Mini-batch Dutch Baby

I’m dedicating this recipe to my beloved first best friend, Nehir Kilic, who I lost in August 2024, at the very young age of 41.

I woke up this morning to the news, and felt confused and defeated. My plan was to make a dutch baby for lunch, something special for the weekend. I almost gave up on this plan, but then Gav reminded me

“Grief is the price we pay for love” — Queen Elizabeth II

I loved her. We didn’t have the most perfect relationship. We separated for college (this was a time before social media) and then we ended up in two different sides of the world. Ended up communicating way too sporadically. Happy birthday, and all that.

But the children in us both, loved each other, forever and unconditionally.

I wish I told her I missed her more.

I miss playing the recorder and studying English with her. I miss choreographing girl band dances and being so good at everything that the teachers would even let us skip Math to do it. I miss laughing so hard that our knees would buckle and we would crawl back into the classroom with achy cheeks and tears in our eyes. I miss playing volleyball with her (especially with a juice box as the ball, don’t ask me how it worked, it did – until eventually the box would pop and the juice would splatter on someone). Watching Cilgin Bedis while on the landline together secretly from our parents who could hardly afford to foot the bill. I even miss putting ice and lotion on each other’s sunburns and being unable to sleep with pain after the first day at the pool (this was also a time before awareness about sun screen). I miss being girls with her, feeling care-free, strong and indestructible.

And I still cannot believe she let me convince her into shaving half her head with me in rebellion and commitment to being alternative.

I wish I told her that I showed her instagram to my daughter and she thought she looked like Cilgin Bedis, our one and only hero.

I’m now putting all this out into the universe where she now belongs “everywhere”, so maybe she’ll hear my message. And if you’re reading this, go tell someone what I wish I told Nehir more often:

I love you.

And instead of mourning you today, my friend, I will celebrate the fact that I was so lucky to have your unique touch of magic in my life.

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Back to the recipe at hand. The single-serving dutch baby.

I made the dutch baby because I needed to celebrate today, while I’m still here, with the ones I love, and that is something to recognize.

It’s hard to focus on how delicious this was right now, but trust me, it came out really awesome.

You’ll create a simple yet fluffy pancake batter and top your warm buttery blueberries (sub any other fruit you like, berries are great in this) then bake the whole thing. You can also use an air fryer, maybe reduce baking time a few minutes.

Top with some sprinkle of powder sugar, maple syrup, whip cream, ice cream or if eating for breakfast/snacks drizzle some nut butter and you are all set.

All the nutritious ingredients in this treat / breakfast will power you up for hours. Do make sure to add some protein on the side.

Let me know if you give this “celebrate still being here” dutch baby recipe a try.