Happen Bakers: Jordan Pavia

New year, new Happen Bakers time!  In case you're unfamiliar with this series, check out what I just linked, and you'll see the other young ladies I've featured so far, all of whom share a passion for baking and a desire to use their talents in a positive way.  It's been such a pleasure for me to get to know these girls via their emails, recipes and photos... and the latest Happen Baker is no exception.

Meet Jordan... an almost 24 year-old nursing student living in the DC area.  She grew up in New York and majored in Exercise Science and Nutrition at George Washington University.  Cooking and baking has always been a love of hers, but as soon as she had her own kitchen and space to create, that passion grew and inspired her to start this beautiful Instagram account (follow, follow!).  With a focus on plant-based foods, her dishes are fresh and vibrant, and she strives to make her healthy sweets as delicious as they can be (just wait until you see the recipe below).

What I love most about Jordan is her outlook on baking, and how that translates to a positive frame of mind.  She finds every dessert "worth celebrating" and loves how even the simplest treat can brighten someone's day.  If we all transferred that thought process to kind acts, what a world this would be!  The icing on the cake?  She's pursuing her dream as a Labor and Delivery nurse, and that fact almost makes me want to have another baby (but I'd have to give birth in DC so she could be there).  That profession is a pretty selfless one...and Jordan sure does fit the profile.

Keep reading below to learn more about her, and for her delicious Almond Joy Macaroon recipe!        

When did you start baking?

Ever since I was little, I remember my mom whipping up a batch of ooey, gooey chocolatey brownies for every event we celebrated - holidays, birthday parties, getting our braces off.  Even though they were derived from a box of brownie mix rather than from scratch, she added a special ingredient (marshmallows! plus lots of love, of course) that turned those squares of goodness from simple to scrumptious and memorable for any crowd.  It showed me early on that making something sweet and delicious did not have to be difficult, and I was inspired to make every dessert worth celebrating.  I began baking independently in high school for teachers and friends, then in college and nursing school while experimenting with recipes for my Instagram, @littleveggielady.

How did you learn?

While many of my friends were watching their favorite shows on the Disney Channel, I was tuning into the Food Network!  Since I was young, I have been fascinated by cooking shows and reading cooking blogs to more fully understand how things are made, what flavors work well together, how to make it all look pretty.  If you lose me in a book store, chances are you will find me in the cookbook section!  

What do you love most about it?

Most of my baking has been done while away from home in NY for friends in college or nursing school.  What I love most about baking is the idea that my kitchen is always there - no matter how unfortunate the day might have been, how stressed out I am feeling, or how much I need an activity to take my mind off of something.  And that no matter what went wrong that day or how uncertain I am about something, following the steps of a recipe - mixing flour with sugar and oil - will lead to something delicious.  Some of my best creations have been after my worst days!  

  

What's the most challenging thing you've attempted?

I have recently chosen to consume more plant-based dairy products in my diet, and a lot of my friends have gluten and lactose sensitivities.  This has inspired me to bake with different flours (almond, coconut, oat) and replacements for milk and eggs in order to make sure the special people in my life could try the recipes.  Taking this into account while also making sure everything I was baking was still delicious for all has been a challenge and something I am continuing to focus on in my kitchen.  

What's your dream dessert?

My favorite dessert has always been a big, fat chocolate chip cookie.  And if it turned into bookends for a creamy scoop of ice cream - even dreamier!  

Name 3 celebrities you'd love to bake with...

I would choose Giada de Laurentiis, Martha Stewart, and Kate Middleton (not sure if Kate bakes, but if she took care of the tea, I would bring the treats!).  

Most epic kitchen fail?

Boy, I have had many burnt cookies and cakes that have fallen flat in my short baking career.  This spring, I was making homemade whipped cream to pair with strawberries for the last hospital clinical day of nursing school.  I was using a Kitchenaid mixer for the first time ever (the most beautiful kitchen gadget, in my opinion), and I think I was so excited I got distracted...the next thing I know my whipped cream had whipped to butter!  Oops!

Any favorite songs you listen to in the kitchen?

Embarrassingly enough, I tend not to listen to music; instead, I talk to myself and pretend I am filming my own cooking show by narrating the steps of each recipe I am experimenting with.  However, I would probably choose songs from my favorite artists (Zac Brown Band, Taylor Swift) to make time spent in my "happy place" a little happier.  

Favorite food site or YouTube channel?

Most of the accounts I follow on social media are food bloggers or food content related, however my favorite is tuning into the Today Show each morning and watching my favorite cooks and bakers (like Siri!) before starting my day.  My dream is to be in that kitchen one day!  

When you're not baking, you are...

Teaching or practicing yoga (to balance out all my baking), exploring the evolving food scene in Washington DC, or living out my dream of delivering babies as a Labor and Delivery nurse.  

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

One of my resolutions for 2019 is to live in the moment and stay present, however I am naturally a dreamer and a planner in every aspect of my life.  If I could see myself in 10 years, I would picture a happy, healthy girl who has spent the decade learning, traveling, and surrounding myself with loving people and good food - the perfect recipe for the best kind of life!  

Almond Joy Macaroons by Jordan Pavia

Printable Recipe

Macaroons: 

1 1/2 cups almond or coconut flour

3 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 cup slivered, unsalted almonds

1/2 teaspoon salt (I like Himalayan pink salt)

3/4 cup maple syrup

4 egg whites (or 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp of liquid egg whites)

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Coating:

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all macaroon ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Using a small ice cream scooper (or your own two hands!), scoop batter and form balls to place onto a cookie sheet.  

Bake about 10-12 minutes or until edges are a crispy, golden brown.  Set aside to cool.

When macaroons are almost fully cooled, prepare the chocolate sauce: melt coconut oil first in the microwave, then place chocolate chips in same bowl.  Temper the chocolate (or melt in the microwave in 30 second increments) until smooth and creamy.  

Once completely cooled, dip bottom of macaroons in chocolate sauce and drizzle remaining sauce over the tops.  Let them set at room temperature for at least 10 minutes or place in the fridge to allow chocolate to harden.  Enjoy!  

Thank you, Jordan, for brightening our day!