Dark Chocolate Merlot Cookies

Remember when I made chocolaty goodness like a month ago? Finally blogging about it :]

I help my mom clean a house every other weekend and the lady we work for has a cabinet full of wine! She is super sweet and gives us a few bottles every now and then, but unfortunately it's merlot and I can't really put down any wine other than muscato.

A few weeks ago she gave us like 6 bottles of merlot and 2 of chardonnay so I'm kind of scrambling to find recipes to use the wine in!

Dark chocolate merlot cookies were on the list. I haven't posted a recipe in a while so for anyone that's new to reading my blog, you should know I'm hopeless in the kitchen, so every time I try a recipe, it legit is a disaster waiting to happen.

I found this recipe on pinterest but tweaked it a little...I made just under 3 dozen late one night and among a family of 4 and within 30 hours they were gone, so I'm gonna say this was a success.

What you'll need:

1.5 cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of cocoa powder

1.5 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

0.5 cups of softened butter

0.5 cups of granulated sugar

1 cup of brown sugar

2 medium sized eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

0.5 cups of merlot

8 ounces of good quality of dark chocolate

-Pre-heat the oven at 375.

-Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, and set to the side. 

My favorite part of baking other than eating the final result is mixing the dry stuff. I think it looks so pretty! Hahaha.

-Mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture is "light and fluffy" and then mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and merlot. 

As a rookie baker (...or whatever you'd call me) the "wet" mixtures always make me a little weary and am convinced that I will end up with some kind of sweet soup concoction that I'll have to throw out instead of in this case chocolatey goodness. I'm still working on trusting all these internet recipes, because I don't know what stuff is supposed to look like. 

-Add the dry ingredients you've already mixed into this wet batter and stir together. 

-Chop up your good quality chocolate and mix it into your batter.

                                           

                                                        

Originally, I purchased that Godiva bar thinking it'd be enough, but it wasn't so I ran over to Sprouts and grabbed what I thought was dark chocolate...instead I purchased this:

I didn't realize it had hazelnut and dried currants [I'm gonna pretend you all know what that is because I have no clue] in it, but it gave the cookie some extra flavor and some crunch.

Marty Mess-up: cocoa powder, and then decided that it'd be too rich so I added more flour, and then decided it had lost the sweetness of it so I added a little cinnamon sugar mix. Don't add any of the extra stuff. Stick to the numbers and steps above and you'll be good to go. 

-Butter a cookie sheet [I used a cake pan because for some reason I thought the batter would run some...it didn't] and dollop about 1 teaspoon of the batter about 2 inches apart. I was kind of messy with this so do whatever works for you

-Bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes or until they set but are still soft. Pull the sheet, let it cool. I had some left over chocolate crumbs, so I sprinkled that over the cookies as they were cooling.

Once they're done...enjoy!

If you follow this recipe, or the original one...let me know how yours turn out!

I'm A Bad Yankees Fan

I used to be pretty knowledgeable about all things Yankees, not only about their history, and starting lineup, but I knew info about the second string, and the pitching rotation at the drop of a hat. I’ve done my best to not miss a game while they’re out here on the West coast, but in the last couple of years…I haven’t followed the team, trade info, roster changes, etc. as much as I used to.

I learned how sucky of a Yankees fan I’ve been when they were in San Diego a couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday I mentioned how we ran into Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner during the Yankees weekend in downtown San Diego on the way back to the place we were crashing…what I failed to mention, is we also ran into a Yankees pitcher, Boone Logan.

When we ran into Cash, we asked if it was cool to get a picture with him even though I was decked in Yankees gear. He said sure. His buddy interrupted and said something like “let me know if you want a picture with me” and I kind of laughed it off thinking he was just some weird dude. As I was taking my picture with Cashner, he whispered “take a picture with my buddy, he plays for the Yankees.” I went along with it and snapped a pic with his buddy.

Ignore how gross I look and the fat dip in his lip.

Once we got to the apartment, I did a little research before going to sleep and decided the guy I just met was Preston Claiborne. By the time I woke up and was ready to get going Sunday…I had learned that it was Boone Logan, a guy that’s been playing for the Yanks for like 3 years. I felt so dumb.

To make matters worse, our seats Sunday were closer to the away team’s bullpen instead of the home pen, and the only corner that has any shade in the away bullpen was right behind us. A couple of the pitchers sat in the shade…including Logan. We talked to him a little but I’m sure he knew I didn’t know who he was the other night. Ugh. Kind of embarrassing.

I’m gonna chalk it up to it being wayyy late at night, me being a little tipsy, and him looking TOTALLY different out of uniform. Still lame excuses and I totally suck as a Yankees fan.   

This embarrassing story was brought to you by Fan Friday. For some non-embarrassing Fan Friday worthy posts check out my other 2 from this week, Dodgers v. Yanks recap which includes the celeb lineup that flocks to Chavez Ravine, and my Padres v. Yanks recap.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Yankees v. Padres

After the Yankees v. Dodgers game, the weekend I had been anxiously awaiting for 11 months finally arrived. The New York Yankees were in San Diego playing the Padres. Not only was I excited to purchase tickets at face value instead of $75 a pop thanks to our season tickets, but Jeter was scheduled to come back after KO-ed for half the season, and it was the last opportunity I'd get to see Mariano Rivera save a game.

I love baseball weekends...or so I thought. This last one taught me that 3 days of partying is exhausting! I'm 17 days away from turning 25 but I felt like a grandma by game 3, and couldn't wait to get home and go to bed that night! 

Let's break down the weekend :]

Friday: 

I took the day off from work to get down to the stadium early and increase my chances of meeting Jeter and Mo. The gates were opened about 2 hours before game time, but people didn't have access to the field level seats until 1.5 hours before the game. 

The pitchers came out to left field to left field and throw and I'm pretty positive Mariano Rivera and David Robertson chose to warm up right in front of me after seeing my sign!

Yankees took the field to warm up, cue the Derek Jeter photos

<3

<33

<333

We got to sit in our regular seats for face value! These seats were selling for $120 on stubhub! Yankees ended up losing game 1, no Mariano. Whomp.

It was great to get Bettis for a couple of days!

hazyyyy nights!

:]

Saturday:

We woke up early-ish, had some bomb.com brunch, mimosas, and sangria at Barleymash. This was the start of our 5 hour barhop around downtown San Diego. We hit up Barleymash, Bub's at the Ballpark, South Paw, The Tilted Kilt, and The Corner. 

Fireball shots at Bub's!

Tequila shots at Southpaw...I might have done quacks here.

Riveting conversation at the Tilted Kilt

I see Kayyyyy! and a little bit of Joey G. at The Corner!

We eventually made it into the stadium, and watched the Yankees kick some butt, and  it was my last opportunity to see Mariano Rivera save a game.

We spent the night after the game barhopping, and on our way back to the place we were crashing at, we ran into Andrew Cashner...one of the Padres pitchers!

Another hazyyy nights pic with me not looking cute!

Sunday:

We RSVP'd for brunch on the field months ago because I would be that much closer to the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Yanks decided they would like to take batting practice that morning so we couldn't eat on the field. Instead, we were seated in the batter's eye...which wasn't as great as being on the field, but we got a pretty cool view!

Creeping on CC Sabathia throwing!

Scored an autograph!

The Yankees ended up dropping game 3 to the Padres and San Diego took the series. As great as is was to make it to all 3 games, I was ready for the game to be over and get home ASAP. Because of that, I wasn't as upset about the outcome as I should have been. It was definitely a fun little weekend, glad I got to see the Yanks in town, and hang out with so many people that I love. As exhausting as the weekend was...I look forward to the next one! Which probably won't be until 2014 since baseball is almost over. Wahhh.

Yankees v. Dodgers

Took a little blog break because life has been too good lately! Let's take it back to 2 weeks ago :]

I hit the road to LA to catch the Yankees play up in Hollywood the day after the bomb.com Bruno Mars concert

Weeeeee selfie!

I grabbed Holley from OC and grabbed some lunch in Culver City
Tito's Tacos...so. dank.

We arrived!

Holley & I

Our seats were in island that is known as the bleachers...
You legit have no access to the rest of the stands

Dodger Stadium: Los Angeles, CA

Robinson Cano & Derek Jeter

If cameras are there...they will come. Celebs flock to the stadium:

Samuel L. Jackson reading the Dodgers starting lineup

Cristiano Ronaldo throws out the first pitch

<3

Nicole Sherzinger sings the Star Spangled Banner

Celebs not pictured: Christina Aguilera and her son...the poor kid gets boo-ed for wearing a Yankees cap! Magic Johnson & Kobe Bryant were also shown on the big screen and legit get a roaring round of applause and a standing ovation. 

Mariano Rivera saves the game!

and the Yankees win!

It was a fun little day trip to LA and watch some baseball and get me ready for the Yankees in San Diego!

The GOAT

Mariano Rivera.

18 years in the MLB, 643 saves and counting.

I saw the Yankees play in LA and San Diego last week and had my last two opportunities to see Mariano Rivera close out a ball game.

Dodger Stadium Save

Petco Park Save

The ovations from Dodger Stadium and Petco Park were completely different…I don’t mean to rag on Padres fans considering I am one, but LA impressed with their cheers and recognition of the greatness that is Mo. Padres fans kind of disappointed. I don’t know if you’ll be able to tell from the videos, but Dodgers fans were SO much louder than Padres fans when Mariano came in to save the games for the Yankees. I understand this is an opposing teams pitcher, but Mo is The GOAT. Maybe it was a little more personal in San Diego because Mariano ousted Padres beloved Trevor Hoffman for the most saves in history.

He warmed up right in front of me!

Shot from our seats!

Witnessing my last Mariano Rivera save.

I was a pleasure to watch Mariano do his thing one last time before he hangs up his cap. This guy was full of class throughout his entire 18 year career, during a time where everyone is out to get you and bring you down. Props to you Mo! There will never be another like you! You are the greatest closer of all time.

Bleh

A quick Wednesday post... Bleh is how I feel today when I think about how much I weigh right now...especially since I totally fell hard off the wagon during my 6 day staycation last week that included concerts and baseball. I logged all of my food and booze and managed to put down about 16,000 calories in 6 days!  Barf city. I know a lot of people (including myself) are like “Meh, it’s okay…it’s just a slip up. No big deal. I love my body. Blah, blah, blah” but 16k calories is totally NOT okay. Excusing this kind of shit is why I’m a fatty in the first place. No slacking though, I’ve already been paying for last week in the gym this Monday and Tuesday with a run/walk combo of 10.5 miles and an arm workout. I’ve also been flushing my system of all the grease and booze I ate last week by drinking water and eating fruit. I’m pushing the moment of truth back a week because I don’t really want to know what I gained last week! Hopefully I can make up for it!