Cravin' the Cream

{crave}

I know this seems a little unseasonal but it is not!

The other night I was making Apple Crisp and I believe nothing complements "crisp" better than a homemade bowl of Ice cream. 

 It may sound labor intensive but it is not with this fancy NO FUSS machine.

The Cuisinart Ice Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Maker

Product description: The Cuisinart Stainless Steel Ice Cream Sorbet Maker is your fully automated way to quickly get 2 quarts of homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet in as little as 25 minutes. The heavy-duty motor, automatic mixing paddle, and double-insulated freezer bowl do all the work for you. The large ingredient spout allows for easily adding favorite fruits, candies, or nuts to your frozen treat. Homemade ice cream is fun to make with children and is economically friendly on the wallet, no more outrageous in-store prices for rock hard ice cream. The stainless steel design make this unit a sleek and attractive addition in your kitchen.

Price $64.00

Where can I get it?

Amazon or Overstock {best price $55.99}

What does b* say?

Last summer, I made quite a few batches of ice cream, but for whatever reason we didn't even pull this bad boy out once until last week.  I always leave the bowl in the freezer so it is cold whenever I need it.  I have mixed many flavors but my all time favorite is Vanilla and this is the easiest recipe...

Vanilla Ice Cream:

2 cups half and half

2 cups whole milk

1 can sweet and condensed milk

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix all together and pour in frozen Ice cream bowl.  Let churn for 45 minutes and then put in freezer safe Tupperware.  Freeze for 1.5 hours.  and ENJOY!

My Santa Monica top 3

{crave}

#1

Hands down my favorite thing about traveling is the food.  

And let me tell you Santa Monica did not disappoint!

With much luck I stumbled across this place

BLUE PLATE

Located on:

1415 Montana Ave
Santa Monica CA 90403
(310) 260-8877

There slogan is: Neighborhood joint serving healthy comfort food

It was farmers market fresh and absolutely divine. 

 Dinner was so good that we came back for lunch the next day!

b*s favs

The fish tacos,  chips salsa and guac, beet and goat cheese salad, macaroni and cheese(amazing), sweet potato fries w/special sauce (the sauce was unreal),  and peach\berry crisp with an extra scoop of ice cream.

Yes, I did try all of these and I would bet that you could not go wrong with anything on their menu.  Their price's are reasonable and the quality of food is impeccable.  I strongly suggest that if you are in the are in the are you hit up this little joint.

{rave}

I originally saw this on Lauren Conrad in US Weekly or In Touch and instantly fell in love!

Then I saw it in person and liked it even more

Rebecca Taylors Layered vest

Product description: Dramatic tiers of knit ruffles adorn this one-button design featuring a deep V neckline and an extended banded hem.

Price: $259.00

Where Can I get it?

Nordstom

(best price)

What does b* say?

Love it.  It is great for fall and adds an unexpected flare to any out fit.  Pricey? Yes.  Classic? No

 Worth it?  

I leave that up to you!

{crave}

We have lit the same candle scent in our home for 4 years. 

It is my all time fav and will get it's own post soon.  

But I will tell you one thing this may be a new addition to our house hold when the other burns out.

grapefruit pop candle by: Jonathan Adler

Product description: Grapefruit is a blend of pink grapefruit, white grapefruit rind, green vine accords, pink freesia, and passionfruit.

Price: $38.00

Where can I get it?

Jonathan Adler

What does b* say?

As a kid I didn't like grapefruit at all... the smell, the taste, nothin'

But the older I get the more it grows on me.  And like I said this may be the new house hold scent. 

The Best Pancake

{crave}

One thursday afternoon Mr. Ace and I were at the local  Williams Sonoma  picking up a few items for the dinner\breakfast we were having that evening.  We picked up the things needed but still felt like the dinshig was missing something.  We had your basic eggscramble with pepper and onions, bacon, waffles and were considering german pancake but wanted some thing more.  The sales gal lead us to this and told us to look up this ...  It has been a great addition to the cookbook library and in the Ace's opinion the best darn pancake!

Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Breakfast & Brunch Cookbook

Product description:

Attention breakfast and brunch lovers: Your ultimate cookbook has arrived. From our Essentials series, this volume is filled with inspiration, advice and more than 130 recipes with color photos. All the classic, comforting breakfast favorites are here – from eggs to French toast to pastries – along with fresh new ideas for salads, sandwiches, main dishes and drinks for Sunday brunches casual and elegant. Detailed tips on shopping, cooking and entertaining will enrich your culinary know-how, and there's a full page devoted to preparing the perfect cup of coffee. Hardcover, 288 pages. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Price: $34.95

Where can I get it?

www.williams-sonoma.com

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

A fresh cheese with a slightly sweet flavor, ricotta is produced from whey drained off while making other cheeses, such as mozzarella and provolone. It lends a delicate texture to these melt-in-your-mouth pancakes. Serve with raspberry sauce, if desired (see related recipe at left).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 Tbs. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, milk, egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest and juice until smooth. Sift together the flour, baking powder and 1/8 tsp. of the salt over the ricotta mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. 

In another large bowl, using a whisk, beat the egg whites until frothy. Add the remaining 1/8 tsp. salt and continue beating until soft peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold one-third of the egg whites into the ricotta mixture, then gently fold in the remaining whites. 

Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Spray the griddle with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle 1/3 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top and the pancakes are golden underneath, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer to a warmed plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Makes 12 to 14 pancakes.Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

What Does B* Say?

In general I am not a huge at home pancake lover.  I guess that is because I grew up on bis-quick and although palatable it was definitely not one to write home about!  These on the other hand are, light, fluffy, and utterly delectable!  I make a few tweeks and I think it is perfection... I like a stronger lemon flavor so I add more zest and about a teaspoon of lemon juice to the batter.  This cake can be dressed many different ways syrup, strawberries, powdered sugar, but I prefer a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, drizzled with a warm **blueberry sauce, and topped with fresh whipped cream. Yummy!

** Blueberry Sauce

In a sm-med sauce pan combine 

1/2 to 1 cup sugar  

1 cup water 

1 pint blueberries

and zest of 1 one lemon

and juice of half a lemon

bring to a boil and reduce.  Once syrup is to desired consistency you are good to go!

Happy Sunday Brunching

Photo taken by: Brittany

Blog you will want to follow

{rave}

Well folks many may think I am biased but this is the honest to goodness truth. 

Talk Chow Play House is one blog you will want to follow. 

The gals behind the goodness are two sisters with an unparalleled knack for all things creative and delicious!

Sister K is a culinary guru and graduate of The Culinary Institute in Arizona and an up and coming photographer.

Sister B is an absolute creative goddess and darn good cook ta boot.

These gals have a unique vision and Passion for all things yummy!

you can follow them

 HERE

Beef stock Marinated Mushrooms

A must try!  Fortunately I have sampled some and let me tell you a steak and those mushrooms.  You'd think you were eating like royalty!

Photo by: Kara at Talk Chow Play House

Tomato-Mozz summer salad

Of course this is my salad of choice! Reason?  This was the first thing Mr. Ace and I had in common.  Our favorite salad/appetizer is a Caprese. 

This salad is unreal, refreshing, and a delectable summer snack.

Photo by: Bri

These Lemon Meringue Cupcake are on my NEED to try list.  If you try them first let me know if they really are as good as they look!

All pictures taken off  Talk Chow Play House

All pictures taken off talk chow play house

The Ultimate Summer Time Sandwich

{Crave}

Nothing screams summertime to me more than an

avocado - tomato - cucumber - sandwich

This slice of deliciousness has evolved throughout the years.

What once was a meager piece of toast and avocado has now become in my opinion the ultimate summers night crave.

Growing up my family was extremely busy {even that is an understatement}. I can count on two hands the meals we had around a dinner table with everyone present {excluding Sundays}. One thing I could always count on was a piece of bread, tomato or avocado. I have probably had hundreds of these and on the rare occasion that we would have tomato and avocado I would combine {OH...}. Now that I am much older ;) and have a crazy work\family life delivering a sufficient family meal every night is not always easy. But one thing I can usually count on is a slice of wheat bread tomato and avocado. Their are many options with this sandwich and I like mine with a crisp, crunchy cucumber.

How do I make this:

Toast one piece of Wheat Bread

Smash or cut one Avocado {I prefer the smash. You can smooth it on like butter. No sliding}

Spread on toast

Cut in rounds one Roma Tomato

Place on Avo Spread

Sprinkle Kosher Salt and Pepper generously {Salt brings out the flavor in the tomato}

and

Enjoy

**Also try with**

Cucumbers or Sprouts

Picture taken by: Brittany

The Chocolate

{Crave}

My In-laws are the King and Queen of finding new bakeries and such in the area. The latest crave that was introduced to me by them is "THE CHOCOLATE" a dessert cafe located on 212 So. State street in Orem. {801}224-7334 My love at first bite was with the Kitty Katrina Cake and I crave the scrumptious sucker almost everyday. Although my favorite is the aforementioned "divine vanilla cake with whipped Madagascar vanilla buttercream." You could not go wrong with any of the goodness that they offer. A very close second is their chocolate cupcake cake with luscious Carmel buttercream. The location it's self is a little house on state street, it is darling. There is room to sit and mingle and Wednesday night is ladies night. So hop on over to "The Chocolate" to satisfy your crave.

{Kitty Katrina Mini Cake}

My Gracie turned two in June and this was her cake

As talked about above these are the

{Carmel Butter Cream Chocolate Cupcakes}

Photos taken by : Brittany