prettystrange1

STRANGE PLATE – CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Tue, 12 May 2020 20:22:40 GMT

My perfect chocolate chip cookie consists of crisp, buttery edges, and a gooey, chocolate-rippled center. I went through several batches to arrive at this recipe, The Strange Plate Chocolate Chunk Cookie.

Enjoy.

X PRETTY STRANGE X

The Strange Plate Chocolate Chunk Cookie

Yield: 12 large cookies

INGREDIENTS:

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 stick salted butter, room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp malted milk powder

1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 roughly chopped baking chocolate bars (go for the good stuff, like Ghirardelli or better. 60%-72% cacao)

Flaky salt (Kosher or sea salt) for sprinkling

Kettle chips for topping (optional)

Salted thin pretzels for topping (optional)

HOW IT’S DONE:

In a saucepan, melt one of the sticks of unsalted butter over medium heat, swirling often, until it foams, and small brown bits begin to form at the bottom (this will take between 5-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it). Pour the butter and brown bits into a medium mixing bowl and allow the melted butter to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and malted milk powder.

Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the cooled brown butter, along with the remaining stick and a half of room temp butter. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butters & sugars together until mixed, about a minute or two. Add eggs and vanilla, then increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Mix for another minute or two, until the mixture starts to lighten and thicken up. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined. Mix in chocolate pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cover surface of dough with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Once dough has chilled, preheat oven to 375 degrees, and place a rack in the middle of the oven. Using a standard ice cream scoop, portion out balls of dough and place on a flat baking sheet (don’t use sheets that are warped in any way. These cookies are so butter laden that they will slide around and merge into each other if given even a slight incline…). These are big cookies, so I recommend baking six at a time and spacing them at least three inches apart. You are welcome to make smaller scoops, place more on the sheet, and bake them for less time. Leave cookies in balls, and don’t flatten them out. Sprinkle with flaky salt.

Bake cookies until edges are brown and crisp, but centers are still soft and gooey, about 13-15 minutes. Immediately out of the oven, push potato chip and pretzel pieces into cookies if desired. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.

In my opinion, these are best enjoyed warm, so for next-day enjoyment, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, and you’ll be right back in ooey-gooey town.

WHY NOT US?

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 20:54:12 GMT

“I THINK PART OF IT IS ACCEPTING THAT [THERE IS] SO MUCH BEAUTY IN BEING BLACK.”

X TINA KNOWLES X

A couple of years back, after living in Lexington, KY for nearly a decade, I was tired. Tired of observing the same people in the same elite, exclusionary circles throw parties, host events, conjure marketing campaigns, and write local magazine features that seldom featured a person of color, let alone someone who looked like me – a BLACK person. There is power in seeing black people on public and widely viewed platforms. It says that black people matter. It says that black people are a valuable audience. It says that black people are gifted. It says that black people exist.

You’ll notice that I said “a couple of years back.” That’s how long it took me to actually bring this project to life. A number of things held me back, but the main obstacle was the fact that I didn’t make it a priority until now. The irony of this fact looms large, as I think about the targeted audience of this project – folks who don’t make inclusion a priority.

The goal of “Why Not Us?” is to shed light on the lack of inclusion in Lexington, KY and beyond by gathering bold, talented, and hella black creatives in one room. It is a family portrait of black creativity, tenacity, and visibility. And that visibility matters. I want other black creatives, and young future creatives, to see this and know they are worthy of being included in Lexington’s creative mix. They are worthy of being hired at agencies. They are worthy of being invited to blogger events. They are worthy of being a face in a campaign. They are worthy of performing in local musical showcases. We. Are. Worthy. And we have so much to offer.

I also want everyone to know that we are not a quota to be filled. Just because you have one person of color, or one black person involved in a project, or invited to an event, that doesn’t mean your inclusive work is done.

NEWSFLASH:

YOU CAN INVITE MORE THAN ONE BLACK PERSON TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING

I have been at WAY too many events where I am the only person of color present among scores of folks. I have even been told before that I was a last minute invite so there would be “diversity” at the event. So I challenge you, coordinator, planner, etc., make your next event as inclusive as possible. And then the one after that. And so on, and so on, until inclusiveness is a beautiful reflex, and not something you have to “check off” of a list of annoying tasks.

Head to my Instagram ( @prettystrangedesign ) to read more of my thoughts on inclusiveness in the creative world, and enjoy below several of my favorite images from this shoot.

CONSCIOUS GIFT GUIDE

Sun, 24 Nov 2019 21:21:21 GMT

“WHAT THE HECK IS A “CONSCIOUS” GIFT GUIDE?”

First of all, lower your voice.

Here is your answer:

The Pretty Strange Conscious Gift Guide is a collection of businesses and gifts that are creative, thoughtful and socially conscious because they fall into one or more of the following categories:

*Minority-Owned*
*Woman-Owned*
*Sustainable Practices (earth-friendly, provide fair and living wages)*
*Independent/Family-owned*
*Closely allied with minority, queer, and other marginalized populations*

By being thoughtful about the businesses you buy from this holiday season (and beyond!!), you are moving the needle forward in terms of sustainability, equality, and healthy local economies. I’ve curated an array of gift ideas for just about everyone on your list. Happy giving!

FOR THE INTELLECTUAL/KNOW-IT-ALL/BOOK NERD

Indie Bound

Indie Bound is an online community of independent and local booksellers. Shopping at local bookstores supports small business owners and helps re-circulate more revenue back into your community. Search your zip code on Indie Bound to find an independent bookstore near you.

Sqecial Media

371 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY

Instagram: @sqecialmedia

This alternative shop has been serving up the “important, interesting, and hard-to-find” since 1972. In addition to a unique new and used book selection, Sqecial Media stocks tons of cool gifts like shirts, stickers, candles, crystals, puzzles, toys, journals, tapestries, and SO MUCH MORE. Every time I step into Sqecial Media, I find something that leaves me saying “Ooooooo!”

People of Color Beauty

Instagram: @ peopleofcolorbeauty

People of Color nail collections are curated with melanin in mind. In addition to their commitment to inclusion, People of Color products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of 10 toxins commonly found in other polishes on the market.

FOR THE ONES WHO SERVE LOOKS LEFT & RIGHT

Female Not Factory

Instagram: @femalenotfactory

Female Not Factory celebrates female artists and sustainable practices. All of the beautiful pieces on Female Not Factory are 100% female made. How dope is that?? Products include jewelry, hair accessories, home goods, and second hand designs.

Big Bud Press

Instagram: @bigbudpress

If you know someone who needs more smiles in their closet, Big Bud Press is the perfect solution. This L.A. based label is size-inclusive, unisex, and oh-so-colorful. Not only are the clothes smile-inducing, but their manufacturing practices are ethical and local, so you can be confident in where your clothes came from and how they were made.

FOR THOSE CONVINCED THEY WERE BORN IN THE WRONG DECADE

Worn & Co

554 S. 4th Street
Louisville, KY

Instagram: @ wornandcompany

Wearhouse KY

Instagram: @ wearhouseky

FOR THE PERSON YOU’RE NOT SURE ABOUT

Gathered Mercantile

The Amsden
151 S. Main Street
Versailles, KY

Instagram: @ theamsden

Located in Versailles, KY, Gathered Mercantile is a shop bursting with locally made products and vintage finds. There’s gifts that can be given to a broad array of folks here— from bourbon lovers, to decorators, to creatives, to the stylish. And while you’re there, you can step next door into one of the cutest coffee shops I’ve ever seen, Amsden Coffee Club.

FOR THE PERSON WHO’S ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT FOOD

Habibi’s Sweets & Pastries

2417 Nicholasville Road
Suite 100
Lexington, KY

Instagram: @ habibis.sweets

Habibi’s Sweets is a family owned and operated bakery specializing in Middle Eastern treats like kunafa, bird’s nests, and baklawa. Whenever someone brings Habibi’s to a party I’m at, they’re immediately filed under “GOOD PEOPLE” in my brain. So, be a good person and bring some Habibi’s to your next gathering.

La Petite Delicat

722 National Avenue
Lexington, KY

Instagram: @ lapetitedelicat

The French macaron used to be something that I could only get on trips to big cities, but now they’re available at a number of awesome, locally owned bakeries around the country. La Petite Delicat is my favorite place to get them in Lexington. In addition to the perfect handcrafted macarons, La Petite makes a variety of pastries, and even does custom cakes (including GIANT macaron cakes.)

FOR THE PERSON WHO GRABS THE COCKTAIL MENU FIRST

Brown Estate Wine

Instagram: @brownestate

Brown Estate is a black-owned vineyard in Napa, California. My dad recently gave me my first bottle of Brown New Vintage Zinfandel, and it is one of the best red wines I’ve had. Get your life, support a black-owned business, and drink some great wine y’all.

Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails (book)
Shannon Mustipher

Tiki is the first major cocktail book by an African American in over a century. WHOA. That’s reason enough to support this book by rum expert and bartender, Shannon Mustipher, but if you still need to be convinced, check this: allspice dram, brown butter, tangerine, avocado. These are some of the more unique flavors Mustipher employs in her modern tiki creations. Grab a copy of Tiki, and shake up your holiday gatherings.

This guide is a tiny sampling of the conscious businesses out there. Even if you don’t shop my selections here, I hope you’ll find ways in your town to shop inclusively and thoughtfully. If there are other conscious businesses you want to shout out, comment below!