4th of July Treats

As it is the 4th of July, I wanted to make something fun to celebrate the holiday. When thinking of what to make, I immediately thought of ice cream sandwiches because they are a treat that cools you down in the heat of summer, but are also fun, delicious, and  obviously semi-messy to eat. You can pretty much make any variation of these ice cream sandwiches but I chose to use my favorite recipe for double chocolate cookies and to balance out the chocolatey flavor of the cookies, I used vanilla ice cream. Other appealing combos might include chocolate chip cookies and banana ice cream, oatmeal raisin cookies and butter pecan ice cream, or cornmeal cookies and strawberry ice cream. 

Flour Bakery's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 ounces (114 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped, +2 ounces (36 grams) finely  shaved.
5 ounces (140 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped, +4 ounces (112 grams) chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter - 1 stick
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar (300 grams)
4 eggs
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (70 grams)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

In a heat proof bowl, combine the 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, the 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, and the butter. Place over not touching barely simmering water in a sauce pan and heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment or a hand-held mixer, beat together the sugar and eggs on medium speed for about five minutes, or until light, thick, and pale yellow. On low speed, slowly add the chocolate mixture and mix for about 15 seconds. The mixture will not be well mixed at this point, but that's okay. You will finish combining all of the ingredients by hand.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, espresso powder, the remaining 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, the remaining 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate,
and the walnuts. Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the sugar butter mixture just until the flour mixture is totally incorporated and the dough is evenly mixed. 

For the best results, scrape the dough into an airtight container and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 3 to 4 hours before baking. When you are ready to bake, position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Drop the dough into 1/4 cup balls onto a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies are cracked on top and soft but not liquidy when you press them in the middle. Let cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The unbaked dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Cornmeal Almond Biscotti

Whenever I feel stressed or bogged down with too much work, I resort to my favorite cookbook: Classic Home Desserts by Richard Sax. Many of the pages are dogeared or marred with colorful post-it notes, because I simply want to make everything in the book. This past week, I decided to tackle cornmeal almond biscotti which turned out to be a very good decision. These biscotti are crunchy and flavorful, with a perfect texture, thanks to the cornmeal. 

Cornmeal Almond Biscotti (adapted from Classic Home Desserts by Richard Sax)

Makes about 4.5 dozen biscotti

1 1/4 cups whole unbalanced almonds
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, or generously butter the baking sheets; set aside. Scatter the almonds over a separate baking sheet and toast until dark-medium brown, usually 12 to 15 minutes. 

2. Cool slightly on a wire rack; leave the oven on. Chop enough of the almonds to measure 1/4 cup. Set both the chopped and whole almonds aside.

3. Cream the butter with the sugar using an electric mixer just until combined, no longer. Add the eggs and mix until blended. Add 1 1/4 cups of the flour, the cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and all of the almonds; mix until combined and the nuts are distributed. Stir in enough of the remaining 1/4 cup of flour so the dough comes together, but is not sticky (the dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl).

4. Working on the prepared baking sheets, shape the dough into 4 long logs, each about 1 inch wide and 3/4 inch high. 

5. Bake until the dough is set and beginning to turn pale gold at the edges, about 15 minutes (This time might fluctuate due to your oven. The biscotti might take longer - this is okay!) Remove the baking sheets to a wire rack and cool for 5 to 10 minutes; leave the oven on. 

6. Cut the biscotti into even slices about 1/2 inch wide. Arrange the slices, cut sides up, on the baking sheets. Return to the oven and bake the biscotti again until very lightly browned, about 10 minutes. 

7. Transfer the biscotti to a wire rack and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container. (These biscotti keep well for about a week, however in my house, they were all devoured in approximately 5 days.)

EATPOPS

I've never been one who feels full satisfaction from drinking cold pressed juices, but they certainly are rich in nutrients and provide a simple way to get your daily fix of fruits and vegetables. When I heard about EatPops, I was seriously intrigued because they have the same healthy concept but rather than a juice, EatPops are compressed into a refreshing popsicle. They come in all different flavors ranging from Kale, Banana, and Pineapple to Beet, Apple, and Carrot. For a quick on-the-go snack or even a dessert on a hot summer night, these EatPops will certainly be making an appearance in my freezer! Check them out here.

Jump To It

Jumpsuit - Forever 21

Turtleneck - TSE

Sneakers - Golden Goose

The jumpsuit, in general, is such an easy piece, because one can simply wear it with a pair of sneakers and have a totally cool and effortless outfit. This denim jumpsuit has often been equated to that of a technician in an auto shop, but I actually find it quite stylish. Because the weather was a bit cooler, I wore a black turtleneck underneath to keep me a bit warmer, but you could also wear a white tee or colorful sweater underneath as well.

Happy New Year

Dress - Zara

Chambray Shirt - Peek

Boots - My Mom's Closet

Happy New Year to you all! This winter, knee high boots have become my favorite go-to and I have been experimenting with various different ways in which I can make them interesting. The main way which I have been wearing them is with skirts or dresses and so when thinking of what to pair them with for this simple look, I opted for a classic, ivory-colored dress. Because of the unusually warm weather in SoCal, there was no need for me to wear a jacket, but I felt a bit bare in just a tank dress so I added a chambray shirt, knotted at the center. I happened to wear it to a birthday lunch, but this outfit could easily be worn to a meeting with a blazer exchanged for the chambray shirt, or to school with a navy blue backpack. Xx

Hello December

Skirt - Zara

Denim Jacket - Urban Outfitters

Flannel - CP Shades

Shoes - Supra

When I think of winter, I think of a multitude of textures including wool coats, ribbed sweaters, chunky turtlenecks, and way more. But these definitely aren't the only textures which can be worn in the winter, especially in California. For this specific outfit, I blended a colored leather skirt with a flannel shirt, a denim jacket, and sneakers with perforated sides. For me, playing with texture is about adventure and achieving the unexpected while having fun. 

November Jams

Here are a few of my favorite tracks lately, pulled from my Soundcloud. Enjoy and you can follow me at https://soundcloud.com/stelladorothy.

Blue Star Donuts

If you know me, you know that I'm a fiend for donuts. When I heard that Portland based doughnut shop, Blue Star Donuts, was opening right in Venice, I freaked and went to check it out the day after it opened. The blend of the rich, brioche dough texture mixed with the wonderful flavors such as chocolate almond ganache, valrhona chocolate crunch, and lemon lime makes for the perfect donut. 10 out of 10 on my end - all I can say is that it is dangerous that this heavenly storefront has opened up so close to my abode.

Bandana Blues

Dress - Zara (similar here)

Bandana - Thrift Shop

Shoes - My Mom's Closet

Socks - Topshop

Sunglasses - Rayban

The bandana has made a resurgence in popularity recently and I couldn't be happier. It is the ultimate accessory which truly completes an outfit. Lately, I've also been loving loafers with socks. Put this all with a casual denim dress, and you have the perfect Sunday brunch outfit. 

October Jams

If you don't already know, I have an addiction to music. I am a very inclusive listener, meaning I love a multitude of different genres, artists, and sounds. These are just a few of my favorite picks from this month on my soundcloud (follow me at https://soundcloud.com/stelladorothy).

In Crust We Trust

Pizza, for me, is one of the ultimate comfort foods. This recipe simplifies pizza so that anyone can make it when they have a particular hankering. Feel free to add your own flavor to the pizza in any way(s) which you can imagine.

Makes 2 Pizzas

Dough:
1 1/3 cup warm water
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp. dry yeast
3 cups (-ish) all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. olive oil

Pour warm water into a bowl. Add milk and yeast. Let rest for 2 minutes. Add flour, salt, honey and olive oil. Knead dough until smooth. Rub the dough with olive oil, place in a bowl, cover and let the dough rise to double. This will take about 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce:
1 can San Marzano tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup olive oil
small bunch basil leaves, roughly chopped

Heat sauté pan then add oil, followed by garlic, tomato and basil. Season with salt.

Assembling the Pies:
8 oz. fontina cheese, grated
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

Place a pizza stone on the middle rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 500º Fahrenheit. After rolling out the dough into circular/square shapes, ladle some of the tomato sauce onto the dough  and spread it out, leaving a 1 inch border around the edges for the crust. Sprinkle the fontina and mozzarella cheese over the pizza and bake on the pizza stone until the crust is golden, 10-12 minutes.

Variations:
Goat Cheese and Mushroom - Ahead of time, sauté about 3/4 cup of mushrooms with some garlic and olive oil. In addition to the fontina and mozzarella, crumble up some goat cheese and sprinkle it on top as well. Then, add your mushrooms and bake for the same amount of time.
Pesto - Instead of using tomato sauce, you can feel free to use pesto as your base. I like to use Wolfgang Puck's pesto sauce (http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/recipes/sauces-and-dressings/Pesto).

Mix 'n Match

Striped Tee - Aritzia

Denim Skirt - Zara

Socks - H&M

Shoes - Stan Smith for Adidas

The quintessential striped tee is a staple of my wardrobe. It goes with just about anything, including this patchwork denim skirt. When mixing different shapes and patterns, it generally helps to stay within the same color scheme. That said, me being me, I always love to add an additional pop of color for extra flair.

Casual Khakis

Turtleneck - Zara

Shorts - Uniqlo

Shoes - Unknown

During the summer, there are days when I just want to throw on something completely simple, yet look stylish and chic. This is a straightforward, yet chic look. The neutrals blend together while the ribbed turtleneck adds some flare to basic khaki shorts and rich, slouchy, suede boots. This is one of my all time favorite outfits just because it is so easy and comfortable to wear. If it's really hot, I would simply swap a cream colored tank for the turtleneck. What's your favorite simplistic yet chic look?

Chunky Lola Cookies

I recently got back from Boston where I ate at the celebrated Flour Bakery. I was so  inspired by their "Chunky Lola" cookie, that I felt the need to find the recipe and make my own. If you are a fan of chewy cookies, these are a must-bake! Filled with chocolate chunks, pecans, and coconut these cookies incorporate salty and sweet to make the perfect bite. 

Ingredients

- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons (156 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup (140 grams) granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup (150 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (175 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup (70 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or quick cooking)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 9 ounces (225 grams) bittersweet chocolate (62 to 70 percent cacao), chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 1/4 cups (125 grams) pecan halves, toasted and chopped
- 1 cup (120 grams) sweetened shredded coconut

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a handheld mixer or a wooden spoon), cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. (This step will take about 10 minutes if using a handheld mixer or a spoon.) Stop the mixer a few times and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and the paddle to release any clinging butter or sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until thoroughly combined. Scrape the bowl and the paddle again to make sure the eggs are thoroughly incorporated.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Add the chocolate, pecans, and coconut and toss to combine. On low speed (or with the wooden spoon), slowly add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture and then mix just until the flour mixture is totally incorporated and the dough is evenly mixed.

For the best results, scrape the dough into an airtight container and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 3 to 4 hours) before baking. When ready to bake, position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Drop the dough in 1/4-cup balls onto a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand.

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown on the edges and slightly soft in the center. (**I only baked mine for 15-18 minutes, so I recommend checking on them after 10 minutes and again at 15 minutes.) Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are cool enough to remove with a spatula. Then transfer the cookies to the wire rack to cool completely, or enjoy them warm.

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The unbaked dough may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Recipe From: Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery+Cafe by Joanne Chang

70's Simplicity

Shirt - Zara (similar here)

Bell Bottoms - Zara

Wedges - Zigi Soho

Hoops - Vintage

Can you believe the 70's are finally back in style? I could not be happier considering the fact that some of my ultimate style icons come from the seventies such as Jane Birkin and Bianca Jagger. I love clothes from the seventies especially, because they are so effortlessly chic; simple, yet sophisticated. These wedges have a bit of a vintage vibe to them, so when paired with the bell-bottom, buttoned, light washed jeans, a seventies look emerges. The crisp, white shirt adds a basic touch but doesn't clash with anything else in the outfit making it all mesh well together. Hoop earrings are a nice finishing touch adding to the retro look.  If your heart desires,  you could also make it vintage by adding a gold chain necklace or a printed scarf. 

Comeback Kid

Tracksuit - Adidas

Shoes - Stan Smith x Adidas

I'm back! This time... for real. I am finally on summer break and I couldn't be happier, mainly because this means that I am going to have so much more time to do what I love the most... blog. My comeback post is a bold yet original outfit which I am anxious to wear and I absolutely love. When I was in the Adidas store looking for shoes, I spotted this red tracksuit out of the corner of my eye and I couldn't believe what I saw. I absolutely love adidas tracksuits, but you usually see them in navy or black. When I saw the red one, I knew it had to be mine.  I always love being original in what I wear and I thought what better way than to wear a bright red, full on adidas tracksuit. This suit is so comfortable and because the pieces can be worn separately, there are so many different ways to wear them. I chose to wear the suit with these white/navy Stan Smith shoes because they are so simple, classic, and are the perfect color to compliment the red. How would you wear your tracksuit?

Paris Fashion Week Street Style 2015

It's finals week at my school, so naturally instead of studying my mind goes directly to looking at the Paris Fashion Week street style because I mean that is soo much more interesting than balancing chemical equations, right? ;) I managed to look through about 350 photos of the street style (hard to believe) and I picked out a few of my favorites. All of the looks are incredible but I'm really into the ones with bright colors or simplistic style with an added unique accessory to complete the look. I think I'm going to have to copy a few of these looks soon... be on the lookout! Xx

Fall Hues

☆ Shirt - Free People ☆ Jeans - Rag & Bone ☆ Shoes - Converse ☆

School has been so hectic lately but now that I have gotten into the swing of things, I am very happy to say that I will finally be able to start blogging again. The weather has completely changed and I have sorted through my wardrobe and chosen the pieces for this new season. Here in LA, we are fortunate enough to still be able to wear t-shirts and shorts, but now that the air is crisper and it's a bit chillier, I have started wearing sweaters, jeans, boots, etc. This outfit is one of my transition outfits because it keeps me warm, but still hangs on a bit to summer. The embroidered top has great sleeves that flow and vibrant colors that really go well with any dark hue, my example being the maroon colored pants. I wore white converse because I wanted the outfit to serve a very casual purpose, but brown or gray boots would go great with it also. Xx