FORTUNE COOKIES

 

i had chinese takeout twice last week (shhh..). when i finished my meal & cracked open the fortune cookie i thought to myself "o.m.g i could totally make these!" & here we are. i thought they would be difficult to shape as good as the actual take-out ones, but they ended up being pretty easy (plus taste a lot better then sweet flavoured cardboard). complete with much funnier fortunes than the wise chinese sayings. i think these would be so perfect for a dinner party or any type of party for that matter. it makes me want to host something, just so i can make them. i highly reccomend using a silpat, or a similar silicon batter as it can be difficult to peel them off the baking tray as quickly as needed. i would also like to point out the fact that i used a poutine bowl. it is new favourite cermaic bowl made by hugo didier & i will put ANYTHING i can in it.

ingredients

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 20 fortunes

directions

  • preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • in a mixing bowl whisk egg whites, flour, sugar, vanilla, water & salt until a smooth batter is formed.
  • on a silpat pour a tablespoon of batter and spread into a thin 4-inch circle. bake about 2-4 cookies per sheet, depending how fast you can move once they come out.
  • bake for 6 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. remove from oven and within the first 60 seconds fold each cookie.
  • to fold into shape, fold each cookie in half with the fortune inside and using a bowl bend the edges together. place in muffin tin until the cookie hardens into shape.
  • repeat this for the remainder of the batter.

like what you see? get it here. poutine bowl | silpat | linen 

COLD BREW CINNAMON COFFEE

 

THIS is my drink of choice. the drink that keeps me venturing to starbucks every morning. even when summer is over (aka. ice coffee season), i am still that weird person in line at starbucks asking if they have ice coffee readily available, regardless of the -30 temperature outside. i have tried to make it at home countless times & it never worked out. adding ice to hot coffee is just NOT how it's done. i'm sure you've all tried it & have been less then satisfied with your watery lukewarm coffee. introducing: the cold brew. this must be the starbucks secret to making such perfect ice coffee. it takes time to steep, but it never taste bitter & it produces an extra strong (extra dark) ready to go ice cold coffee. i have also made a cinnamon infused syrup because ice coffee deserves to be lightly sweetened. so now with summer coming to an end, i can make my own at home, without any barista judgment.

ingredients

  • 2/3 cup ground coffee beans
  • 3 cups cold water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • cream or milk, to taste

directions

  • in a french press, combined the coffee grounds & cold water. let sit over night to let the coffee infuse.
  • make the cinnamon simple syrup by adding the sugar, water, cinnamon stick & vanilla in a sauce pan. bring to a boil & remove from heat. let cool.
  • when you are ready to assemble the ice coffee add ice cubes, syrup, coffee & milk.

alternative recipe: head to your nearest starbucks, order ice coffee. bring home & pour in fancy glass. finish off with a swirly straw.

like what you see? get it here. cream boat | spoon | linen

SALTED TURTLE BARS

 

my boyfriends work had a charity bake sale this past week & he volunteered to bring in some baked goods. i didn't want to go with the standard bake sale items (cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, brownies.. BORING) so i thought making salted turtle bars would stand out (not that it's a competition.. okay it's always a competition). they did. i consider these a buttery + turtley twist on the classic magic bars, another favourite of mine. i am starting to realize anything that involves condensed milk is my favourite. the touch of sea salt offsets all the sugary goodness just perfectly. have a good weekend! if you make these... sorry in advance for the torturous hours while you wait for these to cool. xo.

LEVEL: very modest

ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chunks
  • 3/4 cup skor bits/chips
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

directions

  • preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • mix flour, sugar, butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a mixing bowl. using your hands (similar to making a pie dough), work the butter in until a crumbly dough is formed.
  • transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish & shape into a crust. add a teaspoon of water if the dough is a bit dry.
  • bake the crust for 10-12 minutes.
  • while the crust bakes, whisk the remaining vanilla, condensed milk & egg.
  • pour mixture over the crust, and sprinkle with pecans, chocolate, skor & sea salt.
  • bake until the top begins to brown & the filling begins to set, about 20 minutes.
  • let bars cool completely before slicing (refrigerated bars cut best).

like what you see? get it here. gratin dish | linen | wood knife | plates