Author: icookueataz

LEMON RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

I broke one of the rules of baking class. Our teacher, Chef Meyer, told us to always garnish desserts with something in the dessert, and not just a generic sprig of mint or zig-zag of chocolate. You can see the picture. You know what I did. I should’ve probably drizzled on some ginger syrup or …

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WATERMELON SALAD

It’s sort of a deconstructed salad. Or maybe a partially reconstructed one. Every time I hear the word “deconstructed” my mind goes back to CDN 60, the lecture hall at ASU, and I can see my History of Architecture professor standing in front of a slide of a Frank Gehry building, explaining that deconstructivism in …

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BLACKBERRY SHORTCAKE with COCONUT CREAM

I’m a bit obsessed with coconut cream. I’d even go as far to say that coconut whipped cream is better than regular whipped cream (as long as what you’re making goes well with coconut). I began using it when I started cooking for some vegan clients, but now I like using it in my non-vegan …

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COFFEE-ICE ICED COFFEE

I hate diluted iced coffee. Like the stuff you get when you pour hot coffee over ice. When I want iced coffee, I usually cold brew it in my French press (put cold water and coffee grounds in the press, but don’t press it, refrigerate overnight, then press.) Sometimes, though, I don’t think ahead. I …

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STRAWBERRY HAZELNUT “COLD BREW” OATMEAL

I realize you don’t brew oatmeal. I was going to call it “12 hr Cold-Soaked Oatmeal,” but that sounds kind of weird and I thought if I was going to convert any oatmeal haters, the last thing they want to hear is “longer cooking time” in the title. Like cold brew coffee, though, you get …

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APPLE/BACON PANCAKES

One time, like a couple days ago, I cooked a pack of bacon and ate it all in one sitting. And I do not regret that decision. It was delicious. I couldn’t stop eating it. Obviously. I make pancakes more at night than I do in the morning. My old roommate, Beth, and I used …

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APPLE PIE SHAKE

When you juice your own apples, it’s technically “cider” because it’s unfiltered, which is why it looks cloudy. The first time I saw the unfiltered stuff was at a street market in France. I didn’t know what it was. I knew “pomme” was the French word for apple, but it didn’t look like any apple …

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MINI BURGERS with PROSCIUTTO + MELON MAYO

SESAME BUN RECIPE 2 1/4 tsp yeast 1/4 c water (about 110˚) 1 c buttermilk, room temperature 1/4 butter, melted 1 egg 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt 3 1/2 c flour sesame seeds (for garnish) 1. In a large mixing bowl, stir the water and yeast together. Let stand 5 minutes. 2. Add in buttermilk, …

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STRAWBERRY + BLUEBERRY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

I always associate ice cream sandwiches with the Fourth of July. Growing up, we’d watch fireworks at the Marusiak’s. Right before the show started as we were setting out blankets on the grass, they’d pull out the foil-wrapped ice cream sandwiches from the freezer. Homemade chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream… These are strawberry/blueberry …

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APRICOT/CHERRY TARTELETTE + CINNAMON RICOTTA CREAM

It’s a pain to pit cherries, but not as bad as peeling grapes, which I had to do one day in culinary school. I thought the chef was joking at first. Who peels grapes? I knew this friend of a friend, who did a stage at Noma, the best restaurant in the world at the …

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