Beer Brownies with Spent Grain Flour

Oh jeez, it's been over a month since I posted here! Sorry! I have been so busy with school, grad school, and wedding planning!  Life just gets in the way, you know?

However, I have still been cooking/baking up a storm over here. In fact, I have made some pretty great recipes recently.  For example, for the Super Bowl, I decided to make a bunch of stuff that I was craving and just sit around and eat while I watched the commercials (err...I mean the game?).  I made Vegetarian Buffalo Dip, Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites, and Beer Brownies.

Yep...Beer Brownies!  Also, they just happened to be the best brownies I'd ever consumed.  I adapted the recipe from Joy the Baker and used my own Spent Grain Flour and new favorite, dark beer.  They are just AHHHMAZING!  Finch's Stout for the beer, Spent Grain Flour from the time I homebrewed, and lots and lots of gooey chocolate. How can you go wrong?  I even made this again for Valentine's Day!

Let's talk beer.  I am usually not a Stout kinda girl, but this beer from Finch's is pretty fantastic.  It has this amazing coffee flavor that I just adore.  Plus, Finch's is local (right in the heart of Chicago) and so the Mariano's grocery store down the street carries their beer!  If you are not a beer fan, you can also use coffee and the brownies will still be fantastic, you just can't call them Beer Brownies then!

Beer Brownies with Spent Grain Flour

Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup spent grain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark beer (I used Finch's Stout)
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with foil.  Spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, spent grain flour, cocoa powder and salt.
3. Place a heat-proof bowl over a pot of boiling water with the butter and bittersweet chocolate.  Stir until melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the beer.
4.  In a large bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until pale yellow and well combined.  Pour in the warm chocolate mixture while continuing to stir.  Beat until combined and then mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and bake for 40 minutes.  Let cool for 20 and then cut into pieces.

Enjoy :)

Healthy and Vegetarian: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know I've been a little MIA lately, but I just had to post something to say Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  Also, I had to share my latest soup recipe since a bunch of people have been asking for it.  So here it goes!

My Valentine's Day has been lovely so far.  I seriously underestimated the amount of giant stuffed bears I would see in a 24 hour period.  High school was crazy today! I handed out Hershey Kisses to my students to honor the day, but other than that it was a normal school day.  I did wake up to a cute card from Bri sitting on my computer.  Then, I came home to him cleaning the apartment and getting dinner ready! It was so sweet.  We decided to do Valentine's day at home since neither one of use loves going all out for the holiday.  However, it is our first Valentine's Day where we are actually together! I guess that is exciting!  I got him two puzzles of the Chicago skyline to put together and then hang up in our new place.  He got me a great box of chocolates (he customized it to make sure I would like all the candies!). He also got me a "mystery gift" since it hasn't arrived yet.  I'll have to keep you posted! For dinner, he's making Quinoa Risotto and for dessert, I made my Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Cheesecakes!  I am writing this and just drooling at all the smells coming from the kitchen.

Now, onto that soup recipe.  This is what I had for lunch today since I knew I would want something healthy to balance out all the sugar I would most likely be consuming.  It ended up being a great idea.  This soup was simple and amazing.  It makes a huge batch since I wanted leftovers, but you can cut the recipe in half if you want.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(adapted from Chow)

Ingredients:

3 lbs. broccoli
2 tbsp olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
salt and pepper
32 oz vegetable broth
4 cups water
10 oz light shredded cheddar cheese
4 tbsp non-fat, plain greek yogurt (I used Chobani)

Directions:
1. Cut broccoli into 1 inch pieces so that the green part is separated from the stalk.  Place half the green pieces in a large bowl and the other half in a medium bowl.  Also cut the stalk into 1 inch pieces and add to the large bowl.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the garlic and onion and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add in the large bowl of broccoli pieces, the cubed potato, the vegetable broth, and the water.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bring mixture to a boil and then lower to a simmer.  Cover and let cook for 20-25 minutes or until broccoli and potatoes have softened.
3. While cooking, cut the other broccoli pieces into 1/2 inch pieces.
4. Once pot is cooked, blend the mixture in batches until you have a pureed broccoli mixture.  Place back into the pot and heat over medium.  Stir in the rest of the broccoli pieces and let cook for about 10 minutes.  Stir in the cheese and greek yogurt.  Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Enjoy :)

Now it's time to eat...

Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cheesecake

I have been so busy lately that I still haven't told you all what I made for Valentine's Day!

I spent Valentine's Day in an amazing way with my best girl friends.  We got together, ate heart shaped pizza, had my heart shaped dessert, and watched Grey's Anatomy.  Afterwards, we got some half priced sangria at Icon and it was awesome.  Overall, it was a truly amazing night!

With all my craziness at school, it is so nice to be able to spend nights like that with amazing people.  School has been going really well!  Today I gave my first Team Test in geometry and I worked on a fun game for Friday where students will have to sort shapes based on their special properties.  I am trying really hard to make math interactive so that students are motivated while constantly reinforcing important concepts and ensuring that students are meeting standards.  Math should be fun and so I am doing as much as I can to make it that way!

Now it's time to tell you what I brought to girls night: Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cheesecakes with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting...yep!

Red Velvet Cheesecake (adapted from Baked By Rachel)

Ingredients:
10 oreos
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
12 oz light cream cheese
1 tbsp light sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp cocoa powder
4 tsp red food coloring
1 egg

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz light cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease 3 4 inch cheesecake pans (I had heart shaped ones).
2. In a food processor, crush oreos until they are crumbs.  Mix in the melted butter.  Divide into the three pans and press into the bottoms and a little up the sides. Place in oven for 5 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to 325.
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and sour cream until well combined.  Beat in the egg, cocoa powder, and food coloring until well combined.  Divide among the three pans.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the middles are not longer wobbly. Let cool for 1 hour.  Then, wrap in plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
5.  To make the whipped cream cheese frosting: in a large bowl beat the cream cheese with the sugar.  Beat in the whipping cream and vanilla and beat on high until stiff peaks form.  Top cheesecakes with frosting.

Enjoy :)

Foodie Friends Friday: Lodge Giveaway

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back with a Lodge Casserole Dish!  This week you can win from our sponsor Lodge.   Just follow the rules and link up your recipes! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Cosmic Love Brownies and Banana Bread with Brown Butter Icing!

Last Foodie Friends Friday was sponsored by and here were the winners:

And, of course, here were your top 3 voted and clicked recipes!

Most Votes:

1. Strawberry Napolean

2. Strawberry Jam Cookies

3. Oven Tacos

Most Clicks:

1. Munchies Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

2. Meyer Lemon Cake

3. I Love You Cupcakes

Grab our NEW button! 

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Enter below and you might be a lucky winner!!

But first, here are this week's co-hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsview.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Kelly at Adorned Well http://www.adornedwell.blogspot.com/

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 

Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com

Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com

Jutta at Hungry Little Girl: http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Erika at Chef Picky Kid: http://www.chefpickykid.com/

Beth at Honey Locust Hills http://www.honeylocusthills.com

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Cosmic Love Brownies

I recently checked off yet another thing on my bucket list for the end of my college career   I went to my first Men's Hockey Game! It was a super fun experience and they ended up winning the game! Following the game, I had a ladies night with some of my girlfriends and it was just a super fun time.  Until my phone was stolen.  Yep, that was a bit of a bummer.  I was able to track the phone and file a police report, but unfortunately the phone is in an apartment complex with at least 30 units and so it is pretty much gone unless it moves to a location where the police can pinpoint it.  Even though this was not the greatest thing to happen, I decided to focus on how awesome the rest of my night was and how grateful I am for the amazing friends I have to share all these senior year experiences with!

Valentine's Day is also coming up and so I made some Cosmic Love Brownies to share with my girlfriends.  You know? Those brownies with the colored candies on top?  Well, I made my own version! I started with my Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies and made a topping to along with them!   This Valentine's Day, I will be enjoying heart-shaped pizza, wine, and dessert with these awesome girls while watching Grey's Anatomy.  I think it sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!

Cosmic Brownies

Ingredients:
8 oz unsweetened chocolate
10 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tbsp espresso powder
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup flour
10 oz dark chocolate chips
Topping:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp skim milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
mini m&ms

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a 13 by 9 inch pan with foil.  Lightly grease the foil.
2. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate, stirring constantly.  Once smooth, stir in the sugar until well combined.  Then, stir in the lightly beaten eggs.  Mixture should be smooth and glossy.  Stir in the espresso powder, vanilla, and salt.  Stir in the flour until just combined.  Stir in the dark chocolate chips.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes.
3.  While baking, make the topping.  In a small saucepan, place the butter, milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Stir until smooth.  Pour over the warm brownies and spread to coat the top.  Let cool for 20 minutes.  Then, spread the mini m&ms over the top and lightly press down.  Let cool for 10 minutes and then, using the foil, lift the brownies out of the pan and let cool completely.
To make the hearts, I used a cookie cutter and cut out hearts once the brownies were cool.

Enjoy :)

Foodie Friends Friday: Growing Up Gabel and Shared Joy

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back with a DOUBLE party!  This week you can win prizes from Growing Up Gabel and Shared Joy.  You can win a headband or earrings from Jennifer at Shared Joh and a knitted dishtowel from Camille at Growing Up Gabel!!!   Just follow the rules and link up your recipes! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up some of my favorite dessert ideas for Valentine's Day: Creme Brulee for Two, Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread, and White Chocolate Raspberry Heart Cheesecake!

Last Foodie Friends Friday was sponsored by Stacy and here were the winners:

And, of course, here were your top 3 voted and clicked recipes!

Most Clicked:

1. Pecan Pie Oatmeal

2. Wild Blueberry Turnovers

3. Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Enchiladas

Voted Top 3:

1. Apple Pie Bars

2. Ravioli

3. Gnocchi

Enter below and you might be a lucky winner!!

But first, here are this week's co-hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsview.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Kelly at http://www.adornedwell.blogspot.com/

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 

Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com

Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com

Jutta at Hungry Little Girl: http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Erika at Chef Picky Kid: http://www.chefpickykid.com/

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Valentine's Day

Well apparently everyone writes on their blog for Valentine's day and talks about all the amazing things they are doing/eating with loved ones.  I am not the biggest fan of Valentine's day which might be due to the fact that it is a holiday where everyone buys a ton of silly things or it might be because I am in a long distance relationship and I can't actually see my valentine today.  Regardless, I actually had a pretty darn good Valentine's day.

Last night I told the ladies of DTS that they were all my valentine and I made awesome Disney Princess Valentine's for everyone.  They were pretty sweet.  I mean they came with stickers AND sparkly princess tattoos.  Who doesn't want one of those?  Maybe it's my inner five year old  or the fact that I'm going to be a teacher, but I just love those little kid valentine's.  They are so silly, but they are the perfect way to let a large group know that you are thinking of them. Love you guys!

Today started with a GIANT cupcake from my friend Heather.  Heather and I are both doing our practicum at the same middle school and so I drive her over there in the morning.  For being so early in the morning, Heather is great company and I also feel like I start the day off better when I am able to get all pumped up about school with her.  Today was especially great because of that awesome cupcake :).

I had to take a bite!

Tonight I got to spend time with my lovely Grey's Anatomy girlies.  We are probably not getting together for Grey's this week because of conflicts, so why not celebrate Valentine's Day instead?  We are calling it "Anti-Valentine's Day," but in my opinion it looks a lot more like: "We love Valentine's Day because it is an excuse to get together and eat a bunch of cookies and pizza."  So we did.  Tamara made awesome cookies with Valentine's Day M&Ms...and oh, did I mention the Heart Shaped Pizza?  That's right, we are eating Rocky Rococo's Heart Shaped Cheese Pizza.  It looks like I have yet another reason to love this holiday.

Just make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and
 instead of chocolate chips, mix in chopped up Valentine's M&Ms!

Valentine's Day M&M Cookies!..Thanks Tamara!

Heart Shaped Pizza!

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without an actual valentine.  That's where Brian comes in.  After my girls night I got home because Brian was supposed to "pick me up" for our SKYPE date...woo!  You know you have a good relationship when you get all excited over hanging out with your virtual boyfriend and watching tv or a movie. When I got home I was completely surprised to find beautiful flowers sitting by my door.  Isn't he the best?  I totally did not expect anything.  It made my night.  I love him so much and I am so grateful to have him around for our third Valentine's Day together (sort of).  Happy Valentine's Day!

Skinny White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Did I mention I love mini desserts? Well, I do and I just ordered a great mini muffin pan from Williams-Sonoma so keep and eye out for mini muffin/cupcake/quiche/appetizer recipes.  I also found mini cheesecake pans at Target and since they were special for Valentine’s Day, they are in the shape of a heart.  It really can’t get much cuter than that. 

Brian and I are celebrating our 30-month anniversary, which admittedly is not a “real” anniversary, but when you are in a long-distance relationship you get special privileges to celebrate whatever holiday you want.  It could be Arbor Day and if we were together we would make it an excuse to call it a celebration.  Well, maybe not that obscure, but 2 and a half years is sort of exciting and we are going to celebrate! 

I am going to St. Louis for the weekend and I am bringing my mini cheesecake pans with me.  I decided that it was the perfect occasion to make a heart shaped mini cheesecake and I found a great recipe.  My last two cheesecakes were great and I did nothing to make them healthier in any sort of way.  This time, I decided that since it’s just Bri and me I was going to find a “skinny” recipe and try it out.  I love making things slightly less guilty because then, of course, it means you can eat more if it! Right? Anyways, I love this blog: Gina’s Skinny Taste and she posted a great recipe for Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Bars.  I simply decided that I wanted to do a White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake and so I used her recipe as a starting point and made adaptations to fit my taste.  Give it a try!  Her recipe actually fits into any weight watchers plan.  Mine is probably slightly worse for you because of the chocolate, but it’s more or less the same, plus it’s in the shape of a heart! You can’t go wrong.

Skinny White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake (inspired by Gina's Skinny Recipes)

 Ingredients:

½ cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

8 oz light cream cheese, softened

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp vanilla

¼ cup white chocolate chips

6 oz fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)

2 large egg whites

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp flour

¼ cup raspberry jam

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray pans with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, melt the butter and then mix in the graham cracker crumbs with a fork until they are well coated.  Divide the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the two pans and press into the coated pans. 

3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  In a separate small bowl, melt the chocolate chips and then add to the mixture.  Gradually mix in the yogurt, egg whites (one at a time), lemon juice, and flour.  Beat until well combined. Pour the mixture evenly into both pans.

4. In a small bowl, stir jam until it is smooth.  Then, drop by small spoonfuls on top of the cheesecakes.  Using a knife, swirl the jam over the top.

5. Bake for 30 minutes or until the centers of the cheesecakes are almost set.  Mine took around 40 and then I lowered the temperature to 250 for about 15 minutes. Cool completely.  Chill in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. 

Enjoy J