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.
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Entry filed under: Breakfast/Brunch. Tags: breakfast, chives, cream cheese, herbs, savory.
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17 and Baking 
1. Kim, Rambling Family Manager | October 9, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi: I’ve been reading your blog for a few months and I’ve linked to it on my blog. I enjoy the stories behind the food as well as the photography, and your talent shines through it all. I have 3 kids and my oldest is 16 so she’s right behind you as far as the college apps go; we live in Florida.
2. Maureen | October 9, 2009 at 5:24 pm
24 year old high school teacher from Shoreline, WA.
(not your high school).
I love your blog. I found it last spring (I forget how) probably through foodgawker or tastespotting. But I think it’s great and I love the stories you have to tell.
3. Tina L. | October 9, 2009 at 5:33 pm
This was my first time seeing your blog (from Foodgawker). I’ll definitely be back to look around more! I think I’ll try the cream cheese & chive biscuits. But probably without the beautiful photography I wouldn’t have paid that much attention to them. You are really good! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
4. Ashley | October 9, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I love your blog! I live in Tallahassee, FL but I love Seattle and very much enjoy reading about your baking experiences and life in Seattle. Keep up the great work!
5. Caroline | October 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Atlanta, Georgia
6. Sonia | October 9, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Wilsonville, OR
7. Sally | October 9, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hello, Elissa! I’m from Edmonds, so not too very far away from you. Your blog is an inspiration to me. I can’t imagine having such a cool hobby when I was 17. I’m only now discovering my love of cooking soups and general comfort-food and have my own blog for it, as well.
Keep it up, lovely! It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, even if you’re only doing what you love. :)
(Btw…I need to try those biscuits! That’s my next project.)
8. Jill | October 9, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Hello! Since you asked so nicely, I’m commenting. I’m in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I’ve been reading your blog for a while (I found it through a link on someone else’s blog, but I don’t know which one).
Along with the great cakes and other goodies, I really enjoy reading the stories on your blog. It sounds like you have great friends and a nice family. I always look forward to your next post!
9. Renea | October 9, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Hello from Jonesboro, Arkansas.
10. Kelly Hartnett | October 9, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Holden, LA
11. Sis | October 9, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Shreveport, Louisiana!
Those biscuits are going on my “to bake” list. :)
12. Cousin Sharon | October 9, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Coconut Creek, FL
where are you thinking of going to college? Are you going to pursue something that will put your writing skills to good use?
13. Jim O'Connell | October 9, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Greetings from Tokyo!
Ovens aren’t common in homes over here, but my last place had one. You’re inspiring me to get one again.
Wonderful stories and photography. Truly.
–Jim
14. MJD-S | October 9, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Tokyo, Japan (^_^).
*waves*
15. MJD-S | October 9, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hey there Jim! We should go over to Kristens and use her oven to bake these.
I’m gonna try in my oven toaster though.
16. Kristina and Roger | October 9, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Berkeley, CA! Both of us :)
17. Jennifer | October 9, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I am the sister! :) This blog is awesome and I’m from Seattle, but I didn’t know people in California had heard about it until my roomies talked about it. We love the recipes you put on your blog and the pictures are always beautiful. I made your lime raspberry teacakes and people LOVED them. Keep up the blog :)
18. Marie | October 10, 2009 at 12:25 am
Laguna, Philippines :D
Lovely photos, as usual. And I really enjoy reading your stories.
19. Olga | October 10, 2009 at 1:19 am
Poznań, Poland
I can’t even remember how I managed to find your site, but I loved it and I’ve been reading it for a couple of months now :)
20. ayu | October 10, 2009 at 1:39 am
hi im from jakarta, indonesia
i love your blog because i love that you’re 17 and baking. im 21 and here in indonesia, its a weird thing to a 20 something girl to likes baking.
OMG your dad’s comment is sooooo sweeeeett..
21. Florence | October 10, 2009 at 1:55 am
Hi :)
I’m from Switzerland and I’ve found your blog through Tastespotting!
I really like your blog, I don’t know, but it stands out somehow :)
I still have to try one of your recipes, but I’m sure it’s gonna be just amazing! ;)
22. yvonne | October 10, 2009 at 2:23 am
hi from Singapore!
those chive biscuits look yummy!
23. erina | October 10, 2009 at 2:45 am
Hello from Singapore too! =D
You’re doing great, keep it up! =)
24. chatdechocolat | October 10, 2009 at 3:35 am
I can give you two locations actually: when I started reading your blog I was in Bucharest, Romania, but now I am studying and living in Neuchatel, Switzerland. I think i found your blog through Daring Bakers. It did inspire me to make lots of stuff, including that Lemon Chiffon Cake that is absolutely fantastic and always gives me ‘aaahs and ooohs’ from the ones eating it :D. Bianca
25. Celine | October 10, 2009 at 5:04 am
Paris, France!
I hide my blog from my friends from highschool too, but maybe should I do some avertissement? (:
Good luck for school and homework, you’re lucky to have some free time to update your blog ): I’m on my last year of highschool too, I wanted to change my blog on wordpress, etc, but didn’t have time to do what I want. *sighs*
26. Leslie | October 10, 2009 at 6:40 am
Alexandria, Louisiana.
I have your site bookmarked and I check it every other day for updates.
27. Angela | October 10, 2009 at 7:16 am
I’m in the mountains of Shikoku, Japan!
I always wonder who might be reading my blog, maybe I should ask too! xxx
28. Alicia | October 10, 2009 at 8:02 am
Hi!! I’ve only been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it!!
Greetings from Dominican Republic (a small island in the caribbean)
29. Olivia | October 10, 2009 at 8:11 am
nice blog, nice stories, nice pictures, nice recipes, nice everything. you’re a natural at this.
Columbus, OH
30. Christie | October 10, 2009 at 8:23 am
Boise, ID here.
I think I found your blog from a link from another food blog- maybe smitten kitchen or bakerella? I can’t remember….
love your photos!
31. Kerstin | October 10, 2009 at 10:14 am
What delicious biscuits!
Boston, MA :)
32. April | October 10, 2009 at 10:36 am
Knoxville,TN
I don’t remember how I found you either, but love your blog!
33. Molly Metz | October 10, 2009 at 10:38 am
Seattle (Beacon Hill), WA
Yes, even your SAT prep folks are following you! Keep up your amazing art. I just love it.
34. Carolina | October 10, 2009 at 10:46 am
Hi! I am from Brazil.
I found your blog and Celine’s (a few comments above mine) through Daring Bakers, and now I am addicted to it.
I love the way you describe things and random stuff about your life. I think that’s what makes your blog really unique.
35. wearsjojo | October 10, 2009 at 11:04 am
ME! :)
Love the post.
36. Elissa's Dad | October 10, 2009 at 11:29 am
OK we need to hear from the Southern Hemisphere now too! Amazing to hear from folks from all walks of life from all over the globe.
37. Maria | October 10, 2009 at 11:38 am
Austin, TX :)
Love your blog. I’m thinking of starting my own too (I’m 14). The biscuits look fenomenal.
38. Alex | February 14, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Me too!! I’m 14 and live in Austin! Creeppyy…
39. Filipa | October 10, 2009 at 11:43 am
Lisbon, Portugal
I’ve been reading your blog for a good few months now, but this is my first comment! You are a talented young lady, so keep it up!
40. Alison | October 10, 2009 at 11:53 am
This is the first time I’ve come across your blog, but I’m in NYC (Astoria, Queens, to be exact, but I work anywhere within driving distance!). I’m a photographer who loves cooking, but I haven’t gotten into the whole food photography or food blogging thing just yet…I’m too impatient! (I used to have a blog, but not anymore :)
41. Hannah | October 10, 2009 at 12:38 pm
WOW! You have an awesome blog! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I just think thatyour blog, is well, AMAZING! I wish I could be there to try every ‘sweet’ success you bake up. Anyways, I’m writing from Toronto, ON. Keep baking! ;)
42. laura | October 10, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Los Angeles, Ca –university of southern california!
43. Alana | October 10, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I missed you- glad you see another delicious post! I’m in Boston :) (If you have google analytics for your blog, you can see where all your readers are from! You should check it out- it’s pretty cool!)
44. Allison | October 10, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’ve been following your blog for a few months now. I love to cook and try new recipes, but baking always scared me. I’ve recently begun baking and your blog is such an inspiration to try new, creative things! Keep up the great work! :-)
Eugene, Oregon
45. Grace | October 10, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Warm greetings from Tucson, Arizona!
I found your site a couple months ago and really enjoy seeing what you’re creating. Love your photos too!
46. Kim | October 10, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I love your blog! Being a mom of 2 “almost” teenagers, I am so impressed by your photography and cooking skills. I would love it if my kids we to empbrace something special the way you have. I hope you don’t stop blogging – it would make me sad…..Keep up the good work. You are very talented!
47. Kluane | October 10, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Victoria, BC, Canada
:)
48. Tania | October 10, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Elissa, I’m pretty much just as excited as you are :D
This blog has grown so much since I first found it through P–‘s link, March or so of last year? I was shocked there were no comments at all, back then! You definitely deserve the “fame” you’ve earned so quickly (:
Seattle, WA! (duhh)
49. Ki-Soo | October 10, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Seattle, WA! =D
After your proclamation, I was like, wait, WHAT?! and went to go read this blog. It is addicting and hard to stop reading (think meringues but not eating =D). I knew you liked to bake and such, but seeing this blog just added a whole new (tasty) dimension to it. =)
This is definitely a go-to site for me if I’m ever feeling bored or unhappy so I can feel bright and happy again. =D
50. Puppydogs | October 10, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Rochester NY
BTW they look delish!
and FYI your dads post made me cry….
51. Leslie | October 10, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Rio Rancho, NM
I’m 17 an baking too! But no where near as well as you. :) I’m also going through the college application process so it’s nice to here from someone who can relate with fun stories!!