Orange Basil Chocolate Truffles

 

I spent almost the entire past weekend in my kitchen baking and cooking up a storm which I have not done in awhile.  Something about it being so cold outside makes standing in front of a hot stove seem very appealing.  These truffles were one of my many weekend creations.  They are the perfect partner for a Saturday afternoon coffee break or an after-dinner delight.

This little gem of a recipe came to me from a book that I've had sitting on my shelf for awhile now and don't use often enough.  Maria Elia's The Modern Vegetarian is a fabulous book filled with so many fantastic recipes, inspiration, and beautiful photos.  Sprinkled throughout the book are fun little mini-sections dedicated to specific ingredients such as peas, coffee, and even beets (although I'll admit I bypassed that one because beets are gross).  Even on my most un-creative day, I can find inspiration in this book.

Below is my adaptation of her Chocolate Truffle recipe.  In the book she offers a plethora of unique flavoring ideas for these truffles.  I chose to try out the orange and basil combination.  I was not disappointed.  

Perfect Apple Pie for the Perfect Fall Day

It's fall here in Michigan and I have to admit, Fall has not historically been one of my favorite seasons. Mainly because it signals the end of my favorite season, Summer, and also means that my least favorite season, Winter, is right around the corner.  This year, however, I decided to try and embrace Fall a little bit more.

Fall in Michigan really does have its upsides (as long as you can overlook the dreary rainy days).  The leaves turn gorgeous shades of red and yellow, apple cider becomes abundant everywhere you turn, root vegetables are bountiful at the farmer's markets and orchards are available for all your apple and pumpkin picking needs.  Oh and let's not forget Halloween, pumpkin ales, pumpkin lattes, apple pie...the list goes on and on.

Last weekend I traveled to the distant land of Kalamazoo, MI (ok it was only 2 hours away), to partake in a day that Anne Marie and I cleverly titled "Fall Day."  Fall Day entailed drinking apple cider, visiting an apple orchard, picking apples, and taking adorable photos with pumpkins (which you might have noticed over on our About aV page).  Upon my return home, I realized I had more apples than I knew what to do with.  Seemed like the perfect excuse to make apple pie!

Summer Cupcake Baking with Boy Bands

 
Anne Mari and Sarah indulge their inner child during a summer BBQ circa 2007.

Recently, Anne Marie and I spent some time trading stories of our youth (as we sometimes do over GMail chat in the late afternoon of a workday when our minds can no longer be bothered with work-related thoughts).  This particular conversation centered on our youthly affection for pop music.  More specifically, boy bands.

Anne Marie admitted her desire to mmmbop Taylor Hanson and having been forced to feign love for *N Sync at the risk of being an outcast in middle school.  I wanted it that way for Brian Littrell, of the Backstreet Boys notoriety, but also found myself pressured to jump on the *N Sync bandwagon.  We both agreed, however, that they just don't make boy bands like they used to.  As a tribute to our youth, I put together what I call the Essential 90's Boy Band Playlist.