The Weekender: Return to NJ, Recipe Recap, & a Teaser

Guess where The Smart Cookie Cook is right now? New Jersey! I trekked down this weekend to help me sister move into her new apartment (read: I trekked down this weekend to stuff my face with good food). I actually wound up staying a day longer than intended, but lucky for you guys, I still worked in some time to churn out this week’s edition of The Weekender.

This week, Smart Cookie was in full-on summer mode. I dished out not one, not two, but THREE ice cream recipes! There is no better way to combat scorching sunshine than with frosty, refreshing ice cream. We had an ice cream cake, a classic ice cream flavor, and a super healthy ice cream. There was something for everyone! In case you missed a single second of this ice cream social…

Let’s review, shall we?

1. Creamy Banana Ice Cream
   A rich and creamy treat with an impeccable ability to refresh you on a warm summer day.

   

2. Banana Split Ice Cream Cake
   One seriously impressive-looking confection with a surprisingly simple assembly.
3. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes 2 Ways
   Are you a meat-eater or a vegetarian? Doesn’t matter! I’ve got two delicious ways to top these stuffed taters that will please any eater.
4. 2-Ingredient Chocolate Banana “Ice Cream”
   You only need TWO things to make this healthy and delicious treat!
5. Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie with Fudge Frosting
   Words can’t express my love for this thick, chewy, gooey monster cookie slathered in frosting.

Plus, make sure you catch my newest video where I give actual proof for how stinky the weather in CNY is and breakdown how to make that scrumptious Banana Split Ice Cream Cake. Click here to check it out!

Since I’m in good ol’ NJ this weekend, I made it a point to go to Mama’s for dinner one night. You may recall I did a review on Mama’s the last time I was in Jersey, and I absolutely LOVED it. I’ll be dishing out a new review this week for my experience this time around. Spoiler alert: it was once again amazing!

Speaking of amazing things, Smart Cookie has been getting a steady stream of new likes on Facebook for the past 2 weeks or so, and I would like to give a big thank you to all of my readers! I feel absolutely giddy every time a new “like” pops up, because I know my audience is growing. I want nothing more than to share my love of food with all of you. I am so grateful that there are people out there who want to see what I have to dish out. Keep it up, guys!

You might’ve guessed that I love to feed people, but did you know that love extends to animals as well? Last week, this downtrodden stray cat materialized in my yard. She had the cutest little chubby face, but all I could focus on were her sad, exhausted eyes. She could barely keep them open as she apprehensively peaked up at me through the rain. Immediately, I wanted nothing more than to carry her into my warm, dry house and take care of her. But cats are skittish, and I knew I couldn’t just go bounding up to her.

Instead, I left some food out for her and retreated inside to watch her eat it. The little cat, who I presume to be young, stayed at the house all night. She curled up in what seems to be a preferred spot of her’s behind a bush just outside one of the windows. I watched her all night. I went outside multiple times to talk to her from a distance so that she’d start to trust me. I’m really hoping to take her in, but first I must garner her trust.

I wasn’t sure what would happen after that night. Based on evidence in the yard, my father said he suspected she’d been hanging around the house for days before I noticed her. Since we went away for the weekend, I was worried she wouldn’t return. However, when we got home, my father saw that his deer cam had caught the kitty returning every single day we were gone. I was elated.

I just left some food out for her tonight, so I’m hoping to see her soon. In the meantime, does anyone know anything about getting a stray animal to trust you?

Before I wrap this up, you guys know I have to leave you with a little teaser! As usual, next week will come bearing all kinds of deliciousness. In particular, I’ll be serving up this INCREDIBLE white pizza that is, get this, under 200 calories! Woo hoo!

See you on Monday!