A Spiced-up Snack

I've never been one who liked bland food, although most international people I know think American food is pretty bland.

It's crazy how one Indian meal can have like 10 spices in it.

Random Acts of Foodness: Local Love

In this special edition of Random Acts of Foodness, I'm giving a little local love to some amazing companies that helped sponsor Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged, my first blogger conference that I just came back from! These sponsors stood out to me for their ability to influence communities, offer great products and give us some sweet swag (aka gifts). Please feel free to click on the links to give them some love on social media.

Fire Roasting and Making Salsa

I saw some smoke rising from the stove top, when the stove top wasn't even on and I began to worry.

Especially as the smoke starting coming in larger, continuous streams.

And I cracked open the oven to see what was going on and was met with toxic, black smoke and deep orange, rising flames.

Chocolate Chip Cookies on Vacation

I hope everyone is having a great day.

I happen to be having a great one because I am on a beach vacation with some of my best girlfriends.

It's a girl's vacay and it's a lot like a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie.

Simple Saturday: Banana Ice Cream

Ya'll...today I'm giving you the key to 1 ingredient ice cream! (Excuse the southern accent coming out there, I'm excited!)

This is not a trick.

This is not a gimmick.

It's totally real and amazing!

And it all comes from one little frozen banana. A speckled squishy banana is the hero of this cold treat tale.

And you're going to love it!

So here's how you make this amazingness:
1. Peel a ripe banana and cut into about 1/2-inch thick coins. Put on a plate and freeze for at least a few hours (overnight is ok, too).

2. Put the banana pieces in a food processor and blend until it becomes smooth ice cream.

Optional: Add in other flavors like peanut butter, chocolate chips or other treats to make your ice cream even more unique!

Thanks to The Kitchn for the inspiration on this one!

Dinner is Served

If you're like me, when you get home from work, you're already super hungry and ready to get a quick, home-cooked meal on the table.

It's really rare that I ever cook a meal that takes longer than 30 or 40 minutes from start to finish, unless it's on the weekend and I have more time.

This dish is the epitome of easy, filling, fresh and healthy cooking.

Make a Mojito Party

Limes, mint, some fizz and just a little rum.

These remind me of celebrations and summer nights.

Simple Saturday: Peach Breakfast

Now, I know that the other Peach Week recipes (Blueberry Peach Buckle and Peach Cardamom Muffins) that I have shared with you require cooking and making amazingly tasty baked goods.

But this Simple Saturday breakfast really highlights the innate freshness and sweetness of the peach and just adds a bit of texture.

If this isn't one of your favorite breakfasts, it should be.

First, make some of my granola (this Cinnamon Almond Granola with a little added brown sugar before cooking is my fave). And when you make this at the beginning of the week, you can enjoy it every day!

Next, when it's breakfast time, slice up some peaches (or any stone fruit, really), spoon on some Greek or plain yogurt and sprinkle with some crisp granola.

And enjoy your healthy, fresh breakfast that's totally a no-cook riff on a peach crisp with ice cream.

Here are some other easy peach recipes that look scrumptious:
Peach Cobbler for One (or Two)
Almond Crisped Peaches
Peach Mojito
Peaches and Coconut Cream Pops
Whole Wheat Pancakes with Peach Compote
Peachy Keen Salad

Thanks for joining in on Peach Week...you're just peachy! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

Peach Week Part 2

Just in case you need to know, if you ever want your coworkers to not touch your food in the break room, label it as containing cardamom.

I know, crazy, right?!

Cardamom is sweet, exotic and amazing. You're on my side, I hope.

But when people see it listed on a baked good and are skeptical they won't touch it until one of your friends tells everyone that it's delicious and then they'll go fast!

Peach Week Part 1

Happy Peach Week!

And just in case you're wondering this isn't a national holiday, just a Fruitful one!

I have been loving peach season and since it's coming to a close, I wanted to give you some of my best peach recipes from this summer for you to use on the last of your fresh or frozen fruits.

I have always loved peaches.

Simple Saturday: Bagel Pizza

My husband literally laughed at me when I thought of this idea out loud.

Bagel pizza.

We had just tried homemade french bread pizzas and I was thinking bagels would be even more portable and crispy.

Like bagel bites but classed up a bit...and I put an egg on it.

Bagel pizzas are incredibly easy to make (the hard part, the dough, is already done) and let you be as creative as you want.

I topped my bagel pizza with tomato sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, kale, cheese and onions. Then, I let it melt down in the convection oven on 400 degrees for a few minutes.

And I topped it with a fried egg for extra decadence.

These are a great lunch or dinner option and perfect for letting kids get involved making their meal.

Bagel pizzas for life!

The Stuff of Potato Dreams

My mom always said that I never met a potato I didn't like.

And it's the truth!

Potato latkes, fries, mashed potatoes, even sweet potato blondies.

Potatoes are comforting, full of texture and can be prepared in so many ways (about all of which that I love).

Recently, I got these beautiful little fingerlings from the farmers market and was determined to roast them into an amazing side dish.

Random Acts of Foodness

Here's another round of Random Acts of Foodness (aka good news about food) to start your week out on a positive, tasty note.

1. It looks like Apple Seeds, Inc. is doing wonderful things for the youth of NWA. And I love seeing pictures of what they're doing in local schools on their Facebook page.

2. Similarly, Oregon is taking local foods in school seriously.

3. Interested in international foods as well as getting some recipes by renowned chefs? Check out this Share cookbook that supports Women for Women International's work to help women in war-torn countries.

4. Some things you probably didn't know about the people picking your produce.

5. Great advice for those who have thought about starting a community garden.

6. And because I love the Despicable Me movies, here's a very special, food-inspired minion.

Simple Saturday: Kale Salad

Well hello, weekend.

Hello sleeping in late.

Hello celebrating the summer's best ruby red and misshapen tomatoes with BLTs loaded with crisp, salty bacon.

Hello balancing that bacon overload with banana, soy milk and almond butter smoothies.

This Simple Saturday, I'm sharing a throw-together, easy kale salad recipe that's perfect for a weekend lunch or dinner when you're looking for a health cleanse and pick-me-up.

Dinner Parties and Lumpia

How fun are dinner parties?

We all love them right?

And they're even more fun when you get to attend one and someone else hosts.

It's such a sweet privilege to be hosted in someone's home and eat their food and even better when you get to learn how to make their food!

This was the premise of a recent church group ladies night that I got to be a part of.