IN THE KITCHEN: Ginger Fried Rice and Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows

Let’s start with the dinner. Ginger Fried Rice. I first saw it in the New York Times and thought it looked amazing. Then Deb at smitten kitchen made it. Again, I said to myself, I have to make that soon. When my friend Mindi raved about it the other day, I knew that I had to have it this week.

The dish has minimal ingredients - day old rice, leeks, ginger, garlic, and a fried egg - yet together they create a fragrant and flavorful dish. The fried ginger and garlic that are scattered over the top right before serving make the meal. One wouldn’t think such a small garnish could pack such a punch – but they do. Oh, fried ginger is divine.

The soy sauce and sesame oil are drizzled on right before eating. Incredible. It was a homemade meal that both tasted and looked gourmet.

And of course, any good meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert – like these……

When I saw the (never home)maker‘s peanut butter chocolate pillows, they reminded me of a much better version of the chocolate-peanut butter hearts that I have been inhaling on a regular basis.  These cookies use raw sugar which gives the outer chocolate part a nice crunch. The wet ingredients were so simple to mix, I really didn’t need to get the mixer out. Overall, it creates this rich, dense chocolate dough. The rest is simple. After forming the peanut butter balls, wrap the chocolate dough around them. I loved this part. I felt like I was a kid playing with Play-Doh.

Flatten out the cookies and bake for 10 minutes.

Decadent, huh?

Ray and I love these peanut butter chocolate pillows. I feel like they are a healthier alternative to my store-bought candies. I will be making these again!

RECIPES:

Ginger Fried Rice from Mark Bittman for the New York Times, January 22, 2010.

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Pillows from Ashley & Stephen of the (never home)maker‘s blog, who found them on the PPK.