deliciousness: no bake cheesecake

Lately I've been missing baking... a lot. The only problem is our apartment already feels like an oven most days so I avoid the oven as much as possible. While getting ideas for new things to bake, cook, etc. I came across a no bake cheesecake recipe. The moment I set my eyes on it I had to make it. That and it involved cool whip and someone may have weird liking for cool whip (yup, that'd be me). It was probably one of the easiest recipes I have ever made. Extra easy points if you buy a pre-made graham cracker crust. It's a delicious treat to wrap up summer with. On a side note - how the heck is it already august?!?! I demand a summer redo!!

Ingredients:

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Step 1: put cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract into bowl

Step 2: beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth

Step 3: Fold in cool whip and beat/stir until smooth

Step 4: fill pie crust. chill 1 to 2 hours before serving.

If you wanted to, you could add a pie filling (apples, blueberries, cherries, etc.) on top. I may do that next time :) xo

another saturday, another adventure day

Oh wait, I'm blogging? Yeah, it's been pretty interesting around these parts and by interesting I mean busy. Between moving, weddings, traveling, etc. It's gotten pretty hectic and it's starting to slow down just a bit (I hope). 

Saturday's in this place are dedicated to "Adventure Day". Adventure Day is just that, an Adventure. We visit places we've never been or haven't been to in a long time. Depending on what our funds are looking like is how we decide what we're going to do. In the past we've taken adventures to Chinatown (i've lived in for 9 years and have never been - say whaaaa?) & Alvera Street (in search for the perfect cinco de mayo decorations) and trips to Solvang and Santa Barbara. Another key factor of making this day an adventure is we find places that we've never eaten at before. 

We live in a world of fast food and chain restaurants and if you aren't eating at one of them sometimes you find yourself at over priced places and all of these types of establishments lack "soul" to them. When I talk about "soul" I'm not talking about soul food, I'm talking about food that has a little "sumthin sumthin" about it. When I was a child I always enjoyed a good BBQ (& most southern foods). I'm always down to find real BBQ places but unfortch we don't live in the south and it's harder to find those types of places out here in LA. 

We decided to try out JNJ Burger Shack. There's a burger side and a side strictly dedicated to BBQ. It's a little shack and they have outdoor seating. It was hands down one of the best places I've eaten at recently. The key is to order two separate dishes, sides, etc. I ordered the chicken with potato salad and corn on the cob and the boyfriend ordered the ribs with yams baked beans. Ohmylanta it was heaven! The potato salad was whipped and delicious. The yams pretty much left me speechless. That's how much I enjoyed them. If you live anywhere near LA, I highly suggest paying JNJ Burger Shack a visit. You won't be disappointed! 

sunday night supper: fried pickles

I know fried foods aren't the healthiest for you but one fried food I can never turn down is fried pickles. The amount of money I spent on fried pickles while pregnant was kinda redic. I decided it's easier (and cheaper) to start cooking my own.

What you'll need hamburger style pickles, Italian bread crumbs, and eggs. 

Break eggs into bowl and beat

Take a plate and sprinkle bread crumbs. I find using a paper plate is easier and less clean up involved. 

Take pickle and dip into the beaten eggs

Dip eggs into Italian bread crumbs

Place pickles into frying pan and cook until brown. You'll have to use your best judgement with how fried you'd like them.

Voila! Fried Pickles. I like to dip them in ranch with sriracha mixed in. Enjoy!