Fall Baking: Apple JAM Dumpling Delights!

Fall Baking Basics: Apple JAM Dumpling Delights

There are so many fall foods that I love that it's tough to choose a fave! From butternut squash, pumpkin pie, hearty chilli to fresh apples--the seasonal change shifts us from outside to inside, and into a cozy kitchen wafting with delicious aromas! On Sunday night, as the rain rolled in, I decided to try my creative hand in the kitchen with a huge bag of red McIntosh apples that we had. I modified a recipe I found on Pinterest originally from Cooking with Chopin Blog.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Apple corer
• Peeler or sharp knife
• 2 baking sheets
• A medium size mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 4 small to medium size red apples chopped
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar
• 1 can of Pillsbury flaky biscuits
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/2 cup of pecans
• 1/4 chocolate chips (I used mini)
• 1/2 lemon (to squeeze over apples to avoid browning
• Sprinkle of powdered sugar
  
  Yields 16-20 dumplings

Recipe Instructions

1. Pre-heat the over to 350. Crank it up!
2. Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the medium size bowl.
3. Time to get nutty. Chop up pecans to produce 1/2 cup and add to the bowl.
4. Wash the apples, core, and peel. Chop into small chunks. If you're worried about your apples browning, just squeeze a little lemon juice on them. Boom.
5. Add the apple bits to the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecan mixture. Stir it up until the apples are coated generously.
6. Finish with the vanilla and chocolate chips. You can always add in more to your liking :) Stir again. 
7. Take your can of biscuits, bust it open, and divide (most cans serve 8, peel dough apart into 2 or more). Lay out dough onto baking sheets about a 1/2 inch apart. You don't need to grease the sheet.
8. Spoon your apple JAM mixture into the center of each dough circle. Like so:
   
   



Apple JAM mixture

9. Pinch into a dumping shape by taking the edges of the dough up to the center and close. (Try to press the edges of the dough together since they will expand a bit in the oven.) I made some mini and some regular size dumplings.
   
   
   
10. Pop these bad boys into the oven for 12-14 minutes. And await for the scrumptious smell of fall to bake into the house. When the dumplings expand a bit in the oven, the apple JAM mixture will bubble and caramelize the top edges a bit. To.die.for!
    
11. Pop these bad boys into the oven for 12-14 minutes. And await for the scrumptious smell of fall to bake into the house. When the dumplings expand a bit in the oven, the apple JAM mixture will bubble and caramelize the top edges a bit. To.die.for!
    
    
12. Sprinkle on a bit of powdered sugar on your Apple JAM Dumpling Delights while still warm. Take a big ol' bite, get a taste of fall, and praise the heavens!!!

Easy, fast and fall baking basics! Yum!!! What's your favorite fall dessert or dish? Share your thoughts or recipes!

Wordless Wednesday: Who Does Everyone Love?

Tomorrow marks the Feast of the Assumption, and beginning of one of my favorite festival weekends in CLE...THE FEAST in Little Italy! Kicking off its 115th year, be sure to stop over between August 15-18th for some of CLE's finest and authentic Italian cuisine and festivities at The Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy! Check out my Feasted: The Feast of the Assumption blog post from last year and Cleveland.com's guide to The Feast of the Assumption here. Cannolis, meatball sandwiches, cavatelli, dancing, music, family, friends, faith and fabulous food! See ya there CLE Italian loves and lovers!

So who does everyone love? Why an Italian Girl, of course!!! :0)
Circa The Feast 2005

CLE Museum of Art + Lakewood Arts Fest

What a great weekend to be a CLE art lover! On Friday, I finally got to check out Cleveland Museum of Art's MIX First Fridays: Caliente! And this time it was outdoors on the front steps. A total fiesta, complete with a live salsa band, happy hour specials, and droves of art aficionados and art newbies!



Just dance!

Reportedly there were over 1000 people who were salsa-ing and spectacting outside and inside the beautiful museum, myself included! So happy to see people come out and enjoy all that our city has to offer! Check out what's happening at the newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Art!



Sassy salsa sisters!

Just like Rodin's "The Thinker"

After the event, my sis and I headed around the corner to the new ABC Tavern that recently opened in Uptown. Great selection of craft beers AND skee ball, win! Definitely will be visiting there again!

On Saturday, I went to the 36th annual Lakewood Arts Fest. Over 160 artists participate on average in the downtown Lakewood festival each year, many of them locally-based. It's been a family tradition to go every year, and this year I hit it up again...twice :)

I purchased these 4 coasters as a set (for only $15!) from The Foundry Woodprints. I LOVE the old historical photos of CLE that were transferred as woodprints. I'm going to put my 4 in a shadow box and hang it on my wall.  His stuff was going like hotcakes and hopefully they'll be opening a brick & mortar soon. Yeah, CLE pride!

Some of my other favorite and noteworthy artists at the Lakewood Arts Fest this year included:

• Cynde H. Designs: 35mm Film Negative Jewelry. The name says it all! But check out her stuff to see her step-by-step process...very cool upcycling!
• Gold Designs by John Darlin: gorgeous handcrafted bracelets and jewelry. Love his bracelet hook clasps that actually fit my wrist. You could never go out of style with one of his timeless pieces.
• Marker Magic: I can't even do his work justice, you've got to see it up close! This Twinsburg artist takes the ever-familiar magic marker to create spectacular works of art that are deceptively stunning!
• Ironwood & Vine Studio: one of my favorites for his upcycling craftsmanship. Dean Myton creates several products from upcycled wood--my favorite, his serving trays, were made from wine corks, wine crates and salvaged wood from deconstructed homes throughout Northeast Ohio. Brilliant!

After circling the show several times, we worked up an appetite and decided to try out the newly opened Cerino's Casual Italian (previously Eddie-N-Eddie's). Honestly, as good as their burgers were, my whole fam was pumped a solid Italian family restaurant finally came back to Lakewood! And the  fast service, friendliness and food did not disappoint!


Eat Well.
Laugh Often.
Love Much.

We shared breaded parmesean planks and mini meatball sliders as appetizers, and I had the "smaller" portion of crispy pesto gnocci with charred cherry tomatoes for the main course. YUM! Needless to say, we were all in happy carb comas post-meal.

 

An artsy-fartsy, foodie, fun, family weekend in CLE! Have you been to MIX at CLE Museum of Art? How about the Lakewood Arts Fest? What's your favorite Cleveland area arts fest?

26th Birthday Weekend Recap in CLE!

Twenty-six. Officially late twenties. Eeps! I'm blessed with so many lovely people in my life who made a four-day birthday weekend totally JAM-tastic!

June Birthday Babes :)

During the day on Friday I spent time with my Mom doing some much needed retail therapy. We hit Crocker Park where I found 2 fabulous birthday dresses and some stellar accessories to fit the birthday mood. Then we popped into Vieng's Asian Bistro. I got a super legit vegetarian crunch roll (asparagus, avocado, cream cheese, wrapped with rice and deep friend in tempura batter) semi healthy...right? Calories don't count during birthday meals :)

Centering myself

Mama and me

Later that evening I tried out Market in Rocky River for the first time. Adorable place, great atmosphere and extensive craft beer and cocktail list. It was girls only and it was exactly the fun and laughter I needed to kiss 25 goodbye.



Lovelies left to right: Jenna, T.A. Regi, Donna, Gina, Kayla & Catie

After dinner and drinks, we headed over to check out the recently opened Vosh Club in Lakewood. You know, the place Kevin Costner was just spotted at while kicking back after a long day of filming in CLE. Yeaaah!

 

Yes, our drinks glowed in the dark!!!

 

There was an AWESOME jazz band playing and all the girls and I hit the dance floor. Thankfully, I don't think there are any pictures as proof, but it was pretty hilarious/amazing/fun/cathartic. My gf also snuck over and whispered to the lead singer it was my birthday and soon enough the band and entire club were singing me happy birthday. It was very sweet, embarrassing and special. Did I mention how much I love my friends :) I am one lucky gal!

Thanks for making my night special, girls! xoxo

After saying so long to 25, Saturday rolled around to welcome in 26. The sun peaked through in the afternoon and I decided to mosey down to Whiskey Island & Wendy Park for some sunshine seaside fun. I really love this place during the summer--laid back, low maintenance, access to the water, great views of the city, and live music.

Double thumbs up to birthday fun, kick ass sunnies, and wonderful friends!

I received so many thoughtful gifts, well wishes, emails, cards, phone calls, texts,&  posts that I couldn't help but have an ear-to-ear grin all day long! I'm feeling the love! Consider this my thank you to each and everyone of you who made my entire day/weekend terrific!


After Whiskey Island we decided to check out pARTy in Gordon Square. Gordon Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in CLE--great food, chill vibe, emerging artists, Happy Dog, Capitol Theatre & CPT. There is always something fun happening there! Well consider this a mega block party showcasing all the arts & activities in the area.

Evan and I bringing our creative comic book characters to life

One of the activities was to make your own comic book character. Naturally, my super hero was named "Birthday Girl!"


Birthday Girl here to save the city and keep JAMmin!

Angry Asisan Carp taking over!!!

 

Awesome superhero outfit...

T.A Evan and I with our alter superhero-egos

Then we were greeted with the awwwwesome surprise of Last Call Cleveland performing. Please tell me you've seen these guys perform before. Literally pee-your-pants, good, true Clevelander jokes. I've probably seen them half a dozen times and it's always a bit different, and more Cleveland jokes and fun.  



 

Pet peeve: Your v/s you're haha

I couldn't think of a better combination of events and getting to laugh my face off with friends.

 

Night cap and birthday dessert at Spice Kitchen & Bar with Catie, Nathaniel, T.A. and Evan!

 

After all the fun festivities I finished up the birthday celebrations on Sunday morning with the family as we went to Nighttown's brunch. Great patio, great memories, great food.

 

 

 

What a fabulous weekend of friends, family, fun, and festivities. Despite having a rough few weeks, the ones I love rallied around me and helped me count my blessings and feel the love. So thank you, thank you for all that you do. Cheers to 26! And keep JAMmin!



Sister Celebration: A Birthday Recap in CLE!

This weekend we celebrated my sister's birthday AND her new home she shares with her lovely bf! Lots to celebrate and lots of fun!!!

Best man grilling apron, ever!

On Saturday, I headed over to her new digs to check it out and it was awesome! She's officially a surbanite complete with a nice yard and cul-de-sac..who woulda thunk? Her life has shifted significantly since her last few birthdays--but all for the good, she's happy, she loves her life, and all I care about is seeing her thrive :)

Cheers to your new home, and wishing you lots of love and good juju!!!

After checking out the new place, we headed back to the Heights to have a final celebration. It's crazy, when she and I first moved into that apartment I was 21! How quickly 5 years fly by!

2nd day at the apt.
celebrating my 21st birthday on Coventry

So many good times, so much growing up, so many adventures, and so many evenings sitting on that lovely porch drinking vino, painting our nails and watching people walk by. Sure going to miss that place--but all good things must come to an end and I'm so excited for the next chapter in her life too :)

 

 

So, we took a gamble as we returned to the apt. with the stormy weather and speed-walked down to Little Italy for some delicioso food at Mia Bella. We were able to sneak in some divine apps before having to hurry inside as the heavens opened up and the summer storms rolled in. It was an adventure!

Birthday girl in post summer rainshower glow

Yum! We shared the eggplant parmesean which was cut thin and LITERALLY out of this world  & some sauteed calamari (as opposed to the standard deep fried).  I got a super simple (yet tasty) pizza complete with fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, olives. That's what I really like about Mia Bella, it's fresh, simple and not too over the top. Real authentic Italian food! Mangia mangia!

 

On Sunday, Gina had a big cookout at her new digs and it was a great family & friends fun day, complete with bat masks, awkward family photos, and cornhole! Winning comination!




Wouldn't trade this fam for the world!

Gimme that!



Reviewing the financial investment of boxes of corn

Post a bitter battle of cornhole..

It was a wonderful weekend welcoming my sis into her new home and a new year to celebrate fun adventures ahead. Feeling blessed and wishing you all the best, sis.. LOVE YOU! xoxo!


Weekend Recap: Reunions, Brunching, Flea Market, and Rum in CLE!

On Friday, I met up with two of my ol gal pals, Catie and Marie for some good times. I was in for quite the healthy/delicious meal at Catie's house when she made an outrageously good vegan pizza. I'm so lucky to have an awesome friend who also is a dietian and fabulous chef! Triple threat :)

Vegan pizza made with cornmeal,
buffalo tempe, peppers, onions, black olives, sauce
 and deliciousness!

And then I met Marie out for a drink in Ohio City and received too many unsolicited pick-up lines.... Ayayayi! So it was an interesting start to the weekend sans any photos. (Probably the best for everyone's sake). When I'm with Marie...shenanigans always ensue along with lots of laughs :)

Saturday, I met up with more gal pals for brunch and a day full of adventures around CLE! We started off by brunching at Stone Town, which opened up this past fall in the bottom of 668. Good southern style eggs and fried green tomatoes! Yum!

Post-brunch, we headed over to CLE's old Slovenian neighborhood in St. Clair-Superior to check out the new Clevleand Flea.

 

"So what is The Cleveland Flea? Part urban treasure hunt, part culinary adventure, part maker center. An organized maze of experiences, The Cleveland Flea celebrates the thrill of the hunt and discovery of new to you treasures." source.

JAM packed space with flea market finders

Gina and Kayla showing off their treasures!

From hand-crafted jewelry, presents for your pets, soap, clothes, glassware, vintage finds, and upcycled goods...this place has tons of treasures! It was fun for me to visit an emerging neighborhood that's being revitalized by shining up the good ol stuff, creating new arts and crafts, and showcasing CLE's ethnic history too!


And speaking of making history, Portside Distillery is making some (rum) waves on the East Bank of the Flats. The girls and I continued our adventure by going on a wild goose chase to find the new rum distillery. Although they have no marked signs on the outside of the building, it was a welcoming fun place that kinda made me feel like I needed to do the secret knock at the door to get into the underground bootlegger :)  The area around the distillery will certainly transform once its neighbors in the new Ernst & Young building move in. More booming business!

We found 'em!

 

The place brews up some hoptastic IPA and some fancy rum too! Personally, I am more of an IPA gal myself, but after learning more about the process of distilling alcohol and getting a fresh taste of it too, I certainly have a new appreciation for rum!



Dan, one of the owners + silver rum + me cheesing

Dan, who is one of the three owners, gave us an incredible tour and explanation of how the process works to distill alcohol. He has a background in physics and chemistry but an affinity for good booze, so he does this as his hobby! How cool! And he was dropping some serious knowledge bombs on us, accompanied with a deep love for CLE, and goofy humor.



Dan explaining the chemical process--
and the copperpot that was made in neighboring Tremont!

Gina + Portside Silver Rum

 The Portside Distillery is slated to open a restaurant and bar on site too, which will be another exciting addition to CLE, and one of a kind venue. To stay updated be sure to like them on Facebook.

On Sunday, we hit one of my favorite brunch places, Touch Supper Club, for a reunion with friends and familia from JCU. Marie now lives in DC and we'll be going down to visit her in 2 weeks to celebrate Steph's bachelorette party. And well Kay, he's the one that everybody loves :)

Marie, me, Kay & Steph getting our brunch on!

 

 

The Touch Breakfast Bowl. Never fails me!

 Always great to catch up with friends over some the best brunch :) The rest of my plans for Sunday post-brunch didn't end up panning out how I intended, but it certainly was an action packed weekend of reunions, brunching, flea market discoveries, and wild goose chases for rum that maybe it's best if I sit back and digest the weekend!

Have you been to the CLE Flea? What's your best flea market find? Have you ever gone on a brewery or distillery tour? What's your favorite local CLE drink?

 

Hope you have a good week, kids! Keep JAMmin!