Let me start off with a few things.
1. I’m sorry for the two month hiatus – I could blame it on the holidays/weather/travel… but the truth is I was just in a blogging funk.
2. Due to the break, my next Month Through My Lens will be epic!
3. While I was away, I experienced some firsts. I celebrated New Years in NYC for the first time which could have been hectic and crazy, but was wonderful and perfect and one of the best New Years to date, and I went to Disneyland for the first time and freakin’ loved it! P.S. get Dole Whip (pineapple soft serve) early in the morning when there is a short line. I think it makes for a good breakfast.
4. Okay, time to get down to business… Valentine’s Day!
Some people are not fond of Valentine’s Day. Even in my early days when most of my friends had boyfriends to buy them cards or flowers or chocolate, I have always liked the holiday. Maybe it’s because my inner craft child gets to emerge and make fun cards for people. I always liked making cards for all the kids in my elementary school class, and then after college, I enjoyed getting together with girlfriends for a crafty day making valentines for whomever (the addition of mimosas or wine also made this craft day more exciting). Even now that I’m married, I still like sending cards to my girlfriends because who doesn’t like getting snail mail!?
Another thing people don’t mind receiving is chocolate. Since chocolate is a common gift on Valentine’s day, I have a recipe that will sure get you some extra lovin’ this Saturday. Skip the chocolate boxes from the drug store and give a box of these fudgy brownies.
Nice and crunchy on the top, dense and chewy on the inside. The walnuts add a nice crunch. If you don’t like nuts in your brownies, you can add chocolate chips, or just go plain.
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Tag Archives: bars
Strawberry Blackberry Oat Bars
In honor of the brief break from the fourth, maybe fifth (I’ve lost track) polar vortex that has plagued the East Coast, and because it was 57 degrees today (woohoo!) I bring you these delicious strawberry blackberry oat bars. These strawberries and blackberries had been in the fridge for a bit and were looking a little wrinkly, so instead of tossing them, they went to good use.
Mix the berries with the sugar and corn starch first. This gives the fruit time to release their juices. Continue reading
Salted Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats
Who doesn’t love rice crispy treats?!? I mean, come on… what isn’t there to love about crispy cereal mixed with melted marshmallows and butter. NOTHING!
This is a slightly amped up version of the classic. Melt the butter until it takes on a nutty aroma, add some flaky sea salt to the melty goodness, stir in your cereal and bam, a sweet treat in about five minutes! The cooling process is also sped up when you can stick them outside in zero degree weather (we are having another polar vortex here in Pennsylvania). Continue reading
two coast kitchen 