Drowned in Wine

A bit of a deviation from normal postings. But as lovers of the sea and wine, we had to share this article from the New York Times: This Wine Goes Well With Fish.

"At sea, a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect."
-Herman Melville (from a letter written in 1860)

Italian Bruschetta

And we're back!

Although it isn't fall yet, summer is drawing to an end once again; the days are already getting shorter and noon isn't so humid anymore.

With our days numbered before classes start, we decided to make a light, picnic-y dinner with food we had in our fridge. And we decided on

Italian Bruschetta.

We'll keep the normal healthy disquisition from you this time.

Enjoy these last fleeting days of freedom and flip-flops!

Oh, we have a confession we'll reveal at the end of this post.

Ingredients:
1 baguette 
6 red tomatoes diced
1/4 onion diced
2 tbsp. olive oil
garlic
salt & pepper
parmesan cheese (optional)


Turn the oven to broil. Slice the baguette into pieces of desired thickness (thinner is easier to eat and doesn't cut the mouth like it's thicker twin). Rub garlic and olive oil on both sides of the slices and place the slices in the oven until toasted.

While bread is toasting, de-seed tomatoes and dice. Mix the diced tomatoes with diced onion and add 2 tbsp. olive oil. Also add salt and pepper to taste.


Remove baguette slices from the oven and scoop bruschetta mix on top. If desired, sprinkle with parmesan cheese flakes. Eat while still warm.

Confession: A is actually two people with names that both start with A. So that actually makes three of us.

Happy Eating!

Breakfast Interrupted

The title speaks for itself. The short clip captures everything breakfast should be - fresh, lively, energizing, and yet, simple and serene.

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!"
                                  - Alice in Wonderland

Shout Out 264

Although we are supposed to be on a summer hiatus,

we would like to take a moment to respond to SO 264.

For those of you unlucky peers who have no idea what Shout Outs are,

Shout Outs (SO) are a section from The Badger Herald and

they are exactly what you think they are:

"a shout out is to someone, something, or somewhere awesome" (citydictionary.com).

Why should we care about the Shout Outs?
1. Because getting a shout out means you have enough swagger to stand out from the other 40,000 badgers.
2. COLLEGE KITCHEN GOT A SHOUT OUT!

So in response to SO 264, 

if you like cooking, baking, or eating - we want to meet you, too.

Photo Creds: The Badger Herald

11 Summer Recipes & Necessities

As the school year has come to a close, so has the college kitchen.

Although we still cook during summer, our meals mainly consist 

of fruits and fresh veggies we get at the farmers market on Saturday morning.

Here is this semester's final post:

11 Summer Recipes & Necessities

to keep you busy while you enjoy your freedom, summer, & childish wild-side.

Come back in the fall when we will begin posting more lovely recipes we cook in our college kitchen!

1. As an English major, I can't help but say that everyone should have a summer reading list. 

Add this to yours.

2. Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato Spring Rolls. This is summer in edible form.

Recipe is here.

3. Whimsical, pastel ice cream cups with baby spoons. 

Make your own or get them at Sur La Table.

4. Soil Mates by Sara Alway writes about how to become a garden goddess through

plotting your own veggie patch.

Get it at Anthropologie.

5. Try this Strawberry Summer Cake recipe from smittenkitchen.

Or try anything she makes because it is all delicious.

6. No summer is complete without homemade hummus. 

Thanks to Martha Stewart, you can save $$ at the grocery store 

and still dip your green beans, crackers, or whatever.

7. Something blue ice cream tool. 

Of course, it's from Sur La Table.

8. Summer is full of parties - grad parties, birthday parties, pool parties, just because parties.

And to quench all those thirsty guests you need a lot of liquids

and this one is, well, cute (and a necessity?).

Buy it here.

9. Nope, not a salad recipe. A Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing recipe.

10. A summer recipes & necessities wouldn't be complete without a new 

Summer Peach Wine Cooler beverage to add to your book. 

Coming from the #1 college party campus in America (University of Wisconsin-Madison),

it obviously contains some alcohol.

11. Summer music. Anna Sun by Walk the Moon.

Play hard, fellow badgers, and enjoy your summer.

See you in the fall!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

First, we would like to take a moment 

to say how much we appreciate all the moms out there.

This is for the moms that are not able to be with us today.

And for the children who have rocky relationships with their moms,

and for the moms who have done it with out dads,

and for the moms who have done it with dads,

and for the moms who put their children above everything else,

for adoptive moms,

for birth moms,

for all the moms out there who love their children,

we love you, too. 

Secondly, here is a simple, classic, exam week-friendly recipe

for you to make your moms (or yourself).

We are sure you already know the pros (and, if there are any, cons) of

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

So we'll refrain from giving any background and just say, make them.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
12 tbsp. unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-2 cups chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, mix vanilla extract, butter, and sugar. Once mixed, incorporate egg. Next mix in all other dry ingredients.

Ball up dough so it fills hand and then smush to flatten into a cookie shape. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet approximately two inches apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes until browned.

Happy Eating!

Iced White Chocolate Mocha

Finals week (n.): 1.) worst week of a college student's life 
                                                                2.) week of pulling all nighters, living in the library, eating delivery
                                                                 food, caffeine overdosing, sweatpants, and lack of showering

We all know that during finals week

a trip to sbux or the local coffee shop is inevitable.

But when you don't have the money or time to leave your cosy abode,

we have just the recipe to keep you awake.

Sweet, iced, caffeinated, and the perfect finals week beverage:

Iced White Chocolate Mocha.

Probably not the healthiest drink, but who really cares.

It's exam week and this will wake you up.

Ingredients (makes two):

2/3 cup dairy milk

6 tbsp. white chocolate chips

Coffee

Ice (optional)

Whipped cream for topping (optional)

First, make coffee. While coffee is brewing, heat and mix white chocolate chips and milk in a sauce pan until they are fully incorporated and melted.

Pour the white chocolate milk mixture half way up a coffee mug. Fill the rest of the mug with coffee. Add ice and top with whipped cream.

Easy peasy.

Happy studying and coffee drinking!

Food Creds: Food.com and picture from sbux.

Georgia Peach Pancake Cobbler

Along with April showers,

comes peach season!

We have been scouring the grocery store for about a month,

waiting - hoping - for the grocery store shelves to carry peaches, 

but no luck...

until yesterday night!

Of course, we bought a bunch of peaches 

and it only seemed fitting that we start our day off with some

Georgia Peach Pancake Cobbler.

Sweet, summery, and filling. 

Everything a breakfast should be.

Ingredients (makes 2):
4 sliced fresh peaches (skin on!)
1 - 1 1/2 cup almond flour
1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 egg (or 4 medjool dates, pitted)
3 tbsp. cane sugar
4 tsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut milk (or any other type of milk)


Preheat oven to 425. In a bowl, mix sliced peaches, brown sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Divide the mixture between two oven-safe bowls and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

While the peach mixture is cooking, take another bowl and mix flour, flaxseed, egg, cane sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and coconut milk together (if the mixture is too runny, add more flour - but don't make it too thick either).

Once the peach mixture is done cooking, remove bowls and turn the oven temperature down to 375. Pour the pancake mixture on top of the cooked peaches. Place back into the oven and cook for 35-45 minutes (until tops start cracking as seen in picture below). Remove and enjoy warm!

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: adapted from Healthful Pursuit.

Homestyle Chili

The recent streak of cold weather called for

some home-style warmth.

And with K sick, A decided to make A's mom's delicious recipe.

Homestyle Chili

is sure to make you feel at home, cozy, and full.

Healthy, easy, and easily storable,

this is a recipe we swear by to get through cold winter (and spring) months.

Ingredients:
1 29  oz. can Tomato Puree
1 14.5 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can Stewed Tomatoes
1 lb. ground beef
1 chopped white onion
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 small can Tomato Juice
Tomato Paste
1 can kidney beans
Cumin
Chili Powder
Salt & Pepper


Brown the meat in the bottom of a large cooking pot. Drain out the grease and mix in other ingredients. (Hint: make sure to drain out all the bean juice before adding the beans to the pot). Adjust spices to taste and cook to a boil. If you want less chunkier chili, add a cup of water. Once at a boil, reduce heat to a simmer for a few minutes. Then enjoy! Chili is easily stored (either in the freezer or refrigerator) and can be warmed up  in the microwave in about 2-3 minutes (make sure you remove from the microwave at the halfway time and stir).

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: Mary Bosworth

Strawberry Coconut Smoothie

Before college (and even in our early college years),

we thought protein powder was mainly for boys 

who live in the weight room.

We also thought protein powder can't really be good for a person.

After all, all those "weight loss" pills and bottles claiming to have some sort

of nutrient your body needs aren't the real deal.

But then we found out the truth:

Truth: protein powder is actually good for you (more so if you work out)

and the best protein powder (after trying a few, doing research, and consulting with doctors)

is actually hemp protein powder, not the traditionally believed whey protein powder.

We both have grown up on smoothies. In fact, K makes

everything smoothies -smoothie ice cream, smoothie italian ice, smoothie popsicles etc.

so it seemed reasonable to add the protein powder to our most favored treat.

For those of you who like to work out,

whether it be running, lifting, playing field hockey, or walking a few extra flights of stairs in your apartment building,

Strawberry Coconut Smoothies
are for you.

Don't like coconut? Swap the coconut milk with orange juice. 
Don't have bananas? Use yogurt instead.
Don't protein powder? Use spinach leaves (which are great sources protein as well as other minerals)


Note: this is a great recipe to drink after working out. You're body needs to replace proteins and carbs -which come from the fruit and protein powder. Also, because it's a liquid, it's easily digestible getting the nutrients to the need places faster. Try to consume within 30 minutes after working out.

Ingredients:
1 banana
6-8 strawberries (frozen or fresh are both fine)
Coconut milk
2 tsp. protein powder (or spinach)


Put all solid ingredients into a blender. Add the coconut milk until about 2/3-3/4 of the solids are covered. Blend until smooth. Pour into a jar (we rimmed ours with shredded coconut) and drink!

Happy Eating Drinking!

Photo creds: first photo courtesy of mynutritionworld.

Summer Baked & Breaded Cod

Seafood does not appear often on our menus. 

The fishy taste can be over powering, and surprisingly,

cooking fish is a step up from the average chicken or beef.

However, tonight we decided to make

Summer Baked & Breaded Cod.

This meal seemed perfect for the summer (hence "summer" in the title). 

Full of lemon-y flavors, a flakey interior, and a light feel,

this recipe is an edible summer night. 

Ingredients:
1 lbs. of cod (salmon can also be used)
3 tbs. olive oil
1 1/4 cup panko breading
2 tbs. minced fresh parsley
1 tbs. lemon zest
Dijon mustard
Salt & Pepper


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl, mix the parsley, panko breading, lemon zest, and salt & pepper. Add 3 tbsp. olive oil and, using a fork, make sure all the panko breading is covered with olive oil (breading will turn a little darker).

Take the pieces of cod and spread mustard (not too generously, but not too lightly) on the cod. Cover the cod with the breading mixture and place on a baking sheet.

Once all the pieces of cod are breaded, place the fish in the oven for 20-30 minutes depending on how thick the slices of fish are (we placed ours in the oven for approximately 20 minutes). The fish will be done once they are flakey and seem fall apart easily. The breading will also turn to a darker brown. Be careful not to over cook fish!

Remove from the oven and garnish with a lemon wedge. As a side, we had green beans.

Happy Eating!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

This past week,

we wanted a food that felt like a "snack-ing" food

and came up with this delicious (and healthy)

Baked Sweet Potato Fries 

recipe.

Most people can't imagine eating sweet potatoes without a lot of butter and sugar

while others can't even imagine eating sweet potatoes at all.

We were part of the latter group, but after eating this recipe,

we have stocked up on sweet potatoes.

This recipe is easy (although it does take some patience) and can easily be eaten

as a meal or be made for a cook out (hopeful summer thoughts).

Ever wonder what the nutritional stats are for the normal white potato vs. sweet potato? 

Here they are, along with what the nutrients are actually doing for your body. 

Although the sweet potato is a better option than the white potato,

 the nutritional stats aren't much different between the two.

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato sliced

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Garlic Powder

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Next, take the sliced sweet potatoes (you can keep the skin on or off) and pour about 2 tsp. of olive oil on them. With hands, rub the olive oil on both sides of the sweet potato slices - making sure that they are completely covered.

Lay the sliced potatoes on a baking sheet NOT covering each other (if they are covering each other, they tend to get more mushy). Sprinkle the side up with garlic power and salt & pepper. 

Cook in the oven for 12 minutes, flipping the sweet potatoes over at the half way point (6 minutes) and sprinkling the other side with seasonings. 

After 12 minutes, turn the broiler on and broil each side of the sweet potato (depending on how dark you want - we did 2 minutes) for 1 minute each side. Because sweet potatoes are mushier than white potatoes, the broil gives the sweet potatoes a more french fry feel.

Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Happy Eating!

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oats

This week at the grocery store we made a big decision:

instead of buying organic low fat milk, we bought coconut milk.

No, we aren't going vegan, dairy-free, but reading these facts (and current research) may make you re-consider how much cow dairy products you are actually consuming. (Yes, it is from "Not Milk" making you think the info is biased, but the doctor who wrote the article has his MD from UCSF and teaches at John Hopkins School of Medicine and he is credible).

Back to coconut milk. So we bought coconut milk and found this delicious, yummy

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oats

breakfast.

Nutritional benefits

oats = help reduce cholestrol

cinnamon = helps with diabetes, arthritis, decreasing LDL (bad cholestrol) levels, and has an anti-clotting affect on blood

apples = help prevent osteoporosis, protects brain cells from free radicals that could lead to Alzheimer's, lowers LDL levels, and helps prevent certain cancers

coconut milk = good source of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, and it also has lauric acid, which boosts the immune system. coconut milk is also good for your skin.

With all these health benefits being said, this recipe is obviously healthy and yummy.

Ingredients:
1 diced apple of choice (K use green apples and A used red apples - both were good)
3/4 cup uncontaminated oats
1 cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon


Mix all ingredients together in a jar, cover, and place in the refrigerator at least four hours before eating.

Happy Eating!

Food creds: adapted from healthful pursuit.

Best Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

While eating healthy has been making us feel great,

there has been a little voice in our stomach

crying for something sweet.

And today we decided to give into that little voice and make the

Best Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting.

Saturday afternoons should be measured in cupcakes.

Next time recipe suggestions: In this batch, the cupcakes stuck to the wrapper after they cooled (this didn't happen so much when they were still warm). Try using aluminum wrappers instead of paper ones and spray the wrapper with a non-stick cooking spray or try dusting the wrappers with flour to make sure the cupcakes don't stick.

For secrets to sweet, savory cupcakes, go here

Ingredients (makes 16 cupcakes):
2 eggs
1 cup and 1 tbsp. cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk


For chocolate frosting recipe, please see post "Best Chocolate Sheet Cake" and look at comment


Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar on high speed. Once light and fluffy, add vanilla extract and mix again. Once vanilla is mixed into mixture, add 1 egg at a time, making sure to mix thoroughly between each egg addition.

Next, add butter milk slowly, mixing at a low speed. Mixture will look curdled with done mixing. Next add dry ingredients separately to the buttermilk mixture, making sure to stir between each addition.

Before pouring into cupcake tins, drop the batter bowl about 2 inches from counter or tap the bowl a few times on the counter. This will get rid of most of the air bubbles. Pour batter into cupcake tins and cook for approximately 20 minutes.

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: cake recipe adapted from smitten kitchen and frosting recipe from Mary Bosworth.

Healthy Homemade Pizza

This recipe is one of our new favorites.

With homemade pizza dough (without having to wait for it to rise!) and easy, delicious sauce,

Healthy Homemade Pizza

beats any fast food college pizza place.

Oh, and pizza that is healthy and delicious?

We bet you never thought there was such a thing.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Ingredients for pizza sauce:
28 oz. can diced tomatoes (do not fully drain)
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder


Combine all ingredients into sauce pan on medium heat. Bring ingredients to boil, then lower to a simmer for approximately 10 minutes (or as long as it takes to make the dough).

For a smoother sauce, mash tomatoes.

Add sauce to pizza dough. Place mozzarella cheese and toppings on top.


Ingredients for no rise pizza dough:
1 tbsp. yeast
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup hot water
1 tsp. sugar
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt


In a bowl, mix water, yeast, and sugar. Allow to sit for two minutes so the yeast  can begin to activate.

Next, add salt, oil, and flour. Mix well.

On a floured surface, kneed dough for approximately two minutes and then allow the dough to sit for 8 minutes.

In a greased pan, mold the shape of the pizza dough into your desired shape. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

Bake pizza for 25 minutes (depending on how thick the dough is).

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: adapted from Annie's Eats (sauce) and The Finer Things in Life (no rise pizza crust)

Thai Lettuce Wraps

Trying to eat healthy and organic is not the easiest thing...

especially when we crave P.F. Changs or Chins or any other asian restaurant.

Fortunately, we found this delicious restaurant redo from The Joy of Clean Eating.

Thai Lettuce Wraps

definitely satisfy any craving for asian food and are perfect for storing and eating later.

Easy, yummy, and healthy? Can't get any better than that!

Happy friday everyone!

Ingredients:
Butter lettuce leaves (aka Boston Lettuce or Bib Lettuce)
1 chicken breast
1 bag of coleslaw lettuce mix (or from scratch -mix shredded carrots, bean sprouts, diced red onion, and diced cucumber)
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tsp honey
sea salt
3 tbsp. peanut sauce (mix until smooth - 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp. low sodium tamari, 2 tsp. wine vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic, & red pepper flakes)


In a bowl, mix coleslaw lettuce, rice vinegar, honey, and a pinch of sea salt. Place in the refrigerator.

Next, brush the peanut sauce on to the chicken breast. Cook the chicken in a pan on medium-high heat for approximately 12 minutes. After cooking, cut the chicken into bite size pieces.

Remove coleslaw mix from refrigerator. Take 1 butter lettuce leaf and place some coleslaw mix and a few pieces of chicken on the leaf. Eat & enjoy!

Happy Eating!

No Bake Brownie Bites

Recently, we have tried to take our healthiness to a new level

by eating clean, organic meals and by starting to train for a 

half marathon in the fall.

Eating clean, organic meals does not mean no restaurant food,

no sweets, and no salts.

It's about finding alternatives to those bad foods-- 

by doing restaurant re-do's of recipes you love

or using medjool dates (so yummy) instead of grain sugar.

It's not easy, but we can promise you that you'll feel better and more energetic throughout the day.

Here is a recipe that is super easy and fast to make (less than 10 minutes!)

and should satisfy your chocolate cravings. 

Oh, and did we mention healthy? Yes, chocolate can be healthy!

Lastly, we are sure some of you a grumbling about price.

Myth: organic food is NOT pricey if you plan your recipes right. 

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
12 medjool dates, pitted
3 tbsp. cacao powder
1/4 cup chocolate chips (organic!)
2 tbsp. ground flaxseed (can be substituted for spirulina if you want an immune system boost!)
1/2 cup walnuts


Take 12 medjool dates and remove the pits (just slice down the center the long way). Place the dates in a blender with all the other ingredients. Blend until fully mixed together.

Scoop out the chocolate mixture and roll into balls. Place them in the refrigerator for at least 5 minutes and then eat! Last for over a week and they are definitely a filling, healthy snack!

Nutritional stats:
1 ball = 125 calories
Flaxseed: helps lower cholesterol, protects against heart disease, helps blood circulation, and controls high blood pressure
Medjool Dates: rich in nutrients, good energy booster, low in calories, have high potassium and low sodium....and they still taste sweet!

Happy Eating!

Food creds: adapted from healthfulpursuit

Santa Fe Wrap

This recipe is for those of you that are busy,

but want to stay healthy.

The Santa Fe Wrap

is filled with black beans, chicken, corn, peppers, onions, and salsa.

A perfect meal for those of us who didn't get to go somewhere south for Spring Break.

Ingredients:

1 can black beans

1 cup frozen yellow corn

1/2 green pepper

1/4 onion

1/2 cup low fat greek yogurt

1 chicken breast

1/2 cup salsa

Tortillas

Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Lettuce (optional)

First, boil water. While water is boiling, cut the chicken breast into bite size pieces. Heat a pan with olive oil on medium to high heat and cook the chicken pieces (should only take approximately 7 minutes total - so about 3.5 minutes each side). While the chicken is cooking, dice the green pepper and onions.

Once the water is boiling, add the frozen corn (cooking corn should only take about 2-4 minutes).

Once the chicken is done cooking, place into a large mixing bowl. Next, cook the green pepper and onions on the stove with olive oil until slightly brown. Place these in the large mixing bowl with the chicken. Add the cooked corn, too.

Drain the can of black beans and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes and then add to the mixing bowl.

Next, add low fat greek yogurt and salsa to the mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients together. Warm up a tortilla and place chicken and bean filling on the center. Add cheese and lettuce if desired, roll up, and enjoy!

Save left overs in the fridge for a quick, easy meal tomorrow!

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: Adapted from busygirlhealthylife.

Pesto & Turkey Sandwich

The sandwich is named after John Montagu,

the 4th Earl of Sandwich,

who would often order two slices of bread with meat

while he was gambling.

Since then, sandwiches have become a classic American lunch

and have emerged in countless variations and varieties.

The Pesto & Turkey Sandwich

is another staple American sandwich

and the light sandwich meat + green pesto

reminds me of summer.

Much more satisfying than the old PB&J,

this recipe is easy, quick, and budget-friendly!!

Ingredients:
Pesto
2 Slices of Bread
Turkey
Unsalted butter
1 slice of provolone cheese


Place a pan on med-low heat. Lightly butter two slices of bread on each side. On one of the slices layer on pesto (as much as desired). Place the slice of bread with the pesto on the pan, butter side down/pesto side up. Note that butter makes the bread brown faster so quickly add provolone and turkey. Let cheese warm up/begin to melt before adding top piece of bread and flipping (if smoke starts coming from the bottom of the bread, it is probably burnt). Take sandwich off of the pan and enjoy while still warm!

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: K's friends, Carly & Kimberly!

Best Chocolate Sheet Cake

Eating healthy does not mean never indulging in 

some sweet favorites.

Just make sure to not eat sweets everyday

and when deciding to eat something sweet,

make sure it is something you absolutely crave

(this helps cut back on the amount of sweet cravings, surprisingly).

What we craved today was chocolate,

more specifically,

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake.

Definitely not healthy, but super yummy.

(Although healthier than boxed cake!)

Indulge in a chocolate-y moment with this delicious recipe!

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup boiling water
4 tbsp. finely ground chocolate (or just use cocoa powder)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda


In a bowl, mix two cups of flour, 2 cups of sugar, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Stir and set aside.


Place a cooking pot on the oven (medium to low heat) and melt the two sticks of unsalted butter. Boil 1 cup of water while the butter is melting. Add 4 tbsp. finely ground chocolate to the melting butter and stir. Add the 1 cup boiling water to the chocolate and butter mixture. Let the mixture bubble for about 30 seconds and then take off heat.

Pour the hot chocolate/butter mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together lightly (the ingredients do not need to be completely stirred together, just enough to lower the temperature of the chocolate).

In another bowl, add 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 tsp. baking soda. Stir and add to the flour/chocolate mixture. Make sure all the ingredients are well stirred.

In a butters or sprayed baking sheet, add the mixture. Bake for about 30-35 minutes (may be different depending on the pan).

We did not make homemade chocolate frosting as I have yet to find a recipe truly chocolate frosting blog worthy. If you have one, please let me know!

No buttermilk? Mix a little under a 1/2 cup regular milk. Use regular vinegar to bring the quantity up to 1/2 cup, mix, and let sit while melting the chocolate.

Happy Eating!

Food Creds: Pioneer Woman

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Balsamic Vinaigrette Pasta

Although recently it has seemed that summer is just around the corner,

we still get cold, rainy days (like today) that

call for warm, comfort food.

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Balsamic Vinaigrette Pasta

combines that warm, comfort feeling

with a little hint of summer.

Yummy, fast, and easy to eat as cold pasta salad days after making,

this recipe is one of our favorites.

Next time recipe suggestions: I have made this recipe before. This time, I cut up the mozzarella, but the first time I made it, I ripped up the mozzarella. Conclusion - rip up the mozzarella. The heat from the pasta makes the ripped mozzarella more gooey and stringy. So much more yummy. I also used pico de gallo instead of tomatoes the first time, which also turned out well. It had a little extra kick, but the ripe tomatoes give a fresher feel.

Ingredients:
Baby red tomatoes
Bow tie Pasta
Fresh mozzarella balls
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh Basil (optional)


Before we begin with the cooking steps, we would like to make a confession - we did not use homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. However, balsamic vinaigrette dressing is super easy, cheap, and fast to make. At the end of this recipe, we will give the recipe to make this dressing in case you want to try it. Go ahead. Tell us how it turns out!

First, boil water and add a little salt. While the water is boiling, cut up baby red tomatoes and mozzarella (or save the mozzarella to rip up later!). We used a little bit less the a pint of the tomatoes.

Once water is at a roaring boil, add the pasta. Make sure to stir a few times throughout the noodles' cooking because they tend to clump together.

Drain the noodles and put in a bowl. Immediately add the mozzarella cheese so the heat can begin to melt (fresh mozzarella won't get as melted as packaged shredded cheese - but no worries, melted fresh mozzarella is so much more delicious). Add the cut up baby red tomatoes and stir. Finally, add the balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The dressing can be heated in the microwave for about 8 seconds prior to adding to the pasta or just added cold. It's all preference.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients:
(courtesy of the foodnetwork + my own intuition)


1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. brown sugar (optional)
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. finely chopped black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp chopped basil (optional)


Mix vinegar, salt, sugar pepper, basil, and garlic in a bowl. Beat until sugar and salt dissolve. Next, add the oil, beating constantly (or shake in a tupperware container) for about 15 seconds. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference...and you're done! So fast and easy.

Happy Eating!