Love Actually inspired: Banoffee Pie

Everyone has their go to movie every holiday season and mine is undoubtedly, Love Actually.  Released in 2003, Love Actually is a British romantic comedy that follows the ten different love stories.  One of many reasons I love it so much is the fact that the director can make you feel so involved with each story line.  My heart breaks with one as it laughs with another.  I'm sure many of you out there has seen it but if you haven't, it's a must have.

One of my favorite story lines is the one between is Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Mark (Andrew Lincoln).  In one ver emotional scene, Juliet visits Mark to review the footage he took from her wedding.  She enters the door offering banoffee pie.  

"I'm nice. I really am. Apart from my terrible taste in pie and... It would be great if we could be friends." - Juliet

Chocolate and Cocoa Nib Cookies

I'm a big, big fan of chocolate chip cookies but after a while they all taste the same to me.  Thankfully, this past weekend, a friend gifted me a pack of her homemade cookies.  I didn't think much of it until I tried it but it was one of the best cookies I've ever had.  It was chewy, soft, and crispy on the edges, everything you want from a  cookie.  

Apple and Butternut Squash Soup

   

 It's easy to say I've been on a soup kick ever since the weather has gotten a bit chillier.  There really is nothing like a warm bowl of soup with a crusty piece of bread to dip it in.  While making my rounds at my local market a few days ago, it was difficult to ignore the beautiful squash that were available.  

This recipe is so easy! All you honestly need is a cutting board and pot.  I hate fussing with equipment on some days and this recipe is perfect with a cold night when you don't want to be fussing in the kitchen. This soup is great for work the next day as well.  I hope you guys enjoy it!

Cauliflower Soup with Spiced Sunflower Seeds

I'm someone who can have soup for every meal of the day.  While it is satisfying, it probably isn't the best for the waistline.  Most soups contain heavy cream and that is just something I don't want to feel guilty about eating.  In comes cauliflower soup.  To me, cauliflower in soup has the same texture as potatoes and is a great substitute.  This recipe has very few ingredients and so it's important to use the freshest ingredients.

Cauliflower Soup -

http://food52.com/recipes/15247-paul-bertolli-s-cauliflower-soup

To just add a bit of texture and flavor, I toasted off some sunflower seeds and croutons.

Seasonsed Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds     1/2 cup
Olive Oil                 2 tbsp
Cayenne                  to taste
Cumin                    1 tsp

Toss all of the ingredients together and toast at 325F until golden brown.

I hope everyone is having a great week and enjoy!

Mickey's Halloween Party

I just got back from a little weekend trip to Anaheim, CA to visit the most magical place on earth, Disneyland.  This is my first time to visit Disneyland during Halloween and let me tell you, it was AMAZING.  The party is a separate ticket that allows you entry at 4pm and the actual trick or treating happens at 7pm.  I would not recommend this to very young children because it does involve a lot of lines (though it moves quite fast) but it is extremely crowded.  Here are some photos of my amazing time and I really hope you all enjoy it. Please let me know if anyone else attended this year or has years before.  I would love you know how your experience was!

The main gates of Disneyland.