The good things in Texas

Being home is great for many things, but its amazing for all the great eats in Dallas and from the rents and of course seeing all the friends and family. 

First meal at home: an amaze burger

The crew for Gorman Christmas Tea

Dave chowing down at The Common Table

The brew search for dad 

The Rustic for a good catch-up sesh

My brisket burger from the Rustic (it was unreal)

Dad and I's staying in pork dinner

Salad that Erin made me for a quick lunch

The dreamy night of chocolate

Baking day: pecan bars

Baking day: orange chocolate sandwiches

Im sure there will be more to come, especially Christmas morning breakfast (my favorite meal of the year).

Cacao and Prosecco

As Christmas time is coming in hot, the holiday parties are in full force. After all the cakes, dips, and punches they all blend together, but this one was way better than the rest. My sister's friend Jessica decided to have a chocolate and wine party…definitely the best idea ever. I am not the usual chocolate lover, I'm more of a white chocolate fan but I've started to migrate and really love a good dark chocolate.

Don't be alarmed by the bleu cheese, I am not a fan of that funky cheese but it just adds major saltiness to the chocolate. Now the fungus amongus was probably my favorite, it legit taste like Texas sheet cake…and if you don't know what that is please go find some and eat it now. Both of these can be found at Dude, Sweet Chocolate. Oh and those little gems in the back are mint oreo balls that Jess made.

The favorite here was the red velvet milk chocolate, which tasted like you were biting into a piece of red velvet cake…yumm. (found at World Market)

Yummy set up for decadent hot cocoa.

Obviously with all the sweetness, a taste of salty was necessary. Sister made these little swirls that had goat cheese (my love), sun dried tomatoes, and olives.

There was plenty of wine that night but my favorite was this Prosecco and these darn napkins. I love me a good mustache anything…except on a man.

So everyone, take note. Because this night was such a success and y'all should try to do it too…and then invite me :)  

the good things

Just a little update of the past week. 

Grace and Jules on wine and homemade donut night.

They were even more amazing than they looked. 

The preview to Jules proving to us that she can cook. 

She proved us right: Orange chicken, lo mein, and asian green beans. (click for recipes)

Wife her up gents. 

My unreal carrot cake, that finally filled the craving. 

My first home cooked meal of this break. 

Christmas Treats

For the end of the season, I wanted to make my team some treats for the end of the year party. Now I'm gonna tell you, I got up and started baking right away. I literally went from 8:30-3, I was exhausted and could not be happier to get out of the kitchen-but I would say it was all worth it, and so would my team.

The line up: peppermint candied oreos, candied nuts, and biscoff puppy chow. Yeah..so I'm not gonna act like I came up with all of these recipes on my own…I mean I did search specifically on interest, does that count for anything? 

OREOS

Okay so I tried to be smarter than the directions and just push the lollipop in the the oreos…that does not work. They either crack the oreo or just fall apart once you dip them in the candy melts.  I just decided to nix the lollipop ideas, I mean they still taste the same right? 

CANDIED NUTS 

I this candied nuts its a great little gift during the holidays, they taste amazing and make your house/apt smell amazing! I've made candied nuts multiple times and have used many different recipes, and they have all turned out great!

BISCOFF PUPPY CHOW

So I don't know if I have expressed my love for biscoff…but its unreal. I was introduced by my sister, she first got in it Europe where it is called Speculos. There are no words to describe its amazingness, you just have to go out and try it yourself. (For the baking you need creamy, but just for eating get the crunchy, its so much better).



They turned out really pretty and festive, and everyone loved them! The puppy chow was the biggest crowd pleaser, so I will probably give that another try.