A Trader Joe's Customer Creation, Recipe Showdown Winner: Chocolate Brownie Pie

TTr

Chocolate Brownie Pie

Recipe credit given to: 

Trader Joe's 2011 HiiP Recipe Showdown Winners - Sloane and Doreen Garelick. WAY TO GO, and THANKS!

 

Serves: 14 - 16  Prep Time: 30 Minutes  Cooking Time: 30 MinutesPrint Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups (20 cookies) TJ's Joe-Joe's Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
• 1 ½ sticks TJ's Unsalted Butter, or TJ's organic option unsalted
• 1 box TJ's Truffle Brownie Baking Mix
• 2 TJ's Large Eggs
• 6 ounces TJ's Pound Plus Dark Chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup TJ's Heavy Whipping Cream
• 20 TJ's Milk OR Dark Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels, roughly chopped

DIRECTIONS

To make the crust, crush Joe-Joe's in a food processor or blender and measure out 1½ cup of cookie crumbs. Butter a 9-inch glass pie plate. Melt about 3 tablespoons of butter (about 30 seconds in the microwave), and in a large bowl, stir it together with the cookie crumbs. 

Using your fingertips, press the cookie and butter mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Set aside. 

To make the brownie filling, preheat oven to 350º F. 

Melt remaining stick of butter (1 minute in microwave or use a small saucepan). Melted butter should be creamy looking. Whisk eggs into butter until blended. Add brownie mix and stir until moistened with a rubber spatula. Place brownie mix into center of cookie crust and gently spread evenly from center to edges of pie plate. 

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes. While the brownie pie is cooling, prepare the ganache and pretzel toppings. 

To make the chocolate ganache topping, heat cream in a pot just until it steams. Put chopped chocolate in a large bowl, pour hot cream on top, and stir until chocolate is melted and incorporated into cream. Roughly chop the 20 pretzels and set aside. 

After the brownie filling has cooled, pour the chocolate ganache over the top and spread evenly from center to edges of pie crust. Sprinkle the chopped pretzels over the ganache. 

Refrigerate the pie for at least 30 minutes before serving. 

Recipe Credit:

Trader Joe's 2011 HiiP Recipe Showdown Winners - Sloane and Doreen Garelick.
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BTW!! Look what i found...below is worth the short read as well as this review from The Sweet Home on their findings and research on discovering and reviewing the absolute best pie plate! Thanks so much, saved all of us so much research and trial/error!! 

Woohoo -- Amazon Christmas Wish List here 2 of those come (duh, every cook needs a pretty color and a traditional glass one too...sorry I am not sorry!) #WizardInTheKitchen

Santa, O' Jolly Saint Nick, I hope I've been good enough this year!! #Storytelling

Oh and we shouldn't forget to give proper dues to Trader Joe's once again rated best item in a taste test, good thing no one ever gets tired of winning :) love how you let your products speak for themselves. They are the brand and a solid one time and time again. 

Congrats on the once again WINNER, the pound plus chocolate specifically chosen because of its ability to make unbelievable ganache...go figure? 

THE WINNERS

TRADER JOE'S BELGIAN, 72%

This was the biggest crowdpleaser, not to mention the cheapest. First, to clarify, Trader Joe's has many chocolate offerings: this is the 72% one "imported from Belgium" sold in a 17-ounce slab (pictured) for $4.99, or as a three-pack with smaller 1.67 ounce bars for $1.50. Talk about the best bang for the buck. It's one of those TJ's products that turns shoppers into diehard TJ's-worshiping groupies.

Smooth, nicely balanced, and not intensely bitter, it's better than you think it's going to be. Though a touch too sweet (cough, safe for the milk chocolate fans) it still satisfies as a robustly dark chocolate. Easy to nibble on alone (not abrasive at all), but it also has enough character for fondue, ganache-making, and baking projects.

Holiday Entertaining: How to Throw a Retro "Merry Kitschmas" Holiday Party

Merry Kitschmas: How to Throw a Retro Holiday Party

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

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'Tis the season for holiday entertaining! Today we're taking things all the way back to the 1950s for a retro-themed party — complete with a recipe for peppermint icebox cake. Want to throw your own kitschmas party? Here's everything you need.

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Before guests arrive, make sure to set the scene with plenty of mid-century modern accents. Put on a record, mix up a Manhattan, and toast to the holiday season.

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1. Mid-Century Table Lamp, $139 from West Elm
2. 20-Piece Rush Gold Flatware Set, $79.95 from CB2
3. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $349.99 from KitchenAid
4. Hughes Loveseat, $1699 from Joybird
5. Retro Recipe: Peaches & Cream Jello from The Kitchn
6. Terrace Bar Cart, $399 from West Elm
7. Star Metallic Napkin, from Canvas Home
8. Merry Argyle Stocking, $38 from Anthropologie
9. Classic Manhattan Cocktail Recipe from The Kitchn
10. Crosley X UO Sterling Vinyl Record Player, $220 from Urban Outfitters

Now that you've got the decor covered, it's time to make a party-worthy dessert. Icebox cakes are traditionally made with chocolate wafer cookies, but to dress things up for the holidays, use Peppermint Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's instead. A drop of peppermint extract in the whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes on top seal the deal.

Peppermint Icebox Cake

Serves 8; adapted from Taste of Home

3 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 packages Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe Joe's Cookies
Crushed candy canes

In a large bowl, beat the cream, sugar, and peppermint extract on high until stiff peaks form. Fill a pastry bag with the whipped cream.

Arrange 7 cookies in a circle on a cake stand, using one cookie in the center. Pipe 2/3 cup whipped cream over cookies. Repeat layers 9 times. Refrigerate overnight.

Garnish with crushed candy canes.

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A shout-out to a few friends of Apartment Therapy who helped bring our kitsch-inspired version of a modern holiday celebration to life:

• Cake stand from Fish's Eddy
• Atomic print napkin from Canvas Home
• Pink reindeer from ABC Carpet and Home
• Bottle brush trees from Bed Bath and Beyond
• Yarmouth Marble Dining Table from Dot & Bo

(Image credits: Abe Martinez; Carrie Winiker)

Originally posted on Apartment Therapy, article linked at top.

Trader Joe's Recipes: Lemon Curd Pie-Crust Cookies

Trader Joe's Recipes: Lemon Curd Pie-Crust Cookies 

Trader Joe's, once again you have me wishing I had extra bottles of your ready-made Lemon Curd and deliciously crafted frozen Pie Crusts on hand tonight! Oh man, two must adds to my base pantry and frozen staples!! 

Lemon Curd Pie-Crust Cookies

Tart lemon curd and rich pistachios complement one another perfectly in this festive thumb print cookie. The use of frozen pie crust for dough saves time and the unique center layer of filling adds an extra punch of lemony-flavor and texture. This recipe yields about 25 mini thumb-print cookies, but it can be easily doubled if both frozen pie crusts are used.

Serves: 6 - 8  Prep Time: 30 Minutes  Cooking Time: 12 - 15 MinutesPrint Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Cookies:

• 1 TJ’s Pie Crust, defrosted and kept in the plastic
• 5 Tablespoons TJ’s Lemon Curd, divided
• ½ cup TJ’s Pistachio Nutmeats, chopped very fine
• TJ’s Organic Powdered Sugar (for dusting)

Supplies:

• Parchment paper
• A baking sheet
• Rolling pin, check out this article on best finds share your favorite--I need to buy one worthy of forever
• Tiny circle cookie cutter (1.5 in. diameter)

DIRECTIONS

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Gently smooth the pie-crust with a rolling pin over the plastic sheet so that there are no cracks in the dough.

Remove only the top layer of plastic then spread 4 tablespoons of lemon curd evenly across dough with a butter knife, leaving a 1/4 inch of room around the edges. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped pistachios over the top of the lemon curd.

Carefully fold the dough in half, making a semicircle—sandwiching the filling in the middle. Gently smooth your rolling pin over the dough (on the top of the plastic again) to ensure that all the edges meet. If a little filling squishes out, that’s okay.

Place the dough semicircle on your baking sheet and pop it in the freezer (or refrigerator) for 5-10 minutes until the dough is cold and the lemon curd is a slightly firm. This will make it much easier to cut the cookies out.

Remove the tray, and cut circles out of the dough with a small cookie cutter. If the cookies start sticking to your cutter, tap the cutter in a little flour. Arrange the cookies two inches apart on the baking sheet. Press the tip of your thumb into the center of each cookie, making a very shallow, 1/4 inch deep indentation. Fill each indentation with a small dab of lemon curd, about 1/8 teaspoon. You will want to fill it with more delicious lemon curd, but restrain yourself because it will overflow if you do. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with your remaining 1/4 cup of chopped pistachios – there might be extra nuts.

At this point, the lemon curd will be runny again, so put the tray of cookies in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until the dough is cold and the lemon curd is firm. If you skip this step, your lemon curd will leak out to the edges while baking.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the tray from the freezer and bake for 12-15 minutes until the bottom edges of the cookie start to caramelize and the tops brown slightly.

Let cookies cool for at least 10 minutes then dust with powdered sugar. Carefully remove the cookies with a spatula onto a platter and serve. Store cookies in a sealed container for up to 5 days OR fill then pop into freezer until party or gifting time arrives! What a festive way to deliver these thoughtful homemade presents to neighbors or prepare ahead for that middle of the week office cookie exchange party!! 

RT @TraderJoesList @WhatsGoodAtTJs #TraderJoesRecipes #CookieExchange #nomnomnom

Thank you once again TJ's, we all have so much love all year round and even more this holiday season...you keep us on our toes and we just cannot believe we have to wait until tomorrow to make these...our mouth's are already watering and our tummies going...

...rumble rumble rumble--we have to be patient and dreaming is going to have to get us through the evening...until tomorrow for the next possible chance to run by our neighborhood Trader Joe's :) Yes, go ahead and get THAT excited...ahhhh...toooooo excited to sleeeeep. 

Well, almost. 

#cantstopwontstop #Storytelling #CookieButterDreaming
#WizardInTheKitchen

Holiday Party How To's and suggestion for homemade gift giving made from scratch with love!

LIFESTYLE | December 15, 2015

7 Podcasts That Will Help You Find Your Passion

by Madeleine Hall

1.4K recent views

Your alarm goes off in the morning and you hit snooze three times. You drag your feet on the way to the office. Your mind wanders during meetings. When your friends talk about their amazing jobs, you actively tune them out.

You feel helpless.

Unmotivated.

Lost.

You turn to the Internet. “Follow your passion; it will lead you to your purpose,” says Oprah. “Lean in,” says Sheryl Sandberg. You think, Well OK guys, I’m dying to follow my passion, but what is it? Which way do I lean? Browsing quotes on the Internet can be inspirational, but in finding your passion, it’s just not enough. Here’s a life hack I wish someone had told me earlier in the game: Listen to podcasts.

[WATCH: Find Your Purpose With Gabrielle Bernstein, Life Coach and Author]

If your podcast library is limited to Serial, you’re totally missing out. Podcasts can be an amazing resource for finding out what you’re meant to do in your career. The best part? You can binge listen to them just like Netflix. Podcast and chill. With thousands of podcasts to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to seven that cover great advice on self-discovery.

1. Happier with Gretchen Rubin

In this crazy, convoluted journey to figuring out what you’re meant to do in your career, sometimes you have to bring it back to the basics: What makes you happy? Are you happy crunching numbers? Writing poetry? Watching TV? Reading The Skimm? In this thought-provoking podcast, New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft offer advice about happiness and good habits. In Episode 8, “Deep Down, What Makes You Happy?” the sisters pose the question: What did you like to do when you were 10 years old? Whether it’s arts and crafts or going on bike rides, this exercise may offer some helpful insight into what you’re meant to be doing in your career. Check it out. 

[Related: The 10 Best Podcasts Every Woman Should Know]

2. Invisibilia

On the road to self-discovery, it’s easy to succumb to negative thoughts. NPR’s Invisibilia examines all those invisible forces, thoughts included, that shape who you are and the way you behave. In “The Secret History of Thoughts,” co-hosts Alex Spiegel and Lulu Miller investigate the evolution of how psychotherapists think about thoughts and whether or not they have any real meaning behind them. Spoiler alert: You should ignore all those nagging I’m-not-good-enough feelings. They aren’t you. Listen to this podcast and feel differently about yourself and your life.

3. TED Radio Hour

On my path to job- and soul-searching, one of the first pieces of advice I received was “go talk to people.” Informational interviews seemed to be the key to self-discovery. After discovering to this podcast, I now realize what they should’ve said is “go listento people.” Another NPR big hitter, TED Radio Hour is a “journey through fascinating ideas,” uncovering new ways to think and create. In the episode “The Act of Listening,” TED speakers explain how listening is a source of discovery. If you take the time to sit back and listen—to strangers, loved ones, faraway places—you might just find what you’ve been searching for. If anything, this podcast will get your creative juices flowing and may inspire you to take an unexpected turn on your road to self-discovery.

[Related: 8 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter]

4. Working

Speaking of listening and informational interviews, there’s a podcast for that! Slate’s Working interviews Americans with interesting jobs about their day in the life. From a casting director to a freelance chef to a forensic anthropologist, this is your opportunity to learn about career paths of all shapes and sizes without even leaving your couch. Score. You might find a career path you want to pursue, or you may find that some aspect of a career that you didn’t even know existed is right up your alley. Either way, listening to other people talk about their workdays can be enlightening and inspiring. Bonus: There’s a Stephen Colbert cameo.

5. The School of Greatness

What makes great, successful people so great and successful? What’s the formula here, and why hasn’t anyone filled me in? Never fear, former pro athlete Lewis Howes has all the answers. In The School of Greatness, Howes shares inspiring stories from “the most brilliant business minds, world class athletes and influential celebrities on the planet.” The second-best part of this podcast, aside from the great stories, are the 3-10 minute episodes peppered with inspiring quotes and motivation. In these “Five Minute Fridays,” Howes covers topics like Find Your Vision, Find Out What You Live For, and many more.

6. The Good Life Project

For the inspirational junkie, meet The Good Life Project, a podcast filled with stories about finding meaning and purpose in life. The stories come from people from all walks of life, from “world-shakers to everyday people, every story matters.” For instance, in the episode “Restaurant of Hope,” host Jonathan Fields talks with the owner of Buffalo Wild Wings, who purposefully opened the original restaurant in one of the toughest neighborhoods in LA to create a place where kids and adults could get off the streets. How cool is that. The GLP also introduces mini segments called “Good Life Project Riffs,” in which he introduces ideas and answers questions. Definitely worth the listen.

7. A Leg Up

You know that guy from freshman year English who (according to Facebook) is now in Cali trying to make it in Hollywood? Ever wondered what that life is like? Thanks to eighteen-year-old Adam Faze, now you won’t have to settle for Facebook stalking. A Leg Up is the podcast about making it in Hollywood hosted by a kid trying to make it in Hollywood. Faze has set out to interview people at all levels of the “Hollywood hierarchy,” including Jay Leno (caution: laughs ahead). Whether you’re in the biz or not, this is a great way to listen to successful people offer advice and talk about their path in life, and the best part of all: it’s hosted by someone who is also trying to forge his own career path.

Photo: PeopleImages.com / Getty Images

originally shared found on Levo, a fantastic blog with career advice and more! This site is a must visit daily...they have more than just fantastic content -- be sure to let me know your favorite posts in case I haven't discovered it yet...a site with trustworthy suggestions and clever section titles like "Find Your Path" and "Tell Your Story" #Storytelling #PassionLeadPurpose

RT @Levoleague THANK YOU FOR BEING COMPLETELY AMAZING!! Love love love my daily wake up with y'all! #ContentMatters  

Paul Ryan Editorial: Empower Americans, Restore Optimism

Paul Ryan Editorial: Empower Americans, Restore Optimism

February 3, 2015

Posted by admin under 2016, paul ryan

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Congressman Paul Ryan uses an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to explain his reasoning for not running for President in 2016.

We’re offering an agenda to empower Americans, restore optimism

By Paul Ryan

I decided not to run for president for a simple reason: Our economy — our country — is in jeopardy, and I have an opportunity to do something about it right where I am.

The way I see it, the American idea — that the condition of your birth doesn’t determine the outcome of your life — is fading. And there’s no better place in the House of Representatives to brighten its prospects than at the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bulk of our economic policy.

Our committee just returned from a retreat in rural Virginia, where we holed up for a couple days to develop an agenda for moving America forward. We came up with a set of solutions to spur greater economic growth and increase take-home pay.

But it’s more than that. It’s an agenda to help restore the optimism essential to the American character. And it offers a stark contrast to the static, government-centered approach the president is still offering after six long years.

As conservatives, we often get too hung up on the numbers and policy details to communicate what we’re ultimately fighting for: people — and their right to live free and chart their own course to prosperity. This agenda allows us to present a positive vision and remind the country of the principles that bind us.

We believe that a healthy economy grows from the bottom up with empowered individuals rather than top down from a heavy-handed federal government. Americans are an aspirational, dynamic people. Our policy should reflect that.

We want comprehensive reform of our tax code because it’s perhaps the best thing we can do to spur economic growth, create jobs, and increase take-home pay. But we also want a flatter and simpler system so that individuals, families, and small businesses can live and invest how they choose, rather than letting Washington pull the levers with a complex set of deductions and credits.

We want to repeal and replace Obamacare because the law drives up costs and puts government in between patients and their care. But we also want patient-centered reforms — with broad-based tax credits and a freer marketplace — so that patients can pick the plan and doctor they want, with robust competition to drive costs down and quality up.

We want to increase trade and exports because that’s a surefire way to create good-paying jobs right here in America. But we also want to break down trade barriers because we know American workers and businesses can compete with any nation. We believe in markets, and there are great big ones abroad in which American farmers and businesses can sell their products and services.

We want to save and strengthen our entitlement programs because government should keep the promises it has made. And we don’t have to make our kids pay for our retirement with their future. Security for the elderly and opportunity for the young — we can have them both.

We want to fix our safety net so that federal programs work for the sick and the poor, without trapping able-bodied Americans in poverty. We believe in the power of upward mobility and know that there are things we can do — like utilizing the Earned Income Tax Credit — that can help people move from welfare to work.

Will we get everything we want under this president? Of course not. Much of what we want to do is contradictory to the progressive view of the world.

But we can make progress — inch by inch or mile by mile. To me, any step toward a freer, more empowered American people is a step worth taking. And if our ideas largely serve as a blueprint of reform for the next president, then we will have set the groundwork for restoring the American Idea.

If we get to work now, we can get this done. We can build a healthy economy and bring back the optimism that this country was built on.

Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is a congressman from Janesville and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

- See more at: http://www.amrenconsulting.com/paul-ryan-editorial-empower-americans-restore-optimism/#sthash.AWyGJ1Xl.UC0iiasM.dpuf

CAREER ADVICE | April 17, 2015

Personality Traits of High-Performing Women and How to Get Them

by Your Coffee Break

2.7K recent views

Women are generally outnumbered by men in leadership roles, but that doesn’t mean we have to be content to take a backseat. You’ve probably noticed how many women are natural-born leaders and seemingly able to perform well in almost any situation. As it turns out, there are several personality traits these women tend to have. Keep reading to learn more about them and how to develop them so they’re more prominent in your life.

1. Assertiveness

Assertive people tend to be those who stand up for themselves and go full speed ahead to seize new opportunities. They also tend to have better communication skills, which may be one reason why assertiveness and high performance go hand in hand.

Passive behavior, on the other hand, is often associated with a lack of confidence. So, if you find yourself hesitating, step back to take stock of your skills. Once you feel strongly about what you’re capable of, you’ll be better able to speak your mind, or put yourself forward as a worthy candidate to get something done.

2. Aggressiveness

Being aggressive doesn’t mean flying off the handle if something doesn’t go your way. Instead, it involves bringing constructive energy to projects so they move forward instead of getting forgotten.

You can sharpen this personality trait by staying determined to see things through to the finish. Remind others of the worth associated with completing a project and stay focused even if others don’t initially share your willingness to put forth the effort required.

3. Energy

If you lack energy, you can hardly expect to get your own to-do list done, let alone inspire others to stay vibrant. Work on your energy level by being aware of the things that drag you down and making conscious efforts to remove yourself from situations when necessary.

It’s also important to give yourself permission to rest and recharge by taking part in healthy activities. Maybe that means playing guitar or reading book. Whatever the case may be, finding what helps you feel restored is the first step toward getting and staying energized.

4. Empathy

Empathy is a trait that allows you to relate to the situations others are facing and understand why they’re feeling the way they are. One great way to become more empathetic is to simply take time to listen to other people’s perspectives. Sometimes without even realizing it, people become very comfortable in their own surroundings, which may keep them shielded from the challenges experienced by others.

Also, keep in mind empathy doesn’t mean you have to offer solutions to problems. It’s often just enough to make it clear you’re there to provide support. Another effective way to develop empathy is to spend time volunteering for a cause that touches your heart. Doing that gets you out of your comfort zone and able to do something that makes a positive difference.

5. Ego-strength

The ego-strength trait is all about how you handle things when life gets hard. This is definitely a trait that you’ll spend time developing throughout your whole life. A helpful way to start is to keep your perspective as clear as possible.

When challenges come our way, the first response is often one of incompetence, fear or being completely overwhelmed. It’s easier to demonstrate resilience when we try to examine the challenge in a way that’s as practical as possible.

That may mean reaching out to someone else for help, or even just reminding yourself all you can do is take things one day at a time. Also, focus on factors of the challenge that are within your control, rather than letting yourself get swamped by things you can’t necessarily change.

6. Ability to Tolerate Stress

This one is tough for everyone at times, especially because life, and the people you interact with, can be so unpredictable. Being aware of your stress triggers is very useful, because it allows you to recognize things that might make you feel anxious and prepare for them in advance.

It’s also crucial to have several therapeutic things you turn to when stress begins to mount. You may find meditation works well for taming your tension, or feel much more at ease after walking your dog. The sooner you can recognize stress and keep it at a manageable level, the better you’ll be able to handle it.

7. Optimism

Productivity can quickly drop if a person’s morale is low. Sometimes the problem can be so severe it spreads from one individual and ends up affecting an entire team. It’s not realistic to have an optimistic attitude all the time, but being grateful goes a long way in cultivating optimism.

Spend a few minutes a day thinking of several things for which you’re grateful. Maybe it’s the sunny weather, or the fact that you got to have a great dinner with a close friend yesterday. Fixating on the good things in life can help you feel uplifted even if some things in life aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like.

Although it’s not possible to become superwoman by displaying all these character traits constantly, or developing them overnight, taking time to improve them could be your ticket to performing better in whatever you pursue.

This was originally posted on Your Coffee Break.

Photo: Mike Kemp / Getty Images