Note to self for future reference:

Tried David Lebovitz's Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe:
notes: dough was rested for 20 hours. It's a good standard chocolate chip cookie recipe - not too sweet, crispy around the edges and chewy in the middle. Easy recipe but will not use again.

Tried Martha Stewart's Ginger Molasses Cookies / Ginger Snaps recipe:
notes: pretty good - can use a little less sugar next time. Good balance, chewy in the middle. If you bake it a few minutes longer it becomes a crisp cookie. Easy.

Tried Joe Yonan's Cardamom Snickerdoodles:
notes: Delicate flavor but kind of eggy... not my favorite cookie.... will not try this again...

MARTHA STEWART'S GINGER SNAPS
BROWN BUTTER SEA SALT COOKIES
GREEN TEA MOCHI

Salmon Pasta (White wine, cream & tomato sauce)

I got this recipe from http://www.travelerslunchbox.com

Another amazing recipe blog....! Here is a really simple pasta that tastes great and is super easy to put together - as I discovered tonight! Finished cooking dinner in 30 minutes and doesn't require a lot of pots and pans...so cleaning is a breeze!

Changes to recipe:

- Coz I'm trying to watch my weight (especially coz I heard after hitting 30, the pounds cling on for dear life), so next time I may omit the cream cheese completely as it was too cloying.

- It's cheaper to use fresh salmon instead of smoked salmon (In HK anyways)..... so that is what I did....

Result:

Very creamy, but the tomato sauce and white wine gives it some tartness.... looks v. pretty!

Salmon Pasta (Click here to see her post and full recipe...her pasta looked MUCH better than mine, oh well!)

Serves: 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2/3 cup (160ml) dry white wine or vermouth
1 8oz (200g) package cream cheese, cubed
1 cup (250ml) heavy cream
2 tablespoons tomato paste (concentrate)
1 tablespoon sugar, or more to taste
8-10oz (250-300g) smoked salmon (either hot or cold smoked works fine), cut in 1/2-inch (1cm) pieces
salt, to taste
1 lb. (450g) dried pasta, something hearty (my favorites for this dish are tagliatelle, penne, and bucatini)
lemon thyme or regular thyme, for garnish (optional)

Put a large pot of salted water on to boil. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until golden and starting to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté just until it loses its raw edge, about one minute more. Pour in the wine and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the cream cheese, stirring until it melts, and then the cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the tomato paste, sugar and smoked salmon. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 more minutes, until the sauce is quite thick. Taste and add salt and/or a little more sugar as needed.

Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the pasta water. In a large bowl or the empty pasta pot, toss the pasta with the sauce, adding in a little of the pasta water if needed to help the sauce coat the noodles evenly.

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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies (David Lebovitz)

I've always loved David Lebovitz's site because he's so funny! I finally bought his book "Ready for Dessert" and this is my first time testing out one of his recipes. I chose his "Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies" - described as the "darkest most chocolatey cookies you'll ever sink your teeth in." I concur. This is for serious dark chocolate lovers. This is dark stuff - like Mordor / Dementors dark..... every bite tastes like a 60/70% dark chocolate brownie.

Result:

Dark! Chewy! I recommend making them in smaller sizes - since l feel like dark chocolate is one of those things you can't eat too much of in one go.... this is good for those who have little self control - coz it definitely satisfies any chocolate cravings but you won't be able to scarf down a lot.

Porque Baconita?

I have no idea. I started this a few years ago randomly....at work. I like bacon a lot but I don't LOVEEEE it ... the ''ita'' coz I wanted to give it some latina oomph and thought it was cute.

Riveting post. This is why I don't post more often.