FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Cranberry & Orange Baked Brie

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Baked Brie

When I woke up on Saturday morning, I didn’t want to leave the warmth of my comforter.  I thought of everything I could to delay the process.  I checked and re-checked all of my email accounts.  I scrolled through social media feeds galore.  I set the favorites on my new phone and then called a few of them to brainstorm recipes for the first holiday party of the season.  It was two-ish hours of pseudo productivity.

Brie

Emily suggested that I make baked brie with the Cranberry and Orange Chutney that HEB sent in their November Primo Picks box.  “But I don’t like baked brie”, I told her, “it’s buttery and sweet and all of the things that make my stomach hurt wrapped up together in one food package.”.

Baked Brie Prep

And then I thought about why I bake and how it isn’t about me one bit, so I picked up some pre-made pastry (for the first time) and a wheel of brie to bake this party favorite.  And then it turned out that the chutney wasn’t sweet at all and I ended up liking this baked brie more than others I had sampled in the past!

Maple Syrup Baked Brie

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Jalapeño Hand Pies

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HEB Primo Picks

When the November HEB Primo Picks box arrived, I was hoping it would include ingredients that I could use for holiday baking.  New-to-me, non-pumpkin ingredients that would serve as holiday recipe inspiration.

Jarred Jalapenos

I was tempted to use the jarred HEB jalapeños to make jalapeño poppers, but instead, challenged myself to be a tad more creative.  And as I was prepping my gramma’s pie dough for Thanksgiving pies, the idea of jalapeño hand pies came about.

Jalapeno Hand Pies

Spicy jalapeños, flavorful pepper jack cheese, smooth cream cheese, and classic cumin filled these pastries.  Jalapeño hand pies were extra popular among the gents at the holiday party I attended over the weekend.

{scroll down for recipe}

Jalapeno Hand Pie Stack

I also prepared a baked brie using the Central Market Cranberry and Orange Chutney that was included in the Primo Picks box that I will post the recipe for tomorrow.

Baked Brie Prep

Real Vacation

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I vacationed, for real.  For the first time since college, I wasn’t day jobbing or night blogging or doing anything but fun having.  It was marvelous.  And necessary.

I kicked off this time off with Fun Fun Fun Fest, which quickly turned into my favorite fest.  A month ago, ACL attracted anyone and everyone looking for a party. FFF Fest was reserved for a different crowd.  It was rock n’ roll.  And I loved it.

Some of my favorites:

Bleached – Dead in Your Head

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The Julie Ruin – Just My Kind

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MGMT – Introspection

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After festing like a boss (a phrase I completely jacked from the FFF Fest app), I followed Ariel back to LA where I had some QT with Runyon Canyon and The Strokes.  I’ve been on a kick for a few weeks now, listening to 15 Minutes, Ask Me Anything, Hard to Explain, and What Ever Happened on repeat, probably in that order.  Total processing tunes.

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There were friendship manicures.

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And costume-clad meals.

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And then it was time to head home and gear up for my first day of work at le new gig. First stop?  Uchi Houston for a managers’ meeting.  I spent the day surrounded by the most inspiring group of people, eating the most amazing meals.  It was an epic first day and I am so extremely excited to be a part of this family and for this adventure to finally begin!

Transition Breakfast

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Poached Eggs and Bacon

Wow, guys!  Yesterday was the last day at my traditional construction job.  And today I get to dabble in the feeling of zero professional obligation.  Though I’m quickly realizing there isn’t a switch – it will take some time to mentally distance myself from projects I’ve been so deeply vested in.  There is a sense of calm that comes with letting go.  Today marks the beginning of transition.

Fresh Plus Austin

And being someone who fully believes in starting things off “right”, the first breakfast of my transition period needed to be perfectly me.  I threw on some cozy sweats, embraced the arrival of Austin chill, and leisurely walked through my neighborhood to grab a cup of coffee and some bacon.

Upon my return, I slowly cooked the bacon over medium-low heat and used Alton Brown’s instructions for poached eggs.  This transition breakfast was delightful.

Perfectly Cooked Bacon

So what’s the plan?  In a little over a week, I will begin my new professional journey as the construction and facilities manager for a local real estate company that owns and operates properties and restaurants (like Uchi!).  This is an opportunity that combines my professional and personal passions and one that I never even thought to dream of, let alone land.

In the meantime, I’ll be decompressing, music festing, traveling, and just plain ol’ doing!