Purely Random

Let me start by asserting that Prantl’s Bakery in Shadyside has amazing chocolate chip cookies. When I was in grad school, the ECE Department was ordering an assortment of Prantl’s treats to inspire grad students to attend a weekly seminar (I believe they still are). I’m a little ashamed to admit, but that aspect of the seminars definitely gave me some added motivation to attend. At the time, it was my one unhealthy weak moment each week. In retrospect, that regularly scheduled weak moment was actually a very healthy thing. It’s easy to be all healthy during all other moments of the week if you have that one day to look forward to. Of course, you’re really reading this to find out about cookies, so I’ll get back to it. (more…)

One of the more enjoyable side-effects of my recent foray into the realm of baking has been sufficient motivation and experience to churn out a fresh-baked batch of scones with minimal effort. Tonight was my second attempt at scones, and this time I mixed it up a little bit, turning an existing recipe into my very own whole wheat raisin walnut scones. (more…)