T is for Tea: Earl Grey and Lavender Tea Shortbread Cookies (Jennifer)

Hello readers!

Every now and then I get inspired by new kitchen gadgets. Have I introduced you to my new favorite yet? It's the Mr. Coffee Coffee and Spice Grinder, available at your local Target (or favorite housewares retailer) for the reasonably low price of $16.99. What a deal! Trust me when I say, this is the most useful item I've picked up at Target in a long time. Because really, when you visit Target, don't you usually end up with a cart half full of non-essentials that you thought you needed, but turns out you really have plenty at home already (ahem, candles, picture frames, stationary, shower curtains, and other items that tend to jump into my cart)? Happens to me all the time.

Despite Mr. Coffee's name, I plan to use this gadget strictly for spices and teas, like this week's recipe using Earl Grey and Lavender tea. I wouldn't want the coffee residue and flavor overpower my teas and spices, you know? Enjoy these sweet little shortbread cookies--I did!

T is for Tomatoes: Tomato Vodka Sauce (Jessica)

Hi All,

As you saw last week, Jen and I were both traveling internationally! What a cool opportunity! I ate a lot of good food in Honduras (and some mediocre food), but since I've been back, I've been wanting to try this pasta sauce. I had the recipe (a photocopy of it anyway) in the giant disorganized pile of printed recipes that I've been collecting for years. I think I need a better way to organize them...hmmm, any ideas?!
Anyway, I'm not sure where this recipe came from, I think from a family friend back home...but it's definitely from a book (pg. 102 of a book in fact!). Sorry I can't be more specific...but give it a shot!

T is also for Twix Cookies (Jessica)

Hello again!

Somehow this week I found the time to do another T recipe. No frills here, this is just a simple cookie with a chopped Twix bar mixed in to the dough. Did I mention yet how much I love Twix? It's definitely my favorite candy bar and has been since I was a kid.

Now, if you've ever had braces, surely you know: no caramel!

Yeah, right.

So for the 4 years I had braces as a kid it just meant I had to be sneakier about eating Twix. Shhh, don't tell my parents. :)

T is for Tabbouleh (Jessica)

Good evening!

When I talk to people about cooking and baking, their responses generally fall into one of two categories. There's the "whoa, you're crazy, cooking takes forever" category and there's the "I love cooking too, it relaxes me" category.
Have you ever noticed this? Even people who have crazy work schedules, grad school to finish, or business trips multiple weeks in a row...if they're second category people, they get it.
Throughout our adventures creating this blog, I found out that I'm one of those people. I guess it's a bit crazy, but I LIKE working in the kitchen. I think a large part of that is that I love eating, but really, I could cook something and give it away and that would make me happy too.

So I'm sure you're wondering what my point is here and how this ties in with my recipe this week....I often wonder that myself when I get going ;) ...No, but this time I have a point.
This weekend, I chose to give myself time in the kitchen. It was just me, the new Incubus album on my ipod, and a whole lotta parsley. And you know what, it was extremely zen.

Stressed out? I suggest ignoring what you have to do and making this delicious tabbouleh recipe.
Now, I don't want to get too preachy here, so just channel my positive thoughts and read through the recipe!