Life by chocolate

I have a confession to make. 

I bake desserts in order to de-stress. This is a recent event.

I know, this is not good for my health. Or my waistline. Although weight hasn't been a problem for me lately...getting married made me lose weight. Stephan's gained weight, though I am NOT complaining.

Growing up, my mom used to bake cookies (or some other dessert) on Sunday nights. I don't know if she still does since her kids moved out. My brothers and I used to fight over who got to help her, because the helper usually got to lick the beaters and the bowl *smiles*. I guess baking comforts me because it reminds me of the times when I didn't have to worry about money, finding a job, and running a household. 

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a favorite around here. Stephan didn't get much in the way of these delightful cookies growing up because his dad and a brother are allergic to peanut butter (the poor unfortunate souls). I also got a Mrs. Fields cookie cookbook as a wedding present and I have been experimenting with a few of those recipes, which contain more butter than what should be legal. I don't care, they taste phenomenal. 

I recently discovered "The Pioneer Woman", which brings me to the reason for this post's title.

She has an entire section devoted to CHOCOLATE. I consider chocolate to be the nectar of a woman's life. One of the recent recipes she has posted is called "Life by Chocolate". The Pioneer Woman argues that chocolate is a life-giving elixir, none of this talk of "death by chocolate". I have to agree with her.

What is this? They are chocolate cupcakes. So, chocolate cupcakes...what's the big deal? They have Hershey's kisses baked inside. And the cupcakes themselves are so moist!

Tell me those don't look good to you. 

I decided I had to make these. 

So, late-ish on Friday night, I proceeded to baking these delightful morsels. I ended up not making the ganache frosting because I didn't feel like it, and it was getting really late. Without the frosting, they were amazing. Stephan had one and proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of me. Yes, he liked them that much. I might try the frosting next time.

Here's the recipe:

• CUPCAKES
• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• ½ cups Buttermilk
• 2 whole Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 sticks 1 Cup Butter
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa Powder
• 1 cup Water, Boiling
• 18 whole Hershey's Kisses, Unwrapped
• Canned Pitted Cherries (optional)
• GANACHE
• 8 ounces, weight Bittersweet Chocolate
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 6 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 18 muffin cups with baking spray.

To make the cake batter, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate container, combine buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir to combine and set aside.

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and stir to combine. Add boiling water, allow to bubble for a few seconds, then turn off heat.

Pour chocolate mixture over flour mixture. Stir a few times to cool the chocolate. Pour buttermilk mixture over the top and stir to combine.

Pour 1/4 cup cake batter into each muffin cup. Lightly set one kiss in the middle of each cupcake; do not press down.

(Alternately, you can add 3 canned, pitted cherries to each muffin cup before adding the batter.)

Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove cupcakes and allow to cool on a baking rack.

To make the ganache, heat cream and corn syrup over medium heat. Chop chocolate and add to a bowl. Add vanilla to cream mixture, then pour cream mixture over the top of the chopped chocolate. Whisk together until melted, smooth, and glossy.

Dunk cupcakes in ganache. Allow to cool and set before serving.

**Note: I made the recipe almost exactly and came out with more batter than for eighteen cupcakes. It might be the size pans I have, however. And if you don't have buttermilk, that's okay, because you can pour a little bit of white vinegar (1/2 tablespoon to 1/2 cup of milk, I believe...look it up).

I've been trying, and you still can't see all of the instructions. Here's a link to the website:

Life by Chocolate--The Pioneer Woman


She also includes pictures of the cooking process.

My Life Checklist

A LIFE LIST

Instructions: Take the following list and bold the items you have completed or experienced.

1. Started your own blog - Well, duh!
2. Slept under the stars - Technically no
3. Played in a band - Uh, no.
4. Visited Hawaii - When I was like, one. Someday I'll go back.
5. Watched a meteor shower - Someday.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - No...
7. Been to Disneyland - I've been to Tokyo Disneyland AND the one in California.
8. Climbed a mountain - Does hiking the Y count?
9. Held a praying mantis - I don't do insects.
10. Sang a solo - When I was in fifth grade.
11. Bungee jumped - I might try it someday.
12. Visited Paris - Stephan promises to take me there someday, if I keep up on my French study.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - Nope.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - Unfortunately, I have to have some kind of human instruction.
15. Adopted a child - No children yet.
16. Had food poisoning - More times than I'd like to count. I was cursed with a sensitive digestive tract.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - No.
18. Grown your own vegetables - My mother-in-law does.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Someday.
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight - Heck yes.
22. Hitch hiked - I value my life.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort - I grew up in Texas, so no chance to do so.
25. Held a lamb - I don't think I've even eaten lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - In the bathtub I have. Lol.
27. Run a Marathon - I'm not crazy.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - Does riding a makeshift gondola at a dance that was themed "Venetian Masquarade" count?
29. Seen a total eclipse - I wish.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Something I should do someday.
31. Hit a home run -.
32. Been on a cruise - I almost got to! My high school orchestra was supposed to take a cruise to Mexico, and then the war in Iraq happened and schools were ordered to not take any foreign trips. We went to Disneyland instead.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - I'd like to.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - How ancestor are we talking? England or Scandinavia? No. Toquerville, Utah? Oh yeah.
35. Seen an Amish community -
36. Taught yourself a new language - I've been learning French for nine years and had formal classes for 4.5 of those years. Now I'm in self-teaching mode.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I just want enough money so we are more financially independent.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - No.
39. Gone rock climbing - I'm too chicken.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - Not in person.
41. Sung karaoke - Yes...
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Not that I can recall.
44. Visited Africa -
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -
46. Been transported in an ambulance -
47. Had your portrait painted -
48. Gone deep sea fishing - I've been lake fishing...
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person -
50. Been on television - I got interviewed for the news once...it was about some administrator at my high school who was stealing money. I had no idea about it, so I kind of screwed up the interview.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - I have a fear of swimming in salty water. There, I said it.
52. Kissed in the rain - It rained on my wedding day and it was still raining a little for pictures. Since wedding pictures include the kissy ones, I definitely kissed Stephan in the rain.
53. Played in the mud - I'm pretty sure I have.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater -
55. Been in a movie -
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - I haven't done much world traveling since I was a toddler.
57. Started a business - That's my brother-in-law's territory.
58. Taken a martial arts class - Does growing up with three brothers count? I mean, at least for self-defense!
59. Visited Russia -
60. Served at a soup kitchen - Not serving soup, but cleaning the eating area.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - My mother would never let me join Girl Scouts.
62. Gone whale watching - Nope.
63. Got flowers for no reason - I have the best hubby :)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I've donated blood twice. I couldn't donate for a long time because I was on antibiotics for acne. I've been giving thought to donating my plasma for cash, though...
65. Gone sky diving - Maybe someday, maybe not.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - I don't know how I would handle it.
67. Bounced a check - I've overdrafted my account; that was embarrassing.
68. Flown in a helicopter -
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - I still have Simba. He acts as our pet cat until we move to a place that lets us have pets.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - When I was twelve.
71. Eaten Caviar - Do the little fish eggs that are sometimes on sushi rolls count?
72. Pieced a quilt - I'd like to learn.
73. Stood in Times Square -
74. Toured the Everglades -
75. Been fired from a job - Nope, never. Now getting rejected by employers seems to be a specialty of mine.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - I've never even been to London. Stephan is promising me that we will travel someday.
77. Broken a bone - I sprained my ring finger once.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - I married a man with a motorcycle. Okay, it's a scooter, but it's considered a motorcycle by law.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - Only a very small portion of it, and we were driving.
80. Published a book - Not yet. Someday.
81. Visited the Vatican - Does Temple Square count? Lol, lol.
82. Bought a brand new car - We might never buy a brand new car--we're taking Dave Ramsey's advice.
83. Walked in Jerusalem - I'd like to.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - I've had my name in the newspaper, but not a picture.
85. Read the entire Bible - I haven't gotten through the Old Testament.
86. Visited the White House - If by "visiting" you mean "driving by on a tour bus" then yes.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Good gravy, no!
88. Had chickenpox - I was the last person in my family to get it.
89. Saved someone’s life - I've kept little children from running into busy streets.
90. Sat on a jury - Not yet.
91. Met someone famous - I've met Senator Orrin Hatch (I think he's despicable though). I've also shaken Boyd K. Packer's hand. Oh, and I met President Hinckley when I was in utero, just a week before I was born.
92. Joined a book club - I hesitate to join one because I don't like being told what to read. I like to choose my own.
93. Lost a loved one -
94. Had a baby - I hope to be able to bold this one in the next few years.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - Come on, Texas pride!
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - My husband has waded in it.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit - When I worked in a law office, I saw a few of those files.
98. Owned a cell phone -For the first time ever, I own one. My other ones were ones my parents paid for. Now I'm paying for my own.
99. Been stung by a bee - *knock on wood* I don't want to find out if I'm allergic to bee stings (my grandfather is)
100. Copied a post from someone's blog to your own - Yep.

February 17, 2010

I haven't given much in the way of updates lately; that's probably because not a whole lot has changed really.

I guess I'll talk about Valentine's weekend then.

We were pretty low-key about Valentine's Day this year because (a) it fell on a Sunday and (b) we're poor. Since Stephan planned Valentine's Day last year, we decided that I could do it this year. On Saturday, we went to a dinner that was put on by the scouts in our ward and in one of the other wards. It was a fundraiser dinner for said scouts. We were given the choice of prime rib or chicken parmesan, and we both chose the chicken. Let's just say it wasn't the chicken parmesan we were expecting. It had gravy on it. Oh well, it didn't taste too bad anyway. After dinner, we stopped at the grocery store so Stephan could look for a gift for me, and so I could pick up a few things. When we got home, Stephan gave me a "bouquet" of Sweet Tarts (I love the stuff) and then he went back to work on a programming assignment while I worked on the ward newsletter.

Sunday came, and well, we were running late to church, which is pathetic because our church is literally right next to our apartment complex, and we couldn't make copies of the newsletter in time for church to start. We managed to get it done right before Sunday School, so we passed them out during Priesthood/Relief Society.

After church, Stephan gave me my present: chocolate dipped strawberries! And of course a sappy card. I gave him a card as well, and I made him one of his favorite meals that I make: chicken katsu. I swear, if he didn't like Asian food, we would have some serious problems.

Today, Stephan and I are not feeling well. He has a major headache, and I believe I have a head cold. Fun!

Love post

Well I was tagged to do this little "love quiz" since February is the month of love, why not focus on your significant other?

1. What is your husband's name?  Stephan Brian Anderson

2. How long have you guys been married? We're comin' up on six months :)

3. How long did you date?  From our first date until we got married: about nine months and one week.

4. How old is he? 22 (will be 23 this summer)

5. Who is taller? Oh, he's only taller than me by about 11 inches ;)

6. Who is smarter? He is. But he would say I am...

7. Who does laundry? I do the washing/drying because I have a system that I do not want broken. But he helps me fold when he's home.

8. Who pays the bills? He does. But that's because he has the online payer through our bank figured out.

9. Who does the grocery shopping? We do it together a lot--since he's a mathematician, he can figure out which items we can get for the best deals.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are looking at our bed from the front, he does. But if you're talking actually ON the bed, I do.

11.Who eats more sweets? I think we each eat our fair share.

12. Who cleans? Me. But he helps when I ask and he is not too busy.

13. Who cooks dinner? Mostly me.

14. What do you like to do together? Watch movies, eat, cuddle, go to the library, go to the bookstore (we're both bibliophiles), just talk, go to cultural events when time and money permit

15. What are his hobbies? Programming, gaming (but not TOO often), and reading. He also enjoys woodworking, but we can't afford the equipment for that right now.

16. Who drives? He does.

17. Who kissed who first? It was mutual.

19. What's your favorite physical feature about him?   Only one? He has beautiful hazel eyes. He also has some pretty nice biceps for a skinny guy ;) And for someone so thin, he is very strong.

20. What's a hidden talent that he has? Give him a program and he can have it figured out in about half an hour. It's crazy.

21. What's your favorite quality about him? Again, just one? Well, I do love how he always wants to take care of me and do sweet things for me. And he's a perfect gentleman.

22. Who has more friends? Uhh, I'll get back to you on that one.

23. Who does the dishes? I do them most of the time, but he does help when I ask him to (which is a lot)

24. Whose parents do you see more often? His, but that's because we have to pay airfare to go see mine. Or drive in a car for about two days.

25. Who asked who out first?  It was a blind date. But he asked for my number and subsequently asked me out after that.

26. Who wears the pants? We both do.

27. What is your favorite gift he has given you? Besides himself? Maybe my wedding ring.

28. Does he have a nickname? Some people call him "Steve", and I don't like it. He introduces himself as Stephan, so that's his name! Is that so hard? 

I tag anyone who wants to do this.

February 2, 2010

My posts have been slightly depressing lately. I apologize to my readers, however many (or few) they are. Not too much has changed. I have gotten back on the job hunt, to a certain extent. I learned how to make bread last Saturday--my wonderful mother-in-law was so kind to teach me. Another money-saving venture, but also a delicious and nutritious way to do so. I reorganized some of the cupboards in the kitchen and mostly know where everything is now.

So, I found this on another blog. I've been really down on myself lately, and I decided to take the challenge to write TEN things I like about myself. Let's see if I can make it to ten.

(1) I have a really good memory. I can remember dates and details of certain events really really well, much to the shock of others.

(2) I've always been a good reader. None of us (my brothers and me) had difficulty learning to read and all of us learned to read at a young age. In fifth grade, tests showed that I could read at almost a high school level.

(3) I make really good cookies. Stephan proposed to me after merely tasting the batter of my peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Of course, he was already planning to propose, but I still like to mention the cookie bit for laughs.

(4) My hair is pretty. It took many years of battling frizz, but now I have nice curls. While other girls spend hours in the morning with straighteners or curling irons, I wash my hair, comb it, put in a little bit of product, and go. I will blow dry my hair if it's freezing outside, but that's it.

(5) I tend to choose quality over quantity. Case in point: my wedding ring. It's a small diamond, but it's better than what you'll get from Cartier or Tiffany &Co.

(6) I'm a good violinist. I haven't practiced regularly in some time, but I do have talent and good technique.

(7) I can write in the phonetic alphabet. Not very many people can do that ;)

(8) I'd like to think that I am good with little kids. They usually like me.

(9) I'm a good cook. Stephan has liked just about everything I've made for him so far. He has gained ten pounds since we got married.

(10) I have a very strong sense of right and wrong. I mostly see things in black or white, rarely in between, with regards to morality. I'm not perfect by any means, but I do try to be the best I can.