Before I get to talking about how amazing these green onion / scallion pancakes are, I’d like to take a shot at collecting many thoughts from the past month– thoughts that need to be shared “out-loud” with you. They’re updates on life, a behind-the-scenes project, and much more. I’ll do my best not to leave anything out, but if I do, I’ll most likely remember for my next post.

So, before anything, I’d like to share one of the behind-the-scenes projects I’ve been helping work on with Anita and Stephanie, two very talented folks that you may already know. It’s an idea that Anita and Stephanie created over dessert one day– Sated Magazine. A lot of hard work and love has been poured into the beautiful design, photography, and writings for the magazine. The first issue is about one of my favorite subjects– dark chocolate!

Now, I’m bouncing around a bit, but my excitement has gotten the best of me! Sated Magazine is, as Stephanie wonderfully puts it, “a gastronomy publication” dedicated to sharing beautiful photos, great recipes, informative articles, and our obsessions with food. I cannot share more than I have about the first issue, as we’d all like to leave you a bit surprised, but I can say this much: the big launch for the magazine is soon, and we’d love if you could start following the Sated Magazine Blog, the official Sated Magazine Twitter feed, and of course, be sure to sign-up for the Sated Magazine Mailing List. Once we have copies hot-off-the-press, we’ll be sure to let you know, so you can order yourself (and your friends) some copies!

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As far as I’m concerned, everything is better with chocolate. Now, much can’t be said about this chocolate sauce, other than- it’s really good! There is no grand story as to how this was created. I had a craving for ice cream covered in chocolate sauce and a smattering of green pistachios, right after a baking failure, and so this chocolate fudge sauce was created.

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We’ve not spoken since December, and I sincerely apologize for that. Emails flooded my inbox daily for the past couple months, asking if I was well, and if another post would be seen on this site. My answer the entire time was always, “Yes, I promise! Soon.”

The time has come that I pull up the venetian blinds, and let life, no matter how grey and rainy at times (figuratively and literally), back in. For the past couple months, I’ve been working behind the scenes, but I’ll get to that in a minute. And the work, I assure you has not been grey. It’s made life a little clearer for me. It’s made me learn more about who I am, where I want life to take me, and it’s taught me that at times, something’s got to give.

... Read the rest of Chocolate Cupcakes & NEWS!

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There are times for poetics, and there are times, such as this, where poetry isn’t needed. Easy Peanut Butter Fudge. The recipe title pretty much speaks for itself. In the midst of all the last-minute holiday planning (I’m sure many of us are doing), I figured that this would be a good time to share a recipe for some pretty kick-butt peanut butter fudge that is quick, easy, and must I add- doesn’t require a candy thermometer? Yeah. It’s that good.

Now, I know what you’re thinking- that I want you to make fudge in the midst of all this holiday craziness- I do, but trust me, making this recipe is child’s play. Well, sorta. I wouldn’t recommend a child work with boiling sugar, but the recipe is quite simple enough for anyone to make (did I mention you don’t even need a thermometer?), and dare I say quite delicious? Plus, it’s great to share with your friends and family.

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Everyone has a story. Everything has a story. This Apple Harvest Loaf Cake has a story, but it’s not one that requires you to step away for a moment to grab a couple mugs of tea, and say, “Uh-uh” to assure me that you are listening, as you multitask in the kitchen. The story to this loaf cake isn’t exactly a story that requires you to sit up, slide to the edge of your seat, and pay close attention to each word I share with you, however, I do ask you to listen because I know somewhere in all of my rambling, there’ll be something that makes you say, “Makes sense!” Or “Phew! I’m glad I’m not the only one!” or even, “I needed this.”

The story behind this autumnal loaf is one that reminded me of something I’d forgotten. I’d forgotten about feeling. I was lost in “I think”s and “however”s, for months- since the beginning of the year. Everything since then has been about my thoughts; in the midst of constant thinking, I’d forgotten the most important part of life- feeling. I’d forgotten to ask myself how I felt about certain situations, and at times I’d break down, hold my head, and on some days, I’d want to stay in bed the entire day, sulking and trying to forget everything. On some days, I did just that- I sat in bed, waiting for something to happen, passing time reading novels and blasting Indie hits on my headset trying to forget about everything.

I think it’s natural for us to have these moments of melancholy once in a blue moon; there are times for cheeriness and there are times that require laying in bed in your favorite sweater and doing nothing. At the end of your melancholic state, or at least, when you try to put an end to it, a good friend always comes in handy. Not a friend that is only great to hang-out with, but one who listens and does kick you in the butt to remind you to live life. I have a good friend (hi, Lauren!) like that, and recently, in the middle of chaos and worry, and wanting to sit in bed with the covers over my head, Lauren reminded me to “just do what feels right” and to let life turn the pages on its own.

So, I did, and I am. And I slid out of bed with my favorite sweater, and baked a loaf cake.

... Read the rest of Apple Harvest Loaf Cake

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