Strawberries

Strawberries are probably the most versatile fruit, don’t you think? I am not sure if they are my favorite…I think I actually prefer a sweet, crunchy nectarine – but I do admire the beauty of a strawberry!

They come in cute shapes!

They go well with afternoon tea/coffee.

…they make any dessert BETTER!

& make breakfast more nutritious.

They can be sophisticated.

…& even go with potato chips?

What is your favorite way to serve strawberries?

images via citronpimousse.tumblr.com

Tofu Shirataki Noodles

Has anyone tried Tofu Shirataki noodles? They come in Spaghetti, Fettuccine, & Angel-Hair varieties & are ONLY 20 cal/4 oz! I am so anxious to substitute them in recipes. Keeping my fingers crossed that they are as yummy as they look in the photo.

Watermelon Carving

Watermelon carving from Vid Nikolic on Vimeo.

Wow, this is really amazing! I wonder how many watermelons he went through to perfect this skill?

Delicious Etsy Store

Tookies is quite possibly the most delicious Etsy store. I will be ordering one of these next time I am home alone on a Saturday night!

Guinness Stout Brownies

So moist & and delicious, I love these Guinness Brownies. Could I get drunk from eating these? Perhaps if I ate the whole tray…which is possible!

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
8 ounces dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup white chocolate, chopped
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 bottles Guinness Extra stout beer
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil, or regular foil, lightly greased.
- Pour both bottles of beer into a medium saucepan, and simmer on medium heat until it’s reduced down to 1 1/4 cups. If you keep a glass measuring cup nearby, you can check the progress when you think you’re close. It should take about 15 minutes. Leave the beer on the side to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt until evenly combined.
- Melt butter, bittersweet chocolate and white chips in a double-boiler over very low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat. (You can also do this in the microwave, heating it on high and stirring every 30 seconds).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined.
- Beat reserved flour mixture into melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in the reduced beer mixture and the vanilla. The batter will seem a bit thin, but it will be perfect. Pour into the prepared baking pan and drop semisweet chocolate chips evenly on top of batter.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes on center rack in the oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. (The original recipe cites a longer time, but I found that mine were ready sooner. It might just be my oven so leave it in a few extra minutes if you think it needs it).
- Let brownies cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if you want before serving.

Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas

Num Num…something refreshing with a bit of kick! Doesn’t this sound perfect for these 100 degree days? I can’t wait to try one of these on my deck this weekend. via domesticfits.blog.com

4 cups seedless watermelon chunks
1 1/2 tbs chopped fresh jalapeños, seeds removed (very important)
1 cup of tequila
1/2 cup triple sec
1 tbs granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice

Put all of these ingredients in a blender and blend for about a minute.

Adjust with more tequila if you dare! Add ice and blend or you can serve it on the rocks. Either way, you will probably need about 3 cups of crushed ice or ice cubes.

You can rim the glass with either sugar or salt, this recipe lends itself very well to both. (I am definitely a salt girl!)

Add a jalapeño ring as a garnish.

Wine & Cheese Picnic

A perfect fall evening for me would include a bottle of wine, oat crackers and lots of exotic cheeses! LOVE this wine picnic basket..it even holds 2 bottles ;0

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

I’m seriously craving dessert today. I usually have a frozen chocolate bar to satisfy my sweets craving (Kit Kat, Hershey with almonds, Reeces PB Cups, etc…) But don’t these look AMAZING? I do like to bake, but the problem is I have trouble eating only 1 or 2. These definitely don’t look good for your waistline, right?

Next time I get the urge to bake, I am trying these Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

Brownie:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
2 cup sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Peanut Butter Filling:

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
2/3 cup honey
Ganache:

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
6 tbsp. butter
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan and toothpick comes out not quite clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Peanut Butter Filling: Stir together peanut butter and honey. Spread over cooled brownies.

Ganache: Melt butter and chocolate chips together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. This should only take 1-2 minutes. Pour evenly over brownies and spread carefully. Cool on counter or in refrigerator until set.