Kraken Cocktail

Today's a big day.  No, I'm not talking about the late night, last minute decision to keep the US economy alive, I'm talking about my blog anniversary!  This occasion is a big deal (for no one else but me).

2 years ago today, I bought my domain name and started committing myself to posting 2-3 recipes a week.

Not a lot has really changed around here since then, but I like to think my pictures have gotten a little better, I drink more cocktails, and I cook savory dishes more often (even I can't eat that many sweets).  Now, people besides my family, stop in to read more often and every once in a while, a recipe of mine will be featured on another site.

Most importantly, 2 years later I still love doing it.  I love making the food, taking the pictures, writing the words.  I love all of it.  And I love love love that you pop in to read what I have to say, look at the pictures, and sometimes bookmark/pin the recipes and try them out!  Thank you!

Pumpkin Ravioli

I spent this past weekend with Austin's family down in Moab, Utah.  I know a lot of people like to complain about their in-laws, but you're not going to hear it from me (I know, they're technically not in-laws).  Since Austin and I started dating just shortly after we started driving, I feel like I really grew up with his family too.  I feel comfortable around them.  And living in DC and now Boulder, I miss being around them.

Which is one reason why I really really love fall.  If it's fall, it means it's almost time for the holidays.  And if it's time for the holidays, it's time to go home and visit family - my own and Austin's!

So I fully embrace fall.  I love the leaves changing color, the crisp air, and the comfort food!  I start to cook almost exclusively with apples, sweet potatoes, and cranberries.  I also consume most meals in soup form.  I take more time out of the day to just sit and relax while watching a football/hockey game or reading a book.

While during the summer, you would be pretty hard-pressed to get me to spend more than 1 hour to make dinner because I "should" be outside doing "something else;" in the fall, I will gladly pinch together little raviolis stuffed with pumpkin filling with music in the background for hours on end.

Not that these raviolis will actually take you that long.  Because you can just use wonton wrappers from your grocery store (I found them by the fresh herbs and mushrooms), you can cut out the biggest hassle: making your own pasta.  And also, I'm probably just slow at pinching them together.  You'll do better, I know it!

Project 365: Week 41

October 7 | A cocktail to use Austin's birthday present (a bottle of Kraken).

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

I notice a lot of recipes around on the blogosphere that take a classic recipe and then they're tweaked somehow.  IMO, it's a little unnecessary.  Not every recipe needs to have goat cheese and avocado in it.  Some recipes are your favorites just because they're classics - and they're classics because they're perfect the way they are.  Just leave them be.

That's definitely how I feel/felt about apple pie.  I love it just the way it is.  It will always be one of my favorite pies and if it didn't require peeling all the apples, I would probably always have one on hand.

So when I came across this recipe for apple pie with not just caramel, but salted caramel, I was a little hesitant.  I gave in, and well...it was really good too.  It's probably best to just treat them as separate things altogether though.  That way you won't feel like you're betraying your oldie but (ridiculously) goodie.

This pie takes an extra step or two to make the caramel so you may decide not to make it quite as often, but when you're hosting friends or having a special family gathering, it's probably worth it.  It's definitely worth it.

I will warn you, when you are done making the caramel and you dip your finger in to taste it - because we all know you will, and it will hurt, because it's hot - it will taste really salty.  You're going to think, it's too salty.  Don't worry though!  Don't add more sugar!  Don't throw it away!  When you add it on top of the apples and when you drizzle some extra over the top, it will balance out perfectly :)

Chicken Caesar Salad

Sorry for the digression from pumpkin based dishes here.  I know we're all ready for sweaters and layers and eating comfort food all the time, but I've been sick and craving vegetables.  But since you know me and I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not in front of you, I'll come out with it: even when I eat "healthy," it's not really healthy.

When I order salads, it's got lots of caesar or bleu cheese dressing.  Definitely croutons.  Not too many carrots.  Probably cheese.  Definitely cheese.  Yes, even if I get bleu cheese dressing, I still get extra cheese.

Who are those people that order a salad "dry" or with a "squeeze of lemon?!?!"  I'm sorry, but that's crazy.  I know I'm not offending you either, because you obviously wouldn't be reading my blog if you only eat lettuce like a rabbit.  Well, maybe you're into torturing yourself?

Point is, I am the person that will get up to run at 5:00 a.m. and be back to the house before the sun has come up just to make up for the fact that I really like cheese.  And cake :)  And when I want to be healthy, I really am just pretending by ordering a chicken caesar salad (with extra parmesan sprinkled on top!).

Project 365: Week 40

September 30 | Just a day late on Austin's birthday cake this year.

Recovery Smoothie

I'm getting sick again.  You know that feeling in the back of your throat and nose when it starts?  The feeling that you can ignore for a really long time and somehow that seems to hold it off.  But then, I don't know exactly why it happens, but as soon as you relax, that's when it hits you full on.

Yesterday, instead of coming home and cleaning or working or cooking, I read a book.  Big mistake.  This morning, I woke up with a much more conspicuous sick feeling.  And then I made an even bigger mistake - I acknowledged it.

There's no coming back now.  The time for prevention has come and gone, now I have to attack it head on.  There are about a bajillion different "remedies" for a cold but it seems to me the best solution is lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you have something better, please let me know :)