Lori, Author at Fake Food Free

Rosemary Sweet and Salty Dog Cocktail

January 21, 2018

This mixed drink gives a fun, earthy twist to the traditional salty dog cocktail. A simple syrup is infused with rosemary from the herb garden and combined with freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice and vodka. It’s served in a glass with a rim of fine ground sea salt.

It has come to my attention this week that there are quite a few people out there who do not like grapefruit.

I suspect that much like those who do not like kale, they cannot be trusted.

Just kidding.

To be honest, I’m not quite sure when I turned the corner on the stuff. For years, it was a grandma and grandpa breakfast accompaniment. Served alongside poached eggs and whole grain toast.

For the record, I refuse to think that my love for the fruit correlates with getting older. Proof is in in the fact that I’ve loved grapefruit for at least 10 years now.

I think it’s because I was introduced to red grapefruit.

My Three Words 2018, Direction, and Focus

January 18, 2018

I have a long post written up to kick off the year. It’s sitting in my drafts.

Last weekend, I was gung-ho to post it. But it is one of those posts that made me feel like I should sit on it a bit.

It was a rant really. About how overwhelmed and irritated I am with labeling eating styles, diets, and all the junk related to the health industry.

Then I was flipping through Twitter and saw a post from Chase Jarvis. I wouldn’t call him a mentor, I don’t know him, but I follow him enough that glimpses of his attitudes and work ethic tend to punch me in the face (in a very positive way) when I need it.

He was on a plane with wifi, and as he sometimes does, opened things up to a Q&A. I never asked questions. I can’t really think of any. But I love reading what other people ask.

A lot pertain to what he thinks about this or that. Something in the industry or the way some things are done. (He’s an adventure photographer and founder of CreativeLIVE, if you are unfamiliar.)

The answer he gives, he’s given before, but sometimes I forget it.

Simply put, it is – I don’t.

Lemon Pistachio Tea Cakes

December 22, 2017

This is it.

The final post of my epic holiday baking season. I made almost everything I wanted to. Almost.

There always seems to be one or two things I don’t get to. This year it was Kentucky bourbon fruit cake. I made stollen instead.

But I did get in quite a few cookies. Like these. I never know quite what to call them. Growing up they were Mexican Wedding Cakes. Then I learned they are also called Russian Tea Cakes. Also, Snowballs.

Coconut Curry Oatmeal with Fried Thai Bananas and Honey

December 20, 2017

We have a banana problem in the mainland U.S.

They are all the same.

I find that many people are surprised to learn that there is more than one kind of banana. The size, flavor, and texture of the bananas in our supermarkets have engrained in us that there is only one fruit that can be called a banana.

I was always amazed by the many varieties of bananas we had access to in Brazil. The tables at the farmers market were always loaded with short, fat, long, skinny, and just about every other shape and size of banana.

Each had its own flavor, too.

Some were drier and starchier, others soft, and sweet. Very few tasted like the large bananas that we get in the U.S., most often from Central and South America. They grew those were we lived in Brazil, too.

Every now and then, I see a few bunches of a different type of banana in the international section of our supermarkets. Occasionally, I pick up a bunch to see how they compare to the varieties I know from Brazil.

Brown Sugar Cayenne Roasted Rainbow Carrots

December 18, 2017

I feel like Thanksgiving gets much more attention when it comes to a holiday meal.

Everyone is concerned about side dishes and how they should prepare the turkey, or should this be the year they don’t prepare a turkey at all.

Christmas and New Year’s dinner rarely seem to be discussed. Is this because traditions are already set and rarely change? Pasta, Seven Fishes, ham, and tamales come to mind. Or is it that these holidays are all about the cookies and cocktails?

Well, amidst all the baking this year, I decided to throw in a side dish. And if you are more in line with desserts this time of year, despite this being a vegetable, it could very well fall into that category.

Favorite Books for 2017

December 15, 2017

I don’t read nearly as often as I feel like I should or as often as I want to. I make an effort to set aside time during the week, but most of my reading time still ends up being when I’m traveling, on a plane or between exploring new destinations.

There are so many books I want to read. The list is endless. I’m usually reading a couple different titles at the same time.

This year I have encountered some excellent books so I thought I’d share this as a bit of a gift guide in case you have food and drink lovers in your life who also love reading.

I have four that inspired me and really stood out over the past several months.

There is still time to order these books online or hop in your favorite local book retailer to see if they have a copy. No affiliate links here, but one book was sent to me as a review copy as noted. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Cranberry Upside Down Cake

December 14, 2017

I welcome the tartness and I shy away from adding too much sugar.

That’s my relationship with cranberries.

I love cranberry. It easily ranks in the top 5 for my favorite holiday flavors. Or I guess I should say foods, with it being an actual fruit and all.

It’s why this cranberry upside down cake immediately got my attention.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread

December 13, 2017

I want to introduce you to my friend, Jane. Even if you are familiar with her work, there is likely something you don’t know about her.

Without Jane’s support and interests in me, Food on Tap might have never come into existence.

She’s the one that connected me with publishers which led to my getting an agent and finally creating a full proposal for an idea I’d had for two years that Countryman Press eventually picked up.

This food blogging world is so big that sometimes I forget how I originally meet people. Jane and I got to know each other through all the fun food events I used to attend when we lived in the Bay Area.

But we actually go back further than that.

Way back in 2010 and 2011, I used to host a Blogger Holiday Cookie Exchange along with a co-hosting blogger friend. All involved traded recipes and made the cookies to post on our blogs and share the holiday love. In 2011, Jane participated in that. In 2012, she asked if I was doing it again, but that was the year that all my baking supplies, as well as most of my Christmas spirit, were boxed up and ready to move to California. But I always appreciated Jane’s interest in the project.

Soon, I got to meet Jane in person. I quickly learned that her positive attitude, friendly nature, and pleasant spunk stick with you.

A gluten-free food blogger over at The Heritage Cook, Jane and I share a strong love of Europe and the region’s baked goods. She’s managed to find a way to enjoy amazing baked goods despite her GF restrictions and earlier this year she teamed up with Shannon Kinsella to co-author the book, The Gluten-Free Bread Machine Cookbook.

Full disclosure, I do not own a bread machine.

Jackfruit Tacos with Coconut Lime Purple Cabbage and Green Onion Slaw

December 12, 2017

My first experience with jackfruit occurred when we were living in Brazil.

It sparked from curiosity and determination to figure out the name of the massive piece of produce taking up most of the table at the farmers market. It was every bit as large as a 2-year-old child.

I soon learned it was jackfruit and I also realized that I had been walking under these massive fruits on my walks through the park near our apartment. Thankful that none had ever fallen on my head, I started asking questions.

Apple Scrap Cider Vinegar from Modern Cider

December 11, 2017

Lately, I find myself being associated more with beer, given my new book. But truth be told, I love cider, too!

I’ve done a bit of cider writing this year and I’m intrigued not only by the varieties cider but by the varieties of cider apples. There are so many types I’m just beginning to learn about them along with the type of flavors they bring to the finished product.

So I drink cider, but I have yet to attempt making cider on my own.

When that time comes, though, good news. I have the perfect resource.