FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Spicy Broccoli & Leek Soup

by

Broccoli and Leek Soup

After making this recipe, my friend Molly and I wondered if we could use it as a formula for other veggie soups.  Asparagus and broccoli came to mind first and they’ve been stuck in my head ever since.  So today when I was at Wheatsville Co-op {becoming an owner!} and saw a beautiful bunch of broccoli, I decided to give it a go.

Almond Slivers 1

I modified a couple things about the recipe to make life a little more simple.  Like using 4 cups of broth instead of 3.  Since broth is packaged in a 4-cup container, you were always left with a cup of broth in your fridge that never found a home.

Broccoli and Leeks

Beyond quantity, I added a complimentary veggie, more nuts, more lemon, and more spices.  The addition of cayenne pepper gave the soup a welcomed kick.  And the drizzle of olive oil gave the soup a little complexity that made it feel restaurant worthy.

Array

Homemade Granola

by

Homemade Granola in Mason Jar

I’ve been a recipe brainstorming machine lately, trying to come up with the perfect mango recipe for the National Mango Board‘s newest mango cookbook.  I thought of the perfect cocktail.  I consulted with my favorite bartender.  And then…

Homemade Granola Ingredients

I found out they were eliminating the cocktail section of the book.  I was with a brand new bottle of gin and I was bummed.  Things could have been worse. But I quickly morphed my mango green tea cocktail into a dessert.

I whipped up some mango mousse, added green tea simple syrup {which tasted divine}, and took a bite of the most disappointing dessert ever.  I put my creation in the fridge and went about my day.

Homemade Granola

When I returned home I went straight to the fridge {as I often do} and was hungry enough to take a bite of the mousse.  I had a lightbulb moment.  This wasn’t a good dessert because it wasn’t sweet enough, strong enough.  But it had the potential to be an awesome breakfast.

Mango Mousse with Homemade Granola 2

I whipped up some mousse sans green tea syrup.  I whipped up some homemade granola.  I came to the realization homemade granola knocks the socks off of store bought granola.  And I successfully combined the granola with the mousse to make a super yum mango mousse breakfast parfait!

Array

Hummus Deviled Eggs

by

Hummus Deviled Eggs

After reading one of the many things you’re doing wrong lists out there, I had to try peeling boiled eggs the right way.  I started with Martha Stewart’s instructions on how to make perfect hard-boiled eggs. And then finished by placing the boiled eggs in a large bowl filled with ice water and one teaspoon of baking soda.

Baking Soda for Boiled Eggs

Let me just tell ya, this was the least stressful egg peeling that’s ever gone on in my kitchen.  From this point forward, I’m a baking soda believer.

Hard Boiled Eggs

And then I went on to experiment with the ever so classic deviled egg.  Truth be told, I had some 365 light mayo in my fridge that tasted like poison and I needed an alternative.  Hummus seemed like the logical route.  This recipe needs some tweaking, but I’ll give you the ingredients and measurement starting points to get going.

Array

Sesame Cashews

by

Sesame Cashews 2

Having a roommate, especially a male roommate, comes with having a kitchen full of snacks that you’d never ordinarily have.  Lots and lots of Trader Joe’s snacks, staring you in the hungry face, whenever you cross the kitchen border.

Toasted Cashews

The best thing I can do is recreate a healthier version.

Sweetened Cashews

So that’s exactly what I did.  And they were Max approved!

Array