Left Field Friday: May 31st, 2013

Well hey there. I haven’t done a random Friday post in a while because I’ve been lazy forgetful super busy, but there were just too many things I wanted to share this week, so here you go!

• Can you guys even handle how cute my nephew is? He’s 5 and LOVES to bake. Seriously loves it. Every time he’s at grandma and grandpa’s house he wants to make cookies with a “special secret ingredient,” which usually means a combination of white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and/or sprinkles (smart kid). As you can see above, he was especially excited about the special secret peanut butter surprise in these cookies last week.
• My childhood summer memories have blurred over the years, but one thing I remember clearly is the ice cream and hard shell that were always available in my parent’s kitchen. Waiting for that chocolate coating to harden may be the reason why I have even the slightest patience in my adult life. So, you can imagine that when I found this 2-ingredient Nutella hardshell recipe that I absolutely freaked out. Can it be true? I was recently given a free pint of my very favorite ice cream out of dumb luck, so I will have to find out.
• This salad looks like summery perfection. Of course I would have to add 1/2 an avocado to every serving, because that’s usually how I convince myself to eat salads, but I’m loving the idea of a fresh cilantro dressing to kick off summer. My mom also gave me some of those pans for baking taco salad shells (yes, as seen on TV), so I think that combination will need to happen.
• I recently told you all about my newfound love of spelt flour, so I should probably share the recipe that started it all. This recipe makes just two waffles, so it’s the perfect breakfast for one (which works out well, since The Beast refuses breakfast so frequently…what a nut). When I make them I swap the buckwheat flour for spelt (as Ashlae suggests in the post), use lowfat dairy milk because it’s what I usually have on hand, and add flaxseed meal instead of potato starch. OH and then I top them with peanut butter because, well…om nom nom.
• A few weeks ago I had to share my go-to smoothie recipe with you because it makes me so darn happy every morning. I try to make my smoothies healthy, since they’re usually breakfast, but how about this for a hot weather dessert? Frosty coconut and chocolate heaven.
• If you’ve read my post on Crispy Baked Cream Cheese Jalapeno Wontons, you know how I feel about the combination of jalapeño and cream cheese. I recently saw these Twice Baked Jalapeno Poppers from Naturally Ella and they have been consuming my thoughts ever since. Must make this weekend.
• Why does Buzzfeed know my childhood so well? Especially #35. The Beast and I pretend we’re in elementary school gym class every time we fold sheets together. That sounds weird…perhaps I shouldn’t have admitted that…?

Happy weekending to all of yous!