Chocolate Bar in Rice Village

I recently had a SoccerTots meeting to go to at Memorial Hermann Park, as well as a Groupon to The Chocolate Bar in Rice Village. Obviously I was to be rewarded for driving all the way downtown for a hot 2 hour meeting that involved standing the entire time. I arrived at the Chocolate Bar ready to get my sugar high on. There were so many different things to choose from, not to mention flavors, that it took me awhile to zero in on the perfect goodies. I finally decided that since it was so hot out I needed ice cream, and me being not one to pass up on cake I also got me a giant slice as well. Birthday party anyone? I chose root beer float ice cream, which ended up being super refreshing and just what I needed after my second sweat-fest of the day. My cake slice was the Night and Day cake, a giant 4 layer chocolate cake with chocolate chips encased in white icing topped off with chocolate ganche. This cake was fierce, yet a bit dry. Don't worry I didn't kill it in one sitting, but I did rock that cake in 2 hehe. If you are looking for a taste of something I also picked up a dark chocolate toffee bar that was amazing (sorry no pics, but you can imagine). If you need something sweet and are in Rice Village (they're open late!), I recommend swinging by the Chocolate Bar!





Let me know if you get something different and love it!

Super Bored= Cooking Yummy Meals

Lately I've been pretty bored without a whole lot of soccer and no more roomie (seriously, what do you all who live alone do with your time?!?!), I've been spending a lot of time going through my 'recipes to try' pile. Last week I made some delicious summer pasta. It was suuuper delicious and lasted forever (love leftovers!). Here is a pic of the delicious dinner I enjoyed all last week:


I also finally tried the recipe I had for, quite possible, my favorite dessert from a restaurant: the Applebee's blondie. Now, I'm not really a fan of Applebee's food, but the blondie they serve sizzling on a cast-iron skillet has been quite possibly the best dessert I've ever eaten in a restaurant. Here is a naked blondie:


And here is the blondie with the delicious sauce and Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla ice cream:



Sooooo delicious, it was exactly as I remember it, such a great recipe find!

Summer Pasta

4 medium ripe tomatoes
1/4c thinly diced red onion
1T balsamic vinegar
6T extra virgin olive oil
1/4c chopped fresh basil
s&p freshly ground
1 lb curly pasta (I used girelle)
1pkg mozzarella pearls (or chopped ball of fresh mozzarella)

Chop tomatoes, red onion, and basil. Throw into a large bowl with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and s&p. allow to marinate at room temperature for about an hour.

Add the mozzarella to the bowl. Cook the pasta according to the package. Drain pasta fully and add to bowl. Toss pasta until it is entirely covered. Serve!


Applebee's Blondie Dessert

Blondie:
1c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/8 t baking soda
1/8 t salt
1/2c chopped walnuts
1/3c butter
1c packed light brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 T vanilla
1/2c white chocolate chips
Sauce:
3/8c maple syrup
1/4c butter
3/8c brown sugar
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 t vanilla

Preheat to 325F

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add chopped nuts, mix well.

Melt butter, add brown sugar and mix well in a large bowl. Add egg and vanilla, mix until completely incorporated. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Stir in white chocolate chips. Spread into an 8" square pan. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Sauce:
Combine syrup and butter, cook over low heat until butter is melted. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Remove from heat and beat in the cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Heat until desired consistency is achieved.

Serve blondies with sauce and ice cream. Enjoy!