The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Regular chocolate chip cookies can be a bit of a bore to me. I like mine to have more than just chocolate, an added punch that takes it to another level. One of the best chocolate chip cookies in the city has to be from Maman Toronto and I love it so much that I was inspired to create my own version. Thick and crunchy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside -- this chocolate chip cookie is everything you want it to be and more. Loaded with lots of melted dark chocolate and a crunchy blend of macadamia nuts and walnuts, I can’t help but sigh with each scrumptious bite. Now this is a chocolate chip cookie I can get excited about.

Thick & Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies with Macadamia & Walnuts

Slightly modified from this recipe here.

Serves: 12 giant cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup cold, unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 2 cups dark chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. On a large baking sheet, place parchment paper on and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
3. In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it comes together in one lump, about 1 minute.
4.  Add the coconut sugar and beat for another 1-2 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved into the butter.
5. Lower the speed to medium-low and mix in the eggs and vanilla until the batter is lumpy. Gradually add in the flour mixture, beating until a little flour remains.
6. Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips and nuts.
7. Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Shape the dough into a ball, but do not roll it. Place them on the baking sheet, placing each about 2 inches apart. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but up to 12 hours before baking.
8. Preheat over to 375F. Bake cookies for 15-17 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Cool on a wire rack, then proceed to stuff your face immediately.

Falling Off-The-Shoulder

One of the biggest trends I’m obsessed with this season has to be anything off-the-shoulder. I remember wearing this trend as an teen back in the 90s (God, I feel old) and I am so glad it’s made a comeback. Showing off any body part is always appealing, but there’s something about bare shoulder that’s super feminine yet subtly sexy. This crisp top also keeps it playful with big, frilly sleeves. But not too big that I feel like I can flap my arms and fly away. Paired with some distressed jeans and mint pumps, this off-the-shoulder look is the perfect spring-to-summer essential. 

Top: Zara | Jeans: Rag & Bone | Shoes: Nine West (similar here)| Bag: from Hong Kong

Photography by Aminaz Karim (@loveoverlenses).

Whiteout

You will probably never see me wearing an all black outfit, but all white? Adore. As soon as I put on these high-waisted, high slit pants from Meche the Label, I fell instantly in love and knew I just had to have them. Crisp, sleek and elegant, these pants make me feel a little superhero-ish, that I can conquer anything and kick ass as long as I’m wearing them. I paired my showstopper pants with a lace crop top and a textured coat to add a bit of texture and dimension, while a pair of simple nude sandals completes the fresh, minimalistic look. Now all I need is a white cape and perhaps some invisibility powers, and I’m ready to rule the world.

Top: H&M (similar here) | Pants: Meche the Label | Coat: Zara | Shoes: Zara (similar here)

Photography by Aminaz Karim (@loveoverlenses).

Cooking with Chef's Plate

As much as I love trying out new recipes, scouring the Internet or leafing through dozens of cookbooks to find that perfect recipe you’re in the mood for can be a bit of a hassle. Eating out adds up, and sometimes you just don’t feel like greasy takeout (as much as I love it at times). Enter Chef’s Plate to the rescue -- a meal kit delivery service based in downtown Toronto. They deliver nutritious and affordable meals straight to your door with all the pre-portioned ingredients, and a recipe card on how to make your dish. You choose what meal plan you’d like, and what dishes you want and that’s it! They deliver all across Ontario and shipping is free. It really couldn’t be any simpler than that.

I got the opportunity to try out their service and these delicious butter chicken tacos one night. I love how everything comes pre-portioned so you don’t need to measure anything. Just throw everything together and voila! A delicious and affordable meal that’s ready in 30 minutes or less (and devoured in 5 minutes or less).

When you sign up at Chef’s Plate and use my referral hashtag #littleblackpearls at checkout, you get 50% off your first order for 3 meals! Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t pass up a good deal (it’s probably the Asian in me).

Check out www.chefsplate.com to get started.

Nick Carter – That All American Boy

Whenever Nick Carter comes to town, I immediately turn into my 12-year-old self.  Seeing him always makes me giddy in a way that only a fat kid in a candy store can probably relate to. I try to plan out conversation starters, things I would ask or talk to him about ahead of time; however, all reasoning and logic seems to go out the window whenever I come face to face with the man I’ve been “in love with” pretty much my entire life.

With the release of his third solo album entitled “All American”, Nick embarked on a tour across North America. This time around, I was having an intimate lunch with him before his Toronto concert (along with 60 other fans, but that’s just a minor detail). He approaches me with a big smile on his face, says “Hi beautiful”, and gives me a nice, long hug and kisses my right cheek. I play it cool, like Nick Carter kisses me on a daily occurrence, even shamelessly flirting with him in what I can only recall as a complete embarrassment on my part. But I can’t help myself whenever I’m in his presence. He gazes at me like he’s looking right into my soul, and smiles at me in a tantalizing way that makes me feel like I’m the only person in the room. We chat for a bit as he asks how I’m doing and whether I’m going to any of his other shows. Then we pose cutely for photos before he leaves to greet other fans, but not before pulling me in for another embrace and kissing me again.

I melt into my chair, floating away on cloud Nick as he makes his way around the room to the other peasants fans. He glances at me occasionally, smiling, and my heart pitter-patters. He then performs an acoustic set and reveals that the Backstreet Boys will be doing a short Vegas residency next year (Vegas trip anyone?). More photos are taken with everyone again and I wait until the very end for my turn because, well, save the best for last right? He flashes that enticing smile of his as I approach him, and gives me another big hug and kiss. We cozy up again for our photo shoot, because really, with the number of photos we took, it may as well have been one. Then sadly, it was time to say our goodbyes as he pulls me in for the final time and plants a perfectly soft kiss on my cheek. As he makes his way to the door, he smiles and winks at me. And then he’s gone.

Now, I’ve been to my fair share of Backstreet Boys concerts, but there was something about this All American show that was unlike any other. Many fans have dubbed this tour the best one yet, and I can say that I unequivocally agree with them. Nick undoubtedly gave it his all, poured his heart and sweat into it, and rocked the hell out of the show. Raw and infectious, his passion and energy is simply undeniable – he is a true performer. With a good mix of material from his new album, a few from his past ones, and a lot of Backstreet Boys throwbacks, the concert was nothing short of exhilarating. I was left wanting, needing, craving more – and seriously contemplated jumping onto Nick’s tour bus (to go to his next show of course). But alas, I’m reeling with major withdrawals and consoling myself by replaying our magical moments together on a continuous loop. 

Thank you Nick for such an incredible tour and for taking the time to make your fans and I feel loved and special. You are truly a class act.