Will You Marry Me?

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You will after you eat these cookies. Marry Me cookies get their name from the delicious taste and possibility of someone offering to marry you after making them. It's not guaranteed, but they do have some magical powers. My mom first made these cookies while I was still at home over break. They rolled out about 3 dozen so she ushered me off with a big bag full before I went on my ski trip. I left them on the counter of the ski house we rented while I unpacked and came back downstairs to them almost all gone. 

I couldn't take the credit so I had to make my own batch once we got home. They were as big a hit the second time around. No proposals, but I mean I'm 21, not really trying to get married yet!!

Chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and pecans, all wonderful components ready to be dumped into the dough (and a few small handfuls into my mouth). The way these cookies come together is different than most cookie recipes. The butter and sugars are melted together on the stove, then instead of transferring to an electric mixer, you continue to combine all the ingredients in the pan on the stove. There are then stages of chilling the dough before baking, but I promise they turn out wonderful. 

Marry Me Cookies adapted from this recipe 
yields 2-3 dozen

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/4 light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and stir until sugars are incorporated and smooth. Chill the mixture for 10 minutes.

Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and mix together. Stir in the white chocolate chips, chocolate chips and pecans. Roll by hand into medium-size balls or use a scoop, and place on sheet pans (greasing is not necessary because of the melted butter). If desired, tuck extra chips and pecans over tops of dough mounds for a lovely appearance.

Preheat the oven to 325˚F. Chill, on sheet pan for 30 minutes in the fridge or just a few in the freezer. Remove the cookies from the refrigerator and bake for 14-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool for several minutes on pan, then transfer to cooling rack.

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If you are over pink, red and hearts galore, these are a perfect, yet subtle Valentine treat! 

Annie

Bites of My Life

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A busy but great week getting things done while still having fun. I mentioned how much fun we had last weekend at the rodeo, so we couldn't resist the rodeo round 2. Fun weekends really fill up my cup. 
Before heading out of town I had a fun blogger collaboration, a giveaway post and some extra blog support. This all helped remind me why I really love Take a Bite and the reason I do it. I've also been so inspired by friends starting new adventures in business, blogging and future plans. It's such a trying and changing season for my friends and I, but so exciting seeing things unveil in front of us. 
-With all online classes and a work-from-home internship, I spend a lot of time staring at my computer. I have been relying on the socialization aspect of coffee shops to get my work done without going crazy sitting in my house all day. 
-White fish topped with a grapefruit, avocado and feta salsa with roasted purple sweet potatoes on the side for Monday's dinner. A "use what you've got" version of this. 
-It's so much fun connecting with other bloggers, especially when food is involved. Did you catch my recipe swap with The Everyday Adventurer last week?
-A veggie wrap balanced out with beer battered fries during a work lunch testing out the new Slaughter's Hall in Deep Deuce OKC!
-Boomer for our Sooners!
-Provence 1970, a story about iconic foodies and friends such as Julia Child and M. F. K. Fisher. I'm trying to read more in 2015 and this rec by Molly seemed right up my alley. 
-So much fun highlighting my great friend Claire and her artistic ability on TAB last week! She is now taking orders for 5x7 prints! Email her at clairemartindeaigns@gmail.com and follow on Instagram! 
-Back to Fort Worth on Friday for a Rodeo weekend round 2. We started off with an amazing and healthy lunch at Pacific Table where I got this beautiful brussels sprout salad. 
-Took advantage of the beautiful Texas weather for Saturday brunch on the patio at Joe T. Garcias. 
-Love playing cowgirl with my girl Megs!
-This ain't my first rodeo anymore! Beer, bulls, and cowboys at the final round of the FWSSR!
-Another great Fort Worth weekend under our belt finished off with sushi outside at Central Market before heading home!
-Annie

GIVEAWAY: Heart Art

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**UPDATE** Claire is now taking orders for custom 5x7 prints! Follow along on Instagram or email  her at clairemartindesigns@gmail.com to order!
I have some pretty great friends, and as you can see, some pretty talented ones too.  Claire is one of my dear friends, she was my freshman roommate and now, a secret artist. She's been holding out on us. 
Claire is an interior design major and has always had an eye for style. With her artsy instincts, she started doing these adorable sketches in her free time. You can't find them anywhere but hiding in her sketch book, so I took the initiative to show off her talent to all of you. 

I've mentioned it before, but I'm pretty fond of Valentine's Day. A day filled with pink and candy and love? I see nothing wrong with that. To share a little love around the holiday I had Claire draw up these Valentine prints to GIVEAWAY to you! I'll be giving away two 5 x 7 prints, so keep reading to find out how you can enter! 

Claire also drew up this adorable sketch that I had to snatch for myself! It's now proudly sitting on my desk and the background on my phone. 
But honestly, how good is she? The girl needs to open an Etsy shop or get a website so we can start buying these. Maybe this post will help push her;)

So, want to be the lucky winner of one of these prints? There are a few ways to enter...
1. Like Take A Bite on Facebook
2. Comment on this post 
2. Comment by tagging two friends on my Instagram
Enter one way or all three, the more ways you enter the better chance you have at winning! Let me know in the comments how you entered. Two winners will be announced Friday at noon! 
Annie

Recipe Swap with The Everyday Adventurer

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"The Everyday Adventurer is about celebrating the now that is happening all around us." What a wise concept to live each day by. Lindsey and Haley Chandler are the dynamic sister duo behind the Austin based blog, The Everyday Adventurer. A blog celebrating travel, food, fashion and everyday's adventures. I feel a kinship with these girls, not only because Haley and I were sorority sisters, but because we both enjoy the simple things in each day. Whether it's an adventure or a bite, life is meant to be celebrated!

When the TEA girls contacted me about doing a recipe swap, I happily obliged! We wanted to focus on featuring healthy recipes for the new year. Today I'm featuring Lindsey and Haley's recipe for Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup, and on The Everyday Adventurer, you can find my Butternut Squash and Shrimp Stir Fry with Quinoa!
I love coming together with people over my favorite thing...food! Before I give away the recipe for this scrumptious soup, let's get to know TEA a little better!
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
L: Let's see, where to start? I am passionate about a lot of things: faith, family, cooking, travel and being outside. I graduated from TCU with a Finance degree about 4 years ago and started my career at a travel technology company in Dallas. I spent three years there completely falling in love with the industry and doing quite a bit of global travel for work before moving to Austin to continue my path in marketing in a sub-segment of the industry (vacation rentals). It's so fun to talk about something at work that you love to do personally! I've been enjoying the transition to Austin (such a fantastic city!), but also enjoy making it home to Dallas regularly to catch up with friends and family.
H: I graduated from OU two years ago. This sooner somehow ended up in longhorn territory. I moved to Austin for a job opportunity and to live with Lindsey. I have been enjoying living in a new city and all it has to offer. We are constantly trying out new restaurants and activities outside!
How did The Everyday Adventurer get started?
Lindsey started The Everyday Adventurer about a year after she graduated college as a place for creative inspiration outside of work and to document her travels and travel advice. Once we both moved to Austin together, we transitioned TEA to a lifestyle blog to document all of our interests including travel, fashion, food and everyday adventures in Austin.
What does an average day look like for you?
 L: I am a big believer in starting your day out on the right foot. I usually get up about 30 minutes before I need to start getting ready for work to have quiet time, coffee and read news and email before the day starts. I work on a marketing team for a vacation rental marketplace, so my days are full of creating and executing marketing campaigns for our customers! After work, I love to catch up with friends, cook dinner and unwind with a glass of wine.
H: Typically I start my day with a few cups of coffee and watch the morning news. Although, my morning routine is different everyday. I work at an upscale boutique here in Austin and I’m constantly meeting interesting people everyday. I’m passionate about helping people and love what I do! I usually end my day by making dinner with my sister and watching a favorite TV show. Right now we are hooked on House of Cards and Downton Abby.
What has been your favorite β€œadventure” so far?
 L: A hiking trip to the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy. Absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever been. It is also not a popular American tourist destination, so it was pretty cool to be one of the only Americans there.
H: Last year we went on a Mediterranean cruise and traveled to different parts of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. I would have to say Oia, Greece is by far my favorite adventure I have been on. The coastline and views were spectacular! I will definitely be going back in the future.
What is your favorite thing to β€œtake a bite” of?
 L: This is so hard! I think I'd have to say some type of pasta with really good red sauce.
H: Any type of Italian food! Pizza and pasta will always be on the top of my list! 

Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
8 oz hot italian sausage
1 bunch kale, torn
Β½ cup Lentils
10 oz can diced tomatoes
32 oz vegetable stock
2 carrots, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery ribs, diced
Β½ tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
salt and pepper
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium high. Add sausage and cook until golden brown. Add carrots, onion, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the spices and garlic to the pot and stir together, cook for about 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until vegetables and lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Add kale, salt and pepper. Cook until kale is wilted, about 5 minutes.
Serve with crusty bread! Enjoy!

It is so chilly in Oklahoma this week I could really use this soup to warm me up! No better way to celebrate the adventure of weather than by matching it with a warm and fuzzy soup! Soup or stir fry you take your pick, but I hope you enjoyed our little recipe swap!
Enjoy more of Lindsey and Haley's everyday adventures by reading their blog and following on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

All photos via The Everyday Adventurer.

Annie

Bites of My Life

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Finally getting in the swing of the semester and it feels a whole lot better. After my last semester freak out the week before, it was rejuvenating to feel some peace and hope about my future this past week. A little wedding planning, a little work, some late night baking, and dinner with friends before heading out of town for the Fort Worth rodeo. 
I wrote about this weekend last year and it was too fun we couldn't pass up a second visit this year. It was double the fun this time we may be heading back down this weekend for the finals! I'm all about filling my days with memories before this period of my life is over. 
-Started off the week with wedding cake tasting! The best MOH duty so far!
-A colorful salad to counteract the sugar high.
-My internship is really shaping up. Yummy lunch meetings sure do help!
-With a meeting in the city Wednesday afternoon and one early Thursday morning, I spent Wednesday night at home. Gave me the chance to make these brown butter snickerdoodles for my dad's office bake sale! Got word that they were a big seller!
-Dinner at Pizzario Gusto Wednesday night-quickly becoming my favorite OKC restaurant. 
-Scurried out of town Thursday afternoon to head to Fort Worth for a rodeo weekend round 2!
-A cowgirl lunch in the Stockyards. Heavy on the onions and pickles!
-Fort Worth has this way of making me feel like I should live in Texas...
-Cowboy hats, two-stepping and a successful rodeo weekend!
-A Yogi's pit stop is ritual before heading out of town. 
-Attempted to keep things healthy with roasted corn guacamole at our Super Bowl watch party, but the two crock-pots of queso quickly overrided that. 
-Girlies, dips and only watching for the commercials, Katy Perry and Tom Brady.
Annie