sophie » Living Lou

Snow Day Hot Cocoa

Today is the third snow day in my academic career. Three days in 15 years.

When I was a kid, a big storm was exciting – it meant fresh snow to make snowmen and it made for terrific toboggan runs down the hills. It’s funny to think that my first snow day was in first grade and my next was in my senior year; the beginning and end. I feel like when you grow up, as with many things, a big storm becomes more of a nuisance, all you’re thinking is about if you’ll have to drive in the snow and dreading shoveling the driveway. But here’s the thing, for me, a big storm still brings on that rush of excitement. I love going to bed knowing that when I wake up, there will be a blanket of fresh, white snow.

Have you ever stood outside during a snow storm? Having lived in downtown Toronto for my entire life, I’m always shocked by how quiet and calm it is when it’s snowing. The quiet is one of my favourite things about the winter; for a few moments, it feels like the whole world stops. Even though I never have classes on a Friday, I decided to take the day off and have my own snow day. I was so inspired by the snow, I knew I had to make a rich and decadent Hot Cocoa.

I put on a snow day playlist I found on Songza and spent the day sipping Hot Cocoa on the couch and was able to finish off the book I have been reading (Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld you can see my review on Goodreads). It was so nice to spend the day doing things I love, no to-do list, just beautiful music, delicious Hot Cocoa, a good book with the gorgeous snowfall as a backdrop. This is why I love winter.

(My beautiful sister, adorable pup and sweet mother enjoying Hot Cocoa)

Snow Day Hot Cocoa (serves 4)

Ingredients

2 cups milk
1 1/4 cup water
1/3 cup whipping cream
3 oz bittersweet chocolate
2 oz semisweet chocolate
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey

Directions

Heat milk, water and cream in a pot over medium-high heat. Add chocolates, cinnamon and vanilla extract.

Whisk until chocolate is melted and whisk in honey. Serve and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Enjoy the snow and warm up with this Hot Cocoa.

- Lou

Diner Style Pancakes

I always have a problem when going for brunch – pancakes or eggs? When I was a kid, going for brunch always meant a huge stack of pancakes, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started ordering eggs more often than pancakes.

Last year, I was out for brunch with one of my good friends at a favourite 50s style diner, and she ordered pancakes. I obviously, had to try a bite (or two) and was instantly reminded how much I loved their fluffy, sweet nature. I knew right away that I had to recreate Diner Style Pancakes at home and share them with all of you. There is something so comforting about an old favourite. I can remember going for brunch at my cottage with my Dad and ordering pancakes, dousing them with maple syrup and eating only half of one before I announced I was too full.

It’s crazy the way a simple meal can turn your day around. These Diner Style Pancakes are the perfect pick-me-up when I’m having a moment of self doubt, or one of those days when I think that maybe, just maybe I’ve taken on too much (still learning how to say no…). This little face helps on those days too.

Diner Style Pancakes (serves 4-6)
Recipe by Lou

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp white sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp butter, melted
butter or oil for frying

Directions

Sift together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients.

Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and mix in wet ingredient mixture.

Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat. Add batter (about 1/4 cup) and cook until bubbles begin to form and break, then flip the pancakes and cook the other side until brown (turning only once ). Repeat with remaining batter.

I served my Diner Style Pancakes with loads of maple syrup and some fruit on the side.

- Lou

Cranberry Vinaigrette

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed your Holidays and that 2013 has gotten off to a great start. My year started off really well, by the 2nd, I had already crossed off one of my goals! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be pretty great.

I’m sure many of you are starting off the New Year with a resolution to eat healthier. I don’t really make resolutions for the New Year, but I do set a bunch of smaller goals I plan to achieve in the coming year. One of those goals is to eat more vegetables in 2013 and this Cranberry Vinaigrette is a great way to enjoy veggies. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I have a ton of leftover, sad looking cranberries in my fridge and nothing to do with them.

I had a lovely break with friends and family, here’s a picture of my sister (on the left with Sophie) and I in front of our Christmas tree.

I’m a big fan of homemade salad dressings. They are really simple to make and a lot better for you than store bought. I’ve shared a bunch of salad dressings, so be sure to check them out here.

Cranberry Vinaigrette (makes about 2/3 of a cup)
Recipe by Lou

Ingredients

1/2 cup french cranberries, halved
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions

In a food processor or blender, process the cranberries with the lemon juice, Dijon mustard honey and thyme. In a slow but steady stream, blend in olive oil. Continue blending until it has reached your desired consistency.

Keep in refrigerator, but allow to come to room temperature before serving.

- Lou

Top Recipes of 2012

Can you believe another year has gone by? 2012 was definitely pretty crazy. I shared 43(!) new recipes with all of you in 2012, and I stuck to, and completed one of my goals for 2012 which was to share recipes solely created by me all year! I am so proud of all the recipes I developed for you all and am so thrilled to get your feedback – comments, emails or tweets – it makes my day. Thank you, my lovely readers, from the bottom of my heart for making my days and inspiring me to share new recipes.

So now, let’s take a look back at a wonderful year and Living Lou’s Top 10 Recipes of 2012, starting with number 10. Scattered between the recipes I’ve shared a few pictures from my year, a little peek into my life.

10. Spicy Chicken Skewers - this recipe is one of the simplest dinners made with only five ingredients, it’s one of my favourites, especially in the summer.

9. Living Lou’s Authentic Chicken Thighs - I’m really partial to this recipe and was kind of surprised to see it on the list. I think this was one of the first recipes I ever created for Living Lou. This was also the first image of mine that was ever accepted onto FoodGawker. (Fellow bloggers know how monumental that moment is!)

Here I am with my adorable Mom and Sister at a TIFF screening in September.

8. Baked Salmon Cakes - This recipe makes a delicious and affordable meal and it is also a nice change of pace from a typical weeknight dinner.

7. Crustless Spinach Quiche - There is nothing simpler than a crustless quiche and I love that this one uses up a lot of spinach. Is it just me, or when buying spinach do you always end up with like, double the amount you could ever use?

In the Spring, we got our little pup Sophie. Look how tiny she was!

6. Poached Chicken Breasts - I love to see this recipe near the top because it’s such a staple. Poached chicken can be used in hundreds of dishes, tacos, baked pasta, soup, rice etc.

5. Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins - I’m not a big baker, and don’t have a huge sweet tooth, but when I do bake, I love to make muffins and quick breads. These Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins are a nice hearty muffin packed with carrots and walnuts.

4. Vanilla Cupcakes - It’s no surprise to see these in the top 5, everyone loves a good cupcake recipe!

I spent a lovely time in Greece visiting my Grandparents. Here I am on the beach taking some photos (as usual!).

3. Slow Cooker Chili with Sweet Potatoes - It’s no secret that chili is one of my favourite things to eat during the winter (I mean, I have 4 chili recipes on here…) and this is delicious and uses a favourite fall/winter ingredient.

2. Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks – I love drumsticks, and the combination of honey and garlic in here is a classic.

1. Shredded Chicken Tacos – I am so excited that this is Living Lou’s #1 recipe because it is my favourite recipe! There truly is nothing better than Shredded Chicken Tacos and I suggest you make them right now. Start the New Year right, people!

Well, that’s it for 2012. I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store and am looking forward to sharing it all with you. Happy New Year!

- Lou

Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies

It’s December which means three things; cookies, holidays and unfortunately, exams. This is how it works, I bake (and devour) an insane amount of cookies during exams – these Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies are a result of those stress induced baking sessions. Then the holidays come and I’m all cookie-d out, but I power through and bake (and eat) more cookies. Then, January hits and I don’t want to see a cookie for two months – which is helpful for my annual “time to get healthy” New Year’s resolution.

Back in October (2 months ago already – wow!) I hinted at some holiday recipes on Instagram and well, I can finally share them with you. I created three recipes for a favourite online magazine of mine, Sweet Lemon Magazine. You can find the recipes for Cozy Hot Cocoa, Flourless Chocolate Cake and Apple Cranberry Bundles in my feature A Girls Night In For the Holidays on pages 122-124.

And here’s a little behind-the-scenes from my shoot for Sweet Lemon! That’s me on the left, Sophie (who was really wanting some Cozy Hot Cocoa) and my lovely mother. Also, I’ll be blogging for Sweet Lemon as a resident foodie over on their Zesty Digest Blog – check me out!

Back to the Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies, they were a pre-exam creation. They are a take off of my favourite Ginger Molasses Cookies and my favourite cookbook, The Flavor Bible, says ginger and chocolate go together really well. Like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, so I knew I had to try out this combination. What I love about these cookies is that first you taste the chocolate and then there is a hint of ginger and molasses, which becomes even more flavorful and is the perfect aftertaste. If there is one cookie to make this holiday season, it’s definitely these Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies.

Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies (makes around 40)
Recipe by Lou

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 scant teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar + 3 tbsp for rolling dough
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 325.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2-4 minutes. Add egg, molasses and vanilla. Beat until combined.

In two additions, beat in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips.

Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and coat in sugar. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the surfaces are slightly cracked. Let cool for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Let me know if you try the recipe.

- Lou