April 10, 2013

Lemon-Ginger Crispy Treats

I accidentally forgot my headphones when I was going for a walk yesterday, so instead of using that as an excuse (I’m always full of them when it comes to exercising), I thought I’d use the opportunity to clear my head before I started working in the kitchen. What could be better than listening to chirping birds and overzealous crickets surrounded by redwoods? I’ll listen to podcasts another day.

For some reason I just couldn’t focus. The chatter in my brain went something like this: BIRDS CHIRPING, Whoa. LEMON, GINGER, RICE KRISPIES, Is that poison oak? WHITE CHOCOLATE, EMAIL, ZEST, LEMON CAKE.What time do I need to get this done. RICE KRISPY TREATS. Repeat that for 60 minutes and you’ll have my workout. I think I walked fast just so I could get home and tackle this. I suppose that might be good motivation?

And so I made them…and they were everything I’d hoped for. Rice crispy treat meets lemon cake meets ginger white chocolate bark. Now if only I could meditate hard enough to make fries magically appear in my kitchen. Hold on, let me concentrate and get this crazy brain going….

recipes, Uncategorized

April 8, 2013

Sweet Potato & Sausage Soup

April showers bring May flowers. I have to keep reminding myself of that when it rains all day long. And in between moments of crazy rain and sun peeking through clouds, I want to sit at my kitchen table reading a magazine & eating a bowl of soup. This fantasy includes a hunk of garlic bread, as most fantasies do.

One of my go-to soups is this Sausage Soup I made years ago. I’ve probably made it as many times as I’ve seen The Royal Tenenbaums (which is A LOT). When I was flipping through one of my old Everyday Food Magazines (sniff sniff! So sad they shut down) I found this recipe and realized I had all of the ingredients at my disposal.

It’s like having a bowl of pasta, a bowl of soup, and a salad all in one. Carbs, meat, greens, SUPER FOODS and dairy all in one dish. It might soon replace my old standby. We’ll see about that.

my everyday life, Photography, Uncategorized

April 6, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 14

Here’s what this past week looked like:

I’m always the one who carries everything.

Uncategorized

April 5, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

Who doesn’t love a little Black & White Decor Inspiration?
Is it weird that I want to take a bite out of this soap?
11 things your Bartender Won’t Tell You. (I love this)
I love this shadow puppet video.
Jimmy Fallon’s 10 Best Late Night Moments.
This is a really cool idea (to steal!) if you’re looking for interesting art pieces.
Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies. Prepare to drool!
I crave salads like this one. WOW.
I’m happy to have found this food blog. Totally stunning!
Lean In? How about Standing Up Straight?!
Drooling over this Spring Quiche.
Baked Spaghetti is TOTALLY going on the TO-DO list. Husband will love it.
This is one of my favorite juice combinations. EVER.
So excited for Ashley & Gabe. This cookbook is gonna be epic.
If you’re also a parent, this list of encouraging words is super helpful.
Men with Cats. ‘Nuff said.

On this week’s episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast, Joy & I have a special guest!!! Deb from Smitten Kitchen joins us! We talk about bourbon, book signings and our pump songs. I might admit that I can’t live without a microwave.

My Bites Around the Net:

Snaxilicious made my Slice & Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Eating Clean in a Dirty City made my Bacon Fried Rice

FOODISBOMB adapted my Apricot Coconut Energy Bars

Pale Yellow adapted my Kale Apple Grape Carrot Juice

Snaxilicious made doughnuts out of my Maple Olive Oil Banana Bread

Bread N’ Better adapted my Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

PreventionRD made Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Pizza

recipes, Uncategorized

April 3, 2013

Milk & Cookies Smoothie

I actually just looked up the word smoothie online. This is the definition in case you’re wondering….

Let’s discuss # 1 for a second. Have you ever called a dude a smoothie? Oh, he’s such a smoothie. Hmm. Not so sure about that one.

This milk & cookies smoothie definitely doesn’t fit definition #1. Although this smoothie is pretty suave.

#2. Yes. OK this is a smoothie.

I looked up the definition because I feel like this smoothie is way too decadent to be considered a smoothie. In my mind a smoothie is something you fill with bananas & berries. Something that you blend with green stuff to get good stuff into your kid’s diet. You know…something on the healthy side. According to this definition, this is an actual smoothie even though it tastes like a milkshake. I think it has everything to do with the frozen bananas & cookies. It’s DECADENT. One second you get banana, and then you get a hint of cookies and BAM! There’s the peanut butter. It’s rich & creamy and will definitely fulfill your cookie & milkshake craving. It’s not just any old smoothie. It’s a Milk & Cookies Smoothie!

recipes, Uncategorized

April 1, 2013

Banh-Mi

I overheard Casey telling my parents last night during Easter dinner that he had an epic food week (thanks to me). That’s exactly what you want to overhear, isn’t it? Especially when you pour your heart & soul into feeding others. It’s not like he doesn’t tell me he loves it when I make food for him, but to hear him tell other people? Well, that’s just awesome. During this “epic” food week, I made a version of Greek salad that had tabouleh mixed in, summer rolls from scratch, some of the crispiest potatoes ever with grilled lamb for Easter and his most favorite food ever—Banh-Mi. Whew! Epic!

I’ve never made Banh-Mi before. I’ve always wanted to but it seemed kind of out of reach. We usually go out for Banh-Mi because it’s pretty reasonable, but the last time we went out they tried to charge us $8 per sandwich. I don’t think so!

What was stopping me? First of all, I felt like I might not be able to match all the sandwiches my husband has devoured in the last 6 years. I also thought that grilling pork would be hard (it’s NOT). I was super concerned about getting the bread right (the bread worked, but now I think I have a better source!). Pickling my own veggies seemed laborious (so super duper easy and daikon is at my local Whole Foods). I was also worried that what I made wouldn’t be super authentic (who cares when it tastes soo dang good & just like the Bahn-Mi we get out to eat?!) All the issues were just in my head because this recipe is a snap!

The only problem is…I think I set the bar even higher when it comes to home cooked meals. Oof!

my everyday life, Photography, Uncategorized

March 30, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 13

Here’s what this past week looked like:

I have this habit of messing with my hair while I’m working on the computer and then I occasionally catch a glimpse of my reflection in the computer screen and think WHOA.