FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Goodies For New Friends

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One thing my Tampa friends are consistently giving me a hard time about is that I don’t invite them over for dinner or bake them treats enough.  Now that I’ll be in a city with wayyyyyyy fewer friends, I should probably use my ability to bake deliciousness to bribe  make as many new friends as possible.  Here are some of the recipes I’ve had my eye on lately that I think would be fun for company.

Sippity Sup’s Asiago Mac & Cheese Pie with Truffled Potato Crust – Greg’s lobster mac was one of the best things to ever come out of my oven, so I trust that the asiago rendition will be comparable in the awesome department.  And truffled potato crust?  Nuff said.

Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Holiday Spirits –  I had grand ideas for an infused booze party last year and it never happened.  Now that I’ve stumbled upon Emily’s jalapeno concoction, I have no excuse but to infuse and invite people over.

Joy the Baker’s Mini Pretzel Dogs – Joy’s souped up version of a pig in a blanket would make for a perfect pre or post party snack.  Perhaps I could stuff some with cheese and Smart Dogs?  I’m so looking forward to unpacking my KitchenAid mixer!

A Cozy Kitchen’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Mousse (via Eat Live Run) – I am such a fan of anything salty sweet.  There was a time when I bought the entire remaining stock of sea salted dark chocolate bars at World Market out of fear they were being discontinued.  On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t invite anyone over for this mousse…

My Little Celebration’s Chocolate Covered Pineapple Crepes – I have never hosted a brunch party and it’s about high time I do!  Dana’s crepe recipe could totally be the foundation for both sweet and savory crepe combinations.

How often do you host get togethers at your place?  Do you wish that you had people over more often?

Road Trip Preppin’

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It’s almost that time!  In less than ten days I’ll be driving that drive, that 1,100 mile drive to my new home.  I’m about 90% packed and 100% ready to spend some extreme QT with my friends and family this weekend!

In the meantime, some of the little things that have been occupying my mind are what to eat and what to listen to during this 16-hour adventure (you know, the important stuff).  As far as tunes go, I’ve asked a few of my music-loving friends to send me a list of songs that I will compile into a monster playlist prior to heading out.  I already know my ride will be much easier having my pals with me in spirit.  And don’t you worry, I plan on posting the entire playlist for your listening, and perhaps laughing, pleasure.

Now onto food…  I’m planning on bringing a small cooler for snacks/meals since just the thought of eating fast food gives me an achy stomach and sleepy eyes.  And this is where you come in!

What are your favorite road trip snacks?  Have you made anything recently that would be perfect road trip food?

Buried In The Freezer, In Pictures

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Breakfast:  Sprouted Wheat Sourdough French Toast with Maple Syrup

Lunch:  Spicy Okra and Noodles

Dinner:  BBQ Tofu & Brussels Sprouts

When your pantry is packed and your fridge is a ghost town, there’s only one place left to hunt for food:  the freezer.  I should have taken a picture of the random assortment of stuff I had to choose from for meals today.  Thankfully breakfast and dinner were so-so.  But okra?  Really?  Some bites were tolerable but, for the most part, the slime completely grossed me out.  The things a busy, moving girl will do to get her greens!

What are your thoughts on okra?  Have any recipe suggestions that will transfer me to the okra-loving team?

Last Of The Cafe Hey Days

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Am I sad that limited grocery runs mean more Cafe Hey lunch excursions for the next TEN days?  Absolutely not!  I used today as the first of many excuses to mangia mangia on new-to-me menu items I’ve neglected over the past few years.

Seeing Mushroom Miso soup as the soup du jour meant only one thing:  my favorite specials board knows me all too well.  I ordered the cup of warmth and a half of the hummus and fresh veggie sandwich.  I waited patiently for my order, catching up on my Scramble with Friends  queue (KVGator, add me!), thinking about how I take Cuban bread for granted.

And then I spotted this “local is the new black” sign and got a little giddy.  Because I appreciate local businesses.  Because supporting local businesses is something my mom has encouraged for as long as I can remember.  And what do you know… I’m ten days away from living in a place where local isn’t the new black, it just IS.