Coconut Cream Heaven

It was a dreary weekend here in Chicago. To combat some of the gloom, on Sunday I tried my hand at my favorite dessert of all-time – coconut cream pie. I mostly followed this recipe here, but made a few slight adjustments, namely a store-bought crust and coconut milk instead of whole milk.

The result was pure perfection and rivaled some of the best coconut cream pies I’ve ever had. If you are a fan of this heavenly dessert I highly recommend this recipe. Enjoy!

Coconut Cream Pie

Crust

• 1 store-bought crust, blind baked and cooled ahead of time

Filling

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Topping

• 2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

For filling:
Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and flour in medium bowl. Bring milk and coconut to simmer in medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return to same saucepan; cook until pastry cream thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla and coconut extracts. Transfer pastry cream to medium bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface to prevent formation of skin. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Transfer filling to crust. Cover; chill overnight.

For topping:
Toast coconut in heavy small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Cool completely.

Using electric mixer, beat cream, sugar, and coconut extract in medium bowl until peaks form. Spread whipped cream all over top of filling. Sprinkle evenly with toasted coconut. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Serve cold.

Who's that in the April Crate & Barrel catalog...?

If you can get your hands on this month’s Crate and Barrel catalog flip to page 58 where I’m making a guest appearance and stirring a Le Creuset and wearing a very cute apron! My very cool aunt was in need of models for their April issue and seeing as how I love cooking and I love Crate and Barrel I guess I was the perfect fit!  

In honor of my spread I thought I’d share my very favorite special occasion recipe (based off of this recipe here) that I made for The Boyfriend a week or so back for his birthday dinner. Beware: this incredible sauce simmers for FOUR hours so make sure you set aside enough time to babysit it. But the end result is the most mouthwatering dish I’ve ever made and rivals any Bolognese sauce I’ve had at any Italian restaurant.

Bon Appetite! And pick up the April issue of C&B!

Very Special Occasion Bolognese Sauce

Makes about 8 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter

1 large yellow onion, diced
4 small carrots, finely diced
2 large celery stalks, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, very finely diced
¼ lb diced pancetta (1/4 to ½-inch cubes) (bacon is a good substitute if you can’t find in your grocery store)

Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1 ½ lb lean ground meat (blend of veal, pork and beef)

1 cup dry white wine
2 cups milk
1 28-oz can diced San Marzano tomatoes

1 cup beef stock

Directions:

1.     Place a large saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter in the oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic with a good pinch of salt (about ½ teaspoon) and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the diced pancetta and cook for a further 10 minutes, until vegetables are softened and pancetta is golden.

2.     Increase the heat to high and add the meat a third at a time, stirring and breaking lumps with a spoon between each addition. Adding the meat gradually allows the water to evaporate – which is key if you want to brown your meat and not boil it. After the last addition, when no pink can be spotted in the meat and no lumps remain, set a timer to 15 minutes. You want your meat to caramelize and even become crispy in spots. More water will evaporate and flavors will concentrate. You want golden bits of meat to stick to the bottom of your pan – this flavorful crust will then be deglazed with white wine. Watch over your pan as you don’t want your meat to burn. When you see some serious caramelization action happening, lower heat to medium to each the end of your 15-minute sautéing time (on my stove, that’s after about 8-9 minutes).

3.     Over medium heat, pour the white wine into the sauce pan. With a wooden spoon, scrape all the brown bits stuck to the bottom of your pan. Push the meat all around to make sure you scrape it all off. By the time you’re finished, the wine will be evaporated (2-3 minutes). Be careful not to let the meat stick again (lower the heat if necessary).

4.     Add milk, diced tomatoes (with liquid), beef stock, 1 teaspoon salt and a good grinding of pepper. Bring to a boil and then lower to the lowest heat and let simmer very slowly, half-covered, for 4 hours. Stir once in a while. If your sauce starts sticking before the end of your cooking time, lower the heat (if possible) and/or add a bit of stock or water. In the end, the sauce should be thick, more oil- than water-based and thick like oatmeal. Adjust the seasoning one last time – don’t be afraid of adding more salt (tasting each time you add some), it is this recipe’s key seasoning.

5.     Serve in bowls over cooked pasta and garnished with fresh grated parmesan and basil.

Easter Weekend Recap

Ever since I was little I have loved Easter. It’s the perfect excuse to wear pastels, spend time with those you love and eat delicious things. With my family currently spread out across the country (and world) this year was a little different, but special nonetheless. The boyfriend and I spent the weekend here in Chicago taking in the beautiful spring weather and playing host to our friend’s French bulldog Stanley.

On Saturday we scored some amazing tickets to the Cubs game and got a bit burned from sitting in the sun all afternoon. Then on Sunday we joined my aunt and cousins at my dear friend Peter’s house in Wicker Park and had one of the most incredible meals I’ve ever tasted. An amazing chef and entertainer, Peter is one of the best cooks I have ever met and we felt so lucky to be invited. I contributed to the feast by making a tray of my Grandfather’s famous Deviled Eggs and baking my mother’s famous chocolate cake, which I topped with festive Easter egg candies and toasted coconut (recipe below).

Even though I missed my family it felt as if we were creating some traditions of our own this weekend here in Chicago. Hope your weekends were just as wonderful!  

(clockwise: Peter's Standard Poodle, Big Daddy; me and Peter; Mr. Stanley; tray of deviled eggs; at the ballpark; a festive Easter cake; me and Jered)

Bessie's Chocolate Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. boiling water
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend well. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add dry mixture to creamed mixture alternating with the buttermilk.  Add boiling water and beat well for two minutes.

Pour into greased and floured pans.  Bake at 350  until toothpick comes out clean (about 20 minutes or so depending on the pans used).   You can make this a 2 layer with 9" pans, a 3 layer with 8" pans or a 9x13" sheet cake. 

Chocolate Icing

1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbl cocoa
5-5 Tbl whole milk

Cream together butter and vanilla.  Sift together sugar, salt and cocoa. Gradually beat into creamed mixture. Add milk, 1 Tbl. at a time until icing is a creamy consistency.

Weekend To-Dos

I don’t even know where to begin on where I’ve been for the past few weeks. I can definitely say that readjusting to “Chicago time” was not easy – and then right when I was starting to feel as if I was back on schedule, I came down with a bug and spent my evenings wallowing, watching Friday Night Lights and drinking tea under a big faux fur throw.

Sometimes you just need some time off, I suppose. A chance to slow down and readjust and reassess. I’m not sure why exactly that affected my blogging, most of the time this is such a therapeutic thing. But I’m back now and ready for a weekend. With lots to look forward to I’m sure it will be a good one… Happy Friday!

Tomorrow we're checking out Heritage Bicycles - a combination coffee/bike shop that sells our favorite Stumptown coffee in addition to bicycles. How fun is that?

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No Oscars viewing is complete without a really nice snack. Like these Mac and Cheese Muffins

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After the free photography workshop I took last week I'm hooked. I'm searching for another and planning to register. Suggestions welcome!

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It may not be spring yet, but my closet needs a cleaning. I think ebay is calling my name.

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Guest Post... {Super} Salads

I'm over at The White Ruffle today sharing some of my favorite recipes with Madison. Make sure you stop by to have a look!

xo

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! Hope your weekends were fab. Mine was spent working on lots of projects to be revealed soon, preparing for Brazil and meeting and dining with lots of friends who I hadn’t seen in far too long.

What is it about a long catch-up with a good friend that is so therapeutic? I always leave feeling refreshed, centered and as if I could conquer anything…

Here are a few photos I snapped over the weekend! Cheers to a great week ahead!

Coffe with friends...

Adorable owl glasses from my dear friend Katie

Dinner date with Jason and Jess at my favorite Thai place Silom12

Bundled up and repping The Boyfriend's Pendleton scarf... Not sure I'll give it back

Whole Foods Sushi for one

Monday Crush List xo

On Friday we left work in the midst of a heavily falling snow. It was the perfect way to start a weekend that was mostly spent holed up in the apartment catching up on Downton Abbey (my newest obsession), trying out my new food processor (must-try hummus recipe below) and starting to dig out warm weather clothes from their hiding places. Brazil is only about two weeks away and at this point it still feels like a dream.

Thought I’d start the week out with a crush list. Happy Monday. 

Have a serious crush addiction to this hummus

I have a crush on this dress... I wonder if it would like to come to Brazil

I have a crush on these suede flats

I have a crush on this bracelet

I have a crush on this shabby chic dresser

Have a crush on these frames

I have a crush on these ceramic planters

I have a crush on this pretty glass

I have a serious crush on these shorts. Must. Find.

I have a crush on this scarf

I have a crush on this DIY heart garland

I have a crush on these gold letter necklaces

I have a crush on this farm table

12 Days of Appetizers

Everyone knows that the first rule of party-going is that you shouldn’t arrive empty-handed. I like the idea of helping the hostess out (when permitted) and bringing along a savory appetizer to get the evening started.

I’ve done some digging on some of my most favorite food blogs and come up with 12 recipes that look like they would please a crowd. I can’t decide what I’d most like to make for my family’s Christmas Eve gathering… Although I’m leaning towards the Reuben Egg Rolls and French Onion Soup-Stuffed Mushrooms.

Or should I make the Brie Pops? Or the Ham Sliders?

I might just have to make a few.

1. Bite-sized Baked Brie Pops

2. Ham Sliders

3. Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Tartlets

4. Sausage Stars

5. Fig and Goat Cheese Crostinis

6. Crab Crostinis

7. Reuben Egg Rolls

8. Pizza Puffs

9. Crab Salad Cups

10. Hoisin-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

11. French Onion-Stuffed Mushrooms

12. Greek Potato Skins

L&LL New Year's Party Planning Guide...

I know that Christmas is still a few weeks away—but this is also the time when everyone starts talking about New Year’s Eve plans and lately I’ve been thinking about what mine will be.

I’ve never been the type of girl who likes to pay for a drink package at a crowded bar ahead of time to celebrate the New Year. Give me a fireplace, some champagne, a few board games and room full of people I love and I will be far happier.

I’ve never hosted a New Year’s Eve party of my own, but in the past few days I’ve started considering it.. Which has lead me to think about the drinks I would serve, the décor I would feature, the snacks we would dine upon and what sparkly number I would wear.

I can’t get over some of this… I think I have to have a party.

  1. White Sangria with Pomegranate

2. Spicy Gingerman

3. Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzer

1. Ornament Centerpiece

2. Candles and Garland

3. Mercury Glass

1. Sequin Skirt

2. Sequin-top Dress

3. Sequin Scale Dress

 1. Shrimp Ceviche Bites

2. Avocado, Goat Cheese, Prosciutto

3. Olives, Feta, Salami Bites

A cozy night

My little sister Julia has been staying with us all week and it has so fun. She’s on break from school through the beginning of January so she had some free time to kill and decided to spend some of it here in Chicago with us.

Last night when I got home from work we poured ourselves some cider and played our favorite game, Bananagrams, while chicken and veggies roasted in the oven (recipe here). It was so cozy and fun.

I miss having sisters around all the time.

Oatmeal Obsession

When it comes to food I have a tendency to get hooked on certain things. Bonus points if it’s something I can make on my own—because getting hooked on something from a restaurant can become quite the expensive and unhealthy habit.

Oatmeal is my latest obsession and I’ve nailed down what I think is the perfect "recipe." After a brisk commute to work there’s nothing better than a hot bowl of oatmeal to accompany a coffee. And with the right amount of healthy ingredients you can really cut back on the amount of sugar you add and still appease your sweet tooth.

Directions and ingredients are below. Enjoy!

1.      Add 1 cup water to 1/2 cup quick 1 minute Quaker Oats - microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes

2.      Once cooked—add chopped apple pieces, a pinch of light brown sugar, pumpkin spice Milk and Honey granola and dried cranberries (or substitute for your favorite toppings!)

3.      Enjoy!

Weekend Recap...

There's nothing like a weekend filled with holiday-esque activities to get you excited for an upcoming holiday. 

Between the festive Michigan Avenue lighting ceremony, buying the season's-first TJ's Joe Joe cookies and Christmas shopping that I did this weekend (list of gifts for $50 and less to come this week!) I can hardly wait for Wednesday when I'll board a plane for St. Louis to be with my family for Thanksgiving. 

Bring on the two-and-a-half day week! 

How was your weekend?

Fireworks from the 11th floor 

Hands down, favorite store-bought holiday cookie: Trader Joe's Joe Joe's 

Antenna Magazine Party at the River East Art Center 

Chicken & Waffles for brunch... Yum

Quick Weeknight Dinners

Sometimes after a long day of work the last thing I want to do when we get home is spend hours cooking dinner in the kitchen.

But rather than running out for Chinese, Thai or pizza we have started to depend on quick and easy meals that are at least a little bit healthy too. 

This pizza took almost no time at all and was so delish! Although, how can anything with bacon, goat cheese and arugula not be incredible?

We used Pilsbury's dough, but I know Trader Joe's has a great pre-made pizza dough as well. Or you can get super crafty and make your own if you have the extra time.

Bacon, Goat Cheese and Arugula Flatbread Pizza

1 Package of pre-made pizza dough (We used Pilsbury thin crust)

A handful of grape tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 Red onion, sliced thinly

6 Strips of thick cut bacon, fried crumbled

2 cups of organic arugula

¾ cup of shredded mozzarella

1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese

1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1  ½ teaspoon of balsamic vinaigrette

Freshly ground pepper

Fry and crumble the bacon, set aside.

Follow directions accordingly to prepare the dough- Pilsbury requires a 5 minute pre-cook in the oven without any of the ingredients on the on the dough.

While the dough is being prepared, cut the tomatoes and red onion.

In a separate bowl, toss the arugula with 1 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette so that the arugula is lightly coated. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste.

Take the dough out of the oven and spread with remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil, the minced garlic and salt to taste.

Next add the bacon, red onion, tomatoes, mozzarella and goat cheese. Put back in the oven to cook according to pizza crust instructions.

Remove from oven, top with arugula and enjoy!

A Sunday in Brooklyn

On Sunday I spent the afternoon in Brooklyn with my sister. I just happened to be in New York again for work and my travel coincided with a trip she was making to visit friends from college. 

Neither of us had never been to Brooklyn, so we spent the afternoon wandering around in the perfect New York fall weather and exploring. We had a cozy lunch, stopped by the Brooklyn farmer's market, shopped and enjoyed each other's company all afternoon.

The time we spent made me feel so excited about being reunited with all my sisters in just a few short weeks for Thanksgiving. We all don't get to see each other enough.

I hope it's not always like this.

My Happy List...

A few things currently making me oh-so-very-happy... 

Our growing collection of photo strips and trying to think of all the fun things we could do with them

My souvenir from Jered's weekend in Portland... Brand new, much needed running shoes

A big tray of spicy baked ziti, made with chili-ready  diced tomatoes for a fall kick

The list we're building of all the great reasons to hibernate now that it's getting so cold out 

Adding bright pink lipstick to my repertoire 

Puppy kisses from Benny

A growing rack of sparkly things to counteract the chilly grey weather 

Our perfectly potted cacti

What's on your list?