Entries Tagged as 'bears'

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

October 7th, 2010 · 3 Comments

Several weeks ago Felix wrote about his wife making whoopie pies. He mentioned that they were all the rage these days, which I didn’t realize… but as these things go, as soon as he mentioned that, then I saw whoopie pies everywhere. I’ve been watching Top Chef Desserts and they were mentioned literally the next day on that show… and a few times since then.

Dallas and I had a football party a few weeks ago when the Cowboys and the Bears played each other. I decided to make whoopie pies for the party, and since it’s fall, I did pumpkin whoopie pies. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked with pumpkin before. I never really liked it much as a kid. I really did not like pumpkin pie… but I think I’m willing to give it another chance, especially when it’s mixed with a bunch of stuff, like it is in these cookies.

I varied off my recipe for the filling because I wanted to make a cream cheese filling. I followed a filling recipe that was suggested in the recipe’s comments. It was ok, but I think I could have made a better cream cheese filling, maybe even by using a cream cheese frosting recipe. Overall, though, I loved these and would definitely make them again.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Adapted from: Vonieta Stogner at All Recipes

2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 tablespoon ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.

Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin and eggs, beating well. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Mix well.

Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool then make sandwiches from two cookies filled with Whoopie Pie Filling.

For the filling, I followed some advice in the comments and made this whipped cream/cream cheese concoction: 1 large tub Cool Whip, 8 oz cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar and 2 tsp. vanilla, whipped together.

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At Least It Was a Good Game

September 28th, 2010 · No Comments

Last night we went to Smoke Daddy to watch the Bears vs. Packers game with a bunch of Dallas’s friends. It was only like 50-some degrees outside, but we still sat on the patio with the TV facing outside and the window open so we could hear the audio. There were a few people with us who did not like the Bears, but no other person who was cheering for the Packers.

It was a fun night, despite the cold and the Packers’ loss. We all ordered food and beer and watched the game. A lot of people walking by on the street would stop and watch for a while. Years ago, I lived a few blocks from Smoke Daddy, before we knew Josh, the owner, and we used to go there sometimes. I don’t think I’ve eaten there since that time. Last night I got pulled chicken and beans and tried some of Dallas’s chili and cornbread. Everything was so delicious.

And the game? It was really close at the end but the Packers got so many penalties (18!) and that’s what killed them. The Bears ended up winning with 20 points to the Packers’ 17.

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I’m Going To Marry My Kitchen

November 16th, 2008 · 7 Comments

On Friday night I was back at the Village Tap to celebrate Danny’s last day of work. He drove out to the suburbs every day for years for a programming job he didn’t enjoy and just had enough. It will be interesting to see if he decides to do something completely different or if he’ll end up back in a tech job. It’s a brave move to leave a job where you keep getting a raise to pursue a dream interest. I wish him the best!


Logan Square, Chicago

On Saturday I spent the morning baking for the first time since we moved. I must say, I love my new kitchen. There is so much cupboard and counter space. In our last apartment we were always jamming things in where they didn’t really fit and in this one we have so much space that some cupboards are empty. We cook from online recipes a lot so it’s awesome to have enough space for the computer and not be afraid that I’m going to dump flour on the keyboard like I always used to fear. And I love how many lighting options there are in the kitchen. I can turn on the drop lights above the island, or the recessed lighting in the ceiling or the under cabinet lights or the light above the sink, or any combination of them. Oh, and the power outlets? They’re everywhere.


Chocolate Chip Banana Muffin

Yesterday, I made chocolate chip banana muffins for us to eat for breakfast and Laura’s Cranberry Bars to bring to a dinner party. I’m still slightly obsessed with that recipe but I need to find a new one for this holiday season!


Laura’s Cranberry Streusel Shortbread Bars

Today I got up early and prepped a roast and a bunch of vegetables to cook all day for dinner tonight (recipe here). Danny came over and we watched the Bears/Packers game. Yay Packers (37-7 win)! We ordered lunch from Taqueria Moran and have just been relaxing at home. I made a 3:30 p.m. beer run to Foremost Liquors and I saw the first snow of this season, but luckily it was only flurries.

Cooking and having people over, cooking, and having our TV hooked up on Friday is starting to make this place feel more like home even if we do have a lot to organize yet and loose ends with the developer.

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Retro on Roscoe 2008

August 4th, 2008 · 2 Comments


Retro on Roscoe, Roscoe Village, Chicago

Retro on Roscoe was this past weekend and we all attended, of course. It’s hard not to when it’s so close. There’s a stage about 3 houses from ours, so even if we didn’t attend the festival, we’d be listening to the bands anyway.


Stephanie with empty chili samplers, Roscoe Village, Chicago

Steph and I walked around Retro on Roscoe starting at about noon or so. We sampled all of the chilis in the Windy City Chili Cookoff. There were a few unique ones like the pork chili verde, but most of them were red, slightly spicy and very meaty. We tried 9 or 10 different chilis and both agreed that we liked one called “Nikki’s Revenge” the best. We probably could have stopped right there and just had chili samples for lunch, but we decided to go to the polish stand where we ordered one of each flavor of pierogi and a blintze. Steph had never tried either. Funny thing is that neither of us really like sauerkraut, but we both really liked the sauerkraut pierogi. On a side note, Dallas loves the polish stand so much that he had it for dinner two nights in a row and I think he did the same thing last year too.


IRS, Retro on Roscoe, Chicago


IRS + Random Groupie, Retro on Roscoe, Chicago

After lunch Steph and I sat on the grass by the Hamilton stage and watched a cover band called IRS (Independent Rock Society). They played a lot of popular songs and the crowd relaxed and sang along. Jen and Chad hosted their annual Retro on Roscoe party since they also live so close to the festival. After IRS was done playing, Stephanie and I headed over to their house. Dallas and a bunch of friends were already there. Chad and Limey tried to introduce the Pimm’s Cup as the new Summer of Rachelle drink, but it didn’t work because I didn’t like it. We all played ping pong (beer pong for some) in the garage and urban horseshoes (sometimes called washers) in the alley. Trent and I were on fire as an urban horseshoes team. Steph had fun watching the ping pong action, playing with Drake, Cortez, and Quinn and even got in on some urban horseshoes action on a team with Cousin. Inside the house TJ taught Jill and Steph how to make homemade Mexican/Puerto Rican rice like his mom used to make. Oh, and Limey tried many times to convince Steph to be a Cubs fan. He said he would give her tickets for the game the following day and all she had to do was swear off the Brewers, but she refused. When he gave up on baseball and said “well, at least say you’ll like the Bears,” we walked away. Not a chance!


Pimm’s, Rosceo Village, Chicago

For dinner Stephanie was all for trying more new food so we headed back out to the festival and split a gyro, which she was in love with. I wasn’t sure if she’d like the lamb, but she thought it was delicious. It’s fun to have her willing to try anything and even more fun when she likes it! We watched a bit of a band called Dot Dot Dot because Kristin and Cousin’s cousin plays keyboards in the band. At about 10 pm we called it a night and went home. It was about a 3 second walk home. Awesome.

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Bears in the Super Bowl

February 4th, 2007 · 5 Comments

2007_02_bears_truck.jpg
Bears Van, Roscoe Village, Chicago

Picture%204.pngI would never say I’m cheering for the Bears, but honestly, I can’t wait for the game. And this is just because I’m sick of hearing about it and all the hype and you know that on Chicagoist I just have to bite my tongue about it all.

This van is always parked in my neighborhood. I see it just about every day.

Also, it is too cold to do anything! We’re going to a Super Bowl party but it’s so cold to walk to the supermarket to bring anything. Yesterday when we were out we just went to Costello’s and bought some family-sized sides and we’ll probably just bring whatever random beer and wine we have around the house. Luckily we’re catching a ride to the party.

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