Madhu Knits and Cooks

Recipe, knitting, and sewing project notes

  • Corn Fritters – Unfortunately Sound Better than They Taste

    Quick post about the Cook's Illustrated Corn Fritters recipe:  unfortunately, they sound better than they actually taste.  I perhaps used too much corn because the mixture didn't stick together than well (3 ears, 1 of which was grated), and during the frying, some of the kernels popped which made it a somewhat dangerous cooking experiment.  

    The ultimate result wasn't that great as well – just far too eggy, and otherwise bland.  I had added a minced serrano and removed the dijon mustard from the recipe, simply because I didn't have it onhand.  I think that ultimately, I just may not like fried foods with an egg base that much?

    Corn Fritters Frying

    Corn Fritters

  • Never Say Never…Actually Delicious Lower-Fat Brownies

    Dedicated MadhuKnitsandCooks.com readers may remember my pronouncement that low-fat brownie recipes just don't seem to work, and that I would foreswear them in the future for more flavorful "full" fat brownie recipes.  

    Well, that promise clearly didn't hold up as I recently tried the Cook's Illustrated Lighter Brownies recipe.  And the result was actually really delicious – fudgy and moist (almost too moist in a sense because of how fudgy the brownies were).  I have made them twice this summer for barbeques, and they were a big hit both times.  The only downside is that the recipe makes a relatively small number of brownies so it is easy for just a few people to polish off the whole batch!  I also substituted 1 oz. of bittersweet chocolate for 1 oz. of the semisweet chocolate in the last batch I made, added a little bit more sugar, and the result was fine – so just a note for those like me who don't always have full semisweet chocolate bars in their cupboards.

    Cooks Illustrated Lowfat Brownies

  • Delicious Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic, Gorgonzola and Herbs

    Another Giada book from the library, another Giada success!  This time, I checked out the Giada at Home book and decided to make the Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic, Gorzonzola and Herbs.  I really enjoyed the final product, and can definitely envision making some variant of this dish for dinner parties.  My modifications to the recipe follow the picture of the roasted tomatoes below.

    Roasted Tomatoes

    I used only 2 "artisanal" tomatoes I purchased at the farmers market, and to fit the reduced number of tomatoes, I halved the olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.  I also just eyeballed the panko bread crumb and gorgonzola mixture proportions, which resulted in maybe a 1/2 – 3/4 cup of the mixture?  

    The book version of this recipe and the online recipe linked above differ slightly in their recommendations – one calls for plum tomatoes and the other roma.  The market tomatoes also worked out well, so would not hesistate to use any tomato in this general type of variety!

  • Budding Apple Shawl for Me!

    Although I am not generally a shawl-wearer, I immediately knew when I saw the Budding Apple pattern in a recent Twist Collective issue that I had to make the shawl for myself.  The pattern was just so simple, light and really seemed to convey an easy spring/summer feel.  After I cast on the shawl (during exam studying period no less), I ended up completing the project very quickly despite the exam-related time constraints.  I just really couldn't get enough of this pattern, even if the yarn wasn't the most pleasant to work with (little coarse, though definitely a lovely color).  The final, post-blocking result has definitely lived up to expectations as well, though because the summer has been so hot, I have not yet been able to wear the shawl yet!  In addition, I think I would like to wear this shawl with a shawl pin, which I still need to find.  Project details follow the picture below.

    Madhu Shawl Full

    Budding Apple Shawl for Me

    Pattern:  Budding Apple by Anne Hanson, size mini.

    Yarn:  Brooks Farm Solo Silk, one skein

    Needles:  US 4 throughout (by accident, meant to do border in US 6!)

    Measurements:  Pre-blocking measurements of 17 inches long at center, 33 inches wide at top/widest point, and 24 inch diagonal sides.  Post-blocking measurements of 19 1/4 inches long at center, 42 inches wide at top/widest point, and 29 1/2 inch diagonal sides.

    Madhu Shawl Close Up

  • My Third and Likely Final Year of Public Interest Law Auction Knitting – Broken Rib Hat

    I recently completed my last year of law school, and with it, I think have ended (for now) my years of auctioning off made-to-order knit projects to benefit public interest legal work.  My final project was relatively straightforward – a rust-colored hat.  I selected several patterns and shared them with the auction winner, Dan, and he picked the ultimate winner – the "Man Hat" pattern by Haven Leavitt.  The final project was fairly easy to knit up with bulky yarn, and it turned out really well.  In fact, this pattern may actually become my new standard hat gift!

    Man Hat

    "Man Hat"

    Pattern:  "Man Hat" by Haven Leavitt (yes, I can't actually get myself to type "man hat" without the quotes because of the silly name!).  I modified the pattern to fit Dan's head measurement, so cast on 72 stitches.

    Yarn:  Lamb's Pride Bulky in Color M67 (Rust)

    Needles:  US 9

    Measurements:  Pre-blocking measurements of 9 inches tall (2 inches of shaping and 7 inches straight) and 22 1/2 inches around.  Post-blocking measurements of 9 inches tall and 24 inches around.

  • Cardigan for Baby Gigi

    This post is unfortunately six months in the making (I am that behind with some of my blogging!).  I made a cardigan for a lovely newborn, Gigi, in January.  I used yarn that I purchased at last year's New York Sheep and Wool Festival, and was excited to try something different from the standard baby blanket or hat gift.  Although the project did require some finishing (sewing side seams together, etc), which I generally try to avoid, I am glad I forced myself to do this extra little bit of work because the final product was really wonderful.  Project details follow the picture of the completed cardigan.

    Gigi Cardigan

    Cardigan for Baby Gigi

    Pattern:  Adorable Chenille Cardigan by Louisa Harding, 0 – 3 months size

    Yarn:  Good Karma Farm 60/40 Wool/Alpaca, 0.9 skein

    Needles:  One US6 and one US7 needle 

    Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 9 inch wide body (18 inch circumference, buttoned up), top to bottom length of 8.5 inches, sleeve length of 7.5 inches and sleeve circumference of 6.5 inches around.

  • One Sesame Loaf, Two Ways: Pea Crostini and Really Wonderful Garlic Bread with Herbs

    A few months back, I bought a sesame bread loaf at the local farmer's market and decided to put it to two uses:  a pea pesto crostini from a Giada de Laurentiis cook book I checked out from the library and the Cook's Illustrated Herbed Garlic Bread.

    The Herbed Garlic Bread was amazing – really flavorful, easy to make, and wasn't too buttery or oily.  The first time I made the bread, I used half of the sesame loaf/baguette and used a combination of chives, parsley and thyme.  I used half the amount of butter called for in the recipe as well as used slightly less garlic (maybe 2 tsbp. of roasted, minced garlic).  I baked the bread for 6 minutes and it was perfectly crusty, warm and delicious.  The second time I made the bread, I used a combination of rosemary, thyme and chives.  Rosemary was definitely the standout ingredient in the second run, and I think it should be definitely used in future versions as well.

    Cooks Illustrated Garlic Bread
    The pea pesto crostini was far less exciting unfortunately.  Although very easy to make with simple ingredients usually on-hand in my house (frozen peas, parmesan, olive oil, etc.), the result was fairly bland and the pea flavor was just too overwhelming (and I like peas!).  So unfortunately, I think this recipe will not be repeated again for me.

    Pea Crostini

  • Savory/Spicy Pongal – A Flavorful, One Pot South Indian Rice and Lentil Dish

    Although I haven't attempted my favorite Indian weekend morning foods – dosa and idlis – I did recently try for the first time making pongal, a South Indian rice and lentil dish that can be savory or sweet.  I  like the savory/spicy pongal, and so I asked my mother for her recipe.  I made it with a few modifications – the full recipe follows the picture below – and could not be more pleased with the results.  It was perfectly flavored, filling, and very easy to prepare.  I look forward to making it again!

    Pongal

    Pongal

    Makes approximately 4 – 6 servings.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • 2 tsp. cumin
    • 1 tsp. ginger, minced
    • 12 curry leaves (I used dry, but you can use fresh – both can be found at Indian grocery stores)
    • 1 tsp. coarsely ground black peppercorns (can use whole as well)
    • 2 tsp. salt
    • 1 cup uncooked white rice
    • 7/8 cup moong dal
    • 5 cups water

    Directions:

    • Soak the white rice and dal separately for thirty minutes (optional).
    • In a medium dutch oven, or other heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat.  When warm, add cumin, ginger, peppercorns, and curry leaves.  Saute for one minute, and then add the rice and lentils.
    • Fry the mixture for 2 – 3 minutes, lightly tossing the mixture to ensure the rice/lentils do not stick to the bottom of the pan.  
    • Add the salt and water and bring the mixture to a boil.  When the pot contents start boiling, reduce heat to bring about a low simmer, and cover the pot.  
    • Cook for 25 – 30 minutes, or until the rice and lentils are soft and the water has been fully incorporated into the dish.
    • Serve on its own, or with other Indian breakfast foods or pickle.

  • My Most Ambitious (or at least Time Consuming) Knit Project to Date

    I have really been wanting to challenge my knitting skills more ever since I hit my tenth year of knitting in 2010.  While at times, I feel I am not accomplishing that goal by not taking on more fair isle, entrelac, intarsia, and other "advanced" knitting techniques, the completion of my latest project is a reminder that I am continually challenging myself, just not in the ways I intend.  

    After a year of knitting, I finally finished the Still Light Tunic, a great pattern by Veera Valimaki.  The pattern was not complicated – knit in one piece and almost entirely in stockinette – but just the sheer magnitude of completing a stockinette dress with a fingering weight yarn was fairly daunting to take on, and in fact, took a year to complete (though, of course, there have been several other lovely projects that have kept me occupied this past year).  I am really happy with the result, though it might be a little bigger than I would like (both width and lengthwise).  I have only worn it once though because of course I finished the alpaca dress when spring was in full swing, so I am looking forward to seeing more how it wears over time.  Project details follow the picture below.

    Still Light Tunic

    Madhu's Still Light Tunic/Dress

    Pattern:  Still Light by Veera Valimaki.  I made the smallest size of the tunic, and because I expected the dress to grow, I knit only 8 3/4 inches straight at the bottom of the tunic (instead of 10 inches) and knit the sleeves 9 inches from the underarm.

    Yarn:  DROPS Alpaca, 7 skeins in color 0501m eco.

    Needles:  US1 for neck border, and US2 for body of the dress.

    Measurements:  Pre-blocking measurements of 25 1/2 inches long, 7 1/2 inch wide neck opening, 32 inches around at bust, 36 1/2 inches around at bottom of the dress.  Post-blocking measurements of 30 inches long, 7 1/2 inch wide neck opening, 30 inches around at bust, 35 inches around at bottom of the dress, and 10 inch long sleeves.

    Madhu Dress Modeled 1

  • Blanket for Baby Arjun

    Babies, babies, babies!  Such is the theme of 2012 🙂  Today's post is about the blanket I completed last month for baby Arjun.  I have been saving Kirsten Kapur's Abby Blanket in my knitting queue for some time, and was very, very excited for the opportunity to try it out.  The pattern turned out perfectly – the yarn showcases the pattern very well.  I was initially worried that the yarn may be too thick for this pattern, but that worry thankfully dissipated a few inches into the blanket.  The yarn – Cascade 220 – was also a great, bouncy yarn to work with for this project.  I also really like the color combo, and appreciate the help of the friendly owners of my new local yarn shop, Argyle Yarn Shop, for helping me with the lengthy decision-making process 🙂

    Arjun Blanket
    Arjun's Baby Blanket

    Pattern:  Abby's Blanket by Kirsten Kapur.  I completed five repeats instead of the six called for in the pattern because I wanted a slightly smaller blanket.

    Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash – 2 skeins in colorway 1910, and 0.5 skein in colorway 817.

    Needles:  One US8 circular needle, and 5 US8 DPNs

    Measurements:  The blanket was 25 inches (square) pre-blocking, and 27 inches post-blocking.

    Arjun Blanket Close Up

    Photo (7)