August 3, 2011

Tuscan Kale Salad w/ Pecorino

Kale and I have enjoyed a sultry love affair for over a year now. We’ve definitely moved past the puppy dog phase and we’re currently treading in the I leave a toothbrush in his medicine cabinet territory. Yes, I’m talking about KALE. Lately I’ve been looking for something new to “spice up” our relationship. I’ve seen this salad on a few of my favorite food blogs and I thought it might lead us back to the non-stop PDA phase. It worked! Suddenly I’m absolutely infatuated with kale again and all it took was this simple salad!

Close your eyes and you might think you’re eating a Caesar salad. Open your eyes and look at that dark leafy green pile of healthy kale sitting on your plate! Crazy, huh? You’ll notice how creamy/sharp the Pecorino is and that lemony red pepper dressing sure is tangy AND spicy, right? I find that the texture of the kale shreds pairs so well with bits of the crunchy country bread crumbs, don’t you? Now that I know how easy it is to make this, I’m totally going on a Raw Tuscan Kale Salad bender. Think Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas but sub the alcohol with Kale. Watch me.
CONTINUE READING

recipes, Uncategorized

August 1, 2011

Herbed Ricotta Bruschetta

You made your own homemade ricotta! Now what?? You should make this simple/scrumptious herbed ricotta bruschetta because it’s absolutely out of this world! I brought this appetizer to my neighbor’s house last week and it was gone in NO TIME. Within minutes, I had to go back to my house to grab the rest of the ricotta. Just when I thought I was in the clear, I had to go back AGAIN for crackers! People were SCRAPING the sides to get every single last bit of herbed ricotta that was clinging to the serving bowl. If no one was looking I’m pretty sure they’d use their fingers. It’s that good.

“This tastes like it came from a restaurant,” my neighbor remarked. She’s right; it totally does. It’s thick, creamy, sophisticated and totally decadent. If I was having a fancy brunch at my house, I’d add a little smoked salmon on top and serve it with a green salad. Put this in your bag of tricks because it’s sure to impress the heck out of people.

Uncategorized

July 31, 2011

Episode #11 is Live!!

Friends! This week on the Joy the Baker Podcast over at Homefries, we’re at it again!

Joy is in Hawaii! Lucky girl! I’m totes jealous. On this podcast, we talk about:

the difference between ALOHA & MAHALO.
plane travel!
what to EAT/DRINK/WEAR on an airplane.
we also discuss an important question from a male reader!

You won’t want to miss it! Come check it out!

If you want to ask us a question, email us!

Homefries has its own Facebook page! You’ll totally LIKE it.

Photography, Uncategorized

July 30, 2011

365- Week 29

A food related photo everyday until 2012. Here’s week 29:

209/365 Cucumber Infused Vodka, ginger ale, orange & cucumber. Friday cocktail!

recipes, Uncategorized

July 29, 2011

Homemade Ricotta

Early yesterday morning (before my coffee had a chance to kick in), I made my own ricotta. After a few simple steps and a brief period of waiting, I HAD MADE MY OWN RICOTTA!!! I spent hours bouncing off the walls with excitement. No, it wasn’t the coffee! It was the ricotta! Ina Garten is a genius; but I already knew that. I absolutely love her and this recipe has clearly changed my life. This ricotta is silky smooth and creamy, not gritty and tasteless like the ricotta you find in a grocery store. Store bought ricotta is super expensive and this batch cost me less than a small tub from the store. How awesome is that?

Later on the in the day I made Ina’s herbed ricotta bruschetta for lunch and it was absolutely divine. I’ll post the recipe soon but first you should making your own ricotta! Put it on your weekend TO-DO list and join the fun!

Thank you Ina for helping me knock of another item from my 31 comes before 32 list!

#25. Make my own cheese from scratch=DONE.
CONTINUE READING

recipes

July 28, 2011

Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Grilled Tofu

It’s hot outside and all I want to do is sit in front of a fan with a gigantic bowl of this Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Grilled Tofu because it’s both light AND hearty. It’s the type of salad that’s best served cold. It gives you the most pleasant after taste and doesn’t put a lead weight in your stomach like most noodle salads. I bet it’s the perfect thing to eat if you’re planning on making out with someone later. Let me know how that goes!

Thinly sliced cucumbers, crunchy red peppers, tangy lime juice mixed with spicy chili sauce and the hugest dose of mint? YES, PLEASE. Did I mention the grilled marinated tofu? I don’t think I did! It’s a known fact that grill marks are sexy and just look at those grill marks! Get a bowl, sit in front of a fan, add a jar of fancy Iced tea and chow down. Your taste buds are begging to be awakened.
CONTINUE READING