I’ll admit it. I’m easily bored by fish. I really like fish, but I can only have so much baked white fish and pecan crusted salmon before I long for something more creative.
The solution this time? Grind it up and make burgers.
Maple Peanut Butter Cookies
August 29, 2015
There are times when nothing will do, but a cookie. No slice of cake or pie, no brownie square or fruit tart; only a cookie.
I appreciate that my sweet tooth is selective, but its picky nature sometimes sends me into the kitchen for some baking when I hadn’t really planned on it. That happened this past week.
Chickpea Bowls with Ginger Cucumbers and Spicy Peanut Sauce
August 20, 2015I’m happy to say that Fake Food Free has transitioned to the Substack Newsletter called Every Corner of the World.
I hope to see you there.
I can’t get enough of foods in bowls.
There is something about having several tasty ingredients in one container that is drizzled with a sauce or dressing and topped with condiments that creates my idea of a perfect meal.
The combinations are endless, but I find that I’m most often drawn to those that don’t make complete sense. The more random the ingredients, the more I want to eat them.
Take this creation, for example. A chickpea seems like an odd thing to combine with Korean chili powder and cucumbers, but somehow it works.
Honey Bourbon Fig and Hazelnut Tart
August 4, 2015This fig and hazelnut tart has a whole grain cookie base that is topped with Tiger figs, honey bourbon glaze and a buttery crumble topping!
I rarely take my camera to the farmers market anymore. One, because I usually haul out about 10 shopping bags plus a backpack on each visit. I wouldn’t be able to carry it even it if I had it with me. Two, sometimes I think it makes people uncomfortable. I’ll be zoomed in on the strawberries, but the people shopping are thinking I’m zoomed in on them.
It’s a struggle for me, though, because I absolutely love photographing fruits and vegetables! Especially at the market. So sometimes I make an exception and when I get to attend the market with another person, I take it along.
There is something about being in a small group that makes me look more like a tourist. Tourist + camera = acceptable.
Four Favorites in July
July 31, 2015
My Four Favorites series is back and I’m introducing a new theme to these monthly installments of my favorite finds.
The four Bs. A book, a blog, a brand and a break.
These are a few things I’ve come across this month that I’ve enjoyed so much that I must share.
Quick Pickled Long Beans with Lemongrass
July 29, 2015 
I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve gotten away from canning. I used to be all about the jams and relishes.
Until I wasn’t.
And by that I mean until I had the pantry stocked with too many condiments than two people (and the occasional friend or family member) could possibly eat.
So I’ve scaled back a bit. Only small batches, and as it turns out, a lot of quick pickling. I actually prefer quickly pickling. Yes, you have to eat the veggies within a few days, but you can make much smaller amounts and things stay crisp. Something I used to struggle with when water bath canning.
Smoked Almond, Chocolate Chip and Coconut Cookies
July 23, 2015Back in May I had the opportunity to attend a food blogger event for the launch of Safeway’s Open Nature Super Premium Ice Cream. This post is a recap of the food and fun that led to the creation of these Smoked Almond, Chocolate Chip and Coconut Cookies! 
It’s not everyday that you get invited to taste ice cream. Well, okay. It probably happens a little more often for a food blogger than the average person, but that makes it no less exciting.
Back in May I got invited to hang out with a great group of food bloggers to learn about the launch of Safeway’s Open Nature Super Premium Ice Cream. I’ve been really curious about the Open Nature brand and I was completely sold on checking out Safeway’s commercial kitchen so I took the short drive to Pleasanton for an incredibly fun few days.
I have to be completely honest. You know I make a lot of things. Many things from scratch that most people buy at the store. But after several years of my from-scratch lifestyle there are a few things that I’ve voted best made by the professionals. Ice cream is one of those for me.
Grilled Cherry Mezcal Cocktails
July 21, 2015 
I was preparing kebabs for the grill when the idea came to me. We love grilled fruits, but one fruit I had never grilled were cherries. I’m sure it’s been done before, but the idea was new to me. It was also pretty exciting because I adore cherries. Blueberries have always been my favorite fruit, but these days cherries are neck and neck for first place.
Considering a few grilled cherries led me to wondering what kind of smoky sweet flavors that grilling would add to them. No surprise that those thoughts led to our home bar and the bottle of smoky mezcal that I’ve found to be a challenging ingredient to incorporate into our drinks. If there is one thing that it had to go well with the spirit, I figured grilled cherries would be it.
Chocolate Cherry Goji Bars from Superfood Snacks
July 17, 2015
There is a good chance that just opening this book will make you healthier. I know it’s a pretty bold claim, but I’m certain it’s true.
I received a review copy of Superfood Snacks: 100 Delicious, Energizing & Nutrient-Dense Recipes
It turns out, I’m kind of crazy about it.
In this recipe, slow cooker lentils are topped with turkey meatballs and then brightened with a sprinkle of fresh spinach for an easy one-bowl meal!
I tend to eat in earth tones. It’s something I didn’t realize until I began photographing my food.
Think about it. The occasional leafy green aside, many healthy foods are pretty much a big bunch of off white, beige and brown.
Lentils, beans, chickpeas, cauliflower, oats, onions, garlic, meats, mushrooms — all pretty much the same boring color. It’s unfair, too, because they can be pretty darn delicious.
