finding local flair anywhere
Last year, Justin and I attended a free technique class at Williams-Sonoma for risotto. Little did I know I would come away with a love for risotto and the process both. It was so much fun to watch and experience, and was a great way to show a food that is notoriously daunting isn’t all that hard after all! Plus…free food always tastes better!…
The thing I love about smoothies is that they are so versatile. Eat them in a bowl when they’re thick, or drink them down when they’re thin. You can throw in whatever you want, and you don’t even know you’re being healthy. I probably smoothie about twice a month, just as an easy after work snack or dinner, depending on how I feel! It’s good to know I’m getting the nutrients from the “green stuff” without having to eat 25 salads! I used a new almond milk I want to tell you about, called MALK. MALK is a Texas-based family-owned company that has recently gotten their “big break” and can be found in Whole Foods in the following states: Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas! One of their co-founders, Joel Canada, came to visit the foodies of Tulsa. I showed him Elote and he let me take a sample of all three flavors! He said I didn’t owe him anything, but I thought that a shout out was the very least I could do for such a cool family business. The pecan maple is my favorite flavor, and would also be great in this smoothie. It’s also great in coffee, I’ve heard.
What I love about MALK (and what everyone else seems to love, too) is that it has a CUP of almonds in each bottle. Many almond milks on the market today can’t claim that (Almond Breeze is currently in a lawsuit for not actually having a significant amount of almonds in their product. Good work, guys.). They also have additives, such as carrageenan, which is an emulsifier with a bad rap. MALK is water, almonds, salt and vanilla – Just like if you were to make it at home, but saves you the soaking time and the dirty blender….
Cauli is back in action! After my first successful experience with my new friend Cauli (see here), my friend Cori suggested a Cauli Pizza on my Instagram. Of course, I had to try!! I hit her up for her favorite recipes (here and here), and did my own research from there.
You guys. This is way yum. I am always surprised by the versatility of cauliflower, especially for having NEVER eaten in previously in my life. But I did see it as a chicken substitute the other day…the jury is still out on that one.
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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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Cucumber Basil Gin Fizz
This gin fizz is a perfect drink for a summer night whether you’re lounging outside watching fireflies (while trying not to be eaten by mosquitoes), or just sitting inside watching TV. With 3 local ingredients, this is an ideal representation of farm-to-table at home!
The basil & cucumbers are, of course, from our garden. I finally think our cucumbers are dwindling, because it has been so hot. So with that, Cucumber Month is coming to a close. I had big dreams of also including refrigerator pickles, but honestly, we’re pretty pickled out over here….
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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I totally have not had time to post…wahhh. And I’ve been really dissastified with my photos recently, so I’m sorry. I promise I’m trying!
Potatoes are a top favorite food group around here. These are a super easy side dish, a great French fry alternative.
After finding these teeny potatoes at the farmer’s market, I knew exactly what to do! I made these for the first time when Pinterest was barely off the ground. Who ever came up with this idea first was a genius!
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First of all, I picked up this gorgeous cauli from the Tulsa Farmer’s Market for $3. It was worth every penny.
Y’all, this stuff is incredible. I stumbled across it on Pinch of Yum, and was extreeeemely skeptical, but trust me.
Before this, I’d never actually eaten cauliflower before. Is that weird? I’m almost 24. I don’t know, blame my mom or something. I think it’s because I’ve always associated cauliflower with broccoli, and broccoli and I have never really gotten along.
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This is potato salad with a healthier spin – it’s packed with veggies and has a light and fresh taste!
