Recipe: Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies

Taken from The Voice of Joyce

1/3 cup butter, room temperature (Irish butter if you have it)
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup Irish Cream liqueur

Irish Cream Glaze
1 tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9×9-inch square pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease.
In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Whisk sugar and cocoa powder into butter until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature, then whisk in egg and vanilla extract.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Pour in butter mixture and Irish cream and whisk well to combine, mixing only until no streaks of flour remain. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 22-26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs (not chocolate batter). Cool in pan on a wire rack before glazing.

For the glaze, whisk together all glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over cooled brownies, then use a spatula to spread gently into an even layer. Allow glaze to set for at least 2 hours at room temperature before storing the brownies.

Recipe link: Banana cupcakes with nutella icing

Check the recipe out over at Lil Mrs Housewife: Banana cupcakes with nutella icing

Ugggh

I found a recipe for banana cupcakes with nutella icing but didn't copy it down, and now I can't find it.  I now it was off a blog on blogger.  Any ideas?

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed golden brown sugar

5 tbsp. butter

1/2 cup crushed almonds

1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine the flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. With a fork or your hands, cut in softened butter to make a crumbly mixture.

2. Set aside 1/3 cup of this mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of two 8 x 8 inch baking pans. (Optional: Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool slightly.)

3. Combine cream cheese, sugar, pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla in large mixer bowl and blend until smooth. Pour over baked or unbaked crust.

4. Sprinkle with reserved topping and crushed almonds. Bake an additional 20-25 minutes.

5. Cool before cutting into bars.

Makes 32 Bars.

*The bars were very thin with making two pans, so I might throw everything into one the next time I make these*

Adventures in baking

I've been a busy bee! Yesterday I made chocolate chip pumpkin loaf and there are pumpkin cheesecake bars cooling as we type.  I just discovered this amazing cooking blog: Our Best Bites and I'm addicted! My roomie and I are going to make the baked chicken penne tomorrow.  Yum!  I also recently acquired a recipe for homemade chicken strips! It's super easy and uses crushed soda crackers.  In case you haven't figured it out by now I. Love. Food.  A lot.  It's a small miracle I'm not 300 lbs! In fact, I have been known to walk into my roomies room crying that there is nothing with sugar in the the apartment.  All I have right now is oreos, and they just don't do it a lot of the time.  Hmmm I know my RA/friend has sorbet in his freezer...

And like the old lady I am, aforementioned roomie and I will spend our Friday night watching the new episode of Say Yes to the Dress :P The icing on the cake? I'll be working on a scarf I'm knitting for my sweet friend Merran! Sweet Jesus when did I get so old?!

*update* pumpkin cheesecake bars are delicious!

Recipe: Pumpkin chocolate chip loaf

Ingredients;

2 eggs

1/3 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup pumpkin purée

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp grated orange rind

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 pinch ground cloves (ewww haha)

6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1) In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy, beat in eggs one at a time.  Stir in pumpkin and orange rind.

2) In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, & cloves.  Stir into pumpkin mixture, alternately with 1/4 cup water, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and two of water.  Fold in chocolate.

3) Spread in parchment paper-lined or greased 8x4inch (1.5L) laof pan.  Bake in centre of 350 F oven for about one hour or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean.  Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.  Turn out onto rack, let cool completely.

Stylish Blogger Award x 2

The lovely Nikki @ The Fashionable Wife gave me this lovely award, so here are 7 more things about me (I know you were dying to know :P )

1) My favourite flowers are red roses.

2) I saw The Lion King on Broadway for my 25th birthday.

3) I'm obsessed with Lululemon.

4) I love to bake.

5) I danced competitively for 10 years (tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, song & stage, and contortion).

6) I adore yoga.

7) I always sleep with the window open a little bit, even when it's - 40 C.

I already tagged people, but thanks again Nikki!

Recipe: Whole wheat peanut butter banana cookies

From the Clueless Baker

 

1 cup AP flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/2cup butter

2 med. bananas, peeled and cut into small chunks

2 eggs

*I usually add semi-sweet chocolate chips*

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet, or line with parchment paper.

 

In large bowl stir together flours and baking powder. Set aside.

 

Put into blender container: Brown sugar, peanut butter,butter,bananas, and eggs. Whirl until smooth.

Pour into dry mix and stir until evenly combined.

 

Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet, leaving room for expansion.

Bake for 12 to 15 mins. until set and lightly browned on the bottom

 

Pre-Grad photo photos : )

My friend and roommate S and I got our hair done this morning for our grad photos this afternoon.  I think it turned out quite well.  We'll have to see about the grad photos; my right eye likes to squint when I smile and I could really see it in the ones the photographer showed me on the computer, although my friends claimed they couldn't see anything.

Sweet Potato and Pinto Bean Chili

I'm linking up with Trish over at This Life of Ours for What's Cooking Wednesday(a little late, I know :P )

My recipe is one that actually have yet to try, but I am can't wait to buy the ingredients when I go grocery shopping on Monday so I can try this baby out!

Ingredients:2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 medium onions, chopped (I'll be omitting these-can't stand onions!)

2 tbsp mexican chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

2 cup vegetable broth

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 (28-oz./796 can diced tomatoes

2 (19-oz./540 mL each) cans pinto (or other-I prefer kidney beans), drained and rinsed or 4 cups/1 L home-cooked beans

1tsp salt 

1 tsp crumbled dried oregano

1/4 tsp cayenne (or less, to taste)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (don't have any, so omitting)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.  Add the onions and cook, stirring, over medium heat until the onions are soft-about 5 minutes.  Add the chili powder and the cumin and cook for another minute or so.  Add the vegetable broth and the cubed sweet potatoes, reduce the heat to low and cook, covered, until the potatoes are almost tender-about 10 minutes.

Add the tomatoes with all the juice from the can, the beans, salt, oregano, and cayenne.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, then let simmer until the potatoes are completely tender-about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.

Serve with rice or corn bread and sprinkled with shredded cheese, if you like.

Makes 6 servings

So pretty!

I'm loving this sweet puff heart necklace that I found on etsy...but I'm saving my money for Disney!

30 Days of Truth-Day 3

30 Days of Truth

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

The failure of my last relationship.

Polka Dots, Pearls, and Pink...oh my! giveaway!

The lovely lady over at this blog is doing a pashmina and pearls giveaway.  Check it out!

Pearls and Pashmina giveaway

Love it!

I'm totally digging this Victoria's Secret cardigan

I'd get it in aquarium, bark heather, black, and winter white if I had the money! Wouldn't it look great with my Tiffany's pearl earrings?

Florida bound!

Exciting news! Yesterday I booked flights for two friends and I to go to Orlando for 10 days after we all finish school in May!!  I found return flights from Boston-Orlando for 250$ each!  My friend Danielle and I were looking at what else to do in Orlando yesterday (Suzanne went home this weekend) and we both want to go to SeaWorld.  We also found a spa that was highly recommended and we are thinking of getting pedicures on our last day :D

Ironically enough it is snowstorming outside right now haha.

30 days of truth-day 2

30 Days of Truth

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

I love my hair colour and freckles : )

Stylish Blogger Award!

<<Les mots ne mentent pas>> tagged me to reveal 7 facts about myself and receive an award.  My first award!  Merci!

1) I started french school when I was 5.

2) I'm left-handed

3) I lived in France for 4 months.

4) I'm from Vancouver, BC but I go to university in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

5) My favourite animals are sea otters and guinea pigs.

6) I think westies are the most adorable dogs ever and I can't wait to get one!

7) I'm applying to Grad School for a Master's in Library and Information Studies.  I want to be a children's/youth librarian at a public library!

My blogs are:

1) Nikki @ The Fashionable Wife

2) Joelle @ Love is Home

3) Christin @ A Classy, Southern Wife

4) Amanda @ Amanda & Don

5) Mrs. Chelsi @ Ramblings from a Mom with Cabin Fever

6) Ashley @ Life After the Aisle

7) Teenage Bride @ Teenage Bride

8) French Lover @Our Transatlantic Love

7) Quite Contrary @ Quite Contrary

8) Lindsay @ Lindsay Writing

9) Curly J @ Running From Cupcakes

Honestly those are the blogs I feel I read enough to give an award too.  Can't wait to read everyone's answers!

Wedding pics!

I went to a high-school friend's wedding on Friday, and it was wonderful! The officiant really seemed like she had gotten to know them and my friend and her wife looked so happy.  Here are a few pictures : )

Back to school tomorrow! I'm missing the first day of classes hehe.  Naughty naughty ; ) Flight leaves at 10am, so am getting up at 7.  Bestie is picking me up from the bus station in Sherbrooke : )

30 Days of Truth

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yoursPublish Postelf EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

I hate my legs.  I swear they look like chicken drumsticks! 

Product review: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant

I've been using Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream products since I was little.  Every summer my family would go to a friend's cabin up North and I started to get a rash every time we went.  EA cream was the only thing that made the rash go away.  It's also really nice when you get a cold for under the nose and the upper lip when they get rubbed raw from all that nose blowing.  I found this lip protectant at Shoppers Drug Mart for only 10$ (it's a smaller tin than this one).  The product pictured above is 25$.  I think this is seriously going to save my lips this winter.  - 40 temperatures are not kind to my poor skin :( This makes my lips feel smooth and protects them from harsh weather.  Love it!

Recipe: Vegetable chili with quinoa

Recipe: Vegetable chili with quinoa

Over the summer I became obsessed with quinoa.  I think it's seriously the greatest food ever! So so good for you.  I found this quinoa chili recipe on www.vegweb.com.  Incidentally I also love vegweb.  I'm not vegan or even vegetarian but there are tons of great recipes on there.  I've tried a few and they are all delicious : ) I don't like spicy foods so I alter the spices a bit...definitely leave the chili powder and crushed red peppersout if you're like me.  I forgot one time and made the recipe as is and I couldn't even eat it, it was SO hot.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 to 3 carrots, chopped
2 to 3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 tablespoon cumin
2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red peppers
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
14 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
14 ounces refried beans or pinto beans (drained and rinsed, if pinto)
1 cup quinoa
2 cup vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
avocado and cilantro, to garnish

Directions:

1) Heat oil in a heavy bottomed soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute onions, carrots, and celery until soft, about 5 minutes. Add cumin, chili powder, red peppers and garlic, and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2) Deglaze the pot with tomatoes. Cook 1 minute, then stir in beans, making sure refried beans are fully incorporated. Bring to a boil, then stir in broth and quinoa.

3) Cover and cook over medium heat until quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve topped with fresh avocado and cilantro.

Source of recipe: I based this recipe on chili that I had on a canoe trip that ended up being AMAZING.

Makes: 6-8 servings, Preparation time: 15 minutes, Cooking time: 30 minutes

*I used 1.5 cups of broth and was happy with the consistency, and I used more beans than the recipe called for.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm *loving* the movie I saw On Sunday with my sweet friend C, The King's Speech

I'm *loving* the Live Clean smoothing cream I recently bought: it's paraben/pthalate/phosphate free, pure vegan, cruelty free, is biodegradable, and has recyclable packaging.  For more info on Live Clean, click here

I'm *loving* the boa scarves I'm knitting for friends.

I'm *loving* that I got to see my lovely friend J for some delicious White Spot and Lululemon shopping.

I'm *loving* that my high-school friend E is getting married on Friday!

I'm *loving* that I was able to find my two psychology textbooks on amazon for much cheaper than at my university bookstore

I'm *loving* Urban Decay primer potion.  It's seriously like super glue for eyeshadow, but it comes off easily with eye makeup remover.

I'm *loving* that I've reached double digits in followers hehe.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

My friends and I are making quesadillas my first night back at school, and I can't wait to try this recipe!

Easy grilled chicken quesadilla recipe

Chicken quesadilla recipe…for 4

*4 large flour tortillas

*About ¾ lb of grilled marinated chicken breast sliced thinly (use whatever marinade you like, a lime/soy based marinade works well for Mexican dishes)

*Sautéed onions and sweet peppers (about 1 big onion, and two sweet red peppers, sautéed until softened

1 heaping cup of refried black or pinto beans

¾ pound of grated cheese…use Monterey jack or a mixture of half cheddar and mozzarella.

Heat your heaviest frying pan on medium, and then spread a thin layer of refried beans over half of each open tortilla. On top of the beans lay the chicken, vegetables and cheese, and fold over in half so you have four half circles ready to be fried.

Lay as many as will fit in your heavy fry pan, and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until browned and slightly crisped, flip over and repeat for the other side. Hold warm in a low over until all four of the quesadillas have been finished.

These are large enough to make a good meal for one each. Serve with a fresh tomato salsa, a spicy Mexican tomato or tomatillo salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

If you lack any of the above ingredients (except of course the tortillas or the cheese!) you can make these anyways, and they'll still be delicious.

If you wanna get fancy, combinations such as duck confit and mole, brie and pears or seared tuna and mango can transform the everyday quesadilla into a more urbane affair. You might end up sort of missing the point of the whole thing though!

Bold flavors, melted cheese and lots of salsas on the table...that's the real deal.

Recipe from: http://hubpages.com/hub/Grilled_chicken_quesadilla_recipe_The_classic_Tex_Mex_quesadilla

Poor nails

My nails have always been weak and they break easily.  Any tips for getting stronger, healthier nails?

My dream kitchen

If I had my very own house, this is the kitchen I would have:

The colour inspiration

Crossing my fingers for this exact mixer as my university graduation present!

The cabinets

The countertops

Movie review: The King's Speech

Yesterday I went out for dinner at White Spot (my fav!) with my friend J, followed by some quality Lululemon time :D Let's just say that girl is insane...I will definitely be finding a way to pay it forward : ) Here's a good story: J used to babysit me! She found me on facebook and when she was working in NYC I went down with a friend to visit her.  After Lululemon I headed over to the movie theatre in Coquitlam to see The King's Speech with my friend C.  It was incredible.  Amazing.  I want to see it again! The acting was incredible...if Colin Firth doesn't win an Oscar for this I will throw a hissy fit.  The cast was amazing...Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennett in the BBC Pride and Prejudice), the two guys who play Dumbledore & Wormtail in the Harry Potter movies, and the guy who played Mr. Collins in the BBC Pride & Prejudice.  So good!

New Year's Resolutions??

Maybe, maybe not.  Regardless of what you call them, here are a few things I'm hoping will find their way into 2011:

• Drink more water.  I drink waaay too much juice.  I could never give it up completely, especially in the mornings, but I definitely need to drink more water.  I dislike the taste of plain water, so I'll buy some lemons to put in it.
• Go to the gym at least three times a week, plus ice skating on Sundays (free at the campus arena!).  I'd like to tone up a bit!
• Spend less money on eating out.
• Space school work out by doing a little bit every day.
• Eat better and cook bigger meals on the weekends so I don't have to cook so much during the week.

Hmm...that's all I can think of for now!