a kick out of seeing it. To my surprise he ended up making a blog of his own (suited to his own interests) and linked to mine. Unlike me, though, he wasn’t shy about sharing, and soon many of my classmates had seen his blog – and through it, mine. (If you are interested, he has a great economics blog called the Marginalist.)
To my surprise, people didn’t think it was uncool or strange. Food is universal. Food brings people together. Because really, when it comes down to it, who can resist anything warm and fresh from the oven, whether a sweet chocolatey cookie or a soft chive-studded cream cheese biscuit?
As I began to write this post this morning, I received a message on Facebook from an old friend I haven’t talked to in four years, N-. “Hi Elissa,” she wrote. “I don’t know if I’ve told you this before, but my big sister goes to Berkeley and she loves to bake, and she likes your blog.” N- continued on to tell me that her sister decided to have a bake off with her new roommates. One of them suggested a certain cookie recipe from “this blog… seventeen something…” to which N-‘s sister (whom I’ve never met) exclaimed, “That’s Elissa!”
It was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever heard, to have spread not only through school and the food blogging world but to college students in California simply having a bake-off. It lifts me off my feet and makes the sun shine out of my heart. Thank you for reading my blog – thank you, thank you, thank you!
Normally I wouldn’t, but I’ve got to ask – if you’re reading this, please leave a comment! Whether it’s your first time visiting or I’m welcoming you back, I’d really appreciate it if you left your location. I’m just curious to know where my readers are. I’ll start… Seattle, WA!
I don’t often opt for savory over sweet, but breakfast is one of those things where I crave salt over sugar. I’d had my eye on these Chive Biscuits for a while when I decided to make them. Part of the appeal was the inclusion of buttermilk and cream cheese. More than anything, that made me think of soft, flaky, and savory biscuits. They didn’t get as tall as I expected, but with chives from our own backyard and a squiggle of clover honey, they felt like home.
Cream Cheese and Chive Biscuits
From Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook
Makes 12 biscuits
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces
4 ounces cream cheese, cold, cut into small pieces
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and chives. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter and cream cheese until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few larger clumps remaining.
Pour in the buttermilk; using a fork, mix in buttermilk until incorporated and the dough just comes together. The dough will be slightly sticky; do not overmix.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured fingers, gently knead about four times, until all the crumbs are incorporated and the dough is smooth. With a lightly floured rolling pin, gently roll the dough to a 8-b-11-inch rectangle, about 1 inch thick. Using a bench scraper or long offset spatula to lift the ends of the dough, fold the rectangle into thirds (like a business letter). Give the dough a quarter turn. Roll out the dough again (to the same dimensions), and repeat the folding process. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Return the dough to the work surface. Roll out as before, and repeat the folding process. Give the dough another quarter turn; roll out dough one more time, again into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, divide the rectangle into 12 equal squares or rectangles. Place on prepared sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the biscuits are golden and flecked with brown spots, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack to cool.
Printer Friendly Version – Cream Cheese and Chive Biscuits
Entry filed under: Breakfast/Brunch. Tags: breakfast, chives, cream cheese, herbs, savory.
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17 and Baking 
1. Danae (The Busty Baker) | March 16, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Columbus, OH. Keep up the great work. I always look forward to your posts.
2. Leesha | March 16, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Hi Elissa!
I am reading your blog all the way from Queenslad Australia… I found you blog when I was looking through the blogroll on daring bakers…
I really love a good blog.. I am mainly captured by the photography in a blog but with you blog it’s more than just pictures.. Your writing is captivating!!
I look foward to each new blog.. Keep up this amazing work, you’re an inspiration!!
Leesha
xx
3. Jiyeon Lee | March 16, 2010 at 3:10 pm
bellevue, wa!
los angeles, ca!
aww elissa im so happy for you!!!
4. Alana | March 16, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Seattle, WA–one of my very favorite places. And I love that you and I eat for the season and the weather together; there’s something wonderful about coming across a perfect recipe for a big storm because someone else is stuck inside too. Thanks for all you do!
5. Joanne Geanoules | March 16, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Waldwick, NJ
We made the rainbow cake for a birthday party (with chocolate icing) & posted pics on your FB page. A BIG HIT!!! Keep up the great work- you are inspiring!
6. Robin Jones | March 16, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Madison, WI
Must try the chocolate raspberry vanilla ice cream cookie sandwiches! Yum Yum!!! Love your blog – especially your photos!
7. Ellie | March 16, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Irvine, California, USA
8. Christine | March 16, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Tucson, Arizona ;-)
9. Nancy Scarlett | March 16, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Your blog was passed to me by a friend. I have really enjoyed the recipes, the photographs, and especially your writing…three things I’ve always wanted to do better. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Matthews, North Carolina
10. Kathy | March 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Cincinnati, Ohio here (east side, Cherry Grove) — your chive scones look wonderful!
11. Sheryl | March 17, 2010 at 5:59 am
San Antonio, Texas
I love your blog. You are an amazing baker, writer, and photographer.
12. Karen | March 17, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Elissa,
I so enjoy reading your blog and just love your photos. I am from Long Island New York.
13. Kelly | March 17, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Cambridge, Massachusetts
p.s. your blog is AWESOME!
14. Joy | March 17, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I love your blog and am a keen baker/cook.
My son who is 13 also loves to bake and cook.
Your recipes are great and your photos very inspiring.
Adelaide Hills, South Australia! :)
15. Carlie | March 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I love to do the same things as you. I think it is great that you share your talents and hobbies with others… I am from Troy, Idaho. :-)
16. Ria | March 19, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Richmond, CA
You’re so inspiring! So young and talented! Thank you for making everything look so fun and delicious!
17. Marsha | March 20, 2010 at 9:32 am
Collierville, TN
Really enjoy your blog, recipes and pictures!
18. CONNIE | March 20, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Congratulations! On your 1st year Anniversary!
It’s wonderful to see such great talent at such a young age.
I wish you all the Best!
Connie
from: Montreal, Canada
19. Shannon | March 21, 2010 at 6:41 am
Happy 1st Anniversary!!!!
Always love to read the blog
From: Seattle but now live in Hillsboro OR
20. Jess | March 21, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Hi there. I love your blog. Im new to it but have nearly read every single post! I am from New Zealand.
21. Heidi | March 21, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Reader from Twin Falls, Idaho–I found you thanks to becoming a fan of “Obsessed with Cookbooks” on Facebook. Elissa, you write a *great* blog and are as talented with your camera as you are in the kitchen. I don’t actually follow that many blogs–yours is the first I’ve read regularly. Thanks and keep up the good work! :o)
22. Ayesha | March 22, 2010 at 12:51 am
Hello there. I’m from Islamabad, Pakistan. Love your blog and the amazing photography. I’m a baking buff myself and reallyenjoy reading what all you have to say. Happy First Birthday and all the best!
23. mavibulutlugokyuzu | March 22, 2010 at 4:51 am
hey there! such a great blog you’vr got! i’ve found your blog through david lebovitz’s post on facebook. i’m from istanbul, turkey.
a question: would you consider going a little low-sugar or low-fat? i don’t suggest you use fake stuff, just adjust the amounts of fat and sugar. you know, with the amounts of butter and sugar you currently use, i only end up drooling over the photos cuz nobody i know, including myself, is willing to eat so much butter and sugar :( but anyways, your recipes and photography totally rock, i still luv it all and thanx for your efforts :))
24. Christineb | March 22, 2010 at 5:09 am
I’m a (young) college librarian in northern Florida. I started reading your blog during the Bloggies, and I love your writing style and your recipes. It’s great that you’re so honest about the trouble you have, rather than always faking joy and happiness. Good job, and great luck!
25. Anna | March 22, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I’m currently attending college in Boone, North Carolina, but I’m originally from a small town 4 hours away on the east side of NC. I love reading your blog and your photos are amazing. I’m starting up my own blog for the Daring Bakers challenges and I’m hoping to blog not only about the challenges but all of the other mishaps and triumphs I have in the kitchen. Congrats on your first year.
26. Betsy | March 23, 2010 at 8:54 am
Seattle!!! I think I’ve stumbled upon your blog before, but I found you again through the recent Voracious post about Foodportunity. Go you!!!
27. Stacey | March 23, 2010 at 1:01 pm
From Currituck, NC, now live in Northern Kentucky :)
28. rachel | March 24, 2010 at 7:58 am
seattle!
29. Shandygirl | March 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm
St. Petersburg, Florida, and I am thoroughly enjoying your blog.
30. Victoria | March 24, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I’m from Cabot, Arkansas! I love you’re blog. I love baking, but I just wish I had your talent of journalism to go with it. :)
31. Liz | March 25, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I reside in the lovely Adirondack town of Saranac Lake, NY. Love you baking and your pictures. Making my mouth water!!
32. KB | March 25, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Burlington, Vermont!!
(but I have family in/around Seattle, wonderful city)
33. Natalia | March 26, 2010 at 6:33 am
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil :]
i really want to try these recipes
every single entry i read makes me hungry lol
34. Ainhoa Vega | March 28, 2010 at 6:14 am
From: Bilbao, Spain!
Love your blog and your photos.
Seattle is such a wonderful city, I wish I could visit again.
35. Kylie | March 30, 2010 at 4:51 am
Melbourne, Australia!
I think I found you through Bakerella.com! She mentioned you I think, maybe she mentioned the bloggies? I don’t remember :)
36. Hannah | March 31, 2010 at 12:38 am
Caloundra, (near Brisbane) Australia!
You wouldn’t believe how much you could inspire a baking obsessed 14 year old like me!
Wishing you all the best in whatever you do :)
37. jess | March 31, 2010 at 9:21 am
sao paulo brazil !!
38. Carol | March 31, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Seatte, Wa
39. Kathy | March 31, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Akron, OH (home of the Black Keys, The Pretenders and Devo!
40. Ella | April 1, 2010 at 1:32 am
I’m from Wellington, New Zealand!
I saw the URL for your blog in a magazine, I think.. Well anyway, I was at school and I wrote it on my hand so I could take a look – it’s even better than I imagined!
Keep baking!
xx
41. Megan | April 1, 2010 at 7:28 am
Loja, Ecuador…..
you seem like such a sweet girl, and you have some very sweet concoctions :)
42. Jackie | April 1, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Born NY, NY but currently at college in Ithaca, NY!
Loving your blog. Can’t wait to get home to try out your recipes!
43. Jackie O | April 2, 2010 at 8:21 am
From Kansas City!
I “started” a blog called battersplatter a few months ago, but haven’t put any posts in! I am having too much trouble with the pictures… but I love your blog.
44. Lily Batterham | April 3, 2010 at 4:57 am
From Townsville, Australia. I have yet to meet these Powerpuff Girls everyone informs me of.
I love your blog, but that’s not really new!
45. Dubai Stylista | April 3, 2010 at 8:10 am
Love your blog, Elissa! The photography is stunning. Gets me hungry every. single. time.
Oh and I’m from Dubai in the UAE!
46. Rieko | April 4, 2010 at 2:32 am
I’m from Hawaii and I love viewing your blog! Thanks!
47. Angie | April 5, 2010 at 7:06 am
From Melbourne, Australia. :D
48. Laima | April 5, 2010 at 7:36 am
I’m from Lithuania.
And I’m also 17 and love baking. :) Your blog is amazing, Elissa! All the best. :>
49. Jessica | April 5, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Hi. I’m 12 and I found your blog through my magazine. I think your food and photography is absolutely amazing and my family and I love your gingersnap cookies. I’m from Palmerston North, New Zealand.
50. Gabriela | April 5, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Minas Gerais, Brazil :)