Wedding Stationery for Hely & Tim

Today an amazing couple, Hely & Tim,  will be tying the knot in Hawaii (or as I like to think of it - heaven on earth).  I'm sad that I couldn't make the trip but elated to have been part of the wedding process by helping to create Hely & Tim's art deco vision for the invites for their special day!  I can not wait to see the photos & hear all about it.

Congratulations Hely & Tim wishing you nothing but the best laughter & smiles till the end of time.  Love you guys! Cheers!

Moto's Warm Date Cake with Toffee Sauce

About 6 to 7 years ago my then roommate, Hely, took me to this gem in Brooklyn, Moto. We then went back with her mother when she was visiting from California & although Chris doesn’t really remember I took him there when we first started dating. It’s only 6.3 miles from where I live now (yes, I googled it) but I haven’t been there in at least 5 years.  It’s a pretty nondescript spot almost hidden by an elevated subway. The design of this quaint cafe pays homage to the old European motorcycle cafes it was inspired by (or at least that’s what Hely told me any way).

Each time I went I left in a dreamlike state fantasizing about the next time I’d visit.  Each meal ended pleasantly with Moto’s warm date cake with toffee sauce. This is what sweet dreams are made of my friends.

It’s a cake made of dates - not for a date although very suitable for one. Dates are fruit. You can find the dried ones usually pitted where they sell nuts in your local grocery store. I always had them growing up in trail mixes. They were always that sweet chewy bite that just tasted good. Apparently fresh dates look like this - & grow on trees which I just found out.

As of late I’ve noticed more dates on the scene mainly as a natural way to sweeten things like smoothies. This cake is definitely sweet (thanks dates!).

The other day for some reason I found myself thinking about Moto’s warm date cake & toffee sauce. I took a gander & did a search & found it! Lucky for me Brooklyn Salt posted the recipe here.  It was spot on.

It was so good I didn’t trust myself with it at home knowing that I would definitely devour every last nibble if left to my own devices.  So I brought it to work.  I’m proud to now have passed on this tasty obsession to my co-workers.  Some of my favorite reviews of the day were:

"That cake was [pause] everything."
"This does not suck.
"This is SO GOOD!"
"OMG it was delicious"
"I’m so glad you have a food blog."
"Mmm breakfast cake. So tasty!"

Ladies of Shobha - I agree.

I think what makes this cake so incredible is that it is an experience that plays on the senses. First, the cake itself is kind of sticky & even a little bit crumbly (mine actually stuck to the pan - not as pretty as I wanted it to be but it worked out). Then, you spoon hot toffee sauce over the top & all of a sudden who cares what the cake looks like it’s all melting into itself & is the most delectably sweet bite! I served mine with some whipped cream to cut the sweet. I think it would be equally delicious with some ice cream on the side for an extra dose of decadence.

Make this cake. Tell me when you do. Leave your love below.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

Rose & Douggie

Hely & Jack

It’s Friday, yay! I’m taking a break from my usual foodie posts to let a little light in & share with you two of my beautiful friends who have become even more gorgeous as mothers.  Yesterday two of my girlfriends, Hely & Rose, stopped by my office to say hi & to share smiles, stories & giggles with their little boys. It made my day & I’m still smiling about it.

It reminded me that every time things changes it’s comforting to know that they also stay the same, there's just more to talk about! Please remember to cherish the moments & people in a life full of things.

Click through to see more photos ;)

Better Home Cooking Basics: #59 Don’t Throw Away Sprouted Garlic, Remove the Green Part Instead.

Have you ever found little green sprouts coming out of your garlic? I have & I've made the mistake of tossing it thinking it was bad. Turns out - it's not bad! Keep that garlic. Simply remove any green parts & then use it as you normally would. The green part is evidently super bitter.  Or if you have a green thumb, I think you can plant the garlic in the ground once it's sprouted.

Get more of my better home cooking basics here.

PS: happy birthday to my sweet friend Hely! 

Homemade Chocolate Covered Easter Cream Eggs

Last Friday I came home to a package sent by the sweet people at Chocoley full of fun ingredients for this Easter project - homemade Chocolate Covred Easter Cream Eggs - so you have them to thank for this festive post (thanks Chocoley!).

When the Chocoley team first contacted me I figuratively & literally felt like a kid in the candy store.  They asked me to come up with something I'd like to make using their awesome ingredients! What would I make? So many options to choose from!

My decision became more clear with Easter on the horizon. I knew what I wanted to make & the Chocoley team was on board to advise me of which ingredients would make my Easter creation come to fruition. Chocoley truly has everything you need for creating beautiful & tasty treats.

While I was making these eggs I couldn’t help but remember the story my mom always tells of when I would make cookies as a kid. They would start out small & uniform but then as I continued & the initial excitement of making them wore off the cookies would grow in size. You could look at the assortment of sizes as a timeline of the cookies - the smallest were the earliest & the largest were the last to be baked. It’s a funny memory & my mom laughs every time she tells it - which makes me laugh. This is how I felt making these eggs. If you are going to make them at home - smaller is better - trust me. Mine grew in size - while still delicious they were a bit sloppier & wouldn’t stand on the lollipop stick, instead I had to rest them on their sides making them not completely round - but I covered them with edible confetti, silver sprinkles (like magic from a disco ball!) & pretty pink foils so you’d never know.

PS: Happy birthday to my dear friend Hely! I love you Hey Hey :)