Texas Brownies

This is hands down the best no-fail dessert ever! These are brownies that I grew up on and I LOVE to make them. Super easy and a chocolate-lovers dream.

Plus, I have a variation that is to-die-for-delicious!

Ingredients:
For the Brownies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter
1 cup coffee
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

For the Frosting:
1 stick butter
2 tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup milk
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Process:
Heat oven to 400 and butter a 9 x 11 inch pan (I also like to coat the pan with extra sugar and cocoa for a nice crust!)
In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar
In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter, coffee, and cocoa. Heat to boiling
Pour the boiling mixture over the flour and sugar.
Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla (tip: I like to have my eggs already cracked in my buttermilk when I pour it in. Also, be sure to beat quickly so you don't cook your eggs!)
Pour into your pan and bake for 20 minutes
When your cake has about 8-10 minutes left, start the frosting!
In a saucepan, heat the butter, cocoa, and milk to boiling (keep an eye on the milk so it doesn't curdle)
Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth
Pour the warm frosting over the brownies as soon as they come out of the oven!

Variation: When the cake is done, layer peppermint patties over the top and pop back into the oven for a few minutes until the patties are melted. Top with frosting.

These are great with vanilla ice cream ;)

Click here for the print friendly version

Valentine's Edible Gift

Ok, I have to admit...I am not a fan of Valentines Day. I think it's over commercialized and just down right silly. And, I usually have this attitude...

HOWEVER! It is an excuse to take cute desserts to your friends! So, this year, I got in the spirit :)

I made a super simple treat for my friends that you could do for ANY holiday!

What You'll Need:
1 container of plain fortune cookies (make sure you have enough for all your friends!)
Chocolate Chips (white chocolate and regular)*
Shortening
Food coloring (since its V-Day, I colored the white chocolate pink...of course!)
SPRINKLES!

*you could also use Almond Bark

Before you start, make sure your sprinkles are ready to go and you have a non stick surface ready to set your cookies on.

I started by melting half of my white chocolate chips with about 1 tablespoon of shortening in the microwave. Start with 1 minute then melt in 30 second intervals until ready. Then, I dipped half the cookie in the chocolate and set them on my non stick surface. I did about 4 at a time so there was time for the chocolate to set enough to hold the sprinkles :) So, after you dip about 4, sprinkle them up! My next batch was pink and the last was regular chocolate. So...they should turn out something like this:

Super cute ;)

For display and easy transportation, I bough a few take out boxes! Again, depending on the holiday, you can get whatever color you want!

So, when your friends open it, they get a sweet surprise!

You get more creative and add your own fortunes!

Happy Valentines Day!

Cocktail Photo Shoot

There is something so alluring about a beautiful cocktail...

Not only are the beautiful to look at but they are beautiful to drink as well!

I did a photo shoot at Casa Rubia at Trinity Groves. We took photos of all of their signature cocktails and believe me...they are ALL delicious!

For the full album, click here

Chicken Pasta Salad

Recently, I was asked to do a cooking demo on Good Morning Texas. The theme was "The Big Chill". We've all been there...you get home from work and realize that you forgot to defrost something for dinner. Oops!

But, I have the answer! This is a recipe my mom taught me and I love it because it's fast, easy, and you can make it you own!

Check out my segment here

And, the recipe is below :)

Ingredients:

1-2 Frozen Chicken Breast (feel free to use tenders, shrimp..whatever you have!)

1 Box Pasta (you can substitute with gluten free pasta, rice, or quinoa)

1 Bag Frozen Veggies (I usually use a California medley of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots)

1 Cup Sliced Grape Tomatoes

1 Cup Diced Red Onion

2 Tablespoons Butter 

1 Cup (or more!) shredded Parmesan Cheese

pinch of salt and pepper

Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Process:

Put your frozen chicken in a pot of water with salt and pepper to boil. This can take at least 30 minutes so go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine ;)

Once the chicken is done, take it out of the water to cool. Once cool enough to handle, slice it into bite size pieces.

Add the pasta into the same water that you boiled your chicken in (this gives it more flavor!) and add another pinch of salt! (since your water is already boiling, this step should take no more than 8-10 min)

While the pasta is cooking, put your frozen veggies, butter, tomatoes, and onions into a bowl to hang out.

When your pasta is finished, pour directly over your veggies (the heat from the pasta will melt the butter and defrost the veggies!).  Sometimes, frozen veggies can be quite large so this is a good opportunity to cut them smaller!

Top with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and cheese. 

Give a quick stir and enjoy! 

Variations that I enjoy:

-Frozen Corn with Black Beans

-Frozen Peas with Cream of Mushroom Soup

-Replace the olive oil and vinegar with some salad dressing (caesar, italian…etc)

-If you use already cooked meat (like rotisserie chicken or kielbasa sausage), it's even faster! 

-Make it your own and have fun!

*this usually serves 4 people and I always allow about an hour total (the time will depend on what type of meat you use)

La Casa Della Pasta Fresca

So, if you read the "About Me" section, you saw that I went behind the scenes in some Italian kitchens! And this was one of them!

The video was featured at an award ceremony the city (Sesto Calende) hosted for the chef to recognize a ravioli she created with local ingredients. 

I apologize for no subtitles...but check it out here!

My Passion for FOOD!

Of course it's obvious that I LOVE FOOD! And (like a lot of people) I LOVE to take pictures of it!

My friends have even threatened to stop following me on instagram because I make them hungry (mission accomplished!).

Here are a few of my photos from some of my favorite Dallas restaurants. To see more from this album, click here

A Little Bit About Me...

Hi! My name is Rebecca and I have a passion for food, travel, and media. But, I am far from normal in my presentation!

Check out my Sizzle Reel

I graduated from The University of North Texas in Denton in August 2011 with a degree in Radio, TV, & Film. Before graduation I was already working at KDAF The CW 33 News in Dallas as an editor. While at The CW, I grew from an editor to a producer and finally, TV host. I hosted a baking segment for Eye Opener called "Outside the Box" where our viewers would vote for a secret ingredient, I would bake a dessert and our hosts would try it live on set! Check out some of the segments below:

 

I also hosted The CW's "DFW Close Up" where I focused on chefs and restaurants in Dallas. Click here to see segments.

I have always had a passion for travel. It started in high school when I spent a month in England studying King Arthur with The University of Dallas. After that, I could not get enough! I studied French in high school and college and spent 2 months in Paris. While there, she was able to see Normandy, Le Loire Valley, Belgium, and Holland. 

This is also where my passion for food and wine began. My travel bug then took me to Italy, another foodie and photographer dream! From Venice, to Milan, to Piedmont, I spent 10 days learning about cuisine and always with a camera in hand!

But, those 10 days were not enough! The following year, I spent 3 months in Sesto Calende, Italy on a short term mission trip. While there, I was able to see Switzerland, Rome, and Florence!

I also got to go behind the scenes of a few Italian kitchens!

I currently works as a freelance photographer and videographer in Dallas. My focus is food, restaurants, and events. From still photography to promo videos, I am always using my passion and creativity.

For me, food is something that brings people together. No matter where you come from or where you are going, we all have to eat so we might as well make it fun! It's a way to learn about each other and build lasting relationships.

Click here for my resume

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