Mixed Berry Cobbler, Blog Birthday, and a Giveaway!

I have a bad habit of beginning a project and never finishing it. I love the rush of excitement and inspiration that comes with discovering a concept and going with it, but I have a tendency to get bored or frustrated and just letting the idea or project fade away.

At least, I thought I had that problem but something recently has occurred to me. Maybe its not that I have trouble sticking to something but that I just hadn't found something worth sticking to yet. A perfect example is of me and my boyfriend. Before I met him all my previous relationships were short, I would get bored of things real quick. But just this past March my boyfriend and I celebrated our two year anniversary. I think he's worth sticking with. And now it is Handle the Heat's first birthday! I finally found something that I'm passionate about, something I wake up thinking about and fall asleep dreaming about. I had started websites and blogs in the past but none of them lasted more than a few months, like my past relationships. Now I'm happy to say that today marks the day that I first started Handle the Heat, one whole year ago. And I look forward to many more years.

I don't think I would have stuck around this long if it weren't for all the amazing people in the food blogging community. I've learned so much not only about food, cooking, baking, photography, and coding, but about how one nice comment or email can vastly improve someone's day. How a whole community of people with common interests can be so lovely, even though most of us have only "met" via the internet. I think what has motivated me the most, however, is each and every person who reads my blogs. I can't tell you how much I appreciate every single comment, but I can show you. As a thanks to everyone who has ever stopped by Handle the Heat, I'm hosting my very first giveaway!



I am giving away an Escali Primo Digital Multifunction Scale to one U.S. or Canadian reader. A scale is invaluable in the kitchen, especially if you like to bake or measure out your portions. One of my favorite baking books, The Art & Soul of Baking, says of measuring by weight,

"... Here's the most foolproof path to success: Put aside the dry measuring cups, purchase a digital scale, and start weighing. If one thing can improve your baking, beginning with your first pan of brownies, it's a scale. You don't need a big professional scale; in fact, a slim, digital one that slips easily out of sight when not in use is perfect for your home baking."

How to enter:

• Enter once by leaving a comment on this post telling me what your favorite dessert is (cookies, brownies, cake, pie, fruit, etc). Make sure to leave your email address to be contacted by in case you win!
  
• Enter twice by tweeting about the giveaway @handleheat and then leaving me a second comment telling me you've tweeted.
• You have until 12pm MST on Thursday, April 22nd to enter. I will choose a winner on Friday, April 23rd via random.org
  

When I was deciding what to post about for my blog birthday the first things that came to mind were extravagant cakes and desserts that I normally wouldn't make. Then I came across this recipe for Mixed Berry Cobbler. Its healthy, simple, and absolutely divine. Why make an extravagant cake when something simple is just as good? Especially since those are the kind of recipes that I feature on Handle the Heat more often. Now, don't get me wrong, making croissants or a five layer cake from scratch is something I enjoy doing, but not everyday. Mixed berry cobbler is something I could make everyday.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: The berries are luscious on their own but when they are cooked down with a little sugar and a hint of orange they turn into something magical. The cobbler topping makes this recipe that much better, and I actually think it is improved with the use of nutty whole grain flour.
Texture: The berries form an almost chunky jam-consistency when baked. It is lovely.
Ease: Easy peasy.
Appearance: Its rustic and familiar. I love the contrast of the bright pinks and purples or the berries contrasted with a light colored baking dish.
Expense: Frozen berries are less expensive, often fresher since they are picked and frozen at the peak of freshness, and won't go bad sitting in your fridge for too long.
Pros: Simply delicious and the fact that it is healthy is an added bonus.
Cons: I can't think of any.
Would I make this again? Maybe next week!


Mixed Berry Cobbler
Yield: 6 servings
From Ellie Krieger's So Easy

For the Filling:

• Cooking spray
• 2 (12-ounce) bags frozen mixed berries, thawed (about 6 cups)
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 orange, zest finely grated (about 2 teaspoons)

For the topping:

• 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, toss the berries with whole wheat flour, sugar and zest. Transfer the berry mixture to the baking dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter using 2 knives or a pastry cutter until many small pebble-sized pieces are formed.

In a small bowl or pitcher, whisk together the buttermilk and oil. Add the buttermilk-oil mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. Do not over mix. Drop the batter onto the fruit forming 6 mounds. Sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, until fruit is bubbly and top is golden. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.