cooking ala mel

Soft Mocha Chip Cookies

June 7, 2013

This week, I’m slightly back into “school mode” as I do my first pharmacy rotation as a P3 (third year of pharmacy school) student. I don’t know what it is about having to do school work, but it sends me into these “read all the books, watch all the TV shows” kind of moods. I watched the most recent episode of Game of Thrones – one I was really not looking forward to seeing after reading it, and if you saw it or read it, I’m sure you understand why. It was a lot worse seeing it, I thought (feel free to share your thoughts/feelings in the comments, but no spoilers, please!). But then I needed more A Song of Ice and Fire, and I debated rereading them. But then I discovered The Tales of Dunk and Egg that are also set in Westeros, just 89 years before A Song of Ice and Fire, with a few legendary names that are mentioned through the original series. They’re novellas, so they’re just focused around one story for each, and I quickly breezed through them.. and now I want more. So maybe I’ll have to reread the original series. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to get Alex to watch as many episodes of Revolution in a night as I possibly can, since we totally missed the second half of the first season. Is anybody else watching that show still? I’m liking the second half much better than I was liking the previous episodes.

With this crazy mood, it’s a good thing that I sent the rest of these cookies into work with Alex on Monday after having some leftovers from his graduation party. I probably would’ve eaten all of them while reading or stressing over the drug information paper I had to write today. And these ones weren’t quite as healthy as I usually make them, so binge eating cookies would not really be a good thing (not that it ever is, anyway, healthy or not). [Read more…]

Mocha Mayo Cake (Gluten Free)

June 3, 2013

Mayonnaise, to me, has always been about the memories that surround it, rather than the ingredient itself. Obviously being pretty health conscious myself, mayo probably doesn’t sound like an ingredient that I would use frequently, but there are some dishes that I just can’t make without it. A “BELT” – a bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato sandwich – is nothing without a generous spread of mayo on each slice of toasty bread holding it together. That sandwich reminds me of lunches at my grandma’s house; we’d all surround the table for sandwiches after playing outside for hours (when I was younger) or after taking a break from baking cookies for the most recent wedding (nowadays). Creamy potato salads remind me of summer days full of picnics, fireworks (and sparkler duels), and running through sprinklers. My dad always tells me stories of how they would eat mayo sandwiches – just bread and mayo – as he was growing up. Haha, can you imagine eating a mayo sandwich? My sister used to eat ketchup sandwiches sometimes, so I guess it’s sort of the same thing.

There’s just something about mayonnaise that brings a sort of nostalgia with it. So when I was given the opportunity to recreate my own version of one of Hellmann’s recipes for their 100th Birthday Celebration, I was all for it. Mario Batali created his own versions of classic Hellmann’s recipes, and he’s invited everybody to do the same by making their own version of his recipes, including YOU – all you have to do is go to the Facebook page to enter your recipe into the contest to win a trip to New York City to celebrate the 100th Anniversary! As soon as I saw the chocolate mayo cake, I knew exactly what recipe I wanted to make my own, which I’m sure is no surprise to any of you, knowing how much I love to bake. [Read more…]

Super Seed Energy Crackers (Gluten Free)

June 1, 2013

What a week it’s been! I’ve been able to have fun in the kitchen every day – always a good indication of how my week is going. The one thing about being in the kitchen pretty frequently, though, is that I always seem to lose track of time and.. forget to eat. Kind of ironic, considering I’m in there making food. I often get so caught up in the process, though, that I remember at least to squeeze in a good bit of water (and subsequent bathroom breaks), but not food. Of course, by the time I finally to remembering about actually eating some food, I’m pretty hungry. So something quick and substantial is key.

Enter in these crackers. They’re filled with good for you seeds: chia seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds (pepitas). A yummy way to fuel yourself through the day with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. My lunch has been these crackers, carrots, and roasted garlic hummus with a bunch of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. Quick, healthy, delicious. And filling!! [Read more…]