Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

It is really nice when you are appreciated for what you do and what makes you an amazing person. Everyone is amazing at something, to someone, which makes everyone as equally of a special person. And people should be more appreciative of the great things we all do and are. Which is why I am so fortunate to have great people around me, like my neighbors that live downstairs, Kerry and Scott. For one, our dogs are in love. Brody gets two sweet little Yorkie girl friends named Barley and Keeper that are only a few feet away. What a lucky dog!

Scott and Kerry on their wedding day :)

Last night I got to bake for these incredible people who have always, ALWAYS been there for me. It goes beyond them walking my dog when I am out of town, but how about just taking him out on a walk when I am sick so I don't have to get out of bed? Or leaving my tulips at my door because I made excess pancakes that morning and brought them some over breakfast. Plus, they are just adorable with adorable dogs so you couldn't ask for neighbors. But back to my point. Being appreciated. Kerry texted me yesterday asking if I could make cupcakes for her brother in laws birthday. Why? Because they would be better than anything she could buy in a store. I mean, that is the biggest compliment I could have gotten as someone who cooks. After picking her brain a bit about what her brother in law would like, we came up with this cupcake. He loves chocolate, so how about a Dark Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Butter Cream frosting, topped with chocolate shavings? YUM!

Busy Bee

Sophie, Me and Katie watching the 49ers unfortunately lose

It has been a long few busy weeks! I apologize for not getting something food related on here in a while. Basketball season is intense, and with games every week it is hard for me to get home and get cooking! But I promise I will post something tomorrow or Thursday. At least that's my goal.

I did, however, go to a BBQ joint in Venice, CA that I have been dying to try. Because of 2 things... killer mac and cheese, and roasted corn on the cob topped with chipotle butter, cojita cheese, and lime. Does that not make you want to drive there right now? Ugh... I just finished lunch and am already getting hungry!

Jam of the Day

This comes from my friend Larry, who has a phenomenal taste in music.

I am a huge Common fan. Props to real artists who make good music.

Lemon Ginger Corn Cake with Orange Marmalade Glaze

I wanted to bake today for my neighbors, whom so graciously watched my little nugget when I went to San Francisco for New Years. But, I also was too lazy to go to the store. So thats when it hit me. I may not have had everything I wanted, but I do have a pretty well stocked pantry. After scouring my goods, I came up with an idea for a delicious sweet and tart cake I knew they would love. All using uncommon ingredients. High five for reinventing the cake huh? :)

2 cups nonfat thick greek yogurt, set on counter for 20 minutes
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tbs vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups white granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tbs lemon juice
1 cup ginger lemon juice or tea (if unsweetened tea, add 1/4 more cup white sugar)
2 cups all purpose baking mix (like bisquick)
1 cup cornmeal
6 tbs orange marmalade
2 tbs room temperature water
6 tbs creme fraiche

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and lightly flour two 8 inch round baking dishes. Whisk stick of butter and yogurt together in a large bowl. Add 2 tbs vanilla extract and two eggs.

Upside Down Potato and Onion Tart

I saw this recipe on the Hizzoner's Deli blog, then died and went to heaven. I have no idea why this hasn't been a staple in my holiday meals thus far. I bring you the Upside Down Potato and Onion Tart.

2 1/2 tablespoons butter
12 sprigs thyme, strip the leaves from the stems
1 large onion, sliced somewhat thickly (a tad more than 1/4 inch thick)
1 lb. potatoes, washed and sliced 1/8 of an inch
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated gruyère
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1 cup grated mozzarella
sea salt and cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Melt the butter in a 9-10 inch ovenproof frying pan over medium heat. If you have a cast iron pan, use it. Unfortunately I do not. Add the thyme and onion and cook for 5 minutes.

Belgium Chocolate Pudding with Creme Fraiche and Pink Sea Salt

Some of my friends get intimidated by baking. Not everyone has to be stellar in the kitchen, but there are ways to get around this. Specialty food stores like Trader Joes, Gelson's, and Whole Foods make it easy for us to be impressive without having to work too hard.

Valentine's day is coming up. We got a month people. And for those of you who are intimidated by the oven, I wanted to share with you a simple desert I throw together on occasion.... for myself... while I am sitting watching Friends reruns with my dog Brody. No. Big. Deal.

Women, we all love chocolate. And men, well they all love just about anything. So if you are the no-baking-kind-of-girl, but you still want to impress your man, try this.


 
1 container Belgium Chocolate Pudding (or any other rich dark pudding you can find)
* Do not buy jello pudding. You are looking for thick rich pudding If you can't find a thick pudding, get chocolate mousse. Just trust me*
1 container Creme Fraiche
Pink Sea Salt

Jam of the Day

Long day at work? Not paying attention in school? Need a 3 minute break... well I have it for you.

If you are a soul child like me, you will appreciate this song. And if your not, this is a good start.

I mean, he got sampled by Jay Z. Major Props

Scheming, Plotting, Planning for you!

Happy Monday everyone! I am blessed to have amazing weather in Los Angeles and am enjoying the start to my week.

I wanted to ask all of you an important question. I want to know what YOU want to eat. What recipes do YOU need help with? What do you wish YOU saw more of on my blog? Because if it wasn't for everyone that reads my page, I would just be a lonely girl talking to herself on the internet. And well that is just no fun.

Right now, I am scheming what dish men would want on Valentine's Day. The holiday of love is fast approaching, and I want to give you something to make your honey's heart melt. Because ladies. We all know that the way to a man's heart involves food, football, beer, or a combination of the three. But for now, let's focus on the food. I wanted to do a series of five dinners your boyfriend/ husband/ best male friend would die for, soaring you to #1 on their list of "People I Love", if you aren't already. With Valentine's Day coming up, this is a perfect way to get things started.

Leave your comments, suggestions, hope, dreams, fears in a comment below. Or email me at thingsimakeinmykitchen@gmail.com

Graffiti Love Story- San Francisco

View of the city upon crossing the bridge

San Francisco was never one of my favorite cities. But, its growing on me. A lot! Especially after my last two visits; Outside Lands and New Years.

What I have come to love about SF, apart from some of the best food I have ever eaten (thank you Curry Village!!), is the spontaneous fabulousness you just come across. Its everywhere. I was fortunate on my last night to come across a spectacular love story written in graffiti. It started close to my friend's house on 14th and Judah, and just continued for blocks; blocks of black tag on the faces of people's houses. The best part about this, we found Jessica's home and talked to her dad. Needless to say he was not pleased, but I want to thank him for ending my vacation like a fairytale.

PS: All these photos were taken by me with my camera. If you plan on using them, please credit me.

New year, new me. Bring it on 2012

Sophie, Me, Katie. Big Sur Jan 3rd 2012

I have been blog post slacking....

Don't hate me. I will post something delicious soon. I got a fabulous Kitchen Aid Professional Stand Mixer for Christmas and attempted to make garlic rosemary bread over break. It was good, but not post worthy. I think I killed half the yeast, because... I would. I'm that girl who can't even keep house plants because they all die. Trial 2 coming up.

The end of this year has been ridden with CRAZY life changes for me. For one, I start grad school in about a month (!!!!) which was made official by my class signup yesterday. Hooray! I am also starting a new chapter in my life with myself, taking a bit more time to focus on me, after my break up this November. Its different coming home to an apartment all to yourself, but refreshing :)

Jam of the Day

I want to find Jessie J and make her my best friend
Doesn't she seem like a fabulous person to have around?

Get it girl!

Do me favor, blast this. And dance around your house. Then cook something delicious.

Happy New year 2012. Love you all :)