Fun With Your Food

Chocolate covered strawberries

Easiest best dessert EVER. Just use a double boiler to melt dark chocolate chips with a small amount of fat (I used crisco).  The small amount of fat makes the chocolate pliable on the strawberries instead of rock hard. Dip a strawberry, place on a piece of parchment in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes and you’re done.

I don’t want to publicly admit how many of these I made and ate.  However, I will say I gave MOST of them away. KU-DOS to me for that.

Pan fried dulse!

Lunch was brown rice + escarole salad with daikon, carrot and cucumber.  The highlight of the meal were my homemade chickpeas with pan fried dulse on top.  You should try pan fried dulse.  It’s salty and smokey and slightly bacon-ish (don’t ever think of it AS bacon because it’s NOT the same but it’s a great vegan-soy free healthy version)

T.C.'s Lounge

It was a friends birthday last yesterday and a group of us went to a local whole-in-the-wall blues lounge called TC’s. By the end of the night the band serenaded my friend with an amazing rendition of Otis Reddings “Lovin by the Pound”.

Git down with your bad self!

On a non food related note, I somehow matched the band last night. We were all in black and red- LOOKIN GOOD. haha Fun birthday times were had by all.  We should be having a real shindig this weekend, since everyone had to work and couldn’t stay out last night.

Time to head out and shop for a graduation dress. I know I don’t NEED a new dress, but hell I went to school for the last year and a half and I think a new dress to celebrate that might be in order.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Teddy

Last weekend the bloggers of Austin traveled to Marble Falls for a berry picking trip.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it. I really wanted to go so I made my mind up to go the next week.  After blasting out some texts messages to friends I was able to convince my friend Sharon to come with me. Before we started our mini road trip I had a breakfast of my left over yogurt with some toasted pecans pieces I had in my pantry.

The rest of my yogurt with pecans

Sharon and I hit the road at lunch time.  We knew we wouldn’t be able to survive on strawberries alone so a lunch stop was in order.

Lulu B's Menu

Lulu B’s was a trailer that was on the way.  They serve banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwiches) for lunch and I love them.  Sharon had never been and was down to give them a go.

Lemongrass tofu sandwich

I ordered the Tofu Lemongrass (as per usual).  One of these fills me up every time and it’s only around 4 bucks. Sharon ordered a pork sandwich, she approved and said it was fantastic.

pickled veg and cilantro

Pickled veg and I really get along right now.  I can’t seem to get enough (crunchy tangy goodness). MmmM.  Lulu B’s has a nice outside eating area but I would recommend calling your order in before you go because it tends to take a little while.

Berry picking begins

Sweet Berry Farms is about an hour drive from my place.  That’s qualifies as a road trip to me and seeing this welcome at the end of the drive brought smiles to both Sharon and my faces.

Reuseable box

Grab yourself a reusable box to pick berries (they’re only 50 cents) and head out to the fields!

Strawberry fields forever!

You need to sample a few for quality control

Yes, I sample.  Who doesn’t??  There were some animals on the farm (a few horses and donkeys) and they sampled a few from us as well.

What will I make??

Chocolate covered strawberries are a must with these but I haven’t decided what else to make.  Any suggestions? Maybe jam? Perhaps I’ll freeze them?  We’ll see! I only have a couple of days to decide.

Baby blackberries

The next crop I want to pick is blackberries! I have to do a cooking demo in June.  The plan is to go pick berries and then use them in the demo (vegan blackberry custard pie- with berries picked by ME).

Sips for a cause

To end a perfect Tuesday I grocery shopped/happy houred/ate dinner at whole foods with some of my friends, all of which benefited a bunch of local charities. Whole foods announced today that $16,452 was raised during yesterday’s events!

Today I have a conference call on health coaching and I’d like to pick up some fresh greens from Boggy Creek Farm. I’ll probably be dipping some strawberries too.  Hope you have a good one!

Teddy

I finished course 1!

The last technique we learned was how to pipe roses.  I’ll admit my roses look very similar to carnations but that was my frosting’s fault- NOT MINE.  To be fair, I made the frosting but that’s just beside the point I’m making here.  LAlaaaLLAAA… How about we look at the picture instead.

It's a rose-ish?? lol

Every week while driving to class I pass by this beautiful wall of graffiti.  I’ve wanted to take pictures of it and since I have a camera now (YAY!), that’s what I set out to do after class.

How cute is that lil squirrel just hiding there by the buckets? shush! Don’t scare him- shesh

Trying out my new camera effects- Fish eye

My new camera has all these “magic” settings (they’re actually called MAGIC on the camera)  that I’ve been curious about.  So far my favorite two are Fish Eye and POP ART.

Another effect called POP ART

I’d live here!

Crazy faced POP ART!

Does this remind anyone else of those “WAZZZUUUPP??!!” commercials?  Oh if the artist only read that comment on his work, I’m sure that’s what he was going for. hahahaha

Veggie filled lunch

With the photo shoot all wrapped up and a cake decorated, I started on lunch.  I’ve been holding out on grocery shopping until tomorrow so it was slim pickins.  Just some brown rice, BBQ seitan, pickles and organ frozen veggies.

The Whole Foods at South Lamar is donating 5% of net sales tomorrow to a BUNCH of local food organizations:

Green Corn Project, Slow Food, Slow Money, Sustainable Food Center, and Urban Roots

Enough links for you there??  Definitely a good reason to put off grocery shopping for a couple of days.  Already went grocery shopping you say? Well, well, welllll lucky you, the store is throwing a happy hour from 6pm-8pm as well.  Cheap drinks for a good cause is always a good idea.  For the record, I’m doing both.  Double bonus karma points for me!

OK- dinner.

Butternut squash curry with mint

If you haven’t had 1) Sweet potatoes 2) Kabocha squash or 3) Butternut squash with some sort of red curry TRY IT.  I’m telling you the sweetness of these vegetables with the spice of thai red curries is heaven to me. I took a chance and added some mint that was about to go bad in with this one.  GOOD choice, Teddy! (pats myself on the back)

Organic Honey and Greek Yogurt

Dessert was a simple mixture of greek yogurt and some of the best honey I’ve had in a long time. It’s probably better for me to eat some local honey but I got this jar in a goodie bag and I’ve yet to make a dent in it.

Guess what? Tomorrow I’ve got plans to go BERRY PICKING!  I’m so excited, you have no idea.  I haven’t been since I was a kid living on the East Coast. Oh I hope I don’t gorge myself causing permanent damage (is that possible?  I bet I can do it if it is…) Anyhoo, if I suddenly stop posting it MAY be because of that.

See you sooonnnn! (maybe?? hahaha – no, I’ll see you soon)

Teddy

PS- One more time- GO TO WHOLEFOODS TOMORROW AUSTIN!!

Koriente for Dinner- silk tofu A

Saturday was my BIG DAY this weekend.  A friend of mine offered me a catering job for a wedding.  She did a LOT of the prep work but didn’t want to have to be working the whole wedding because she wanted to see her friend be married. I tried to remember to take pictures of everything but it got so busy I only snagged shots of the appetizers.  There were about 150 people at the wedding and only two of us rushing foods out.

Appetizer Number One- Mixed Berries with Zest

These berries were very simple but elegant.  Some foods are just gorgeous the way they are, right?

Appetizer Number Two- Mixed Cheeses with Grapes

I got to snack on a piece of cheese from these while I was putting them together (shhhh- don’t tell). I was working the wedding all day 1pm to 10pm and I was so busy I forgot to eat much!  I did sample what we were making to check flavors but that would hardly be considered a meal.

Crackers to go with Cheese

These are actually pre-made pita crackers.

Baked Brie with Fig Jam

I didn’t get to sample this but this definitely would have been my favorite dish of the entire night.  I used to HATE brie but slather it with fruit compote, warm it up and I’m in love.

I didn’t get home until 11pm that night.  I was so exhausted that I only had the energy to take a relaxing shower then pass out in bed.

Blanched Salad For Breakfast

I woke up HUNGRY today.  Since it was Sunday my fridge is mostly depleted.  I threw what I had into a quick blanched salad (to help with all that bread and cheese I had yesterday)

On Friday I thought that I would wake up Saturday and enjoy some cartoons and ol’ time cereal. That didn’t happen but I was grateful to have Cheerios and almond milk this morning. Hopefully I can have a cartoon morning soon.  I love doing those (probably about 2 times a year haha)

The rest of the day was grabbing only what I needed from Whole Foods, a FANTASTIC beer and cheese party at Jennie’s house and a failed cake attempt.  I’ve got to head to bed.  I have my final cake decorating class tomorrow.  We’re learning to make flowers! This is what I’ve been waiting for the whole series.  I’ll post picture of how that goes later.  Night!

Teddy

I woke up pretty early this morning and was determined to do the ridiculous amount of laundry that I have been dreading doing.  It ended up being 5 loads, which wouldn’t be horrible if I had a proper working laundry mat.   Somehow, out of all the washers in our laundry facility, I chose all the ones that were broken. The laundry that SHOULD have been done by noon, took until well after 1pm.  My annoyance level was at about a 7.

So I made myself some delicious, organic, fair trade coffee.  That helped. By 1 I was starving.  Luckily I had some leftovers from dinner to heat up.

This is a medley of homemade mung beans, carrot/corn, roasted garlic and Italian seasonings.  I’ve never really cooked mung beans until this past year.  I usually stick to my basic pinto, black and chick peas.  Mung might be my new favorite bean.  I’d like to  have a go at making a sweet version soon since I enjoy all the desserts I’ve had with them before. (note I also had some brown rice w dulse-  not pictured)

Dinner tonight was vegetable heavy.  I find as it gets warmer that’s all I want to eat.  They’re fast cooking and contain so much water.  I just sauteed the veg and seitan with some olive oil and added actual kalamata olives at the end to munch on.  Simple but satisfying for me.(again, I had some brown rice with this)

After doing all that laundry I watched a movie- No Impact Man- signed up for a FREE composting class, and attempted to plant a few herbs (parsley, basil and chives).  We’ll see how it goes!

Now it’s time to assist in one of my last classes before graduation. See you later!

Teddy

sugar dusted friend plantains

I made these when LOST premiered.  A group of friends and I had a island themed party.  SO FUN

mini monkey muffins

A good friend had a birthday and to me, it’s not a birthday without a baked good… I had to make something right?  Well these were borne outta that need for baked goods n birthdays

BBQ pulled seitan sandwich

I actually made this one this week! Oh this one is a lunch to remember, I’ll tell you what.

The last couple of months have been a fun roller coaster.  I’ve been able to see my friends often and cook as much as my lil heart pleases.  Unfortunately, I was let go from my latest job (outsourced to India) but I’ve spent some time turning that negative into a BIG positive.  If you follow me on my twitter (@funwithyourfood) account this might be old news to you.

I am currently about to receive my certification as a macrobiotic chef and am taking classes on cake decorating on the side for some extra fun. What a journey eh? This extra time has let me cook a LOT more and now I’d like to focus on sharing that here as well.  Hope you enjoy my new found free time as much as I do!

Teddy