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. Meredith | January 11, 2010 at 5:52 am
I’m currently living in Rheinland-Pfalz Germany. I found you through foodgawker. It seems like a lot of the photos I click are yours. :) Good luck on venturing out on your own. It’s not so nerve-wracking once you do it.
2. jessi | January 11, 2010 at 8:44 am
stafford (staffordshire), england. i think i found your blog when i was googling for some recipe or other, and i’m hooked.
i moved away from home to go to university* in september ’08, so i know what a daunting prospect it can be. but everyone’s the same, it’s a natural feeling. you’ll be fine, promise. ♥
*in reference to your latest blog post.
3. Katie | January 11, 2010 at 8:47 am
I live in Quincy MA at the moment, renting a room there while I go to school in Boston. I grew up in Glastonbury CT, though, and still visit my parents there often.
4. c | January 12, 2010 at 10:31 am
bayonne, nj
I’ve been reading your blog for a short time now, can’t wait to attempt some of your recipes. Good luck with school, we’ve all been there, or will be shortly. Nothing can compare to that first day of college. :)
5. Sarah | January 12, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Chapel Hill, NC
6. Emily | January 12, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I am a recent college grad living in Madison, Wisconsin. I stumbled across your blog, and am so delighted I did. It is a real treasure. Keep writing, and don’t let the current state of journalism get you down. As a j-school grad, I know it can look dismal, but we need more people like you in the field.
7. Maria Fernanda | January 13, 2010 at 10:15 am
Hey! one more brazilian pin for the map in your room!
You can put two of theme actually, the friend that told me about your blog was too shie to comment.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil :D
8. confuseddaydreamer | January 13, 2010 at 6:02 pm
California :)
9. taro | January 13, 2010 at 11:46 pm
You’re awesome! :)
Auburn, WA
10. Beatrice | January 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Your blog is awesome and very inspiring!
Greetings from Vienna, Austria :)
11. Katy Fox-Tarzian | January 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Love this…excellent job!
Gilroy CA
12. sarah | January 14, 2010 at 6:53 pm
San Francisco, CA
i’m also 17 &i love to bake, though my greatest passion is dance. but with parents in the restaurant business who met at culinary school, i’ve grown up with a great appreciation for food. your blog is great! =)
13. Mrs Ergül | January 15, 2010 at 1:59 am
I must have came here from one of your yummy food photos on foodgawker! And I’m from Singapore!
14. Sandy | January 15, 2010 at 8:51 am
I can’t believe you are 17 years old. I love reading your blogs; you are very articulate, thoughtful and witty. And your photos are mouthwatering! I made your Bacon brownies to bring to a friends for New Years. I loved them! Some people were skeptical about the bacon, but I also had some fellow bacon lovers you thought they were quite yummy. :)
I am from Chicopee, Ma.
15. Salama | January 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
I love your blog! Found it through tastespoon site. Good job in trying new things – keep up the good work :)
Good luck!
16. kelli | January 15, 2010 at 5:10 pm
great website!!
17. jacy | January 16, 2010 at 10:42 am
MALAYSIA!:D
18. Mary | January 17, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Massachusetts.
I love your blog. The combination of your thoughtful reflections, brilliant photography and savory creations are so inspiring and enjoyable to look at & read :)
It makes me want to take up baking and hope that I can learn to create wonderful like you!
19. Sera | January 19, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Auckland, New Zealand
Just discovered your wonderful blog today! Being a cellist, the cello cake made me swoon a little. Will definitely be reading for the forseeable future, hope your college plans run smoothly!
20. Rachel | January 19, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Bellevue, WA, and though it’s hard to leave the “lush greenery and silver sleet of Seattle,” college will be amazing for you–good luck!
21. Sandra :) | January 20, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Hi, Elissa – from Aurora, Ontario (just north of Toronto) :)
My sons have ordered me a fancy set of biscuit cutters so I’m going to try these biscuits as soon as they arrive, lol!
22. Gillian | January 21, 2010 at 6:59 am
Hey! I found your blog through Baking Bites.
I live in Trujillo, Peru, and I wish you all the best for your upcoming freshman year!
Excellent Blog!
23. joe | January 21, 2010 at 7:14 am
I was blog-hopping one night and then…I stumbled upon your site. lucky me:) I adore your posts and pics.
manila, philippines
24. Jodi | January 21, 2010 at 7:48 am
Fabulous!
Renton, WA
25. Ivona | January 21, 2010 at 9:20 am
Tallahasse, FL…. but originally from Croatia, Europe :P
26. Julie | January 21, 2010 at 5:07 pm
You are amazing! Kent, WA
27. Lisa Lint-Vander Zouwen | January 21, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Hi There,
I found your blog through another website(http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com) and I just wanted to tell you how much I love it! Your recipes look delicious. I am a chocolate lover as well and love to try new recipes. I’ve been making birthday cakes for my niece and nephews for the past few years so I love seeing other people’s decorating techniques. Keep up the great work!
28. Ashley | January 21, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Hi! Phoenix, Arizona.
29. Christy | January 21, 2010 at 9:20 pm
from Lacey, WA – I’ve been following your blog since NPR did a story a couple months ago but somehow missed the part where they said you were in SEATTLE! Some of your stuff is too complex for me but I have tried a few less complicated recipes and – so far so good!!
30. Mandy | January 21, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Olympia, WA.. I love your blog! :)
31. Kari | January 22, 2010 at 1:21 am
Sacramento, CA. Found you through the Bloggies–you got my vote!! :-)
32. Jill B | January 22, 2010 at 8:39 am
Johnson City, TN
I found you through the bloggies, and I loved looking through this list of places – so cool and connecting – would love to see your map!
33. Kristine | January 23, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Los Angeles, CA
I’m 17, a senior in high school, and I also bake!
But I don’t blog, nor do I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer (which makes meringue and anything involving stiff egg whites quite a challenge for my right arm)
I found your blog on the Baking Bites site, and thought I might take a look.
Your blog is super neat, and the photography is lovely. :D
34. Lost in Atlanta | January 23, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Mouth-watering photos! Very nice tone in your blog. I lived on Mercer Island for 13 years, was a newspaper exec, and know The Northwest School.
35. Dana | January 23, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Seattle too!
I am seriously craving those biscuits. Biscuits + Chives seems like an excellent combination. *rummages for buttermilk*
Thank you.
36. Ms. Newell | January 24, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Seattle.
What are you doing distracting students during Environmental Science, eh? :)
Love your blog. It makes me so happy when I see the amazing things students do outside of class. Keep up the fantastic work!
37. Laura | January 24, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Minneapolis, MN
38. DeluxeGourmet | January 25, 2010 at 3:38 am
beautiful!
39. Layne | January 25, 2010 at 8:37 am
Orlando, Florida
Keep it up! Just found your blog today and I love the recipes and the pics. You’ve got a gift!
40. Kristina | January 25, 2010 at 11:05 am
Gainesville, FL
Just found your blog on the Weblog Awards site and I love it! Everything looks so delicious and beautiful!
41. Jodi | January 25, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I stumbled upon your blog months ago and thought that I had added you to my reader, but alas, I had not. I came upon you today through anouther food blog, but I can’t remember which one. I just have to say that I love your writing, your photography, and your willingness to try new things. I love it all!
Oh, I’m visiting from Chillicothe, Ohio.
42. Ashley | January 25, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Rexburg Idaho!
You are just fabulous! :)
43. susan@food.baby | January 25, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Brisbane, Australia.
Congratulations on your bloggies nomination!
44. Tiffany | January 25, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Cottonwood, Arizona! I was just introduced to your blog from my Joythebaker’s blog. Love it and congrats on your nomination
45. Meg | January 25, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
You rock!
46. Debbi | January 25, 2010 at 5:16 pm
just found your blog (via Joy the Baker) and it looks awesome! are you sure you’re only 17???!
47. Jenny | January 25, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I heard about this blog from Joy the Baker and I love the photos that you’ve taken. The cupcakes are so well decorated. I will be browsing her more often for recipes.
48. Rachel | January 26, 2010 at 2:52 am
Blue Mountains, Australia. Awesome blog! Makes me crave delicious baking.
49. Frances | January 26, 2010 at 6:04 am
London, UK here :o)
Congrats on the Bloggie nomination!!!
50. Sarah Woo | January 26, 2010 at 6:36 am
Melbourne, Aussie. Absolutely love your blog! Keep up the good work. ;)