The colors of the red beet, ruby grapefruit, and purple blackberries are festive for Valentine’s Day. Plus, they each bring something different to the plate: the beets a soft, savory component, the grapefruit, an acidic, sour element, and the blackberries, a light, sweet flavor. If you think the grapefruit is too sour on its own, …
Author: icookueataz
BASIL + BLACKBERRY FIZZ
It sort of tastes like a blackberry Clearly Canadian. Did you ever drink one of those in the 90’s? I hear there are some big Clearly C fans out there who are trying to bring them back… I like to drink this (without the gin) after a run. It’s super refreshing and just a little …
ESPRESSO/LAVENDER RUBBED FILET MIGNON with BLACKBERRY REDUCTION
You know the whole opposites attract thing? Well, that applies here to lavender and espresso. Espresso gives you the buzz, while lavender relaxes you. Espresso is rich and earthy, while lavender is floral and beautiful. They’re a good match. And when you rub them on steak, they create a nice crust once you sear it. …
ESPRESSO CREME BRULEE
“She enjoys all of life’s simple pleasures: dipping her hand into sacks of grain, cracking the crust of a crème brûlée with the tip of a spoon…” That’s how the narrator describes Amélie in the beginning of the movie. It’s probably my favorite movie. I love cracking the sugar crust, too. And there has to be a …
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP with GINGER and THYME
There are probably a million different butternut squash soup recipes online. This one has a double ginger kick to counteract the sweet flavor of the squash. I made it for a holiday party, and this lady said it was the best Christmas present she received this year. Her husband didn’t seem too happy about the …
TIRAMISÙ
About 8 or 9 years ago, I became obsessed with tiramisù. I ordered it everywhere I could find it. Even if I was too full. One time I had eaten too much Spaghetti Bolognese and had to walk a few laps around this restaurant in Pittsburgh to try and make room. As people looked at …
POMEGRANATE MOJITO
I post a lot of drinks with mint in them. I like fresh mint. If you use your imagination, the pomegranate seeds and mint leaves kind of look like holly, so it’s festive for the holidays. You can also turn this into a champagne cocktail for New Years by using champagne instead of the rum …
COCONUT CURRY
My friend, Raj, is trying to teach me some Sri Lankan cuisine. And by teach, I mean he lets me watch him halfway into a recipe and smell a sauce to figure out what spices are in it. He uses a blend of spices his mother gave him, but he’s not sure what goes in …
GINGERBREAD MEN
RECIPE 1 stick (1/2 c) butter, room temp 1/4 c brown sugar 1/4 c sugar 1/2 c molasses 1 egg 2 1/3 c flour 1 T ground cinnamon 1 T ground ginger 1/8 tsp ground pepper 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 1 pinch cloves 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1. With a paddle attachment, …
DOUGHNUTS with MAPLE-BOURBON GLAZE
I thought about posting my own rendition of the Cronut, you know the croissant + doughnut thing that has people lined up outside of Dominique Ansel’s bakery hours before it opens and has other bakers making knockoffs and calling them things like “Cro-nots” or “Fauxnuts.” If you’ve ever made croissants, you know (*spoiler alert*) there’s …