Archive for August, 2009
Behind the Scenes of "Giada at Home"…
Posted by: | CommentsThis video about cracked me up.
Thanks to the Food Network for posting a video capturing what goes on behind the scenes of “Giada at Home”. Glad to see a glimpse of Goofy Giada which counteracts memories of that Cranky Giada once seen on Next Food Network Star’s past seasons.
Check it out HERE.
Tried & True: Captain Morgan Chocolate Chip Cookies…
Posted by: | CommentsThere’s a story behind the creation of these cookies like with any cocktail-esque creation.
In college, I fell in love with all things Captain Morgan thanks to my ex, A who constantly had a Captain & Coke in hand. To this day, it’s my spirit of choice. Mixed with a bit of Diet Coke, I’m in heaven. When my ex, A., was stationed in Croatia and Bosnia, I was in charge of sending care packages from our crew. One thing he always whined about was the lack of Morgan on base. Hence, *poof* Captain Morgan Chocolate Chip Cookies were born. When he was shipped to Iraq shortly after I moved here, again he whined about the lack of Morgan during a call to say “hi.” Well, a stronger version of Captain Morgan Chocolate Chip Cookies was shipped his way and he told me that the boys in his unit absolutely loved it. My friends often request this recipe and I always ask them “Morgan Cookies With or Without” for those that might not want a bit of rum goodness.
The recipe is simple – it’s the Nestle Tollhouse Recipe with a slight kick. Give it a shot – you might actually enjoy it. However, I’m not responsible should you find yourself heading to Costco to get “bargain” size bottles of Morgan for future cookie shenanigans.
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Captain Morgan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe adapted from Nestle Toll House
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
- 3 tbsp Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum; retain some extra for “basting”
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum.
- Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Brush tops of cookies with remaining Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Julie & Julia – A Movie Must See…
Posted by: | CommentsI had a chance to catch an advance screening of Columbia Picture’s new film, Julie & Julia and, quite frankly, I’m speechless. It’s a movie that just resonated with this gal, that being one person finding their voice through cooking.
I remember that often I would catch Julia Child’s show on PBS growing up and would watch fascinated as she would take ordinary ingredients and bring them to life in something absolutely divine. Julia Child was often paradied but there was no denying the contribution that she made to cooking. I often would look at her cookbook and go “Who are you kidding, Lys – YOU can’t do that”. And, quite frankly, if you heard my ex’s whining, I was a horrible cook and had no idea what to do in the kitchen. However, after much practice and welding of my Global knife, like Julia, I have “no fear.” Well - except for when it comes to cooking a lobster – I’ll pull a Barefoot Contessa and buy it pre-cooked, thankyouverymuch. I even picked up a copy of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” this weekend with the intent of trying it – not just to have it collect dust on my new cookbook shelf.
Anyhow, back to the movie – as I told someone at the theater, Meryl Streep could act out the dictionary and I, much like the rest of the audience, would sit transfixed. She is THAT good of an actress. I felt that the audience was given a glimpse into what made Julia Child – JULIA CHILD. Stanley Tucci, a devout foodie himself, played the role of Paul Child perfectly. Not having read Julie Powell’s book, I found myself agreeing with the storyline of working a day job and coming home to cook to get away from it all. I remember the first comment I ever got and the joy I felt when I published something that meant so much to me. I also understood how sometimes blogging gets in the way of the day to day when you also view it as a “must do” rather than “want to do” (hence while I’ll NEVER sign up for Blog365 again). All in all, I thought this film was very well made and I will see it again (and get the DVD).
Apparently Cooking in Stilettos was fashionable back then. Who else can rock a Chanel Cap Toe pump while checking her Le Creuset – clearly a movie after my own heart.
