You know the saying “Go Big or Go Home” –– well, that is how I feel about this sandwich. It’s the real deal big meal and comes together fairly easily. The Knife & Fork Meatball Sandwich can be served on a French baguette or if you want a slightly softer option try an Italian loaf either way you are going to need a knife (and perhaps a bib) to enjoy this one but it’s worth it. I used Southern Traditions Ground Grass Fed Beef to create these flavorful baked meatballs straddled with an easy marinara sauce then, smothered it all with gooey melted mozzarella cheese –– come and get it.
Farfalle with Lemon, Kale and Roasted Garlic E Olio
Can you make a pasta dish that’s both satisfying and light at the same time? I think so. Farfalle with Lemon, Kale and Roasted Garlic E Olio is such a pasta in my world. Light enough that you can enjoy it for lunch without needing a siesta after but hearty enough to warm you to the soul on these last few cold nights of winter. A simple Farfalle, AKA bow tie pasta, with garlic and olive oil sauce was one of my go-to meals back in the day, now it gets an update (we all need one once in a while, right?) with fresh lemon juice, a hint of hot pepper and fresh chopped kale added into the mix –– pasta night here we come.
Chocolate Chip & Coconut Cake with Toasted Coconut Butter Cream
Do you believe in Mercury Retrograde? Well, if you do it kinda explains a lot about this past month’s events and all of the cra-cra things that have been happening to friends and family both near and far. If you don’t … well, I guess consider it the ebbs and flows of life. Either way, I think we could all use a little cake, right? There’s just something about walking into a room and seeing cake that seems to put a smile on people’s faces. I mean how can you not be happy when there’s a fresh out of the oven cake sitting in front of you begging to be eaten? Today I made Chocolate Chip & Coconut Cake with Toasted Coconut Butter Cream to celebrate the end of this here Mercury thing-y that’s been causing so much stress to all … until June … Retrograde … Let’s eat cake.
This year, Citygram Magazine has joined forces with the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance to complete the annual City Guide. When the question came about for featuring some the “Best Atmosphere” restaurants around town, I could not resist highlighting one of my favorite spots –– Eden East. Not only is Chef Sonya Coté producing some of the finest dishes in Austin, she’s gracefully taking the farm-to-table experience to the highest level by serving dinner right on the Springdale Farm property.
Nestled away slightly off the beaten path, between a few homes, businesses, train tracks and a clique of urban farms sits Eden East where you will be transported in its down-on-the-farm ambiance while nibbling on some of the best bites Austin has to offer. With twinkling lights under the big oak trees, high above the communal farmhouse tables, and award-winning Chef Sonya Coté at the helm of this über farm-to-fork experience, are well-crafted 5-course tasting menus featuring seasonal and freshly picked off the Springdale Farm produce alongside grass-fed meats and local cheeses within it’s weekend offerings. Whether looking for a romantic dinner spot under the stars, a special occasion experience, or a relaxing meal with friends, Eden East can do more than accommodate. AND for all of you special SXSW visitors they are extending their hours just for you (see below) ~ so go, eat & be merry on the farm.
What to Order:Eden East is BYOB but they always offer complimentary, locally-inspired cocktails ~ order this upon arrival and sip while pursing the farm before dinner.
Tip: It’s dinner on the farm complete with a rustic hay-lined floor, leave the stilettos at home and wear comfortable shoes.
You really can’t go wrong with a good pesto. It’s one of those things that you can show up with, either at a friend’s house or a party, and you are almost guaranteed to hear some “ohhh’s” and “ahhh’s” about the green goods you have just arrived with. Add said pesto into a mix with tender and crispy baked chicken oozing with melted mozzarella cheese and you might just not want to share. Texas Pesto & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken ~ This combination makes for a decadent meal that might look and sound fancy but my step-by-step will show you it’s fairly easy to get on the table even on a school night.
And did I mention it pairs well with a BIG glass of wine?
Slice chicken but not all the way through to create a pocket.
Place 1-2 slices for fresh mozzarella inside.
Add a Tablespoon of Texas Pesto.
Close up the pocket – looks like a happy clam, no?
Gently dip into Texas pesto and coat both sides.
Next, gently coat with the Panko bread crumb mixture.
I Am Waters shares physical & mental messages to those in need.
Everyone has a story about food and every food has a story. It could be a childhood memory of one’s first experience with fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, moms famous chocolate chip cookies or grandma’s warm apple pie –– food unites us all and it’s quite magical to watch someone’s face light up as they speak about those memories. The same is true for both drinks and cocktails around the world. You remember first taste of your dad’s beer or your first coffee shop experience of a hot and frothy cappuccino or that thirst quenching icy cold glass of water you had on a hot summer day. The act of sharing these memories and holding these memories is what brings people together and in some cases it’s motivation to get out and do good in the world.
When I heard the story about something so simple as a bottle of water bringing people together I just had to share:
It started years ago, as President & Founder of I Am Waters, Elena Davis was in a life predicament. Her family fell on hard times, her single mom was struggling just get a meal or a glass of water on one of those hot Texas summer days and they were homeless. This memory has stuck with her and helped catapult her new venture into fruition. It was during this hardship that she was discovered by a photographer and her life began to change for the better. The prestigious Ford Modeling agency signed with her, at 16 years old, thus beginning her successful career. She was able to travel the world, meet many influential people, help her family get back on it’s feet and start a family of her own. After the devastating loss of her father-in-law, in 2004, she began to question her life’s goals. She came back to her roots in Texas and faced her past homelessness with a new sense of purpose –– to give back and to bring hope to those in need by creating the non-profit I AM Waters Foundation.
“In a world where everyone, homeless or not, struggles with some form of incompleteness however large or small, I Am Water’s mission is to do one perfect and complete thing: to deliver water. Clean drinking water in a bottle with a message of hope, love and faith to remind the person holding and drinking from the bottle that something important lies beyond physical sight.”
Her bottles of inspiration and hope can be found at Whole Foods Markets throughout Texas with proceeds benefitting the I AM Waters Foundation and donations can be made online.
I get approached all of the time to cover many things, but in this case I reached out to Elena Davis personally to share her inspiring story so that maybe the next time when you are thinking about that icy cold glass of water on a hot summer day, or you are in the fancy water isle –– you choose a bottle that will not only quench your thirst but that will help someone in need while sharing and inspiring more great memories for all.
Do you remember that so called grapefruit diet back in the day? I think it was then that I decided I didn’t like those pucker-y little things. Not that I participated in the diet but that every grapefruit I tried had to be smothered in sugar just to be eaten. It wasn’t until about 10 […]
Hands down, sweet potatoes are favorite potato and I’ve never met one that I didn’t like. Hearty enough to be the main attraction on the dinner table yet versatile enough to be thrown into a breakfast muffin or whipped into a pie for dessert –– these sweet, orange taters can bring even the simplest meal […]
Brussels sprout season is nearing an end … gasp … say it isn’t so! Now is the time to grab what you can and stock that freezer with those delightful little green balls of goodness. Tiny cabbages loaded up with vitamins C and K and known for their potent anticancer properties –– they can really pack […]
I have been in love with my KitchenAid mixer for years –– it’s a beautiful machine –– but I had no idea about all of the things it could really do to reach it’s full potential. I also love a good infographic (don’t you?) so I am sharing this super cool one sent to me […]
