Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites

How many of you freeze your bananas? Throw your hands in the air, if you'se a true playa. (That song has been stuck in my head all week & I really wanted to work it into this blog post for you -- playa banana freezin fools.) Seriously though, when you notice your bananas are near the end of their life, I seriously suggest you peel, cut & freeze them. It comes in really handy. 

Banana bread.
Banana "ice cream".
Smoothies.
or...

Dark chocolate frozen banana bites. I know.

It's easy. You will need:

• Bananas
• Candy making/dipping chocolate wafers (in the baking section)

So, melt your chocolate according to the directions on the back of the bag. I did it in the microwave, stirring at every 15 second interval. Then take out your frozen banana pieces. & dip! Return to freezer until you are ready to eat.

So mine didn't turn out so pretty, but they did taste good! Stored properly (in an air tight container), I think your banana bites could last in the freezer several months. If you don't eat them by then. 

How else do you guys use your frozen bananas? Now I'm curious.

Photos: Taken with Nikon D3200/ Edited with VSCO filters for Lightroom

Cold pressed iced coffee [video]

Coffee. I want it. I love it. I need it. But in this summer swelter, sometimes I can't handle the hot stuff. So lately I've had it in my head to brew my own cold concentrate. I thought it would be more economical than buying iced coffee every morning at one of my fave coffee shops. & I think it will be more economical.. when I get it all figured out.

So I took a shot. I don't have it perfect yet, but I do have it documented. & I made a video!! Wanna see?

A few notes:

1. Your coffee beans should be ground on coarse (as pictured above). 
2. I did a 1:2 ratio of coffee grounds:water for the concentrate 
3. & a 1:3 ratio of concentrate:water. 

Confession: It wasn't quite enough. I need it stronger & I need more of it. So let me figure out the right ratios & get back to you ;D

Video: Shot with Nikon D 3200/Edited in iMovie
Music: Highway 101 by The Losers
Photos: Nikon D 3200/Edited in Lightroom with VSCOcam

1 cookbook you'll really want: Thug Kitchen

Sweet Potato, Squash, Black Bean Enchiladas

Beer Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Roasted Chick Pea Tacos

BBQ Bean Peach Salsa Burritos

Confession time: I'm obsessed with vegan. Follow me on instragram & you def already know. I'm living the thug kitchen life & it's so damn good.

Seven months ago, I bought Thug Kitchen per a friend's recommendation. I was taking photos for Rachel & Casey's Engagement & while the files downloaded on Rachel's computer, Casey made me browse through this book. I had never seen more beautiful photos of food in my life. & the recipes! Yes, it is true Thug Kitchen Chefs do not watch their language -- which actually makes it easier to understand. & fun. 

I ordered the cookbook on Amazon the next day - with no clue it was actually vegan. I let many months pass, picked it back up & slowly learned how to cook. Okay, second confession: I'm actually more of a kitchen helper.  Either way leaves me feasting.

Clearly I'm drawn to the Mexican dishes, but there is so much variety to choose from. If you're up for a new adventure in the kitchen, I heartily recommend you try the Thug Life.

It is the best $12 investment I've ever made. 

Order the book. & thank me later.

Photos taken with iPone 5s & edited with Snapseed, VSCO and Instagram

Vegan Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Bars

Dark chocolate.
Almond Butter. 

It's okay if you're drooling. This is heavenly.  

So a few months ago we bought Thug Kitchen. It'a cook book with amazing pictures that hilariously curses at you throughout the recipe. Everything was so delicious that now we're semi-vegan. In a search for more vegan recipes, we found Healthy Happy Life. I made a few alterations to Kathy's peanut butter chocolate bars to create...

da da da da!!

DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER BARS!!!! Heck. Yes.

YOU NEED:

For the almond butter batter (bottom):

• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon (t) vanilla

• 1/2 cup oats
• 2 cups oat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon (t) salt
• 3/4 teaspoon (t) cinnamon

For the dark chocolate (top):

• 1 bag of ghirardelli dark chocolate
• 2-3 tablespoons (T) coconut oil

Okay. Step one: combine your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside. 

• 1/2 cup oats
• 2 cups oat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon (t) salt
• 3/4 teaspoon (t) cinnamon

Combine your wet ingredients in a different mixing bowl:

• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (mine was pretty melty)
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon (t) vanilla

Mix it, blend it, shake it!

So then you've got two bowls. Fold your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients.

It will look like this & feel kind of like cookie dough.

Spread that batter into a medium sized baking dish, greased with coconut oil. Note* Can you see a small consistency switch up there? I was making 1/2 peanut butter 1/2 almond butter to see which one worked better. Almond FTW. 

Melt 1 bag of ghirardelli 60 per cent cocoa chocolate chips with 3 T of coconut oil over Med-High Heat. Mix this constantly or it will burn. Should only take a few minutes. 

Pour the chocolate mixture over the top of your almond butter batter.

& bake at 350degrees for 20 minutes. Your edges will start to crack  a little on the side when it's done. Take it out & refrigerate for many hours (at least 2). Cut these into bars & call it a day. Or a week. You won't be able to accomplish anything better than this for a while. Swoon.

Store in the fridge. Eat every day. 

#favoriteveganrecipe

Photography: Moi + Jacob Heath

FAT TUESDAY

A) Image: Holtman's Donut Shop

B) Image: Southern Comfort's Easy King Cake

C) Image: Cupcakes & Cashmere's Mac n' Cheese Bites

D) Graeter's (duh)

Today is Fat Tuesday.. a day of over indulgences. I wanted so badly to make you a King Cake, specifically the one above, but the snow kept me inside without any ingredients. The next best thing I could do was gather all these indulgent recipes & treats to one place & inspire you to host a Fat Tuesday party. Cincinnati style. 

Click the images above or the links below & start prepping during your lunch break.  Wishing you each a happy Mardi Gras!!

A. Holtman's Donuts 
B. Southern Bite's Quick & Easy Mardi Gras King Cake
C. Cupcakes & Cashmere's Mac Bites
D. Graeter's French Pot Ice Cream