When I moved to Chicago I used to sit on the bus during my commute and marvel over the simple fact that I lived here.
It was ironic, really, considering that I had spent the past four years in the epic “city that never sleeps” but I would stare at Lake Michigan with the same awe that I might give a UFO that landed on my front lawn.
I could never get enough of the skyline, soaking it in morning and night.
The names of the streets enthralled me as I let automated prompts on the city buses correct my pronunciation for Halsted, Paulina and Wabash.
I tried earnestly to memorize the streets’ coordinates so I could pretend that I knew where I was going without Google maps. I don’t want to think about how much money I’m sure I spent taking cabs.
Yet, last week I found myself longing for something. Something that I can’t put my finger on and something that for about three days, I thought I must have left in New York.
When I lived on the East coast I didn’t love it. I felt like I was missing something elsewhere and if the past eight months have shown me anything, it’s that I was right. This is the place for me right now.
Yet, last week, in a convergence of thoughts, I found myself wondering about what life would have been like if New York had worked for me.
If just maybe, I had done something-I don’t know what-maybe anything differently I could have made it work for me.
I called the feeling nostalgia and hoped it would pass and it has – mostly.
What it’s left me with is a feeling that I might not be vehemently opposed to considering moving back someday… maybe. It’s left me with this part-anxiety provoking/part-exciting sensation of not knowing what’s coming next.
Though I might not be able to predict where I’ll be five years from now or where I’ll be ten years from now, I can tell you where you’ll find me again very, very soon.
I will be here.
And I will be making Blackberry Slump.
This is the perfect finish to a dinner party or large meal when the oven is already in use. Also perfect for evenings when it’s an oven-unfriendly 100 degrees outside, but you need to unload some extra fruit into a dessert.
Fruit Layer- 4½ cups fresh blackberries (or a combination of blackberries and halved strawberries)
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
Dumplings- 1 cup unbleached white flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
Topping (optional)- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of ground nutmet
- pinch of ground black pepper
- Combine the blackberries, sugar and orange juice in a cast-iron or otherwise oven-safe skillet. Cover with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil and set aside.
- Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg. Stir in the orange peel, if using, until well-distributed. Add the melted butter and the buttermilk and stir only until the liquid is absorbed; mixing the soft, sticky dough just barely enough will make the lightest dumplings.
- If making the topping, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper in a small cup or bowl. Set aside.
- Bring the blackberry mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat. Drop large spoonfuls of the dumpling batter on top of the simmering fruit until all of the batter is used. Sprinkle the sugar topping over the dumplings. Cover tightly and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the dumplings are puffed and feel dry to the touch but are not browned. Don't remove the lid until the end of the cooking time or the steaming dumplings will deflate and toughen.
- To cool, uncover the slump and set it on a rack for about 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, spooned into individual serving bowls and topped with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
13 Comments
DesignerForever
August 27, 2010 at 9:55 amThat spiced ginger pear pie looks fabulous to me. Love ginger, pears and well, you have me at “pie”, period! Thanks Maris…
Steve
August 26, 2010 at 7:58 amThe colors alone make me want to try this dish.
Steve
August 24, 2010 at 4:53 pmThis sounds absolutely great. What a good mix of flavors. Never had Slumps before but I will sure try them.
RebeccaC
August 17, 2010 at 10:39 amLooking at this the first thought that pops into my head is “purple passion”. Yum.
Even the most settled of us can get restless and/or nostalgic for another place. For me thats usually a sign that I need to plan a weekend trip to said place to remind myself why I loved it…and why I left ; )
Maryann
August 16, 2010 at 5:53 pmOMG sounds unbelievable!!!
Sarah Caron
August 8, 2010 at 9:56 amBeautiful post, Maris. I know the feelings you describe so eloquently … and the East Coast would be lucky to have you back. Someday.
grace
August 8, 2010 at 7:16 amnyc isn’t for everyone! for me, i’ve been there, done that, and don’t need to go back. i enjoyed your thoughtful post (and stellar recipe…). 🙂
Sues
August 7, 2010 at 5:47 pmThis blackberry slump looks like it would be enough to get you out of any slump! I’ve lived in Boston my entire life, but I still look around it often and think “wow, I live here!” It’s such a good feeling. Sometimes I dream of moving away to somewhere new, but I’m just too happy!
Kerstin
August 7, 2010 at 1:34 pmThis really makes me miss Chicago 🙁 Boston just doesn’t compare. Love this dessert too!
Daryl
August 7, 2010 at 10:02 amYou are one heck of a writer. Heartfelt, expressive and also a heck of a cook. Yes please come home and cook for me! Kidding-just be happy wherever you are-it should come from within
Joanne
August 7, 2010 at 12:11 amAhhh yes move back to NY! (I am biased. Because I want you to come and make blackberry slump for me. It looks amazing.)
heather @ chiknpastry
August 6, 2010 at 2:06 pmIt’s easy to fall in love with Chicago, but after 6 years, i’m wondering if this is home forever, or just home for a little longer. tricky how trips away from home get us thinking eh?
DessertForTwo
August 6, 2010 at 12:59 pmWow, Maris. This post really spoke to me. I grew up in Texas and moved to California 4 years ago. Sometimes I experience strong nostalgia and it stays with me for weeks. Sometimes I wake up and I want to move back to the South. Other days, I see the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco and I absolutely love it here. I think this is normal-when you leave home, you will always wonder if you should have. I hope this feeling goes away over time, but I doubt it.
P.S. Slumps are delicious! 🙂