Monday, October 29, 2012

hurricane cookies

You've seen it on the news, and if you haven't, turn the television on! Hurricane Sandy is here in full force, and cycling around the tri-state area. As I'm sure most of you can relate to, I'm working from home today. As much as the hurricane scares me, it is nice to have a day off from work (though I'm still hooked tightly into my email). Being home has also given me a chance to catch up on my baking. Just before the storm hit, in addition to doing my normal food shop to stock up for the week, I also bought a bunch of baking supplies. So far, I've made cookies and a bread, and it looks like cupcakes may be in my future. As long as I have power, the baked goods are definitely going to keep on coming. Baking not only calms my nerves, but if I'm going to be stuck inside, I might as well have something yummy to eat (My roommate made us spinach hummus for lunch)!!

These cookies are chock full of yummy. They are filled with chunks, plus are soft on the inside and just a little crispy on the outside. They are perfect hurricane cookies; very filling, and even (a little) healthy! While you still have power, cuddle up with a warm cup of tea and a cookie. If anyone wants to come join us as we hunker down, we have cookies! I can't promise there will be any left after the storm is over, but I will certainly make these again. These little balls of goodness are keeping my tummy and my head happy. I hope everyone stays safe and warm!


Sandy, these cookies are for you.

Hurricane Cookies

1 stick (4 oz) butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup gf flour mix (all purpose flour can be used here as well)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (I used gf- make sure you check to see if they're labeled!)
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips



pre
post (thank goodness we still have electricity!)
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until very smooth
In a different bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
Stir your dry ingredients into your wet
Once combined, gently fold in the oats and chips
Chill your dough for 30 minutes in the fridge
While chilling, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees
Remove the dough and roll into 1.5 in balls and place 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet
Bake the cookies for about 11 minutes (if you are baking two trays at once, switch their position in the oven half way through
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to sit for a few minutes on the cookie sheet
Transfer to a cooling rack, and enjoy!!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

roll it up

There is something so yummy about a wrap (or a roll). I love being able to wrap something delicious up in a handy little package and take a big bite of yummy. Whether it is on the go, or sitting down for dinner, you can always get something good in a wrap. When ingredients are all rolled up together just right, they are fun to hold and even more fun to eat.

I also think rolls, be it sushi or a yummy taco, can be an amazingly fun dinner activity. I love cooking, and having friends over for dinner, so what could be better than a fun and easy food to make together? By having a make your own taco party, or roll your own sushi party, your friends can cook along with you, with out the complicated prep. It is also fun for everyone to be able to put their own spin on their dinner.

The idea for this dinner grew out of many a dinner at my local Thai restaurant. I absolutely LOVE summer rolls. They are fresh, flavorful, and seriously delicious. Flavors of Thai food are really wonderful. Not as heavy as other Asian foods, Thai food combines fresh vegetables and herbs, with peanuty dressings and flavorful sauces. The best part? I can eat (almost) everything! I am always trying to re-create my favorite restaurant meals in my own kitchen. This one, was seriously a success. This meal was filled with simple, delicious flavors, and was quick and fun to make. Plus, it was just as good made from scratch. I absolutely recommend you try this out with your roommate or a few friends- I promise you'll have fun!


Fresh Summer Rolls with Sesame-Peanut Dipping Sauce

1/2 container firm tofu
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp sesame seeds

6 rice paper wraps (I used brown rice paper wrappers from Star Anise Foods)
1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into match-sticks
2 large carrots, peeled cut into match-sticks
10 leaves of mint
1 cup lettuce

1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp minced ginger
1 tbsp soy sauce (I used gluten free!)
1 tbsp warm water
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp peanuts (chopped, or pounded, very finely- you could also use chunky peanut butter here!)

veggies

Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic in a baking dish
Cut tofu into 1/2 inch thick slices or strips of tofu
Place tofu in baking dish and allow to marinate for about 30 minutes
Remove tofu and coat sides with sesame seeds
Place the tofu in an oiled pan over medium-high heat
Cook for about 4 minutes on each side or until each side is browned
Remove from heat

tofu

Have a warm bowl of water on your work station
Carefully place the rice paper wrap into the bowl and work it around until the entire thing is wet
After about 30 seconds or so, the wrap will begin to feel soft and sticky
Remove the rap from the water and place flat on a plate
Pile on your veggies, mint, and tofu in any order that you want
Roll in the sides of your wrap, and roll it up!

dipping sauce

In a small bowl, mix together sesame seeds, ginger, soy sauce, water, oil, lime juice, vinegar, and peanuts
Mix well

Dip your rolls into the peanut sauce and enjoy!!
(We had this with a delicious broccoli slaw, also pictured!)

dip
soak
fill
fill some more
roll
enjoy!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

a few of my favorites

hello, blogger world. It's been awhile, I've missed you! Thank you for still reading, its so hard to juggle working, studying, and writing, but I haven't stopped baking or cooking, and I'm ready to share it with you! The fall season is here, and with all of my studying, I've somehow found time to sneak away to the farmers market on the weekends (thank goodness). I've been cooking up some great new recipes, and will (hopefully) have time to post them over the next few weeks! So stay tuned, I promise you won't want to miss some of these yummies.

To start us off, I'll go back to an old favorite, re-worked. If you haven't gotten to know me by now, here's a mini-news flash: I love baked goods, chocolate, and peanut butter. The other day, when trying to think of a new, and yummy way to try and combine my favorite flavor combo. Lately I've been very into make breads and loaf cakes. I think there is something wonderfully fall-y about them. My pumpkin bread is one of my absolute favorite things to bake, and one of my creations that I feel 100% comfortable saying, is absolutely delicious! But, I've been trying to branch out a little bit and see what else is out there. You will see a few yummy bread recipes pop up here soon! To start off my new-found relationship with breads, I went with my old classic flavors. It seemed the perfect way to incorporate chocolate and peanut butter into something new and exciting.

This recipe came together easily and was simply delicious. The ingredients are basic, but the flavors are amazing. A word to the wise- this is not your average loaf cake. This is seriously out-of-the-park decadent, but seriously awesome. Cozy up with a warm cup of peppermint tea (or your hot drink of choice) and enjoy a (hefty) slice of this bad boy. It will be so worth it!

delicious.


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
(fits 1 loaf pan)

1.5 cups gf flour mix (or ap flour)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
 3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips

baked to perfection
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees
Spray a loaf pan (8.5x4.5 inches) with non-stick cooking spray
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon
In a separate bowl, cream together peanut butter and butter with an electric mixer
Add the sugar to the butters and beat together for 5 minutes
Add the eggs and vanilla to the wet batter and mix until combined
Add the dry ingredients into the wet slowly, and mix until just combined
Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the pan
Bake your loaf for 1 hour and 15 minutes, checking the center of loaf at about an hour to see how it is cooking and be sure not to over cook (I like it a little under!)
Remove the loaf and let cool completely before slicing and eating!
enjoy!

yum!