Here’s what this past week looked like:
A good reminder to look up.
Did you check out the latest Joy the Baker Podcast?? In episode #119, Joy gets interrupted by her crazy upstairs neighbors. We concur that she is the R.A. of her apartment building.
Forbidden Rice Blog made my No Knead Tomato Basil Pizza
Hippocratic Cupcake made my Arugula Pesto
the Rare belle made my Bourbon Salted Caramels
Kinsey Cooks made my Flourless Chocolate Coconut Drop Cookies
I bought too many strawberries the other day, forgetting how fast they can spoil. When this happens, I employ the good ole roasted strawberries trick. Within minutes, I have my own “strawberry jam.” Instead of eating it by the spoonful, (which I normally do!) I decided to make a little snack of roasted strawberries, ricotta (you can make your own!!) & graham crackers. It’s like faking strawberry cheesecake. Make sure you drizzle some of the thick roasted strawberry syrup on top. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar is also a very good idea.
It’s kinda crazy that Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby fall on the same weekend. I feel torn because I really WANT to wear a big hat and drink mint juleps but my heart of hearts tells me that I MUST go all out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Can I just wear a sombrero, eat guacamole, scarf down coconut tres leche cake, sip on cilantro limeade in between sips of juleps all while betting on a horse named Split Personality. No?
Maybe I’ll just watch the Kentucky Derby highlights with a decorative headband and eat a gigantic bowl of this Spicy Sesame Guacamole with sesame crackers.
Actually… that doesn’t sound half bad…
In my Vitamix giveaway, I asked you what your favorite dip was and SOOOO many of you said guacamole. You’re my kind of people. Did you know that Casey doesn’t like guacamole?! He’s generally not a fan of avocado (WHAT!). So, when I make guacamole, I end up eating most (if not all) of it. I found myself in quite a predicament this week when I went to clean up my kitchen and had way too many avocados that were in full on RIPE mode. I swear I thought I paced it so I would have a few days to dip into my stash. I made a batch of chocolate pudding from Sidesaddle Kitchen (love that site & that recipe!!) and then dipped right into Absolutely Avocados by my avocado guru friend Gaby to make a guac that might appease my husband. This guacamole is a real winner. I love the Asian vibe and SURPRISE…so did Casey. I bet it would be super tasty with a fried wontons & Ahi Tuna Poke. I served mine with chopped vegetables and sesame seed crackers. Totally not Mexican and definitely doesn’t fall into the Derby food category, but who cares. It’s just good eats for you guacamole lovers.
New recipe! The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich!
Did we already talk about how I was a vegetarian for three years in college? Back then, no one taught me how to properly be vegetarian so I ate A LOT of cheese, hummus, pizza, and oh boy did I overdose on stir-fry. Besides all the cheese, I used to make a really good veggie sandwich when I was in my first apartment sophomore year. The sandwich always had hummus as a base with avocado smashed into toasted whole wheat bread and whatever vegetables I had on hand. I ate so many of them throughout my college years that I had to stop eating hummus for awhile. Sad trombone.
Fast forward 13 (!!!) years and this is the ultimate veggie sandwich of my dreams. It’s kind of like the Reset Button Salad but in sandwich form. Present Tracy likes shredded beets & carrots in her sandwich. Present Tracy thought of cilantro hummus and made her own! Present Tracy knows that being vegetarian doesn’t mean eating blocks of cheese and mushroom pizza.
Present Tracy knows that the key to an Ultimate Veggie sandwich is flavor, crunch, mouth watering color and the perfect combination of ingredients that don’t smoosh out. Present Tracy also misses her college party overalls. Why did Past Tracy have to get rid of them??!
Did you catch the latest Joy the Baker Podcast? Joy has a ghost in her building and I accidentally mention Devil with a Blue Dress On. MY BAD. We also talk about blog burnout and my aching back! Good times. Good times.
My friend Danielle started a new series on her blog called A Few Last Things. I’m the first person she interviewed. Check it out!
Another interview! This one is for Honestly Yum. Can you guess what I chose between wine, a cocktail or a cappuccino?? Thanks for including me on the Sites You Love!
Currently Craving made my Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Tangerine Canteen was inspired by my Taco Night Party from waaaaay back when.