Simply Scrumdiddlyumptious

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Day 109: Tom Yum in a Flaming Pot is Not the Same in Westwood

Tom Yum in a Flaming Pot (from Thai House, Westwood)

I'm sorry, Thai House Westwood--but my heart belongs to another. All I can think of when I see you is...

I miss you, Berkeley! <3 And all the wonderful things that come with being in a the bay full of stellar, awesome people.

Day 108 (6.27.12): Going Cow Crazy for Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Chunky Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

These are absolute winners. Cheesecake and brownies in one luscious bite really can't get any better--I brought this to my students today as part of a writing exercise (yes, you read that right!) and they disappeared faster than a Disapparating wiz. So if you want a real magic trick, pop these bad babies in the oven and then watch them disappear the second they're out!

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square baking pan.
Combine cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Stir 1 cup chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture (I prefer to stir mine into the brownie batter or leave it out altogether). Set aside.
Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat off, and set a heatproof mixing bowl over the water. In the mixing bowl, combine butter with the remaining cup of chocolate chips; stir until just melted and blended together. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 2 eggs, then sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into chocolate until evenly blended.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer. Top with remaining chocolate mixture (this doesn't need to completely cover the cream cheese layer). Using a knife, swirl the top chocolate layer into the cream cheese to make a marble pattern.
Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is crinkled and edges pull away from sides of the pan. Cool thoroughly. Cut into 12 to 16 squares. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Day 107 (6.26.12): Homemade Granola Recipe

Homemade Granola Recipe

An amazing recipe that has gotten rave reviews. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats
- 1 1/4 cup assorted nuts, finely chopped (I like using walnuts and
pecans)
- 1/4 cup black sesame seeds (optional)
- Finely ground flaxseed (optional)
- 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries

- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon syrup (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, chopped nuts, sesame seeds, and flaxseed.
3. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, oil, cinnamon, vanilla,
and
syrup. Bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture over
dry
mixture and stir to coat. Spread coated oats evenly over foil-lined
baking
sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 12-18 minutes or until
crispy,
stirring occasionally to keep granola from burning. And enjoy!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Day 106: Running in Circles Eating Repeats

Today I had nothing that has not already been seen here a half dozen times, because it was that sort of a day.

What sort of a day, you ask?

This kind of a day. Taught my first classes, which were really good fun! And also extremely, extremely exhausting. After hitting up the gym and literally just being happy to let the hours slip by, I am now slightly panicked at the mountain of work still looming over me.

Oh well. This is what I think of you, mountain-of-work, research, and lesson-planning: