Giant Birthday Cookie - Perfect Cake Alternative

A giant cookie is the birthday celebration solution to someone who does not enjoy desserts (cakes included) but LOVES cookies! And what better recipe to use than the one from the back of Nestle Toll House chocolate chip packets? NONE! It's easy, straight forward and delicious as agreed by everyone who has had a bite. It is also quite fun to look at the person's face when he receives a giant M&M adorned cookie at his birthday party. It's a gift that no one would see coming~!

How to get this 11 x 15 x 1 inch monstrosity to the party? NO PROBLEM! Simply transfer the cooled cookie to a disposable aluminum baking tray and cover with aluminum foil. Gift wrap the whole thing so it doesn't move around too much. Slip it in a giant gift bag and no one would be the wiser that it's a cookie. Lay it right side up in the car and it should make it to the party in one piece.

V for Valentine

St. Valentine's day has always been kind of special for me. It's special not for the boys, the cards, the roses, the chocolates (well maybe a little bit for the chocolates)or the over the top heart shaped everything. It's special because mom's birthday falls 2 days before the very marketed day of love. When I was a little kid, I thought that everyone loved mom and that's why when her birthday comes around there are heart shaped balloons everywhere, little chocolaty treats, very sweet cards, very cuddly teddy bear and discounts on diamonds. Over the years I have learned to never put off getting a birthday present for my mom. Traditionally, last minute shopping often ends up with her holding some sort of cuddly stuff animal clinching on to some chocolates or (god forbid) things that should never come from one's daughter.
Since my dad's birthday last year, I have decided to channel my love of baking in creating wonderful gifts for my loved ones. I shall bake birthday cakes for them! It is a great excuse to stretch my skills! No one (not even my dear beloved) can be mad at the overflowing amount of desserts if it's for someone's birthday!!! However, this concept is a little weird when the birthday-ee is my mom, dad or brother. Actually, it's probably more than just a little weird for most people. No, I am not referring to the cake baking but I don't live with any of my family members (thus they don't actually get to eat the cake). It's the thought that counts right? My mom thought so! Now the entire family is having cake in honor of each other's birthday!

My birthday cake plan boils down to these steps: 1) Plan ahead and think of what the birthday-ee would like as their cake; 2) Make cake to be ready for birthday (including adjusting for time zone difference in certain cases); 3) Sing happy birthday with lit candles on the cake (yes the whole shebang!) over video chat; 4) Eat cake! For mom, I decided on a decadent chocolate mousse cake, rich and just heavenly.

Happy Birthday Love Part 1! December 3rd, 2010

It was my boyfriend's 28th birthday. I gave him full authority over our food choices for the day. Breakfast at home. I made some chocolate banana crepes. I was lucky to be able to rush into the grocery store last second to pick up some bananas the day before! The crepes were good but I think it's thanks to the chocolate and bananas. I would try a different crepe recipe next time as these crepes were a little rubbery.

Lunch at MBCo with his co-workers. And dinner at Chez l'Épicier. It's a very fine restaurant and wine bar. Needless to say, the wine was probably wasted on me. (I still have problem identifying good wine from bad ones....) The food was gorgeous! My filet mignon was cooked to perfection, rare but not bloody, just the way I like it. The desserts were fantastic as well. I forgot my camera or else there'd be a review in the "Eating Out" section. Though, it wouldn't make a very romantic evening with me trying to document each dish under the dimmed lights. Maybe next time!

Dying for French Chocolate Cake

I went on a family vacation in Europe this summer. We bought a slice of chocolate cake from a random sandwich shop in Paris for a quick decadent snack. It was the most amazing chocolate cake EVER. It was smooth, chocolate-ly, and just heavenly. Ever since then I have been craving for another slice. The first flourless chocolate cake that I had made was good but it had collapsed in the middle. I thought I'd give it a second try with a different recipe. This recipe did not call for stiff beaten egg whites to fluff up the cake which made it a easy recipe. There's no worry about breaking the egg white bubbles and deflating the cake. The table of flour in this recipe also helped to hold the cake up. The cake is finished with a dusting of icing sugar and a side of mix berries sauce.