"Going Bananas" Chocolate Muffins

The winter can often pose troublesome for me. Frustration. Boredom. Restlessness. Frigidness.

I yearn to be outside, catching glistening rays of sun and a fresh breeze without feeling like hypothermia is immanent.

I dream of Mexico and warm beaches, tropical fruit, monkeys eating tropical fruit. Yeah it might be the cabin fever.

Monkeys? Really?

The fact of the matter is that I am a fair weather person. News Flash! Being too cold is one of the worst feelings imaginable along with being at sea with waves that are three times bigger than your little lifeboat.

Being too cold is miserable. Boo Hoo...

I understand that the month is January and bone cold. I can’t change that.

I am learning enjoy January as the toughest month of the calendar year.

I am learning to accept that I am going to cozy up for the month, in a warm house, content with the gloomy situation outside. This is part of the cycle, my days are not going to be spilling over with excitement and amusement on a daily basis. Life just isn’t like that. That is life.

Strikes and gutters.

Amen.

There can be joy and beauty in reading by daylight. I usually save such leisurely activities for a means to fall asleep, not wanting to waste precious daylight hours sitting inside. Things change, we grow, we learn, I relax and enjoy the ride.  I read during the day, with what sun light peeks through window onto my over-sized reading chair. That is me sitting with my fannie plopped down reading a book.

I also fire up the oven and come up with tropical treats so I will stop thinking about monkeys.

I have yet to find a better way to warm up than a hot oven and piping hot gooey muffins dripping with golden honey. Oh, chocolate. They must have chocolate. This makes reading all that more enjoyable folks. Trust me.

"Going Bananas" Dark Chocolate Muffins


Adapted from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook


These are big and beautiful muffins that are easily adaptable to several variations. Cut the bananas into pieces about half the size of a dice as opposed to the usual mashing. I like the gooey chunks. Add nuts, coconut or dried fruit. Be fancy. Be fun.


3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
2 large eggs
2 large bananas cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly


1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 12 cup muffin tin.


2. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk the yogurt and eggs together in a medium bowl. Gently fold this wet batter into the dry ingredients with a spatula until just combined. Fold in the bananas and chocolate chips. Fold in the melted butter.


3. Using a scoop, evenly divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The muffins should golden and a toothpick inserted to the center should come out with a few crumbs.


4. Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes then turn onto a wire cooling rack for another 10 minutes. 

5. Dive in and curl up with a book!

The beer drinkers guide to Bellingham

I miss a few things about Bellingham.

Well actually the list is pretty long, good thing the bustling little town is a stone's throw away. A throw that maybe only a professional stone thrower could make. Never mind.  I love going back to see my friends and get a dose funky patchouli drenched, fern worshiping, dirty tree thumping culture.

I miss the men with facial hair. The women with armpit hair - yep - sad but true. Sandals with socks. The sea of Subarus, dreads, guys in tight jeans and ladies in lots of linen. The coffee, the beer, the bakeries, how sweet is their nectar.

How else does one survive insurmountable rain all year long?

Caffeine, booze, baked goods.

I miss our hang outs. J and I could post up at numerous locations, they seem like extensions of our house. Bellingham is comfortable like that. I think it is all the rain, people tend to congregate around libations and caffeinated bevies wearing house shoes.

Fresh beer is to be revered. On tap, poured into a sturdy pint glasses.  Proper fresh beer worth indulging in. J teaches me important things like this and that beer and peanuts are a complete meal on some occasions. He is smart like that. Smarty pants!

Where in Bellingham do you get good beer you might ask?

OH I have been hoping that you would ask!

Here is my beer drinking guide to Bellingham:

Chuckanut Brewery
In a town obsessed with mind numbingly over hopped beers, people clutch to their frosty IPAs with a passion.  The Chuckanut Brewery sets the bar high with their lagers. They are good. They win awards. They are not the typical Pacific Northwest crafts - I would wager that you will enjoy unique and quality driven brews they offer.

Boundary Bay Brewery
Boundary is an institution in Bellingham. You are going to have to wait in line to get a table most days of the week. You should do it though. It is what the locals are doing. Go squeeze your belly up to the bar. The community that is created at this brewery is astounding, the art is always rotating, there are always musicians close at hand, they have well worn old wood floors, mismatched tables and there is something on the menu for anyone, including YOU. Their beer brings home a some awards as well. You will get hooked. Most people have.

Northfork Brewery
Pizzeria, beer shrine, wedding chapel.
If we had got married state side it would have been here. Yep, at a brew pub. My eyes are welling up, I adore this place. The small batch, British style ales will win your heart. The pizza will have you begging for more. You will stay for more because the rustic atmosphere is for real and will have you grabbing games off the shelves, playing for tab or simply listening to the locals can provide hours of entertainment. It is a short and scenic drive east from Bellingham, but what draws the crowds seems to be the universal necessity of a pint and a slice on the way home from Mt. Baker. It is a sacred place.

Green Frog Acoustic Tavern
If you are strolling around downtown Bellingham, this is a bar not to miss. They bring in great music most nights of the week, which attracts a humble following. The taps are ever rotating, 23 beers to be exact and they feature predominantly Northwest breweries. There is no crap on tap. It will make a beer drinker out of anyone. You can eat peanuts and toss the shells on the ground, play numerous instruments that adorn the walls and the neighboring pizza joint will deliver you a pizza. The Green Frog is a keeper.

Back Country Essentials
They have gear and beer. They have like 100 bottles of beer on the wall. Life is simple. That is all there is to it folks. This shop, staffed by fantastic outdoor enthusiasts and is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham. A must stop anytime you are in the area. You can grab a six pack of mix and match beers from across the world as you squeeze puffy jackets, flex skies, click cams and talk shop with friends. Keeping it real, go playing outside.

Now there is some beer high quality beer for a quaint little town. Are you ready to make a trip? Drop me a line if you want to know more. I love to talk.

We lack a sufficient hangout here in the desert. It is unfortunate.  A reliable hang out is a must, especially when you live in a dinky apartment or a rainy college town.

We give props BCE over here in the desert

Beer brought home in a mason jar is cool too.

We are adjusting to a different life style. Change is good.

The pour technique from a small mouth mason is a wee bit challenging. J can master anything.

J stopped in at Laht Neppur in Waitsburg to have a pint and peanuts on his way home from skiing at Bluewood. Lucky me, he brought home a mason jar of the Waitsburg Winter Warmer. He was incredibly stoked to share it with me, he knew I would love it. He had a great day skiing

Me like. I did drink. I drank two pints.

Everything is good.

End of story.

Bacon wrapped peppers

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.




- Aldous Huxley


We brought in 2011 with style. Bellingham style. Best friends style. Sweaty dance party style. Mountain bike ride with my favorite lady rider, in freezing temps, great trails, epic conditions, blue skies, sun and snow style. Kissing my favorite Stiles at the crack of midnight.

These things make me happy.

I know 2011 is going to bring change. 2010 took me out of my hometown. That is a big deal folks. 2011 is shaping up to take us even further from the "city of subdued excitement" but we will let that play out, as of now we still working things out, actually we will perpetually be working things out. Everyone is.

I know one thing to be true.

Bread is better with butter.

And....

 

My friend has the lushest hair I have ever seen.

And....

There is nothing I cannot do with my man by my side. Seriously. He pushes me to new heights, supports me on the journey and provides me with anything and everything to achieve my greatest potential. This man is amazing. As I push 30, I am coming into my own and know that there exciting and new adventures in my future. Things are going to be great. Things are great. It is exciting.

Bacon can be pretty exciting too.

If the peppers are large, cut them in half

And cheese.

And peppers.

These will make you happy.

Simple things will make you happy.

They create more time.

Personal time is good.

Bacon Wrapped Poppers

I watched my dad make these over the holidays. He has brought them to every gathering they went to since he learned to make them. In order to make them bite size, find small jalapeno peppers. If the peppers are longer than about two inches cut them in half. Bite size is key.

I am not going to give exact amounts. Use what you have on hand or how many you need based on the number of nibblers you have around.

Keeping it simple for you!

Preheat the over to 350 degrees

Ingredients

Jalapeno Peppers
Cream Cheese (room temprature)
Bacon

Put on rubber gloves.

Seriously. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Slice the peppers lengthwise and scrape the the seeds out. I often use a spoon to do this.

Smear enough cream cheese to fill the pepper.

Wrap the cheese filled pepper with a slice of bacon. The ends of the bacon should overlap a bit but not wrap around twice. 

Spear with a toothpick.

Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is nie and bubbly and the bacon is crisp.

Let cool on wire rack or paper tows.

Nibble

A sweet nibble

I have one more trick up my sugar dusted, butter stained sleeve.

You are sweet. You know you are. You are creative too, so take this basic formula and run off and play.

That is right, one more cookie recipe. Just for you. That is it for the year. I promise.

I am trying to squeeze in (to my jeans) a few treats, including these nibbles, for our lovely friends who will be sending off 2010 off in style with us.

These bars a old school. I made these with my mom, she knew all about them. She uses soda crackers instead of graham crackers.

Old school. It is coming back.

Like tater tot casserole.

Ok not so much.

Like most recipes that fit in the nostalgic bin, they are fast, cheap and the ingredients are usually on hand. Well, that is not nostalgic.

These are good. Like nibble on the "crumbs" when people are not looking good. I promise.

 

First tear open a a package of graham crackers and eat a couple squares. 

This is important. Take note.

Graham crackers are best when the package is first open. 

Then line a cookie sheet with the rest. Don't get gray hairs over the fact that it isn't evenly covered. 

Over medium heat, mix one cup butter with one cup brown sugar. They are equals. Butter and sugar get along well and will get all nice and bubbly.

Once the butter and sugar starts to turn a bit foamy, about 5 minutes remove from the heat. Pour the caramel sauce over the crackers.

Spready - spread - spread.

 I told you it was easy.

Toss it in the oven at 350. 10 minutes. Bubbly. Molten hot lava.

 While the caramel cracker goodness is still nice and hot, bust out the chocolate chips and distribute.

In just a few minutes, the chocolate will be spreadable. Scmear the chocolate. Lick the spatula. It is easy I tell you.

Get creative while the chocolate is still warm. Smashed candy canes, chopped nuts... 

Nibble - nibble......


Graham Cracker Cookie Bars

Adapted from The Tasty Kitchen

• 1 package (10 To 12 Pieces In A Package) Graham Crackers
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• ½ cups Slivered Or Sliced Almonds

Line an 11×15 inch cookie sheet with whole crackers. It will fill up pretty much the whole space. Use as many whole crackers as you need to fill the space.
Mix butter and brown sugar in a pan to boil. Stir for 5 minutes while boiling on low.
Spread the butter/sugar mixture over the crackers and bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and spread over carmel when it comes out of the oven, top with nuts or anything you desire. Cool for 10-20 minutes in the fridge.
Break into pieces.

The Heart Breaker

So I woke up this morning - yep believe it or not. I did it.

That was a high point during the day.

Right up until I sliced through a handful of those sweet Meyer lemons that are almost disappearing from the season.

Then added tequila - of course. who would consume lemons without booze or sugar?
 Com'mon now.

I think the sole reason I got out of bed, besides the fact that our bed is all worn out and is impossible to just to be lazy, is that there was (was) a jar of peanut butter that was just calling my name. I really need to clean the cupboards. Ya'know, be productive. What better way to clean out the wounded soldiers (J pronounces them: souljas) by polishing off numerous jars of peanut better. Before 7am. It is weird. That is just me, having on of those peanut butter days.

Instead of doing the sensible thing, like getting some exercise or at least vicariously through the wonder dog running through the desert, I went shopping.

I need new dishes. NEEEEEDDDDDDD........must have new dishes............want new dishes.....

The week after Christmas deals seem to be floating around. So I pulled up my trousers and went to THE MALL. As it turns out, kids are on winter break and parents are freaking out.  Seriously. Look around you. Craziness.

The desert, people go crazy here.

I left with a clearance Godiva chocolate bar clutched in my hand. I needed comfort as soon as I reached the serenity of my car. Nibble, nibble. That is me, eating in the car that is sitting in the mall parking lot.

No plates. Chocolate will do. Because the peanut butter got me started. It was all the peanut butter's fault or the cupboards for being too small.

Back to the dishes (important things), want to trade? I am looking for eclectic pieces, mismatched but pretty. I am easy to please. White, old china that someone has tucked away in their cupboard. I am not afraid to use it. I have some pretty brown swirly plates by TAG. You can have them.

Peanut butter, shopping, chocolate.... this girl is going to make a fancy cocktail to celebrate a day of indulgence. 

I have to start what I finish. I learned that in the new True Grit movie. I am just that way. I loved the movie.

My J loves westerns and I love him.

My husband loves me. He buys nice tequila.

  I buy Meyer lemons.

Who has hot red nails...

 All sorts of nice tequila.

 

We make cocktails and get all chatty.

I love it.  

The Heart Breaker

I name this sweet puckery boozy drink the heart breaker because when you take a sip, you wish it was summer on a beach but really you are trying to keep warm in a small apartment in the desert during cold winter months.
That my friend is a heart breaker.

1 part tequila
1 part Meyer lemon juice
1 part orange liqueur

mix - go to your happy place.

Repeat?

Consider it play

I have made a resolution not make New Year's resolutions. It was a little odd at first, for years I have made big strides to change numerous aspects of my life. I mean who doesn't want a new better self, a fresh start, and a few lofty pie in the sky targets?

 I need goals. We all need objectives. I do not need more guilt and neither do you.

We do not need more remorse in our lives. Big, unattainable resolutions most likely will set you up for disaster and yet another round of regret. No one needs more guilt in their lives. The stuff -shame- simply is not healthy. We want to be healthy and happy!

Small steps, little changes, habit forming hobbies that are easy to integrate into our daily lives make us healthier and happier people will be sustainable over the long term. Baby steps will keep that pesky voice coming from your shoulder riddling you with guilt because you did not wake up and completely change your life.

In order for a healthy habit to form it must be some what pleasurable, integrate a task that we already do or even better a little of both. Find things that you enjoy doing. I love going to the neighborhood park to take pictures. Instead of driving there I walk. By design, I live close to my gym so I will either walk there or ride my bike, by the time I get there I am warmed up and ready to get to work. We all travel to places near and far, the destinations that are within three miles are easily walkable where as in the vicinity of five miles bikes are extremely efficient.

Getting outside my car by walking or riding my bike more is what my goal this year. I live in town so it is easier, if you live in a less accessible area try walking to get the paper at the end of the driveway once you park the car. My husband has a really busy work week that leaves virtually no time for exercise. A couple days a week he makes the time to walk to the car pool lot which is a mile away. His walk in the morning and evening is a trip that he already makes but by walking is able to squeeze a little bit more out of the trip that in a car. It may seem really small but the twenty minutes here and there all add up. Small attainable changes lead to healthy life long habits.

Go ahead make a few resolutions but save yourself the pain, make them goals you can and will attain. Shape the goals to fit your life and not you to fit the goals.

Here are a few other recent posts that I cover how important health is and planning.

The missing link

OK guys and gals, I have been wandering around the house since the day we returned from our Christmas trip. You can see the wear in the carpet and the cat is dizzy from all the commotion. No, I am not going through withdrawals from my family, I am not starving because I think I ate enough to feed a small army, or on a sugar bender from the cookies.

I am lost because my laptop charger decided to stay on vacation. I don't blame the wee little power source for the all knowing, powerful and pretty laptop.* It decided to stay at the beach eating smoked turkey and prime rib while hanging out with my pops. The thing better go on a beach walk while it is vacationing, because I am a little lonely here in the desert.




I figured we all needed a bit of color besides red and green. The beach house in the summer time. Obviously not taken duning our last visit. It was too cold and raining the entire time to do anything but coax the dog out of the rotten seaweed and check the BBQ.  Come on folks!  It is the PNW, of course the weather is frightful outside in December!

 

I have information to scour, blogs to read, photos that need editing, time to waste, the world to save all from the comfort of my sweet little laptop.

I have noticed a change the last few days. My house is clean (for my standards), I have actually read an entire book, walked the dog more than once a day, actually picked up my cell phone and talked to my friends.

Do I really spend that much time on my computer?

You don't need to answer that.

*My name sure does have a nice ring after those words

With Love

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

~Oren Arnold

Homemade Barbecue Sauce - for giving

Blessed I am.

Blessed with time this holiday season.

So I made my gifts. They came from the kitchen primarily. I feel good about that.

I would feel better if my sewing machine wasn't at the very back of the spare room's closet. Next year. I mean as in January 2011, I will find that hunk of metal and figure out how to sew because I really want to make these hand towels in fun funky colors.

Goals.

I also want to race road bikes.

And get a job......

Goals.

My Dad has become a fantastic little "kitchen bitch" these days. He has ventured out of his comfort zone of tried and true ribs, hamburgers, fried potatoes, steak... you get the idea. In the last few years he has purchased a meat grinder and makes his own ground beef and pork. I can get behind that. Over the summer I popped in to soak up some of the beach house goodness and he had made these delightful crab cake/sandwich thingys which consisted of crab salad, cheese, more cheese, a slice of home grown tomato, atop an open faced English muffin, finished under the broiler. Wow. He also sent me home with strawberry jam one day. Last time a bag of beef jerky from the smoker. Need I say more?

When I sit with him at the table, drinking coffee, I see his mom, my grandma Carol, shining through.

I am blessed.

My Dad was the easiest and most intriguing person to come up with a gift for. He would be into anything. He loves to grill all summer, I take that back all year, he keeps his grill under cover making it possible to cook outdoors in what seems like 300 days of rain that Bellingham gets a year.

I trolled the web and found a BBQ sauce recipe from Smitten Kitchen. Um yeah, the obsession continues.

The perfect gift for the men in my family!

Ina Garten’s Barbecue Sauce
Adapted from her Food Network show

This is a tangy, subtly spicy, delicious barbecue sauce. You can freeze it in one cup containers to use later. Works like a charm.  I smoothed my final sauce out in the blender. You could leave it with the small chunks of onion floating around as well and save the final steps.

Happy grilling!

Makes 6 cups

1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 large onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup tomato paste (10 ounces)
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup honey
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

In a large saucepan on low heat, saute the onions and garlic with the vegetable oil for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes. Use immediately or store in the fridge. If desired, blend in a food processor/blender for a few seconds for a smooth texture.

Do ahead: This sauce freezes excellently, for months at at time.

Presents and plans

From my favorite everything blog including many belly laughs: Pioneer Woman

It is Christmas week. WEEEE!

As a child I remember being able to cut the anticipation with a knife. I was excited about gifts, presents, and stuff. Lots of stuff. The more stuff the better. Hoards. It was great, I hope that my parents and family know this.

I have always been very blessed.

I still am. More than ever.

Now my needs are simple. I want family and friends around, I want to be healthy and happy, doing what I love.

I already received a lovely present(s) from J. Thank you!

And his parents. WOW! Thank you! As always!

Packages are the best, I am a sucker for a box full of goodness.

I am also a sucker for Texans......

 And cornbread

and bike rides....

Ok sorry

What I really want to tell you is that I hope you stay sane this week.

Find balance. Please.

I talked about it the other day, I still feel, now more than ever that it is so darn important. Get out and get some exercise. Even just a little.

Just do it.

Here is my plan - have a plan for the week.

See I am here in bed and I don't want to leave. I don't want to go to the gym and there is snow and ice outside. I set a plan at the beginning of the week knowing this would happen. I am sticking to my plan as much as I would rather squirrel away in my house and finish my homemade gifts or make cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. I will go and I will be glad that I did.

The hardest part is just starting, walking in the door. Make it happen.

Have a plan for the rest of the week, extend that plan to the New Year.

Take care of yourself.

M.