Slow And Steady Wins The Race

 

When viewing my life as though it were an Aesop's fable, I tended to skew more towards Hare than Tortoise.  I was always in such a rush- hurry up and graduate, get out into the work force, apply to grad school, then move to LA.  I was on the fast track but after 10 years had passed in what felt like 10 minutes I still hadn't reached the finish line, much less had any idea where or what it was.  That's when I knew I needed to slow down and reevaluate exactly where I was headed on this race- to start looking at it more like a marathon, less like a sprint.   Once I took a breather, I could really focus on what was right in front of me, this culinary passion I didn't even know I had, but instead of jumping in the fast lane I'm taking it slow.  

 

Today was my maiden voyage to Restaurant Depot (where restaurants shop!) which felt like a big step to me.  Do I really need a 2 pound bag of flour right now?  No, but I might someday and that in itself is pretty darn exciting.  So what if I only bought 2 bowls and a thermometer?  Baby steps.

 

This week's TWD,  Chewy Chunky Blondies are so chock full of mix-ins a Restaurant Depot card just might come in handy.  Made with giant chunks of bittersweet chocolate, coconut and pecans, they are great just out of the oven but even better the next day.  So whether you're a tortoise or a hare, it's a win-win situation.

Love Child

If Seattle and London had a baby- that's how I describe Vancouver. A perfect combination of Pacific Northwest scenery and European lifestyle, Vancouver is absolutely one of the best places I have ever visited. With it's fabulous food and wine, warm hospitality, and downright live-ability I have been kicking myself for not planning a trip up there for the Olympics. What on Earth was I thinking?
I'll be watching it on tv, and living vicariously through a girlfriend who had the incredible good fortune to get go up there this week. Oh, and of course these Nanaimo Bars.

Nanaimo Bars are a Canadian staple made up of a graham cracker, coconut and nut bottom, creamy vanilla custard in the middle, and rich chocolate ganache on top. If you don't already have love in your heart for Canada, take a bite of these and you will.

O, Canada.
There are lots of recipes out there for this decadent treat. I used this one.

This Is No Time For Decaf

Cold and gloomy weather, post holiday blues, the drudgery of getting back to work- the months between January and April can be toughest time of year. Despite what the Easter displays at Target tell you, spring is a hell of a long way away and some mornings a cup (or four) of coffee just isn't going to cut it. Desperate times call for desperate (resolution breaking) measures, so on those dreary winter mornings there is really only one solution, Coffee Crunch Bars. Crumbly cookies chock full of nuts (almonds), chocolate chips, and espresso powder, they smell of these babies in the oven is enough to drag you out of bed even on the chilliest of mornings. Check out Molly's recipe here, or in the February issue of Bon Appetit and get your motor running!