December 18, 2013

Tropical Bark

I realized that I never really announced that this week is BARK WEEK on Shutterbean! BARK WEEK…like Shark Week but for Bark. Bark like the candy, not like the dog sound. Last week I rehashed my Crunchy Peppermint Bark recipe which fueled my current bark obsession. Monday was all about Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark and today I’m introducing you to another new favorite— TROPICAL BARK.

We shy away from peppermint in this bark and go the Aloha route with toasted coconut, salty roasted macadamia nuts (OH BOY!) and we add the yellow and orange jewel tones of candied mango and pineapple. It’s creamy, dreamy and conjures up a quick island vacation in your mouth. Is that even possible? Maybe. That subtle hint of lime zest makes it uber tropical! I highly recommend candied ginger if you have it. I’m going to add it to the next batch because I have some pantry stocking to do….

I’m glad we’re on this BARK TRAIN together. Woooooot Woooooooot! Edible Gift-Town, next stop!

recipes

December 16, 2013

Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark

Question: What would happen if I crushed up Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Joe Joe’s, mixed them with white chocolate and turned them into bark? Uhhh. Could I make a ridiculous bark that would rival my Crunchy Peppermint Bark with puffed rice cereal?

Answer: DING DING DING! YES. And it will be this Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark!

I feel like I hit the jackpot with this one. The creamy minty filling mixed with white chocolate and cookies is WONDERFUL. When you get a crunchy peppermint bite of the crushed up candy cane?? OH YES. Heaven.

I’m going bark crazy this year. It’s just too dang easy to make something SO GOOD. I have another bark recipe coming this week. I can’t stop this bark train.

gift guide, Inspiration

December 15, 2013

Gift Guide: Cocktail Edition

So, I am sure you’re probably inundated with Gift Guides these days. It’s getting a little stressful, isn’t it? I think we just need a drink (or two!)…SERIOUSLY. I put together some our favorite things for you to impress your cocktail loving friend/family member and maybe while you’re at it, pick something up for yourself? You deserve it. All of these items are from Amazon, so if you decide to order something now, you should be in good shape for the holidays. Thank heavens for Prime Shipping! CHEERS, friends!

my everyday life, Photography

December 14, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 50

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Our eyes in the morning. Pinot is getting extra love.

December 13, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

Some people don’t have a knack for grammar…
I think I like life with cats?
The Most Painfully Awkward Things That Happened in 2013. SO. AWK.
Currently reading/loving the book: One Simple Change
MUST make this Gingerbread Caramel Corn. OH MAN.
Anonymous Lies Told to Children. Hilarious.
I kinda feel like I would react the same way on my podcast. Maybe.
Autocorrect. The struggles!
This Pomegranate Lemonade Punch makes my mouth water.
I bet the guy who wanted underwear & socks regrets his request.
Congrats, Kristin! And WOW your Spicy Cocoa Mix looks amazing!
I can definitely relate to this post about juggling work & motherhood.
I wonder what this house is like in the snow. Sigh…
Kale is here to stay! I want this Kale Farro Salad immediately.
Self Saucing Chocolate with BOURBON CREME FRAICHE. OMG.
I’m hoping to add one of Katie’s pieces to my home decor one day.
These cookies look chewy and I LOVE CHEWY COOKIES.

Hey! The holiday party I hosted/styled for thekitchn is up! You can see the final post (including parts of my house) here. It was so much fun!

Have you listened to the latest Joy the Baker Podcast??! DON’T CUSS AT ME. There’s a lot of giggling in this one. I hope you enjoy it.

Budget Bytes made my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Clara Persis adapted my Thai Beef Salad

Think Fruitful made my Cheddar Cheese Bread

Food Snob STL adapted my Coffee Marshmallow Krispies

Inspiration, Outfitting

December 11, 2013

Outfitting: Navy Cream & Rust

ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE/SIX/SEVEN/EIGHT/NINE

It’s kinda crazy but I wear more dresses in the winter than in the summer. I think it’s probably because I like wearing leggings and/or tights instead of baring my legs. It’s just a comfort zone situation. I also really love wearing boots because they make me feel powerful. I don’t know why…they just do. So today I put together an outfit that channels what I’d wear if I was in college during the winter time. Of course I’d pair a thick wool jacket on top. ‘Tis the season to dress in layers!

recipes

December 10, 2013

Pear Cranberry Arugula Salad

New post! Pear Cranberry Arugula Salad

Today there’s a bunch of food bloggers throwing a virtual Baby Shower for Bev of Bev Cooks. Will I tell you what kind of candy bar is melted into a diaper in this virtual shower situation? No. But! I will contribute an amazing winter salad to the party! A baby shower just wouldn’t be right without salad, don’t you agree? Bev is pregnant with TWINS and she’s one of the funniest bloggers out there. I absolutely adore her writing and her food combinations make me weap sometimes. HELLO Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites and get out with your Spicy Breakfast Taquitos, Bev! Anyways, congratulations to you, Bev! I have no doubt you’ll be the best mom! Also, my mom’s name is Bev so I can speak from experience as a child with a mom named Bev that moms named Bev are awesome. (Hi Mom!)

OK. SALAD. I’m currently engaged in a love affair with this salad. I made it RIGHT after Thanksgiving when we still had a few leftovers and MAN! It was just what the doctor ordered when I wanted to be healthier but still wanted a little indulgence. It’s also a good way to stretch out that last bit of cranberry sauce and if you have any fried onions leftover from your green bean casseroles. THOSE ONIONS BELONG IN SALADS, folks.

If you don’t have any cranberry sauce left, you could use a scoop of jam. Fig, raspberry, strawberry and even marmalade would be good substitutes. It helps emulsify the dressing and gives it a little sweetness. It’s like dijon, but the exact opposite. This salad is heavy on the toppings (the best salads are!) so feel free to add more arugula to stretch it out. I think you’ll see why it’s currently in my salad rotation. Those onions, man. They’re everything.