To have a good time! I know it's been a while and one would think that with my new unemployed/recently graduated status I'd be in the kitschen 24-7. However that is not 100% true. I have been busy... but I have been the best at documenting my culinary adventures. I bought an ice cream maker (electric!) with the cash I got back from selling some text books... I made a malted chocolate ice cream with Whoppers. I also made a lovely recipe of chocolate French toast for my niece/nephews/cousin while they were visiting. No pictures of either but I did learn kids only really enjoy milk/Hershey's chocolate. Don't try to get rich with malt powder and/or higher cacao contents. I also made a lovely dinner using the Barefoot Contessa's baked shrimp scampi recipe for me mah and I. I DID manage to snag a picture of that:


I also made some homemade gummies to give as a gift to my friend L.A. Maltz because she's awesome and loves gummie bears. They were peach flavored with a bit of heat added by the way of chopped adobe chilis. Good reviews from Ms. Maltz but no pictures... sorry. So. Yes, I have been doing things, making things, and more recently baking things. The most recent adventure? Pecan pie bars.... I made these because they seemed to be easily transportable. I've been looking for mailable dessert recipes.... Cupcakes get smooshed or fugged up. Chocolate can melt... I found this recipe in a post online about good picnic desserts. I think the crust is probably similar to a dessert tart crust but I don't know for sure b/c I've never made a tart before. All the crinkles in the pan scare me. I think I'd never get the tart to come out clean OR the pan would forever have old bits of crust b/c I couldn't clean it well enough. Shucks, I have a hard enough time cleaning my bundt pan. At first I assumed the topping would have corn syrup in it but I was pleasantly surprised to see it called for making caramel. So I got to experience something else new too!

Add pecans and pour it all into the pan. Bake again for 12-15 min.


Make it pretty with a small stamp and some ribbon. These bars are not ready to transport. I hope TSA doesn't confiscate them! If they do I'll be hungry and so will my friends.