Author: longdistancebaking

Brownie Bites

Brownie Bites

I remember when I was in high school and my sister, cousin and I had these massive all-day movie marathons. We would go to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video (I swear we aren’t that old…) and rent about 5 movies and just lounge in our pajamas 

Jalapeño Hummus (using Dried Garbanzo Beans)

Jalapeño Hummus (using Dried Garbanzo Beans)

Pop quiz time: which two states grow the most garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas)? Answer: Idaho and Washington. The Palouse region, to be specific. Which, fun fact, is where I grew up! When Mom gave me a bag of dried garbanzo beans grown in my hometown 

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Cookies

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Cookies

Ya, try and say that five times fast.
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Sorry for the long name but it perfectly explains what these cookies are and what’s in them. We’ve got all the good stuff: chocolate, chocolate chips, and cookie butter. What could be better?!

Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite stores. I walk in and automatically feel healthier and like I know what I am doing with my life (I feel this way with Whole Food type stores too, fyi) and one of the many gems found at Trader Joe’s is cookie butter. Until these cookies, I had never had cookie butter before but I looooove cookie butter ice cream. Seriously super tasty, go buy some now 🙂
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But back to the cookies. As I was perusing the aisles at TJ’s, I saw the cookie butter and chocolate swirl spread. It was screaming my name so I obviously felt compelled to buy some knowing that I would one day incorporate it into a recipe. Guess, I walk in TJ’s feeling healthier but don’t always leave with healthiest items. Sorry I’m not sorry.
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These cookies are so easy to make! Adapted from Wallflour Girl’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, these cookies do not disappoint. Enjoy 🙂

-Kelly

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup cookie butter
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In mixing bowl, cream together egg, sugar, cookie butter, butter and vanilla.
  3. Once well mixed, incorporate flour and baking soda.
  4. Stir in chocolate chips.
  5. Using a cookie scoop, form cookie dough into balls and place on cookie sheet.
  6. Bake 11-13 minutes. Enjoy!

 

Lemon Crumble Muffins

Lemon Crumble Muffins

I love muffins for breakfast. Sure they’re not as healthy for you as other breakfast options. And yes, sometimes I put enough sugary sweetness into them they’re more like a dessert, but mornings are hard enough as it is. Don’t we deserve a treat for 

Brown Bread

Brown Bread

I ate Brown Bread every morning I was in Ireland. Every. Morning. And I miss it! I had never had Brown Bread before I went to Ireland. I feel like brown bread just doesn’t sound that appealing and from pictures, I just wasn’t feeling it. 

Lemon Panna Cotta

Lemon Panna Cotta

Remember that time I had a bunch of fresh homegrown California lemons? Well…I still have them. So get ready for even more lemon desserts!

I kind of forgot panna cotta existed. That is until Liz at Floating Kitchen made some a few weeks ago and I suddenly remembered how delicious this dessert is.

Lemon Panna Cotta | longdistancebaking.com

If you’ve never had panna cotta before, it can be a little hard to explain. The translation from Italian is “cooked cream” and is essentially just that: sweetened cream with a little bit of gelatin for it to set in the mold. I wanted to say it’s like a jello + custard combo…but that sounds much less appetizing than what panna cotta really is.

Lemon Panna Cotta | longdistancebaking.com

Do you know what else panna cotta is? Easy. Like all you have to do is warm ingredients on the stove, pour into dishes, and let chill in the refrigerator. That easy. Yet it sounds fancy, tastes amazing, and looks like something you would spend hours working on. Aka something you should make for an OMG-I-have-to-really-impress-people-but-I-have-no-time moment. You’re welcome.

Lemon Panna Cotta | longdistancebaking.com

 

Traditionally panna cotta is unmolded and inverted onto a plate for eating, but you can easily eat it straight from the dish. Don’t have ramekins? Use wine glasses! Get creative. And get creative with your toppings. I personally like honey on mine, while some prefer fruit or chocolate. You really can’t go wrong.

If you’ve never made panna cotta I really hope you give it a try! I promise it will be a hit.

~Stephanie

Lemon Panna Cotta | longdistancebaking.com

Lemon Panna Cotta (adapted from The Kitchn)

  • 1 1/2 c whole milk
  • 3 tsp powdered gelatin
  • 1/3 c sugar
  • 1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon (~1 tbsp)
  1. Lightly grease 6 ramekins with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Before turning on burner, pour milk into saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Turn burner onto low and slowly warm the milk, dissolving the gelatin. Do not boil the milk. You just want the milk to be warm, never hot. Stir frequently.
  4. To test if the gelatin is completely dissolved, dip a spoon into the milk and look for distinct grains of the gelatin remaining on the back of the spoon.
  5. Once gelatin is dissolved, stir in the sugar and continue stirring until it is dissolved as well.
  6. Remove from heat and whisk in whipping cream, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest.
  7. Divide mixture evenly into ramekins and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
  8. To remove from ramekins, run a sharp knife along the edge and invert on a plate. Shake or pry out gently if needed.
  9. Serve with desired toppings.
Online Dating

Online Dating

Well, I did it. I took the plunge into the online dating pool. 2015 is my year… on second thought, maybe not. I decided late last year, after a few nudges from friends and family, that I would start online dating in 2015. I would 

Easy Homemade Croutons

Easy Homemade Croutons

Guys. Have you made your own croutons before? Because you should. Every few weeks we splurge and buy a nice loaf of bread for dinner, usually if we’re having a hearty pasta dish or a homemade soup. But seeing as there are only two of 

Hot Whiskey

Hot Whiskey

012So when I went to Ireland, I not only fell in love with the country, the scenery and the people, but I also fell in love with a Hot Whiskey or a Hot Toddy as it is also called. And if you haven’t had one yet, you will too.
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I’m not a big tea drinker but I’ve recently acquired a taste for certain types: green, chamomile, vanilla, and of course hot whiskeys. Because, you see, the best way to describe a hot whiskey is that it is an adult herbal tea. Therefore, by my precise logic, hot whiskey is a tea and must be good for you. Please don’t tell me I’m wrong on this one…

I Googled a few recipes and one of the sites confirmed that in fact hot whiskeys are better than cough syrup when you have a cold. It’s more natural… Now I cannot confirm if this site is entirely factual and legit, but I’m pretty sure it is 😉
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I use hot water for my hot whiskeys but you can just as easily use hot tea. Also, what is great about this recipe, is that you can add all the ingredients to your liking. I prefer more lemon over honey but if you want more honey, just add some more! The drink usually tastes the strongest at first but I like about half way through the drink when all the flavors have really come together- delish!
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This drink takes me back to a cozy Irish pub with live Irish music. I think I might turn on some music and make myself a drink now 🙂 Enjoy!

-Kelly 

Ingredients:

  • Irish Whiskey
  • half of a lemon
  • honey
  • cloves
  • boiling water (or tea)

Directions:

  1. Start boiling water or tea.
  2. Meanwhile, squeeze honey in bottom of glass. I usually pour until there is a nice even, yet thin, layer of honey at the bottom of the glass.
  3. Squeeze half of a lemon into glass. Pour one shot of Irish Whiskey in glass (of course, you can add more if you want ;)).
  4. Fill cup a little over 3/4 full with hot tea or water. Stir with spoon to mix the flavors.
  5. For garnish, place cloves in a lemon slice and drop in drink. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Raisin Granola

Cinnamon Raisin Granola

I’ve wanted to make homemade granola forever. When I told the BF I was making some, his exact words were “you’ve said you’re going to make that forever”. Clearly I talk things up then never follow through. This cinnamon raisin granola reminds me of my