The Next Big Adventure...

I going to Zion tomorrow I'll be back on Monday!

Then on Wednesday I'm off to NYC to hang out with two of my nieces!

stay tuned for some fun new post

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

It's true. I made the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet. I got the recipe from Cooks Illustrated, but you have to pay to get the recipe so here it is for free. The secret is more brown sugar than white sugar, and using melted butter not creamed butter.

Here is what you will need:

1 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon table salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Add flour and baking soda into small mixing bowl

Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until its dark golden brown.

pour butter into heatproof bowl and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter.

Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir till mixed evenly

Add egg and egg yolk to mix. Whip for 30 seconds and then let sit for 3 minutes. Repeat 2 more times.

Add flour and chocolate chips. Cook for 10-15 minutes.

Seriously, you will never go back to your old CC cookies again. They are so chewy and moist. (yes I used to word moist even though its gross, its just so appropriate for these cookies) I hope you enjoy them with a cold glass of milk!

Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar

In honor of this rainy whether I decided to make a Roasted tomato soup with broiled cheddar. I got the recipe from Smitten Kitchen; she has some really great recipes you should all try.

Soup

3 pounds plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large or 4 small cloves garlic, unpeeled

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried

1/4 teaspoon (or more to taste) dried crushed red pepper

4 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Lid

4 1-inch slices from a large loaf of rye bread, whole wheat sourdough or bread of your choice (or 16 1-inch slices from a baguette), toasted until hard and lightly buttered on one side

1 tablespoon grated raw onion

1 cup coarsely grated cheddar (or more to taste)

Cut the tomatoes in half, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle olive oil on top. Take the garlic cloves and wrap them in tin foil. Stick them in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour.

Peel garlic, then stick the tomatoes and garlic into a blender or food processor and pulsate 'til the tomatoes become a chunky puree.

Transfer puree to a pot with chicken broth, thyme, and red peppers. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 25 mins.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put soup in a oven safe dish. (I added a rotisserie chicken to the soup.)

Butter the toast and lay on top of soup. Add cheese to the top and slide it in the oven

The final product was delicious; I seriously out did myself. You should all try it.

San Fran/Sacramento Trip

This past weekend I went to Sacramento to visit my good friend Ange. Our weekend consisted of a day trip to San Francisco, volunteered at World Visions HIV/AIDS experience, and enjoyed a lovely massage.

Here are some pictures...

The Full House house!

Food Truck!

Chocolate dip ice cream with sea salt. Delicious.

We also walked around bed bath and beyond trying out pillows.

Introducing...

I would like to introduce the newest member of our family, Piercen Jude Giordani. He was 7 pounds 11oz. and measured in at 21.5 inches. This weekend I had the pleasure of having dinner in San Fran with the Giordani family and I was able to meet little Peircen. He is soo tiny! I always forget how small newborns are. I can’t wait to see this little man grow up. He has two great parents who love each other and him very much. Congratulations Joey and Heather I cant wait to spoil that little boy with love and toys!

Babies first day. He's the cutest little boy ever.

Proud dad

I posted both of these pictures because I swear it looks like Heather and I are twins!

I'm the "cool" aunt!