Giveaway Winner

I was all set to make Patty Melts yesterday and announce the giveaway winner when... STOMACH BUG ATTACKED.  Me.  Stomach bug attacked me.  The photo above is from last week, when it attacked my son.  Yup, we've been all BRAT diet up in here for awhile now.  

So... enough of that talk... the Madhava Baking Mixes + Syrups Giveaway Winner is, Leah Jill!  Please email me (contact info in above tabs) and we'll get you your prize.  Thank you all for participating!  Stay healthy pretty please. 

Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Dear Audra of The Baker Chick,
WTF.  I can't handle how good these are.
THESE ARE SO GOOD.

You all know how much I love chocolate.  I will ALWAYS pick a chocolate driven dessert over something else.  The more of it the better.  And these cookies - they have SO MUCH chocolaty goodness.  With minimal, simple ingredients and NO butter, oil, egg yolks or flour (they're healthy!) I would like to proclaim these cookies as MAGIC.  And definitely opt for the "optional" sea salt topping, you won't regret it.  The chewiness of the rich chocolate cookie paired with the salt give them a hint of caramel flavor, I don't know how.  See what I mean?  Magic.  

Thank you Baker Chick!  (If you missed link above, recipe here.)  

Madhava Baking Mixes + Syrups Giveaway!

I'm sorry I haven't been around this week... both kids have been sick, we took a surprise day trip to Disneyland and mostly... getting ready for a MASSIVE cross-country move!  I will be back next week, with cookies and patty melts and more.  Maybe something healthy.

But let's talk about this giveaway!  One of my favorite brands, Madhava, recently came out with new products: organic baking mixes, organic coffee syrups and organic pancake syrups!  They are offering a lucky reader one of EACH of the above (with the exception of the brownie mix which isn't out yet).  I recently tried two of the mixes and fell in love.  If you're like me, and sometimes feel guilty using boxed baking mixes because of the overly-sweet, processed nature of the food, you don't have to feel that way with Madhava's products!  They are organic, made with ancient grains and natural sweeteners and low-glycemic.  Most importantly, they taste AMAZING...      

Please comment below to win, and let me know which product you're most excited to try.  

*You must be an official follower of this blog to qualify, and a winner will be chosen on Wednesday, 2/26, at 8am PST.  Good luck!

White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Truffles

I've blogged 3 times today.  DID YOU JUST FALL DOWN??  I know, I'm surprised too.  But I couldn't let Valentine's Day go by without sharing these creamy, delightful little bites of white chocolate.  I followed this recipe and added 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla paste to the ganache.  The edible hearts can be purchased here.  I wrapped them up and sent them off to school with Jack as gifts for his teachers, otherwise I'd be here sitting on the floor with white chocolate all over my face.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Healthy V-Day Treats

I've already introduced you to my sister-in-law Jessica's blog, One Hungry Yogi, but now let me introduce you to my sister Georgia's new blog, Inspired Spoons (you've met her before, by the way). Georgia is a junior at Syracuse studying Nutrition and Dietetics.  I had no idea how to spell that word, by the way, but I SWEAR we're related.  She is my youngest sister, and probably a thousand times smarter (and healthier) than me.  Check out her blog, like her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram - her food is truly beautiful and inspiring!  In case you're not convinced, here are some Valentine's Day treats from both Jessica and Georgia... you're welcome. 

Raw Strawberry Tart ~ One Hungry Yogi

Strawberry Banana Cashew "Nice Cream" ~ Inspired Spoons

I Heart You.

What are you up to on this Valentine's Day?  I am busy wrapping up White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Truffles for Jack's teachers, and that is about as romantical (made up word) as I get, sorry Carson.  But I do enjoy making treats for holidays, so here are a few ideas from me to you... 

Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Chocolate Raspberry Pie Pops

Also, ideas from years past... here and here.

Stay tuned later on today for some figure-friendly ideas from my sister's blogs, as well as those non-figure-friendly vanilla truffles.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Roasted Broccoli and Hummus Toasts

You guys know how much I like broccoli, so it should be no surprise that this might be my new favorite appetizer in the history of the World of Appetizers.  There's a world, it exists.  I was inspired by a recipe in Bon Appetit for Spiced Sweet Potato and Roasted Broccoli Toasts, and I adapted it to fit the ingredients I had on hand.  You probably have these ingredients on hand, too!  It was such a fun departure from plain old cheese and crackers, NOT that there's anything wrong with that (hashtag: Wisconsin Alumni).  The basil and lemon juice brightened the whole thing up, and the toasted pine nuts paired perfectly with the flavors in the hummus.  It's an easy starter dish that you could prepare ahead of time and throw on warm toast at the last minute.  And then you will be crowned Queen of the World of Appetizers.

Roasted Broccoli and Hummus Toasts

(Makes 12 toasts)

Printable Recipe

1 head broccoli, chopped into florets

6 T olive oil, divided, plus more for bread

Sea salt and pepper

1 T lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)

1 heaping T fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted until golden brown

3 slices sourdough toast (or a dozen slices from a baguette)

Hummus

Preheat oven to 425.  Toss broccoli with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast for 15-20 minutes.  Let cool, and then coarsely chop (turn oven down to 400).  In a medium bowl, toss chopped broccoli with lemon juice, basil and pine nuts.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Brush olive oil on both sides of bread, and toast in the oven until golden brown, flipping once.  Spread desired amount of hummus on toast, and top with broccoli mixture.  Cut into fourths and serve warm.

*Broccoli can be prepared ahead of time, but appetizer tastes best when toasts are warm.    

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

What is wrong with me.  Why do I do this to myself.  Didn't I learn in elementary school to use question marks when asking questions.  I'm too lazy to use proper grammar, because I have too much cookie dough swimming around in my brain.  I blame sick kids, and rain, and stir craziness, and lack of eggs.  It was really that last part that reminded me of this Eggless Cookie Dough (also remember these lollipops?).  It's the PERFECT thing to make when you have a cookie craving and no eggs in your fridge.  Yesterday, I added 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter to the butter/sugar mixture.  I also melted half of them in a chocolaty peanut butter (1 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter).  And now I have about a thousand of each in my freezer.  Good thing it's Valentine's Day next week, so I can hand these out to anyone I even remotely like.  Guess what?!  I remotely like you.  What's your address? 

Peanut Sesame Noodles + Homemade Sriracha

Lately, I've been wanting to eat take-out Chinese food from those paper cartons.  I want to shovel food in my mouth using chopsticks, like they do in the movies when something bad happens.  I'm not saying I want something bad to happen, I just want to enjoy a lot of Chinese take-out, in my mouth, while watching Pretty Woman.  Is that okay with you?

Problem is, there is not great take-out Chinese in the Santa Monica area (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).  So I had to make my own version of Asian-style take-out, even if I was paper carton-less.  I followed this recipe for Peanut Sesame Noodles, and they were delicious!  The sauce was everything I wanted it to be - smooth, spicy, nutty with a hint of sweet.  But what made it excellent was the Homemade Sriracha I stirred it all together with.  A good friend, Marianne, makes her own and hands them out as gifts and I'm telling you, the store-bought version does not come close. She shared her recipe with us below... yay!

Homemade Sriracha

(Makes 1 jar)

Printable Recipe

Adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter

1 1/4 cups peeled garlic

1 pound red jalapeños, steamed and sliced into thin rings (seeds removed - the more seeds: the hotter the sauce)

2 1/4 cups rice vinegar

1/4 cup brown rice syrup

2 T sea salt

1 T arrowroot

1 T fish sauce (or soy sauce)

In a small sauce pan, add garlic and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and immediately drain.  Cool the garlic under running water and return it to saucepan.  Cover again with water and repeat blanching process. 

Thinly slice the blanched garlic and combine with jalapeños and vinegar in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, cook for 3 minutes and then remove from heat.  Add the brown rice syrup and salt and stir to combine.  Let the mixture sit undisturbed for 1 hour to steep and cool. 

Whiz the mixture in a powerful blender until smooth.  Return the pureed sauce to the pot, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, skimming off any foam until the sauce is slightly reduced and has some body.      

In a small bowl, dissolve the arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of lukewarm water.  Whisk into the simmering sauce and cool for 2 minutes more or until sauce has thickened.  

Remove the sauce from heat, let it cool slightly and stir in the fish sauce.  Store in a screw top jar in the fridge for up to 6 months. 

I chose to toss my Peanut Noodles with diced red bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, cilantro and chopped peanuts.

Three Cheese Hot Artichoke Dip

Good day to you!  How were your Super Bowl Sundays?  Were you so bored with the game that you ate way more than you should have?  I did.  And I'm usually bored with football so imagine boredom on top of boredom on top of multiple dips on top of multiple chips.  One appetizer that I consumed too much of was this Artichoke Dip my sister made.  It's a Paula Deen recipe (posted here), so you know it's going to be, well, worthy of Super Bowl eating (that's a polite way of saying full of cheese and mayo).  Although halfway through the game I started dipping carrots in it, so that's halfway healthy, right?  My sister did a few things differently - she used 2 cans of artichokes instead of 1, added some garlic salt and omitted the Worcestershire sauce.  It really is a crowd-pleasing dish so I suggest you bookmark this for the next time you're bored with sports and want to eat a lot.   

"THE Chocolate Chip Cookie"

It might be absurd how many chocolate chip cookies I've baked on this blog.  MIGHT, because then again, can a painter use TOO many shades of blue to depict our lovely sky?  Are there TOO many ways to arrange musical notes to create a beautiful song??  Do you see what I'm getting at?!  Cookies are art, and they should be expressed in as many ways as possible.  I am merely playing the role of artist (say that like you're a French person), and the oven is my instrument.  The chocolate chip is my voice and the... okay I'll stop now.  

I'm basically trying to justify my behavior by making myself sound sophisticated.  

What happens is, when I read that someone has found THE chocolate chip cookie, I have to try it.  Which is exactly what I did yesterday.  This cookie was described as "unbelievably chewy" and "the perfect softness."  But what really stirred my interest was the addition of cornstarch.  Two teaspoons, claiming to give the cookies an "unbelievable lift."  

I'm not sure about the lift (mine were the perfect thickness - but I also like to press my cookies down slightly before baking them), but this cookie was pretty incredible.  Definitely soft and unbelievably chewy - with that crackled exterior I love in a cookie.  You should try them (recipe linked above), and then while you're at it... try some of my other favorite chocolate chip cookies I've made on this blog:
       

Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Saveur's Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Strawberry Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

The Super Bowl usually falls right around (if not on) my birthday each year.  Which means, I'm pretty blessed with excuses to eat everything I want on that day/week.  This year, I want to try frying pickles, this pizza, and these cupcakes are pretty incredible, too.  Also, the sandwich above!  If you're feeding a crowd for the big game, you must try this fantastically easy recipe from Weelicious.  I think  your family pet could throw this together, that's how simple it is.  Four bone-in, skinless chicken breasts (the butcher at the grocery store can remove the skin for you), 1 cup of good BBQ sauce and a slow cooker.  Done.  Cook on low for 2 and a half hours, shred, serve.  I had leftovers for days which we turned into pizza, quesadillas and simply picked at with our fingers.  Here's the recipe if you need further information, but your pet is making this and your pet can't read, so...

p.s. Super Bowl snack ideas from last year.

p.p.s. Corn on the Cob Cupcakes

Chocolate Yogurt Bundt Cake

I am a very picky chocolate cake eater.  If it's dry, or too bread-like, well then… no.  NO!  It must be moist, not overly sweet but not overly bitter and VERY chocolaty.  Chocolate chips and/or chocolate icing are a bonus.  I become irrationally nervous when I try out a new recipe, as I was yesterday, but I found one that DID NOT disappoint!  I used this recipe with several adaptions: brewed coffee instead of water, whole milk plain yogurt instead of sour cream, no glaze - but I did add a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter.  It came out better than I could have imagined, to the point where I cannot stop eating it.  I keep pretending that I'm British and that it's tea time and that I should accompany my tea with cake.  I don't drink tea.  I just eat cake, a lot.  

Baked Ziti

In this week's edition of "Random Things You Should Know About Me" (that's not a thing), I love pretending that I'm an Italian grandmother.  I like to imagine myself slaving away in the kitchen all day, making family favorite recipes I know by heart, adding my secret components that I'll only tell one deserving grandchild before I die (the one who sends me the most text messages).  Until I reach that status, I will try out recipes online that only take an hour from start to finish.  Like this Baked Ziti, made with love and tons of cheese.  If you're ever cooking for a crowd, check out The Pioneer Woman's recipes.  She often times cooks for small armies, and her food is divine.  I made this with just sausage, and otherwise followed the recipe to a T.  My one note: go splurge on good cheese at a local cheese shop or Italian market, you won't regret it.

Now get out of my kitchen before I spank you!  

(That's how they talk, right?)      

Oh, hello Ricotta and Parmesan and Mozzarella and Egg.

Leftovers for days...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Bites

I don't know how to dress anymore.  I was just in New York, dealing with Polar Vortexes and bundling up my kids until you could only see their eyeballs.  Now I'm in California and it's summer.  It's slathered sunscreen, AC blasting in car, HOT summer.  In January.  These little no-bake treats are perfect for such weather, but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy them in the tundra.  They're delicious.  You most likely have all the ingredients in your pantry, and they take NO time to put together.  Your kids can help roll them into balls, and you can make them as big or as small as you want!  My vote is small, because then you won't feel guilty for eating 5 in a row.  They are so creamy, with a slight crunch from the cereal, and the mini chocolate chips make them just sweet enough.  You need to make these, whether you're wearing too many clothes or too little.

Recipe HERE.