Challah Bagels Four Ways

Even though I've had mixed experiences with raisins over the years, whenever I would go visit my Grandma Rose (affectionately referred to as RoRo,) they were always apart of breakfast. I used to pick the sugar coated raisins out of Raisin Bran and snack on cinnamon raisin bagels all while playing around and watching "Seinfeld" and "Friends." To this day, not only am I a big "Seinfeld" fan, I love my cinnamon raisin bagels. My mom, who would make bagels and bread for her two picky children, also would make a favorite holiday bread of mine called Challah. Truthfully, being the picky child that I was, I only liked the bread when it just came out of the oven and was soft, warm, and had a comforting appeal and smell. Well, I'm a firm believer that nearly all baked goods taste best warm. A few days ago I had an epiphany and decided to combine my two childhood favorite starchy foods: bagels and Challah. The result is a moist and flavorful bagel with the thick, crunchy crust of Challah.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter/oil
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups bread flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (about one packet)

{Makes about 8}

Recipe:

{Adapted from a family recipe}

Step 1: In an electric mixer, combine the water, yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, add bread flour and sugar, then mix thoroughly. Once the yeast mixture becomes frothy, make a hole in the middle of the flour-sugar mixture and pour the yeast mixture in it. Mix together.

Step 2: Transfer the contents into the electric mixer bowl and mi, slowly adding in the butter/oil and eggs.If your dough is too dry, add water until you get a consistent and moist dough.

Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface until is elastic and firm.

Step 4: Lightly brush and coat a bowl and the dough with an oil of your choice. Use a damp towel to cover the bowl. Wait about an hour for to rise and punch it back down.

Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal pieces, into four, and into eight. Smooth and briefly knead the dough pieces. Roll or shape into balls.

Step 6: Cover your finger in flour and press your finger into the ball. Stretch out the ring by gently moving your finger in increasingly larger circles. Continue for the other dough balls.

Step 7: Place the rings on a oiled or parchment paper covered baking sheet. While boiling a large pot, cover the baking sheet with a moist towel until the water comes to a boil. Preheat your oven to 425 Degrees.

Step 8: Once the water comes to  boil, lower the heat. Use a turner or large slotted spoon to lower the dough into the water. Leave the dough in for about 4 minutes, two minutes on each side. Arrange each bagel back onto the cookie sheet after boiling.

Step 9: Let each bagel sit for about 30 seconds to dry and cool. Since this is Challah dough, use the egg white of one egg and generously coat each bagel. For the bagels you want toppings for, lighlty sprinkle the ingredient on. Some of my favorite ideas are sea salt, poppy seed, sesame seed, cinnamon and sugar, and cheese (Parmesan or Asiago.)

Step 10: Once the oven is heated, bake on the cover baking sheet for 20 minutes, or until the exterior is thick and a deep golden brown.

Step 11: Let the bagels sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack. And, ta-da! Enjoy your chewy, crunchy, and moist Challah in the versatile form of a bagel.

Cinnamon Raisin with Lavender Infused Cream Cheese and Blueberries

Lavender Infused Cream Cheese-

-1/2 tablespoons lavender

-3/4 cup confectioners sugar

-8 ounces cream cheese

1. In a food processor, combine lavender and confectioners sugar.
2. Using a mixer, mix the lavender powder and cream cheese together.

Poppy Seeds with Cream Cheese and Chives

Plain with Natural Peanut Butter, Banana, and Clover Honey

Asiago Cheese with Hummus, Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta

Mordakk Designs Giveaway!

 

Last week I told you about my giveaway with Mordakk Designs and the day has finally come! Mordakk Designs is giving away a Twisted Rope Love Knot Ring in Sterling Silver. Even though it's perfect for gift giving, I definitely won't judge if you want to keep it for yourself. This is worth $24.00, absolutely free, and, in honor of this giveaway, Mordakk Designs is also giving 15 percent off with the code TAKE15. The giveaway officially starts July 27th at 12:00 AM Pacific Time and ends August 3rd at 12:00 AM Pacific Time and is open to all readers worldwide. In the giveaway widget below, there are simple and easy ways to enter via Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, Pinterest, and Bloglovin'. If you want to learn more about each entry option, just click on the box surrounding the entry value and you're good to go! They are not mandatory, but a comment with your ring size is. However, you don't need to comment more, but I would love to hear about a favorite piece of jewelry you have ever purchased or been given, or anything else you'd like to share. Just remember that the more entries you complete the more likely you are to win. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mordakk Designs

{Mordakk Designs on Etsy}

{Mordakk Designs on Facebook}

On Etsy, there certainly are a lot of unique treasures. The shop Mordakk Designs is definitely no exception with an abundance of exquisite jewels. Nicole Johnson, owner of Mordakk Designs, makes each piece by hand in New York and her dedication to design and perfection reflect in the great quality of the jewelry. Each of her designs are more than just pieces that accent an outfit;  they make the outfit. It doesn't matter if you wear the jewels with a white t-shirt, light wash jeans, and sandals or a cocktail dress and stilettos; the clothes merely serve as a canvas. Gold and silver frame vivid gemstones, sparkling druzy geodes, and iridescent pearls. The simplicity of the natural materials used are inspired by and capture the beauty of the world around us. I know one thing for sure, I am going to pull back my hair and let the natural beauty shine! 

Next week I will be hosting a giveaway sponsored by the generous Nicole and Mordakk Designs. I am really excited to reward a lucky reader with one of Nicole's gorgeous pieces! I am so thankful for all of your support and the best of luck to you all. While you're waiting, check out some of my favorites below and be sure to visit Mordakk Designs on Etsy and Facebook!

White Druzy Stud Earrings in 14k Gold Fill

Blue Sapphire Necklace in Gold

Blue Constellation Necklace in Gold

Fade to Grey

J.Crew Linen Tee, 7 For All Mankind Jeans, Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac in Soft Grey,
Valentino Flats, Essie Nail Polish in Plumberry, Vintage Necklace from Greece

I used to have a huge obsession with floral shirts. Of course, it didn't make it any better that I also was obsessed with anything sequined, tiaras, veils, barrettes, and, most of all, pink. Even with my short pixie cut, I was the exact opposite of a tomboy. Ever since that period of unfortunate fashion choices, I have avoided any shirts with giant flowers on the front. However, this J.Crew tee is much less ornate and glittery than past equivalents. The linen fabric is super soft, effortless, and has gotten me hooked on the linen tees from Madewell and J.Crew. I love wearing this shirt with a skirt and pearls, but a pair of neutral flats, grey jeans, a grey clutch, and a vintage necklace perfectly dress down a potentially fancy shirt.

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

When I was little, I never could resist ice cream sandwiches from the neighborhood ice cream truck. Once I heard the siren song playing down the street, I immediately burst with excitement and ran outside. I don't know if it was the echoing chimes, the bright colors, or the abundance of sweet treats, there always has been a certain juvenile excitement associated with it. Since today was supposed to be one of the hottest days of the year, I decided to recreate my childhood favorite- the ice cream sandwich. I don't have as much of a sweet tooth anymore, but I chose to indulge in my own recipe for chocolate sandwich cookies, strawberry and chocolate chip ice cream, and bright sprinkles.  If they weren't girly enough already, I wrapped them up in cute little packages of unbleached parchment paper and twine. Baker beware: they are as delicious as they are cute and even more difficult to photograph!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon milk
1 carton of ice cream (I chose strawberry and chocolate chip mint)
Sprinkles (or chocolate chips)

1. Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Dough: Sift together baking powder, flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl. Cream both types of sugars and butter together in an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg yolks and milk and continue until consistent. Slowly incorporate the sifted dry ingredients with the electric mixture on low. Stop occasionally to scrape the mixture off the side of the bowl. Compile the mixture into one ball then divide in half. Shape the halves into balls and roll into a flat disk. Wrap the halves in plastic wrap and cool in the refrigerator for no more than an hour.

2. Filling: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. On a sheet of parchment paper, roll out one of the disks to a thickness of your choosing. Use a cookie cutter to cut out pairs of cookies and a fork to poke rows of holes into the cookies. Place the cookies an inch apart on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, depending on size and thickness. Repeat with the other disk of dough. Let cool until firm on the baking sheet and place onto a rack.

3. Assembly: Briefly let the ice cream soften. Using an ice cream scoop, place one small scoop of ice cream into the center of one cookie. Put the matching cookie on top and gently press down until the ice cream evenly spreads to the rim of the sandwich. Immediately move the sandwich into the freezer to cool. While waiting a few minutes for the ice cream to harden, generously pour the sprinkles onto a flat plate. Take the sandwich out from the freezer and gently roll the edges in the sprinkles until the ice cream is evenly coated. Individually wrap the sandwiches and store in a container until ready to serve. 

Chic Chambray

FEED Chambray Shirt, Oscar de la Renta Shorts, Kate Spade Wristlet, Vera Wang Sandals, Dogeared Necklace, Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Rose Exuberante, 

Ever since the chambray trend caught on, I have been somewhat hesitant to wear the fabric. At first, I was afraid chambray would look too masculine or western. I was still skeptical when I purchased a Burberry light wash chambray skirt back in April, but this FEED dark wash chambray shirt truly changed my mind. Especially during this heatwave, I have been sticking to the basics and thin fabrics. When paired with these scalloped shorts from Oscar de la Renta, last seen here, this casual and versatile outfit kept me cool and comfortable. For fall, or at least once the weather starts cooling down, I am really excited to layer this chambray shirt with a cashmere sweater or a thin blazer, a bright belt, and cropped jeans. What are some of your favorite pieces that you've discovered this summer?

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake

If only you could taste these cupcakes through the internet! These Stawberry Shortcake Cupcakes may look conventional and simple on the outside, but the inside is filled with a sugary surprise. The cupcake is moist and spongy, the filling is sweet, thick, and full of berries, and the frosting is creamy, intensely fruity, fluffy, and decadent. Instead of using just one recipe, I used this recipe from Damn Delicious for the cupcakes, this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction for the strawberry filling, and this recipe from Allrecipes for the strawberry frosting. I love blueberries and raspberries, but in terms of sweetness, color, and flavor intensity, strawberries definitely beats them all. The pink is bright and cheerful and will look even more feminine when arranged on a tray or stacked up on a cake stand. 

Pomegranate Coolers

Instead of sugary or alcoholic beverages, this pomegranate cooler recipe from Rachel Ray is bursting with flavor and satisfies summer dehydration. I don't have much experience when it comes to making drinks, but this recipe was very straightforward and relies on simple ingredients with complex tastes. The pomegranate cooler recipe is built off melded layers of tangy, minty, aromatic, and bubbly. POM Wonderful pomegranate juice adds the deep crimson color and tart fruity flavor while fresh squeezed lime juice adds sharp citrus. Ginger ale gives adds hints of spice and refreshing bubbles of carbonation. I made some yesterday afternoon and served them for dinner. They were an instant hit and I can't wait to serve pomegranate coolers again at barbeques and picnics with friends and family.

Bedroom Redesign- Part One

At our second house, affectionately referred to as "The Cabin," I've never felt a need to redecorate my bedroom. Since we only go their on the weekends, I have approached it as a hidden room that guests wouldn't see behind closed doors. Instead, I focused on my main bedroom. However, the bland colors and empty spaces became a disappointing greeting to an otherwise relaxing weekend. When I finally settled on a place to start, I chose the main focal point and theme of a bedroom: the bed.

My room is surrounded by greenery and mountains so I am already very pleased with my wall colors. Three of the walls are sky blue, but the white wall framed with wood has a window and brightens up the room with natural light. All in a single trip to Macy's, I picked out a bright coral comforter set with a geometric print, a quilted white sham, and pale blue sheets. Next on the to-do list? Curtains and furniture!

-This bright coral Bar III comforter set with geometric print is a modern update that pops in the shades of blues and white without being too drastic.-

-This quilted Bar III sham ties back to the cozy and vintage feel of the house and the surroundings.-

-These Martha Stewart Collection sheets are lighter than the blue paint, but tie in the pure whites, sky blue, and bright coral.-

Watermelon Granita with Berries

When I was in Italy last summer, street food was more for convenience rather than enjoyment. It was so hot that I couldn't sit down with a granita without it melting in the sun. With summer now in full swing, it has been really, really hot. Despite the intimidating sophistication of granitas, I choose this recipe to help beat the heat. Even though this is a simple three ingredient recipe, granitas are deceptively impressive and a great alternative to traditional sorbet or ice cream. The strong, sweet melon flavor combines with notes of sharp, tart citrus in refreshing frozen crystals. When scooped into martini glasses, crystal sorbet cups, or lime shells, this granita is perfect for entertaining after dinner. Seasonal berries, sprigs of mint leaves, lime peels, and tiny wedges of watermelon are fresh and flavorful accents. However, it can be tempting to eat it by itself in a plain bowl. Luckily for me, it didn't melt in the sun this time!