90 Second Cookies

I absolutely adore Lauren Conrad. Like every other teenage girl in America I would gather with friends once a week to watch Laguna Beach and later The Hills. She's gorgeous, sophisticated, and she truly shows that nice girls don't finish last. I love that throughout the years she's never compromised her standards, and she's been able to avoid major scandal unlike some of the other celebrities of our day. She's well on her way to becoming the next Martha Stewart.

I check her blog daily, so when I found this recipe for 90 second cookies I knew I had to try it. I don't eat chocolate, so I substituted a few of the ingredients, opting for my beloved butterscotch chips instead. Try her recipe, or my updated version instead.

Ingredients: 
½ cup/100ml butter
¾ cup/87g + 2 tablespoons/30ml brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon/2 ml almond extract
1 cup/237ml whole wheat flour
½ teaspoon/2ml baking soda
¼ teaspoon/1 ml salt
½ cup/100ml oats
½ cup/100ml butterscotch chips

Cookie Dough Directions: 
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
2. Mix in eggs and almond. Continue to whisk.
3. Add in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well.
4. Lastly, add in oats and butterscotch chips and mix.

Cooking Directions:
1. Heat waffle iron. (Note: I suggest waiting until you've mixed up the batter since waffle irons can get too hot if left heating for too long, which will burn the cookies!)
2. Coat griddle with cooking spray.

3. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop the dough onto each waffle square.
4. Close iron and cook for about 90 seconds (The first batch took about 90 seconds, but as the griddle got hotter they needed less and less time!)
5.Using a pair of tongs, carefully remove the waffle cookie from the iron and transfer onto an iron rack to cool.
6. Repeat, let cool, and enjoy!

These will keep for about 2-3 days in an airtight container. They are delicious with a glass of milk or even a big bowl of vanilla ice cream! I made these for a work function, and everyone devoured them up. They truly are divine. You can never go wrong with butterscotch (or chocolate) chips. So heat up your waffle iron and give them a try.

Captain America (part 2)

Sometimes I do nerdy things.

After choosing Captain America for this week's Monday movie, I told you guys to check back on Thursday for part 2.

Photo courtesy of TOMS.

I know I'm a little late on the bandwagon, but I finally got myself a pair of TOMS at the encouragement of a few of my friends. I like the fact that they support a good cause, and they really are comfy. I know that everyone and their mother has been wearing TOMS for ages now, so I bought a pair of plain white ones with the intentions of decorating them to make them stand out a little. You know I hate being just like everyone else. With some of the left over acrylic paint used for my canvas box, I came up with a brilliant idea of a fun and patriotic design I wanted for my new white canvas classics.

Batman is my favorite comic book superhero, and at first I wanted a cool dark knight symbol to showcase my nerdiness, but after the events in Boston last week I decided to go a different route.

This is my dedication to the the amazing people of Massachusetts after everything that's happened in Boston. Even though those events were tragic and lives were lost, it reunited this country once more. If even for a little while we forgot about north and south, conservatives versus liberals, gay people and straight people and were all just AMERICANS. The quote says "This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe in no matter the circumstances."

I think we could stand to channel our inner Captain America every once in a while.

Rigatoni with Yellow & Green Zucchini

Seriously, Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite is starting to become one of my favorite cookbooks. After last week's blueberry muffins I was eager to try out an entree. Not only are the recipes healthy and delicious, they're also super easy to make. I will admit some of the ingredients are a little hard to find, but if you can it's totally worth it. I made this zucchini rigatoni recipe and served it with a spiced pork chop, and honestly. . .I can't wait to make it again. This recipe makes about four to five servings, but since it's just me I cut in in half to have a serving that night and leftovers again for lunch.

Ingredients: 
8 ounces (250g) dried rigatoni or other pasta shapes
sea salt and black pepper
2 large green zucchini, trimmed
2 large yellow zucchini, trimmed
3-4 tablespoons (45-60ml) olive oil
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely crushed
handful or basil leaves
Parmesan, to grate

Directions: 
1. Add the pasta to a pot of boiling salted water and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
2. Meanwhile, halve the zucchini lengthwise and slice thickly. Heat a large skillet and add the olive oil. Tip in the crushed garlic and sauté for just less than a minute.

3. Add the zucchini with a pinch of salt and a grinding of pepper. (If your pan is not large enough, cook the zucchini in two batches.) Pan-fry over high heat for 3-4 minutes until the zucchini are just tender and lightly golden brown around the sides. Take off the heat.

4. When ready, drain the pasta and immediately toss with the zucchini and basil. Taste and adjust the seasonings as you please. Divide among warm plates and grate over Parmesan to serve. 

Spiced Pork Chop Ingredients: 
2 thin cut, boneless pork loin pork chops
½ teaspoon (2ml) mild chili powder, to taste
1 teaspoon (5ml) sweet paprika
sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon (2ml) coriander seeds, crushed

Directions: 
1. Cut off excess fat around pork chop. Mix the chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic and coriander seeds in a small bowl. Using a basting brush, baste both sides of the pork chops. Put the pork chops in a wide baking dish, cover and let marinate for at least thirty minutes or in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, and fry pork chops for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the meat is just firm when lightly pressed.

The pasta was amazing, and the pork chop was its perfectly complimented counterpart. Paired with a crisp chardonnay, this would be the perfect dish to serve at a simple dinner gathering with close friends or family. 

And if you still haven't, pick up Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite from your local bookstore now!

Captain America (part 1)

Good morning and happy Monday beautiful people of the internet! And a happy Earth Day to those of us here in America. Today is a beautiful day to get out and do something wonderful with nature. Plant some seeds, help clean up litter, or maybe even just spend the day in the park admiring the beautiful scenery Mother Nature has blessed us with. Today is going to be a wonderful and special day, I can just feel it.

Movie poster courtesy of IMP Awards.

I was feeling a little patriotic today, so for today's Monday movie I've chosen one of my favorite superhero comics, Captain America. Captain America: The First Avenger is the fifth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

It's March of 1942 and we're at the height of World War II and all Steve Rogers wants to do is serve his country by enlisting. But in addition to being short and skinny he's got a plethora of health issues including asthma and scarlet fever, which obviously deems him unfit for service. 

However, as with anyone who is truly determined to live out their dreams, this doesn't stop him from trying to enlist several more times in various cities using different names. It's during his fifth failed physical examination in the Bronx that he meets Dr. Erskine, a physician and scientist who sees Rogers's whole-heartedness and potential. He signs the boy up for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, the world's first superhero. 

Now bigger and stronger, Captain America is on the hunt for Johann Schmidt, the head of Hitler's advanced weapory division who is bent on world domination of his own. Check out the trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger below:

Captain America's patriotism, love and integrity really started my love affair with this country from an early age. He's been one of my favorite superheros since I was a child, and I think this updated rendition of a comic star and true American hero did the Cap justice. Starring some of my favorite people including Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving and the hunky Chris Evans as the title star himself, Captain America is not a movie to be missed. After seeing this I guarantee you'll be just as pumped for The Winter Soldier as I am.

Captain America: The First Avenger is now available on blu ray and DVD.

P.S. Wanna know why there's a part 1 attached to this post? Check back on Thursday for a special surprise.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

If you know me, or have ever followed me on twitter (@matilda_makes), then you've probably realized I have an obsession with all things Gordon Ramsay. Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef and Kitchen Nightmares are all on on my must-watch list. He's mouthy, brilliant, Scottish (*swoon*) and extremely talented. The man has like twelve television shows, numerous published cookbooks and currently holds 14 Michelin stars. And this past January he was inducted into the culinary hall of fame.

I recently purchased one of his latest books Healthy Appetite, and was delighted to find an amazing, healthy version of a breakfast classic, blueberry muffins.



Ingredients: 
2 large, very ripe bananas
scant 2 cups/ 300 ml whole wheat flour
1½ teaspoons/7 ml baking powder
1 teaspoon/5 ml baking soda
pinch of fine sea salt
½ cup/100 ml light brown sugar
scant 1¼/284 ml buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
⅓ cup/75 ml light olive oil (or melted butter, which I used) 
7 ounces/200 g blueberries rinsed (I like to rinse with apple cider vinegar) and drained
1 tablespoon/15 ml raw brown sugar



Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12 hole muffin pan with muffin cases. Peel the bananas and mash in a bowl using a fork.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk, egg, olive oil and bananas. Quickly fold the ingredients together until just incorporated, taking care not to over mix. Tip in the blueberries and give the batter one or two stirs.

*note: I added a teaspoon of vanilla extract and  ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to my flour mixture. Just because it tastes yummy*

3. Spoon the batter into the muffin cases and sprinkle with the raw brown sugar. The cases will be quite full. Bake in the over for about 20 to 25 minutes until well risen and golden brown on top; a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin should emerge clean.


Let cool in the pan for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.


These are delicious with a glass of milk and some fresh picked strawberries. I shared these with my best friend and he descried it as "an explosion of blueberry in your mouth". The best part about this recipe is that it's not only great tasting, but good for you! In my eyes Chef Ramsay can do no wrong. If you haven't already, pick up a copy of Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite in bookstores now!

Black Swan

Happy Monday morning loves! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent the weekend with my hair let loose and the music turned up and I danced the weekend away. I've never cared if I looked like a dork, it's fun! Although it's still Monday, I haven't quite gotten the dance outta my system yet which is why for today's Monday movie I chose Black Swan.  

movie poster courtesy of teen hollywood.

Black Swan chronicles the story of Nina Sayer (Natalie Portman), a young dancer in a prestigious New York ballet company as she prepares for the role of a lifetime playing the swan queen in Tchailovsky's
Swan Lake. She's innocent and naïve, perfect for the role of the white swan, but she has trouble tapping into the evil seductress of the black swan. 

She meets Lily (Mila Kunis), another young dancer who seems to be everything she's not: a natural dancer at ease with her dancing and her sexuality. She's perfect to play the black swan, and as rehearsals progress Nina becomes convinced that Lily is after her role. This is the role of a lifetime and Nina is not just gonna give it up without a fight. 

Though not a movie for the conservative or faint of heart, this movie is visually stunning and exhilarating. Natalie Portman is captivating as she brings the audience on her journey to channel her dark side. Black Swan gives a thrilling and terrifying perspective into the world of ballet. This movie is addictive, seductive and will definitely leave you wanting more. Check out the trailer for Black Swan below: 



Black Swan is now available on blu-ray and DVD.