A little clarity would be nice...

Holy hell.

Seriously, kids. What...is...up?

Roommate (this is used to speak of either of them interchangeably) and I were having a discussion the other day about how it used to be... back in the day. Think about it. When you were in high school (maybe even back in grade school), if you were interested in someone -- for whatever reason -- you would make it known. We seem to remember very little hinting around at things -- we remember being straightforward -- and pretty damn forward, in general.

But what happened to all of that? As we've grown up, we've become more and more cryptic about our feelings and intentions. Are there a few people out there I'd be interested in giving a nice little smooch? Damn straight. Do they know it? Doubtful. Are there particular people out there that should ask me on a date? You betcha. Do they know I want them to? Or that I'd say "yes" if they asked? Probably not. ((Hmm... maybe these comments are the kinds of cryptic hints I'm referring to -- though I'm pretty sure none of them know about/read this blog, so I might not be breaking my own rule -- see below.))

I've been thinking lately that I should challenge myself to step away from the games, from dropping hints that may not be entirely clear, to say what I'm thinking, when I'm thinking it. Yes, there is a great possibility that I'll end up being disappointed by other's responses -- but maybe I'm willing to deal with that in exchange for not being the confusing one to someone else.



On a lighter, and tastier, note, the APT (how I'll refer to all of us in this apartment) made three kinds of crepes for dinner last night, in celebration of Roommate's last day of French class/taking the crazy ass French test for her program. Mmm... spinach and feta... strawberries, pecans, and whipped cream... and chocolate-hazelnut spread w/ toasted hazelnuts... who is surprised that 2/3 (or 66%! yikes, that sounds worse) of our "dinner" was actually dessert??

Summer in the city...

Lately, I've been getting more and more excited about the prospect of Chicago in the spring & summer. It's an amazing place to be -- there are tons of (free!) events going on, from dance lessons in Grant Park, to fireworks twice a week at Navy Pier, to international festivals spread through the neighborhoods... I can't wait!

I'm starting to work on a list of things to do to make the most of what could be one of my last summers ever in one of my favorite cities. I'm not quite sure who will be around to play -- but trust me, we'll have plenty to do =)

(I like lists...)
SummerDance (from mid-June to mid-August)
Movies in the Park(free movies at Chicago Park Districts)
Festivals! (Blues, Film, The Taste!!)
Kites!?? (how cool is this one?? In my own neighborhood! May 3rd)
Navy Pier fireworks (every Wed at 9:30 and Sat at 10:15)
Tailgating with my boys in black, aka, The White Sox
Venetian Night (fireworks, boats, etc, etc.)

--I'll keep adding to it...

The simple things.

Lately, nothing has been making me happier than the feel of the warm sunshine on my face. So any time I have a free minute, I have been forcing myself to get outside or enjoy the weather in some way. The other day, I decided to go do my reading in the park (which turned into reading/sleeping/lounging/people-watching, but thats ok) and I saw this dad trying to teach his daughter to ride her bike.
The little girl couldn't have been much older than 4 or 5 and was so adorable. I watched them for quite a while, and what stuck with me most was their last attempt. She got on the bike and kept turning around to make sure that Dad was standing behind her and that he wasn't letting go of the seat. I'm not sure of their conversation, but you could tell from their mannerisms that he was reassuring her that he wouldn't let her go.
I know that feeling of looking back to make sure that someone is still there. Family... friends... significant others... to some extent, you want to be free and independent and feel the wind in your face. But on the other hand, its nice to know that in case you get a little wobbly, you've got a hand to support you.
It made me think of when I learned to ride my bike. I think my dad was the nervous-nellie about it (surprising if you meet him), but my mom was the one who said, "Just let her go." ((Which resulted in me flipping my handlebars into the alley -- Dad was mad at Mom for letting me go -- I still have the scar on my knee if you want to see.))


Remember when things were that easy?

Chocolate Hazelnut Torte

So, this recipe was the result of me racking my brain for something that would be amazingly delish for a foodie's birthday cake. I know that it may not appeal to all of you, but let me just say -- this cake -- mmm... a combo of three of my favorite indulgent ingredients: chocolate, coffee, hazelnuts...

Conveniently, I work at a gelateria -- so they provided the yummy hazelnut gelato (and counter space and freezer) that made this cake what it was.

The cake:
box(es) of chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist "Triple Chocolate Fudge")
eggs
oil
really strong coffee (to replace the amount of water the cake mix calls for)
((I used a big pan, so ended up using 1.5 batches of cake batter))

The filling:
chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
hazelnut gelato (though you could probably use some sort of ice cream)
crushed hazelnuts, toasted

The crowning achievement (aka chocolate ganache):
semi-sweet chocolate chips/chunks (I sprung for the Ghirardelli)
heavy cream
((its hard to give exact measurements for this because it depends on the size of your cake, but for an idea -- it is approx equal parts of each))

1) Bake and cool the cake to room temperature. Let it chill in the refrigerator to make it easier to cut into layers.
2) Determine how many layers of cake/gelato goodness you want (I chose 3 gelato, 4 cake) and slice appropriately -- I used dental floss, but a serrated knife should work too. (Put the cake in the freezer to make it easier to move the layers.)
3) Place the bottom layer of cake in the pan (and the rest of the cake layers back into the freezer), spread with chocolate hazelnut spread, then softened hazelnut gelato. Sprinkle the layer with the toasted hazelnuts.
4) Take one of the cake layers from the freezer and top this. Put the entire cake in the freezer to firm up a bit before repeating the layers of choc/hazel spread, gelato, toasted nuts, etc. Repeat for as many layers as you have cut -- freezing in between each layer.
5) The ganache-y goodness:
Heat the cream, but don't boil -- mix constantly so the bottom doesn't burn.
Remove from heat and add chocolate. Whisk well. It will take a minute or two for the chocolate to melt all of the way and for the color to turn a smooth and glossy brown. If it is way too thin, add a few more chocolate chips. This mixture will thicken upon standing and cooling, so don't go too crazy with the thickness at this stage.
-Let it sit and cool down a bit. You can also put it in the fridge for a few minutes to quicken the process.
6) Remove cake from freezer and spread ganache over the top, letting it run down the sides. Immediately re-freeze.

To serve: remove from freezer a few minutes before you plan to serve. Using a knife dipped in hot water for each slice will help as well!

I used a springform pan to make it easier to build a tower out of this monstrosity. A regular pan with cardboard and waxed paper to make it taller should work too.

(more pics to come)

Temptation Island.

Have you ever had something that isn't good for you, but you want it anyway? And just when you start to think "hmm, that delicious thing doesn't tempt me anymore... I don't want it", all of a sudden, you sort of want it more than ever?

Yeah.

So that's how I'm feeling about chocolate right now. Right -- chocolate.


But, speaking of chocolate -- I will post a ridiculous recipe that I developed this evening sometime in the next few days... (on the off chance that a certain birthday girl reads my blog, I don't want to ruin the yummy, yummy cake surprise ;)

Holy moly.

I think I agreed to run the Chicago Marathon today.

Um, if by "agreed" I mean: paid and got a non-refundable receipt.




Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

Soup... its what's for dinner.

Last night, after considering two ingredients I had to use from the fridge because they were on the verge of being tossed (red peppers and fresh sage) and the weather outside, I decided to make a nice toasty pot of soup.

These are approximations, because I sucked at measuring:
3 red peppers
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion
5 sprigs fresh sage
a few tsp olive oil
equal parts butter/flour (for roux)
paprika
salt
pepper
veggie broth

I rubbed the peppers, onion, and garlic with a little olive oil and roasted them for 35 mins around 350 degrees, turning every 8 mins or so.

After peppers cooled, I peeled and de-seeded. And added the peppers, onions, and garlic in large-ish chunks to the vegetable broth. Simmer on low for 10 mins.

I removed the peppers from the broth and used my immersion blender to blend a few peppers/onions at a time, reincorporating it into the broth. After peppers had been blended, I put some of the mixture into a bowl with the sage and blended -- then mixed back into the larger soup pot.

In a separate small pot, I made a roux by melting a pad of margarine with flour, mixing often to keep from burning, but cooking gently to create a nuttier, less flour-y taste. After it started to brown, I gradually added a bit of the blended peppers/broth from the big pot, boiling to thicken. (Then reincorporated thicker mixture into large pot)

For a creamier texture, you can add a bit of cream, milk, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, etc. I used about 2 tbsp of lite cream cheese to add a little something extra. Salt, pepper, paprika to taste...

Roommate made garlic bread for dipping -- yum.

I dig it.

What I dig, particularly as of late:

Hyde Park Produce.

My proximity to the lakefront.

Good coffee.

The hint of basketball outside.

Tulips.

Sunglasses.

Game nights.

Nicky's basketball team.

Amaretti cookies.

Cooking instead of studying.

Latte art.

My roommates.

Dig.