dessert bars

Dessert bars are so easy and simple to make. These yummy goodies were made as party gifts for Allison's birthday brunch. Try these recipes for your next party!

Gooey Butter Cake Bars

Chocolate Chip Stout Brownie

Flat Tire Toffee Blondie

birthday girl & the goat

confit goat belly ~ bourbon butter, lobster n'crab, fennel

Celebrating Allison's birthday at her favorite restaurant, Girl & the Goat. Chef Stephanie Izard always manages to come up with something so flavorful. Our tastes buds are happy. We ordered some staples {pig face and chickpea fritters}, as well as some seasonal dishes, such as the duck duck goose bread.

duck duck goose bread ~ smoked duck fat, blackberry

crisp braised pork shank ~ spring onion kimchee, buttermilk dressing, naan

grilled baby octopus ~ guanciale, romano beans, radish, pistachio-lemon vinaigrette

chickpea fritters ~ caponata, green chickpeas, crave brother's mozzarella

wood oven roasted pig face ~ sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro, red wine-maple, potato stix

mom's zucchini cake

funky monkey no.2

When I was watching "The Chew," Jason Roberts went to Austin, Texas to try Gourdoughs. Gourdoughs is a food truck with a selection of speciality doughnuts, such as the Funky Monkey. The ingredients in a Funky Monkey are grilled bananas, cream cheese, and brown sugar. I decided to put my own little twist to the Funky Monkey and called it Funky Monkey II.

What you need:   

Instructions for grilled bananas: In a pan place sliced bananas over medium heat. Mix in brown sugar, cinnamon, and caramel sauce.
I used chocolate cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese. You can also use nutella instead of cream cheese. 

"in front of the wine bar"

There are many Italian places on Taylor St {Little Italy, Chicago}, but I must recommend Davanti Enoteca. The menu is amazing! We love small plates because we get to try a little bit of everything.

 vasi ~ eggplant + mozzarella + tomato

 crispy pork belly + apple mostarda

mascarpone polenta + ragu of the day {pork shoulder}

  risotto carbonara~ italian rice + pancetta + sweet peas + parmigiano + farm egg yolk

 polpo con rafano ~ seared octopus + warm fingerling potato salad + marcona almonds + finnochiona + fresh horseradish aioli

the italian ice

The perfect summer treat. Mario's Italian Lemonade {University Village} is open from 10am -12am during the warmer months.

strawberry lemonade

frozen milk tea & hot chocolate

Who says you can't have your favorite hot drinks in the summer?! Make your favorite drink and turn it into a popsicle! 

What you need:

Just add water to the powders and mix

2 sparrows date

Back again at 2 Sparrows {Lincoln Park, Chicago}!  We were back for their seasonal summer menu...and so glad we tried their homemade poptarts and sodas.  There are plenty of dishes we had yet to try, but of course we could not resist getting the maple bacon doughnut again. 

 strawberry, basil, balsamic / / cucumber, mint, lime

 gnocchi, asparagus, tesa, poached eggs, hollandaise

fresh goat cheese, gruyere, irish cheddar + a sunnyside up egg + tater tots

uk snacks

Watch the London Olympics with some UK snacks! Try these milk chocolate tea cakes and chocolate digestives from World Market.

ooey gooey

If you have a sweet tooth, you will love these Momofuku gooey butter cake bars! You can eat it room temperature or chilled :)

What you need:

Instructions...

Cake Base: Mix melted butter, cake mix, and 1 egg. Pour in 8x8 pan

Gooey Filling: Mix cream cheese, sugar, 2 eggs, and vanilla. Pour over cake base in pan

Oven: Preheat 350 degrees Fahrenheit and back for 30mins.