Tuesday, November 22, 2011

i found the one... sorry hubby, it aint you!

After years of searching for the perfect soulmate, I finally found the one. Unfortunately, it isn't my husband. It would have been nice to have been him. Probably would have saved me a lot of time and heartache, but that's just not the way this cookie crumbled...literally!

I found the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I tried the one I posted last and it was good, but the cookies just didn't stay soft enough for me after they had cooled and they were still a little too floury for my liking. I combed over several recipes and chose several items from each that I knew would make a better cookie... and it did! I CANT STOP EATING THEM. I just FIVE (5) cookies and I'm afraid I'll eat more tonight when my husband gets home. They melt in my mouth and are perfect! Just imagine me marching in a circle in my kitchen tooting my own horn because I am.

I'm also happy because I made chili for the first time this weekend. My hubby loves chili and I thought it would be nice to make him a pot. That also came out deliciously spicy, just the way he likes it. He has been eating it everyday since and keeps on telling me how good it is. So, I'm quite pleased with myself.

We are spending Thanksgiving with two other families stationed here in Germany. Each family is to bring one meat, one dessert, and three sides. I'm going to make all new recipes and if my lucky streak continues they will be a hit! Once I've actually made them I will share my recipes. I've chosen spicy honey dipped fried chicken as our meat. The dessert is of course our favorite Sara Lee Cinnamon Crumble Pie...yea I know it's not a new recipe, but definitely a must. The sides will be cheesy rice & veggie bake, spinach & artichoke casserole, and potato cakes with chives and sour cream. Wish me luck :)

Didn't you say chocolate? Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
  •  1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp. smallish-medium coarse sea salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  •  1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips & 1 1/2 bag of milk chocolate chips
1. preheat oven to 350
2. combine flour, sea salt and baking soda into a bowl and set aside
2. cream the butter and all sugar together for at least 3 minutes. 
2. add both eggs and the vanilla to the creamy mixture and blend for another 2 minutes (i didn't cream for the appropriate time before and it makes a difference. i use my food processor with the knife blade attachment)
3. mix in 1/4 of the flour mixture to the creamy mixture by hand (continue doing this until all of the flour mixture has been added) 
4. add in the chocolate chips...yes I use 2 full bags of chips!
5. I use a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick baking spray
6. drop tablespoon sized globs of cookie dough onto your cookie sheet and bake
7. remove the cookies once they are golden brown around the edges. they wont look done in the middle but they will harden once they are cooled. 

*Here are pics of how they look right out of the oven and once they have cooled!


Monday, November 14, 2011

he's not a great liar

My husband is awesome at many things, but lying... not his strength. And thank God for that! When I watch movies like Taken or any zombie end of world movie I never wonder if we'll make it or if my husband is badass enough to save me. My husband never takes no for an answer and is always the knight in shining armor. And that's part of why he lied to me last night. I knew it as soon as I looked into his eyes and heard his voice pitch change ever so slightly. Maybe it's from living with him day in and day out, maybe it's from being a high school teacher, or maybe it's because I'm a great liar myself- but whatever reason it is, I knew his statement to be false.

This is how it all started. I wanted some chocolate chip cookies. I more than wanted them, I craved them. I don't have a sweet tooth often, but when I do it is quite specific. The hubby had to run out and offered to pick me up some cookies, but I said how about just some chocolate chips. I'll make my own cookies. As much cooking and baking that I do, I have never mastered the art of the chocolate chip cookie from scratch. There's either too much or too little of something and they never come out just like I imagine. I want them soft and chewy, but not gooey. They should dissolve in my mouth and the chocolate pieces should be all over my hands and mouth. Haha! While he was gone and the girls were behaving, I quickly mixed up the batter. I followed a new recipe I had received with my Reynolds foil wrap coupon. Seemed to have all the common ingredients needed. I placed the batter in the refrigerator and awaited his return.

After adding in the chips and baking the first batch I knew it... I knew I had once again failed at this chocolate chip mystery. Who the hell can bake a chocolate chip cookie flawlessly? You? Then send me your damn recipe instead of laughing at me. I later reviewed my mishap with my mother and she confirmed my initial thoughts. I dont buy regular butter. We use Smart Balance and I think that played a part as well as some old baking soda. I think it's time for a new box :(

Well, my husband watches me take a bite and asks me how they taste. I admit they are not the best, but they are okay. They are just fluffy. He asks for one and proceeds to sample it. I ask him how does it taste and he says, "It's good" LIAR. Remember, this is the same guy who almost imploded from the f-ing delicious chicken from around the corner. Next thing I know he is Googling how to make Paradise Bakery cookies and offering to make me some! S-L-A-P! Not only are your cookies disgusting, but they are so bad I'm just going to find you a recipe and do it for you. OUCH! I think that hurt worse than the chicken.

I knew they weren't that tasty and I dont need him to pump me up. I was more disappointed in not satisfying my sweet tooth than anything. I tried adding nuts to a batch, smashing the cookies down during and after baking, yet nothing worked. Needless to say, I wont be using that recipe again and I will invest in real butter, a new box of baking soda, and maybe a new taste tester :)

Recipe:
2 1/2c flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) <---i used it
1 c butter, softened
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 package (12 oz) or 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Nuts & Rides

Get your minds out of the gutter! hahahaha... yes, nuts and rides is my title and I like it. I finally chose to make some banana nut bread and oh my was it amazing. So good, in fact, I have another loaf in my machine now. It came out perfect- not too sweet and not too dry. My family can vouch that my new found respect for bananas is very recent. I still dont like them in smoothies. It gives a bad taste... but I will eat them plain and in bread. Thank goodness I have a mom who not only cooks everything from scratch, but who can discuss anything with me. I dont mean she is open (which she is), but I mean she has a broad wealth of knowledge. And if she doesn't know she will flat out tell you- I dont know about that. She recommended I try the Bisquick recipe for banana nut bread. I was a little skeptical at first, but decided it was easiest. Finally discovered the Bisquick at the commissary and made my way home to translate more badly translated English instructions that came with my German bread machine. The recommendation is that I use the "sweet bread" setting, but I decided to just use the machine as an oven and use the "bake" setting. It turned out wonderfully. I used the exact ingredients it lists. I blended up everything except the Bisquick and the nuts. I add these at the end and just stir with a spoon and bake in my bread machine for 1 hour.

We also took a quick visit to our town's carnival. Bright lights, great food, and rides... who can ask for anything more? It was a tad nippy out, but we bundled up and kept truckin'! The girls were all smiles and in awe of the lights and people. I'm sure this time next year they will be screaming with either glee or absolute fear as they ride the merry go round.

On a completely different note, I'm going to return to my vegetarianism. I still ate fish, but it seemed to help me keep the weight off and make better meal choices. I'll still cook some meat for the family, but it wont hurt any of them to eat what I eat most times. I have a great husband who supports me in my healthy hair and eating choices. If you see me trying to kiss him in public after we've eaten it may be me trying to lick the BBQ sauce off his lips because I've gone into chicken withdrawal... Im just warning you! Have a great rest of the week!

 


1 1/3
cups mashed very ripe bananas (2 large)
2/3
cup sugar
1/4
cup milk
3
tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2
teaspoon vanilla
3
eggs
2 2/3
cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2
cup chopped nuts


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

going marbles

I'm addicted to YouTube. More specifically, I'm addicted to YouTube videos about hair. I love to watch tutorials, reviews, etc. It doesn't matter. I subscribe to a ton of women all caring for their hair and teaching me as I progress on my own healthy hair journey. WELL... YouTube will display other videos you may be interested in based on what you've been watching. I started watching some Nicki Minaj inspired hair and makeup videos and was shown another video that YouTube thought I'd enjoy. It was JennaMarbles' video What Nicki Minaj Wants In A Man... huh? So, I clicked it anyway. I am so glad I did. This chick is hilarious. She does tons of comedic videos and vlogs. Her skits cracked me up so much I just had to subscribe. Her videos are not for children! As you watch her videos you learn a little more about who she really is. She is a go-go dancer and blogger who has a master's degree and apparently is flat broke. Why am I finding a trend in the more education one has the less they get paid? Hmmm...

Well, today I was reminded of another JennaMarbles' video. I went to pick up some paperwork today about the car accident I had earlier this year. Remind you, I live in another country. Things are a little different here. The ladies were very kind at first, but most are because of these f-ing cute babies HA! As our conversation continued she didn't like what I had to say. I was very polite and my tone never changed, yet she couldn't just answer my question.

Me: What is the appeals process?
Evil lady: You have to have a good reason.
Me: But what is the process or steps I take.
Evil dragon: Once you have a good reason we write up a letter.
Me: So do YOU decide if it's a good reason. Will my appeal go to you?
Devil: No, we help you write up your letter if you have a good reason.
Me: Can you just tell me what the steps are. What happens after the letter is written?
Evil Devil Dragon Lady: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH ... good reason

This honestly went on for 15minutes. My husband was there and he was also unnervingly calm. Another lady comes over and tells us they can call to find out info about the other driver and what has happened on his end. Fine do it. So the Evil Lady calls and of course the entire conversation is in German. She hangs up and starts to tell me about WHY I DONT HAVE A GOOD REASON! Are you kidding me? I interrupted her and said that was NOT why you were calling and I still don't care what you have to say. What happened on his end? She says they can't tell her that. Well, that is what you said you'd call to find out. At this point I'm tired of talking in circles to the mother of the Blair Witch Project and ask for my paperwork. We point out the entire ordeal seemed like a secret society handshake deal where we were getting screwed in the end.

JennaMarbles Elisha, why the intro about that crazy go-go dancing comedian? She does a skit on How to Avoid Talking to People You Dont Want to Talk to... I WISH I HAD APPLIED THIS TODAY! In case you dont watch her video (just click that link), you have to make a strange face AND commit to it. As the person keeps talking or nervously laughs you hold the face. You don't snicker or waiver. Yes, this is my face... I am sure it would've worked!


**Don't worry, still working on the book! By the end of the month you'll have more to read than you can stand! LOL**