HAPPY STRAWBERRY DONUT DAY!!!

It's Doughnut Day!!!?

 

I had no idea to be honest but when my first day off in 11 days just happens to land on freaking DOUGHNUT DAY you best believe-- in my world-- the stars have aligned and it's going to be a good one.  And I learned that it's doughnut day because of the women that used to bring doughnuts to the men in WWII.  Huh... interesting, eh?

Because pay day is a few days away yet, going to a cafe and finding a delicious donut to curb this celebratory craving wasn't an option.  So instead, knowing I had strawberries that needed using, I scoured the interwebs for a strawberry donut recipe with what I had on hand.  Strawberry donuts, people... I mean, come on.  *swoon, swoon*  Like Dunkin Donuts blueberry donuts-- but better!

I also wanted to find a recipe that didn't require yeast because I don't have a dough hook for Windy the Mixer (sad face!) and don't trust my hand kneading process.  The adapted recipe is below and super easy!!  Here are the ingredients! "Who cares, Mandi... Let's see donuts!!!"

At first I made them in mini donut pans but since I only have one that got a bit tedious.

.  Then I opted to make mini muffin donuts and I just dipped their tops in glaze.

I typically prefer a donut with some crunch to it-- like fritters, but despite that they were cakier, they were delicious!

And very festive!  Pretty little donuts.  :)

Theeeeen I thought...  what if I deep fried these little muffin donuts and then dipped them in glaze? 

And I did that with the cute mini donuts as well.

They are pretty darned tasty!!!

(Ridiculously low in fat. 

Like-- better for you than drinking water).

Oh donuts... I can't wait to feed you to my friend Chris tonight.  I'm going to make him eat so many of them!!!

I've also decided that 'doughnuts' are donuts that require yeast and 'donuts' are donuts that do not.  I'm not sure if that is true but it is 8,000,000% believed in my head and will spell it as such!

Strawberry Sugar Lard Rings, you make me happy.

In joy,

MandiCrocker

RECIPE FOR STRAWBERRY DONUTS

2 cups flour

1 cup cane sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup canola oil

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 tsp. vinegar

1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries

 1/4 cup pureed strawberries

1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, stir together oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and eggs.  Add to dry ingredients. Stir just until combined, add vinegar, and mix thoroughly. Fold in ½ cup finely chopped strawberries. Lightly grease a mini doughnut or muffin pan. Fill molds three-quarters full and bake until golden brown (about 8 minutes).

Meanwhile, make glaze: Whisk together remaining ¼ cup pureed strawberries, powdered sugar, and 1 Tbsp. water, adding more water if necessary. Once donuts are cool, dip the tops in the glaze and garnish with sprinkles (if desired). 

OR... if you'd like a crispier version.  Let them cool out of the oven, then fry then in oil for four seconds, flip them over.  Remove from oil and place on a wire rack.  When cool enough to touch but still warm, dip them in the glaze and return to wire rack.  Let dry before serving.  Or not.  :)

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich Bread Pudding & Dark Caramel Sauce

The words 'Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich Bread Pudding with a Dark Caramel Sauce' left me utterly speechless.  That's not possible. That can't exist.  Does that exist???  No.  It's got to be an urban myth.  It's one of those 'fountain of youth' mysteries or one of those stories where hikers in the mountains of Washington discover large mysterious footprints.  It's not real.  It can't be... right?

WRONG.

And in the words of the late great somebody:

"The proof is in the pudding."

Coming across this recipe, I felt like it was my own little secret.  I read it in the way you hang onto every word of Harry Potter or like the way I know with certainty Ryan Reynolds wants me, too.  Nobody else could have a connection like I did to this recipe.  Nobody else would love it as much.  It was mine. 

It was with the grandest but most solemn excitement that I went to the store & bought bananas. I bought heavy cream.  I bought salted peanuts and buttermilk bread.  (Buttermilk!?  Titillating).  I paid my money and couldn't get home fast enough.  I laid out the ingredients before me and my eyes were wild with anticipation.  I was Sebastian from 'The Never Ending Story' wanting so desperately to finish my sandwich while knowing we still had a journey ahead of us.  'Not too much.' I took a deep breath.

I put some music on-- a mix of Taylor Swift (for realsies I totes can't help it), classic rock and Top 40.  They might as well have been hymns. 

And you guys...

You guys...

HOLY TAYLOR SWIFT BALLS.

I lovingly cut off the crusts of eight pieces of buttermilk bread.  I slathered every piece with peanut butter and bananas.  I combined two pieces together into a gratuitous mess of 4 Elvis-inspired delicious piles. 

Then I hacked each loaded sandwich into 1-inch bits like a maniacal serial killer with a hunger lust for peanut butter.

I whipped up the filling:  heavy cream, sugar and eggs?  Ahh, simplicity!  You delicious mistress.  I took these bits and stuffed them into any kind of ramekin-esque dish I could find and poured the creamy mixture over each until it was gone.  And then, and then...

I APPLIED THE STREUSEL TOPPING!

STREUSEL TOPPING!!??  HA, HA, HA!!!  Yes, dear readers!  Oh yes!!!  It is with a great relief and joy that I can finally share this with you.  My heart is so full...  Right before popping these stuffed dishes into the oven, you apply a crunchy peanut butter streusel topping.  I know!  It's madness!  Sweet, sweet madness!

My heart cup ranneth (?) over...

I did this with every dish until they were complete.

I basked in their glory.

I let them sit overnight...

And then I burnt some caramel.

(I remade that).

But then it happened.  The next day I put them in the oven and when the timer went off, I lost my mind.  Wait five minutes?  WAIT FIVE MINUTES!?  Wait an ETERNITY more like it.  I had lost my ever loving mind!!!  Sebastian was gone and Dr. Frankenstein was in!  It was madness!  What had I created!!?? WHAT HAD I CREATED!!!???

As I poured the caramel onto the top and dove in the only thought that played through my mind was, 'WHAT HAVE I DONE!? WHAT HAVE I DONE!?  WHAT HAVE I DONE!!???"  With each bite...

'WHAT HAVE I DONE!!??'

'WHAT HAVE I DONE!!???'

'WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!???????????'

'WHAT IS THIS THING!? 

THIS BLESSED MONSTER!?'

My mind was a whirlpool of creamy, crunchy, sweet and salty ecstasy. My eyes became sleepy and hazy.  The world began to whirl around me... and with my last spoonful... I passed out. 

I look back on last weekend and the experience I had.  I can't help but wonder if I didn't imagine it all.  Was it real?  Was it 'just a dream?' I don't know, Carrie Underwood, I really don't know.  But I go forward with courage, a hint of sadness-- because truly, how many moments do we get to live in such a delicious state of present-ness?  But I also go forward in hope.  Hope not only for myself but for the future.  Because if a terminator-- I mean if Southern Living can learn the value of  human life-- I mean delicious bread pudding... maybe we can, too.

 

Love...love...love...

MandiCrocker

RECIPE FOR MADNESS

BREAD PUDDING INGREDIENTS:

8 buttermilk bread slices, crusts removed

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 bananas thinly sliced

2 large eggs

1/2 cup sugar

2 T. brown sugar

1 3/4 cup whipping cream

PEANUT BUTTER STREUSEL INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T. butter
2 T. creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
(**you can probably also just use crunchy peanut butter to substitute the salted nuts, though 'salted nuts' are much more fun to say).

DARK CARAMEL SAUCE INGREDIENTS:
(**you can also substitute caramel ice cream topping if you're in a rush!)
1 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Spread all bread slices with peanut butter. Top 4 bread peanut butter covered slices with bananas. Make into four sandwiches. Cut sandwiches into 1-inch pieces.  Place in 8 lightly greased (8-oz.) ramekins.  (I used various casserole dishes & whatever small dishes that were oven-safe).
2. Make the streusel.  Stir together flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter and peanut butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles small peas. Stir in peanuts.  Set aside. 
3. Make the creamy filling:  Whisk together eggs and sugars.  Then whisk in whipping cream. Gradually pour mixture over sandwich pieces until they are full. Sprinkle with Peanut Butter Streusel Topping. Cover and chill 2 to 24 hours.
4. Make caramel filling:  Cook sugar in a 3-qt. heavy saucepan over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes or until sugar caramelizes.  Tilt and swirl sugar around.  Stir in whipping cream. (Mixture will bubble and harden.) Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture melts and begins to boil (about 5 minutes). Quickly pour sauce into a bowl; stir in vanilla, and salt. Let cool 15 minutes.  (You can make this up to 3 weeks in advance.  To reheat, cook uncovered in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds & give it a good stir.  Leftovers are great in homemade lattes).  :)

10 Things I'm Doing This Weekend

After a 70 hour work week, I wake up on Saturday feeling hungover and a bit like the old man in 'Up' when he gets out of bed!  So when I'm not working, I make a great effort to take care of myself. 

My weekends are bliss. I live in the old Spanish proverb: "How beautiful it is to do nothing. And then to rest afterward."  I focus on enjoying every moment, enjoying the simplest things.  There is never a rush anywhere.  I only do what I want to do.

I fully realize my lack of 'plans' makes me look sad to some people and I joke about not having a social life but you know what?  I kinda all sortsa LOVE not having a social life.  I do exactly what I want all the time.  And what I want to do all the time when I'm not working is nothing.  Ha!  It's a beautiful thing.  I guess it's how you value the concept.  To me, nothing is everything.  Woah, Joey Lawrence.  Deep.  ;)

My roomie is gone for the weekend so here's what I'm up to:

1)  Shower.  I typically do this-- don't worry!!! But I'm going to do my HAIR and wear an OUTFIT like most girls get to do every day.  And then I'm going to go to the store and buy eggs, plums and cottage cheese looking like a human being.  I KNOW!!!!  CAN'T STOP THIS PARTY!!!  ;) 

2)  I'm going to clean my room and do laundry and mop the kitchen floor while listening to music that I want to listen to.  I'm probably going to sing (something I rarely get to do) and I'm going to dance (who are we kidding?).

3)  I'm going to a local cafe or bakery to drink a delicious cup of coffee and eat something decadent and delicious.  I'm going to take in every minute and it's going to feed my soul. And there, I'm going to write a blog about Easter Hummingbird Cake (better late than never!)  I might also work on the old business plan as well!  Maybe I'll see if Chef wants to join me at said cafe!

4) Oooooh, the apartment is so quiet.  I'm going to wear the snuggliest jammies & read the Hunger Games.  I'm dying to read it but I know I'm not going to want to put it down!!!

5)  I'm going to watch 12,000 hours of netflix.  Downtin' Abbey.  Old Friday Night Lights.  Lame movies with Alexis Bledel-- the possibilities are endless.

6)  Make a plum tart for my rooms for her birthday!  It's tradition!

7) I'm still in search of 'The One.'  The greatest chocolate chip cookie recipe that ever lived.  I feel like when I have this ultimate recipe is when MandiCakes will finally be ready for business.  Hmmm...

8)  Take lots of naps. In fact, I'm napping right now!

9)  Clean out my car.  Poor Hannah Honda... She definitely gets the brunt of my crazy work life.  She's always the last to be cleaned.

10)  Aaaaaaaaaand, the most important one:  I'M GOING TO GIVE MYSELF THE FREEDOM TO DO OR NOT DO ANYTHING ON THIS LIST.  :)  :)  :)

What are you little lambs up to????  :)  :)  :)

Much love & hugs (everybody needs good legitimate ones, don't they?)
MandiCrocker

Hazelnut Tiramisu

It's just disgusting.  You couldn't pay me to eat an entire dish of such a creamy, gooey coffee based dessert.  Seriously-- life's too short, I only tell the truth!  My face MELTED OFF  from the fumes of nutella mixed with crunchy bits of nut.  It is, was and will always be a hideous pile of chocolate curls over cream.  I shudder at the thought.  The other unfortunate thing is that it's so easy to make. Just a shame.

If you'd like to make this unforgettable for all the wrong reasons dessert, you'll be sorry.  In fact, you should make it and send it to me.  Make me eat it for going through the torture of creating something so unworthy.  I will choke it down because I feel that bad for what I've done to you.  I will gag on every bite.  I am gagging right now!!!



INGREDIENTS:
6 egg yolks
3 T sugar
16 oz. mascarpone cheese
12-18 Ladyfingers
1 1/2 c. espresso
2 T dark rum
1 T hazelnut extract
1/3 cups of finely chopped hazelnut
1/8 c. cocoa
1/4 c. nutella
1/2 c. bittersweet chocolate curls

*A couple of quick notes.  This might look hard but it's really not. Ultimately, it's just a layer of soaked cookies and then a layer of creamy filling, you do it again & throw some toppings on top.  Don't get overwhelmed!  :)  Also, I couldn't find ladyfingers so I made my own & found the recipe here.  If you do make your own, I suggest you increase the sugar in the recipe to 5 T. because store bought are usually covered in a coating of sugar.  Also, you could probably get away with a really strongly made coffee if you need to substitute espresso!

• In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar until it's thick & pale yellow.  Add the hazelnut & mascarpone to the mixture and beat until smooth.

• Get out a medium sized casserole dish. 

*Mine is a 2.5 liter.  Probably about 8-10 inches wide. 

• In a small bowl mix together the rum & espresso.  Quickly dip the ladyfingers front and back and then place a layer immediately in the bottom of a casserole dish.  They're incredibly spongy so you don't want to keep them in there for too long or they'll fall apart.  Be sure to cover the entire bottom of your dish even if you have to break the ladyfingers in half to do it. 

• Sprinkle half of your finely chopped hazelnuts over the espresso soaked ladyfingers. 

• Scoop half of your mascarpone mixture onto that and spread it around carefully being sure it is equally distributed.  

• Repeat these steps. Do another layer of soaked ladyfingers over the mascarpone, sprinkle the hazelnuts & then add another layer of mascarpone.  You'll want to end with the mascarpone mixture on the top.

• Sprinkle the cocoa over the top with a shaker (I used a mesh sieve). 

• Microwave your nutella for 30 seconds and put it in a pastry bag to distribute equally over the top.  Nutella is too thick so if you try to do it with a knife, it will swirl into the mascarpone mixture.  It'll still be tasty but you won't have a layered pretty look. 

• Finally sprinkle your chocolate shavings over the top.

*I used a 5 lb chocolate bar I bought at Trader Joe's.  You want the chocolate to be room temperature & use a potato peeler to peel the chocolate back towards you.  Peeling towards you is the key with a peeler!

• Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Just vomitous, I tell you.  Consider yourself warned... You'll hate it!!!  Now make it and send it to me.  SEND IT TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)  :)  :)

Hazelnut Kisses,
MandiCrocker

P.S.  It's especially nauseating for breakfast with a delicious cup of coffee!here.

Moments That Take Your Breath Away

Riding the CTA red line at four in the morning is always an adventure.  I usually ride in the first car closest to the conductor because they say that is the safest place.  Although there are a lot of homeless in that first car and it smells pretty bad, I usually do.  Yesterday, however, I didn't.  It didn't look that bad.  For the most part everyone looked like average folks on their way to work.

As the doors closed behind me, I took a seat & the noise set in.  Three gangmembers at the other end of the car I wouldn't have seen were laughing and being obnoxious.  I played on my phone and kept my head down so as not to draw attention to myself.  They continued to get louder.  I continued to play the 'I'm too involved on my phone to notice you and though I know you're being exceptionally loud to draw attention & power to yourselves, I don't care' game.  It usually works. 

Then I hear someone else yell, "Hey!"  I look up and look at the gangmembers on the other end of the car.  I see them pushing this man that is seated across from them.  I thought he was a drunk homeless man or something because I've seen that kind of sick play before.  This man, however, slumps to the floor.  One of the gangmembers proceeds to beat the shit out of this man, punching him and stomping his face.  As soon as my side of the train car realized what was going on, the train stopped.  Two of the gangmembers leave the train.  The last gangmember walks all the way down the car right by me with a sense of accomplishment & leaves. 

I'm just stunned.  I go over to the man on the floor & hit the conductor button letting him know a man has been beaten.  The man sits back up and there's blood all over his face, all over the train.  I looked at the two people sitting right there as it happened that did nothing.  Do I blame them?  Do I not?  What happened here?  It's four in the morning, I'm still stunned, dumbfounded and exhausted-- not at all sure what I just witnessed.  All I can manage out of my mouth to say to this stranger? "I'm so sorry that happened to you."  He just said "Damn kids." and continued to blink hard every few seconds.

At the next stop a CTA guy got on with a bag of ice.  I tell him that a man has been beaten.  He doesn't respond.  Another CTA guy gets on moments later & tells us all to leave this car and sit in another one.  I'm dumbfounded and angry by the lack of concern or sense of urgency.  When I texted Veronica later that day she happened to be at the CTA closest to us and tells the worker there about what happened expecting horror and disgust.  The guy there says, "Oh yeah, tell her to sit in the front car."  Apparently this isn't news.  It happens all of the time. 

It's only later you ask yourself all of the questions. What could I have done?  What should I have done?  What's the smartest response?  What's the most moral response?  Could I have done anything?  Could I have done more?  How could those people who knew what were going on just sit there?  But did those guys have guns?  How do we stop this?  What is wrong with this city?  How can we fix this as a community if our politicians are too busy lining their pockets?  What is the right thing?

Riding the escalator out of the subway into the cold morning air, I'm still dumbfounded.  I walk my block to work, open the lock and go into the office and it's only then that it hits me-- That was fucking scary.  I sob for approximately two seconds and then make the choice to get it together.  My Team is coming in and I'm not going to let any acts of violence and lack of love ruin my day or theirs.

Later that day I got home with a headache from keeping it all in. I took the longest shower & cried for a really long time. It felt really good.
 
There is a quote that says, "Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away."  Well, Friday morning was a moment that took my breath away and a moment of life I will never forget.  Yes, I will never forget those images but I will also never forget the choice that I made.  The choice that the bad guys don't win. Why? Because love does. Love wins. And I realize that there is too much love in the world to let that happen.  So I decide to focus all of my energy toward giving love-- to my Team, to the customers, to everyone I meet.  If that is what we're up against, then we need to make a difference in our daily lives because it's needed. My choice is to make as many tally marks as I can on the love side of the scoreboard.  I know you'll join me.  :)

In the spirit of Love... here are some moments that took my breath away in a positive way.  More pictures from my trip to Hawaii.  It's been a nutso week & a crazy couple of days... I love this Hawaiian experience I had and love even more that I have these pictures to take me away and remind me of something given to me in love.

Click on them to enlarge!

On our Road to Hana tour around Maui
we stopped at Black Pebble Beach.

It's sooooo beautiful.

These suckers smelled so bad but I found

them fascinating.  :)

These pictures do Hawaii the greatest

of injustices!!!

From a look out point.

A cave!!!  :)

The light at the end of the tunnel.

It was so pretty & peaceful in there.

I just wanted to take a nap!

Or re-enact scenes from 'The Descent.'  ;)

From the inside looking out.

Apparently it's very safe.

The current isn't a problem at all.

...and the hazardous cliffs are like anthills...

...and the ocean life just adorable!

More pretty trees in Hawaii...

Everything in Hawaii is unique.

At first glance you think, 'Oh, big trees.'

But at closer look, they're twisted & unique

and you wonder about the fairies living inside!

Everything in Hawaii becomes a magical story.

It's uniqueness-- what you can't find in the States like this--

is what makes it Hawaii.

The bushes aren't just bushes.

Trees aren't just trees.

Everything is just a bit more green, a bit more blue.

The ocean sparkles in its own unique way.

And that's truly what makes it paradise.

And this whole trip was one of my favorite breathless moments.

Spread love and beauty.

Make a difference.

We should all be more like Hawaii.  :)

Love & coconuts,

MandiCrocker