FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Truffled Quinoa & Cheese

May 31, 2012 by Kristin

Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe my sentiment towards the truffled quinoa and cheese from Snap Kitchen.  So darn delicious.  And after some quick label investigation?  I was beyond confident that I could recreate this delish in my kitch.

I ventured to the Whole Foods butter section and reacquainted myself with the black truffle butter I had fallen so deeply in love with not so long ago.  The first time you spend ten bucks on three ounces of butter is a little painful.  The second time?  Pshhh.  So yum, not phased.

FoodFash Truffled Quinoa & Cheese (yields 4  – 300 calorie servings)

1 cup quinoa, uncooked

2 cups water

1 tablespoon butter

1 – 8 oz. package of baby bellas, stems removed and chopped

2 tablespoons black truffle butter

2 oz. gruyere cheese, shredded

salt & white pepper to taste

Bring quinoa and water to a boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat and add mushrooms.  Saute the mushrooms, stirring every few minutes, until they are deep brown in color.  Remove the quinoa from the heated burner and stir in the truffle butter until melted.  Fold in the sauteed mushrooms and add salt and white pepper to taste.  Top each serving with 1/2 oz. of shredded cheese and serve.

When I reviewed Snap Kitchen’s version on Tasted Menu, I noted how rare it was to find a healthy truffle dish.  And even though butter and cheese are far from topping the health charts, using less than 100 calories of each per serving counts as total moderation in my book.  Serve with a hearty portion of greens and you’ve got yourself a sinful, bases-covered meal!

Filed Under: recipes Tagged With: austin, snap kitchen, tasted menu, texas, truffle butter, truffled quinoa and cheese, vegetarian

Justine’s Brasserie

May 24, 2012 by Kristin

Since my mom has been in town from sweet home Safety Harbor, we’ve eaten at restaurants a plenty.  We hit up some downtown hip spots and a seedy Mexican dive, but I think we both would agree our favorite place thus far has been Justine’s Brasserie on the East side.

I wish I had more pictures reflecting how cozy, quaint, and Austin-esque the vibe was.  The furniture was creaky and cool.  There was a gynorm record collection behind the bar.  The light fixtures were worthy of snatching and placing in your favorite shabby chic room.  The overall ambiance at Justine’s was that just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-that-hot kind of look.  I was a fan before the food even arrived.

I was an even bigger fan after gorging myself on a half a loaf of crusty, chewy bread.  If I had been with someone other than my current company, they would have given me a look of disgust.  Fortunately (unfortunately?) moms love you too much to pass judgement on strange behavior.

She ordered the soup du jour, which was a chilled potato soup that was loaded with fresh mint and perfect for a blazing hot day, and the crab salad (which had a way more French name on the menu), that was very fresh as well.  Avocados and cucumbers make great friends.  Noted.

I ordered the catch of the day which was a honkin’ fillet of grouper.  The fish was dusted with the perfect amount of seasoning, but most importantly, was super flaky and moist.  And as good as the fish was, the greens were even better.  The mustard-y sauce and tiny strings of onion were to die for.

Justine’s was just perfect for a weekday dinner, but I’m looking forward to heading back on a Friday night with friends for dinner con cocktails!

Filed Under: restaurant reviews Tagged With: austin, justine's brasserie, restaurant reviews, texas

Capitol Picnicking

May 13, 2012 by Kristin

I had been secretly jonesing to picnic for weeks before suggesting the idea to Lauren and Matt, who were both anxious to have their first picnic of the season as well.  And after too many days of Florida-style thunderstorms, it was high time to spend a day outdoors.  The Capitol lawn would be the perfect setting for us to sprawl on this sunny, breezy, barely 80 degree Sunday.

Lauren and I attempted to stick to a theme, but ended up bringing anything we thought the group would enjoy.  She made brie, fig jam, and arugula sandwiches (a new fav of mine!), bacon wrapped dates, guacamole, and fruit.  I brought chabrin (a harder variety of goat cheese), French epis (a twiggy-looking loaf of bread), assorted olives, and Moroccan mint iced tea.

We set up my new portable speakers and listened to Real Estate, Bright Moments, and The Shins while playing 1990’s Trivial Pursuit and Taboo.  Can you say perfect Sunday??

Other than a total fail of forgetting sunscreen, I could have spent all day lounging on the Capitol lawn.  I have a feeling that today was the first of many lawn lounging days for me, Lauren, and Matt!

Filed Under: lifestyle Tagged With: austin, capitol, outdoors, picnic, sunday, texas

@SFCmarkets

May 12, 2012 by Kristin

I felt especially adventurous this morning, especially after a night on the town with my newest friend Kara.  I woke up, pulled myself together, walked to Whole Foods to get a juice and cash, and continued walking to the Downtown Farmer’s Market.

I loved seeing so many people out and about, reusable sacks in hand.

By the time I arrived I was starving.  Most of the booths were out of something or another, but I was completely OK with an egg and cheese taco!

I parked myself on a picnic bench, mounged on the taco, and people watched in the sunshine.

After Mission: Get Food in Belly was accomplished, I circled around the rest of the booths to admire pretty veggies.

Crooked garlic, colorful beets, big ol’ fennel bulbs.

I came home empty handed, but fulfilled.  The farmer’s market made for quite a lovely morning!

Filed Under: lifestyle Tagged With: austin, austin farmer's market, downtown, saturday morning, sfcmarket, texas

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