Chewy Lemon Cookies

I recently started watching The Chew, and while the show definitely has a few kinks to work out, it's still pretty entertaining (especially when compared to the awful The Revolution that follows). The hosts are personable and dialogue flows--something that when it's missing makes talk shows rrreeaalllyy awkward.

Monday's episode was all about guilty pleasures. The hosts talked about decadent pastas and desserts. One of them made a mimosa that had me wishing it was after five. And Clinton Kelly reaffirmed his place in my heart by coming clean with his love of ironing and Judge Judy.

What a man.

I used to love Judge Judy. When I was a wee teen, I would come home from school and hole up on the couch with my carton of ice cream and Judy.

Mom, if you're reading this you now know why we would go through so much ice cream.

I never really understood the cases Judy listened to (who cares about your stupid flower pot?!) but I liked her don't-mess-attitude, and how cool was it that she had that security guard guy bring her all the evidence? That's real power-never leaving the bench.

She also had an uncanny resemblance to my grandmother.

I haven't watched Judge Judy in years, but I would totally be open to a little quality JJ time with Clinton Kelly. Hey Clint, you can take this as an open invitation. I'll even let you iron my shirts.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Mine are cookies. All types. All shapes. Give me a cookie and I am a very happy girl :D

These cookies below were made for my Christmas cookie baskets that I give to my family each year. I'm a bit late in posting them, but thankfully cookie recipes don't go stale. Hope you give them a try!

Chewy Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups, plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg + 1 yolk, room temperature

2 tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh)

2 tsp grated lemon zest (can omit if you don't have fresh lemon juice)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon extract

Direction:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Add eggs and once combined, whisk in the vanilla and lemon extracts, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the flour mixture until a dough forms. Don't be afraid to use your hands, here!

Scoop golf-ball sized balls of dough onto a prepared pan about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the middle is set and the edges are slightly golden. Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

These are great cookie for gifts, as they're nice and sturdy. Put them in cute little bags and share with friends!

Or eat them all yourself. That's cool, too.

Source: How Sweet Eats

Pet Peeve Wednesday: Chatty Bathroom People

Earlier this week I was in the bathroom, doing my business, when these two women loudly entered the bathroom. They went to their separate stalls and proceeded to hold a conversation over the towering divider of the bathroom stalls.

Now, call me crazy, but I am someone who firmly believes that the only sounds coming from bathroom stalls should be of the natural variety. Don't talk about the guy from your office who picks all of the banana Laffy Taffys out of the candy bowl. Don't bring up your latest date either, or how that one friend of yours needs to just drop the candy bar and jump on a treadmill. You make everyone else in the bathroom feel uncomfortable while you yammer on as if you were at a coffee shop. Save it for the cubicle. For the sink. At the very least, save it for after the flush.

Seriously people, There is no story that is so pertinent that it needs to be told when your pants are down. Hold the story. Take a dramatic pause. Do whatever you need to, but please, let me pee in peace.

Coffeemate: A love affair

Coffeemate, let's mate.

It's no secret that I love coffee. I'm a three-cups-in-the-morning sort of girl and there are usually a few extra after that. I'll take any type except decaf because, well, decaf is fake coffee. I usually roll with plain milk in my coffee but occasionally I am wooed by the colorful flavored creamers at the supermarket and just have to take one home with me. These are a few of my favorites.

1. Hazelnut

This was my first coffeemate love and I never looked back. I don't know what it is about hazelnut that makes it so delicious (seriously, what is it?!) but it's the perfect mate to my coffee.

2. French Vanilla

Super sweet. Super awesome. Probably even more classic than the hazelnut, but I'm biased.

3. Amaretto

The Italian in me approves.

4. Almond Joy

Okay, this is not coffeemate, per se, but it is way too amazing to not mention. I had this for the first time last week and tweeted that I wanted to bathe in it. That was not a hyperbole. Almonds. Chocolate. Coconut. Oh my!

Do you guys like flavored creamers? Any recommendations for new flavors to try??

Quinoa with Eggplant and Peppers

Hello lovelies. I have a little story for you all this Thursday morning. And if you absolutely cannot stand to hear me ramble for a paragraph or two, you can jump down to the recipe at the end. I won't judge. Too much. Anyway, story time! I currently intern at the public relations agency that represents all of the Broadway In Chicago shows in the city. The work is mainly compiling media coverage and sending it off to the client. However, I also get to attend press night for all of the shows.

Let's have a moment of silence for how awesome that is.

--silence--

Okay, back on track. Tuesday night I went to the Mamma Mia! press night. Interns are used as fillers for empty seats in the theater and we are usually given our tickets about two or three minutes before the show starts. This is always anxiety provoking for me (I hate rushing) but usually I handle it well. I was all business Tuesday night until the ushers sent me to the wrong aisle and I sort of went into a blind panic, not paying much attention to my surroundings as I whipped around to run to the next aisle. When I made that hello-whiplash-turn I collided with none other than Chicago's biggest theater critic.

Sputtered apologies and flushed cheeks followed.

I was mortified and still sort of am. Although, I do have to admit that it makes a pretty good story. And as an awkward magnet, that is something you really have to hold on to.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I have some food that I want to show you all. This is a food blog at the end of the day, after all. Like most recipes, this came from an oh s*** moment at the rapidly deteriorating produce in my refrigerator. Nothing like four dollar peppers bruising to get your chef cap on! I used quinoa as the base because no grain is a better canvas for rapidly-deteriorating-produce. This would be great with just about any roasted vegetable. Also, don't be afraid to add sauces. I used some tomato sauce on the leftovers and it was delicious.

Quinoa with Roasted Eggplant and Peppers

Ingredients:

1 eggplant, cubed

2 peppers, chopped roughly

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

salt/pepper

1 cup quinoa

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread the eggplant and pepper on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Add the herbs and then mix with your hands to coat the vegetables with oil and herbs. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip over the vegetables, bake for another 5-10 minutes until the eggplant is easily pierced with a knife.

Meanwhile, bring the quinoa and 2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the quinoa simmer covered for 15 minutes. Remove cover and fluff with a fork.

Turkey Chili

There is this little Italian deli down the street from my office and they have the most delicious paninis known to mankind. My favorite is a pancetta and fontina panini with pesto pressed between ciabatta. I could probably eat this sandwich every day for every. single. meal. It's that tasty. But...it also is about seven dollars and a bagillion (yes that is a scientific measurement) calories.

In an effort not to empty my wallet or cancel out all the lovely workouts I've been doing, I have been making full use of my kitchen. No simple ham and cheese sandwiches for this workin' girl! I know I'll be tempted to go across the street if I don't bring lunches that I genuinely look forward to eating so I make sure that I bring nothing short of delicious!

This chili is adapted from Jenna's recipe. It takes a bit of time to make but most of it is hands off which makes multitasking an attainable dream. The recipe is rather large so get those plastic containers ready--lots of frozen leftovers are an equally attainable dream!

Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

1 1b ground turkey

1 red pepper, diced

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp garlic

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup red wine

1 tbsp cumin

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp oregano

salt/pepper

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and pepper, saute until softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Next, add the ground turkey and cook until the meat is browned. Add in all of the spices, stirring to coat the meat.

Pour in the diced tomatoes and red wine and simmer covered for an hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

Serve over brown rice or noodles with lots of cheddar cheese!

An Ode to Cardigans

Cardigans, how I love thee. Ever since we first met in the JCrew discount section, while I was still a blossoming young teen wearing pajama pants to class, it has been a whirlwind romance. Cardigan are just so fun and versatile. They're like the friend who is up for absolutely anything.

With endless variety in terms of cut, length and color it really isn't an overstatement to say that there is a cardigan for every occasion. I know I make mine work overtime. Whether I'm going out, heading to class, or attempting to save money by not running my heat--cardigans have me covered (literally!). I'm going to share with you a few of my favorite cardi's from the interwebs :D

1. The Jackie

I have my fair share of Jackie cardigans. They're a classic for a reason and look adorable over dresses!

2. Drapey

The perfect cardigan for when you really wish you had skipped the bar last night. Loose fitting and universally flattering--it hides a multitude of sins.

3. Grandpa Cardigan

Don't let the name fool you. While they dress down easily, they can dress up too.

4. Embellished

Zooey Deschanel: Queen of Cardigans

Do you guys rock cardigans?

The Beginning of the End

Yesterday I started my very last day of college. It's so strange, I remember when I was a freshman and absolutely terrified of the city. I would practically break into hives walking two blocks from my dorm. I was convinced I would get mugged every time I took the El (which was of course never on my own). Now I live in the city and can successfully walk two blocks without wanting to dry heave. Even take the El by myself!

People always told me how college goes by fast but I never thought it would slip away this quickly. Each year felt like it would never end. Freshman year I was acclimating. Sophomore year discovering the city. Junior year drowning in LSAT books and law school applications. Suddenly it's senior year and I wonder where all those endless times went.

Heading into my last semester at Loyola, I want to make these final moments count. I want to appreciate my friends more. Take advantage of the city. Savor the skyline. Snap more pictures. I want these last few months to creep by, because if I'm being completely honest, I'm not ready for them to end.