Truffles Tuesdays {cause sometimes you just need chocolate}...

I know you aren't suppose to eat a lot of chocolate when you are pregnant cause of the caffine blah, blah, blah but sometimes a girl needs a truffle or two {or maybe 10}.  Truffles are those kinds of treats that seem really complicated to make but that's not the real story.  Here is my no fail recipe...

Get In My Belly Truffles

Ingredients:

Chocolate chips {the higher the cacao percentage the better- you want to shoot for something in the 60% to 80% range- I use Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips}

1/3 Cup Heavy Cream {I didn't say they were good for you}

Cocoa Power {Again the higher quality of chocolate the better I use Green and Blacks Organic Cocoa Power- found at Schnucks}

Directions:

In a sauce pan boil about 2 inches of water.

Once it comes to a bowl place a glass bowl into the hot water bath.  

Pour in chocolate chips and cream into glass bowl {the bowl in the water bath keeps your chocolate and cream from burning}, stirring often until thoroughly melted together.

Once melted take off heat and let come to room temperature, this takes about 45 minutes.

Taking either a small spoon or melon scoop, scoop out chocolate mixture and form little balls with your hands

Roll in the cocoa powder lightly and enjoy!

I made these for the girls at work and they went crazy for them.  They are such a simple treat to make but feel like a luxury.  So the next time you have a long day and need a pick me up you are only an hour away from chocolately goodness that would cost you buckoo bucks from a fine chocolate store.

Wedded Bliss...

I am a little late with this post but on September 4th we celebrated our first full year of marriage.  It was pretty low key.  We slept in, hung out with family, got Buffalo Wild Wings to-go, and watched a scary movie OnDemand {my most favorite invention ever- who needs to go to the theaters when all you have to do is push a button and boom- new movie???}

Sound kind of lame?  Exactly and that was PERFECT.  After the wedding last year I was wiped out.  All I can remember from my reception is wanting to go home and sleep after 9 pm.  I did way to much DIY and I will be the first to admit it.  So this was the perfect way to celebrate, low key all the way.

This weekend we stepped it up a notch and went out to our favorite fancysmachy restaurant, Kofusion.   Ryan had the strip steak- or at least I think he did one minute it was there and then next minute it was gone!  I had the Alaskan Halibut with a red pepper sauce and it was amazing.  Beautiful crust and the sauce was so yummy that if people weren't watching me I would have picked up the plate and licked it.   It was delicious and I cleared my plate which made my hubby happy.  

After dinner we walked downtown a little bit and hit up Cream and Flutter, a little shop in downtown Champaign that sells cupcakes and wonderful little treats....or at least we thought it would be wonderful.  I had a red velvet cupcake and was so sadly disappointed.  Disappointed by both the icing and by the texture of the cake.  It was grainy and no bueno. 

I threw away my second one and if you have ever seen me and cupcakes you would never in a million years believe I threw one away {at my moms birthday party a few weeks ago I ate at least 8- I'm pregnant yo}.  Very disappointing but the shop is super cute and you can tell they watch the blog world and are crafty.  So A+ on aesthetics. 

*I do have to mention that I did have a brownie in a custom package we received at work as a thank you for referrals and I had a brownie {not available to purchase in the store} from Cream and Flutter and it was wonderful {but what good is it to have the best brownie of your life if you can't go buy one on your own???}  I do think I will give them one more shot with the cupcakes but maybe not the red velvet.

To top the whole evening off with one giant cherry we went looking at baby stuff!!!!  Since I am officially in the second trimester I figure it is safe to start looking around at places to register.  It was so much fun going to all the baby stores, picking out what we liked and needed.  Amazingly enough we agreed on almost everything!  It was so easy and fun.  Nothing like planning our wedding together or decorating our house.  When it comes to baby stuff me and the hubs are on the same page. 

I can't wait to go back and get crazy with the scanner.  I am dying for a shower!!!  I loved my bridal shower and have been eagerly looking forward to the baby shower...I hope someone is planning me one : ) cause I am ready to register and show up and look pregnant.  That's about all I do anyway these days.

Next weekend we are going to end the first year marathon celebration with a little trip to Le Claire, Iowa.  What? Yup, Iowa.  I figured since France was mostly all me last year, this year Ryan pick out our little mini vacay and he choose the hometown of the American Pickers!  It is his favorite show and I have to admit I am pretty excited to get away and to see the shop! It has been a good year and we are having fun celebrating who needs one day when you can spread it out over 3 weeks???

Aunt Susie's Chicken Enchiladas...

My Aunt Susie makes the best enchiladas ever.  After I ate them one night over at my cousins house my life was never the same.  Every year on our birthdays we got to decide what was for dinner and every year it was the same for me...enchiladas please!

Not only are these yummy but they are so easy to make.  They are perfect for a date night because they seem like you had to put a lot of love and time in them but really all you had to do is mix a few things together and throw them in the oven- leaving you plenty of time to get all purdyful for your man {or woman}.

Aunt Susie's Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients

2 12.5 oz cans of chicken 

{I use Valley Fresh all natural but you can also cook chicken breast and use it}

1 package taco seasoning

24 oz container of sour cream

2 10 oz cans of enchilada sauce {red kind}

4.5 oz can of green chilies

package of 10 soft tortillas

1 bag of taco cheese {or any yellow/white cheese mixture}

Directions

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Drain chicken of all liquids

*In large mixing bowl combine: chicken, sour cream, taco seasoning,  and cheese {yup the entire bag}

*Mix together until it is all incorporated together

*Grab tortillas and spread mixture down the middle, about 2 large, heaping spoonfuls

*Fold the tortilla and place folded side down {this recipe usually needs two pans}

*Pour enchilada sauce over the top

*For a little heat sprinkle green chilies over {I do not use the whole can that's a lot of heat}

*Bake for 25- 30 minutes until heated through

Be prepared to make these again soon because your family will love them!  Hope you have enjoyed foodie week over here at 906 E. Chic- I know I have- in fact I'm getting hungry right now just thinking about all this food.  Good thing I can blame it on the baby!

I never have buttermilk...

Do you ever wake up on a Saturday morning wanting to make delicious pancakes or waffles and then realize you are missing that one star ingredient- buttermilk?  I do all the time!! Buttermilk just makes them taste so much better but I never use all of it and I never have it on hand.  Total bummer...until  I learned this weekend that you can make your own buttermilk and it's so easy you could almost do it with your eyes shut {and there is no waste you only make what you need!}.

How to make your own buttermilk

{this recipe can easily be doubled}

*take a cup of milk and let it come to room temperature

*add a tablespoon of regular white vinegar

*let it sit for 10 minutes

*voila you have buttermilk use in your favorite pancake or waffle recipe {I made crepes with mine} and enjoy!

Sweet Basil and Blackberry Jam...

Now that the morning sickness has passed {hurray!} I have moved on to more important things like how much can I possibly eat in one weekend.  The answer?  Apparently everything within eyesight and if you watch Food Network as much as I do, that can be sorta dangerous.  Ryan is even dreaming of me eating if that gives you a visual of how often I have something to munch on in hand.

Friday night I was home alone and instead of being so tired I couldn't even think straight, I actually had energy and wanted to do something, anything besides sit on my throne {aka my chair in the living room with a twin bed that folds out that has been out since my little sister stayed the night last weekend- so pregnancy does have some perks!  You can have a pull out bed in your living room and guests won't say a thing about it!  In fact they act as if it is perfectly normal and I LOVE it.}

This jam was just the little project I needed.  Easy peasy and so delish {in the words of Rachel Ray}.  So if you too want to feel like domestic goddess and love to smear stuff on baguette as much as I do- make this jam!  It tastes like summer in a jar and it will make your house smell yummy.

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Lourentis

Giada at Home

Whatcha need to make it...

• One 16-ounce bag frozen blackberries, thawed, juice reserved
• 4 cups fresh basil leaves (3 1/2 ounces)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 large orange)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)

How to make it...

*set the blackberries out in a bowl to thaw {remember you need the juice of the berry as well}

*combine the basil, sugar, orange juice, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth consistency {kind of like a runny pesto}

*once your berries have thawed place them in your pot and smash them down a little with a fork {I used my potato masher cause I like my jam to be more smooth then chunky- so it's really up to your preference}

*combine your runny basil mixture with the berries and bring to a boil

*turn heat down to low heat and simmer for 25- 30 minutes, stirring occasionally

*Take off heat and allow to cool for one hour

*Place in jar and enjoy for the next couple of days with: pork chops, baguette, on top of crepes or pancakes...or like Giada herself, by the spoonful all by it's glorious self

I am declaring it Foodie Week over here at 906 so look for more yumminess to come! And blogger was being a pain so please excuse some spacing issues and font variations, apparently my blog has a mind of it's own tonight and my hormones can't play nice right now so I just said whatever and posted that dang thing!

Finally Friday Giveaway {on a Monday}...

And the moment you all have been waiting for!!!  And the winner of the $50 gift card to Pier One is...........

Two Pitties in the City!!!!

Email me you mailing info at eastchic906{@}yahoo{.}com

***

Thank you new followers and for all the sweet comments.  This weekend I spent cleaning and cooking after trying to take care of some dirty business on Friday {thus the reason for not posting sooner}  I am currently being accused of a hit and run up by Chicago, almost three hours from where I currently live.  And apparently I was driving a car that I sold 2 years ago and isn't even in this state anymore!

So I spent the day chasing down someone who knew what they were talking about and being promised that someone will get back to me.  Oh well what's one wasted vacation day and having to hire a private attorney?

photo via

The rest of the weekend I spent getting the house whipped into shape and catching up on laundry.  One thing new I did try was making homemade gnocchi.  If you have never tried gnocchi you should!  They are Italian potato dumplings.  And they are good with a variety of sauces of even with just some browned butter.

Until now I have always purchased mine from the pasta section of the super market.  But recently I have been wanting gnocchi so often I wanted to see how hard it was to make from scratch.  It can be kind of costly eating multiple times a week when you buy it at the store.

So I tried it.  I was not successful but don't worry.  I am gonna get some new tools and try a different recipe.  I will succeed!  I was pretty close but they fell apart to easily and were a little too potatoey.  If you want to try gnocchi- pick some up from the dried pasta section and cook it in boiling water 90 seconds after they float to the top of the water.  Serve with a nice tomato sauce and slices of cold ham.  Indulge with a dollop of sour cream if you are feeling fancy.

I am going to try this recipe next!

Felt Fortune Cookies...

Image via

This week while grocery shopping I picked up a box of fortune cookies.  I don't normally buy fortune cookies but it seems like such a fun snack to have around the house.  We have a lot of house guests and I like to keep bowls full of goodies around.

So this week you could find your fortune in a pretty vintage bowl in my living room.  They are a nice little pick-me-up after a long, stressful day.  I mean who doesn't want to hear that you will step on the soil of many countries {especially if you are a travel freak like me} or that you creativity is going to take an unexpected turn for the better {lucky me!}

Martha Stewart has a fun project with a spin.  Felt fortune cookies!  How sweet of an idea is that?  Wouldn't these be cute at a shower {baby or bridal} or as a wedding favor?  You can color coordinate them to your scheme and everyone will love opening up and seeing what life has to bring them!

Icebox Cake...

I made my Icebox Cake over the weekend and it was a huge success!  Not only in appearance but also in taste.  I didn't have any trouble finding the Nabisco Chocolate Wafers like I thought I would.  They were in the regular ol' cookie aisle.  I would like to try my hand at making my own someday but for the sake of time {and sanity}  I took the easy route this time.

And boy was it easy!!  It took me about 30 minutes to make the cake and about 24 cupcakes {at least 10 of which I ate that night} Talk about an easy project with great results.  I had so many compliments on it, I think you all should try it too!

1920's Icebox Cake...

                                                                                                  Image via


I was inspired by The Food Network Channel a couple weeks back to make an Ice Box Cake.  It looks so unique and delectable that I had to make one of my own but I needed a reason.  So for my aunt's surprise birthday party tomorrow I am whipping one up today along with mini "cupcake" versions.

                                                                                                       Image via

The best part of this cake is you are suppose to make it ahead and pop it in the fridge so that the chocolate wafers absorb the sweeten whipped cream and it becomes soft like chocolate cake...yummo!  Can't wait to share the pictures with you all.

Mini Cupcakes with Raspberry Whipped Topping...

Wanna make something yummy for your honey?  These mini cupcakes are so easy you will be whipping them up all the time {and your friends will think you are the perfect domestic goddess}. 

Mini Cupcakes with Raspberry Whipped Topping

Ingredients:  

White cake mix {any kind will do}

Eggs

Oil

2 cups of whipping cream

1/2 cup sugar

2 packages of fresh raspberries

Mini muffin pan

Directions:  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare cake mix according to directions on the back of the box.  Grease your mini pan and use a melon scooper {or a spoon if you don't have a scooper} to place batter into the pan.  Cook for 15 minutes and then place on a rack to cool.

In a separate bowl pour two cups of whipping cream in with 1/2 a cup of sugar and mix with an electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy and makes peaks when you pull up your beaters.  Using a fork smash your raspberries and then fold them into the whip cream.

Top the cupcakes with the raspberry topping and enjoy with someone you love!  Wishing you all a Happy Heart Day!

Snow and snacks...

Brrrrr!!!!! I don't know about you but we are in the middle of quite the winter storm. Ice, rain, sleet, snow-thunder! What? Yes! We have chances for a thunderstorm in February. But I am not complaining because I got to leave a whole hour early from work today! {my doctor NEVER lets us go home early so this was special!} I also don't have to go in tomorrow morning!!! Possibly {fingers crossed} not at all.

So what is a snowbound girl to do on a blustery winter's night? Make Valentine Cupcakes! {obviously!} Cake mix, tub of frosting, and clearance aisle Christmas sprinkles = super cute red, pink, and white cupcakes!

My cake mix was white because that is the only kind that Ryan likes {how can one just like white cake I do not know} To make my cuppy cakes a little cuter I added red dye to the wet cake mix. This turned the batter a loverly shade of pink.

Just add sprinkles {99 cents!} and cute liners {IKEA} and you have a truly scrumptious winter snack. Eating these makes me want to craft a Valentine Box {you remember making those in school? For all the Valentines you got from your friends? I use to adore making mine every year}

Are you stuck inside with this winter weather? What do you do to pass the time?

DIY Madelaines...

When I lived in Germany almost every afternoon we would have cake and coffee. Sometimes with friends, some times it was just me and the little girls I watched, but it was always a warm and cozy standing appointment. One that I miss dearly now having been back almost 5 years now!? When did it get to be that long?



Today I wanted to share with you what you need to have your own cozy tradition. I like to make these Honey-Vanilla Madelaines, sweet little shell cookies that are almost like individual pound cakes. These would be great to serve at a bridesmaid luncheon or shower or you could package them up all fancy and give them away as favors. Wanna make some??? Good, because I have a whole tutorial just for you! So brew a cup of your favorite coffee, put on a Robbie Williams playlist, and come away to Europe with me.

French Honey-Vanilla Madelaines

ingredients :1. 1 cup yellow cake mix, 2. 2 egg whites, 3. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 4. 3 tablespoons honey, 5. zest of one lemon 6. 3 tablespoons of butter, and 2 tablespoons water



preheat oven to 325 degrees

step one- separate your egg whites, put in a bowl, and put aside until they become room temperature




in a separate bowl combine cake mix, vanilla, honey, and melted butter



zest the lemon



then beat egg whites till they are nice and foamy.



combine egg whites with the rest of ingrediants



beat at a low speed for 30 seconds, then speed up to a higher speed for 2 minutes



i like how you can see the bits of lemon zest in the batter! yum, next you are going to butter and flour your madelaine pan. you need the pan because otherwise they will just look like little pancakes. i got my sheet pan at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. it was only $14.



then just fill the little shells with a nice even spoonful, make sure not to over fill as the cakes will rise a little



bake for 12-14 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan gently placing them shell side up



let them continue to cool for 10 minutes, then eat with coffee and a french accent!

Bliss

red velvet cupcakes...

I cannot get over these red velvet cupcakes in a jar! Absolutely, over the moon, in love with them! I can almost taste the cream cheese frosting. And they are a DIY! This talented lady has a blog that you much check out! She will be doing a DIY tutorial for these tasty treats next week. Be sure to check it out!




Images from www.mycakies.blogspot.com