May 13, 2010

a few recipes to share.

hey all! happy little friday :)
this morning i was thrilled to see a post from my girl hedda, nominating me with the beautiful blogger award!


well, let's see here... what are seven little-known facts about me?

1. although i'm not a big sweets person, i go crazy for deep, dark chocolate brownies. the chewiness gets me every time! gahhh i want some now. but if you even think about putting nuts in my brownies, i'll punch you in the face!

2. if i could live at the beach, i would up and move right.this.second. i am a beach girl for sure! nothing beats the breeze at the beach - it's pure, unadultured bliss. hammock, anyone?

3. i've traveled quite a bit, and plan to do much, much more. i've been to almost all 50 states, canada, mexico, and the virgin islands... i've seen the grand canyon and niagra falls, and i consider myself extremely lucky! on my dream list? australia, new zealand, and italy.

4. i've been in two near-death car accidents, and i know without a doubt that it is God's plan for me to live. my purpose is obviously not complete, although i've tried pretty hard to mess it up!

5. i swam competitively most of my life, and since i can't swim now due to a shoulder injury, i'm taking up my next vice - running. it's slowly growing on me.

6. i took spanish for 7 years in grade school. now, i use it to order burritos. score.

7. since this IS a food blog, my favorite foods? avocados, brazil nuts, caramel truffles, garlic, honey mustard, soft pretzels... ok, i just like to eat.

girl, you are too sweet! and now you guys know more about me than you signed up for!

.........................................................
ok, how about some food?


since i'm a healthy blogger who avoids sugar and all, what better recipe to post first than dorie greenspan's best chocolate chip cookies?


i actually own dorie's book baking: from my home to yours, which is where i got the recipe.


but kait from kait's plate has it posted online, if you get the baking bug :)

up next?
my mom absolutely loves horseradish, so i had been planning for a few days to make some hummus with it. seeing how i have kitchen ADD, i also got inspired to roast a head of garlic. 


... you thinkin' what i thought?


roasted garlic horseradish hummus
adapted from a combination of these two recipes and my brain
1 can sodium-free chickpeas, rinsed
1 spoonful tahini
2 spoonfuls horseradish
1 quick pour olive oil
1 huuuuuuuuge pinch freshly ground pepper (FRESH is key!)
juice from 1 small lime
1 spoon cumin
1 sprinkle red pepper flakes
1 tiny pinch salt

instructions? blend in food processor. feel proud because you "cooked."


and how about the best salad dressing i've ever had?


um, yeah. i know it's swamp green.
go with me here.


basil-orange vinaigrette 
adapted from sticky gooey creamy chewy
1 scallion, green and white parts
1 sprinkle red pepper flakes
2 cups fresh basil (from our herb garden!)
3 tablespoons natural orange juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 pinch salt
1 clove finely chopped garlic
1 pinch black pepper
1 pinch sugar
1 quick pour olive oil

instructions? blend in blender, and feel good about "cooking..." again!

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questions for ya:
1. random fact about yourself you'd care to share with the class?
2. are you an exact recipe follower or an "eyeball it" cook?

p.s. - up tomorrow?
i'm attempting to recreate the energy bar jess so wonderfully sent me (i die!), as well as make some homemade larabars so i don't go broke! foooooooooooooood.
- r

10 comments:

  1. wow, you've been everywhere! that is so awesome. i have always wanted to road-trip it to colorado. i'm not sure why colorado beckons me, but it does. have you ever been to vt?!
    and i looove all the creations, the hummus and dressing sound especially drool-worthy.

    and you'd better believe i'm excited about tomorrow's post! i swear, mate is addictive. the guys at work would always say the back home again had me under their "spell" with their mate - i'd go there religiously for an iced mate and a mate bar, and mate is one of those natural things that used to be a bit scandalous! i've never thought to buy mate powder for bars, though - i should look into that!

    and be careful with the homemade larabars - once you make one batch, you'll never stop. it's addictive! especially if you make them in small balls like i do - perfect snack size ;)

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  2. It's so cool that you've seen so much of the US! I feel like sometimes it goes unnoticed when there are so many places to jet off to abroad, but this really is a beautiful country.

    Random fact- I was a twin, but my mom miscarried the other baby. Kinda spooky, right?

    I'm definitely an exact recipe follower...otherwise, it's disaster. I like to stick to the rules!

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  3. omg yes yes cant wait to see the new re-created bars!!! loved the cookies btw! hehe "from ur heart to our bellies" yum<3

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  4. Love the random facts! New Zealand is tops on my list as well; I'm hoping to study abroad there. Although.. no nuts in your brownies? Not even walnuts to complement the delicious fudginess?? That's blasphemy! =P

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  5. jess - unfortunately, i know their siren song... i've made them MANY times lol.

    gabriela - I AM TOO!!! so weird that it happened to both of us. i guess we we're meant for so much more :)

    kelsey - i can't wait either! i lovvveed the one jess sent.

    megan - i HATE walnuts! i know, weird right?

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  6. I wish I had been to that many places - lucky girl!

    I am AWFUL at following recipes. I never have the exact ingredients and I just get a little crazy in the kitchen.

    Random fact: I always write my name at the tops of papers even if I don't have to hand them in. I get sick pleasure from doing it haha.

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  7. I love trying out different types of hummus, I've never had a bad one yet..maybe because I'm obsessed with it! I am totally an eye baller cook. I don't really measure unless it's something spicy and hot. Random fact about me: Yesterday one of my student's compared me to Stacy from the Babysitter's Club. I dont know if that fits with a random fact, but I still thought it was funny!

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  8. That is strong, to have survived two near-death accidents. Makes you think, and to feel like you are meant to live.
    I loved getting to know you a bit better :)

    I am more of an exact recipe, haha, not brave enough! But, my mother is all eyeball. Maybe it is because she has so many years of practice?

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  9. That's awesome that you have been so many places in the country! So jealous!
    &that's so scary about the car accidents, you're right-God definitely has a plan for you! You are so BLESSED!

    and random fact- When I was little I was SUPER afraid of ET... he still freaks me out.

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  10. garlic can be roasted in 20 minutes using oven and aluminum foil

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questions or comments about my thoughts?
feel free to share, and thanks for stopping by!