Ok..it’s me.  Yeah me.  I know, I never blog.  Sara is clearly the classier/prettier one of the relationship.

So here’s my take on the bar….I got nothing – I’ve already blocked it from my mind.  I remember vaguely studying 8 hours a day, eating extremely poorly, and having a beard.  I have since lost the beard – it was not a good look.

Here’s my life post bar:  work.  Actually, it’s a bit more exciting than that.  I’ve determined that I am going to complete my P90X program from start to finish.  For those of you who do not know, P90X is an EXTREME 90 day work out program.  I did about five weeks of it earlier this semester and lost about 15-20 lbs.  I’m not as big as I used to be, so 20 lbs might not be a good idea.  But I would like to lose the bar weight I gained.

Here’s the best part about post-bar:  I HAVE WEEKENDS AGAIN.  I really can’t remember the last time Sara and I actually had weekends.  3L year we spent most of our weekends studying or doing clinic cases.  It’s been awhile.  We haven’t done anything TOO exciting, but just spending time during which we can actually relax is amazing.

So that’s my life – simple.  Just the way I like it!  Oh, and Shiner is a hyper butt.

Well, we survived the Bar exam…  For now…  Years of school and months of studying came down to 3 short, but grueling, days.  Here’s a breakdown of what we endured -

TUESDAY: Two 90 minute exams beginning at 8AM – the MPT followed by P&E.  The first 90 minutes consisted of the MPT, Multistate Performance Test, which is supposedly designed to test our ability to use “lawyering skills in a realistic situation…  I wouldn’t exactly classify it as a “realistic situation.”  I would say the MPT is basically designed to test whether or not you can follow directions and take orders.  The second 90 minutes, which directly followed the MPT without a break, was devoted to P&E, Procedure and Evidence (Criminal and Civil).  Just imagine 90 minutes worth of short answer questions…  handwritten…  yeah, I’m not sure how legible the last 15 or so questions were so good luck BLE (Board of Law Examiners) when you’re grading those.

WEDNESDAY: 6 hours and 200 multiple-choice questions known as the MBE (Multistate Bar Examination), or aka my personal hell.  At least we got a break this day.  We had 100 questions in the AM, had about a hour for lunch and then another 100 questions in the PM.  I consider this more a test of endurance than anything else.

THURSDAY: THE LAST DAY!!  6 hours and 12 essays make-up the Texas Essay portion of the Bar exam (3 hours and 6 essays in the AM, lunch break, 3 hours and 6 essays in the PM).  That’s right, 12 essays.  The following are the topics that the essays cover: 2 UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) essays – typically 1 Secured Transactions and 1 Commercial Paper, 2 Family Law essays (our favorite), 2 Property essays – typically 1 Real Property and 1 Oil and Gas, 2 Wills and Estate essays, 2 Business Associations – typically 1 Partnership and 1 Corporation, 1 essay either on Guardianship or Trusts and 1 Consumer Protection.

So… That’s it… I thought I would feel more… I don’t know… Excited, maybe?  However, I just feel numb.

For anyone taking the Bar exam in the future, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you’re thinking about typing your exam, just be warned that you have to jump through hoops and pay extra.  Especially if you have a Mac.  If you have a Mac, like us, you’ll have to purchase a version of Windows (more than likely Vista), install it on your computer, have a strong desire to punch something when it doesn’t work, attempt to partition the hardrive when you finally do install it, want to cry and wish that you had chosen to hand write the whole stupid thing when partitioning turns into an ordeal, reboot your computer, try to the run the Bar software, get the itch to slam your laptop against the table when something goes wrong with that, and then finally complete a practice exam and send it.  So… was it worth it to type the exam…?  It was a pain in the butt and caused a great deal of stress (probably a couple extra gray hairs) and some unexpected expenses out of my bank account, but Jake and I both agree that in the end it was worth it to type the exam.  Just prepare yourself for the headache in advance and don’t wait until you receive the e-mail from BLE telling you that you only have until the end of the week to get all of this done.
• You are not allowed to use the restroom the first 15 minutes of each exam period or the last 15 minutes of each exam period.  Therefore, if you need to go plan accordingly.
• No bags, purses, food, hats, cell phones/electronic devices, papers, beverages, etc.  in the exam room.  If you bring a bag you have to leave it outside in the hall or you can leave it in your car.
• Prepare to cram during the lunch break on essay day because after the AM portion you’ll know what subjects will be tested after lunch.
• Bring ear plugs.  I can’t stress this enough.
• Red Bull makes sugar free “shots.”  I kept a few of these in the car and would take one before I went in for the next part of the exam.  They rocked my world.
• One more thing about typing the exam – Expect delays.  People will have issues with their computers, some might even shut down forcing individuals to hand write the exam.  It happens, so just be patient.

Now we wait – until November to be more specific.  No matter what happens I tried my best.  I fought through my depression, which debilitated me in the past, and my friend passing away.  I “powered through,” as Jake puts it, and I am proud of myself.  That’s all I can do.

Most people take a “Bar Trip” after the exam for a week, if not more, to exotic locations like France, Hawaii or Vegas.  Jake and I on the other hand are going to work.  Jake is going back to work with his family law firm and I’m starting this month at the Travis County Attorney’s Office where I’ll take on my first experiences as a pseudo-Prosecutor (I’m going to first chair my own Protective Order cases).  We’re just happy that we can actually spend time together again, plan our wedding, shop around for a house and watch t.v. again.

- Sara

I have an obsession with DIY projects.  Have I really completed any myself?  Well… besides spray painting my old filing cabinet red… no, not really.  However, I stalk blogs like Design*Sponge like whoa.  For months now I have talked Jake’s ear off about how I want to reupholster a chair by myself.  He can attest to my manic, daily Craigslist checking habits and unusual study break ideas – “Honey, can we take a break and go check out the thrift store/consignment store down the street/garage sale sign we passed 3 hours ago?”

Well, it was worth it:

Why, yes, that IS a channel back chair for $15!!

And what is this?! A side table for $10?!?!

I can’t wait for the Bar to be over!!  I’m going to reupholster that chair and paint that side table like nobody’s business!!  I just wish I had the camera at the garage sale this morning to take pictures of Jake trying to fit the chair into his Honda Civic.  It was a 15 min. site to see accompanied by words of encouragement from a fellow garage sale patron who cheered, “I thinks it’s bout time y’all call yer uncle with the truck to git hurr.”  Thanks buddy, really.

The Bar has taken over my life for the past 2 months or so.  I’ve been through the spectrum of emotions from anxious, depressed, hysterical to shutting down and not caring.  During law school, but especially now, I’ve had many moments when I’ve wondered if it’s all worth it to be this unhappy…

I’ve been having one of the those moments for the past 2 months that was given a new outlook today.

A law school friend posted a Facebook status mentioning that she found a job that she would love to do that wasn’t law related.  I commented back that she should go for it – thinking to myself that I should take my own advice.  Shortly after our exchange I received a message from a high school friend that one of our former classmates, and friend, committed suicide this week.  This news struck close to home – proximity, he was in Austin, and outlook on life, he was in medical school.  None of us really knew he was having such a hard time or that he was so unhappy.

I wish I had known, not because I could have done anything to help necessarily, but so I could have at least been there for him if he needed someone.  I can’t say that I know what he went through, but I’m having a hard time saying that I don’t understand completely.  I have had dark and bleak moments of my own and it’s hard and trying to power through when you just want to give up…

I’ve decided that no matter what happens in my life I will be happy.  If I fail the Bar, so what?  I can retake it, although I’m not sure if I would want to put myself through this depression filled hell again, or I can move on with my life and find something I’m truly happy doing.  Even if I pass the Bar I’m not sure anymore if I’ll pursue a legal career.  I just want to be happy.  I just want my mom to be happy.  I just want Jake to be happy.  Everything happens for a reason and all I can do is try my best and work with what God gives me.

My advice to everyone: Be happy. Live life. Go after your dreams.

I’m not a very religious person. I consider myself more spiritual than anything. However, it’s times like this one where I do value prayer. Please help me pray for my friend, his family and his loved ones.  May they all find peace.

- Sara

Studying for the bar = no time to write blog posts = quick photo rundown!

My rosemary plant (from mom). This will go in my garden one day.

Shiner is super cute!

Delicious Rockstar bagels!

Jake’s birthday dinner (made by me):

Spice coated rack of lamb with avocado, grapefruit and arugula salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette.

Birthday martinis.

Delicious birthday cake ordered by mom!

Award winning jalapeno and cheese sausage made in TX.

Jake’s Father’s Day dinner from me and Shiner:

Steak with a red wine reduction, horseradish and sour cream mashed potatoes and vanilla and honey glazed baby carrots.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this while surfing Foodgawker:

Thanks to, Ms. Adventures in Italy, I have been educated about the wonder that is Pocket Espresso To Go.  Alas, it’s only available in Italy at the moment (which is probably a good thing during my Bar studies since I would most definitely OD on the stuff).

So what is Pocket Espresso?  According to Ms. Adventures, it’s based on the original Pocket Coffee candy, a dark chocolate-espresso concoction.  Pocket Espresso has 1/3 the caffeine of a typical cup of espresso and 47 calories with 1 gram of fat!!  WHY DON’T THEY SELL IT IN THE U.S.?!?!  Sigh…  It even has its own straw!!  Too cute for words.

Someone please tell Ferrero to get on shipping the stuff over to the U.S., specifically Austin!

- Sara

This is a follow-up to my “Dehydration” post.

Behold, my BAR ARSENAL!

From L to R: Apple, Water Bottle, Lychee Fruit Jellies, Yogurt, Alka-Seltzer, Almonds, Korean Red Ginseng Tea, Emergen-C, Bowl of Cereal w/Soy Milk, Big Cup o’Coffee, Bottle of Tylenol

APPLE: I plan to carry around fruit with me to snack on and keep hydrated.

WATER: Featured in my Hello Kitty SIGG bottle above.  I need to drink more water to avoid dehydration.  What better way to keep hydrated than with a cute bottle??

LYCHEE FRUIT JELLIES: I stopped by Chinatown the other day after Bar/Bri to avoid traffic (law students running away from Bar/Bri class = crazy madness) and to buy a box of tofu.  That’s when I saw the bucket o’fruit jellies.  I remembered that I used to love these things when I was in high school.  Pop them in the freezer and you have a sweet, low calorie, high fiber popsicle-ish treat for hot summer days.

YOGURT: Packed with protein and carbs, a cup of yogurt provides a great pick-me-up snack.

ALKA-SELTZER: I tend to get an upset tummy more often than I would like – especially while studying/stressing.  Unfortunately, Alka-Seltzer is a “must” for me.

ALMONDS: A handful of nuts is a great healthy snack to tide you over until your next big meal.  They also contain “good” fats.  I do not believe that it’s a good thing to eliminate “fats” from your diet in order to lose weight.  We all needs fat in our diet.  We just need to pick the good over the bad – almonds and fish over french fries and a burger.

KOREAN RED GINSENG TEA: My mother gave me what seems like a year’s worth of Korean Red Ginseng Tea.  She, and many Koreans, swear by it’s medicinal powers.  One of my cousins drinks it religiously whenever he feels the onset of sickness and hasn’t had a cold in over a year.  Ginseng is said to promote adaptogen, according to Wikipedia, which helps increase the body’s resistance to stress (score!).  Ginseng is also said to have anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties, increase longevity, improve overall health as well as increase libido and “copulatory performance.”

EMERGEN-C: This product has a cult-like following due to celebs like, Ryan Seacrest, who swear by the stuff – as does my mother.  One pack contains 1000 mg of Vitamin C.  While I believe that’s more than a person needs in a day, it can’t hurt, right?  One thing to be aware of, this product is advertised as a “energy booster” and it’s not a joke.  I’ve taken this before bed and could not sleep.

BOWL OF CEREAL W/SOY MILK: As I mentioned before in my Dehydration post, I plan on eating a breakfast high in protein and carbs each morning in order to stay energized through my Bar/Bri class so I can focus.  While Jake suggested I eat an Egg McMuffin every morning, I decided to go with a healthier option – a high fiber, low sugar cereal with light soy milk.  Yum!

BIG CUP O’COFFEE: I am trying to cut down on my coffee intake, however I still need my daily cup.  I plan on limiting myself to one big cup or travel mug of coffee each day…  My favorite places to study are coffee shops, which don’t really help in the caffeine overload department, so we’ll see how this plays out…

BOTTLE OF TYLENOL: Bar/Bri and the Bar = headaches.

Since we’re on the topic of Bar/Bri and the Bar, let me give you a peak of what Jake and I are facing this summer:

No, those aren’t our books combined.  Those are just MY books, aka – My mountain to overcome.  Welcome to our Hell.  Now do you see why I need an arsenal??

- Sara

My mother LOVES pound cake.  I distinctly remember eating Sara Lee’s chocolate swirl pound cake growing up straight out of the freezer.  However, I also remember that many times the pound cake would be half eaten or completely gone before my mother or I ever got a chance to open the freezer.  He would always take things he knew mom enjoyed…

Mom drove from Dallas for graduation weekend.  While that may not seem like anything exciting for many people, it was for us because it marked the first time mom drove by herself from one city to another outside of the Dallas Metroplex area!  This was an AMAZING feat since she hardly drives outside of Dallas period!!  Well, Jake and I thought that Jake would meet her half-way in Waco, but she completely nixed that idea.  Then we thought Jake could meet her outside of Austin in Round Rock so she could follow Jake the rest of the way to our apartment.  She said she would call before hitting Round Rock…  She lied.  Jake and I had Bar/Bri the morning of mom’s arrival.  Since we live so far South, Jake thought that it would be best to just go ahead and drive to Round Rock to wait for mom after class.  Jake waited and waited for a call from mom (we called her numerous times and only got voicemail).  However, when mom finally called she wasn’t close to Round Rock – she was already near downtown Austin.  That’s right, mom was in AUSTIN and Jake was in ROUND ROCK.  Sigh…   Mom was so focused on driving that she never heard her cell phone.  Additionally, mom wanted to make it to Austin on her own, which she did.  Jake and I were amazed…

While Jake and mom were on their way to Austin (hehe, poor Jake) I decided to make a pound cake for mi madre.  I had some whipping cream left over from my mascarpone brownies, so I decided to use a recipe I found on Epicurious:

Elvis Presley’s Favorite Pound Cake Recipe, courtesy of Epicurious:

(If it was good enough for the King, it was good enough for mom)

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups sugar
• 7 large eggs at room temp
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream

• Grease and dust (w/butter and flour) a cake pan, bundt pan, etc. (I used a loaf pan)
• DO NOT PREHEAT OVEN. Put oven rack in the center of the oven.
• Sift together the flour and salt in a bowl (I used a trick I saw on Barefoot Contessa and whisked the flour instead of sifting – easier and it has the same effect)
• Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy (approx 8 min for me).  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each, then beat in the vanilla.  Reduce mixer speed to low and add half of the flour/salt mixture (mix until incorporated), then the cream (mix until incorporated), then the remaining flour (mix well).  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat at medium-high speed for about 5 min.  Batter will become creamy and a bit satiny.

• Pour batter into the prepared pan and rap pan against your work surface 1-2 times in order to eliminate air bubbles.  Place the pan in a COLD oven and turn the oven on to 350°F.

Notice how my pan is filled to the brim…  This is what you should NOT do!!  Make sure NOT to overfill your pan and that your pan is big enough…

• Bake until golden and until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean (with a few crumbs adhering) – approx 1 1/4 hours.

See, this is what happens when you overfill your pan…  I basically ended up with another cake on the sheet pan underneath (that I put under AFTER the cake started overflowing).  It was a mess!

• Cool cake in the pan on a rack for approx 30 min.  Run a thin knife around the edges of the cake and invert cake onto the rack to cool completely.

I prayed that it would come out of the pan, and luckily it did!

Voila!

This recipe ended up with a lighter/fluffier product than I was expecting.  I think it was the whipping cream and extreme whisk beating that did the trick.  Although lighter, the cake was still dense, buttery and delicious!  AND it was ready just in time for mom and Jake’s arrival (we proceeded to finish half the cake during the weekend and mom took the rest back to Dallas).

- Sara

I am not used to waking up for a 9AM class on the other side of town (as I’ve mentioned before, Jake and I live in South Austin, the cultural-cool part of town, and Bar/Bri classes are held in North Austin, the cultural-creepy part of town).  Because I am unaccustomed to waking up at such an early hour, I drink lots of coffee.  In order to stay awake during 3+ hours of Bar/Bri each day I drink more coffee.  In order to study after Bar/Bri, you guessed it, I drink even more coffee.  What ends up happening?  My system adapts to the caffeine overload to the point where it no longer works, but I have to keep drinking it or I’ll get a pounding headache that does not allow me to study = ADDICTION.  Additionally, when I OD on coffee I tend to get dehydrated (apparently I do not balance out my coffee intake with water sufficiently).  In fact, I’ve become so dehydrated before that I’ve had to go to the hospital on 3 separate occasions for dehydration – vomiting, hyperventilation, IV – the works.

One would think that I would have learned by now… Well, one would be wrong.  I woke up this weekend nauseous, weak and dizzy. Once again I was dehydrated.  I freaked out (for lack of a better term) because I didn’t want to go the hospital again (although I still have University health insurance through August, I’ve learned over time that it’s basically the equivalent of not having health insurance, i.e. they suck).  Was I worried because I didn’t want to be sick or because I didn’t want hospital bills?  Nope.  I was worried because I don’t have TIME to screw around at the hospital and be dehydrated because I have to STUDY.  I lead a sad life…  Jake was kind enough to go on a hunt for Pedialyte to fight the evil known as dehydration.  Yes, Pedialyte is meant for children (more specifically, children with vomiting/diarrhea problems).  However, Pedialyte replenishes the body quickly and helps fight dehydration (something my mother taught me).  After sipping an entire liter worth of Pedialyte, tropical flavored, and taking a nap I can happily announce that I am no longer dehydrated! *YAY!*

Now that I’m hydrated, I decided to conduct a bit of internet research to figure what I should eat during my Bar studies in order to avoid the problems of sluggishness and dehydration.

I first consulted WebMD for energizing foods and the site suggested the following:

• Snack with a purpose! When you need a “wake-up” or “energy jolt” eat a small snack of carbs and protein such as cereal, an egg and milk.  If you’re going to drink coffee, drink a latte with milk so you have the added protein (unlike me – I drink black coffee, which may be a problem…).  Peanuts, cottage cheese, a piece of fruit or a chunk of cheese are good high carb/protein snacks as well.  Avoid processed sugar highs.
• Snacking on a diet (something I’m trying to do). Rice cakes with a little peanut butter or cheese are better than popcorn, pretzels or baked chips.  Don’t eat while watching TV (inactivity + eating = lazy and chunky!).  When “traveling” (I consider the Crockett Center (location of Bar/Bri classes) travel) bring peanut butter crackers, cans of tuna, etc.  I’m not going to carry around a can of tuna.  However, maybe a funpack size fruit cup or something will suffice…

Not very helpful…

Next, AOL Health (I Googled “Fatigue fighting foods”):

• Sugar and coffee bad – They provide a quick “pick-me-up” but are followed by an “energy crash.”  Instead, eat “well balanced meals.”
• Pick meals and snacks that combine protein and carbohydrates such as whole grain crackers with peanut butter or cheese.  Carbs give you a more immediate energy boost and proteins keep you going since they gradually digest.
• Eat an “energizing breakfast” high in fiber with a low-fat milk (again balancing proteins and carbs).
• Yogurt provides a quick pick-me-up (again, carbs and protein).
• Up your insulin intake with foods that have wheat, garlic, onion, chicory root or Jerusalem artichokes (hmm…).
• Snack!  Restricting yourself to 3 meals a day zaps your energy. “Your mind runs better on small meals and snacks every few hours rather than large meals.” A piece of fruit or handful of nuts will be enough.
• Take in more Vitamin C (citrus fruits!), Omega-3s (salmon have a lot of this), Iron (spinach is an example) and Vitamin-B12.

Additionally, according to Improvingyourworld.com:

• FVB = hydration!!  Fruits, vegetables and broth soup keep you hydrated if you don’t drink enough water.

MY GAME PLAN:

• Drink less coffee and drink more water.  I can’t cut out coffee completely at this point (it would do more harm than good – similar to trying to quit smoking during the Bar), but I can drink less.  Maybe I’ll replace some cups of coffee with tea…  Or better yet, I’ll drink a glass of water for every cup of coffee I drink at the very least!
• Eat breakfast high in carbs and protein.
• Carry around lots snacks – nuts, fruit, cottage cheese, etc. (high carb/protein based).
• Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my meals.  If I’m not feeling like a big meal I’ll make some “broth soup.”
• The websites didn’t say it, but I’m going to find time to MOVE whether it’s going for a walk or exercising.  I think sitting around all day, inside reading isn’t helping.

Hopefully I’ll be able to get through the Bar without getting dehydrated again…

- Sara

Boy!  Have we been MIA or what?!

No more pencils!  No more books!  No more teacher’s dirty looks!  OK, not really, but Jake and I are done with law school!  HOORAH!!  *Happy dance!!*

We survived finals with some of the highest grades we’ve made during law school (that might be because we enjoyed this last semester) and with our souls intact (as Jake loves to say).  We’ve already started Bar/Bri classes, which actually began before finals were technically over and before we even graduated. Bar/Bri is a review course that most law students take before taking the big scary bar (law) exam.  It’s the test that really counts since we can’t officially become lawyers until we pass the bar exam.  One may ask, “Where do soon-to-be lawyers attend class after shelling out an obscene amount of money?”  The law school? No, that’s too simple.  A nice hotel conference room perhaps?  No, no, that’s too above us.  Well, where then?  The answer: the Crockett Center – home of the Gun Show and flea market in Austin and now our home for the summer.  *Scared sigh…*

Jake and I also attended graduation, or the Sunflower Ceremony.  In order to thoroughly explain what the Sunflower Ceremony is I’m just going to quite the back of the program:

“For fifteen or twenty years after the University [UT] was established in 1883, no graduates of any of its schools wore the cap and gown to graduation ceremonies.  One spring around the turn of the century, a salesperson called, offering to rent seniors caps and gowns.  A committee of faculty and seniors met to consider this offer.  At that time, the School of Law was in the basement of the Main building.  No one thought to send a message downstairs and invite even a few law seniors to the meeting.  The committee decided that the senior class would look very good graduating in caps and gowns.  An order went out that all seniors were to wear the cap and gown to the commencement.  The law students met. Because they had not been invited to the original meeting and had not been consulted on the advisability of this new mandate, they rejected the call to wear caps and gowns.  Perhaps foreshadowing later events, they then formulated the reason underlying their decision, namely, that caps and gowns at such a time were traditional to, and representative of, the academic school and not the professional school. They granted the point that judges had worn the wig and gown for centuries, but they contended it was worn for a purpose entirely distinct from the purpose here proposed.  However, the senior law student did agree to wear white suits.  The President and the faculty conferred and decreed that the law students must either conform to the wises of the senior class or wear a significant insignia at the graduation exercises.  It was not in a spirit of conciliation or in appreciation of the dignity of the occasion that the sunflower was chosen as the “distinctive insignia.” Once more reasons were advanced, this time to justify the choice of the flower: The sunflower, genus Helianthus, belongs to a family with worldwide distribution.  So, also, do lawyers.  And as the sunflower always keeps its face turned to the sun, the lawyer turns to the light of justice.”

So, basically the law students were d-bags…  And the tradition continues.

Jake refused to wear white, but I did since all I had to do was slip on one of my A&F costumes from this year’s show.

Jake, me and mom at graduation!

Jake gave me a graduation gift.  He knew I wished I had my grandfather with me at special occasions (I mentioned our wedding before), so he bought me a locket to wear at graduation with my grandfather’s picture.

At the reception after graduation with our favorite law school professor, Professor Buel (and yes, we shared a favorite).  Professor Buel is an amazing and brilliant woman that I had the great fortune to meet.

In addition to finals, Bar/Bri and graduation, Jake got a job offer from the family law firm that he’s currently working at!!  Who gets an offer the day before Bar/Bri during an “economic crisis” when students are having their offers revoked or put on hold?!  My man does.  Jake is amazing and I’m extremely proud of him!!

*******************************

On an unrelated law school note, Jake and I managed to have a little bit of fun in the midst of finals.  I am lucky enough to be part of THE food blogger group in Austin (although I haven’t been blogging enough) and we recently had a potluck.  I made the potluck mistake of trying out new recipes, but I think they turned out alright…

INTRODUCING THE MASCARPONE BROWNIE!!!

I was dying to try out a recipe that has blasted all over the food blog-o-sphere and has been all over Foodgawker.  This delicious brownie is a product of this recipe featured on Recipezaar:

Chocolate Mascarpone Brownie, courtesy of Recipezaar

1. 1 cup unsalted butter (a stick)
2. 3 ounces semisweet chocolate (I use chips or you can finely chop some)
3. 1 cup white sugar
4. 1/2 cup cocoa powder
5. 1/2 cup softened mascarpone cheese
6. 3 large eggs at room temp
7. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
9. 1/4 teaspoon salt

Ganache

1. 6 ounces semisweet chocolate (again, I use chips)
2. 6 tablespoons whipping cream
3. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat over to 325; butter a 8-inch glass cake pan (I buttered and floured to make sure it came out)
2. Make the brownies -
3. Melt the butter and bring to just below a boil; pour over the chocolate and stir until chocolate is completely melted
4. Sift sugar and cocoa powder
5. Beat mascarpone, eggs and vanilla; mix until smooth
6. Gently fold the flour, cocoa powder and salt into the mixture
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spread evenly and hit a on counter a few times to get the air bubbles out
8. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
9. Once baked, let the brownie mix cool (approx 15 minutes)
10. Time to make the ganache!  In a small saucepan bring cream and butter to just below boiling over medium heat. Pour over chocolate in a mixing bowl and stir until completed melted
11. Pour the ganache mixture over the brownies spreading evenly.  The ganache hardens up so spread while still warm
12. Allow ganache to firm up.  I put my brownies in the fridge overnight, but a couple of hours should do the trick. Once firm, cut brownies and enjoy!!

In addition to the brownies I made

PINA COLADA CUPCAKES

This recipe didn’t turn out the way I expected.  It was WAY too sweet, therefore I’m not going to post the recipe until I do some tweaking.  It was a pineapple and rum based yellow cupcake with coconut and rum buttercream frosting.  I toasted some coconut flakes, crushed them up and mixed the cooled flakes with brown sugar for the “sand.”  I also made fondant flips flops ala Elisa Strauss’ Confetti Cakes book.  But we won’t dwell too much on this semi-success.

It’s been awhile since the potluck, so I’m a little fuzzy on all the dishes…  Here’s a quick look:

Back to studying for the Bar…

-Sara