Good food, wonderful friends...

As I sit here writing this, I cannot believe that school is OVER, really OVER, not just for the summer, but for good (unless, that is, I go back to school, but that is a whole different topic).  We are all moving on to other places and things in life and I am feeling reflective as the moving date looms.  The last four years have provided numerous blessings, the greatest of which has been the support of wonderful family and friends.  We got to celebrate last weekend and throughout this week the journey that began four years ago.  What better for a celebration than breaking bread together and sharing a table with one another?  Below is the link to a recipe that I made for this celebration.  I don't make too many changes to the recipe except reducing the amount of oil in the dressing by about 1/3 and adding a dash of sriracha hot sauce to up the spicy flavor.  To add more fiber and up the health factor, you could always use brown jasmine rice (you can usually get it in the bulk bins at specialty stores), but you will need to cook it closer to 50 minutes (follow the liquid/cooking time suggestions on the package).  This recipe is actually even better the next day when the flavors have had time to marry.  I hope you enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/second-place-warm-chicken-rice-and-black-bean-salad-with-mango-mojo-dressing-recipe/index.html

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Tuxedo Cookies

Since this was the most requested recipe of the week, netting me marriage proposals, death threats, and lots of compliments, (LOL) I thought I'd post it first.  As with all my recipes, it works best with high quality ingredients, but you can make substitutions using what you have on hand.  The quantities of dark and white chocolate chips are interchangeable, depending on your preference.  Whole wheat pastry flour is pretty easy to find at specialty food stores, but feel free to use all purpose if you don't have any in your pantry.  Though I don't condone eating raw eggs, this is definitely my favorite cookie dough to eat, too. ;-)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Tuxedo Cookies

Oven Temperature: 375 degrees

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per pan

1 c. unsalted butter, softened

1 1/3 c. granulated sugar

2/3 c. dark brown sugar

1 T. good quality vanilla (NOT IMITATION)

2 large eggs

2 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)

1 T. espresso powder

3/4 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder (I love Hershey's DARK in these cookies)

1 c. dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet - I prefer Ghiradelli or Guittard)

3/4 c. white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine all dry ingredients and set aside.

Beat softened butter in a mixing bowl until fluffy.  Add sugars and beat at least 3-4 minutes until the mixture is fully combined and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and eggs and beat another 3-4 minutes.

Add dry ingredients, mixing on low only until combined (DO NOT OVERBEAT - THIS WILL MAKE THE COOKIES TOUGH).  Stir or mix in chocolate chips.  

Using heaping tablespoonfuls of dough, place the cookies on cookie sheets covered in parchment or foil (or Silpats - which are AMAZING).  DO NOT GREASE THE COOKIE SHEET. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until set (though they are best still a little doughy in the middle).  Let rest on the cookie sheets at least 2 minutes before transferring to cooling racks.  Enjoy!

Welcome

As my many years of schooling are coming to a close, I decided that I need something to occupy the abundance of free time that I will soon have.  What better way to mix two things I love, writing and baking, than to share a food blog?!  I've thought for many years about writing a cookbook, but never gotten around to it.  This is my way of easing in to compiling my recipes in a format that I can share with old and new friends alike.  I hope you enjoy!