hand lettering

easy hot fudge sauce

(1/2 cup) of butter, soft
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Chewy Chocolate Crispy Cookies

Central Market is an institution here in Austin.  One of my absolute favorite discoveries from their vast array of in-house-baked goodies is hands down their Chewy Chocolate Crispy Cookies.  Apparently the recipe is a well guarded secret!  Luckily I was able to come upon this copycat recipe via Candace Creations.  This is a chewy, soft, chocolaty cookie, with a crunch of chopped pecans.  Pure Texas, and purely delish!



Central Market-Style Pecan Chewy Chocolate Cookies 
• 8 ounces chopped pecans
• 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 7 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place pecans on a cookie sheet and toast for about 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees F.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.
- Place sugar, cocoa, flour and salt in mixer bowl and stir together.
- Beat in egg whites, one at a time, scrapping bowl.
- Beat in vanilla and continue beating at high speed for 1 minute.
- Stir in cooled, toasted chopped pecans.
- Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies for spreading. - - Bake 1 sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes, turning sheet halfway though baking time.

the ocean

ATX to Chicago

every flower must grow through dirt

seedlings: roma tomatoes week 1

As an newbie gardener, I'm not insanely well versed in knowing when the right time is for plantings. I have a feeling that Sept. may not be the most ideal time to begin a new crop of plants, but I'm hedging my bets. Here in Texas, it's still 100 degrees on most days, and it will be for awhile. My limited botanical knowledge tells me as long as I keep the plants away from frost, they should be just fine. Sitting in today's sun, I can say that frost is a long way off...

These roma tomato seedlings are all of 1 week old. I saved the seeds as I cut into some juicy romas. The seeds were then rinsed and dispersed onto a damp paper towel I placed in a plastic bag. After about 5 days I had sprouting little seedlings. 

The tiny seedling roots became slightly embedded in the paper towel, thus a ready made planting strip. I cut the towel to size and transferred to a planter.

After only 1 day the romas grew nearly half and inch and seem ripe for some hearty future growth....even in Sept!

summertime texas sunsets

fave of the day: spring bouquet

A springtime bouquet I put together this weekend. Thinking these will be for sale in my etsy shop in the near future

fave of the day: purple flowering basil

The purple flowers spawning from my Thai basil plant were quite lovely today

yogurt popsicles

In Texas, summer is here - bring on the frozen treats! I utilized some 3 oz. plastic cups, assorted flavors of yogurt, and some bamboo appetizer sticks. (The bamboo sticks are the perfect size for the 3 oz. cups!) Everything I needed was readily accessible at the grocerey store.

For some I used one flavor of yogurt per cup; for others the flavors were layered. Load up your cups, insert a bamboo stick in the middle, pop these in the freezer for a few hours and viola....sweet, frozen, healthy-ish summer treats! The flavors pictured: key lime pie, a layered peach & vanilla, and a layered banana cream pie & vanilla.

gilded biz card inspiration

via

patterned biz card

Via

how my garden grows

Texas wildflowers:
days 4 - 18

skinny oreo milkshake

Ingredients

1 cup reduced-fat (1%) milk or ½ cup fat-free and ½ cup reduced-fat 2% 2½ reduced-fat Oreo cookies 1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding (dry mix) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 package Splenda or Equal 1½ cups ice cubes

Directions

1. Add all the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add a few more ice cubes if the shake isn’t thick enough. 2. Serve at once. Makes 2 (1 cup) servings

for 1 serving 118 calories, 2.5g fat, 3g protein, 20g carbs, 0g fiber, 181mg sodium, 8g sugar

triple choco mouse cake

via Martha's dessert of the day

perfect pancakes

whole wheat cakes with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream!

edible atx

I'm sort of loving this magazine that I stumbled upon while perusing the wares at the flagship Whole Foods here in Austin.  Edible Austin: the designer in me loves it's aesthetic, heavyweight matte paper, and arty photos, & spreads.  Check it!

avocado chocolate mousse

via

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado, skin and pit removed
• 3 1/2 tablespoons dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 3 1/2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

1. Place avocado and dark chocolate cocoa powder in food processor. Add honey.
2. Process avocado, cocoa powder and honey for approximately one minute, pausing to scrape the sides, or until a thick, smooth mousse forms
3. Spoon mousse into a small bowl, top with slivered almonds, fresh fruit or chocolate chips and enjoy

cauli mash

I want to call these mock-mashed potatoes, but I don't think that name gives this dish justice, but neither does pureed cauliflower....mashed cauliflower seems to be fitting.  I've been experimenting with different versions and have settled on my fave.  This is my low-fat version, and honestly I was surprised, it's just as tasty as the full fat cream & cheddar version.

Low-Fat Mashed Cauliflower (2 servings, ww+ points = 1)
1/2 head of cauliflower
1 T fat free milk
1 t powdered butter substitute (Molly McButter or similar)
1 slice fat free sharp cheddar cheese singles
1 T powdered white cheddar popcorn seasoning
salt & pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS: Cut cauliflower into approx. 2" pieces.  Place in microwave safe covered bowl w/ milk.  Microwave for 10 min, stirring every few.  Remove cauliflower mixture & transfer to blender or food processor.  Add cheese, butter substitute, white cheddar seasoning, salt, & pepper.  Blend/process until smooth.  You may need to add a little more milk to reach desired consistency. 

Tiramisu

I took an amazing Italian Cooking class a few years back and this dessert has definitely emerged as a favorite. I had misplaced the recipe and the gal who taught the class was kind enough to share it with me again. Be sure to check out her site, Anne's Italy, and book a class with her on the wonders of Umbrian Cooking if she's in your area!

TIRAMISU (“pick me up”)
..............................
(makes enough for 20 people)
..............................
20 oz. Ricotta
1 lb. Marscapone
1/3 c. of sugar or to taste
Yolks from 10 eggs
One large chocolate bar, chopped into some fine & some chunky pieces
Grated coconut
Brewed espresso coffee
large box of Original Grahams (or similar vanilla cookie) – preferred cookie……. OR
3 boxes of lady fingers
DIRECTIONS: Mix first 3 ingredients together. Blend egg yolks and add to cream mixture. Combine chocolate and coconut reserving some chocolate for the top layer. Dip cookies into coffee mixture until soft, but before they fall apart. (You may also use coffee with some milk, if preferred.) Cover bottom of a pan thoroughly with soaked cookies. Add a layer of the cream mixture and some of the chocolate/coconut mixture. Repeat layering until all cookies are used. Top with chocolate as the final layer. Chill in refrigerator for 3 hours or in freezer for 20 minutes.