Dreaming of Strawberry and Rhubarb

I have been dreaming of summer for quite a few months now and not just for the usual reasons: warm weather, sunny skies, flip flops, etc.

But I have had strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and rhubarb dancing around in my dreams.

And since I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle back in May, I have been awaiting the day when I would have local strawberries and rhubarb to put into my own Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble.

One Ticket to Zest-ville

Summer is finally here!

The pools are open, school is out and summer dresses are in!

And we're all wanting a taste of citrus, coconut and the tropics.

Ever heard of a culinary vacation? It's all the new rage, cheaper than a vacation, you don't have to go anywhere and you can totally avoid traffic and airplanes.

Simple Saturday: Graham Cracker Crust

It's good to be in a mode of "I can make this at home instead of buying it from the store."

And of course, this isn't ideal in all cases. I still enjoy buying things like pre-made hummus and soup mixes at the store.

Before making my key lime pie for a work party, I decided instead of buying a graham cracker crust from the store that I would make my own.

I was really impressed with the difference it made. The crust had more depth of flavor and it didn't all crumble once I cut the pie into slices.

High-five for homemade!

No Impact Man

So I know this is a food blog, but we all like other things than food right?! (I mean like 95% food and 5% other.)

So, here's a little bit of that other that also has a little bit to do with food.

I just got done reading No Impact Man by Colin Beaven.

As the title explains, this book is about "the adventures of a guilty liberal who attempts to save the planet and the discoveries he makes about himself and our way of life in the process."

A Sweet, Healthy Bite

Get ready because I'm about to blow your mind.

I am about to give you a recipe for cookie-like, Oat Chocolate Chip Bites that have no eggs, sugar or butter.

Believe it!

Mexican Comfort Food

I could basically eat Mexican food anytime, anywhere, as long as it's good Mexican food, of course. (Nothing makes me more angry than bad Mexican food, but that's another post for another time.)

And when I come home from an international trip (or even a domestic trip), it's the best food to come home to.

No one, other than Mexico obviously, does Mexican food as good as America does.

Local Eats

Although I love to cook at home, I live for getting to eat out at one of my local favorites on the weekend.

I like to think of it as a way of getting culinary inspiration and supporting the locals.

Here is a list of my top 10 restaurants in the Northwest Arkansas area (in random order). By no means is every restaurant that I like on this list (because that would be crazy long), but these are the ones that I keep going back to.

And I know that there are probably other great places in the area, so you'll have to comment with your favorites so I can try those, too!

Enjoy eating local!

Simple Saturday: Banana Split

I know, I know.

Yesterday, I gave you The Perfect Cake, an amazing oatmeal chocolate treat, and today I've got banana split on the brain.

Maybe I'll throw in some greens next week to keep things balanced.

This banana split is 10x (or more) better than the one from your local ice cream shop. Trust me!

A Perfect Cake

This cake is perfect.

It's perfect for any kind of celebration: Mother's Day (hint, hint), a birthday or a congratulations, it's Friday celebration. Any occasion is worthy of this moist, oatmeal-filled and chocolate-studded cake.

Picture your favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. You can taste the warmth of a hint of cinnamon, the oatmeal is a little chewy but the sugar makes it soft on the inside.

Now picture that in a cake.

Easy as Soup

I've got a tip.

Soups are a fantastic lunch option. And they're even better when they're homemade a.k.a. super budget friendly.

Lately, I've really been enjoying enticing myself to eat in for cheap at lunch at work, especially when I get the chance to use my homemade vegetable stock. (Even though you don't even need stock for this recipe.)

Making Life into Limeades

I'm busy.

How many times a day do we hear this? A lot.

And I don't doubt that when we and others say it, we mean it. Our lives are too full to the brim for anything else to fit in. We're cramming together minutes and feel out of control sometimes.

This summer I'm fighting busyness.

A Very Special Meal

Today I would like to share with you a very special meal.

This meal was made and shared by my husband and I on our (recent) 1 year anniversary trip in a cabin in Ponca, Arkansas.

This meal was also one of three entrees served and enjoyed very much (so I heard) at our wedding on April 14, 2012.

Simple Saturday: Steak

Confession: I don't like steak.

I would gladly choose most dishes over steak, including mashed potatoes.

I grew up in a more potatoes home than a steak and potatoes home. I only remember having steak on salads or minute steak paired with mashed potatoes and I liked the greens or potatoes more than the meat I think.

My husband, on the other hand, loves the treat of a well-cooked, large piece of steak.

I'll never understand it, but I was excited that Jason just unlocked the mystery of how to cook a perfect steak without a grill.

And here's how you do it: How to Cook Perfect Steak in the Oven.

Just click on the link above and get the steb-by-step instructions from the wonderful Kitchn website. I use the Kitchn a lot for recipe and cooking help.

Jason was thrilled about how perfectly his steak was cooked and declared that this was the best steak he had ever cooked!

Quick Curry Dinner

Before I went to Burma, I really underestimated the power of veggies and rice.

They're flavorful, fresh and absolutely amazing for any meal. (And even more amazing when you get to eat them with one of the little Burmese metal spoons pictured above.)

Seriously, they're so stinking good.

Recently, I found some special artisan curry sauces for sale on Fab. (Have you heard of Fab? If not, check it out.)

Fab has a great Foodie section with all kinds of amazing treats, such as this Curry Love set of organic Thai curries.

Healthy Baking Tips

Let's talk healthy baking.

That may sound like an oxymoron to you, but it isn't!

I used to think for something to be delicious and heartwarming it had to contain lots of butter and sugar. And of course there are many things that I still love and bake that do contain those things.

But I'm learning there are ways to bake with no guilt!