Daring Kitchen July

PIEROGIES!!
After I got the challenge I decided I wanted to make pierogies mexican.
So I went with cilantro pierogies filled with chicken that I slowed cooked with homemade salsa.

I will go further into the preparation later...

Fourth of July Weekend

My sister and I spent the fourth at our Dad's place. There were several late nights and relaxing beach days with some of my sister's friends from college. On the third we sat in a life guard stand and watched the fireworks explode over the ocean. I also ended up making enough salsa and guacamole to feed a small nation.




^ My new favorite summer accessory

Watermelon Granita:
My stepmother found this awesome recipe for watermelon granita that was super simple. The only issue was that it takes two hours to prepare... But it was very refreshing after a long day in the sun.
Watermelon Granita Recipe:
6 cups watermelon
1/2 lime juice
1/2 sugar or splenda (we used splenda because my Dad is diabetic if you do this I would recommend starting with 1/4 cup splenda since it tends to be sweeter)

Directions:
Puree watermelon then add lime and sugar. If you want to make it alcholic (which we did) Mix in 2/3 cup vodka. Then pour into a metal pan and freeze for two and a half hours stirring every hour to reduce ice crystals.

I served it out of half of the watermelon and garnished it with cucumber slices and it was a big hit!

Daring Kitchen

I did it! I signed up for the Daring Kitchen! I have been putting it off for months but after a lot of consideration and a little coaxing from my sister I finally decided I could do it. So wish me luck and I can not wait to blog about it.

Sister Friends

Did I mention my beautiful sister is in town from California for the entire summer?
I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer yet.

Fresh Start

I think I am ready to take this blog in a new direction... Make it more about life and less about food; don't get me wrong there will be yummy goodies and recipe adventures along the way they will just now be mixed in with the outside world. Since the last time I have been on here I have attended a leadership conference, a cousins wedding, and spent too many hours lounging lazily around.


I have spent a lot of this last week at the farmers market mainly exploring the world outside the super market. I bought vegetables I had never heard of and fell back on old staples. I bought fresh bread, flowers, and hybrid corn. So needless to say my culinary adventures have been endless this week. The cooking started with a tomato sauce and ended with a delectable eggplant parmesan; which then needed dessert in the form of banana brownies. As I sat down for a simple panini lunch I was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of accomplishment and cleanliness. I don't know if it was pride for all of my ingredients being fresh and local or of just eating better but I have never had food give me such a complete feeling. Today, I am going to make a rustic peach tart and find a use for my peaches and cream corn as well as the kohlrabi.



On a non food note I have also been organizing my room/life and picking out my summer novels. I started Mrs. Dalloway this week and plan on starting The Hours when I am done with it. I heard that reading Mrs. Dalloway before The Hours completely changes ways you view the novel. Also, I am looking for any book suggestions it doesn't matter what the genre is just give me books that you have fallen in love with.

Also, there is a giveaway going on right now for this adorable bag.
http://www.prettypleasedblog.com/2010/06/wednesday-giveawaygold-chain-bucket-bag.html
I am a huge fan of the store, Hallelu, in general because they have beautiful things and I can walk there.

It's good to be back


D

For Holland

Thank you to my beautiful cousin who inadvertently inspired me to start back up my blog

Breakfast: Light Whole Wheat Toast with a tbs of crunchy peanut butter and half of a banana
180 calories
Snack: Pretzel Crackers and Morrocan Hummus: 150 calories and Strawberry Oasis Smoothie: 83 calories
Lunch: Cous Cous with spinach and green onions with a chicken breast on top: 340 calories and a cutie: 40
Dinner: 2 Pulled Chicken Tacos at Tower 7

Total 793

Vegan Day 3

Breakfast: Chocolate Coconut Larabar: 200 calories
Lunch: Burrito! with guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce,jalopenoes, onions, and peppers :400 calories
Snack: Banana with peanut butter: 200 calories and failed sweet potato: 50 calories

Total: 850 calories