Roasted Berry S'mores

Why knock the tried and true s'mores?  I say don't.  Ever.  Except for maybe just this once (and have you seen the waffle s'mores?  Holy...)

[full roasted berry smores recipe via jelly toast]

Chocolate Chip Layer Cake

I do like my chocolate chips...

[full chocolate chip layer cake recipe]

Donut Macarons

Yep yep yep yep yep yep yep... Yes.  I like donuts.  I like macarons.  I might really really like these donut macarons (via the house that lars built).  Would you try them, too?

Golden Raspberries with Russian Cream

 

Golden raspberries with Russian cream and coconut pistachio topping sounds incredibly delectable right now, doesn't it?  I'd like to throw a dinner party and have this as the dessert.  Though I think the best dessert is to just always have a good stash of dark chocolate to pick from; still... this looks and sounds like it would be a perfect Summer treat, yes?

[full recipe via inspiring the everyday]

Olive Oil and Sea Salt Brownie Cookies

Once, about a month ago, I was making pasta and opened the cabinet door to grab some olive oil only to discover I had none left.  I have no idea how that happened but will say that it was my 12 hours of hell until I could get to the grocery store the next morning.  I stood in the middle of my cozy (read: "tiny") kitchen, stunned.  I could think of no substitute; no consolation for my predicament.  If this sounds too dramatic, understand that I come from an Italian family.  There is never no olive oil around.  Ever.  I use it for cooking, of course, but also on my skin and hair if I run out of coconut oil.  In all honesty, it is my life force (too much?).

So I was making brownies a while back and ran out of butter (equally traumatizing) and I went for the olive oil as a substitute.  Freaking delicious.  My gosh.  Why had I not tried this before?  Why?  WHY?!

Then I saw this olive oil and sea salt brownie cookies recipe and thought, "Yes.  This is the greatest thing in the world."
No truer words, friends.

[ via butter lust blog ]

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

I can't even with this dessert.  Back story: Have I shared that I never tasted an avocado before I moved to California?  It's true.  Once, when I was a nanny for the sweetest most lovable little baby in the North End of Boston, the mom (also sweet and lovable) asked me to pick up an avocado; which is pretty much the best food for a baby's brain.  The fat in that bad boy is tremendously healthy and vital.  But, and don't judge, I didn't know what an avocado looked like.  I didn't.  I had to ask the small Italian man in the tiny grocery shop to point them out to me.  He spoke little English and I, the shame of my grandparents because of it I'm sure, spoke no Italian.  It was a very beguiling conversation about avocados.  I learned so much and so little that day; so very little.  Do we bite into the skin like an apple? (you can imagine how that part of the conversation played out with hand and mouth motions; a little freaky probably.)  But after getting back to the apartment, I sliced the avocado open and gave bits at a time to baby Laura, who loved it; without ever trying it myself.  Until I moved to California; because- did you know?- they're growing in people's back yards around here.  And, as it turned out, I eat a couple a week nowadays.  At least.

But now look!  A recipe to mix it in a chocolate mousse.  The ultimate, don't you think?  I mean, at first it might seem kind of gnarly, but I bet it's delicious.  I will make this and I will enjoy it every day until the end of my days.

You?

[Full avocado chocolate mousse recipe via adventures in cooking]

Hot Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches

 

I'm a little bit delayed with my posts for this week, but doesn't a good hot fudge chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream sandwich make it worth the wait?   I sure think so.  

[full ice cream sandwich recipe via half baked harvest]

Edible Gold Leaf Macarons

Macarons are photogenic.  They really are.  The colors, the shape, the overall cuteness overload... the colors; did I mention the colors?.  (This Pinterest feed will keep you happy for a while.) But they sure do have to be made right.   Otherwise, they can turn out dry and near flavorless.  I'm lucky to live in a town with a French patisserie, so I get to treat myself to some tasty macarons that are also very very pretty.

I came across this recipe for edible gold leaf macarons and thought some of you out there might want to try it out; or if nothing else, you can stare at their loveliness.

[via sugar and cloth]

Ombre and Color Block Donuts

I'm kind of flipping out over these ombre + color block donuts, aren't you?  For one, they look remarkably delectable.  And two, I'd love to have all that sugary color on my lips; like I'm at a trippy carnival. 

I want these so very very much but am currently without the extra energy and wherewithal to make them for myself.  However, I am open to receiving a care package of them if any one of you is feeling particularly generous... just putting that out there (wink wink.)

Check out the full recipe via paper + stitch.

Tomato Soup with Mozzarella

What do I feel like eating tonight?  This.  Tomato soup with mozzarella and bread; how very yummy.

Local Love / C'est Cheese ...

I love cheese.  I grew up in an all Italian family. We ate a lot of cheese.  A lot of cheese.  We also ate a lot of meat.  But when I tried my hand at veganism for ten years, it horrified my family.  In particular, it confused my Aunt Clara.  Don't mess with a Long Island Italian... "Will you eat Chicken Parmigiana?  NO?  But you'll eat veal, right?!".
It didn't go over well.

A few years ago, I went from vegan to vegetarian and now eat cheese again.  It's been a wonderful experience to delve into the array of tastes and textures and aromas.  I'm no expert on anything really when it comes to cheese, but I do know that it makes me feel blissed out after one bite.  This is largely thanks to C'est Cheese.  It's a wonderful cheese shop in town and, holy of holies, it's so worth dropping by to choose from their cheeses and other treats.  Here's why...

 Pairing is not my specialty by any means, but they know their stuff here and they'll happily help you out with that.  I got the selection above left.   And then there's this...

And the happy people who make this place awesome 

(the owners Michael & Kathryn Graham, to the right...)

 C'est Cheese's selection is fantastic both for everyday + specialty holiday dining.

My Aunt Clara would be proud (p.s. they also have a vast meat selection)

C'est Cheese

825 Santa Barbara Street

Santa Barbara, California

805.965.0318 

The Eats / Apple Cider Pancakes

Some late nights I get the craving for chocolate chip pancakes.  

But I think I would be just as happy eating these apple cider pancakes (do you think I could get away with adding the chocolate chips to these?)

[Recipe HERE]

So hungry.

I'm kind of a creature of habit + routine when it comes to food.  I am pretty content as long as bread, cheese, and a good drink are involved.  The lovely colors don't hurt, either...

Source: bsinthekitchen.com via Pennyweight on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Pennyweight on Pinterest

Into the weekend...

What'cha doin' this weekend?

It'll be my birthday, so that means I'll be eating a lot, kicking back a bit, spending an afternoon with my bestie, and all around enjoying this life.

Birthday or not, I hope you'll be doing the same!

 

Love,

Cath

 (photos: Alexandra Grablewski via Decor8)