Something Saturdays (9/29/12)

This was a good week around here. I shared with you guys 3 of my most favoritest recipes, my tv shows are coming back, aaaand:

Look at all these goodies!! When I won the giveaway from Recipe Renovator, for some reason I was just expecting the Joy the Baker coobook-you can imagine my excitement when I found all of this!! Looks like I need to make some cupcakes ASAP!! :D

I also won a $50 gift card for Bob's Red Mill from The Lemon Bowl. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH STUFF I CAN BUY WITH THAT??!! LIKE A LOT! Sooooooo exciiiited!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

AHHHH! OMG OMG OMG OMG!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG FOR ME TO SHARE THIS!

I'm a bad blogger. And a bad friend.

Because you NEED these in your life, A-to the-SAP!

One of life's biggest questions-cookie dough or cookies?

Personally...I love both. And try to keep a healthy balance of both in my life. But no matter what...I feel a little cheated. When I'm making cookies and eat a bunch of dough, I'm then upset that I will have less cookies. But when I decide to only have a teensy bit of the dough, I lament the loss of the delicious dough that got away. With these, you will not have such problems. You get the best of both worlds!

Cookie: Firm, cooked exterior. Warm and melty chocolate chips.

+ Dough: Dough flavor and texture in the center.

 = HYBRID: A warm, gooey, cookie dough/cookie marriage made in heaven!

I'm serious, I love these. So much so that, after making them for the first time, I immediately made another batch. Addictive as hell! And, AND you can just have a bunch of these little frozen dough balls in the freezer, waiting around, chillin' out (HA! Pun INTENDED!), and when you decide you need some good cookie/cookie dough lovin', you pop em in the oven. Bake em for just a tiny while then IT'S COOKIE DOUGH BALL TIME! *happy dance*

Brown Butter Macaroni and Cheese

Ok. I know. I'm obsessed.

You've seen so many recipes with browned butter from me. But what can I say? It makes everything tastes so amazing! Extra buttery and just so...just...you know? Adding the wonderousness that is browned butter can only elevate everything to the next level-and that is exactly what has happened with this macaroni and cheese.

You brown the butter. You add flour and milk and cheeses to form a delicious roux (I think that's the word? Cheese sauce. It's essentially cheese sauce). You add it to your macaroni (or other noodles, whatever. I particularly like to use extra healthy noodles here, since the flavor of the sauce is so strong it helps mask anything I would maybe not love in the pasta if it were plain). Put some buttery cracker goodness on there. Bake/broil it up a bit and KAZAAM*! Delicious mac'n'cheese! I kinda wanna make some now. Food blogging makes you hungry-fact.

*Do you guys remember Kazaam? It had Shaq as a genie who like...rapped and acted ridiculous? Anyone? Did you love it even though you knew it was absolutely a train wreck? ME TOO! I'm pretty sure the only reason I ever knew anything about basketball was thanks to Kazaam and Space Jam. I was all "Oh yeah, I know who Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan are. No big." But I digress. (You guys...I still have that movie! I know! Let's watch it! Buahahaaaa!)

Cinnamon Bun Scones

Breakfast-time!

OK, so, as well all know, cinnamon rolls are delicious. However, they have one large drawback:

Time.

It can take awhile to make cinnamon rolls-and for most of us, that's not so much an option. That is part of the reason I love these scones. They have all of the best flavors of a cinnamon rolls, but in scone form (and some oats thrown in, which really just makes them even better). I honestly sort of think I may prefer these scones to actual cinnamon buns-I know! They really are delicious, though. Thick, chewy, full of cinnamon & sugar flavor, and pretty dark quick to throw together, especially if you have a food processor (Can we talk about how much I love my food processor? The answer is-A LOT). This isn't even a particularly difficult recipe, so that's a major plus as well. Michael was a fan. I loved them. I think you will too! :)

Something Saturdays (9/22/12)

On Thursday I had the great joy of meeting up with the beautiful ladies of total noms (Mallory) and The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen (Susan). We met up at Whole Foods, ate a little dinner, chatted...then it happened. We went outside to the Wafels & Dinges truck. I've been wanting to eat at these for awhile, and I've had the worst luck--everytime I eat something and be totally full I'd turn around and GAH! THE TRUCK! But this time I was ready. I had plenty of room for wafels! First thing was first, though. Susan insisted I finally lose my Biscoff/Speculoos V-card and try the much lauded spread. They gave me a sample. Susan photographed it. YUMMMYYY-it tasted exactly as I'd imagined-EXACTLY like those Biscoff cookies! Yum yum yummy! I had intended to get the S'mores waffles, because they were the special and...well...duh. But they ran out of marshmallow *pout*. It all worked out though because I just got Nutella and it was absolute perfection. Sweet and doughy and delicous, but still soft on the inside. Love love loved it. It was such a great nice with some amazing girls!

Whole Wheat Butter-less Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy Friday! Have some cookies:

I don't know if you remember, but way back around last Christmas-time, I made some peanut butter cookies. Those peanut butter cookies were special because, they had no flour and NO BUTTER! I know, it's insanity! Apparently, peanut butter was all the butter those cookies needed. They were great. 

But...they've been replaced. 

By these.

These cookies still have no butter, but they are made with WHOLE WHEAT flour. So...if  you're doing the gluten free thing, then these aren't for you. BUT if you love firm on the outside, gooey on the inside, delicious peanut butter chocolate chip cookies made with whole grains and no butter-then these cookies are for you!

Michael and I were both big fans of these. One of the fatal flaws of the flourless/butterless cookies I've already posted was that they were too flimsy, too gooey all over. These are a perfect balance. And, still healthy(ish)! Oh AND they're super quick and easy. Everybody wins! Yayy!

Crispy Parmesan Potato Puffs

This is another recipe that I've been dying to share with you guys!

Because it's effing deliiiicious!

These little puffs would make super fancy, lovely appetizers that you could serve at any high class function.

Or, if you're me, they make a great thing to stuff your face with as you watch reruns of The Big Bang Theory with your boyfriend.

But you know...either or.

I love Potatoes. I love Parmesan. I love scallions. I love little crispy bites of heaven that I can just pop into my mouth and go, "Mmmm."
Yepp.

Michael's Birthday in Photos

Happy Birthday Michael! A Round Up of My Boyfriend's Favorite Recipes!

(Some snapshots from Michael's life! Obviously the middle one is his baby picture. The one directly to the right of that is from his long hair days (before he & I dated), he looked sooo handsome! Middle bottom is Michael with all his siblings, when they were younger. Second from the top on the far left is him and his brother as Mario & Luigi. Bottom far left is his dad, stepmom, brother, and him. Bottom far right is him dancing with his mom (and his cousin in the bg). Oh and obviously...he loves Batman.)

Today! Today today today! Today is a great day!! 

Why, you ask?

Because it is Michael's birthday! The day he was born!

26 years ago today my soulmate was born...then he had to wait around for 3 years before I was born. :P

Then of course, he had to wait around until he was a senior in high school to meet me (when I was just a wee little freshman), and as far as he knew, I was just another annoying little freshman in choir and drama with him. It was not until he was almost 23 that we finally had all the weird set of circumstances that led us together. It was worth the wait :).

Michael's not a fan of having people make a big deal over birthdays, etc. for him, so (against his will, I might add) all I'm doing is making him a BIG dinner tonight! We're having homemade tortilla chips with salsa (for him) and homemade guacamole (for me), chicken enchiladas with a scallion sauce (since I don't normally cook Mexican for him), and he will be having mini raspberry cheesecakes for dessert! I really hope he likes everything, and I am so happy that I get to spend time with him today. I love him very much :).

I thought, as another way to celebrate, I would share with you all some of Michael's favorite recipes that I've posted on the blog. Michael likes pretty much everything I make, but there are some recipes that particularly get my boy's tumbly rumblin! Some of these, in fact, are things that I don't even like, things I made specifically and only for my very Michael. This is still but a small sampling, but I hope you'll enjoy looking at a few of the birthday boy's favorite recipes:

Something Saturdays (9/15/12)

You guys. I went to Coney Island for the 1st time ever last Sunday, with my mom and Michael. We rode rides. We walked the boardwalk. Michael ate a coney dog. I ate a funnel cake (that I shared with Mom and Michael because those things are huge). It was so much fun!!! Expensive, but fun.

After my mom left on Wednesday morning, we still had a ton of leftovers. Which actually worked out because we were in for a busy rest of our week. Wednesday our landlord came to fix a fan that had been sparking. And somehow over the course of 4 hours and messing around with the wiring, we no longer had power in our bedroom. Then I had to go babysit. Thursday I had to go babysit, then Michael came home from work early to stay with the electrician. Friday a guy came to patch up the ceiling (they had to cut into it), then I worked. Today I am filming. I had to get Michael's birthday dinner supplies for Monday, and now need to start making some of the components (hello homemade tortillas, guacamole, mini cheesecakes, enchiladas, tortilla chips...yeahhh) IT'S ALL TOO MUCH!!!

On a happier note-THE WINNER OF THE CHOBANI GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! Congratulations to Stefanie from Sarcastic Cooking! I'm so excited for you!! Enjoy your Chobani!

Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken

Um. Chicken.

Yes.

Again.

But let's logically think about why I would be drawn to this recipe, shall we?

Oven fried=I love fried chicken, but don't love the calories, etc. Oven fried is a healthier alternative.

Parmesan=Italian. I'm in.

Chicken=duh.

So, yeah. This chicken is tasty. And pretty darn simple. A great idea for a weeknight dinner when you're super busy!

Homemade Peanut Butter

Tomorrow is National Peanut Day.

We should celebrate.

With peanut butter.

HOMEMADE Peanut Butter.

Got 5 minutes? Got peanuts? Got a food processor?

Yes?

Then you can make peanut butter, my friend.

Seriously, this recipe isn't even a recipe. It's like a...hey...take some peanuts...or other nuts...toss em in a food processor. Want salt? Throw some in there.  Process. Wait. Watch it turn into a ball. Does it break down and get smooth? Good. No? Put a little bit of oil in there, whatever sort you prefer.Wanna flavor it? Throw whatever the crap you want in there. Want it crunchy? Put some peanuts in there towards the end so there are some little chopped peanut bits in there. Done. End of story. You have amazing homemade peanut butter. It's homemade, unprocessed, all natural, AND (in my case anyway) has no oil separation. 

Oh yeah, and it's the best peanut butter you'll ever taste.*

I'm obsessed. I am (probably) never buying peanut butter again.

(unless you're stupid like Michael, in which case you'll say "It tastes too much like peanuts." That boy will not be deterred from his processed junk. *sigh*

Chocolate Chantilly

While the weather is still warm, I'll share a delicious, refreshing (yet decadent and rich) no bake dessert for you. And it takes like...no time at all. And very little effort. But seems super fancy and like you went to culinary school and stuffff.

This recipe is revolutionary. It takes 3 ingredients. No baking. Just ice water. The result is a beautiful, velvet-y textured chocolate mousse that melts in your mouth. I don't even know what else to say about it. And to be frank, I'm a busy bee right now! So I shall not delay any longer, to the recipe!:

Something Saturdays on a Sunday (9/9/12)

My Mom is here! Yay yay yay! I'm so excited, and it's going to be so much fun! She'll be here until Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'm going to be a bit busy, but don't fret! I will still have my blog posts up like normal next week :).

More good news--I'm no longer sick. Michael either, although he still has a nasty cough. Poor boy. I first realized I was no longer sick when I was able to eat a full meal of a burger and fries. That was a good sign.

Oh yeah and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kristina from Whipped!!! <3

Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies-Guest Post at Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence

Sooo-I have another fun guest post for you guys to check out over at Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence! Chelsea is the super adorable girl behind the blog-she comes from an Italian family background, like me, and she is happily married to her cute-tastic hubby Chris (as I hope to be to my Michael someday). She makes some delicious, and beautiful, food, you guys! Remember that Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie? Recipe was courtesy of Chelsea. Not only does she share some spectacular sweets, she also has some Italian entrees that pull at my heartstrings (Eggplant Parmesan, Homemade Cavatelli, Parmesan Chicken...I'd go on...but I'm starting to drool.)

Anyway, I was obviously beyond thrilled when Chelsea asked me to help her out while she adjusts to a longer work commute with a guest post! Yes! I'd love that! I gave her a few options for recipes to share, but she resoundingly chose these cookies. It's hard not to. They're pretty irresistable. Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. There is not one part of that name that I dislike. These cookies are everything warm and delicious and wonderful and happy in this world. Yes. Yes, they are. These are my new favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe, because browned butter makes everything better. Obviously.

Now, head on over to get the recipe! And look around while you're there, enjoy all the great stuff Chelsea's blog has (and how adorable it looks)! Then...go cook something!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake + CHOBANI Review

I don't like coffee.

But, like, everyone else does. And when 20-somethings get together, it is often for "coffee". Many times this coffee takes place at a Starbucks. And, so as not to appear rude, I have managed to find a few things there that I frequently order and like...of course they're not a beverage. My most favorite thing to get there is their coffee cake. I loooove it. It's cinnamon-y and brown sugar-y and cake-y but with a delicious crunch from the streusel. *sigh*. This is why, when I saw a recipe on The Baker Chick for a coffee cake that was hailed as BETTER than Starbucks', I immediately bookmarked it. I am so so SO happy I did. It IS even better. The cake is so moist, so fluffy and it is completely bursting with cinnamon goodness. I oftentimes find the cake to streusel/filling ratio lacking, but not here. This cake is heaven. AND you can make it the night before and bake it in the morning, which is so amazing because as ambitious as my morning plans are when I go to bed, that is how sleepy and lazy I feel when I awake. With this all I needed to do was take it out of the refrigerator and put it in the oven, and then sit on the couch, enjoying the heavenly smells wafting through the apartment. Ah yes, this is a coffee cake of wonders.

Whole Wheat Greek Yogurt Pancakes

Happy Labor Day-bor!

Ohhhh it's time for another breakfast recipe on this loovely Monday morning! (imagine that I sang that to you, because I did.I wanted you to know that. And hear it....I'll wait.....)

...You done? My voice is pretty, huh? Thanks :) Anyway! Pancakes! YOU GUYS! I made pretty(ish) pancakes! This never happens! The only pancakes I've ever made that looked nice were those healthy ones! That is also why those are the only ones I've ever shared on here. Also, when it comes down to it, given the choice between waffles and pancakes, Michael and I both usually prefer waffles. But..sometimes..I don't want to mess with the waffle-maker. Sometimes all I want is a stack of fluffy pancakes.

There are a couple things that make these pancakes special.

They're not super unhealthy and fattening! These are made with whole wheat and Greek yogurt (which I will talk about more on Wednesday), and absolutely no oil or any other sort of fat. So-yay!

The Greek yogurt in these (which I subbed in for the originally called for sour cream) makes these pancakes super moist and rich. It's quite lovely.

And, I also discovered I like using mini chocolate chips in pancakes. They're cute. Plus, they seem to work better. Obviously, you do not need to use chocolate chips. I am just crazy and need to eat pancakes/waffles with chocolate chips and peanut butter spread on top. It's dark chocolate and natural peanut butter though, so, still healthy!

Something Saturdays (9/1/12)

GAHHH! SEPTEMBER! IT'S HERE! NOOOOOOO! And, apparently, to remind me that fall is looming near, the universe decided to give Michael a cold. Which I then caught. And now have. Ugh. We are so pathetic. This morning I woke us up by feverishly throwing off the sheets then shivering and getting them back. Then Michael began a coughing fit. And I blew my nose. We're like a commercial for cold medicine right now.

Also--I'm a winner!!

I won these super amazing  Pampered Chef nesting measuring cups from Heidi at The Young Grasshopper!

Thank you so much Heidi! I am going to use these measuring cups A BUNCH!