NEXT UP: Super-Simple Chocolate Pretzel Sticks

You may be noticing a theme in my baking/cooking posts. All of my recipes (except, perhaps, my Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes) can by easily created by even the most kitchen-challenged individual. I believe a recipe does not have to be difficult to be delicious. 

These Chocolate Pretzel Sticks prove it.

During the holiday season in elementary school, when other kids stuck teachers with plastic gift cards or store-bought candies, I triumphantly presented mine with my mom's homemade chocolate-coated pretzel sticks. They were such a hit. I will forever associate this treat with my mom's gifting efforts and my teacher's appreciative reception.

As I got older, I was able to help my mom prepare the pretzel treats. I learned that the trick is to poke holes into a flat styrofoam block so you can stick the pretzels upright as the chocolate dries.

I would post an exact recipe for these sweets...but do you really need one? Basically, it just involves coating 3/4 of the pretzel stick in melted chocolate, dipping the coated stick in your topping of choice (nuts, sprinkles, etc), letting the stick dry in the styrofoam block, drizzling white chocolate on it, and then letting it dry again. 

Simple, but oh-so-sweet.

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NEXT UP: Impromptu White Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

The other night, my roommate and I got a major sweets craving. Funny how this craving usually hits during late Sunday night homework sessions. We searched our cabinets and took inventory of our sugary snacks: a Twix bar, half a box of Thin Mint cookies, a few Double Bubbles, and a granola bar. Those options just didn't appeal to us.

I suddenly recalled a leftover Ghirardelli White Chocolate Bar I purchased a couple weeks ago when I baked some WCMNC. We decided a treat would taste a lot better if we made it ourselves. Hence, a recipe for Impromptu White Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies was born.

This recipe uses ingredients you probably have on hand and yields a fairly small number of cookies (although feel free to increase the measurements!). In a matter of 20 minutes, we had whipped up a satisfying dessert that cured our craving. Now, if only we could create a cookie that would do our homework too...

White Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup of milk (optional)*

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

1 cup of broken pieces of a white chocolate bar

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Cream together the butter and sugars in a medium bowl.

3) Blend the vanilla and egg into the butter/sugar mix.

4) In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and baking powder).

5) Add the dry ingredients to the medium. Stir until mixed. *Add in the milk if the batter is too dry.

6) Stir in the oats and white chocolate chunks.

7) Drop rounded tablespoons of the batter onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.

Makes 12-15 cookies.

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NEXT UP: Why I Love JetBlue

Some people profess their love for sports team, others compose odes to amazing skincare products, and many idolize musicians.

My favorite thing to praise, however, is usually a source of consternation for people: an airline. That topic conjures nightmares of cramped legs and exorbitant baggage prices for many travelers. Yet, as a frequent flier, I have grown to develop a deep and loyal appreciation for one specific airline.

Oh JetBlue, why do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1) Because JetBlue CAN offer you delicious choices

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Why the awkward capitalization choice? The CAN refers to the fact that JetBlue flight attendants offer an entire can of soda or juice as a complimentary beverage. While most airlines give you an ice-filled tiny cup drizzled with your ordered drink, JetBlue entrusts passengers with enough liquid to actually satisfy their thirsts. They also let you pick a snack--PopChips, Terra Blue Chips, animal crackers, chocolate chip cookies, Quaker fiber crisps--instead of giving you a choice between one handful of peanuts or nothing.

2) Because JetBlue feeds my Food Network addiction

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Thirty-six channels of free live entertainment on a personal television screen. Need I say more? Actually, I do, because this reason is too important to breeze over. Countless long flights have been made less painful by my ability to watch Paula Deen or Giada prepare gooey butter cupcakes or ree-coh-ta crepes. On JetBlue, you can catch dramatic sporting events, gossipy morning shows, or the Real Housewives (really a combination of the first two, no?) live. Bravo, JetBlue, bravo.

3) Because JetBlue lets me see loved ones for lovely prices

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At the risk of sounding like a paid commercial advertisement, it must be noted: JetBlue prices are unbeatable. The main reason I usually fly JetBlue to go home is that the price is always the lowest. In addition to reasonable ticket costs, I've been able to quickly rack up JetBlue points that result in free flights AND bring along a free checked bag. From the bottom of my heart (and wallet), I thank you for your incredible prices, JetBlue.

4) Because JetBlue loves me back!

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...Well, me and all their other customers. JetBlue shows this love by interacting with customers through their blog, Facebook fan page, and Twitter account. They use these forums to both listen and respond to people voicing their praises/questions/frustrations. Rather than shy away from angry passengers, JetBlue responds to complaints in order to learn and improve their services. In fact, past crises have led the company to create a Customer Bill of Rights to outline their promises.

It may seem silly to be so excited about an airline, but I appreciate good customer service and honorable corporate strategies when I see them. It also might help that my last JetBlue flight took me to Cancun...

*NOTE ADDED 3/28: Recent events have compelled me to add a note to this blog post. Yesterday, there was an incident involving a emotionally distressed JetBlue pilot that led to an emergency flight landing. The composed, appropriate, and prompt handling of this situation is another reason why I love JetBlue. This event is certainly disturbing and worrisome, but JetBlue is doing its best to reassure customers and make amends by sharing information like this update and these answers on the company blog. Well done, JB.
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NEXT UP: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Tell me your favorite cookie.

Tell me, and I will bake it.

Some of my friends have learned this fact. If you tell me what your favorite cookie is, I will remember and bake it to celebrate your birthday/anniversary/promotion/10-pound-weight-loss. Hmm, okay, maybe not that last occasion.

So when a certain special someone told me they had a soft spot for White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies, I promptly baked up this recipe and shipped them 3 dozen cookies.

Did I mention I sent them next-day shipping? Just so they would still be perfectly moist and melty when they arrived? I must really like him. :-)

Whether or not these are your favorites, this WCMNC recipe (awkward abbreviation attempt) is awesome. There is a perfect balance of grainy, sugary dough, salty macadamia nuts and creamy white chocolate bits. Hey - Maybe after baking this recipe, WCCMNC will be your new favorite cookies.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Slightly Adapted from Whipped's recipe

1 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 bag of white chocolate chips (10 oz)

1 cup of roasted macadamia nuts

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Chop up macadamia nuts. Set aside.

3. Cream together softened butter and sugars.

4. Mix in vanilla, salt, and eggs until well-blended.

5. Sift together flour and baking soda in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the mix and stir.

6. Add in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.

7. (Optional step, but highly recommended) Refrigerate dough for 2-12 hours, or as long as you can resist baking the cookies.

8. Drop 1 inch balls of batter onto a cookie sheet. (Tip: I usually press a couple white chocolate chips or nut pieces on top for aesthetic reasons.)

9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until faintly browned.

10. Wait a few minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Makes 3 dozen cookies. (That's a lot of cookies, fair warning.)

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NEXT UP: Read "Seven Days in the Art World"

My last post about London art museums reminded me that I have yet to review a recent read. In Seven Days in the Art World, author Sarah Thornton dives into the sophistication and enigmatic fog that often shroud the contemporary art world to reveal the inner-workings of this fascinating culture.

The book is divided into seven narratives about different aspects of the international art market. Thornton details the furious bidding over a Cattelan at the Christie's Auction, the strategies of a seasoned collector perusing Art Basel, the dizzying editorial offices of Artform magazine, and more. She speaks with knowledgeable art world inhabitants like designer Takashi Murakami, CalArts professor Michael Asher, and art consultant Sandy Heller. Ultimately, the book serves as an ethnographic exploration of how taste, money, trends, fame, and innovation affect what truly drives the art world: a love for the creative.

What I Liked: As an art-loving individual, I was ecstatic to receive what felt like a private backstage pass to exclusive facets of the art world. Sarah Thornton vividly describes works, places, and artists in carefully selected subject areas. I learned not only about artists, but also about the buyers, managers, and agents who help run the show. It is a refreshing read if you've only read about art in museum brochures, newspaper reviews, or history text books.

What I Didn't Like: There was one point in particular that I was sad to see the author did not fully address. I (somewhat foolishly) went into this book thinking it would provide some clarity on why certain types of art or artists can sell for such high numbers. To me, this is one of the biggest mysteries of the art world. Although Thornton provides some insight into this curiosity, she does not give a concrete answer...perhaps because there really is none. Otherwise, I highly enjoyed this piece.

Should you read it? If you truly have zero interest in the art world, you are not likely to enjoy this book. Its language is comprehensible to those with no background in the subject, but I think it would mainly appeal to those who have some curiosity about how this part of our culture functions. Having said that--I personally would be happy to read it again!
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