finding local flair anywhere
As I mentioned last week, I am a recent mushroom convert. When I made these, I sent a photo to my dad, who is not a mushroom fan. He was hoping it was a piece of meat or bread on the bottom! He is convinced his taste buds are not meant to like mushrooms, as after all his years, he still doesn’t like them. There may still be hope, right? I’ll try again in 7 years.
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In 2013, I studied abroad in Scotland. And as one who studies abroad often does, I sought to experience a lot of the culture through food exploration. So, when I was there, I purchased a sleeve of Oatcakes from the store. I’m not sure what compelled me to buy them, besides their Scottish heritage and label. But I kept them in my room and ate them with a big jar of Jif peanut butter that Justin had mailed me for Valentine’s Day. Or with Nutella. Or alone.
They didn’t taste like much, and they were a good snack for when I was binge watching New Girl and couldn’t muster myself out of my bed. Since then, I realized I had been missing their flavorlessness, and thought I needed them in my life. We’ve been planning another trip there, and I’ve found myself nostalgic about them. So I set out to make them.
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I think that every single culture may have a version of a potato pancake. You know why? Probably because they’re easy and delicious. And surprisingly contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. I have some very fond memories of potato pancakes: my friend in middle school sharing latkes with us at lunch during Hanukkah, grating potatoes on the porch in silence with my roommate’s grandma who spoke no English when on a homestay in Korea, to this Oktoberfest, mooching off of someone’s German version. My grandma (Oklahoman) told me that they used to make them from leftover mashed potatoes.
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This is a better-than-Olive Garden version of Zuppa Toscana – complete with local food flair!
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This tomato basil risotto is savory and perfect for a light meal by itself!
This dinner came together when I didn’t have a plan and went digging through our kitchen and garden. We finally dug up the tomato plants this week and used the very very last of the tomatoes. Check out the size of those roots. Our basil plant has been chopped down, but there are still a few sprigs left for propagating for winter. Garlic is in the ground for the first time, and even our spaghetti squash still has a chance! We’re feeling pretty good as we brace ourselves for winter.
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Fall is now in full swing, and if your weather is anything like ours is, I hope you’re enjoying it! I watched this hilarious video on “leggun’ weather” two nights ago and seriously can not stop watching it. Over and over. Seriously. You’re welcome.
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This week, I’m hitting you with two posts, since last week I was unfortunately forced off the Blog Boat by a hard drive crash. It was so sad, but I am up and running on El Capitan and everything is good to go!
This is an easy recipe for game day. Any game day. Baseball is in an exciting time, basketball is about to start, and of COURSE football is in full swing. No sporting weekend can be complete without chips and salsa. Tortilla chips are even naturally gluten-free friendly, for my football fanatic bestie.
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Take a look at how adorable these potatoes are. They’re PURPLE! I had no idea. They looked like normal red potatoes on the outside, and then I cut them open and was pleasantly surprised by their rich color. I got them from my trusty potato people at the farmers market.
This recipe is a copycat from one of our favorite spots, Kilkenny’s Irish Pub. Whenever we have friends with us, Justin always likes to order Shamrock Spuds to “treat” everyone. Basically, he thinks they’re the greatest. They are baby potatoes topped with an Irish rasher of bacon and white cheddar cheese. It is also served with sour cream on the side, which Justin especially loves. He’s not a sour cream fan, and this way, it doesn’t ruin any of the potatoes!…
I have not always been a tomato fan. In fact…This is one of the few ways I will eat a raw tomato, just purely based on the fact that there are too many other things involved that I like to eat. (Other ways include and are limited to: Pico de Gallo.) Traditional Caprese Salad is made with plain basil leaves, but what’s the fun in that, really? All of the following forms you’ll see today have incorporated pesto. Don’t worry, it doesn’t make them hard to make!
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Simple Dill Pickle Spears
Confession 2 of Cucumber Month: I don’t eat these, either. I know, I’m terrible. But I do trust my tried-and-true taste tester hubs that does happen to like pickles, and he thought very highly of them. I also made him a jar of “special” spicy pickles with a quartered jalapeño in it. Let me just tell you: don’t rub your nose after stirring that brine with your fingers, mmkay? Your nose will go numb.
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