ChocoBosto Cream Pie

Don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway!


We all know John is a bit finicky with what he eats (health-nut), so when the man lets me know he likes something (bad for him) I do my best to remake it into something he will actually eat (not so bad for him). I've had this discussion with you before... but the man loves boston cream pie, personally I can't understand it, that creamy white filling creeps me out something fierce!

Today is actually the little health nuts birthday! Happy Birthday John!! I didn't make this for today but don't you worry he got something even better (you'll have to wait to see it).

Choco-Bosto Cream Pie
recipe by ::steph chows:: with some help marked below

Cake:

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup white sugar (I used splenda)
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup Hershey's 100% Cocoa Special Dark
2 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
dash salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon

Preheat over to 350 F
Mix apple sauce, sugar (and/or) splenda, vanilla, beat in egg
In a separate bowl mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon.
Add flour mixture to wet mixture a little at a time. Spoon batter into greased 8" spring form pan
Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Set aside and let cool completely.

Filling:

Direct from CookingLight

Icing (I'm not sure where I wrote this down from... but I'd probably use something different next time, this one was ok though)

1/3 cup chocolate chips
2 Tbs canola oil
1 cup powdered sugar

Place chips and oil in a heavy bottom pan, stir and cook over medium heat until melted, remove from heat and stir in sugar.

Assembly/Toppings

With a sharp long knife cut your cake in half (this is the hard part) place on a nice plate and then slather on all the filling, top with other cake half and then drizzle chocolate frosting over top. Toss on some toasted hazelnuts for some flair... or anything else you have laying around.. sprinkles... bacon.. you know, whatever you've got :)

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Shabby Apple Giveaway

(Giveaway now closed)

Earlier this week I let you all know to keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway (and a coupon!)... well here it is ladies and gents!! (ok really this is just for the ladies... but guys, enter too, then you can give this to a lady in your life and she will be super excited! Or gents you can win and send it to me... I wouldn't mind, I wont tell the husband... shhh) I was just recently introduced to Shabby Apple Women's Dresses and I'm totally in love. The vintage inspired silhouettes with modern updates would fit perfectly into my wardrobe.

Narrowing it down to three dresses was almost impossible, I'm in love with so many of the lines!

Cider (perfect for work, or a day wedding, hell I'd wear this every day everywhere!)

Azure (perfect for work, or the weekend)

Boogie Woogie (perfect for a night wedding or any special night out)

Looking through the dresses I wanted to make sure there were options for all the lovely women out there from xs to xl. I hope you like the range I chose but if none of these suit your style, just head on over and see what else they have to offer.

It's one thing if a company sells quality product but add to that a little charity and I'm totally sold. Here is a little bit about how Shabby Apple gives back:

We at Shabby Apple Dresses love to help women dress but are also commited to helping women live as well. Thus we are supporting the fight against global poverty by partnering with Unitus-a non-profit organization that accelerates access to life-changing financial services for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Shabby Apple donates 5% of its net sales to support work in India (where Shabby Apple Dresses has sourced many of its dresses and the textiles used to manufacture its dresses)

Read more about it here.

Now onto the giveaway rules:

1. Shipping to US addresses only (sorry international peeps)
2. You must Like Shabby Apple on facebook, then come back here and tell me you did (mandatory - earns you first entry)
   
3. For an extra entry tell me which of the three dresses you like best, or head to their site and pick your favorite! (earns you one additional entry)
   
4. Tweet or FB about the giveaway and then comment here (earns you one additional entry)
5. You have until Wednesday March 2nd midnight EST to enter
   

Now so no one feels left out I've got a coupon code for you all to use if you want to purchase a dress for yourself or a loved one. Just enter stephchows10off for 10% off your purchase!

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Oatmeal Choc Chip Cookies

Warning: these are NOT HEALTHY. So don't go trying to justify, "oh they have oats in them, that makes them healthy" cause these bad boys are nothing close to healthy. Taken directly from the back of the nestle chocolate chip bag I made these for the insulation crew that was at our house last week.

Oh no! The insulation guy wasted away since he didn't eat enough cookies!! Where did he go?

Is it just me or are we in a constant state of construction/fixing up at my house? I know I know the "joys" of home ownership right? I think that' just bull if you ask me... I bought a house that was in "move in condition" so said that crafty shark like real estate agent (not ours, ours was freakin awesome). But that woman selling the house... oooo I just get mad thinking about her. Is that bad? Want to know what is bad, the fact that when I see said lady's picture on signs in front of other houses I want to stop my car and draw a mustache and glasses on her (yes I'm 12 years old). Admit it, you would laugh if you went past a house with a picture drawn on like that.

Ok enough with the nasty, back to the sweet delicious cookies! The guys who actually do the installation of stuff aren't making that big check you hand over to them unfortunately. Plus they were there all day crawling around in the attic fixing holes and blowing in insulation all over the place. Now who can say no to baking those hard working guys a batch of cookies? Certainly not me, plus well fed happy workers do a much better job than cranky hungry ones :) Don't you agree?

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Pumpkin Loaf

While you are all sitting around drooling over this, I'm off in the woods without phone/internet/tv access. Why you might ask?? To meet up with my mom/dad/sister/BIL(brother-in-law)& nephew! They all live down by DC so we are meeting up half way for a long weekend! There will be baking for sure, so stay tuned to see what we all come up with.

Now, lets bring on the pumpkin!!! I must say I love anything involving pumpkin, and to me, it doesn't matter what time of the year it is, I'm always craving pumpkin. I made this loaf to bring with us to a friends house for the superbowl. Said friend isn't into using splenda so I made sure to leave it out of this recipe. Instead I used organic sucanat compliments of Wholesome Sweeteners.


Pumpkin Bread
recipe by steph chows

In a medium bowl whisk together dry (then set aside):
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt

In a large bowl cream together:
3 tbs butter (softened)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup sucanat

Then beat in:
2 eggs (one at a time)
1/3 cup fat free plain yogurt (look at the label, buy a brand with the least amount of sugar in it)
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Gently mix dry into wet and pour into a greased 8.5 x 4 loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour, or until a tester comes out clean.




PS. I have another great giveaway set up for this Friday, so check back, you're going to want to enter!

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Baked and Carved

Have you even bitten into a sandwich and literally started moaning out load... totally ignoring the weird looks from the people sitting in the booth next to you? Yeah, that was me at Baked and Carved this past week. Just ask Tracy from Sugarcrafter she was my partner in crime for this chow down, hopefully she wasn't too embarrassed by my overly zealous eating, actually I'm pretty sure she wasn't since she was enjoying her sandwich as much as I was.


First things first, how to find the place. I didn't notice a Baked and Carved sign outside but it's actually located INSIDE Salengers Pub on East Ave, so look for the Salengers sign, head inside and you'll see them located in a room to the left of the bar (look for the big chalk board sign saying "EAT" with an arrow... it's hard to miss.


Set up in an open-air kitchen you get to watch the chefs do their thing, baking bread, slinging cookie dough, and roasting the most amazingly tender meats. It became quickly obvious that this was not your typical pub food, it was far elevated above it. Without a fryer in sight the menu is staked with breads baked fresh every day, and meats roasted and carved to perfection. Everything is made in small batches so you know what you are getting is fresh.


I decided to go with the hot corned beef brisket sandwich with russian dressing and lettuce (basically I asked for the reuben without the sauerkraut) I picked fresh Italian bread, the other bread option of the day was a whole wheat (this rotates depending on the day). I can't properly describe to you how tender, juicy, mouthwatering, flavorful this corned beef was. Let me put it to you this way, I grew up outside of NYC and spent a summer working there sampling as many sammies as I could get my hands on... none of them hold a candle to Baked and Carved. And NO I'm no exaggerating, seriously, holy bible, it's THAT good.


Tracy got the Muffaletta also on Italian. She was also over the top amazed at the quality and quantity of meats. I mean seriously look at the size of those sandwiches. You all know how I like to chow... and I couldn't finish mine, I took the rest home in a doggie bag (bonus I now have lunch for tomorrow).

Sandwiches are served with a choice of two side: coleslaw, chips, pickle (more options to come soon). We both went with the coleslaw and pickle option. No need to worry about copious globs of mayo here though, perfectly dressed and seasoned this was not your typical gloppy side. The pickles are the kind you'd find at a good NYC deli, big, crisp, and perfectly dill.

Make sure you save room for dessert, because the cookies are made in small batches and always fresh. Heavily studded with chocolate chips these things were the perfect ending to a meal.


Baked and Carved (inside Salengers)
107 East Ave. Rochester NY
Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.,
Friday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday 5-10 p.m.

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Joe Bean Winner!

And the winner is....

Serafina! who said: I like that just the smell of coffee is enough to wake me up! Thanks for leaving me your email, I'll write you now, hope you enjoy! Everyone else go over and buy some to try, it's amazing!! JoeBeanRoasters.com

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Buffalo Chicken Burritos

First off today is the last day to enter the Joe Bean Coffee Giveaway! So go enter!

A week or so ago I received a package of 2 jars of Pace salsa in the mail provided to me through the Foodbuzz tastemaker program. That night I whipped up these burritos... the reason I haven't posted them until now is because hunger struck that night before I was able to snap any photos. So this is a little late but so very tasty never the less.


I love how quick you can whip these up, and also how you can prep everything the night before for an even speeder dinner. Dinner in under 5 minutes? Count me in!


steph chows buffalo chicken burritos
feeds 4

4 large whole wheat tortillas (warm them up in the microwave a bit before assembling)
1 cup shredded part skim cheese of your choice
2 cups instant brown rice (make according to directions)
1/2 cup - 1 cup Pace salsa (plus more to drizzle on top)
1 can black eye peas drained and rinsed
lettuce
sour cream
1.5 lbs chicken tenders cooked and shredded (I use my george foreman grill only takes 5 minutes to cook)
2 Tbs wing sauce (I use anchor bar)

Make rice according to directions, once done pour in 1/2 - 1 cup Pace salsa and stir.
Cook chicken, shred and then drizzle with wing sauce.
Assemble burritos by laying out a warm tortilla and piling on rice, beans, chicken, cheese, lettuce, more salsa, and sour cream. Roll up and enjoy!

Quick, delicious, filling, now that's what I call dinner :)

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Joe Bean Coffee Roasters Giveaway

After meeting with the wonderful people at Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, I learned very quickly that I don't know BEAN about coffee! I also learned that my normal cup of (generic name coffee) with cream and splenda was no match for a cup of BLACK (yeah you read that right) Joe Bean. I couldn't believe I was drinking coffee black... that's just how good this stuff is. Let me tell you a little about this family owned company:

Joe Bean Coffee is an artisan, micro-roaster that produces specialty coffee of exceptional quality. We roast in small batches using the profile roasting technique. Profile roasting is a unique method that manipulates time and temperature during the roasting process in order to produce a complex coffee with well-developed characteristics. The end result is that our coffee has exceptional, complex layers of flavor.

Some new info I injected into my head while I was there: Did you know the roast (light vs dark) has to do with the temperature the beans are roasted at? How about the art of cupping? What about different brewing methods are preferred for different roasts to bring out flavors? WHO KNEW! Not me obviously. Learn more at JoeBeanRoasters.com


I was lucky enough to enjoy a flight of coffee the last time I was there and learn about different brewing and cupping methods.


I was also able to take a closer look at the green coffee beans and learn about how they work with the growers to provide fair trade organic shade grown beans.


Now onto the giveaway, you are entering to win a 12oz bag of Joe Bean's Wintertime Blend. Here's what the roaster himself had to say about this blend:

We have been working hard to develop a wintertime blend, and are proud to announce that the blend has been finalized! Let me say, that I am particularity pleased with this blend. Our approach with it has been quite different from previous blends. Typically, flavors within a single origin or blend are carefully balanced so the coffee can stand up on its own, with the full range of flavors being readily available. This is the first coffee we have created that is explicitly designed for a pairing.

On its own, the coffee has a heavy, sweet, syrupy feel. Lots of molasses, nuts and chocolate. There are some beautiful soft fruit flavors, with a bright clementine or tangerine like acidity. The coffee finishes with strong spice notes of pepper and cinnamon.

However, when you pair the coffee with a dessert, especially one with an earthier sweetness like a pumpkin cake, the flavors become infinitely more complex. You experience a much deeper range of fruits and nuts, with emerging notes of vanilla. Not only that, but the dessert comes alive as well, with the spice and acidity of the coffee perking up the flavors. When trying them together, one can’t help but go back and forth between the two. The aftertaste you are left with is wonderful.

Our goal was to create the perfect complement to a dessert at the end of meal, best shared with family and friends, and I think we’ve come pretty close to creating that perfect flavor profile. I have to say, testing this blend was rather fun as well. Matching various brew methods with various desserts, it’s hard to complain too much. I look forward to releasing this coffee, and I hope it will be well received by everyone.

For more from the roaster check out his blog here.


Rules/Way to enter: (leave a separate comment for each entry)
1. Leave a comment telling us something you love about coffee
2. Tweet about the giveaway make sure to include @steph_chows and a link to the giveaway
3. Facebook about the giveaway

Entries limited to US residents, sorry international peeps :(
Enter by Wednesday Feb 16th Midnight EST.

And don't worry if you don't win, you can order up your own right here!

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A Stylish Winner

First off I was awarded the stylish blogger award by A Girl and Her Carrot and now it's my turn to pass it on!

In order to fulfill the duties I must:

1. Make a post & link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!

So I'm going to cheat and say whoever wants to participate go for it! Just let me know so I can come read up on all the things I didn't know about you! Now here's the 7 things about me.

1. I shoot archery, ok if you read my about section you might already know that. But I have a camouflage bow and it takes 40lbs to pull it back... it's pretty awesome.
2. I taught a #1 top billboard artist's kids how to swim.
3. I thought my now husband's best friend was trying to pick me up... and had no idea the husband was the one who actually liked me and the friend was just trying to help. (obviously I eventually figured this out- and I'm not admitting how long it took... I'm kinda oblivious)
4. I watch mindless reality TV, and am not ashamed to admit it.
   
5. I don't like talking on the phone and try to avoid it at all costs. I also don't text. I like to live in the stone age.
   
6. I don't own a hairdryer. This both frightens and annoys my hairdresser.
7. I don't wear makeup, pretty much ever. Think of all the time I save by not wearing makeup AND not owning a hairdryer... makes for extra snoozing.
   

And now for the Svelte giveaway winner! drum roll please.... picked by random.org

Grand Prize case of 12 goes to comment #2 Kendra

The two runners up are:
Megan who said "Chocolate would be my fave : )"
Cassidy

Winners, please email me at stephchows at gmail.com with your mailing address so I can pass it along to Svelte. Thank you so much for participating!

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Cookie Exchange Roundup

First off: don't forget to enter my delicious Svelte drink giveaway!

Hey all! I've been waiting to hear back from people about what they sent/got/chowed for the latest cookie exchange... and I must say I didn't hear back from most of the participants! Maybe it's a little after holiday lazy slump?

Either way I still wanted to share with you all of the glorious tasty treats that were making their way around the US and Canada. Listed in no particular order here's what people sent :) Better go get a glass of milk, you'll need one after all these cookies.

(click on their blog name for links to the cookies or just to their main page if they didn't post about the cookies)


The Sweets Life sent praline mix and amaretto chunk cookies (they are crack and I love them more than anything I've ever tasted ever!)

Century Crafts sent gingerbread, lemon drops and mocha walnut cookies.

Yummy Smells sent chocolate peanut meringues.

Louanne's Kitchen sent chocolate chewies

Blondies Cakes sent shortbread walnut sandwich cookies

My Better Butter sent decadent chocolate peanut butter cookies


Sandwich Hoss sent one handed cookies: gouda cookies & earl grey tea cookie

Maggie Mo Bakes sent gingerbread cookies with orange glaze

Beantown Baker sent vegan chocolate rum cookies


Seventh Level of Boredom sent biscotti & nanner cookies


Early Morning Run sent an orange poppy seed cookie & a dark chocolate chip and coconut oatmeal cookie

Jogging with Fiction sent oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies

Katie sent amazing ginger cookies

I sent smore fudge & hazelnut brittle

THANK YOU everyone for participating!! I love these exchanges!

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Bake Sale ON

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know about this awesome bake sale I'm taking part in over at Jogging with Fiction. She's raising money for a really worthy cause. Go check it out and bid one something tasty like my smore fudge!!! All money is going directly to support children and families in the pediatric ICU. Bidding ends at 8pm tonight so go go go!



On another note: don't forget to enter my delicious Svelte drink giveaway!

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Svelte Protein Drinks Giveaway

I am so excited to tell you about this next giveaway, because these drinks are over the top delicious! We are giving away a case (12 bottles) to one lucky winner, and a sample pack (4 bottles) to 2 runners up!!

(images taken from CalNaturale Website)

The wonderful people at CalNaturale contacted me to see if I was interested in trying their organic soy protein drinks. Can I tell you just how happy I was that they contacted me? I am addicted to the chocolate, and cappuccino flavors now and can't wait for the stores up here to start carrying them.

A 15.9 oz container is not only cute, but it's loaded with 16g of good for you organic soy protein. It is also packed with 8g of fiber, and only 9g of sugar! So many bottled protein drinks out there are loaded with 2-4 times that in sugar per serving (no thank you!) The container is 260 calories and 10g of fat, 1.5g saturated. I was kinda wishing the fat wasn't so high, but the taste was so amazing I stopped thinking about it after the second sip.

These drinks have a nice thickness to them, it's not like you are drinking flavored water with a little something mixed in. Cappuccino is a hard flavor to get right, a lot of drinks end up tasting like fake coffee or leave you with a medicinal aftertaste. Not at all the case with svelte, it was perfect. Same goes for the chocolate flavor, no fake, syrupy sticky sweet, just real, good, chocolate. The french vanilla didn't seem as thick as the other flavors, not sure why but I kinda wish it was a little thicker. As for the chai... I've never been a fan of the flavor... in anything, so I had a friend who does like chai try it and she thought the flavor was great!

Other uses I discovered: Add some into your coffee instead of creamer, it's delicious!

UPDATE FYI: A commenter who's opinion I highly value mentioned that she didn't like how sweet these were due to the stevia used, and also felt they were bitter due to the stevia. I would have to personally disagree though, I've tried stevia sweetened sodas and hated the stevia bitterness, but I didn't taste anything like that in these. It really is up to your taste buds and for me I love these things :) and still highly recommend you trying them!


So what do you think? Want to try some? Here are the rules on how to enter:
Giveaway only open to US shipping addresses (sorry my international peeps)
1. Leave a comment picking your favorite Svelte flavor
2. Tweet about the giveaway make sure to include @steph_chows and @calnaturale and a link to the giveaway
3. Facebook about the giveaway and link to the giveaway and to Svelte

You have until 11pm (EST) on Tuesday the 8th to enter!

Can't wait for the giveaway to end or live outside the US and want to try some now?
You can go on their website to see what stores near you carry their product, or purchase them online. For all you Rochester NY folks, they are coming soon to TOPS and are currently in discussions with Wegmans (come on Wegmans put them on your shelves!! I'll totally buy it!!!)

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Modern Traditional? and a winner

Before I announce the better butter winner I've got a random question for you. Do you like/have modern dining furniture or are you more traditional in your furniture choices? What about other objects around your house? OK now what about your personality?

I have a hard time defining which I'm more like for both my personality AND my personal style. I'm really a mix of the both. Let's take my most recent craft project for example:


Yeah that's right, it's an ipad case... high tech, modern, sleek... and yes the case is quilted... traditional, old school... juxtaposition much?

For me I think it's the perfect balance, kinda like me. I sew, I cook, I crochet... and I kept my own last name when I got married this summer. John says he never knows where I'm going to land when it comes to my traditional vs. modern views on life... I say it as keeping him on his toes. Makes life much more interesting :)


I used red thread to contrast the black and white materials. For the lining I used a fleece material and a thin layer of cotton batting for extra cushioning.

So how about you? Swing one way more than the other, or are you like me? An ipad sporting a nice quilted case.

Oh right... the winner :) Picked exclusively by random.org:
Christine of Concepcioun handmade journals. If you haven't been to her site yet go check her out! Getting married soon and need a guest book? Need amazing hand stitched notpads to stick in your purse or around your house? Want to take a bookbinding workshop?? She's your woman!

Congrats Christine! Please email me your address and I'll pass it on!

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