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. Stephanie | January 20, 2011 at 1:55 am
Seattle, WA. And a fellow IHS alum! :)
2. Lynzi Montemayor | January 22, 2011 at 1:11 am
Following from Houston, Texas! :D
3. Jessica L. | January 22, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Charles Town, West Virginia. But formerly of Puyallup, WA!!
4. Sara | January 23, 2011 at 9:18 pm
I’m a Chicago girl born and raised, now transplanted to Bangkok, Thailand! :)
5. Brenda | January 25, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Carnation, Washington
6. herve | January 25, 2011 at 6:06 pm
I’m from Paris, France
I love your blog
7. Lily | January 26, 2011 at 12:58 am
Hi from Montreal!
I have been procrasti-baking a lot lately and that turned into procrasti-reading-baking-blogs. But actually it is just yours, I find it very inspiring, so thank you for your optimism and wisdom. And I have been using your bagel recipe a lot lately they are amazing. I used molasses instead of sugar.
8. Meghan | January 26, 2011 at 12:29 pm
I’m Meghan, from South Jersey.
Mommy to 3 boys, wife to one large man child.
I so enjoy baking & when I saw your blog, well sister, I was all over it like white on rice!
Fabu blog!
And you are a cutie. You know, I do have a 17yo good looking son! wink! Wink!
Keep up the good work.
9. Cindy | January 26, 2011 at 2:11 pm
I just found your blog via another blog I follow. I hail from Iowa.
10. Patricia | January 26, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Patricia from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada).
I LOVE this blog!
11. Chuck | January 28, 2011 at 4:44 am
Greetings from Chicago. (You have lots more snow than we do!) Your blog is a joy to read — you have a marvelous flair for writing. I enjoy cooking, but you’re inspiring me to try baking. Thank you and keep it up!
12. Jonell Lee | February 1, 2011 at 11:34 pm
This blog brings me joy.
13. Jonell Lee | February 1, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Haha, sorry, from Kenmore, WA (Seattle)
14. Claire | February 3, 2011 at 1:30 am
Awesome blog! Keep baking, and know that there are many others out totally get your love of the kitchen! (you are not alone! :) )
Kingston, Ontario (Canada)
15. Kristin | February 3, 2011 at 11:08 am
Hey Elissa,
I really like your blog! I’ve been reading it quietly from Kanata, Onatrio, Canada for a few years now – keep up the good work!
16. Patricia Lyra | February 4, 2011 at 10:47 am
Cheers from Recife, Brazil!
Great blog!
17. Su | February 5, 2011 at 12:41 am
Hello from Costa Rica
Great blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18. Marion | February 5, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Hi from Toulouse, France !
Your cooking, your photographs are so inspiring !
19. Lip Balm Addict | February 5, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Aloha from Honolulu! Your blog inspired me to bake more!
20. anna | February 6, 2011 at 8:38 am
I’m anna from Europe, Hungary. Also 18 and blogging about food.. (:
21. Connie | February 6, 2011 at 3:45 pm
My daughter may have celiac . A friend found your blog. I am looking for all kinds of help. Looks great. LaValle, Wisconsin
22. Teresa | February 9, 2011 at 7:00 am
I´m from Vigo, in Spain
23. Yolanda Jade | February 9, 2011 at 9:52 am
Singapore :)
Love your blog! :D
24. Meesh | February 9, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Boston!
25. Kathy | February 10, 2011 at 12:33 pm
I’m from Boston too! And know Meesh! you should come to some boston events! Our network here rocks!
26. Antonia Aruffo | February 10, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I’m from San Diego, CA
27. Cornelia | February 13, 2011 at 3:35 am
Great blog !
28. katie | February 14, 2011 at 4:59 pm
hello from a new yorker at school in connecticut!
29. Kendra | February 16, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I love your blog, but it makes me miss my kitchen at home so much! I’m away at college at Central Michigan University.
30. Sue | February 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm
First time commenter, just found you and am catching up! I’m from Minnesota but currently at school in Atlanta, GA.
31. Lok | February 20, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I’m from Calgary, Canada.
I recently discovered this blog through a friend and I hope to continue to read the lovely post. =)
32. kathleen | February 22, 2011 at 3:19 pm
current location: ithaca, ny
home: bay area, CA
friend recommended me your blog; i am scrolling through your posts in a computer lab and i just drooled on the desk :((
33. Lujan | February 24, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Lujan from Newark NJ !
Totally fell in live with your blog! You cook from the bottom of your soul!
34. Shirleen | February 27, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Blogging newbie! ;-)
35. Isabel Kitchen | February 28, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Wow it must be amazing to be able to be recognized for what you love to do. Practicing what we are passionate about will always be worthwhile but it is a great feeling to know that other people see it and understand it as well. These look great! I can’t wait to try them.
36. Lili | February 28, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Hi, Well I’m from Tasmania, Australia. It’s an amazing place to live and cook There’s lots of fresh local produce to cook with which I love.
Your blog is amazing and you should be so chuffed with the out come of it !
37. Christine | March 4, 2011 at 6:03 am
Shanghai!
You’re blog rocks! (:
38. Adrianna | March 5, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Dropping by from Lake Villa (Chicago suburbs). I just found this site but I was awe-struck within the first few seconds of exploration. I am about to turn 17 and love to bake. It has truly become a passion for me. I’m just glad that there are people like myself sharing their passion with the world and letting others be inspired. Thanks. :)
39. Molly | March 9, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Sydney, Australia.
I found your blog through tastespotting and then read your story about bagels/ and lovely tilly. My heart melted like butter, I also have a mystery breed dog with a fear of rain!
Love your work :)
40. Jamie Cuerrier | March 10, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Ontario, Canada!
I love your blog! It’s so refreshing to find another young foodie (I’m 19). I also love the new website- keep it up!
41. Silvia | March 11, 2011 at 12:05 am
now in Lawton, Oklahoma, but in a few months back home in Slovakia!
42. Amy | March 11, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I am from a little spot in the country north of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! You are an amazing!
43. Celina | March 12, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Hello!! Baker-girl from Finland signin in! I do adore your work! Keep it coming! :) You’re a Baking Star, my dear!
44. Kristina | March 16, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Heard about your blog in the Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine! I’m about an hour and half east of Seattle. Cant wait to try your pistachio chrysanthemum cupcakes! Your an amazing blogger, looking forward to following you!
45. Jae | March 16, 2011 at 5:23 pm
From Seoul, South Korea to New orleans Louisiana, and I think I’m going to end up in Boston for College next year! :)
46. Hilda | March 16, 2011 at 9:24 pm
29 and baking, from São Paulo, Brazil, started at 17 too and never stopped!!!
47. Amy | March 17, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Loving your blog, Elissa! I was browsing the web looking for inspiration to start my own blog and stumbled across yours. I just love it and am so looking forward to trying the Raspberry Ganache Cake – it looks sensational! Keep up the great work :)
– Amy, Australia.
48. wingedcreature | March 20, 2011 at 12:19 am
San Diego, CA
I love your blog, and it’s so inspiring!
49. llamawriter23 | March 20, 2011 at 11:46 am
In central France, in the middle of nowhere.
Love your wonderful blog and recipes.
Amitiés
50. Elisa | March 21, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Baking from the tip of Texas :) Love your stuff! You’re an inspiration!
51. Hannah | March 24, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Asheville, NC
Check in to see what’s new all the time!