FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Avocado Toast – #ForHereFromHere

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Yellowbird Avocado Toast

Earlier this week, Ozarka Water sent over a box of local {to me} products and asked the question, “Why do you love where you live?“. The box alone {provided by a company that comes from three Texas springs} represented one of the top reasons I love Austin, TX – it’s chock-full of entrepreneurial spirit. Almost everyone you meet has a side project, runs a start-up business, or has established a local brand. I’m confident you could survive in this town solely by shopping local. And I just couldn’t be an ounce more happy to call Austin, TX my home.

Another reason I love Austin is that, not only are there so many wonderful grocery stores in a close proximity, but each of those stores makes an effort to support and highlight local products.  For example, the Yellowbird hot sauce that was included in the box.. I already had {and always have} in my fridge. And it’s not uncommon to see Yellowbird dominating the end cap at Whole Foods or Central Market – both born in Austin, as well.

Queso

One of my favorite activities this summer has been rooftop grilling get-togethers at my friend, Jackie’s, apartment. This has also been the perfect venue to share the products I’ve been sampling with my friends, like the Paqui’s tortilla chips and Cookwell & Co. queso {pictured above} and Jelly Queen’s steak seasoning {pictured below}. A common theme with local food companies is quality ingredients, so it made complete sense that the queso was made without cheez product, chips without GMOs, and spice mix with organic ingredients.

Steak Seasoning 2

The un-pictured items that we incorporated into our rooftop gathering were Snow’s BBQ Sauce and Taste Elevated’s sweet and spicy mustard seeds.  All of the products mentioned above added a layer of fun and excitement to our evening!

Yellowbird Avocado Toast 3

And since moving to Austin in February of 2012 {4-1/2 years ago!}, home-cooked weekend breakfasts have become one of my most treasured times. I love waking up, moseying to the kitchen, whipping up something delicious, sitting down with a cup of coffee, and taking my time enjoying all I’ve prepared. Below are instructions on how to make one of my frequently made take-your-time breakfasts, avocado toast.

Disclosure: Although Ozarka Water kindly provided the products mentioned above, the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.

Toasted Coconut Cake Donuts

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Homemade Coconut Cake Donut

Donuts are a food that I rarely thought about before Instagram and #nationaldonutday. I have always been one take down a few glazed Krispy Kremes if presented with a box, but I’d never go out of my way to find a donut. But lately, and this is slightly embarrassing to admit, I’ve been on a quest for pretty food, Instagrammable {but also delicious} food, which led me straight to a donut pan purchase.

Donut Pan

And for my first donut recipe? I turned to my blogging pal Liren, of Kitchen Confidante, because trying one of her recipes has been on my list for entirely too long.

Homemade Coconut Cake Donuts

Liren mentions in her post that if you love coconut cake, this is the donut for you {and I couldn’t agree with her more}! I love how she added fresh lime juice to the glaze for a subtle burst of tartness that complimented the sweetness of the coconut so well.  I can’t wait to experiment with flavors of my own as donuts will be the perfect treat to bring to get togethers all summer long!

Click here for the coconut cake donut recipe.

Oven Steamed Artichokes

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Oven Steamed Artichoke with Dipping Sauce

Friends.. You have to be as annoyed with life hacks by now as I am.  I’m not the least bit bothered that I’ve been taking my shirt off the incorrect way my entire life because, well, I’ve been making do.  I refuse to cut my cupcakes in half and stack before eating because frosting on the nose is just a part of eating cupcakes. That’s what the zigzags on bobby pins are for?  Interesting, but.. habit prevails.

Artichokes with Lemon, Garlic, Olive Oil, and Butter

But the FeedFeed artichoke hack?  This is a hack I can get on board with.  I experienced a major grilled artichoke fail a few weeks ago and stumbling upon this oven-steamed tutorial couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time.

Oven Steamed Artichoke in Parchment Paper

The best part of the recipe is that the drippings are reserved as a dipping sauce. And the close second of a best part is utilizing the artichoke stem, which tastes much like the heart.

Click here for the full recipe and video tutorial.

Grilled Chicken & Garlicky Kale Salad

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Grilled Chicken & Garlicky Kale Salad

It seems like a lifetime ago that I was working in D.C {2010}. At first, I couldn’t wait to check out every well-rated restaurant near my hotel.  But the thrill of restaurant eats wore off quickly.  And in no time at all, I found comfort in the Whole Foods Alexandria salad bar.  And it was there I fell in love with Whole Foods’ garlicky kale.

Fresh Kale

Unfortunately, I’ve never spotted garlicky kale at another Whole Foods again {not even the HQ in Austin!}. Fortunately, I always have Eating Bird Food’s recipe whenever a craving hits.

Garlicky Kale

This time I made a meal out of it by topping with my simple grilled chicken recipe.  And let me tell ya, this is a dinner I look forward to having on a weekly basis.  I love eating a half bunch of raw kill in one sitting.