NomNom: Chocolate Chunk Cookies

It always amazes me when I witness the kindness of strangers--only because it's such a rare thing to come across these days. Last week I had this dilemma with a HUGE mirror I bought (we're talking 10ft in height with heavy brass lining surrounding) that I decided to return. At the time I bought the mirror my parents had their SUV so it was no big deal. Now the SUV is gone (may it rest in peace) and I got stuck with the mirror.

I mean, I was okay with keeping the mirror but the original plan was to hang it behind my sofa and well, the mirror was too heavy so I was told that it might be a bit...dangerous. So, temporarily I set it upright against the wall as a "decor piece." I dunno.

I was talking on the phone with my friend Mel and asking her what I should do and somehow or another she ended up coming over to help me with my problem. She's the best.

Now, where do I begin with the first problem with the mirror? First of all, it is so big that we had trouble having it fit in my building's elevator. Second, we thought that if we put the car seats down, it would easily slide into the car. Umm no. It wouldn't fit. BIG PROBLEM. So there we were, in the garage, with half of the mirror sticking out of the car. After all the trouble we went through trying to get that thing down to the garage, I refused to bring it back up just yet.

Just as we were about to give up, a lady stopped by and basically told us that it wouldn't fit in the car. Duh lady. But then she proceeded to say she had a SUV and asked us where we needed to go. Thankfully the store was 5 minutes away and she basically said, "I think the good neighborly thing to do would be to help you guys out."

!!!!!!!

After dropping the mirror off, I got her name/unit number because I really wanted to do something for her beyond a thank you because she has no idea how much of a help she was that day and I wanted to show her a token of my appreciation in someway.

I recently came across a recipe for the best chocolate chunk cookies. I've made many recipes involving chocolate chip cookies but this was my first time using chocolate chunks instead of chips. It makes such a difference and it might be one of the reasons why it really is the best. I know, bold statement.

Anyway, I ended up baking these soft, chewy, chocolaty cookies again for my neighbor and wrapped it up with a cute polka dot ribbon, attached to a thank you note. Polka dots makes things so much cuter, right?

Moral of the story? Be kind. Make these cookies. Both are worth it.

Have a great weekend. xo.

Ingredients (Adapted from whiteonricecouple.com): Yields 36 cookies
160 g  (3/4 c)  Light Brown Sugar
160 g (3/4 c + 1 T)  Granulated Sugar
255 g (1 c) unsalted Butter
2 large Eggs
1 t Vanilla Extract
1 t Sea Salt
370 g (3 c) all-purpose, unbleached Flour
1 t  Baking Soda
350 g (.75 lb) Dark Chocolate (cut into 1/2" chunks or smaller)

Procedure

Preheat oven to 375° F (350° for convection ovens)

1. Beat together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, vanilla extract, and sea salt.

2. Sift together the flour and baking soda.  Stir into batter, then add chocolate chunks and stir until well mixed.

3. Roll into 1 1/2" thick logs.  If not using soon, freeze the logs for future use, otherwise cut the cookies into equal portions, about  3/4" thick.

4. Pat the discs even and circular then place on a silpat or baking paper lined sheet pan. Space the cookies so they won't bake into each other when they spread.

5. Bake at 375° F for at10-12 minutes, making sure to take them out when they are still slightly underdone. They will be a light golden brown on the outside edges.  After the cookies cool for a minute, transfer to a cooling rack and allow them to cool enough that the chocolate won't burn your mouth.

NomNom: No Cook Chocolate Pudding

You know those days when you come home from a long day of work and look through your fridge to see if there's anything good to snack on? Okay, maybe that's just me but I've had plenty of days like that recently due to long hours at work. Sometimes I just like to have something that's ready-to-eat-no-heating required-kind of food in my kitchen so I can take a bite of whatever deliciousness that is readily available while standing in my kitchen. Yea, standing. Is that weird? I dunno.

When I was younger, my mom would often times pack me those Jell-O pudding snacks for lunch and I would devour it because that would satisfy my sweet tooth. Now that I'm much older and more ahem "adult like" I figured it's due time to try my hands on home made chocolate pudding.

You know how they say the book is always better than the movie version of it? I apply that to food as well. Homemade versions are always, always better. This pudding is easy (NO COOKING required people!!), decadent, and not overtly sweet because it uses both bittersweet chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder.

With the warm weather we've been having, how perfect would a refreshing bite of chocolate pudding sound to you?

Have a great weekend.


Ingredients: Yields 4 (Adapted from Fine Cooking magazine)
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (1-1/2 cups)
2 oz (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into four pieces
2 Tbs granulated sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch table salt
Sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)

Procedure
1. Have ready six 4- to 6-ounce ramekins or teacups. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan or microwave until just boiling. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cocoa until smooth.

2. Add the chocolate, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt, and whisk until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth.

3. Pour the mixture into the ramekins or cups. Depending on the size of your ramekins, they’ll be filled about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way. Cover with plastic (not touching the surface of the puddings) and refrigerate until chilled and thickened, at least 6 hours or up to three days.

4. Serve with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a few chocolate shavings, if you like.