Autumn is just around the corner...

And I have found the perfect cookie for the season!

These cookies are jam packed full of different chocolates, cranberries, pecans, and vanilla bean. I baked these off a little larger than normal and they were fabulous!

The recipe is as follows:

My Autumn Cookies

-2 cups flour (unbleached, King Arthur)

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1 teaspoon coarse salt

Sift all of these ingredients and set aside.

-1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter

-1 cup of light brown sugar

-1/2 cup of cane sugar

Cream these together until light & fluffy.

-1 egg

-1 egg yolk

-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

-1 vanilla bean

Split the vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds from the pod and whisk all these ingredients together.

-4 or 5 ounces of dark chocolate chunks

-4 or 5 ounces of white chocolate chunks

-About 1 cup of chopped pecans

-About 4 ounces of dried cranberries

You can switch up the ratio according to your liking but those are the measurements that I used.

Once all the butter & sugar is light and fluffy, slowly add in the egg and vanilla mixture. After that, add in the dry sifted ingredients little by little. Once everything is fully incorporated add in the chocolates, nuts, and cranberries. Scoop and roll cookies and sprinkle them with some cane sugar before baking for a nice shimmer effect after they are baked. Bake these for about 12-15 minutes at 325 degrees. Enjoy with a nice glass of milk or cup of tea!

These cookies were beautiful, delicious, and fabulously rich: All things that an autumn treat should be! I loved these so much that I think I will be giving these out as part of my Christmas treat baskets. Please do try these cookies out, you will not regret it!

Until next time...

Eat sweet things & enjoy the changing leaves!

I got my chilly, grey, September day...

I woke up to a fierce thunderstorm at about seven o'clock, this morning.

I have been craving Pakastani food so much, it's one of my comfort foods. Growing up one of my dearest friends was Pakastani and I spent almost all my time at her house. Her family became my family and I love them all so much. It's been years since I have spent quality time over at their house but I keep in touch and crave Mama Farzana's food all the time. Since it was rainy and I was all cozied up I thought why not attempt the impossible? I went out and acquired all sorts of ingredients. One of my favorite dishes other than samosas, pakora, and buryani is this keema pilau dish. It turned out really well and here's how I did it...

First:

-1 cup basmati rice

-2 cups of water

-1/2 teaspoon of oil

-1/2 teaspoon of salt

-Pinch of black pepper

Rinse the rice and drain, add oil & rice to to a sauce pot, stir around rice for a minute or two and then add the water. On medium heat allow the water to boil and then turn down to a low heat and cover the pot. Check it in about 15-20 minutes and it should be cooked! Set aside once it is done and keep it covered.

Second:

-1/2 cup of brown lentils (masoor)

-1 1/2 cups of water

Rinse the lentils and drain, add to a sauce pot. Add the water and allow to boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Check them in about 25-30 minutes, they should be tender. These will need to be cooked for part three.

Third:

-1/3 yellow onion (finely chopped)

-2 cloves of garlic (minced)

-About 1/2 lb. of ground chuck

-1 teaspoon of salt

-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

-1 small can of tomato paste (you will use about 2/3rds of the can)

-About 2 cups of water (+ or -)

- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala

-1 box of Shan: Bombay Biryani mix (you will use half of the packet)

*You should be able to find the Shan Mix at almost any International market or Indian specialty food store.

Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add the butter to a pot, then add the onion and garlic and allow them to begin the caramelize, add the meat and salt. Cook the meat completely, then add the tomato paste and stir. Add in the garam masala and 1/2 of the Shan mix & stir. Add in the water & cooked lentils, stir. You may need more water, based on your desired consistency. Allow this to simmer, occasionally stirring. If your would like a thicker consistency bring to a boil & reduce.

Fourth:

Put some rice in a bowl and add your keema pilau to the top according to your liking and enjoy with a nice glass of water and some naan bread. This dish does have a nice kick to it, so be forewarned. Enjoy!

Until next time...

Cozy up with comfort foods & sweet things!

Oh September,

you are just the start of my favorite time of the year.

I cannot wait for the leaves to turn, fall, and fill the roads and sidewalks. I am anxious for scarves and mittens, hot cocoa and spiced cider, roasted vegetables and hearty stews, jackets and fuzzy blankets. This will be my first autumn in Tennessee, and I could not be more thrilled! My last couple years have been spent in a desert so you can tell that I am anticipating the season's every move.

Today after work I came home and decided to make cupcakes for a friend of mine and take them to some of my coworkers. I was inspired by one of my favorite blogs to make funfetti cupcakes, using sprinkles. The cupcakes were quick and easy and everyone seemed to enjoy them!

I am hoping this year has a lot more in store for me. I am really excited about new opportunities and upcoming events! I will inform everyone as the details become more final, I promise! Some friends of mine are getting married in December and they are having a winter inspired wedding (Congrats, Steve & Jan!). I am going to be working on little gum paste decorations for the cake soon. I will be posting pictures and updating as much as I can about their wedding cake, I am super excited about doing it!

Until next time...

Enjoy the upcoming season & eat sweets!