Veggie Overload

I got a little overzealous at the grocery store and farmer's market today w/the fruit and veggie. Maybe it's b/c I've been eating burgers and fried food since Friday night. :D I opened my frige and took an inventory and it feels like a lot! Any ideas to use all of this in 1.5 weeks before it goes bad?

Veggie and Fruit
- 1 bunch asparagus (keeps)
- 4 corn (keeps)
- 1 bunch swiss chard (keeps)
- 4 red potatoes (keeps)
- 3 yellow zucchini (gettin' old)
- bowl of cherry tomatoes
- 4 kirby cucumbers
- mixed lettuce
- 2 lbs green grapes
- 1 sunkiss melon (needs to ripen)
- 3 peaches (needs to ripen)

Herbs
- cilantro (starting to yellow)
- mint
- basil

Obsessed with Instagram

Things have been a little quiet on the blog lately. It's only partly because my new obsession is Instagram. I know it's been around forever and I've only been using it a few weeks so I'm still a newbie. It's easy to use and let's me share quick pics of everyday life. If you're interested in what I've been up to lately, find me on Instagram @latenitesnackin or if you don't have the app, you can check out my photos here. 

Here's a peak of what's been shakin' in June:

Are you on instagram? What's your favorite thing to take pictures of?

Now, That's a Horse of a Different Color: Westie Cake

What's sweeter than seeing this face when I wake up in the morning? Nothing.

Except biting into cake shaped like that face!

Blue & Green Baby Shower

It's been a busy spring! Last month, I hosted a baby shower for a good friend of mine who was having a boy. Since it was a co-ed welcome baby party, I wanted to keep the decor cute but not cutesy as to not offend any of the guys' sensibilities :)

Being a shower for a boy, I automatically gravitated toward baby blue. I bought alllll this baby blue stuff from Target and felt very uninspired. So after much (somewhat desperate) searching online for inspiration, I finally landed on a punchier spring green and shades of blue theme.  Inspired by some Amy Atlas tables, the ideas were flying so I sketched out my table using pen and pencil, the old fashioned way :) Here was my inspiration sketch:

Spring in NYC

Just wanted to share a few pictures from our walks in Central Park this weekend! New York finally had some sunny and springy weather after a couple weeks of cold! All of the flowers are in bloom and trees full of green.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Even Starbucks is in the mood...

yes that's a photo of B in the background.

How are you celebrating with loved ones today? 

Rocky Road Crunch Bars

During a holiday week (self-made) marathon of cooking television, I stumbled upon Nigella Lawson toting these Rocky Road Crunch Bars as part of an easy picnic episode. The ingredients and directions are simple and direct. The result? Chocolatey crunchy deliciousness mixed with chewy marshmallows. A definite crowd pleaser!

Ingredients

1 stick plus 1 tablespoon soft unsalted butter
10 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup corn syrup
8 ounces plain hard and crunchy cookies (I used chocolate tea biscuits and Nilla wafers)
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Melt butter, chocolate, and corn syrup in a heavy based saucepan over low to medium heat until smooth. Scoop out about 1/2 cup of the melted mixture and set aside.

Put the biscuits/cookies into a freezer bag and then smash them with a rolling pin. You are looking for both crumbs and pieces of cookies. Fold the cookie pieces and crumbs into the melted chocolate mixture, and then add the marshmallows.

Pour into a 9-inch square foil tray; flatten as best you can with a spatula. Pour over the reserved 1/2 half cup of melted chocolate mixture and smooth the top. Don't worry if you can't cover all of it with chocolate, the powdered sugar later will make it all look pretty.

Refrigerate for about 2 hours or overnight.

Cut into 24 fingers and dust with powdered sugar by using a tea strainer or small sieve.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas from Life After Lobster!

Chocolate Mint Crinkles

I love chocolate cookies! That's just a statement of fact. I especially love fudgey chocolate cookies that are crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside like the corner piece of a bath of brownies. When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. Plus with the cracked top and powdered sugar, these cookies look like they've had a dusting of snow!

Ingredients

Lobster Rerun: Holiday Recipes

It's holiday baking time again! Nothing like the warmth of the kitchen mixed with Christmas songs and movies to ease you into holiday mood. We're only a week away from Christmas and treats are expected when I show up at my family's house! Here are some of my favorites from last year that I shared with you - I put them in order of difficulty in case you want to try one this year!

EASY

Peppermint Bark 
This recipe is way too simple and delicious NOT to try! Just melt a bunch of chocolate, add mint extract, and crushed candy canes! A crowd pleaser for sure.

SOME EFFORT

Chocolate Mint Ganache Cupcakes (and Cream Cheese Frosting)
The assembly might take some time but these cupcakes filled with a ganache surprise are extra decadent topped with a yummy cream cheese frosting.

GOTTA CONCENTRATE

Fleur de Sel Caramels
These nuggets of buttery caramel goodness are addictive especially with the salty topping. The hardest part of this recipe is paying full attention to the sugar carmelizing and waiting for it to get to the exact temperature. If you have the patience to do this right, the reward is well worth it :)

What's your favorite holiday treat? Are you trying any new recipes this year?