Greetings from the Maine woods (I love saying that!),
This is my first post since I’ve started cooking at Little Lyford Lodge. I’m still with the Appalachian Mountain Club, but have traveled a few miles down the road to be the head cook over here. I’ve been settling in quite nicely here at Little Lyford. I was a bit worried that after loafing around at home for a month I might be a little rusty coming back, but the opposite occurred. The month at home allowed me the chance to recharge my batteries, and I came back swinging. It feels like I have more energy than ever and have happily been flipping classics like blueberry pancakes; while coming up with spins on others, like banana battered french toast. Dinners have included new creations like southwestern fish cakes, and of course the classic anytime chicken. I’ve also been baking bread like it’s my job (oh wait, it is!).
In between I’ve been exploring the new area. When I arrived and left the Maine woods back in December and March respectively, they were covered in snow. Snow was all I knew! When I returned at the beginning of May the snow was gone, for the most part. When I was cooking at Gorman Chairback Lodge, I’d make breakfast for the guests and then on my break cross-country ski over to Little Lyford for lunch, before skiing back in time to fix dinner. As much as I liked that and snowshoeing, I am happy to be able to just go for a walk without a winter jacket. I’ve discovered ponds, and mountains, and a few unexpected things along the way.
My days have gone quickly since I’ve been up here; between pots of strong coffee and zucchini basil muffins for breakfast, venturing up Indian Mountain, kneading dough for eight loaves of bread, browning butter, canoeing, making a soufflé for the first time (a corn one to go along with chimichurri roast turkey), hearing a bittern’s gutteral call rattle from the pond, and many other meals and adventures, I’ve only just realized that if I don’t start writing about it this season will pass me by like the last with only a few peeps posted here and there. So here is the first peep about chocolate, in hopefully a string of peeps.
One of my favorite desserts to come out of my kitchen is this Chocolate Walnut Cinnamon Torte. Several people have asked for the recipe, and I finally took the time the other day to write it down. I make it relatively often up here, and it just happens to be gluten-free. The original is scribbled on a chocolate stained 2 x 2 scrap of paper with little explanation, and I tinker with it each time I make it. I’ve dusted it with powdered sugar, dressed it up with chocolate ganache, birthday’ed it up by layering whipped cream between two cakes and then topping it with more chocolate ganache. In those iterations I made it with almonds, but this is by far my favorite one. The toasted walnuts add depth to the chocolate flavor, and the small slump that occurs in the cake as it cools begs to be filled with whipped cream and more walnuts. I wrote the recipe out at the request of a young guest, and when I handed it to her she exclaimed, “It’s HANDWRITTEN!” Her excitement made me smile. So I hope you don’t mind, but in the spirit of her exuberance at receiving it, here is a copy of those very pages.
Handwritten recipes and many adventures to you,
Amy

Amy, I was just at Little Lyford and enjoyed your delicious cooking especially the delicious chocolate walnut torte. I am excited to have the recipe and make it, particularly as it is gluten-free. One question, you call for 2/3 cup of sugar, but I can only see where you have used 1/3 cup. Did I miss something? I am sure it will be yummy either way. Little Lyford was heaven.
Thanks for catching that! You add the other 1/3 cup of sugar to the egg whites. So glad you enjoyed your stay here, happy baking!
Amy, I enjoyed reading your inspirations about cooking and living in the Maine woods. Will certainly try to make some of these wonderful recipes. Is that Anadama bread? My husbands favorite! I am also a cook and always looking for new things to try. My son works at Bradfrod camps on Munsungun so we are no strangers to the ways of Maine life in the woods with all it’s trials and tribulations. Our family is avid outdoor lovers. I will keep following, until then Bon Apetit’ and Happy Sunny Day! Barb R. Can we come for dinner?
Glad to hear you love the woods as much as I do! That is a pesto bread; although, I’m going to make a large batch of Anadama bread soon!
This looks lovely! And the Maine woods look freaking spectacular!
Thank ‘ya! The woods are quite lovely!
Amy-
Your photography and writing are wonderful! I am a fan.
A.K.
😀 Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it- it makes me feel a bit closer to home to share it!
H i Amy, I I love your posts. They always make me hungry. I hope all is well with you. Sorry we did not get a chance to see you before you were back in Maine.
Love Aunt Andi
Thanks, Aunt Andi! Hopefully we’ll have a chance to catch-up this summer, I may make it back once or twice.