All things pretty

I remember walking into one of my former roommates fussing around the kitchen one Valentine's Day eve. Sighs of discontentment escaped out as she hovered over the making of what came to be very beautiful linzer cookies. I didn't understand her frustration at the time, only how amazing the heart-shaped pretty, buttery, and crunchy cookies she left us were. It was only until I attempted to replicate these valentine-y treats this past weekend that it made sense. These cookies are great, but it does come with some work. Making the dough isn't too hard but the tricky part comes with keeping the dough firm enough that it doesn't fall apart when rolling it out (creating crisp & light but a flavorful nutty cookie) and cutting it into shapes. But besides that, I think it's worth it for its tastiness and pretty looks at least once a year. It just takes some patience.

Linzer Cookies (recipe from Joy Of Baking)

1 cup blanched or sliced almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans, toasted and ground
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks
Zest of 1 lemon (I didn't use this and it turned out okay still)
Confectioners' (icing or Powdered) Sugar for dusting
1/2 cup seedless Raspberry or Black Currant Preserves or Jam (can use other flavored preserves or jam)

See the directions here.

On another note, T & I enjoyed a plethora of good cooking this past V-day!

I woke up to my favorite - eggs benedict, with prosciutto and homemade hollandaise sauce. Yum, love poached eggs. Love someone else making it for me!


We got to play with our new fondue set (thanks Sally & Joe!) and dished into gruyere and swiss cheese fondue with pancetta and rosemary.
Shrimp & arugula pasta with red chilies and lemon wine sauce.


MEAT!!! (Rib Roast)


Molten Chocolate Cake - this has got to be the most surprisingly easiest but fancy dessert to make. It's basically a slightly undercooked chocolate cake with very little flour and lots of egg. Recipe here. So easy, so good.