Fauxlaroid: Random Weekend Mashup

Food Fridays: Brown Rice Crisp Treats

Ever since I burned RICE CRISPY TREATS a few weeks ago, I've been cravin' them so bad. How sad was I to see that they even put the recipe ON THE FRICKIN' BOX and I still managed to make the grossest batch of yuck! To redeem this horrible tragedy, I am hoping my fantastic husband makes these bad boys for me. *hint*

images from sprouted kitchen

BROWN RICE CRISPIES - Makes one 8×8 pan
Adapted from Vanilla & Lace
You can find brown rice syrup at most health food stores. It is thicker than maple syrup, so the treats will stick together a little better. Maple syrup works well, but is thinner, so the treats are more fragile/crumbly. The dark chocolate lends a sharp contrast to the crisps, but milk chocolate would be a fine complement as well. The amount below gives a pretty sturdy chocolate layer, simply half it if you want something lighter.

1/3 Cup Creamy Almond Butter
1/3 Brown Rice Syrup (or Maple Syrup)
1 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract
3 Cups Crisped Brown Rice

7 oz. Good Quality, Dark Chocolate (I used Valrhona 71%)
1 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter

1. Using a double broiler method, set a glass bowl over a small pot of simmering water, making sure that the bowl is not touching the water. Put the almond butter, brown rice syrup and vanilla extract in the bowl and stir until everything is evenly incorporated. Remove from the heat to cool a minute.
2. Put the crisped rice in a large bowl and pour the almond butter mixture on top, mix thoroughly.
3. Coat the bottom and sides of a 8×8 glass pan with a light coat of desired neutral tasting oil (coconut, canola, grapeseed etc.). Pour the rice mix in and push it down with the back of a spoon. Put it in the fridge while you make the chocolate layer.
4. Clean the bowl from the almond butter mix, and set up the double broiler again. Add the pieces of chocolate to melt slowly, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is melted, add the butter and stir. Pour the chocolate on top of the rice crisps and quickly spread it across the top with an offset spatula or back of a spoon in an even layer. Refrigerate for at least an hour and a half to set and cut them in to squares with a sharp knife. Keep stored in the fridge and try to eat them within two days as the rice starts to absorb moisture.

Happy Birthday Sonny!

Sonny getting his Jackson on.

Today is my darling husband's thirty-something-something birthday. He has to work today, and he is sick with the most awful sore throat this world has ever seen (Thanks Nicole!). If he wasn’t working or sick, he would probably be home playing video games without interruption and consuming large quantities of plain potato chips. Yum.

I love you, Sonny. You're a keeper.

The IOU Project

I was contacted by The IOU Project and was totally blown away by its mission. What a wonderful project to be a part of. I am excited to see how it blossoms into something impactful. Share the love. Share the link.

www.theiouproject.com

Sonny The Cook: Budget Eating

My darling husband has been cooking up a storm these days in attempts to save us a few bucks each month. In the month of February alone we spent almost $500+ just eating out!? $500 people!! And that doesn't even include the money wasted on grocery food we ended up throwing out because we weren't eating it. Sadness.

I've been reading more on how to budget our household and to keep our grocery spending to $200 a month. It's been a challenge but I am happy to report that March's grocery budget was a success! We lived off $200 a month, had brilliant lunches packed for work, and even lost a few pounds eating more proportionally balanced meals. And if you do the math it works out to be about $1.12 a meal. You really can't beat that.

Now you must be wondering why Sonny is doing the cooking and not me? Well, first of all Sonny is naturally just a talented culinary wonder. He has the patience to defrost, measure and calculate. I just want to eat, so most of the things I cook are pretty disgusting. I burnt RICE CRIPSY TREATS last week. Who does that?! We've agreed that he will cook and I will clean. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Sonny's Signature Baked Potato w/ Mushrooms + Filipino Torta w/ Fried Rice

Hazelnut & Banana Crepes + Eggs Over Easy Over Rice

Logo Love: Public School Library

images via brand new

Diggin' this new modern look for this New York Public School. How frickin' adorable!

Home Inspiration: Mixin' It Up

Gorgeous, gorgeous home! Spanish built in 1900 and maintains a lot of the original architectural detail. I mean just look at it! Its amazing. I love all the vintage furnishing with the modern retro pieces. So beautiful! (Via Le Journal de la Maison, photos by Amador Toril)

desiretoinspire.net

Fauxlaroid: March Madness

I can't get more lazy than this... really. So I haven't been able to really bust out my camera at every waking moment like I was able to in my "Heavenly Weekend" post. Forgive me internet, I've just been busy. I do however have my iPhone every where I go so my fauxlaroids will have to do for the masses. It really makes for extremely spontaneous photos. It's like I can be on the phone with my Dad and Britney will make a ridiculous face and just like that *CLICK*... photo taken and I still heard my Dad's adventures as the newest member of Facebook.

"Carlene! Did you read the comment I posted on your wall. It's so funny. Did you read what Nicole wrote after I posted!?"

"Um... yeah Dad."
(taking picture of Britney... posting it on Facebook)

"Carlene... how come I can't see everyone's status updates on my news feed?"

"Um... yeah Dad I think people are blocking you. BTW I just put up a picture of Britney as your profile pic..."

;)