Tag Archives: sugar

Mellow Yellow

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Every summer I would have a BBQ at my NY apartment because it had this lovely, large courtyard with grills and a pool. It was the ideal outdoor space to entertain and while I look at the calendar this year to try and host a BBQ down in Philly I keep getting nostalgic of the four years of fun times we had in my White Plains courtyard. This drink was served in pitchers galore and I am having a major hankering for it now. Especially after my trip to Italy last year, where we went to Sorrento, to an actual lemon grove and did a limoncello tasting! yum! Anyway, I just cant get enough of it. So sit back, relax, and enjoy sipping on this deliciousness in the warm yellow sun on a mellow weekend afternoon!

  • Springs of fresh mint leaves (I would do a small handful)
  • 1 box of blackberries
  • 1 box of raspberries
  • 1/4 cup of simple syrup (equal parts sugar/water boiled mixture)
  • 16 oz. sparkling water (I didn’t do the flavored kind and used plain, but I’m sure if you only have flavored that would also be fine)
  • 1 1/2 cups of Italian Limoncello

Muddle the mint with ice at the bottom of the pitcher, add the simple syrup* & berries. Right before serving pour in the limoncello and top off with the sparkling water.

*Boil 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water until the sugar is dissolved and stir the mixture until it has a syrup-y consistency. Let it cool before adding to pitcher. Also if you don’t like something too sweet, feel free to leave out or reduce.

This is meant to be served in a tall high ball glass however I don’t think Emily Post would freak if you did a white wine glass. Consume alcohol safely!

Happy Drinking, XO.

The Iced Tea Game Changer

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“Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof!” I know you know this song, and if you’re having warmer weather like we are, I’m sure you’re feeling pretty damn happy about it! 

We had our first neighborhood BBQ this weekend and it felt so good to be cooking outside. (Technically, in a room without a roof. Ha!). To get in to the summery spirit, I made some Thai iced tea. I tried this tea a couple months ago and haven’t been able to get it out of my head. Honestly guys, it’s f*king amazing. It’s an iced tea game changer for sure.

Makes enough for a pitcher.

  • 6-7 bags of black tea (add more if you like it stronger)
  • 1 gallon pitcher of water
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup whole milk (or half and half if you want it thicker) 
  • 2 tsp star anise
  • 1/2 cup ground tumeric (more or less depending on what you like)**
  • 4 tbsp cardamom (be sure you take out the little black seeds)**

Combine all ingredients and serve over ice.

** You should have both of these spices left over from the goan fish curry, tandoori chicken, simla mirch paneer, etc. And if you don’t, use the leftovers to make those dishes!! **

Thai iced tea

Happy Drinking, XO.

 

 

Rise & Shine Puddin’

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Ok so I have special place in my heart for bread pudding. It was my paternal grandfather’s favorite dessert. So I feel as if I am doing the family a disservice if its on a menu at a restaurant and I don’t order it. Having said that, this is a dessert that can either be amazeballs or really really crappy. I just don’t get it to be honest, however since that is the case I have always been afraid to make it in fear of the fact that I will end up making the crappy version (or that I should have gone to culinary school because I don’t know what the freak “place in a water bath” means? I mean don’t all baths have water? Whatever, I digress). Alas, I came across a recipe that not only seemed easy enough for a home cook to make, but also seemed fool proof at not sucking. I tried it out and just loved it. So much so, that I served it for brunch & looked like a culinary wizard (you know one that bathes their food & such).

Have at it and comment below. Jess and I just don’t have enough reading to do…so write us something! STAT.

  • 7-8* slices day-old bread (I am lazy and didn’t wanna have to buy raisins and cinnamon per the recipe’s instructions so I just used Pepperidge farm raisin cinnamon swirl bread. Best short cut ever, I’m a genius!)                                                  
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted                                                                     
  • 4 eggs, beaten      
  • 2 cups of half & half                            
  • 1/2 cup (white or brown) sugar (original calls for 3/4 cup & that was way too sweet for brunch, but if making as a dessert you can always increase the sugar, but again I left it at 1/2 cup).                                             
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped (candied or regular) walnuts (optional since I know some of y’all have nut allergies)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If using, sprinkle with the nuts now. In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped. Top should look golden brown.

* the bread quantity varies only because I don’t know how custardy or solid you like your bread pudding. Everyone’s preference differs, so just eye ball it.

Happy Eating, XO.

I <3 You, Cupcakes

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It’s no secret by now – I love food, and I especially love baking. So it’s only right this Valentine’s Day I bake some yummy cupcakes! Some people go for chocolate covered strawberries, I go for chocolate on chocolate cupcakes. #NoShame. I bought a chocolate mold a few years ago just for the hell of it (shout out to Michael’s!), and as it turns out it makes perfect little hearts for cupcake toppers!

Chocolate Heart Toppers

  • 1 cup melted white chocolate
  • 2-3 drops of red food coloring (add more or less depending on the color you want)

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1⁄4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 packet chocolate pudding powder (I replaced this with unsweetened cocoa powder bc, let’s be real, you’ll never use unsweetened cocoa for anything after this recipe.)
  • 1⁄8 tsp salt
  • 6 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 1⁄2 cup white sugar
  • 2 egg
  • 3⁄4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk

Icing

  • Pillsbury’s frosting in a can = no mess and just as good

Start on the chocolate hearts about an hour before hand so they have time to harden. Melt the white chocolate slowly in a sauce pan. Once it’s liquidy, add in the food coloring. (If it starts to score/harden after it’s already melted add a tiny bit of water to it and it will smooth right out again.) Pour in to the mold and stick in the freezer.

For the cupcakes, do the usual prep work: preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Then sift together all of the flour, baking powder & soda, chocolate pudding powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Follow up with the eggs and vanilla. Then slowly add in the flour mixture and milk until completely combined. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Valentine's Day cupcake

Happy Eating (and Valentines Day!), XO

Bougie Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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One unusually chipper morning, I thought I’d be a little overzealous and make a fancy breakfast/brunch. I had tried these lemon ricotta pancakes in a cafe when visiting Sonia in Philly and have wanted to put my own twist on them ever since.  I have to say, they did not disappoint! They’re amazingly refreshing, and made for an awesome brunch.

  • 2 cup blackberries (or raspberries/mixed berries)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3 eggs – separate the yolks and egg whites
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted melted butter
  • 1 zested lemon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the compote, cook the berries and maple syrup over medium heat until they start to get soft and saucy-like. (Around 3 minutes).

For the melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, whisk together the ricotta, flour, yolks, sugar, butter, lemon zest, and vanilla. Unfortunately, at this point you have to dirty another bowl (personally, I hate doing that). In another bowl beat the egg whites on high until foamy and fold in to the other mixture. Heat your griddle/pan to medium heat, and get to makin’ some pancakes!

When the pancakes are done, pour on a little compote and syrup (tastes good AND looks good). And Don’t forget your mimosa!

lemon ricotta pancakes

Happy Eating, XO