Pondering French Food

I love cooking. It's so much fun to create something tasty and have people go "ooohhh, mmmm, this is sooooo good!" Yeah, I'm in it for the praise! I gotta get the compliments or it's not worth it! But I do enjoy making and trying new recipes. Some of my favorite food is usually overloaded with spices and the combination of unique flavors like, Greek, Thai or India. But ever since I watched the movie "Julie & Julia", I've been wanting French food. I've had it once atCafe Provencal in St. Louis and it was délicieux, but I haven't found a true French restaurant in Huntsville yet. There is one called "D&L Bistro" that seems enticing. It's a bit pricey, but their menu looks fantastic. If I go there, I'll let you all know my review.

So, after excitedly watching and laughing through the whole movie, I'm determined that I'm going to start a collection of cookbooks in all food cultures. First on my list is a French cook book. Maybe Julia Childs, but they are NOT cheap! and they're HUGE! Let's start smaller. I want beautiful pictures of every meal that show you what your creation is SUPPOSED to look like, even though it never really does! Then, to add to my collection I want a German cookbook, Greek, Indian, Thai… the list continues. I don't want some watered-down, quickie "American version". I want the real thing done the right way! Then I shall invite everyone over for a dinner party!

-Jess

Chocolate Covered… BACON?!

I can't decide if this is a good thing or just flat out disgusting! There seems to be a new fad growing in the food industry – adding bacon to just about anything. Yep, now bacon is a universal staple and no longer faithful to just eggs and toast. Bacon is ready to explore new territories: baked in brownies and cookies, and even dipped in chocolate. I've actually heard of a coffee house that adds bacon fat drippings to their coffee. Ironically, they're a Vegan restaurant, but I guess anyone can break the rules for some good ol' bacon lard.

If you're interested in why this makes sense to anyone check out this article on NPR. Even though our taste buds crave sweet and salty combinations, I not sure if I'm ready for bacon ice cream topped with chocolate chips.

-Jess

Image used from NPR article "Bacon Gets Its Just Desserts".

Simply sweet… and last minute!

I love my friends, I really do… but they plan everything LAST MINUTE! I’m an overboard planner. I know exactly when and where I going to do things and how much it’s going to cost and what to bring. I even have the weekend planned by Wed! So when I found out ON LABOR DAY, that we were invited to a party, I panicked! Now what am I going to do! Every store in town is closed on Labor Day, and I can’t be “that friend” that shows up with no food, and then pigs out on everyone else’s ! Hmmmm, what to do, what to do? I quickly remembered a recipe that I’d almost made several times for a quick circumstance just like this. I grabbed my trusty Betty Crocker cook book and opened it to the most basic desert recipe I could remember- Butterscotch Brownies. I was back in business! This recipe has all the basic ingredients that I always have in my house. Let’s just say I kept my reputation as “the awesome dessert girl” and got rave reviews from everyone at the party. I recommend keeping this delicious “back-up brownie” recipe for every last minute invite!

Butterscotch Brownie

• ¼ cup butter or stick margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbs. milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup chopped nuts if desired
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Heat over to 350. Grease bottom and sides of square pan 8 x 8 x 2. Melt butter in 1 ½ quart saucepan over low heat; remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, milk and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread into pan. Bake about 25 min. or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan on wire rack.

You can also add any toppings to it such as chocolate chips, nuts or candy pieces. I used chocolate chips on top, and then baked them so it all got gooey!

- Jess

Just Because...

That's exactly why I started this blog!

I'm Jessica-designer, illustrator, cook and lover of handmade crafts and naturally worn elements! Here you'll find little peaks into my day-to-day life, thoughts, interests and dreams-just because I like to share them with you. I'm addicted to Chinese and Thai food, as well as anything chocolate! I love to knit, even though the only thing I can make is a scarf! I desperately want to learn to sew something cool-like an ultra-trendy shirt or dress. I'm in love with texture-rusty metal, wood, deteriorating vintage items, peeling paint! Anything that adds character and age to something. Graphic design is my passion. I can't help but stop in the middle of the store isle and stare at the huge sign on the wall. I'll even hold a design piece so close to my face it touches my nose-just so I can see all the detail of how it's made! My husband an I plan on learning a foreign language even though we can't decide between French and Italian! Great plans are in the works to travel to far places-China and Tahiti are coming up within the next 2 years. Oscar and Zoey are my two kitties that are wild and crazy-I hope they stay like that forever! I have the coolest husband that likes to shop with me, loves antiques and takes me flying to anywhere I'd like to go (Yeah, yeah... I'm spoiled).

That's enough about me for a bit. A "last-minute" dessert recipe coming up soon!

- Jess