True Grit Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

I liked the Oscars much better when Billy Crystal was up on stage, dancing around and trading jabs with Nicholson in the front row. Oh, and Ellen. She was a hoot. The last couple award ceremonies have been pretty flat. To add injure to insult, most Hollywood movies have also left me cold. Going out to the cinema is sort of like a crapshoot - you could be paying 14 bucks each to see a real gem, or sit through two and a half hours of complete doo-doo. This is why I've started being real selective with my movies - I carefully watch their rating on Rotten Tomatoes, or I wait until Oscar season is among us and watch the entire "Best Picture Catagory".

There was one movie I had to run out and see before I saw any review (well, two if you include Scott Pilgrim). The Coen Brothers have consistently bewitched me with their stories (re: Fargo, Lebowski, O Brother, No Country, Burn After Reading etc etc). When I heard they were remaking one of my favourite John Wayne films, I got excited. When I heard they were remaking one of my favourite John Wayne films with Jeff Bridges, I peed myself a little. Then made cornbread to celebrate the glory that is True Grit.

Cthulhupalooza II: Son of Cthulhupalooza

You may have figured it out by now, but we're real big nerds. While you guys are out at the park, having a jolly old picnic with your families, we're huddled in a basement, playing D&D while consuming superhuman amounts of Cheetos and Mountain Dew. That's just how we roll. We love hanging out with other nerds, chatting about the latest Deadpool comic or the new World of Warcraft expansion. Lucky enough for us, there's a group that organizes geeky get together in Vancouver.

They're named Second Level Wizards. And they're totally our heroes.

Last Friday, we were able to bake for one of their amazing events, Cthulhupalooza II. Yes, this was the inspiration for our latest terrifying creation. Our cupcakes were along side some amazingly nerdy baked goods that I just had to share with you:

Break My (Dark Chocolate Bread) Heart

I'm so glad Valentine's Day is over. I'm pretty sure my retinas have been permanently damaged by all the pinks and reds floating around the blogosphere. Come on, people. It's time to hide all those little chalk conversation hearts and move on.

Or not.

This month's Dessert Wars called on us to create a delectable dish that featured both dark chocolate and . . . hearts. This means I'd have to journey back to the land of Valentines to get the job done. Cupid thrust an arrow into my chest and gave it a few twists. No matter how painful it was, I'd have to swallow my pride and make something romantic, passionate, and utterly amorous.

Or not.

Journey Around the World (of Cake): Pistachio-Rosewater Cake

I've gotten a lot of emails recently about these bad boys. We love the flavours, you tell me, but a cookie? For Valentine's Day? That doesn't seem too romantic. Okay. You're right. Cookies aren't romantic. I don't know anyone who seductively feeds their significant other oreos in bed. I don't even think you could eat an oreo seductively. I realize that my rosewater cookies aren't the best for a lovely romantic romp. But I do have a cake that will do the trick. It's got rosewater. It's got pistachios. And it's really exotic.

Say assalamu alaikum to the Iranian Pistachio-Rosewater Cake.

Spinach Banana-Nut Muffins

So, you over did it during Super Bowl weekend, didn't you? One too many chicken wings and mugs of cheap beer? I understand. For some reason, you think a bunch of guys tackling each other in tight pants is a big deal. Enough of a big deal to absolutely throw that New Years resolution to the wind and completely engorge yourself. And now, even days after the big game, you've still got heartburn. What's worse, you've finally noticed the flat tire that's started to settle around your middle. It's like the ghost of Thanksgivings past has come to haunt you.

But, it's okay. Football season is now over. You now have couple days to detox before you consume that giant box of stale cinnamon hearts. Time to make the best of it.

Rose Creme Sandwich Cookies

I really have been avoiding the large pink elephant that's been standing in the room for the last four days. All the other super-blogs around have already invited it in and embraced it. But I have yet to follow suit. Oops.

Honestly, Valentine's Day is not too big in this household. Not because we're anti-love or anti-fake-holiday-created-by-the-card-companies. It's just not our thing. Why book a restaurant that will be packed? Why buy each other stuff we don't need? Why designate a special day to stuff ourselves with chocolate when we do that the other 364 days of the year? All good questions. But, even with all the reasons out there to forget about Valentine's Day, there will still be thousands of couples out on the 14th gargling bubbly. Hey, my friends, more power to you.

So, I guess it's my dessert-blogger duty to pander to the all the lovey dovies out there. For you, my little shmoopies, I have a delicate little sandwich cookie that will quickly replace that stale box of chocoaltes you picked up at the grocery store. The flavour is pure, liquid love - exotic rosewater. The creamy filling just seals the deal.  I know this treat will really kick off your Valentine's Day.

Journey Around the World (of Cake): Lamingtons

I haven't really seen the world. I've traveled throughout the United States and Canada, but have yet to leave the North America for some real Travel Channel style voyaging. For me, it's not so much a money issue - being double-income-no-kids is quite the treat. I honestly just haven't had the time. I didn't take any time off between high school and university to backpack around Europe. Nor did I leave my institute of post secondary education to "find myself" in South America. I didn't even have a time to do the Galapagos Islands between receiving my degree and getting shoved into a career. Now I'm just to damn busy to travel. 

Luckily, I can live vicariously through photos of Mr. C's travels, dusty history books, and the odd Anthony Bourdain special. But, sometimes, that's not enough. I want to see the sights. Live the night lift. And, most of all, eat all the food. I'd even forget my vegetarianism and horrible shellfish allergy to sink my teeth into some Thai/Moroccan/Peruvian street food. Hell, I wouldn't even regret the horrible dysentery that would follow. 

For now, I guess I just have to experiment with the tastes of globe. Especially the sweet tastes.