photo op: RECENT eats

RER 6.17.15

Even amongst a sea of changes, one thing remains constant in my life— eating. So when things shift, opportunities arise, and feelings fade, food brings comfort and familiarity.

So, I let it.

RER 6.7.15

RER 6.7.15

Making stir-fry with Mommie kept me on my toes, but I was excited to eat the crispy veggies and tender meat drenched in sweet and spicy sauce blanketing sesame scented rice.

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

I indulged in sweet things that made my teeth quiver with happiness while allowing a warmth to rush over me and a smile to bend. Like chocolate Mini- Course Cupcakes strewn with all of the imagination of children and soft chocolate chip cookies, bedazzled with rainbow sprinkles and sunshine.

RER 6.10.15

RER 6.10.15

RER 6.10.15

At the Alumni- Faculty BBQ that I helped to plan, somehow, in the warm air heavy with smoke, the food was bright and refined, exceeding my cookout expectations. Beautiful vegetables gleamed in the afternoon light while burgers hissed and sizzled on the lazy big jon grill.

RER 6.16.15

RER 6.16.15

RER 6.16.15

Yelp events really know how to make a girl happy, whisking her away to eat her memories of a simpler time at Johnny Rockets in Hoboken. Fries and onion rings quickly brought me back to elementary school field trips and failed first days of work. But burgers and buns and Oreo milkshakes made the present worth it.

A pasta moment of appreciation warmed teachers’ bellies and the company made it delicious.

Follow the food on instagram, facebook, and yelp.

RER

6.18.17

RER 6.9.15

MangiaMore: Chocolate chip COOKIES

RER 6.9.15

Chocolate chip cookies belong at BBQs. They are portable, snack-sized, and delicious, plus easy to make in large quantity. Their only—and I mean only—downfall is that those tasty chocolate chips can melt in hot sun and high temperatures. But sometimes, sticky fingers are allowed at a food-filled cookout.

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

The Alumni-Faculty BBQ last week was the perfect time to satisfy my baking itch (again) by whipping up a sweet ending for our gathering. I wanted something easy and universal, scrumptious and satiating—chocolate chip cookies.

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

This recipe from Host the Toast was perfect. I made a double batch and threw in leftover sprinkles (the top was lost during a furious baking mini course) to make them a little more festive. Let me tell you, I wanted to bathe in that cookie dough. It was sweet and buttery with caramel notes and chocolate bites, while the rainbow sprinkles added  colorful whimsy.

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

My cookies flew at the BBQ, but I kept an eye on the giant container hoping some would be left over. The chewy and soft texture of the cookies was addictive; just one cookie was not enough. There was just enough chocolate and maybe too many sprinkles (if that’s a thing) but the result was very very very tasty. Good thing some came home with me.

So, who’s inviting me to their next BBQ? I’ll bring cookies…

RER

6.15.15

RER 6.9.15