Peanut butter + bananas + coffee = pure genius

It was shortly after I got back to my apartment after the long holidays, that I went a little bake crazy. Maybe it was my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, Maybe it was that I missed being able to cook for myself (even though my mom's food is WAY better than anything I could make, it's still nice to feel "independent). Whatever it as, I went crazy. I made muffins, meatballs, chilli, and a pasta dish. All in one weekend. Oh, and I also made this most amazing peanut butter banana bread with a coffee glaze, which I came across on one of many wonderful blogs I follow.

I love peanut butter. I love bananas. I'm clearly obsessed with coffee. This bread was a match made in heaven, and made especially for me. I didn't have a bread loaf pan, but it worked perfectly fine in a circle cake pan. I also adapted it just slightly and used smooth peanut butter (I'm not a fan of crunchy).

This bread freezes well too - I cut it into slices and just pulled out a piece when I wanted it, and popped it into the microwave until slightly warm. Amazing!

So, if you're looking for a delicious, easy bread to make, I highly recommend Nikki's recipe. Chances are if you're an avid baker like me, you probably have most of the ingredients already in your kitchen. So get baking!

Stuffed Zucchini

My parents have an amazing garden in our back yard; my Dad grows everything. Tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, peppers, eggplant, berries - and I got to eat so much fresh food the whole time I was home. Before hoping in my car my Dad handed me a huge bag filled with zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes - more than I know what to do with! I've eaten tomato and cucumber salads with feta cheese the past two nights, which is such a simple yet delicious meal. I needed to use up the zucchini, which led to several Google searches and taco stuffed zucchini from the blog Skinnytaste. I love Mexican food. I love zucchini. I love cheese. What else could you want? 

Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal

I have somewhat of a love affair with baked oatmeal. About a year ago, I hated oatmeal. Just hated it. Thought the texture, smell, everything about it was gross. Then, as I became more and more into food blogs and "fancy" recipes, I discovered several interesting recipes on one of my favorite blogs for simple, delicious and cheap recipes, budget bytes. The first one I made, apple pie baked oatmeal, smelled and tasted AMAZING. It requires no complex ingredients, is so easy and comes out warm, filling, and bonus was that making it on Sunday allowed me to eat it for breakfast the whole entire week. I think I made this recipe every Sunday....for probably 4 months straight. I am not one who complains about eating the same things, at least for breakfast and lunch!

After it became spring/summer, I decided to try some different variations, including lemon raspberry (also good). This past weekend, once I unpacked and reorganized my life, blueberry banana baked oatmeal was made (recipe still courtesy of Budget Bytes). I've gotten so many of my friends and coworkers to try baked oatmeal and be converts like me. You'll be surprised at how easy this is - it takes less than 10 minutes to mix it all together, and about an hour in the oven. Enjoy (and please ignore the fact the photo isn't all that great, its delicious!)!

Nutella Cookies

A while back, my friend Stacy at Every Little Thing posted an amazing sounding recipe for nutella cookies. Now, I know that this will sound insane, but I have never tried Nutella before. Everyone I know insists its heavenly, in Spain my friends bought it in massive quantities. I was skeptical, but I picked up all the ingredients and my first ever jar of Nutella, and gave the recipe a whirl. Given my not so great track record of late with baking, I was nervous. But, the cookies turned out SO delicious. I'm not usually a fan of chocolate, but these were different.

They're basically chocolate chip cookies with a twist, the Nutella gives them a richer, almost nutty flavor. I took them to work and they were a hit with my co-workers and my roommate. I was surprised at how easy the recipe was, and I will be making these again. The only downside, would be the calories- I made sure to give plenty away!

The recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp Nutella

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix up the flour, baking soda and salt in one bowl. Mix up the butter, sugars, eggs/tofu, and vanilla in another. Combine, then mix in the Nutella. Use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to separate the dough into balls. 

Bake at 375 degree for 8-10 minutes.

Then be prepared to enjoy the delicious cookies!

        

Williams-Sonoma lust

Williams-Sonoma is an amazing store. I dream about the day when I am getting married and can create a bridal registry, and shoot my scan gun at half the store. I'd buy everything, if I could. My parents share their love of this store with me, because they are the best cooks I know; and love to cook. My parents used their credit card reward points once for a significant amount of W-S giftcards and I went with them to the store. We went to town, and it was the most fun ever! Every gadget and gizmo you could want for cooking, baking, hosting.

Just this weekend, my guy friend called me while I was Christmas shopping online. He didn't believe me that Williams-Sonoma sold food as well; and thought I was crazy when I told him I wished I could buy all my gifts from this store. I don't think my friends have reached that age, yet. Maybe in a few years when more of my friends are getting married/having kids/hosting parties, then I can order my heart out! And, when I have more money, of course :)

Until then, I just lust over the items, that could make my cooking dreams come true.