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Monday, September 6, 2010

Caramel Cappucino Bars

Field Hockey and school are in full swing already! It's creepy to think that I am a Senior and I have no clue where I will be one year from now.  I mean I KNOW where I WANT to be but its all up to the fates (and the awesome people who will be reading my collage applications...)

But anyways I tabbed these a while back when Cheri from Kitchen Simplicity first posted them because they looked, and sounded, out of this world yummy.

I made a half batch because A. I didn't have enough walnuts for a ful batch and B. Because thats the only size pan I had...

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Post 390

Remember when I traveled to Boston a couple of weeks ago browsing for colleges? Well I had a delicious meal at Post 390 while I was there.  After hours of googling restaurants, 2 trips to the concierge and a few phone calls later we settled on Post 390 (check out their website and video--such a great restaurant!)  Not only did I spot it on one of my all-time favorite healthy blogs: Carrots n' Cake, but my sister's friend recommended it as well as the concierge.

Let's start with the meal...
And oh boy did I have a feeling it was going to be a good meal when I saw the warm crusty bread come out in a paper bag--my favorite!

To quench her thirst mommy got a vodka soda with a splash of oj (for the vitamins obvi!)

And to warm up I got Blue Flower Earl Grey. So Good!

As for the appetizer: Mom and Dad split the fried clams.  When they first got married, they used to get them at the Howard Johnson's and they loved them so much (could be they were young and their food memory is off...) but regardless, these were the most delicious clams they ever had in their life!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Shortbread Cookie Failure

Plain shortbread cookies never appealed to me--I always felt that it was lacking something called...flavor.  While butter, flour and sugar do make a baked good taste great--when standing on their own they lack intensity.  So when I spotted Coffee Cookies on Bake List I knew that they would be delicious--they brown one stick of butter! 

I have never browned butter before but I was feeling adventurous and it worked! I turned this plain ole stick of fat 

into this delicious nutty cup of fat. hehe...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Breakfast of a Blogger: Pumped up Pumpkin Overnight Oats and Homemade Soy Misto

I was nervous to dabble into overnight oats for some reason but I am so glad I did!! Today's batch was pumped up with pumpkin and paired with a "soy misto" (homemade of course)
I wasn't too sure what I would be in the mood for this morning so I made these when I woke up and let them sit while I did some college stuff (about 2 hrs).

It seems so silly to post step by step instructions but I like pictures so I am gonna do it anyways ;) hehehe
Add 1/3 cup of oats to a small bowl (or tea cup...)

 then add 2/3 cup of milk, I used Almond Breeze for the nutty (and delicious) flavor

Friday, August 13, 2010

Cinnamon Sugar Puffs (Donut Muffins)

Guess what! I am almost done with my EMT training course! I have passed all seven module exams (group of chapters--sections) and I am taking my school final on Monday and the State final on Thursday! I am so nervous but I will be so excited when I am done.  Wish me luck studying for these last two tests! So close but yet so far...
But now on to the reason you are here: the food. Oh the finger-licking food...
Ever since one city expedition led me to a delicious, dense "cupcake" coated in a cinnamon sugar crust, I could not get them out of my head. A favorite cupcake book cleverly titled: Cupcakes! had a recipe titled Cinnamon Sugar Puffs and I knew that these would be like the mouthwatering "cupcake" I had at Magnolias.

These did not disappoint! My new obsession, Raw Sugar, provided an extra crunchy exterior when mixed with the cinnamon and is highly recommended when (not if) you make these.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Boston

We decided to head up the east coast to visit a few colleges.  My mom and dad wanted to get on the road as soon as possible so we left straight from EMT school. The three hour drive to Providence turned into a five hour drive with lots of traffic. Blech...major.  Luckily I sat next to the cooler filled with my favorite goodies: sandwiches and celery.

All the restaurant kitchens in Providence closed at 9 pm so we ate in the hotel.  The Westin had a great restaurant and we were able to grab a late night bite there.  Mamma and Daddy both started with soups: Cream of Mushroom and New England Clam Chowder, respectively. 
For my meal I got the special: Pan Roasted Snapper served upon mashed taters and sautéed spinach with a citrus salad on top.  VERY Yummy…obviously I ate the whole thing, do I ever leave anything? Self control is a petty thing…
Sorry for the lack of pictures, 5 hours in a car had my head screwed on all funky and well, I forgot the camera in the room... Oh well.

Dessert was totally unnecessary but for some reason we got two.  Orange “Gelato” and an Apple Tart (or torte?) It wasn’t gelato, more of an icy type of thing but not bad.  The Apple tart had this creamy-ricotta layer underneath the apples-ehh.

We woke up early and had breakfast at this cute little pastry shop, Pastiche,  I spotted while searching for restaurants online in Providence.  It received rave reviews so we made a family decision that pastries were acceptable breakfast foods.


Sunday, August 8, 2010

Breakfast of a Blogger: Oatmeal

I used to hate breakfast foods.  Eggs made me nauseous and pancakes were just ehh.  Oatmeal? Uh, I'll pass.  But then I entered blog world and began reading about how breakfast could be delicious! "Breakfast of a Blogger" will be a mini series of different breakfast foods I eat now that I have been exposed to the blog world and I couldn't be happier! Breakfast is what you need to start your day!
My first taste of oatmeal was Quakers Instant Oatmeal (Maple Brown Sugar) and it was good! What was I thinking all these years...

However, after reading about how many yucky ingredients are in packaged oatmeal, I had my parents buy bulk oats from Costco.  Cooking oats in the morning before school was NOT a possibility! I am not a morning person, I roll out of bed, wash up, pack lunch and go. Breakfast is eaten in the car as daddy drove (not sure what I am going to have to do this year when I drive myself!!)

Anyways, I cook my oatmeal at night.  In the winter aka when I am cold aka when it isn't 100 degrees outside, and in the morning, I microwave it for a few minutes with a dab of extra water until it is warm and of a normal oatmeal consistency.

I never tried making oatmeal with banana as does KATH and so many other bloggers until this morning and oh boy was it delicious! (And super simple too!)
I used to make 1/2 cup but then I was never hungry at lunch for school (10:40) or at EMT class (11:40) so I reduced it to 1/3 cup and I am hungry just at lunch time for EMT class! Hopefully my tummy will re-adjust for school come September.

Oats. Water. Cinnamon. Simple enough?

But wait...

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cookteen Turns 1 Year Old.



Not the person, the blog. Oh what a year...


Food has been a part of my life since day 1.  If your an ardent follower of Cookteen, then you already know that the majority of the time I was able to spend with my mom was on the set of various food television shows.  I would sit there, crayon in my right hand coloring my Disney Princess coloring book and a sugar cookie in my left.  Oh boy did I love Paula Deen's sugar cookies.  To this day I will never forget when my mom came home from a week long shoot in upstate New York with a bag of the delicious cookies made just for me. 
Last summer was the first year I didn't return to camp.  Instead I took a cake decorating class with my mom (as seen here, here and here).  Baking became what I loved.  The time I spent in the kitchen was my favorite.  I would think about how what I was making will taste after all the chemical stuff happened in the oven, about what I would do with 24 cupcakes and only a family of 4, and about how I was going to survive junior year.

I have survived one of the most challenging yet exciting years of my life so far and I have learned that this is only the beginning.  Whether in the kitchen, in the classroom or on the sports field...you are never too old to stop learning.  

1 year ago: I sat in the car while my mom drove me to work as we bounced around names for a blog.  Cookteen was born.
Today: Not only do I drive myself to work, but also I can drive to the supermarket to pick up “forgotten” ingredients.
12 months ago: I thought that blog followers would just magically appear.
Today: I have done my share of social media research and have built a following of readers, bakers and fellow foodies. 


Sunday, July 25, 2010

NO Bake Cookies! (Another chocolate and peanut butter match made in heaven)

Days are hot here in NJ during the summer. I mean hot! My weather widget says that it is supposed to get to 102* today!! On days like today the thought of heating up the entire house with the oven in obsurd.  Illogical. And simply silly when you can make delicious cookies with out the oven.

Enter Chocolate Peanut butter No bake cookies.

As I was perusing Brown Eyed Baker, a blog I absolutely adore, I noticed she said that her most viewed recipe was these cookies and well how can I not make them?!

I was meeting my friends for lunch in an hour before one of them left for a few weeks and thought these would be perfect to bring as an after lunch treat.  The cookies did not take that long to make.  I was able to make cookies and get ready in that hour.  However, it was an extremely hot day and well I didn't think that chocolate would survive baking in my car while we ate lunch so I left these at home in the fridge.  No fret, they were devoured by some of our guy friends later that evening :) After of course Daddy and I ate a good portion of them... They are addicting, don't judge ;)

Seriously though you should make these, there is a reason they are the most viewed recipe...THEY SO YUMMY!! While I am not a fan of chocolate, I seem to crawl back to the chocolate and peanut butter combination time after time after time after time.

Anytime Salmon Cakes

So my blog will be 1 years old in 6 days and my goal was to have 100 posts by then! However, I have not had as much time as I would have liked to this summer to blog considering I am in school for 6 hours 4 days a week and work four days a week as well. Not to mention, I am writing my college essays and working on my college applications...luckily I work as a life guard otherwise I don't think I would even see the sun this summer...

 And I have been cooking, a lot and creating delicious pairings (which will be featured on my new website!!!)

Oh silly me, I forgot to let you know, I have been working with a graphic designer and we are creating the Cookteen website! She's awesome and I am so excited!!! Hopefully everything will be done by the end of August so keep a look out.  We will be having some fun give aways to celebrate when the site is launched.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Otto's NYC

A few weeks ago my sister's college friends came from all over the Country to stay with her in  NY.  My mom, dad and I met up with them in the city one Saturday afternoon for some lunch at OTTO.

A description of OTTO via their website:
OTTO is a classic Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich partnership. With their signature combination of thoughtful and memorable food, an intelligent wine list, and an emphasis on living life to its absolute fullest, Mario and Joe's distinctive touch is evident in OTTO's every detail.


My family came here once before and it was so delicious we had to come back! 


First course: Antipasto!! (Pictures are of what I ate)
Starting with the cucumber salad and moving clockwise: Cucumber salad with radishes, Beets (melt in your mouth heaven), PEPPERS!! (I loooove me roasted peppers, I probably ate all of them), Roasted cauliflower, lettuce (not sure what that was part of) and tomato mozzarella salad.

I ate more of everything, especially the beets and peppers (they're my favorite!!)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Nutella Filled Mocha Shortbread Sandwiches

Before my adventure to Italy, I wasn't a Nutella person.  While in Italy, I finally had the opportunity to taste  a little slice of heaven.  While Nutella tastes different (at least to me) in Italy then in America, it still is delicious here in the States.

Yes I just referred to America as "The States."  How European of me.


I spotted these cookies on My Baking Addiction way back when she posted them and knew I had to make them.  I brought in the Chocolate Chip Pretzel cookies and Oatmeal Craisin cookies to work one day and ever since then, my co workers were asking for more cookies!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Eggs in a Carton.

Sounds enticing right?
ALL I was craving was an egg sandwich on a bagel so when I made it to my kitchen I whipped this up and oh boy did it hit the spot while saving calories and fat and moolahhh!
What you will need: Eggs (in a carton or regular) and Pam
Optional: Frank's Red Hot, Salt and roasted veggies from Fairway Supermarket (or any you've created--leftovers are the best!)
to be eaten on a Thomas Bagel Thin 

Spray a microwavable bowl with Pam and pour in eggs (about 1/2 cup)

Add some hot sauce if you can take the heat...

Monday, July 5, 2010

Happy 4th of July!

Yesterday I was having some "technical difficulties" with my pictures but finally they worked! Phew, I was getting a little nervous there!

Anyways, none of my friends work on Saturdays so we decided to have a mini "bbq" for the fourth of July! Okay, that's a slight lie, because Katie does work but she got off early and headed on over for some yummy grubbage after a rigorous day of working.

Instead of the cast of ingredients, the cast of cooks, eaters and friends:
In the photo on the left is Rachel (left) and Lauren (right) and Allie is all the way on the right

Silly Alyssa is on the left and Katie's rocking the alien headband on the right

The weather was beautiful on Saturday (as well as Sunday, Monday and well the rest of the week), a little hot though so we spent most of the time in the shade, which is fine with me, I get enough sun working as a lifeguard.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Oatmeal (C)Raisin Cookies

So I really wanted to share the cupcakes I made for the fourth of July but my computer and/or camera are being funky and saying I can't upload pictures but don't fret because I still got something for you!
These are very good cookies.  I mean so good they wont last sitting on your counter.

Oatmeal cookies = yummy.  Oatmeal raisin cookies = blech.  I am not a fan of the wrinkly fruits but will choose Craisins over raisins any day.

I made these extra large, 1/4 cup batter per cookie, and baked them for around 15 minutes to achieve a gooey and chewy center with a semi-crispy edge--perfection my dears.
These are made via the "creaming" method (as I learned on Good Eats) so to begin, cream the butter until super creamy (light and fluffy)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Peanut Chicken and Mushrooms (and a Salad)

I can eat mushrooms and onions sauteed in a little EVOO or Pam with a spoon (or my fingers) any time of day--in an omelet at breakfast time or with some chicken at dinner time.  When mushrooms and onions are paired with fresh parsley, thai peanut sauce and chicken breasts the result is a dish that will make your taste buds beg for more! Serve it up with a bright salad for some extra bulk.


First things first, place your chicken breasts in a large ziploc bag and add a couple of tablespoons of your favorite peanut sauce to the bag, the family favorite is Annie Chun's Thai Peanut Sauce, then add a tablespoon of soy sauce and sesame oil for some Asian flare.

Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan (non-stick is my best friend) and add the chopped onion.  Once the onion begins to brown, add in the sliced mushrooms and cook until mushrooms reduce and are nice and tender.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Father's Day Crumb Cake

When I was younger, Saturday nights were spent sleeping at my grandparents house.  My grandma used to fall asleep early after a long day of work so my sister and I would stay up late with my grandpa watching T.V and noshing on goodies.  His favorites: pizza and Entenmanns crumb cake.  Yes, my grandma is an AMAZING cook and baker, but for some reason he couldn't get enough of ordering in pizza and crumb cake in a box.
Since Father's Day was last weekend, my mom and I made this in honor of him--Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake with Chocolate mousse filling.

The dough began like the Blueberry Crumb muffins, however, when it came time to add in the blueberries, I subbed 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Yummy Bars.


End of school = lots of parties! In middle school, the end of school was filled with mindless movies and treats.  As the end nears each year in high school, students begin to cram for the finals that they have to take and the parties are accompanied by review packets and educational films.  This year I only have to take three of the five finals :)

Come wednesday, Junior year will be IS over! Thank goodness! I love summer, however, my list of things to do this summer is crazy long!!
EMT class
Lifeguarding
College Essay(s)
College Visits
Baking and Blogging!!!!!! (most important--obviously)
Read 3 books for AP Lit and keep a journal
10 hrs worth of AP Calculus work

My EMA (elementary math analysis; aka--honors trig) teacher, who happens to be my lacrosse coach, decided that we wouldn't need 3 days to review for the final so instead to would spend 2 reviewing and one having a party.

The ultimate question: what to bake?  I had my eye set on some sugar cookie bars because they seem easy and sugar cookies are my favorite!!  However, as you can see from the pictures above, I did not make sugar cookie bars...

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Victorian Tea Party--Cream Puffs and Ribbon Tea Sandwiches

The last thing we were studying in English was the Victorian Age.  They are known for their generosity and welcoming personalities and therefore every year the english 3 honors classes host a tea party for the rest of the school.  After searching for the recipe packets high and low in her class room, we finally found one! I got nominated to make the cream puffs (oy vey) and chose to make the ribbon tea sandwiches.  I had to make two batches of the dessert and a loaf of bread's worth of sammies.  

Since the tea party was Wednesday, I couldn't start baking the puffers until Monday. Luckily, both batches of mine puffed up pretty perfectly (with a few minor defects)! While yes, they do take time and probably was the biggest arm workout I had in a while.  

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Salted Caramel Brownies (Another sweet and salty duo!!)


Last year I was the Sports Editor of my school newspaper with my friend Rachel.  However, sports is not favorite thing to write about and mostly wrote sports features such as athletes going on spring break and a team dinner article.  So this year I applied to be the features editor and along with the other articles, I am going to be writing a CookTeen feature where I will show new recipes!  For the June issue I decided on Sweet and Salty! (Hence the salted brownie)

The type of sweet and salty in my recipe collection varies from kettle corn to tarts and cookies.  The one thing missing--a brownie! So here it is: The Caramel Salted Brownie

Friday, May 28, 2010

Rocky Road done Right

Last year my sister's friends bought her a cupcake book for her birthday.  Cupcakes have always been a fav in the Green household.  We will take trips into the city for some Magnolia's or Crumbs on a regular basis.  People know we are cupcake guru's and well that could be the reason we have acquired so many cupcake books throughout the years.  This one was titled Cupcakes Galore and had some very interesting recipes upon first glance:
Well lacrosse season had ended, I know super short season (It ended May 11th FYI), and we had an end of season dinner to wrap it all up.  Of course I wanted to bake something yumms and while I have many go to favorites like Muddy Buddies or S'mores bars, I realized that I haven't made cupcakes in a super long time--hence the Cupcake book shpeele (or however that is spelled...)
I settled on chocolate because well who doesn't swoon over chocolate (besides me--but I am an odd one so that doesn't count)  After a bit of sitting on the kitchen floor debating between recipes, rocky road stole my attention and the mixer came out.  Now it wasn't until all of the ingredients were out that I realized the recipe didn't call for sugar.  Cupcakes WITHOUT sugar seemed like an oxymoron but I decided to roll with it.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Dumbblondie Graduates!

After debating whether to post about Italy (Roma!) or my trip to Wisconsin this past weekend for my sister's graduation, I realized that you all have waited this long to hear about Rome (and other fancy places) that another week won't damage ya! And my sister is just so awesome I mean seriously...she's a college grad! It seems like yesterday we were sitting at the kitchen table and she decided to pour a glass of water on my head because I was being a bum (true stuff--but don't let that fool you, she's the sweet sister)

Anyways, wake up time was at 3:30 am Friday morning! But look on the bright side--we arrived in Wisconsin by 9:30 am, just in time for a tour of the school.
Me and the almost college grad walking around Madison.  There was a reception for journalism school grads, nothing fancy but daddy and I missed most of it because of the tour :/ I am still in airplane clothes fyi!
Post reception, we met some of her friends at the terrace for laughs, lunch and Strongbow (a beer cider my sister happens to be in love with...)

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