Monthly Archives: February 2009

# 12. Read 30 new books I haven’t read before (1/30) – Dark Summer by Iris Johansen

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# 12. Read 30 new books I haven’t read before (1/30)

Dark Summer
By Iris Johansen

Usually adept at fusing well-developed characters with edge-of-your-seat action and adventure, bestseller Johansen stumbles in this novel of romantic suspense revolving around a tumultuous relationship. Veterinarian Devon Brady and enigmatic former navy SEAL Jude Marrok meet on a small Caribbean island recently devastated by an earthquake. When a sniper shoots Marrok’s rescue dog, Ned, while searching for survivors in the rubble of a village, Marrok orders Brady to treat the black Lab, then promptly disappears. In a note he leaves for Brady, he promises to pick up Ned from her later. Soon after returning to her home on the outskirts of Denver with Ned, Brady finds herself a target in a deadly conflict involving international intelligence agents, ruthless billionaire entrepreneurs and Native American shamanism. An unnecessarily convoluted and at times unbelievable plot builds to a predictable conclusion.

My Opinion:
A friend recommended it to me so I decided to give it a try.  I didn’t want a heavy read and she said this was perfect.  I needed a little fluff right about now.  I am usually a fan of Iris’s but unfortunately this book turned out to be a disappointment.  The plot was ridiculously implausible and way too far-fetched.  I must say it definitely is not one of her best and seemed to have put no effort into making it.

In a world full of recipes which one do you pick?

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I have quite a few baking/cooking books. I actually look at them quite often because I love flipping through the pages, looking at the pictures and imagining when I might make the dish. K is always telling me that I shouldn’t buy new ones because we don’t have any room for them. I couldn’t agree more. With all of the websites and blogs out there is it so easy to get 20 different variations on the same recipe. Even some of the best bakers/cooks have their recipes online. One of the best things that has happen to me is that I got a library card. So many times I go into a book store and can’t help but want to pick up a baking/cooking book. With my library card I am able to check out the books that I want and kind of do a “test run” to see if I truly need/want the book. I usually have a hard time picking out which recipes to make because I want to make all of them. Some of my books have stickies in them marking the recipes I want to try. I wish I had more time so I could get through more recipes. If it was up to me I would buy every cookbook imaginable and stay at home and cook/bake all day.


Next three cookbooks I am looking forward to trying:


{Matt Lewis, Renato Poliafito, and Tina Rupp’s Baked: New Frontiers In Baking}


{Jill O’Connor’s Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey: Desserts for the Serious Sweet Tooth}


{Williams Sonoma Collection: Pasta}

Bro Breakfast/Brunch

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Every Sunday K and I do a breakfast/brunch get together with his brother and his brothers girlfriend.  You see before K and I moved in together he lived with his brother. They would reserve Sundays just for themselves.  In the morning they would make breakfast and then spend the rest of the day watching movies, playing video games or just lounging around.  When K and I moved in together we decided to make Sundays our own little day with his brother.  It was nice to keep their little tradition and it was perfect for breakfast/brunch.  Now each Sunday we get together, eat, watch movies, play games or just sit around and talk over coffee.  I have been looking for something cute to keep the coffee nice and warm (because our conversations can last hours).  I found the perfect little cafetiere.  I am not sure I am going to get it though because it doesn’t match with the what we have now.  But it sure is cute!


{Found on Ellas Kitchen Company}

Oh me oh my a chocolate cookie pie!

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I am constantly looking for something new to make. There is so many foodie blogs out that sometimes it makes it hard to pick what you would like to make. So many recipes, but so little time. I came across Bakerella’s blog about 3 months ago. I am amazed at how many delicious recipes she has. I couldn’t pick just one…I want to make all of them. So I decided that the first I was going to make was the Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie. I thought to myself…what could be better then a big old pie made of chocolate cookie? Nothing.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie shell
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (softened)
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 325. Beat eggs in large mixer bowl on high until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and spoon into pie shell. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with ice cream on top!

{Chocolate Cookie Pie Goodness}

# 41. Learn to make 5 kinds of soup (1/5) – Baked Potato Soup

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I have been meaning to make a soup for the longest time.  K and I are avid fans.  We both could have soup for dinner everyday.  So today the winds were blowing and the weather had that certain chill to it making you want a good homemade soup.  I came up with this idea on the way home.  It has a bit of this and a bit of that…

Baked Potato Soup
4 large potatoes (peeled and sliced)
4 cups chicken stock
A couple cloves of garlic
1/2 of a small onion
1 cup cheese (I used 4 cheese Mexican mix)
chives
1/2 cup heavy cream

Imagine the toppings you could have:
chopped spinach
bacon
shredded cheddar cheese
jalapenos
sour cream
green onions
diced tomato
Anything you like to put on your baked potato goes!

Set a large pot over medium heat. Chop finely the onion and simmer it a bit of the chicken stock till onions are slightly translucent. Add the rest of the chicken stock, the garlic and the potatoes. Let the stock/potatoes/onions/garlic come to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Transfer half of the soup to a blender and puree. Add the pureed mixture back into the pot. Add cheese and chives and heat till cheese is melted. Stir in cream just before serving. The potatoes should still be somewhat chunky, but also creamy.
Serve immediately and top with your favorite toppings.

yummy soup!

{Melt in your mouth Baked Potato Soup}

* As a side I didn’t have enough time to make crackers so I cut tortillas into triangles, sprayed them with some water and added seasoning.  I then baked them for about 5 to 10 minutes.  Delish!

Things I would rather be doing…

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Things I have to do today:
Wake up.  Breakfast.  Work.  Lunch.  Work.  Gym. Dinner. Sleep.

What I would rather be doing today: 
Reading magazines in bed.  Walking around Paris.  Sitting in a cafe with a cappuccino and a crossword puzzle.  Napping.  Getting a manicure.  Drinking mimosas at brunch.  Playing board games. Watching a DVD in the morning.  Curling up in front of a crackling fireplace.  Sipping hot cocoa.  Baking cupcakes.  Getting a swedish massage mid afternoon.  Meeting up with friends.  Eating chocolate covered strawberries and champagne.  Making  s’mores over a freshly light camp fire.  Redecorating our apartment.  Reading through my favorite blogs.  Driving across the country. Picking wild berries. Squish grapes with my bare feet.  Drinking an amazing bottle of wine.  Having a relaxed picnic in the shade.  Doing laundry.  Curled up on the couch with a cashmere blanket.  Sleeping.  Eating take-out right out of the carton.  Reading a good book.  Sleeping on a beach in the sun.  Knitting.  Reading something completely mindless.  Swim under a waterfall.  Taking a hike.  Watch several romantic comedies in a row with some of my homemade cookies.  Learn French.  Eat chocolate.   Anything but work.

Are you ready to rock?

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Last night K and I went to a surprise birthday party (for us and the birthday girl). At this said party they had the game Rock Band. Anyone under the age of 35 was playing. It was fun to see everyone get so involved and get their “game” faces on. Now K and I never even thought about buying this game till last night. Our plan was to save up for the Wii and the Wii fit. After last night we decided that we loved the game so much that we just had to buy it. With his multilpe gift cards we were able to get it for $60. Not a bad price. He is now setting it up in front of me, handing me the drum sticks and asking me if I am ready to rock….hells yes I am!!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcake

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So last night K and I were invited to his sisters place for dinner.  I wanted to make a dessert that was fun for everyone…kids and adults alike.  As I was hovering over the insane amount of recipes I have I came across this one.  Who doesn’t like a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  And I was right.  They were a hit! 

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Reduce speed to low. Mix sour cream and vanilla in a bowl if needed. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Divide batter among muffin cups.  Bake about 20 minutes. Once cupcakes are cool, frost tops with peanut butter frosting. Place a dollop of jam in center of frosting. Decorated cupcakes will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days. 

Peanut Butter Frosting
6 ounces cream cheese
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream

Beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar with a mixer on medium speed. Add salt, then peanut butter, then vanilla. Whisk cream until soft peaks form, and then fold into peanut butter mixture. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.  Bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth before using.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes!

{Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcake}

*Recipe from Martha Stewart magazine February 2009.