Thursday, February 26, 2015

Pecan Pie

I did it! I finally made a pie from scratch!
A resolution of mine this year was to make a pie from scratch and I can gladly say that I completed it and it was super successful and delicious! I added the pie to the Oscar dinner menu and it was a hit. All I can think about it is how awesome this pie was and how I just want more!





To make this completely from scratch, I had to find a good pie crust recipe. The book I snatched that from didn't have a pecan pie recipe, go figure. So, like any normal millennial, I searched Pinterest for one and found this great one from The Great Cook. Total time was a little over 2 hours, including refrigerating the dough and baking. 
Here's the recipe I pieced together:
Pie Crust:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I prefer the unbleached flour)
1 1/4 TSP sea salt
6 TBSP (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
3/4 cup vegetable shortening, chilled and cubed
3/4 cup ice water
  1. Mix flour and salt together in a large bowl
  2. Using 2 forks, cut in the butter and shortening until the mixture looks like coarse meal
  3. Drizzle in the ice water. Stir with a large spoon until the dough begins to clump. 
  4. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Using your hands, fold it into itself until the flour is fully incorporated into the fats. The dough should come together easily but should not feel overly sticky.
  5. Divide the dough in half, shape it into two balls, and pat each ball into a 1/2inch thick disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. 

(Note this recipe is for a double crust. You will only need one for this recipe but I put the second in the freezer for pie #2)

Filing:
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or halves
3 eggs
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
3 TBSP salted butter, melted
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 TSP ground cinnamon
1 TSP vanilla extract
  1. Preheat oven to 350degree F.
  2. Grease pie pan.
  3. Take out dough from fridge and roll it round to be thin enough to cover the whole pie dish.
  4. In a medium sized bowl, beat the eggs. Once beaten, mix in the salted butter, corn syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. **tip: if you grease the measuring cup, it makes it easier to pour
  5. Place pecans on the bottom of the pie crust.
  6. Pour the filling over the pecans. You'll see the pecans float up. 
  7. Bake for 20 minutes. 
  8. Cover aluminum foil around the edges of the pie crust so it doesn't get browned. 
  9. Bake for another 25-30 mins. The middle of the pie should be set once done.

Bake and Enjoy! Wear something with an expandable waist band to take it in! 

Hope you enjoy this as much as me!

Monday, February 23, 2015

Sunday Funday: 2015 Oscars

One of my favorite nights of the year is the Oscars. This is the one award show that I can't miss. Oscar parties are fun and a must and with presenters like NPH, you know you're in for a good show.
As I hosted my third annual Oscar party, I got creative with my Best Picture inspired dishes. For gatherings at my place, I try to have a balance of items between appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
2015's Best Picture Nominees Food Pairings
American Sniper: Hummus and Pita Bread
The Grand Budapest Hotel: Champagne Gelée
Selma: Pecan Pie
The Theory of Everything: Egg in a Hole
WhiplashCrunch Drumsticks

  Here are my favorite moments of the night:
  • Lady Gaga stole the show and had me in tears. Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies of all time. As everyone applauded and stood up, I questioned why the camera wasn't on Julie Andrews and then BAM! she comes on stage and hugs Lady Gaga and thanks her for the most beautiful tribute. <3
  • I still can't get over how beautiful Emma Stone and Margot Robbie looked. They're definitely my picks for best dressed from the evening.

  • Watching Ellar Coltrane, from Boyhood, try to run after Patricia Arquette as she heads up to the stage for her Best Supporting Actress win was hilarious. An almost Kanye moment was caught on camera even though he just wanted to give her a congratulatory hug. We definitely replayed that a few times. 
  • Meryl Streep all ramped up to Patricia Arquette's speech.
               
  • Eddie Redmayne was just adorable and deserved his win. 
  • John Legend and Common were great. They had Chris Pine and David Oyelowo in tears. Standing ovation all around.
                         
  • I want a Lego Oscar!
I'm still bitter than Boyhood didn't get the love at the end of the night, but hey, at least I'm undefeated in the ballots game!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Jam of My Day: Gooey by Glass Animals

Thanks to Goldenvoice, the week of April 13th is going to be a very busy week for me and I'm stoked! Starting with catching Glass Animals at The Fonda on 4/14, Chet Faker at Club Nokia on 4/15, Milky Chance at The Mayan 4/16 and Vance Joy at The Glass House on 4/18.
I seriously can't wait for that magical musical week.

In the spirit of it, here's the jam of my day because you just wanna know those peanut butter vibes.


Mind my wicked words and tipsy topsy slurs
I can't take this place, no I can't take this place
I just wanna go where I can get some space

Monday, February 16, 2015

Fab Finds: Large Totes

It comes as no shock that the large tote trend is still strong. The best and easiest thing to reach as you're running out the door is a nice big leather tote with all your essentials. I use mine for work everyday and it's the best thing I've invested in.

Here are some of my favorites:
Madewell $168
J.Crew $168
Patricia Nash $199
Free People $168
If you're a bit hesitant to the $100+ price tag on most of these bags, Old Navy has a great option for you. A fab find indeed and also a Refinery29 pick, you can't go wrong with this faux-leather tote.
Old Navy $32.94
Old Navy $32.94