I was talking with M the other day about how we are horrible planners. Both of our lives have never been guided around planning, especially when it comes to planning major life decisions (like moving, college, or jobs). We both, in essence, fly by the seat of our pants.
While this occasionally backfires, I think we make more decisions than we could if we planned. Had we sat down and really thought about moving to California, there is a high probability it wouldn’t have happened. We would have been rational, talked about money, and really talked about being away from each other during a rather crucial time in our relationship (there is nothing like getting engaged and then being flung apart).
So, after being apart for almost four months (and with only two left to go), we had hit a bit of a low spot. We started to have a sinking feeling of, “oh my, was this really the right decision?”
The answer, of course, is always yes. Sometimes we have to make big leaps of faith in order to achieve something greater, even if that means a few moments of self doubt.
I often find myself daydreaming about going to the markets, cooking, and enjoying my time with M again. The last time I posted about a dutch baby, it was a lazy Sunday with M (this was before we knew he’d soon be moving). I know it may sounds silly but as the snow continues to fall here, it’s things like this that get me through until May. A simple breakfast, lounging by myself, topped with citrus (from my imaginary orange tree I’ll have in my backyard one day).
It’s recipes like this that keep me connected and remind me that even though it feels a bit like we’re free-falling through some vast land of limbo, one day it won’t feel like that.
This dutch baby didn’t poof as much as my last but I think I can attribute that to the almond meal and a very temperamental oven. However, it is still just as delicious.
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PinIngredients
- Dutch Baby
- 2 eggs eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ cup 2% or whole milk
- 1/4 cup Almond Meal*
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoons butter
- Orange Compote
- 2 Regular or Blood Oranges
- 3 Tablespoons Honey
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- Pinch of Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚.
- Combine eggs, milk, almond meal, flour, salt, and maple syrup in a blender. Pulse until combined.
- On the stop top, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 8″ or 10″ cast iron (well seasoned) skillet. Swirl around to cover the pan once melted. Remove from heat and pour in batter. Bake in oven until golden brown and puffed, 20-25 minutes.
- While dutch baby cooks, zest one orange into a small pot (1-2 tablespoons of zest is perfect). Peel oranges, remove any extra membrane and remove pith, and pull into slices. Place in with zest and add honey, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer until oranges have broken apart and mixture begins to thicken, 15-20 minutes. Taste and add more honey or cinnamon as needed.
- Once dutch baby is ready, smear orange compote on top and serve with a quick pour of heavy cream (optional).
Notes
*To easily make Almond Meal, simple pulse almonds in a food process until they resemble course flour (don’t pulse too long or else you’ll end up with almond butter…)
Gina says
“…free falling through a land of limbo”- yep, I can relate to that! My husband proposed and then moved to Florida. 1.5 years later we were finally married and not 1500 miles away. It was definitely a time of limbo! blood orange dutch babies may have made it a little bit more bearable 😉
Laura says
Thank goodness you have beautiful breakfasts like this to remind you of your time together and bring you closer, albeit in a different way. I always turn to cooking to reconnect with someone I miss as well. The immediacy and warmth of it is so important. This treat is brilliant and delicious sounding, Erin.
Katrina Mona says
I feel the same way sometimes. I’m moving to Montreal to be with my man and I often wonder if I should just stay here. But then I think about the cobblestone streets and the amazing markets and know it’s the right idea. Hopefully the nest 2 months fly by and you’ll be enjoying your time together in no time!
Rachel says
I know the feeling… when I decided to take the plunge and move from North Carolina to Oakland, CA to be with my man, the waiting and being apart was definitely a land of limbo. I was all kinds of nervous, excited, anxious and impatient, but time somehow flew by, as it always does, and there I was in sunny California making a new life with my fiancee. I hope that this time flies by for you, as well, and you’ll be picking citrus off your backyard tree in no time!! 🙂
Dutch babies are our favorite “special” breakfast and I just so happen to have a bag of almond meal in the freezer and a few blood oranges waiting to be used up! I bet this would make a delicious dessert served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or spiced whipped cream… yum!!
Becky Rosenthal says
love the idea of making a dutch baby with almond meal!! and blood oranges too… this sounds amazing!! And I love making food that reminds me of a memory or someone special. Counting down the days with you until you two can be together 🙂
Abby Dumont says
Is it supposed to be 1/4 cup whole wheat flour? 🙂
elalderson says
Whoops! Fixed- thanks for the catch!
Alex Caspero MA,RD says
Mmmm. I love blood oranges so any excuse to eat more of them sounds like a good idea to me. This looks beautiful!
Loretta E says
My hubby and I lived across the country from each other while we were engaged and even for a short while after we got married. Bad idea. I don’t know what we were thinking! It’s a lot harder to have a marriage when you never see each other 🙂
You ‘baby’ looks fantastic! You’re reminding me that I need to do another one and soon!
Charlotte says
My husband and I dated for about four years before we were married. We were long-distance for two of those four years, including the year we were engaged. Don’t lose heart. Being apart really builds your communication, which will help in your marriage!
Izzy says
I know this would be hard but does anyone have suggestions on how to make this vegan? Would flax seeds be suitable?