Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

You know. I had things to do today.

Grocery shopping, to be exact.

But it's raining.

And, in New York City, when you don't have a car, you really shouldn't grocery shop in the rain.

So, instead, I've been catching up on blog stuff (in addition to re-watching The Vampire Diaries and cooking). I have a whole bunch of posts, ready to be shared.

But...I'm going to let you see those later. Today, I have a brand new recipe.

Like...I just made it. I'm drinking this right now.

I figured, if you're having a rainy day too, you deserve a nice little treat like this.

Daring Bakers Challenge-Cheddar, Asiago, and Scallion Beer Bread

The Daring Bakers’ February 2012 host was – Lis! Lisa stepped in last minute and challenged us to create a quick bread we could call our own. She supplied us with a base recipe and shared some recipes she loves from various websites and encouraged us to build upon them and create new flavor profiles.

Iocane-Dusted Brownies of Unusual Size- "The Princess Bride"

...chocolate makes it go down easier.

Who am I? Why am I quoting The Princess Bride?

Let me 'splain.

No, there is too much. Let me sum up:

The Princess Bride is my absolute FAVORITE movie-OF ALL TIME. (If you are not familiar with it, you're going to be quite confused, as I will be quoting in frequently. My apologies.) I stumbled upon it one day when I was 14, was intrigued by the title, watched it-and I.WAS.HOOKED! I literally watched it approx. 5 times a day for 2 weeks (then I had to return it to the library...but my mom bought it for me shortly after because she was tired of my whining). And, I was delighted to find out once we started dating, it is Michael's favorite movie too!  He (lucky duck) actually was raised with this movie, it's one of his family's favorites, as well. We own two copies-mine is the "Buttercup Edition" and his is the "20th Anniversary edition". PLUS-our wedding song (you know...for our first dance) is going to be "Storybook Love", which is the movie's theme (and also our ring-tones for each other).

The Princess Bride was severely underrated when it came out-but, obviously, has a HUGE cult following. It has everything! "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."

Romance: "This is true love-you think this happens every day?"

Drama: "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."

Comedy: "Stop that rhyming now, I mean it!" "Anybody want a peanut?"

Fat Tuesday

    

    

    

    

    

TIME TO GET FAT!

(because tomorrow is Lent...and I still don't know what I'm doing for that. Anyone who celebrates Lent--what are you doing/not doing?)

Homemade, Baked Tater Tots!

Tater Tots.

Or, as the kids say, "tots".

Who doesn't love these little crunchy balls of potato? They give you instant nostalgia, and, I mean, they're gosh darn tasty to boot! But the frozen kind we all buy? What kind of stuff is in there? I don't even want to know. I especially don't want to think about putting all that crap into a poor, impressionable, little future child-thing of mine (although I'm sure at some point, I will, and I was fed almost exclusively processed food as a child...and I'm OK so far. But still...why take chances?). And-they're fried. Something I generally shy away from these days. One day, I was thinking about tater tots. I don't know why. Sometimes food just pops into my head. Anywho, I was thinking, and wondering...could I make baked tater tots? There has to be a recipe for this, right? 

 RIGHT! :)

I was so super excited when I found this recipe, and pretty much made them right away. They are awesome! Much healthier than your normal tater tots, but still crunchy, and potato-y, and so so satisfying to the little kid in all of us. And-a plus-it makes a bunch! Michael and I had tots leftover for days! And they are just as good-just pop them under the broiler until they crisp up! Only downside? Prepare to spend some time making these, it's a surprisingly lengthy process (at least, for me it was). Totally worth it, though. 

Baked Tater Tots

From Pennies On A Platter "Oven Baked Tater Tots"

Flourless Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Lava Cakes.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake.

Whatever you want to call it.

It's amazing.

My favorite dessert.

MOLTEN. CHOCOLATE. LAAAAVAAAA!

We're talking melty, warm, chocolate, gushing from the middle of a decadent chocolate cake.

That has Kayle written all over it.

Valentine's Day in Photos

Valentine's Day Ideas

TOMORROW IS VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

YAYYYYYYYY!

I know some people think this is a dumb, silly holiday-and maybe it is. However, this is my first opportunity to actually be able to celebrate it with someone (Michael was always in Ohio during our previous Valentines'). And, I am so excited! It's not going to be that big of a thing, I'm going to make some pot roast and chocolate molten lava cakes and we'll have a nice dinner and be extra goopy and lovey dovey :P. If you're planning on staying in and cooking/baking, like me, and you still haven't decided what to make, may I give a few suggestions?:

Levain Chocolate Chip Cookie Copy Cat

Let me tell you about a magical place, a mystical, wondrous place, right here in New York City, but that I have never been to: Levain Bakery. They are known for their HUGE and outrageously amazing cookies (particularly their Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie). I have not yet had the pleasure of eating one, but I've heard plenty-and have seen quite a few copy cat recipes. So, to bide my time until I can have the real thing, I decided to try one.

Alfredo Parmigiano Sauce

Today is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day!

Admittedly, this recipe is only for the sauce. You can really use any noodles. As you can see, I used Penne. Because I had it. But, you know, if you have some fettuccine laying around, make this sauce and celebrate this holiday!

Or, you know, this is also a perfect Valentine's Day dinner idea...just sayin'.

Anyway, I LOVE this sauce-I'm weird about Alfredo sauces, some I love, others I hate. I've found I'm really not a fan of very heavy Alfredo sauces, I like it when they're a little lighter. This sauce is exactly right for me--its' most prominent flavor is the Parmesan cheese (or, if we're gonna get all Italian, the Parmigiano cheese), which I LOVE. It's health-ier, and not super heavy.

All that said, I should probably admit: this is not Michael's favorite. It's not "creamy" enough to him. He likes it (especially fresh) but it is not his ideal. So, this is really a matter of preference. After you try this, you'll have to tell me--on Alfredo are you Team Kayle (lovin' this recipe) or Michael (more into a heavier, creamier sauce)? I'm looking forward to a debate that shall rival Team Edward vs. Jacob.

(which is dumb. There should not be teams. Edward should-and does-end up with Bella. End of story. Jacob's fine, and he has his own someone. I won't spoiler alert you on who. Also...*sigh* I love those books...but *ugh* I hate those movies. You may now carry on to the recipe)

Mud Hen Bars

Two things.

1. Mud Hen Bars. What a fun name! Where does it come from? What in the Lord's name about this makes it "mud hen"y? I really don't know. But I like it.

2.These pictures are awful. They do these delish. bars no justice. Stupid old camera.

Anyway, mud hen bars are really cool. They're like...a sugar cookie, with chocolate chips and marshmallows, with this crunchy, yummy, brown sugar meringue on top. They were not one of my mostest favoritest desserts, however, they were tasty, and Michael liked them, and I think they'd be great to serve at a party (if I ever went to parties :P).

The Super Bowl

I protest the Super Bowl.

Pretty much....I just don't like/follow sports at all. Nor does Michael. So I'm like....eh.

But if you're going to get all pouty, I guess here's some stuff you could make for it, if you insist upon caring about that football thing. (Super Bowl IS football, right?) :