I went and Did It

So as I mentioned yesterday, I have decided to full steam ahead it down the Vegan railroad. This means no meat, no dairy and definitely the hardest for me...no cheese. Just uttering those words hurts my heart so. 

I made this decision a little over a month ago and expected it to last maybe a day but you know what? It is totally sticking. I feel leaner, healthier, and confident with what I'm putting in my body. And I swear I only cheat every other Sunday with cheese pizza. It's that whole cheese thing I tell you. The meat, I barely think twice about missing, the eggs, bleck, I never liked those anyways but the brie, oh the brie. 

Anyhoo, this is not meant to be a diatribe against meat or why Vegan is the Jam, what I'm really wanting to know is are there any other veganites out there and if so, can I get your suggestions? Staples, what works, what totally doesn't, favorite recipes, books, blogs, I'll take it all.  I'm drowning in a sea of salad. Danke schon smarties xoxo

Images: Drywell, Anthology

A Little Taste of Home

If you read my blog, you probably know that I am ever so slightly obsessed with the musings of Smitten Kitchen. I literally die over every single one of her recipes and the Huevos Rancheros are no exception. As a California transplant, I have been craving mexican food ever since I set foot in Beantown and as somewhat of a connoisseur, tex-mex just.doesn't.cut.it. I want the real stuff and I soon realized that the only way to get the real stuff was to make it myself so that I did. The Huz and I gorged our little bellies on Huevos Rancheros all weekend and it was fantastic. 

Get the recipe here and for the love of all that is holy, please oh please don't use salsa in a jar. Make it yourself! I promise you,it is soooo much better that way.

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Can It

i was just perusing the fabulosity that is Terrain and came across oodles of fun products for canning and now I'm all on board. It might even make for really cute holiday gifts. Have any of you canned your own jam/pickles/etc? Thoughts?

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Peach Pizza Rocks My World

I just ran across this fab recipe on Poppytalk and I am for shiz making this tonight. I'm down, and the Huz is down so it looks like we are having Peach Pizza for dinner. 

Peach, Basil & Escarole Pizza
your favorite pizza dough (homemade or fresh from a bakery/market)
2 T cornmeal
2 T olive oil
1/4-1/2 head of escarole, torn to bits
1 large handful of basil, torn to bits

2 peaches, cut into slices

flaky salt & freshly ground pepper

1/2 c mozzarella, cut into small chunks

Preheat oven to 425F. After your pizza dough has risen, use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to grease up a walled cookie sheet. I use my hands for this. Sprinkle sheet with cornmeal and then push out or roll out your pizza dough until it spreads to all 4 corners.

Evenly scatter escarole, basil and peaches over the top of the dough. Sprinkle with salt and a few good hefty grinds of black pepper. Add mozzarella over top and gently spill the remaining olive oil over top. Place in oven and heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese gets bubbly and the crust becomes golden. Slice and eat hot.

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Yummy Goodness

My Matron of Honor duties are kicking into full gear as we head into the final stretch of the bestie's wedding planning. First up on the agenda is the day drinking soiree also known as the bridal shower. I have my sights set on a gorgeous dessert bar spread and am doing a little research for the goodies that will adorn this piece of yumminess. I know, I know...life is rough.

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We are also planning a bloody mary bar and a mimosa bar {lots of bars but it will be well worth it} so I of course gathered a little inspiration from my favorite, Sunday Suppers.I can't wait to see how it all turns out. Wish me luck. 

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Slow Roasted Strawberry Milkshake w/ Crushed Malt Balls

Slow Roasted Strawberry Milkshake with Crushed Malt Balls

Makes: 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

For the Strawberries:
1 pound strawberries, tops removed and halved
¼ cup sugar
1 fresh vanilla bean, seeds removed
Pinch salt

For the Shake:
1 pint, super premium ice cream (16% fat, low air)
¾ cup whole milk
¾ of the roast strawberries; save some for garnish

Garnish:
2-3 roast strawberry halves
1 tablespoon of crushed malt balls

Preparation:

1. Turn on oven to 250 degrees, Fahrenheit
2. Scrape out the seeds from the vanilla bean
3. Break up the clump of vanilla seeds with finger tips.
4. Toss the berries with sugar, salt and vanilla bean.
5. Slow cook in oven for 2 hours, uncovered, pull and let cool
6. Crush 6 malt balls with a mallet or heavy pan
7. Place ice cream in blender with milk, strawberries and some reserved syrup. Blend until just mixed. Thin it out with milk if too thick.
8. Pour into glasses and garnish with reserved strawberries, syrup and crushed malt balls

Its a party in your mouth people and I swear this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am currently on a diet and am so hungry I could eat my arm right now.

Images and recipe via cool new blog Junia Isabel

Red Velvet Pancakes

Must.Make.Immediately! Get the recipe here.

Images via Portland to Peonies

My kind of juice

I just might have to try this over the weekend.

Images via Design Sponge

Conversation Heart Cookies

Leave it to Martha

Via Frenchie and Flea

To favor or not to favor

We chose not to hand out favors but if we had, they would for sure be doled out in this pretty(and did I mention super easy) packaging. Homemade granola and tea sound lovely to me

Images via Design Sponge

Cheese Please

This gauzy, dreamy, cheesy table would be the perfect hors orderve ensemble at a wedding and super easy to DIY.

*Images via Sunday Suppers

Sunday Suppers

This fall harvest preview on Sunday Suppers has me ever so intrigued. Um, hello beautiful, swirly, patina vintage menu, I think I love you.

*Images via Sunday Suppers

Mason Jar Pies

What to do with the bejillions of mason jars sitting around after a wedding extravaganza? Make pies in them. My mom did just that last night and I must say mason jars never looked so delicious.

Pie in a jar recipe

Yay for me.

On 4th of July, I tested out our pound cupcakes with vanilla glaze recipe that we will be using for the wedding and I have to say, they were a big hit. I am sort of obsessed with cupcake flags as well. I will definitely be adding them to the DIY list that is ever growing. Just call me Martha.

Best Poundcake recipe ever courtesy of Paula Dean:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Serves 6-8

1 stick butter at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar together.  Add the sour cream
and mix until well incorporated.  Sift the baking soda and flour together.
Add to th creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating in each egg 1 at a time.
Add vanilla.

Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan.  Bake 40 min to 1 hour or until toothpick
comes out clean. {Bake 20 minutes for cupcakes}

I think I shall make these

These cupcake flags remind me of Alice in Wonderland. Love. Will make.

Hot Cakes

{Images via Style Me Pretty}

Cool Cake

{Image via Eastside Bride}

What's with all the cake posts you ask? I'm on a diet and feel the need to torture myself with tantalizing eye candy. le sigh.

{ My Mouth... }

{Image via my new fave blog You are my Fave}

...wants to have a party with this sinful delight. Peanut Butter Cup covered chocolate cake anyone?

{ Yum }

{Image via We Met in a Bar who got it from here}

This yummy goodness is a crepe cake a.k.a. my little piece of heaven. Holy mother, I think I could take that in one sitting; with an espresso of course.

{ Grub }

This week is all about food.  Hip hip hooray!  This so happens to be one of my favorite topics which makes this Monday ever so happy.  We are going on a little road trip up to San Luis Obispo on Sunday to meet our potential caterer and go over menu options as well as taste some yummy goodness so I need....ideas, favorite foods, amazing appetizers, yummy drinks.  Send me your favorite treats. We are thinking comfort foods, i.e. mac n cheese, burgers, bbq.  Thoughts?