Eggplant Parmesan

So, Alicia and I love to cook together. We would surely open a busniess together if we could settle on an idea/won the lottery. But until that happens (cause it will), we will cook and bake and drink wine while dreaming about it.

This is the second time we have labored at Eggplant Parmesan. It's a pain in the ass to make and the recipe is a pain in the ass to recreate. So, here is what was left of our lovely dinner. It was delicious.


We all love making these eggplant chips.




And dipping the chips in our tasty sauce. Yum.

Baby Beard

He says he's not cutting this thing until this baby comes. Baby beard or bust!

Just For Kicks

We were trying not to laugh sooooooooo hard. And for all you who know J, doesn't he look like a crazed killah? I mean, that's hilarious right?




we love.

Cornelius Chocolate Chip Cookie, UPDATE!

Andy Cornelius Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe COMING SOON! Andy and Alicia live a few blocks down the street from us in ol' Butchertown. We frequently share meals and time with these two folks. And we love 'em soooo much that that we don't wanna leave this city.

Cookie Above. Andy Below.



Recipe:
(typed by Brooke from Andy's chicken scratch on wine soaked notebook paper)

In one Bowl:
2 cups of flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup pureed quick oats (in food processor)

In another Bowl:
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 sticks of room temp butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix both bowls together, but don't over mix.
Add 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate bar, shaved
Add 1 bag whole foods semi-sweet chips
Add 1 cup chopped walnuts

Refrigerate for 30 minutes

Make a ball (larger than a golf ball, smaller than a lime) and place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet

Bake @ 350 for 15-23 minutes

His always turn out better than mine :(

Lemon Plum

This is a lemon plum bought from Paul's Fruit Market in Louisville. I first had this tasty treat when Marc suggested it for breakfast last weekend at Taste . It is delicious. Taste's like a plum with a citrusy, lemony linger. Yum.

Cats and Dogs

This is Crash. He is called Bearius. The name Crash has expired. He is happier now.







This is Kennedy, our pup. Her "soul name", as Brynne called it, is Kenny-Benny-Boom Bah. I know it is ridicilous, but she responds positively to this name. Her ears perk and she comes running every damn time.

The Things We Do For Love

So my Mom and I happened to be in the same city this weekend. She was generous enough to take me shopping to buy the worst clothes in the feminine world - maternity clothes. It was reassuring to know that Mom hated being pregnant as much as I do. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love children. I want children. I was a nanny for years and years. But there is nothing wonderful about gaining 25lbs and growing a human in your body. It's fucking weird. And when it's all done growing, you have to work that sucker out of your body and hope you don't die or give up during the process. And I get all these young Mom's saying, "Don't you just love being pregnant? I just loved being pregnant." Well, I'm glad that we are all wired so differently that some ladies get their kicks out of this but I'm sticking with a big hell no, I really don't like it. Bring on July and bring it fast!

So, thank you Mom for keepin' it real and telling me that she hated growing me and my brother too. And thank you Mom for coaching me through the worst shopping spree of my life.

Lifelong Episode of Double Dare

Went home to Indianapolis this past weekend for some meetings, some Yats and some friends. Opportunity has us in a dead stare and the possibilty of moving is once again keeping us awake at nights. We've moved every 6 months for the last two years...what's one more, eh? A pain in the ass or a sigh of relief.



Blog, let me introduce you to Katie Jones, owner of Savvy Salon on Broadripple Ave., but also my BFF. It's nice to come home and see happiness and success all around us. It gives one a sense of empowerment and inspiration. By the way, if you haven't yet met Miss Jones, schedule some time in her chair and you will no doubt come away with your mind blown and a new outlook on life (not to mention, the best hair style you've ever had).

Cupid, Hit Me Up Yo!

Nike, my vice. There are a whole gang of Nike Valentine's Shoes and I want 'em. If you didn't notice, the logo on the tongue is in a heart. Oh Nike, you make 'em and I buy 'em.

Hot Potato

Um, I know I'm pregnant but these are the best potato chips I have ever had. We've had the Lightly Salted and the Sour Cream & Onion variety's so far. Can't wait to try Barbecue.

Louisville, you can purchase them at Paul's Market behind Smoothie King by Trinity HIgh School. The rest of you, talk to your grocers.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland, What?

Although you all may know me to prefer hip-hop and jazz, my close close pals know that my favorite genre of music is Christmas. Yes, yes I am an atheist; a non believer. But the happy, jolly music about food and sleigh rides and mistletoe and presents just makes me sing, whistle and hummmmmm from October-January. It may drive J a little nuts and it may be truly ironic, but Christmas music makes me happy. Maybe it was all the years of swing choir or maybe it was just The Carpenters, Bing, The Beach Boys and Nat with their wonderful Christmas singing. Whatever it was that caused this Christmas freak in me, I will continue to sing and hope that I can instill that happy singing pride in our child.

So, of course I am super excited put our love child in this joy suit.

Vegan Zucchini Banana Muffins

Part of the reason I have yet to go totally vegan is the unnaturalness of all of it. Tofu doesn't grow on trees. Where the hell does fake butter come from, a chemist? Egg replacer wtf! I just have more of a hard time justifying eating a synthetic rather than milking a cow and creaming it to butter, you know? So, I read that bananas can substitute for eggs in some baked goods and that made me happy. And then created these delicious muffins that will now be a breakfast staple at the Vaughn-Pierce household. J loves them with his hot black coffee in the morning.

Recipe:
2 zucchini (shredded chunky with a cheese shredder)
2 ripe and squishy bananas
3 unbleached, organic cups flour
1 1/2 cups organic canola oil
2 cups vegan sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp bk. soda
1/2 tsp bk. pwdr
1 tsp cinnamon (i think i used more, but not sure)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
lemon zest (just do it until you are bored)
chopped walnuts (maybe a 1/2 cup)

whisk flour, soda, powder and spices in one bowl. mix sugar, oil, banana, zucchini, vanilla and zest in another bowl. mix them 'chocolate chip cookie style' in a mixer. add walnuts by hand and i put in a handful of chocolate chips last minute. grease your pan.

for a loaf 350 for 45-60
for big ass muffins (like a 6 pan, never tried a 12) 350 for 25min or so

let them cool for 20 minutes before you dump 'em out and eat 'em.

Super Tuesday

I mean, I'd sleep with this guy.

Kennedy

It's Super Bowl Sunday! We slept in. Ken played hard outside while we cleaned house and prepped meals. And then she took advantage of laying in the perfectly made bed for an afternoon nap. I heart Kennedy. She was having a moment. And I captured it on film.

Little Organic Sweater

I couldn't help myself. I was walking around SUSTAINkids after the holidays and saw this adorable little Nui Organics sweater on sale. 100% Certified Organic Merino Wool, undyed and unbleached. It's a 6-12 month size so it should fit the beast by next winter. Fingers crossed.

My Bump, My Bump, My Bump

So, ya'll asked for a baby bump shot. Here is one. It's a small bump, but it nonetheless is a bump caused by our baby.

Ouinoa Salad

I could write how wonderful of a food quinoa is, but instead you should just click the word quinoa and read up on it yourself. I found this full source of protein last summer before we all went down to Dale Hollow Lake. Erin , J , Ashleigh and I mowed it after some ol' fashioned relaxin'.

Recipe:
Throw whatever in the bowl that can add flavor and eat!

Edamame
White Corn
Dried Cherries
Sunflower Seeds
Red Pepper

Dressing:
White Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Honey
Dijon
Lemon Juice