Cooking with a Wallflower - Page 79 of 139 -

Beverages Chocolate Gluten Free Holidays Hot Chocolate Quick and Easy Recipes Vegetarian Winter Cravings

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

Chopped chocolate whisked with cocoa powder, vanilla extract, hazelnut syrup, condensed milk, and milk in this deliciously creamy beverage. This hazelnut hot chocolate is comforting and perfect for cold winter days.

It’s been freezing here in the city. Not that I can complain too much, since it’s never that cold in the Bay Area especially when compared to areas with snow and ice. But it’s cold to me so I’m constantly wrapped in cozy blankets and warm thigh high boot socks. I like to be warm and cozy all the time.

Lately, during my off days, all I want to do is lounge around, sip on hot chocolates, and either watch movies or read books. It’s probably because I’m so exhausted by the end of my 6 day work week I just want to relax.

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Recommendations Wallflower Weekly Faves

Wallflower Weekly Finds, 96

It’s been so cold the last few days, and all I want to do is stay home wrapped in warm blankets with comfy thigh high socks and indulge in hot chocolate and dessert. Seriously, that would be the life right now.

I’ve been working extra days this past month, and I can’t wait for Sundays where I can do absolutely nothing except watch Hallmark Christmas movies.

Except it never ends up that way, like ever. lol.

The year is coming to an end, and there’s still so much to do! Plus, Christmas falls on a Sunday so it just doesn’t feel like much of a holiday this year.

Our Christmases are usually low key. Hot chocolates, cookies, and Christmas movies. And nothing says Christmas like rewatching the Home Alone series.

M&M’s Chocolate Bark

Semi sweet chocolate topped with mini holiday M&M’s. This M&M’s chocolate bark is super easy to make with just two ingredients and perfect for holiday snacking or gifting.

10 more days till Christmas!

I’ve been working 6 days a week lately, and I’ve been so exhausted. There’s barely any time to do anything else other than to eat and sleep.

So, when it comes to Christmas shopping, I’ve been a little neglectful. Anything that can’t be bought with a tap of my fingers will have to wait until next week when I have more than just Sundays off. Which means, I’m a little behind on practically everything, and that includes Christmas shopping. I’m going to regret that I didn’t start earlier. I just know it.

Are you all done with your shopping?

When it comes to the holidays, I’m obsessed with all things chocolate.

Who am I kidding?

I’m obsessed with chocolate all the time. Usually, the milk chocolate and white chocolate kind since they’re sweeter. But the dark chocolate variety is simply amazing when paired with nuts and fruits and candies. And you know, all of your favorite things.

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GIft Guides Recommendations

2016 Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Less than two weeks until Christmas! Seriously, what?!

In case you still need last minute ideas for gifts, I compiled a list of ideas that would work for just about anyone on your list. Just a few more days left to order your gifts in time for Christmas morning!

You can also find more gift ideas in my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Bloggers.

And of course, don’t forget to use Ebates to save while you shop online.

Chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Chewy oatmeal cookies filled with cranberries, walnuts, maple syrup, and warm spices. These chewy cranberry oatmeal cookies are so delicious and chewy and great for gift giving over the holidays.

I can’t believe it’s already mid December!

Just a couple more weeks until Christmas, and I’m not ready for it yet!

I seriously love the whole gift wrapping and gift giving process, but what I don’t love is the shopping part.

I can wander through the mall an entire day or go online shopping and come up with nothing. No ideas, no inspirations.

So frustrating! Do you have tips? Because I feel like I’m in need of some serious help here. Some people are easy to get presents for and others, not so much.

I do love giving homemade baked goods to family and friends, but sometimes it feels like an add-on rather than an actual gift.

Maybe I should put them into a nice container and attach a recipe card? What do you think?

Whether you decide to make these for yourself or to give away, you need to make these cookies.

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Omg. It’s almost the weekend! I’m soo ready for it!

A couple weekends ago, I went to the farmer’s market looking for fresh produce. On my way to the farmer’s market, I stumbled across a little Girl Scouts’ stand selling not cookies but so many other snacks. Mixed nuts, dried fruits, trail mix, chocolates.

Um, what?! As if I don’t spend enough money on Girl Scout cookies during the spring. Now, they come out with chocolates and nuts during the fall? I’m so doomed…

But the girls were soo cute, and when they asked me if I wanted to buy some, how could I resist? Especially when it’s chocolate?

I finally got around to opening the box I bought. I tried to take my time because I know I wouldn’t be able to stop at one.

Are these dark chocolate mint penguins cute or what?

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GIft Guides

2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Bloggers

This post is sponsored by Brydge.

It’s that time of year again!

We’re hunting for gifts for our family and friends, and that can be so stressful. I know that once it gets to the end of the year, I’m always scrambling to find ideas for that person in my life who seems to have everything they want.

So, this year, I’m creating two lists: one specifically for bloggers and one for everyone in general.

This holiday gift guide for bloggers is filled with some of my favorite products. They’ve helped make blogging and everyday life so much easier. And I think they would be perfect for you or the blogger in your life

5 Minute Carrot Top Greens Pesto

Carrot top greens blended with garlic, basil, walnuts, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. This 5 Minute Carrot Top Greens Pesto is easy to make and a great way to try something new with ingredients you already have.

Happy Monday!

I can’t believe the first weekend of December has already gone by. Just three more weekends until Christmas!

But it doesn’t really feel like it. Especially since it’s so bright and sunny, though ridiculously cold and windy, here in the city.

I’m always associating Christmas with the overcast skies, cold weather, and rain or snow. So it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas just yet. But we’re definitely getting there.

Today, I wanted to introduce you to carrot top greens pesto.

I love buying colorful carrots from the farmer’s market. Most of the time, these carrots are small with huge tops. And it just seems like a waste just to toss out the carrot top greens when you can use them in your dishes too.

Like, sautéing them with garlic and a little bit of salt for a vegetable dish, or adding them to your soups, or using them as garnish instead of parsley or cilantro. Seriously, soo good.

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It’s December! It’s December! And my house is already all decked out for the holidays.

We bought a Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend and started decorating as soon as the tree was up. But now, we’re thinking we’ll have to redecorate because the lights are off centered. It might be that our tree is missing a few branches here and there so it’s not very symmetrical. But that’s okay. Because we love our perfectly imperfect tree anyway.

As part of an ornament exchange, you know, like a cookie exchange, but with ornaments? I decided to make my own ornaments to send off. I bought empty glass ornaments and filled one with green reindeer moss, white glitter, diamond dust, and mini pinecones. It turned out so well that I want to make one for my tree. Maybe more than one? In multiple colors? Or maybe filled with sea shells? I see ideas for stocking stuffers.

What do you think?

Sometimes I just love the simple things in life.

Oh, and the night before Thanksgiving, my sisters and I went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Our family is Harry Potter obsessed!

It’s such a good movie. What better way to start the holidays than with a movie and giant bag of buttery popcorn, right? Have you seen the movie yet? Or will you?

Roasted Garlic Romanesco with Fresh Herbs

Romanesco tossed with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt then roasted until slightly browned and charred. This roasted garlic Romanesco with fresh herbs is simple yet delicious, perfect alone or as a side.

I love that I live in a city where the farmer’s market is accessible. Just a little over a year ago, they started a farmer’s market in my neighborhood so now it’s much more convenient for me to go. I don’t have to travel across the city to browse the farmer’s market for amazing finds. As much as I love the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, an hour long trip one way takes too much time. So the convenience is very much appreciated.

The best part about shopping the farmer’s market is that you can stumble across fruits and vegetables that you have never seen or heard of before. Like the pineapple guava, or the feijoa, the sweet edible flower of the pineapple guava, and of course, the romanesco, just to name a few.

There are just some things you won’t find at your local supermarket.

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