Invisible Illness Awareness Week

...that's what it is, so I drew this really messy scribble in which I clearly gave up after the first panel.  But you know, if you read it, you might excuse me for that.

Pumpkin Swirl Brioche

Today I'm gonna show you a new variation on one of my most popular recipes that hasn't appeared in its full form yet on this blog.  Tis the season for pumpkin spice, but the secret is, you can fill brioche with anything.  Cinnamon sugar is a staple, Nutella is pretty darn good, and pastry cream is to die for (though I use a slightly different shaping method for that one.)  It's a good simple trick to have up your sleeve if you need an impressive brunch item or snack!

EDIT: IT GOT BETTER.  Thanks to some genius test baking by my bff Kitt, I was given the inspiration to put some cream cheese in here too. OH MAN.  Read on for more.

Chicken Korma with Rice Noodles and Lime

So I've got this cook book, New Indian Home Cooking, that has slightly healthier versions of a lot of classic Indian recipes.  This chicken korma is one I've been making and playing with for a few years now.  It's pretty healthy, pretty quick and easy, and very adaptable.  The way we usually end up adapting it is inspired by a Burmese chicken dish that our friend Hana makes, which is delicious, and served over rice noodles with lime juice, green onions, and crunchy fried garlic, (and as I recall, green chilies and cilantro if you're into that.)  Once we'd made this korma a few times mostly as written, we decided that was just what it was missing.  That, and a can of coconut milk.

Summer

Well as you can see, the blog and my brain are already firmly in Fall Mode, but considering we're about to enter into yet ANOTHER heat wave, I don't feel TOO bad finally posting my long-procrastinated illustration for Summer.

Summer and I are notoriously Not Friends, which is why I chose one of my real life friends as the model for this piece, to help me think positively about the season.  I also set it at night, of course, when the sun is not boiling and you can imagine crickets chirping the rich perfume of magnolias wafting on a warm breeze, and if it wasn't so ridiculously humid, it might be pretty nice.

Since this is my imaginary idyllic summer illustration, imagine that it is not humid.

Snickerdoodles

IT'S HAPPENING! I AM HERE! WITH A RECIPE!

Now look, I know we all know how to make snickerdoodles... but I'm just getting my feet wet again with blogging.  Maybe next time I'll blow your minds.  Today, I was happy with a classic comfort food that brought a little cheer to my (still very hot) kitchen.  Who doesn't like a snickerdoodle?