Good (Food) Reads: Hungry Girl!

I don’t know if it’s the weather (spring is FINALLY here!) or what, but I am HUNGRY this week. Like, can’t stop, won’t stop, hungry. Which means I’ve been trolling the old internet for new recipes to try and foodie inspiration. Which means, we have a Good (Food) Reads chock full of inspiration this week. So let’s get started, shall we?

First, I dug out my copy of Gwyneth Paltrow’s first cookbook, My Father’s Daughter (and before you scoff, it’s actually really good!), and have been eating her Italian Chopped Salad all week. It’s fresh, with plenty of heft from the bocconcini and green beans, and easy to make. Total winner! Looking forward to checking out her new cookbook It’s All Easy.

To balance out my healthy salad, I’ve also been baking a fair amount of cookies. My high school bestie passed on the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever (seriously – these things are amazing) and I’ve been slowly tweaking it over the years. I am fascinated by the small changes that butter vs shortening, cold dough vs straight to the oven, and brown sugar vs granulated sugar makes in the texture and overall feel of the american classic. I, for one, prefer a chewy cookie that is not overly sweet. Check out NPRs article on The Science Behind Baking Your Ideal Chocolate Chip Cookie. 

Have you ever made your own English Muffins? I have a small obsession with toasted English muffins, topped with a little peanut butter, sliced bananas, and a drizzle of honey. The ever genius Alexandra’s Kitchen featured 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins and I need to try them. Now. First, I need to get some English Muffin rings.

My dear husband has a huge sweet tooth but also a weird aversion to fruit in cake. Sometimes, this really limits the fun I can have with baked goods in our house. I think I might have to ignore his fruit issues and make this gorgeous Toasted Almond Cake with Stewed Rhubarb and Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting as soon as I can get my hands on some good spring Rhubarb. Has anyone tried it?

I’ve been binge watching Dinner At Tiffani’s while on the elliptical this week (I know, I know…) and loving so many of the things she’s been making. I am hoping to try these Grilled Ciabatta with Ricotta and Snap Peas for a family gathering this weekend. They seem like the perfect spring appetizer.

And, from another new cookbook I can’t wait to check out (Eating in the Middle: A Mostly Wholesome Cookbook), Shutterbean has some gorgeous pics of this Chopped Salad with Spiced Chickpeas. I know what I’m having for lunch!

Friends, that’s it for Good (Food) Reads this week. Send us your favorite foodie finds from the week via Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! We can’t wait to hear from you.