I’ve been bobbing around the blog world for almost a year, and sometimes, I feel like I’m back in high school again.
Don’t get me wrong—I adore the blog world, I really do. I think we have a fantastic community, and even my parents were astonished by the “warm, kind, and loving” people here after reading some of your comments. But…there are still many aspects of the blogosphere that reminds me of high school.
First, we have that Great “Popular Group” Divide. Some blogs are just more popular than others, for whatever reason. It might be their fancy pictures. It might be their fancy writing. It might be their gregarious and charismatic ways. Or it might simply be the reason that they’ve been around longer, thus building a more loyal readership.
Another aspect that reminds me of high school: labels. I don’t know why, but we humans have the tendency to stick labels on anyone and anything. In high school, we labeled each other as “Nerds” and “Marching Band geeks” and “Punks”, blah blah blah. As a blogger, I know and experience the tendency to want to label myself and others. Some of us have the label of a “healthy living blogger”, some are “vegan” or “raw”, some as “restaurant reviewers”, some as “bakers”, some as “mothers”, some as “weight loss”, others as “ED-recoverers”, and so on and so forth.
Yet another high school stigma in the blog world is trends. Come on, we all know what they are, and have fallen victims to it. For whatever ridiculous reason, we feel the need to also fall in love with whatever the popular bloggers are loving: oats-in-a-jar, yogurt “mess”, Green Monsters, chia seeds, Larabars, yahdee yahdee yah. Whatever’s “in” right now, we want to try it, we almost feel pressured to love it as well, despite the fact that we probably would never even have considered eating it otherwise.
I’m not necessarily saying it’s a bad thing. But I wonder…will we ever be rid of high school? Seems like it’s following me wherever I go, even to the Internet.
That said, I’ll go ahead and list a few of my personal opinions that may sound blasphemous in the blog world (the Health Living section anyway):
So there. Anyway. I’ve been watching a lot of Anthony Bourdain’s foodie escapades in No Reservations, and it made me think that part of being a foodie should be that excitement of trying something completely new. Something you never thought you would try or make. After all, the realm of food is vast and adventurous, and limiting your eats to within the fads of the blog world is just so…limiting and boring? That’s why I immediately agreed to try out Pepperidge Farms’ Puff Pastry as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. This is a new adventure for me, because in truth, I don’t really like puff pastry. I’m just not a pastry person. The texture of flaky, crispy dough is just not as appealing to me as a dense, chewy bread. But, in the interest of broadening my foodie horizons, I decided to give it a try. Note: For this post’s pictures, please excuse the glarish tone of my pictures…I made it in the evening, and the color quality is just horrible. Everybody, say hello to Mr. Puff Pastry (or is that Mrs?): Same with apples and onions: Now, I’ve never cooked with chorizo before, nor with heavy cream, unless you count baking desserts that I never ate a long time ago. So this was a new thing for me. Ooh, exciting! Here’s the recipe: Sweet & Spicy Puff Pastry Ball with Chorizo, Apples & Potatoes Chop up both potatoes, and roast in 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes until cooked through: Moving on. Dump in onions, garlic, and apples. Cook for a few minutes. Next, take a sheet of the puff pastry and mold it into a small bowl: Here’s my mistake #2: I baked at about 350 degree temperature, only to find that the dough was not rising. Holy crap. I frantically rushed online to check, and found out that puff pastry only rises at a temperature around 400 degrees. Thankfully, I raised the temperature early enough for the puff pastry to bake perfectly. Here’s the baby: And how do I find time to do this while I’m in the middle of final exams, I don’t know…But I have just two more left until everything is over!! I cannot wait, wait, wait! Question of the day: Let’s be frank…anything “blasphemous” in the blog world that you want to confess out loud here? I won’t tell!
Here’s how it looks inside the box: 
Two rectangular sheets of fresh pastry dough. I left it out to thaw while I prepared my ingredients: 
Potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now, those are pretty predictable. 
But the new ingredient I incorporated was beef Mexican chorizo and heavy cream: 
With kale, because you can never go wrong with some greens in there.
ndful raisins
Next, heat up a skillet and dump all the chorizo into it: 
Ok. Here’s my first mistake: I think I might have bought a cheap-ass chorizo, because this was 60% grease and 30% meat and 10% “bonus” substance. Honestly. It was disgustingly greasy, and I had to drain most of that grease out. 
Add in the potatoes, mix and cook for 2 minutes or so: 
Then dump in the kale: 
And then the raisins: 
And then pour about 1/4 cup heavy cream in there: 
Let the whole thing cook until the kale is wilted and the mixture has absorbed all the flavor of the chorizo. 
Spoon in the chorizo filling, and seal it shut, trimming off the extra dough. 
Flip the bowl over to release the ball: 
Then slit the middle. Brush some extra heavy cream on the dough. 
Bake in oven. 
I have no idea why I slit a hole in the middle. It just seemed to make sense. But it looks kind of like an asshole. A very big asshole. Damn it. 
Ah, well. It’s the taste that counts. 
And it was mighty tasty. Although I forgot the cheese. I was meaning to add some Cabot Cheese in there, but I totally forgot. Mistake #3. 
But that’s okay. It actually didn’t really need the cheese, because with the spicy chorizo and the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, apples, and raisins, the flavors worked really well. Cheese might have been an overkill. 
It doesn’t look that great, I admit. Kale loses its green quality when cooked in the red grease of chorizo. 
Unfortunately, my eyes were bigger than my stomach, because try as I might, I almost couldn’t finish this in one sitting. Almost, save for a tiny bite: 
As you can probably guess, I did not use all my chorizo filling for this pastry. I decided to turn it into soup. I dumped everything into a pot with some chicken broth: 
Poured in more of the heavy cream: 
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble… 
The result was a really interesting, thick stew: 
By interesting I mean yummy, of course. 
Leftover fillings are best turned into a rich, satisfying stew. 
Phew! That was quite an interesting adventure. Honestly, I was afraid of making a big fat inedible mess, but they both turned out delicious! And it was great fun! 
Related posts:
{ 129 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
Haha, I’ve never tried ANY of those blog concoctions, ie: green monsters, greek yogurt, etc.
Why?
Because, like you, I mostly like hotdogs, chex mix, and chicken
Just to cast a different light on this…maybe what goes on in high school is just a reflection on human nature in general. Which then carries on into whatever you do, wherever you go. We probably experience it for the first time (at least, most intensely) in high school, but really, does it ever stop? Whether it’s on blogs, at a place of work, in your town…it seems widespread to want to fit in, to want to be accepted. I definitely see it in blogs big time, but I see it pretty much everywhere I go. My favourite blogs (and people) are those who go against the grain and aren’t afraid to be themselves, regardless of what else is going on around them
I have never had a green monster, have zero interest in eating raw, am bored to tears at the thought of yet again making some fake cauliflower-carb-wannabe (just give me the damn rice!) and Lara bars ain’t all that. The PBJ is pretty delish but that’s only because they taste nothing like Lara bars
dates? Gag me now.
mmmm…this makes me want to eat meat again!
I agree with you 100%. I was actually thinking about this yesterday, and sometimes I still feel like that girl in high school. Not popular, not a dork. Just kind of there!
Haha…I love this post! I’m totally with you– the blog world definitely feels like high school sometimes (prom queens and all).
Thanks for this honest, hilarious post
Agree 100% again — but I think the whole world is like that. (Not that pop music is generally the most reliable source of social commentary, but like the song says… high school never ends.)
It used to bother me that I couldn’t “label” my blog that way. But I don’t even know why — I hate labels. I always have.
I have never had a Green Monster, and I very likely never will, because the idea creeps me out. I hate canned pumpkin in everything but oatmeal, but I tend to be less than elaborate and just eat cold cereal in the morning because I have no time for anything else.
Blogging turns out to be a good way to get ideas to try new things, but jumping on bandwagons and forcing yourself to try things you know you won’t like, just for the sake of “fitting in”? Yeah, that reminds me too much of high school.
There is a reason I hated high school.
<3 <3
I agree with a lot of what you said. To be honest, I don’t see the appeal of most of the “popular” bloggers. I find most of them boring.
I don’t like Green Monsters or Chia seeds. Love Greek yogurt though because it’s thick and reminds me of ice cream. Larabars are okay.
Your puff pastry recipe looks delicious. I still haven’t figured out what I want to do with mine.
i totally know what you mean, sometimes i look at what i am eating and i’m like would the blog world appreciate this? ah why in the world do i care.
& and i am totally not a fan of canned pumpkin either
very cool puff pastry! looks delicious
hope you have a wonderful mondayy
this post is funny…i wrote something similar on my blog one time because i think it’s funny that one week, everything a blogger eats is “as big as their head” and the next week, it “rocked their face off”
im glad im not the only one that notices this stuff haha
*wipes drool off face* yum!
I like your confessions and I think they’re perfectly legit and that you’re right, sometimes the blogging world CAN seem that way. But I’ve found that it’s more of a positive thing than high school was!
I’m not a huge larabar person either. I’ve only had them a couple times but they’ve never, you know, rocked my socks off or anything.
I love McDonalds too! Most fast food in fact. Your stew looks great. I can never find enough recipes using kale, which I love.
I don’t get why people take shots of wheatgrass! Seriously…there are 32487 foods that are good for you, give you energy, etc. I’d rather get my nutrients through delicious foods…not making myself gag on grass.
amazing! Unbelievable!
I love the process of how you let the delicious food being made, eaten,…great skills there!
You definitely raise some good points. Unfortunately, in that sense, I’m a total sheep. I love having people telling me what to like! I’ve discovered a bunch of stuff that I never would have even looked at before! But there is definitely a limit…
And, question: when are you coming out with your own cookbook??? Seriously!
ps: glad you approved of the marshmallows!! They’re really not that hard to make! If you want the recipe, email me
Blasphemous indeed! How exciting!
((high five))
Tried Larabars and the green monster too. Ack, Ack! to both.
I definitely agree about the blog world being like high school. I have been trying to not get wrapped up in the number of comments I get (which is low) and more about the quality. I am also only commenting on posts that actually really prompt me to, instead of trying to comment on all just to “get my name out there”. So, great post!
And if I must confess, I can’t seem to really enjoy breakfast cookies and I will never go completely without white sugar, white four and butter!
Love the way you used the puff pastry and the combo of choirizo and kale reminds me of my father in law’s portuguese soup, yum!
I love your confessions! I always liked the kids in high school that weren’t followers but they instead marched to the beat of their own drummer.
I will never be fancy or gourmet because I loath oysters. I’m not sad about it at all.
Your grub look great as usual.
I loved this post. I don’t even have a blog but I agree with you on everything! I think it is awesome you have been able to stay true to yourself and not feel you have to “conform” to draw readers. I am also in the process of recovering from anorexia and I’d like to say I think you are doing great. I hope to be like you someday, where food is just food, and I am able to eat whatever I want without guilt! You go girl!
Very insightful post Sophia! It’s all very true!
- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I haven’t noticed the high school thing – but I am pretty oblivious. I am happy I learned about Green Monsters through the blog world, because I love them and probably wouldn’t get that many greens in otherwise. I only follow the “trends” that I actually like, and don’t pretend to like anything that I don’t.
I appreciate your honesty!!!
Most bars are nasty – I agree!
Great post! I love healthy food and honestly dislike McDonald’s and hot dogs and such things…but I still hate blog trends! In the blog world, hating junk food and liking (or pretending to like) super-healthy food is considered some kind of moral superiority. Um, no, it’s just food, hooray for you if you like Larabars or hate chicken nuggets, but that doesn’t make you better than anyone else.
My favorite food blogs are the offbeat ones written by people who genuinely enjoy food (like yours!). I don’t like the super-popular ones with tons of commercial giveaways and BORING, unintelligent meals and posts. I’ve noticed that the vast majority of food/fitness bloggers CAN’T COOK to save their lives! Their meals look so dull and flavorless compared to yours because they are afraid to be seen eating real food. I’ll take a sausage and veggie filled puff pastry over the 9000th bowl of peanut butter oats any day.
both of those entrees look great! I have never had Chorizo that didnt look like that! p.s. I love Mickey Dees
oh that looks really good, i love puff pastry!
i haven’t noticed too much of the drama with the blogging yet, for the most part i love all of my bloggy friends (like you). but i do know that HS tends to creep into your life long after graduation, it’s an unfortunate realization of adult life.
*Hear hear!!* I enjoyed your high school blog talk
so true so true. Sometimes I feel that the popular blogs are more “clicky” and don’t give less popular blogs much of a chance to join in. Make sense? I’m also not much into the whole organic stuff. And while I do love greek yogurt, nut butters, and canned pumpkin…there are other things I’m not a huge fan of. And you know what? I’m okay with that! We all have our own tastes and that’s what’s great about blogworld. Seeing everyone’s different tastes and opinions to see other ideas!
That actually does look really good! Yeah you gotta watch that chorizo – some of it is quite greasy.
I don’t feel like blogging is exactly like high school (the popular blogs don’t make fun of me! LOL), but I totally get what you mean! I do like Larabars, but that’s mostly because they’re actually a convenient breakfast food that’s gluten-free, so I can eat it. It’s not like I crave them! And sorry, I’m kinda halfway on the organic thing – I prefer it, but my pocketbook doesn’t. But I do try to find local farmers and buy from them whenever possible – organic or not. So then at least I’m supporting my community. But my “shameful” food likes? I love pork rinds. Yum! And chili cheese Fritos. (miss those, can’t eat them anymore!) And Wendy’s chili! And while I might not like Mickey D’s, on the non-food front, I’m so not afraid to shop at Walmart or even the thrift store, cause I’m all about finding a good deal!
This was just fantastic, Im really glad someone else has noticed all these trends and stuff on blogs. I never though of it in the sense of highschool groups/trends but it really is just like that.
I never attempted a green smoothie, I rather put my spinach in a sandwich than drink it. I pumpkin mixed into yogurt and it ruined my perfectly good bowl of porridge, which by the way I dont see the point in sticking it into a jar?
As for larabars I like the apple cinnamon one but all the others I tried I just dont see the appeal, same goes for Clif bars they are so sweet its sickening. I like the UK versions though, Nakd and Trek bars, they are really good.
Its a pity as well that people only visit the popular blogs, they are so many blogs out there that just dont get given a chance to be discovered because everyone sticks to blogs that everyone else reads.
I really like your puff pastry creation but the stew looks amazing! I love stew, a great winter warmer
Ohh I also am quite fond of McDonalds, I loved the sauce they put in Big Macs.
My other ‘shameful’ admission, I love processed cheese slices. Yes I do put real cheese into my sandwiches and stuff but I just adore processed cheese slices.
I kinda have a very similar feeling as you do, as a very new blogger. I can clearly feel there is a “trend” going on in the blog world , especially the morning oatmeal …that I can never really love (no offense if you are a oatmeal lover!). I am just a milk and bread person. but seems to be labeled as a “healthy eater” blogger, you need to have that thick tangy oatmeal in the morning. so not my cup of tea, and I don’t understand why it’s like that….
), and same as you, my Mom and I are big MC lovers (spicy drum stick burger!). Thanks for speaking it out , and make myself more clear about what this foodie blog really about !! I am gonna insist my taste and my way of enjoying food.
I really want to blog my blog in a way that I like my food, in a way that I appreciate the flavors (like fat in butter
Btw, I feel you don’t need the puff pastry !! that stuffing , with green bunch of kales, looks already very very enticing! I love that!
Sophia..you are ssooooooooooooooooooo funny. The asshole description caught me off guard. I was at work and nearly feel over laughing. Next time please give me a heads up!! Ha ha
THANK GOODNESS!
i like eating “healthy”, but you know what? “Healthy” is different for each person. And since I’m in ED recovery, I figure healthy is basically eating whatever the hell I want and NOT feeling bad about it!
I like hot dogs and I buy food in bulk and it’s totally fine! Way to put it all out there! wooo
Ohhh yes. LOVE your frank honesty my dear. I totally agree with the non-organic stuff. I just can’t afford eating organic all the time…and i LOVE eggs. I also think it would be a pain in the ass to always have to ask your waiter if there’s butter/eggs WHATEVER at a restaurant that isn’t vegan. I have nothing against vegans, i’m all for conservation and all that, but REALLY do you have to make other people’s lives so much more difficult?? Ok maybe that’s over top.
I do like some Larabars and greek yogurt, but I hate how expensive and not necessarily delicious other nut butters are. Cashew, macadamia butters…up to $15 a jar?? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
ANyways, i love your creation with puff pastry!! My boyfriend always makes me these curry chicken and onion puffs that are oh so delicious. You would love them!!!! I really would love to try your creation though…it’s so original!! LOVE IT!!
I completely know what you mean! The strangest thing to me is that most of the “popular” blogs are not even GOOD. They have horrible pictures and can not form a sentence without a grammar or spelling error to save their life! So I really do wonder WHAT it is that got them to the point of having over 1,000 subscribers?!
Anyway, both your meals look amazing. I’ve never made anything with puff pastry before. You are one brave and creative gal!
I really know what you mean, Sophia, and I give you kudos for having the courage to say it!
You totally crack me up! I had to laugh out loud at the “bonus” substance in the choriozo, and also at what you said your pastry ball looked like!
Your blog always brightens my day!
Ohh geeze- I am guilty. As. Charged. Lol, since I’ve only really discovered the blogosphereee in Sept- I often get caught up with blogging and all the trends, products, etc. I’ve even referred to certain blogs to my parents as being part of a certain “clique”. WTF?! YES. Haha.
I actually found all the healthy living blogs after I joined Food Buzz. I consider my blog a part of a lot of labels you’ve named- baker, healthy living, food blog, cook, organic, raw, blah blah blah. I read em all too. In my reader I even organize it by type, friend, etc. So ridic. But this is a lovely written post anyhow.
I find the theme of highschool makes its way into a lot more places than just the blogospere though. The workplace, the gym, church, etc. I like the way Emily Blunt’s character said it in “The Jane Austen Book Club” movie, she says “High school’s never over.” So so true. Unfortunately.
P.S. This recipe is ridic! Serious food porn, as well as awesoommee usage of sweet potato, kale, chorizo and puff pastry. As a cook, I adore this recipe. Awesome job.
FAB post, as usual!
Although only one portion of my site has anything to do w/ food, I do peruse some food blogs (obviously
).
I think Larabars taste pretty okay, but I DON’T get them b/c they have VERY little protein in them… at least in my opinion.
I prefer a chemically-grown Think Thin or Zone Bar with some protein in that sucker!
You are such an amazing cook! I wish I had that sense to combine flavors and make such delicious meals.
My blasphemous feelings? I don’t like Larabars either or canned pumpkin. Also confession: I love peanut butter, but have never tried it with oatmeal! LOL
You truly are amazing. I’ve been having a tough couple of days and reading this post really put me in a much better mood (which will definitely make focusing on finals easier)
THANKS!
Nicole G
Ok being that I Am #86!!!!!!! there’s prob nothing I can add. But I totally agree w/ you about popularity, h.s. ish at times, food fads, etc. I have to eat the way I have to eat b/c of my food intolerances. I cannot eat many foods that are popular, and other foods, even though they are popular, Ive been eating them for years b/c I, well, need to or choose to. I love your sentiments. Gosh, I have wanted to post something like this for a long time, but frankly, have kinda been scared of the backlash. I’m glad you werent, and did it! Great job!!!
High school mentality never ends. It’s even alive in the working world. McD’s fries and hot dogs are GREAT! Those will never be given up. Love your puff pastry use. We just used ours this weekend, and it was a success!
Sophia, I love you girl. You took the words right out of my mouth. I’ve noticed so many trends in blogworld – its crazy. My blasphemous things:
~ Since recovering from my ED, I now eat chicken and fish. Without remorse or guilt.
~I eat and enjoy frozen meals at work
~I love REAL candy like york peppermint patties and almond joys or Dove bars. I really don’t care for the fancy stuff.
I also can’t stand the idea of a Green Monster. If I want a smoothie or a milkshake – its going to be a real one! Not some spinach and milk concoction.
I won’t deny that I’ve fallen for a lot of the trends around blogland (e.g. green monsters, but definitely not as breakfast!), but there are just some things that I refuse to try, like protein powder or hemp powder or wheat grass. Not only is that stuff expensive, but I just don’t think it would be a worthy investment! I’d rather spend my money on foods that I truly enjoy, like nut butter and yogurt and granola and chocolate. Mmmm. Most of the stuff I buy isn’t organic either, just the occasional “specialty” foods from Whole Foods or TJ’s. I do like reading about new foods other bloggers are trying though—it gives me some new, reviewed territory to explore. I do hate stuff that other bloggers seem to love, though, like Clif Bars and Lunabars and those “grass” bars… blech. Either too sweet or too grassy—yuck!
I’ve only had chorizo once (on pizza).
It was delicious. But that chorizo… ummm… x_x “Bonus” substance?? I’ve never done much with puff pastry either. Your meal is so damn cute! 
oh I LOVE how you used the puff pastries! they look incredible! and I also love your list about blogging! I’ve only been doing it since july and it is crazy what a whole world it is with just food blogs!
that’s one delicious asshole
this post just made my day. love it
xoxo,
Amy
Good luck on your exams! Your “crack” at what the pastry looks like really did make me laugh out loud. In fact, I woke my father up! haha Honestly, though, it looked fabulous to me.
This post cracked me up! And I totally agree. Larabars are disgusting. Greek yogurt is revolting. I can’t afford organic. Hummus is eh.
This was basically hilarious.
First – you’re right. Blog world is like high school all over again. Heck, the adult world is like high school all over again. You never escape it. Ever. How you choose to engage, is another thing entirely. And I choose not to engage, thank you very much.
Second – this recipe? I think my kids might even eat it. Copying it down right now! Thanks!
hehe, I love McDonald’s (Burger King more) and hot dogs too (um, bacon cheese dogs? Heaven!). Hummus is gross and I like pb, but I can only take so much of it. I go through like 1 jar a year and that’s mostly in cookies.
As a girl in high school, I definitely understand what you are getting at! I never really feel pressure in the blog world, and if I do, I dismiss it as soon as the thought enters my mind. I just love trying all the new delicious foods and learning new health tips and ideas
You are so talented–that looks amazing!!
I HATE amazing grass. It has possibly turned me away from green monsters. EEEKKKKKKK!!!
<3 jess
xoxo
Yes, the blogosphere is definitely a lot like high school with all the cliques and stuff, a good observation. Your puff pastry with a hole made me smile, but it’s a great recipe concept, too bad about the chorizo. I’ve been actually thinking of making series of posts on “5 star foodie confessions”. I have too many to share in one comment
Amen! I also like McDonald’s, and I’m not afraid to admit it!
I like like like like like this post! (facebook style)
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
{ 8 trackbacks }