Quixotic Coffee // St. Paul

Quixotic Coffee
769 Cleveland Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55116
Would I go back? Yes

     I parked a block away adjacent to the cute street of Cleveland Ave. Busy, yet quaint, it made me fall more in love with St. Paul. Quixotic Coffee sits in the midst of it all. I started my morning there with a currant scone infused with earl grey from a local bakery. YUM. Have I mentioned how much I love that we accept eating cake-like things for breakfast? Its awesome. This coffee shop is great. They have ample seating and a very minimalist style going on. I enjoy the amount of bar-style seating they have. Not all coffee shops have this and its something I really like to see. I, however, chose the couch because why not? On the walls they have hanging by an industrial wire, beautiful photographs. My guess is they come from local photographers. Although its something I've definitely seen before, it worked very well with the shop. The photos gave the store a warmer feel that I really enjoyed. 
     My friend and I both got a pour over. Quixotic has a fairly minimal menu which is a green light for me because that means they do the classics and they do them well. A good pour over is always a gem to find. Each cup they pour they fresh grind the coffee. Thumbs up for that. Good work. I was able to see the barista make it right in front of my eyes at the front of the counter. I appreciate being able to watch artistry. Yes, coffee is an art. A tasty art. It was an extremely enjoyable cup of coffee. If I'm ever in that neighborhood again, Quixotic will definitely be on my list to go to again. It will be a good addition to your day of shopping at the local bookstore (not that I did that or anything). 

May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah 

J & S Bean Factory // St. Paul

J & S Bean Factory
1518 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105 
Would I go back? Yes

     I love St. Paul. Its a city with old charm and character, something you can't find everywhere. Most of the coffee shops I have explored have been in Minneapolis so I was excited when I got to venture back to St. Paul to try J & S Bean Factory. This place is so funky and eclectic. I had to get a coconut latte because when I find a place that makes them I always pounce on it. They are my favorite in the summer. The latte was delicious, but what made it so great was the mugs they serve their coffee in. The mug you see in my photo was one of many kinds and designs. They have a mismatch of mugs and that is so fun. When you think of your coffee mug collection at home, most of us don't have a set of twelve identical mugs. We have a mismatch of designs and each have story of where we got them and why, etc. I can imagine the people of J & S being able to tell similar stories about their mugs. It was a perfect morning to sit outside so my friend and I took advantage of the very large outdoor space they provide. I felt like I was in someones backyard; it was great. The shop is nestled at the end of a cute neighborhood street which made it feel even more quaint. There were lots of people outside, but I didn't feel like the table next to me was going to hear my conversation, it was very comfortable. 
     Something I have yet to try of J & S is their bean selection. That's what they are known for.  An adjoining room to the coffee bar hosts a wall full of different beans they roast in house. You can even take a peak into another room where they roast the magic. They always have a special roast for the day. I am definitely going to go back and buy some beans and do some tasting. Nothing like a cup of black coffee to charm the senses. A place like this would be good to try your hand at black coffee because they have so many choices. You can choose one that resonates with you. Good work J & S! I'll be back.

May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah 

Peace Coffee // Minneapolis

Peace Coffee
3262 Minnehaha Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Would I go back? Probably

     This place is unique. I want to meet the person who designed Peace because they nailed it. The style isn't for everyone, but for the neighborhood its located in, its perfect. It matches the name perfectly. I can see this place nestled in a quaint area of Portland, Oregon. The style is hippie and very eclectic, and they pull it off famously. I imagine the designer going to random shops finding unique items and pairing them together, wanting mismatched colors and fun patterns. It works. Like I said, not for everyone. Although a place like this isn't my first choice, I always like exploring shops outside my normal scope. The only reason I said "probably" on if I would go back is because of its location. Its not in my favorite area of Minneapolis and a little out of the way for me to go just to grab a cup of coffee. The neighborhood is quiet which is nice if you aren't looking for a bustling area. The coffee, though, is ON POINT. I respect places that make their own syrups for drinks which is exactly what Peace does. Vanilla, caramel and chocolate are the three on the list. I had a classic vanilla latte and it was superb. I exclaimed out loud when I took my first sip, just ask my friend. You could see the vanilla bean specks in my latte, exactly what should be. Although I probably won't be back here soon, that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it. After going to so many places, I get picky and I learn what I like the most for my particular taste. The beauty of today is the vast amount of choices we have for coffee shops. Peace Coffee deserves the recognition it has already received and hopefully will continue to receive. 

May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah 

Bob's Java Hut // Minneapolis

Bob's Java Hut
2651 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 
Would I go back? Absolutely

    There are SO MANY coffee shops out there today. Sometimes they run all together and you can't find something thats truly unique. Go to Bob's Java Hut. This place is great. So unique. I think one thing that makes it so great is they chose their motif and rocked it, right down to a garage door that opens into the shop. My friend and I sat at the bar that opens out to the street and it was glorious. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to sit down on vintage (yet surprisingly comfortable) chairs and look out onto the uptown bustle. Everything they have is vintage biker stuff, so awesome. They even sell cigarettes that people gladly smoke outside the shop, which would normally bother me when I'm enjoying coffee, but it just works. Its all a part of the experience. 

     I went simple on my coffee this time with a classic cold-press. There aren't many better things than cold-press on a summer day. A splash of cream and simple syrup made this 20 oz wonder even more fabulous. Simple syrup is so much better than putting straight sugar in your iced coffee - get used to using it (make it at home, its so easy). So do yourself a favor and check this place out. The coffee is delicious, the environment is killer and you will feel awesome when you walk out. I love it that much. 

May your coffee be caffeinated,

Sarah 

Dogwood Coffee Bar // Minneapolis

Dogwood Coffee Bar
3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Would I go back? Yes

     There is no question that Dogwood coffee is among the best around. It is served in many of my favorite coffee shops in the Minneapolis area. If you want quality beans for your personal cup of joe at home, buy Dogwood coffee. There's something about the roast I can't put my finger on, I just know the coffee is prime. And the other drinks (such as the latte pictured) are delicious as well. I was very excited to visit the coffee bar that carries such a namesake brand. The shop is almost more exciting to me than the coffee itself. Atmosphere is key. The Dogwood style came through very well and whoever designed the special touches they have is very talented. I enjoy the style very much, but the location is left to be desired. I personally don't like where they chose to house this incredible coffee. Its in the middle of the shopping on Hennepin Ave and is open to the rest of the indoor shopping. To me, this makes any shop lose its charm. Its like a bank that is housed in a grocery store -- the personal feeling is lost. Although dogwood did a good job making the space their own, I still can't get over the fact that its not a full store. I would go back again for the coffee, but next time I want a good place to read or study, I will not be choosing this location. 

May your coffee be caffeinated,

Sarah 

Bull Run Coffee Bar // Minneapolis

Bull Run Coffee Bar 
3346 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Would I go back? YES 

     The first thing I noticed when I walked in to this awesome place was a couple people playing cards, which immediately made me smile. I love stuff like that. What does that mean? Its a great place to hang out long after you've finished your cup of joe. What I noticed was different about Bull Run from other coffee shops I've been to was their efforts to design an eye-pleasing environment without looking like they tried too hard. There are urban touches here and there including old school-room look alike chairs and pipe shelving. However this did not command the space. It was very comfortable and low key. I didn't feel like I walked into a place where the baristas thought they were above me; they were there to make me a cup of coffee, and make it well. The baristas seemed approachable and that they enjoyed their job. I really like seeing that at coffee shops. Since I enjoy coffee so much, I get a lot out of employees who will match my excitement for it. Another unique part of this shop are the ceilings which I give you a picture of. With the simplicity in design of the rest of the shop, these are a really awesome touch. Also, they had a World Cup game playing on a laptop, which I thought was just great. 
     As for the coffee, I enjoyed a latte. My first sip was a surprise. Delicious, yes, and very strong. Which I love! I like a latte where the milk doesn't overwhelm the espresso. The milk should be there to enhance the coffee and not cover it up. This latte was just that. Thank you, Bull Run. I can see myself pouring over statistics homework here with a cup of black coffee this fall. The location is in my favorite part of the Uptown area with a park right across the street. So get yourself over to Bull Run Coffee Bar and enjoy yourself.

May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah 

Urban Bean // Minneapolis

Urban Bean Coffee 
2401 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405 
Would I go back? I already have 

 

     I frequently miss my second bus on the way home from work which can be extremely frustrating, like today. Except for the fact that there's an Urban Bean on the same corner as my stop. That makes it a little better. Although this place didn't make the top ten list, who cares. It's rockin. The name speaks for itself, and urban it is. For starters they have the cutest  logo and the hippest atmosphere. As I sit here writing this, to my left is a giant chalk board wall and straight ahead I'm looking out the big window onto the quaint street corner. And did I mention the espresso is slap you in the face good? Because it is. You need a kick? Get a macchiato. None of this large caramel crap. A REAL macchiato. You know...double shot with a touch of milk and foam. Yeah, I'm sure half this country doesn't even know what a traditional macchiato is because of the commercialized Starbucks macchiato. Friends, don't be lied to anymore (Can you tell I'm passionate about this?). To the right is a photo is one of these amazing macchiatos. Just look at it, beautiful right? And if you can stand espresso, don't put a drop of sugar in it. I want you to experience a macchiato the way it should be. Watch them make it too, its an art form, and I'm obsessed with it. Anyways, they only have one location and it's so worth it. And they serve cold press in mason jars, so what's not to love? Don't expect cheap and economic because, after all they serve dogwood coffee. But do expect deliciousness. 

May your coffee be caffeinated, 
Sarah 

Kopplin's // St. Paul

     My journey this summer is to explore the coffee shops of the Twin Cities. My fascination isn't just with the taste of the coffee, but with the atmosphere of the shop. Every detail makes a difference. The chairs, the mugs, the lighting, the music, the location. I've been in places where the music is so loud I can't even put headphones in and silence it, some locations are really inconvenient for parking and some places have chairs that will make your back stiff in a matter of minutes. To me, its the places that pay attention to details like these that make it on my list of places to return to. I found a list online of the top ten coffee shops in the Twin Cities to try, so I am going to go through that list along with others I have found. 

Kopplin's Coffee
2038 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 
Would I go back? YES 

     I didn't research this place really at all before trying it. My friend found it on the top ten list (it ranks #1) and suggested we go. I've been to so many places sometimes they run all together, but I have to admit, this place is adorable. I would definitely classify it as a neighborhood coffee house. The atmosphere felt very down to earth and comfortable, they had nothing to hide and weren't bogged down by big name higher-ups. The front of the shop has a counter with a couple bar stools, a nice couch and coffee table and some other little tables. The back of the shop has ample more seating. Perfect for an afternoon of studying (which is a key thing for my current college days) or just reading or chatting with a friend or two. Details: mason jar water station, a weakness of mine, I just love stuff like that. The coffee was superb. I always like to try the latte of any store I visit because it shows the basic but necessary skills of the barista. There was nothing to disappoint there, the foam art was beautiful and the espresso nutty. Although the prices were pretty much normal for these days, a 12 oz latte was $1 more than the 8 oz, which seemed a bit pricy for me. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for a comfortable place to relax or study. The neighborhood is cute and easy to get around. However, if I were to make a top ten list, this would not be on my #1. Although they didn't do anything wrong, there wasn't anything to wow me or put it over the top. Try it out for yourself. You can always use another cup of coffee. 

May your coffee be caffeinated, 
Sarah 

I'm Back and I Made Gnocchi

I'm sitting here in a coffee shop sipping a macchiato and realized I haven't posted in 9 months. I guess going to college had something to do with that. Let me tell you, the dorm is not the easiest place to cook and blog about it. My taste buds had to take a break and learn to eat food I wouldn't necessarily pick right off the bat. But what else is college about? Summer is upon me once again which means I can cook to my hearts content! 

To start off my cooking endeavors I made potato gnocchi. This is such an easy thing to make and it looks fancy. I have made gnocchi before, just with mascarpone cheese instead of potato, but I think this is my favorite! I adapted a recipe I found on foodnetwork.com -- just type gnocchi on google and there you go, but here's what I did: 

• 3 potatoes (I used a combo of russet and yellow because that is what I had on hand)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• Kosher salt

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Poke holes in your potatoes and place them on a pile of kosher salt on a baking sheet. The salt helps dry out the potatoes and keeps them from browning too much. Bake them for about 45 minutes. I found for the size of potatoes I used that this wasn't enough time, so check by poking a hole in them. They should be very pliable and a little overcooked. You want them to be very soft. Once they cool, take the flesh out and put it through a ricer. Mix with the egg, flour, a teaspoon of salt and mix with your hands until the dough comes together. Split the dough into 6 pieces and roll into 6 snakes about 1/2-1 inch thick. Cut them into 1/2 inch pieces. Boil a pot of salted water and cooke the gnocchi letting them rise to the top -- once they do that cook them for another minute. Strain and enjoy with your favorite sauce! I used butter, sage and parmesan cheese. 

A Typical Day of Bliss

Finding things that make me truly happy is so exciting. Today as I embark into my new life in my new city, I've realized the simple things - and that is what makes me happy. My brother and I like to nerd out in conversations about food - and how much we are in love with cooking it! Now that we are back in the same city we have the opportunity to nerd out in person. And I just love the typical days in our house. Bliss.

Starting out with a simple beverage of fresh picked mint, lime juice and sparkling water. Divine and simple! We watch Frasier and roll out the fresh pasta dough into beautiful sheets, fit for vegetable lasagna. My brother was the master of the stove tonight and he cooks zucchini that he picked from his backyard garden. He arranges the array of pasta, sauces, cheese and vegetables into a baking dish. In a matter of time, the taste buds are ready to take off! It's that first bite of depth that gets you. The first time your taste buds experience that particular array of flavors. This is something I live for. And of course, what does our conversation entail? Food. What else? Our words are accompanied by the jazz music in the background - lovely. Brother and sister. Blood connected by family and hearts connected by food. Oh and the food tasted pretty darn good. Everything from scratch. Down to the vegetables growing footsteps away. That is my typical day. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

  

Fresh Bread

There's nothing like the smell of fresh bread wafting through the air of the kitchen. To me there's not many things I like more. I think there is a preface that says baking your own bread is something unimaginable and too hard. After all, you can just go to the store and buy some, right? Go ahead, buy some. But, you will never get the satisfaction and in my case the joy. This time around I made a basic sandwich bread that I found in Baking Illustrated. This book is incredible. It houses numerous recipes. The coolest thing about it is that they tested every which way that a recipe could go and found the best way possible. So the recipes you are getting are top notch. If you are interested enough, BUY IT. Or you could get it at the library. This bread is extremely easy and doesn't take more than a couple hours total to make. Most of that time is waiting for it to rise. See! Bread isn't difficult! And let me tell you, it tastes delicious and you get so much pride is saying that you made it.  

 

I Made Crepes!

Making crepes has always intimidated me. I like things to go perfect the first time I try them and I knew that crepes needed time to perfect. But, me loving French food, I had to conquer the crepe. My friend convinced me to make them for breakfast one day and I'm never going back! I really don't know what I was afraid of. The batter is extremely easy to make; almost every baking book and cooking website has a recipe. The trick is to be gentle and not afraid to throw away a crepe or two. You will mess up. The flipping might not go right, the crepe may be too thick or too thin, or a number of other things. That is okay! Be patient. The toppings are one of the best parts. I put Nutella, strawberries and bananas on mine. Other good ingredients would be lemon curd, jam, or even some savory things. 

Learn Your European Measurements

I made brioche for the first time. This eggy, buttery bread is found everywhere in France and there is a reason why. Ever since I made it I have gone back to it dozens of times just to smell it in all it's glory. The ingredients are simple and so is the technique, but in the process of making it, I ran into one curveball that I didn't research quite enough. 

Growing up in the US I have used cups in measuring dry ingredients and have never used anything else. But in using various cookbooks, weight measurement has come up a lot. Using a scale to measure dry ingredients is much more accurate and precise. I, however do not possess a scale and thought I knew the conversion when I made this brioche. I did not. After rising the dough for the first time, I realized it looked more like a batter than a dough and there was no way I could knead it properly. Apparently 16 oz of dry ingredients is the equivalent to about 4 cups. Don't make the same mistake I did and think that one cup is 8 oz! Thankfully this mistake was easily fixable and I just kneaded the extra cup of flour that I needed. Find a good recipe and try this bread, it's one of my favorites! Makes me feel like I'm in Paris again! 

Mocha Macaron Madness

The first time you do something is usually the time it doesn't always turn out the best. I have experienced this many times in the kitchen. My personality gets really frustrated when things don't turn out right the first time, but I have to push myself to keep going. Today I attempted the French beauty: the macaron. I found this cookbook by Michael Paul called Sweet Paris that I just love. Definitely a good place to start for me given that I have never made any kind of French dessert before. The actual recipe isn't hard, a few steps and not that many ingredients; but just like all French recipes its the technique that needs to be mastered. After making these I realized the taste is there, but the presentation maybe not so much. 

Looking at a picture in the book of these things and then looking at the ones I made made me a little sad, but it was the first time! If you ever attempt French macarons, pipe more of the mixture onto the baking sheet than you think should be. I made them too small and they ended up a little thin coming out of the oven. Find a recipe and try them! I made mocha macarons (of course with me there had to be coffee). 

I Love Paris

I sit here writing this and I dream. I dream about walking the streets of Paris taking it all in. Watching those crazy drivers and mopeds go by, hearing the European sirens, and smelling the cigarette smoke and fresh bread around the corner. This is what I dream about. There's something magical about it all for me. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is, but I can tell you one thing: I love Paris. 

I've been to Paris once (once is enough to fall in love). I think one of the most magical experiences I had was one evening after dinner. I went to a café for a late night cappuccino that had an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. As it started to get dark, the tower started to illuminate. To me it wasn't a touristy event; it was an event that any Parisian could experience on any given day. I was sitting outside enjoying my favorite beverage and gazing at some of the most beautiful city lights I have ever seen. How could things get any better? It's the small moments that get me. Yes, I went up the tower on the trip, but for some reason even that couldn't measure up to the moment at the café. That is what Paris is to me. Not the places all the tourists go, but the moments that make Paris your own. 

Follow me this summer as I journey through cookbooks and memories of my favorite city in the world. 

Roasted Tomato Salsa

This salsa is a perfect match for chips, fish or anything that needs a fresh zing. So simple, so delicious!

• Half an onion, minced
• 1 package grape or cherry tomatoes
• 2 limes
• 1 jalepeno, minced
• Salt and pepper

Half the tomatoes and roast them with salt and pepper at 375 degrees for 15 min. Combine the onion and jalepeno with a the zest and juice of the limes. Add the tomatoes and salt/pepper to taste. It's that easy! Enjoy!

Chocolate Cake Decadence

Chocolate cake is probably one of the most loved desserts of all time. How can you go wrong? I have found a way to make it even better by adding two simple ingredients to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor. Trust me, you will never go back after this.



My chocolate cake recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cocoa powder. I substituted 1/8 of that with my mayan cocoa. It makes such a difference! Mayan cocoa has a spicier and deeper flavor than regular cocoa. I get it at my local spice market here in Seattle. The second ingredient I use is instant coffee. I put about a teaspoon into my batter and though you can't taste the coffee, it makes the chocolate taste better.

I topped my cake with a raspberry chocolate ganache, but there are plently of options you can make such as peanut butter or chocolate frosting (those are my favorite options). Play around with it, chocolate can stand up to many flavors!

Garlic Confit

Garlic is one of my favorite ingredients of all time. In certain instances it can be very strong. Confit is the perfect way to tone down the strongness and keep the garlic goodness we all love. Confit means cooked in its own fat. Since garlic doesn't have its own fat, cook it in vegetable oil.

Take twenty cloves of garlic, peeling them and cutting the nubs off the ends. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with vegetable oil. Bring to barely a simmer and keep it that way for about 40 minutes. You do not want this to boil or get to a strong simmer, the key is low and slow. The garlic will be very soft and the flavor will be incredible! Use in anything you would use garlic in for a sweeter garlic flavor.

Compound Butters

 Learning how to put together compound butter is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your recipes. It adds flavor to many things such as steak, corn on the cob, etc.

Shallot, garlic and thyme (courtesy of Richard Gray)

To start, let your unsalted butter come to room temperature so it is easy to work with. Add your ingredients of choice (there are hundreds of possibilities) and salt/pepper to taste. Place on parchment paper and form into a log (see top left photo) and chill in the fridge until hard. For steak, I like to cut a pat and put it on top. For corn on the cob, I spread some on the corn before cooking it and then chill the rest of the butter for after the cooking process. Use your creativity to come up with your own combos!



Garlic confit (recipe posted), lemon zest and paprika

Chicken with Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese

Chicken can be really boring, but on the other hand it is one of my favorite ingredients to work with because it is a blank canvas. There are so many flavor combos and cooking techniques to be used with it. Tomato, basil and goat cheese is one of my favorite combos and goes great with chicken. This recipe came about as I was making the dish and I must say I am very proud of it. Please try it out!

• two chicken breasts
• two tablespoons tomato paste
• olive oil
• chicken stock
• salt and pepper
• 1 small log of goat cheese
• 1 large handful fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl mix the tomato paste with 1 tablespoon of both olive oil and chicken stock to thin it out. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Take your chicken and rub both pieces on both sides with the tomato mixture. Heat one tablespoon of oil on medium-high heat in an oven proof pan, I like to use a cast iron skillet. Make sure the pan is hot so you can get a good sear on the chicken. When the skillet is hot enough sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, you want some nice color without burning. When this step is done kill the heat and make one slit in the middle of the chicken (or two if the piece is bigger). Take one basil leaf and one tablespoon of goat cheese and stuff it inside the slit of each piece of chicken. Put the pan in the oven and bake the chicken for about 15 min, making sure the temperature of the meat reads about 160 degrees, they will continue to cook after they come out of the oven. Make sure you use a pot holder to take the pan out, it's easy to forget that the handle is hot!

Take the chicken out of the skillet and place under alluminum foil to stay warm. Put the pan back on the stove and place under medium heat. pour in about 3-4 tablespoons of chicken stock, the garlic and one tablespoon of goat cheese. Stir this until all the ingredients become a beautiful sauce. Place the chicken back in the pan and spoon sauce onto them. Chop up the rest of the basil and sprinkle on top. You are ready to serve, enjoy!

Summer Corn with Lime Butter

Summer is full of such wonderful flavors. It's amazing what a few ingredients will do to a simple thing like corn-on-the-cob. Here is a recipe that is extremely easy and will guarantee to make your tastebuds happy.

For the butter:

• 1 stick unsalted butter at room temp
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 lime zested
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Add all your ingredients to the butter and mash until combined. Husk your corn, this amount of butter can serve many depending on how much you like. Spread a thin layer of the butter onto the corn. Grill the corn for up to ten minutes, turning often. If the grill starts to flame up don't worry, just keep an eye on the corn, turning it and distinguishing any unwanted flames. The char gives the corn a fantastic flavor. When the corn is done, serve with more butter on the side, it needs more! Enjoy, this goes perfect with ribs! 

Coming Soon...

Hello Friends,

Correct, I have not posted any recipes in what seems like eons. This will be changing! Summer is the best time for me to experiment with more recipes and post them. I will soon be embarking on a short trip to France, so keep your eyes out for some French-inspired recipes. Excited to share more with you!

Salad Simplicity

Salad can be downright boring, tasteless, and disgusting. However, I have discovered that when using just a few simple and more gourmet ingredients, salad has become something that I want to eat. Here's one of my favorite salad "recipes".

• leafy greens
• 2 large strawberries, cut into 1/8ths
• handful of blue cheese crumbles
• pinenuts
• Briannas Blush Wine Vinagrette (my personal favorite)

Just pile everything on a plate, I love easy things! You can substitute pears for strawberries, walnuts for pinenuts, feta cheese for the blue cheese, etc. There are so many possibilites! 

Chicken Curry

Indian food has always been one of my top choices for favorite kinds of food. The flavors are so deep and the spices are fabulous. I've tried a few different recipes for chicken curry and came up with my own with simple ingredients that can easily be tweaked to one's own liking. The vegetables are easily replacable with your favorites. Try it and branch out!

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 an onion, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 3 small to medium zucchini, diced
• 4 green onions
• 1-2 tablespoons curry powder (or your favorite Indian spice blend, there are many!)
• 1/3 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

Cut your chicken into bite size cubes and cook in a large skillet with a little olive oil, salt and pepper until cooked- about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your chicken. Remove chicken from pan and discard any liquid in the pan. Add a little more oil and add your vegetables, cooking for 5 minutes with more salt and pepper (if you like your veggies softer, cook for anothe 5 minutes). Add the curry powder and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth, coconute milk and tomato paste, stirring to combine the spices into the liquid. Replace the chicken and cook for 5 minutes on low to medium heat to heat the chicken through. Taste for any salt need and serve with rice and naan- amazing Indian flatbread. Serves about 3-4.

Vegetarians Rejoice

Healthy, delicious, simple. Though I'm not a vegetarian, I could always go for these things. This can be a starter or a light lunch. Here's a recipe you should try:

• 3 medium red potatoes
• 1/2 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 3 tablespoons chopped basil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• parmesean cheese
• salt and pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the potatoes in half and par boil for up to ten minutes in salted water. This means that the potatoes will be about half cooked, stick a knife through one and make sure the potatoe is still a little firm, we are not making mashed potatoes! Once boiled, take out and cut into chunks. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix together the tomatoes, black beans, basil, garlic, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Pour onto a baking sheet along with the potatoes. Grate a little cheese on top and stir to combine. Put in the oven and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are done. About half way through stir the mixture for even cooking. When done, sprinkle more cheese and serve! Serves 2.

Tomato Soup You'll Want to Eat



Yes, the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear tomato soup is 'from a can' and 'nasty'. Not this stuff though. Trust me, even the biggest haters will like this. Tomato is a fairly blank canvas, so I just dressed it up to make it fabulous.

• 1 large can of crushed tomatos (yes, I said canned, do you want to crush them yourself?)
• 1/2 a red onion, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

Sautee the onion and bell pepper until softened with 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-low to medium heat (about 5-7 min). Add the garlic, fennel seed and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for a minute or two. Then pour in the white wine, making sure to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pan, don't waste the flavor! Add the crushed tomatos and stir to combine. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes then add the parsley and cook for another 15 minutes. Taste before serving and definitely add salt and pepper, it will need it! Garnish with parsley and drop a dollop of sour cream in the middle. Serve with homemade sweet potato chips. Enjoy!

French Toast San Francisco Style

I have grown up pretty much my whole life eating french toast made with french bread. Many times I have seen on TV and other places where 'french' toast is made with other kinds of bread. Today was my official inauguration to the other side. I used a bread that San Francisco is known for: sourdough. Oh boy, did it taste good! Here's the recipe...

• day-old sourdough bread
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of milk
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Mix all these ingredients together and dunk your pieces of bread in the liquid one at a time making sure the bread is well soaked. Heat a pan or griddle on medium heat and melt a little butter in the pan. Cook your french toast a couple minutes on each side making sure not to touch your bread until you flip it! This will create an incredible crust on the edges of your toast, I have found sourdough bread produces the best crust. Once it's done cover the breakfast with your favorite syrup or some berries. Enjoy!

My Love

Cooking is my relaxation. I can't go a day without doing something in the kitchen. I sit down after school to do my homework and dinner is calling my name, waiting to be made. Sometimes I can't stop, ideas and inspiration keep flowing out. Though I am young, I hope to inspire some of you to try your hand at cooking!