My Simply Nutella Saturday

Don’t tell me you have never done it before. Don’t go pushing your glasses up your nose and flicking an imaginary speck off your business suit. You are not making eye contact, just staring at your screen typing away, mouth set in a grim line while I accuse you. Don’t lie to me. I don’t know why you are lying to me. When everyone has done it before.

You look up at me sharply when I say that. You subtly look both directions before giving me a slight nod to continue. And I do.

Don’t tell me that you, Miss/Mr prim and proper sitting working like an average person with an average life has never gone a little of your head. Don’t tell me you haven’t sang at the top of your lungs (maybe not ‘We Found Love’ – that is acceptable) while butt-shaking around the house, iPod in one hand, air pumping fist with the other. Don’t tell me you haven’t gone and danced while baking, mixing to the rhythm and acting out the song when some batter falls onto the table. Just don’t tell me. Because seriously, if you haven’t you have been missing out.

Why did I do this? Why was I busting out in my kitchen using my wooden spoon as a microphone? Because it was my night. My night home alone with no one around. Just me, myself, my kitchen and my simply gorgeous singing voice

That’s better…

You can’t judge me. No one can judge me. I was there in my element, rocking up my house. It. Was. Awesome.

You look at me, surprised I am being so open. You open your mouth but it just hangs, looking a little like a goldfish eating its flakes. I am exhilarated, and you are not. But you wish you were. I swing around and leave you sitting in your chair, gaping a little and twitching, fiddly and unsteady. ! know, even if you will never tell me. You have done it before. And now you are going to go home, chuck off those heels and do it all again. Because it is pure fun

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Yeah, I had an awesome Saturday. Sure I worked. But the morning and evening were the best parts of the day! And as I sit here after school, just the memory brings a huge smile grin to my face

I kicked off my morning (after a very late Friday night ) with some Nutella oatmeal. Why Nutella? Because it is always Nutella after my friend’s birthday baking, I was having some serious Nutella cravings that even spooning did not satisfy

I had this wonderful recipe from the totally fabulous blog Simply Scratch bookmarked for a while. Had to use it and this was the most opportune moment
She actually has so many yummy oatmeal recipes but this one beat all (I wonder why?)

Fast, simple, super delicious and filling, it got me fired up to do whatever work necessary. I had to be free for my big finale night. For me

Did I make changes? I increased the Nutella to 2 tbs – look at that gorgeous brown colour I got! Also, I added 1 tsp of vanilla essence. It doesn’t do too much, I just love putting it in everything!

Now comes the night. Do you remember the time, we fell in love, do you remember the time, sorry got side tracked, the songs from shuffle are still running through my head
What I meant to say was: Do you remember this recipe? You don’t remember 5 sources of peanut butter in one cookie? Another lie. Tut tut

Well I adapted it from the wonderful Picky Palate. From this recipe specifically. What I forgot to mention was that I made one other recipe from it. So adapted it may not be adapted at all anymore. Now do not get scared. I am very, um, retro I guess. This recipe is nuts. But it works. Oh yea it works.

Think Hedgehog slice meets fudgy brownie meets giant soft cookie for one.

You heard me: Hedgehog Slice meets Fudgy Brownie meets Giant Soft Cookie for ONE!

In this recipe you can add anything you want. I opted for a buttery shortbread slathered with apricot jam, frozen for 10 minutes, crushed and then mixed into the batter. Don’t think it works with Nutella.

WELL YOU ARE WRONG!

Sorry but you have to believe me. Jam and Nutella. Orange and Nutella. Jaffa Nutella. The newest and best creation ever. Genius. Love it. Want more. Enjoy.

Double Jaffa Nutella Giant Fudge Cookie For One
Loosely adapted from: Picky Palate

Want you want need:

• 20g butter, melted
• 3 tbs brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbs lightly beaten egg
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 generous tbs Nutella
• 4 1/2 tbs plain flour
• 1 1/2 tbs cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 3 tbs chopped dried apricots
• 3 tbs biscuit crumbs (slather one shortbread cookie in marmalade/apricot jam, freeze for 5-10 minutes until jam is set, then crush)
• **Oh, Oh Idea! Add in 1 tbs orange zest too!**

What you can are going to do:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper
2. Mix the brown sugar and butter till combined
   
3. Add in egg and essence
4. Stir in Nutella (yum!)
   
5. Sift dry ingredients over the top together. Stir until few streaks remain
   
6. Stir through apricots, biscuit crumbs and zest
   
7. Scoop mixture into middle of baking sheet and flatten slightly (there was very little spread for mine)
   
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes till outside is firm to touch and inside is soft
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before devouring letting it cool completely on a wire rack
10. Serve with mango ice cream. Don’t believe me? Just try it

Go crazy guys
If I can do it anybody can!

And before I leave you alone because I know this has been uber long and uber picture-esque (which I don’t think you mind ) here are couple of things I would like to share with you

1. Ever been to My Beautiful Things? No? What are you waiting for???
   Amazing blog, amazing blogger, I was flattered that she decided to make the wonderful Lemon Polenta Cookies I made last week – She renamed them Jewel Cookies because of the beautiful look of raisins (she used craisins) in them – how cool is that! Aren’t they gorgeous
   Check out her gorgeous method slideshow here!
2. I know I have been showing you many a food pic but just a little something to get you jealous – after weeks of nuts and chocolate and cranberries, meet my newest study companion:
   Don’t judge me! My half yearlies are straight after my holidays (gaah…)

Note to Kimby and An Irish Village Pantry: Thank you so much for the awards my friends. I will be posting about it with my next post. Just wanted to let you all know so you would not be surprised it was not in this one