CV of Justin Lang

• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
• 1 tbsp boiling water
• 8 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• OR 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
  confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

Dissolve espresso powder in boiling water. Set aside to cool to tepid. Beat butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth. Beat in vanilla and espresso, then reduce mixer speed to low and add flour, mixing only until it disappears into the dough. Don’t work the dough much once the flour is incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate or chips with a sturdy rubber spatula. Using the spatula, transfer dough to a gallon-size zip-loc bag. Put bag on a flat surface, leaving the top open, and roll the dough into a 9 x 10 1/2 inch rectangle that’s 1/4 inch thick. As you roll, turn the bag occasionally and lift the plastic from the dough so it doesn’t cause creases. When you get the right size and thickness, seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or for up to 2 days. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Put the plastic bag on a cutting board and slit it open. Turn the firm dough out onto the board (discard the bag) and, using a ruler as a guide and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the baking sheets and carefully prick each one twice with a fork, gently pushing the tines through the cookies until they hit the sheet (okay, I didn’t poke the cookies and they’re fine). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point (I didn’t do that either – I bake one sheet at a time). The shortbreads will be very pale–they shouldn’t take on much color. Transfer the cookies to a rack. If you’d like, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while they are still hot. Cool the cookies to room temperature before serving. Makes about 3 dozen.

• 6 slices of bread
• 6 slices of bacon
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
• salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin pan with butter non-stick spray.

2. Using a cookie cutter, cut circles out of bread slices about 3 inches in diameter. (I confess I do not have a cookie cutter so I use the lid to my tub of orzo pasta and just cut around the edges ;D)

3. Take bread circles and press them into the muffin pan, set aside.

4. Heat a large skillet on medium-high. Cook bacon on the skillet until partially cooked but still pliable, about 3 minutes.

5. Shape bacon strips into the toast cups, fill with 1 Tbs of shredded cheese. Place in the oven for 5 minutes, allowing the bacon to toast just a little more. Remove from oven.

6. Crack your egg and separate out most of the egg white. Drop eggs into the cups, sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. Place back in the oven and cook until white begins to set, about another 8 – 10 minutes.  The yolk should be creamy.

7. Remove from oven when done and pop out using a spoon, serve warm.

Ingredients

• 6 Medium Size Potatoes
• 2 – 3 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 30 g Butter
• Maldon Sea Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 220˚C (425˚F). Put the potato on a chopping board, flat side down. Start from one end of the potato, cut almost all the way through, at about 3 to 4 mm intervals.

Arrange the potatoes in a baking tray and insert the garlic in between the slits. Scatter some butter on top of each potato. Then drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Bake the potatoes for about 40 minutes or until the potatoes turn crispy and the flesh is soft.

Call me crazy, call me nuts.  Yes it is ANOTHER crazy idea, like the beer brewing that I never did or countless other ideas I had and never took off with.  This one I have a good feeling about.  Why you may ask. 2 reasons

1. Apparently the Lang family were coffee roasters a LONG time ago. So why not start that back up right?!
2. I drink coffee, like DAILY.  I am always on the hunt for a good coffee, why not only brew my own, but roast it to!

I did a very quick search and came up with Sweet Maria’s website. I like the idea of the stovetop starter kit.  Not to much and doesn’t seem overly complicated.  Now like any Lang, I would go full tilt and ask for the bigger kits, but, let’s see how things go.  Who knows, some day I might get really into it and get a REAL roaster and give my family and friends some hand crafted coffee.

Check it out, the Sweet Maria’s Stovetop Roasting Starter kit for just $41.50.

Oh the holiday season.  It came to quick again!  Call me a Grinch, I am ok with it. I just cannot get into the holiday season yet.  Maybe it is the warm weather or the fact that 2011 went by so quick.  Either way, I am happy and sad at the same time to see 2011 go by.  Here is an interesting photo of christmas lights and a neat camera trick.  This is not mine, just a re-posting.

Happy holidays everyone!

Are you starting to see a trend this year? I have real idea for any presents.  I am also feeling that if you don’t want to get me a present, it’s not the end of the world to me.  BUT, if you so feel inclined, another option is and Apple iTunes Gift Card.  I can always find something to purchase in iTunes! Again, I will leave the denomination up to you.  Just know a movie cost around $15 and a song $1.39.

I know, I know, it’s weak but say what you want.  I don’t care.  I think it makes buying for me easy!  Feel free to get any denomination, I’ll take them all! Why Amazon… I have become a fan of Amazon as it keeps me out of the malls, stores and generally away from the nut jobs. Pretty sick way of thinking, but I have lost faith in humanity during these “joyous” time of the season.

Is it me or is this present idea post taking a turn for the worse? Just head over to Amazon.com and pick up any “version” of a gift card.

I don’t know what it is about this drive way, but I love it!  I think it relates back to the Stark mansion in Iron Man.  A plain and simple drive way sucks, I want something with curves and excitement… well, kinda.  I have never liked the fact that a garage has been at the front of the house and visible.  I want it hidden. Not just to hid the rather large doors, but also some privacy and security.  Call me crazy, but it’s the way I roll. Check out some of the other photos of the Aatrial House.

Here is a nice gift idea for Christmas this year.  While it would be better to get a flash first, this is a less expensive present idea! ;) Check out more on the Phottix website, www.phottix.com.