Miss Eartha Kitt returns to the essence at 81.

Milk & Cookies waiting for Santa

I came across this cute recipe and just had to make it. The "milk" represents the cake which is tres leches, and "cookies" a chocolate chip cookie that sits on top. I made these as a little holiday gifts for my co-workers. The cookie recipe is one of the best I've tried, so I thought I'd share...

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
(Source: Baking Illustrated, page 434)

Makes about 18 large cookies.

These oversized cookies are chewy and thick, like many of the chocolate chip cookies sold in gourmet shops and cookie stores. They rely on melted butter and an extra egg yolk to keep their texture soft. These cookies are best served warm from the oven but will retain their texture even when cooled. To ensure the proper texture, cool the cookies on the baking sheet. Oversized baking sheets allow you to get all the dough into the oven at one time. If you’re using smaller baking sheets, put fewer cookies on each sheet and bake them in batches.

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (10 5/8 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
1 cup packed (7 ounces) light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used Hershey’s Special Dark because that’s what I had)

Adjust the oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside.

Either by hand or with an electric mixer, mix the butter and sugars until thoroughly blended. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed just until combined. Stir in the chips to taste.

Roll a scant 1/4 cup of the dough into a ball. Hold the dough ball with the fingertips of both hands and pull into 2 equal halves. Rotate the halves 90 degrees and, with jagged surfaces facing up, join the halves together at their base, again forming a single ball, being careful not to smooth the dough’s uneven surface. Place the formed dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, jagged surface up, spacing them 2 1/2 inches apart.

Bake until the cookies are light golden grown and the outer edges start to harden yet the centers are still soft and puffy, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through the baking time. Cool the cookies on the sheets. Remove the cooled cookies from the baking sheets with a side metal spatula.

the new new

I have been working on some earrings as of late (and late at night). I have created pieces inspired by numerous things. All will be added to the Etsy store when I return from my trip, which will be after January 4th.

honey bees.


inspiration

image from flickr by autan

moros y cristianos


inspiration

image from caribbean gourmet

bollywood


inspiration

image from daily mail uk

yemaya


inspiration

image from thaliatook

bumper sticker.

I was stopped at a light and the bumper sticker on the car in front of me read:

"One day schools will have all the money they need and the Air Force will have to hold a bake sale so they can buy bombs"

When in the 'dena

Grab some cobbler from The Gourmet Cobbler Factory. Some of the best I've had. Support a family-owned business and they are really nice as well. Once you smell the butter up the block, you know you are in the right place.

The Gourmet Cobbler Factory

33 N. Catalina Dr.

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-795-1005

Website

With teachings and observations, I look at things a little more clearly than before. A realization sparked me to come up with this saying (or motto for life):

"NOTHING IS MANDATORY, BUT THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES."

Everything we do, was done based on a choice made. For example, you don't have to go to work, but if you don't go, there is a possibility that you may get fired, and if you get fired, you might not have money for rent, food, bills, and extras. Thus the "consequences" or domino effect created by an initial choice. No one can make you do anything; no one can "steal" your man- you did what you did because you wanted to, and your man, well he left because he made that choice.
How our life is going; the people we keep close and around us, is the way it is because we allowed it (good or bad). We are powerful beings! In the end you decide. Even if someone held a gun to your head, they cannot force you to do anything, the difference is, you just might because you've made the choice to live.

FM

Last night I was listening to talk radio. This was funny, so I wanted to share.
The topic was the recession.
A caller says "The difference between the recession and depression is: A recession is when your friend is unemployed; a depression is when you are unemployed."

Go see it...

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie last night at a cute theatre in Dallas called "The Magnolia." The movie is about a man that spends his life (from little boy up to adulthood) to find a girl he befriends, which he believes to be his "true love." No, it's not a sappy movie. And no, it's not a chick flick. You see the struggles of orphans in India, in the slums and those that abuse these young, vulnerable children. A powerful movie worth checking out.

In September I baked birthday cupcakes for the homie, E.
From front to back- lemon, red velvet, black bottom.

Check him out and support him at:
Tru Gallery
5221 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Apple Pickin'

After years of wanting to go apple picking, I finally had a crew to go with . On Saturday we loaded the car and headed east to Oak Glen. I was so happy when we were exiting the freeway. From the freeway exit we had to drive 11 miles up, and we made it to Riley's Farm, only to see a sign stating "U-Pick- Closed". Oh mama no! But the area was so cute that it didn't phase me. We drove and walked around, saw animals, namely llamas. First stop, we got apple cider donuts and hot apple cider, yum. The air was crisp and fresh, the trees were all different shades, very peaceful. Our second stop lead us to this village; since there was no parking in the lot we took a detour around onto what can best be described as the "dirt-damn-near-death-road", good times. Here are a few images of the outing:

thanks, good to know.


say word.


selling packaging popcorn as snowman poop? hustlin'.

Click to enlarge.

10 Thoughts on Whole Living

1. Allow yourself to experience the first delicious moments of morning. Wake up slowly. 2. Live in tune with your body; there is no single portrait of health. 3. Deep renewal comes from resetting your rhythms. 4. Your energy doesn't run out- it gets blocked. Find ways to free your flow. 5. Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion. Keep yours moving. 6. Positive change aligns with your deepest values. 7. With each challenge comes new growth. Engage in rewarding efforts. 8. Share your strengths- and be open to others' gifts. 9. There is no substitute for rest. Get plenty. 10. Surrender your need to control; let yourself be amazed.

A cut-out from my March 2006 body + soul magazine

Last night I had a dinner party. Theme: Fall Harvest. The Fall is such a yummy season; browns and oranges, peaches and yams, cool breezes and hot tea, men and scarves (or rather men rockin' scarves).

The dinner went great! I am really blessed to have such beautiful friends that are all talented in an array of things. We ate, sipped, laughed, conversed, played games and had seconds.

The menu:
Appetizers:
Tomatillo Salsa with Chips
Wine almond crusted cheese with Crackers, Strawberries and Grapes

Main Meal:
Corn Chowder
Turkey Salisbury Steaks
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Rosemary Chicken
Candied Yams
Salmon Croquettes with Garlic Paprika Dip
Macaroni 'n Cheese
French Baguette
Baby field greens with Cranberry Walnut Dressing

Desserts:
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Sooooo, my digi-cam was hella MIA and I did not get to take pics of the table. When it was found there was not much to take a picture of, which definitely is a good sign.

Also, I'd seen a wish tree in a foreign flick. When me and sis were in Pasadena one day going to Laemelle's, I saw all these wish trees and was excited; we contributed by adding our wishes to one of the trees. Come to find out it's a Yoko Ono project. I was inspired by that and decided to create one for the party. This one would not only be a wish but also a thank tree.



To read about the Pasadena Wish Trees go to:
http://imaginepeace.com/news/archives/670

Gratitude
Grat"i*tude\ n. The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness

Don't let the fourth Thursday of November be the only day you give thanks. Appreciate the people in your life, all you have, all you can give, kind gestures- everyday.

When in Brooklyn...

Grab some brunch at Solomon's Porch Cafe. I visited the cozy spot on a late Sunday morning with the fam. The place is colorful and artsy. Every dish that made it to the table was good. Such a great vibe and old school Mary J. played in the background.

Solomon's Porch Cafe
307 STUYVESANT AVE (corner of Halsey St)
BROOKLYN, NY 11233
(718) 919-8001
http://www.myspace.com/solomonsporchcafe

...with a glass of merlot

One of my favorite songs. If you don't happen to have this album in your collection, cop it. The original Funkadelic version is just as fresh...

Nutella loves you. For real.

So maybe you don't have time to make a crepe, here is a quick recipe that will still make you say... ooh la la

ºFrozen waffle (I would recommend Van's Natural Multi-grain)
ºNutella (however much or little your heart desires)
ºFresh sliced strawberries (preferably organic or grown non-sprayed)

*Toast waffle and top with nutella then strawberries.