Friday Favorites with Food Loves Writing

Today I'm talking with Shanna of the blog, Food Loves Writing. I hate that it's taken me so long to find this blog. Shanna resides in Nashville with her husband, Tim, who also works behind-the-scenes on the blog. She's an excellent writer, and has a gift for telling stories. Their recipes are healthy, accessible, and sound oh-so-good. Avocado fries, anyone? I've been looking for a good tomato jam recipe, and this one sounds perfect. Make sure to follow along with Shanna and Tim as they cook their way through their CSA box this season.

Shanna, what's your favorite food?

Shanna: I had this whole conversation in my head once about what I would do if I could only eat one food for the rest of my life. It would have to be something nutrient-dense, versatile and, obviously, that tasted good—in other words, coconut. We eat coconut, in one form or another, literally every day: vegetables roasted in coconut oil, baked goods filled with coconut flakes, rice dishes with coconut and curry, hydrating coconut water. On our honeymoon, we even got to drink straight out of freshly cracked coconuts with giant straws—a surprise that made the trip to Hawaii even sweeter.

Thanks for sharing Shanna! Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday Favorites with Darling Dexter

Today I'm talking with the very talented, Whitney Deal, who writes the blog Darling Dexter. I first met Whitney at college when she was studying graphic design. Since then she's switched careers, and is now a photographer and fashion designer. Her wedding and bridesmaids dresses are gorgeous. If you're on the East Coast and planning a wedding, you should hire Oh, Darling Photography as your photographers. Whitney and her husband, Dustin, are great storytellers. See more on their blog.

Whitney, what's your favorite food?

Whitney: I've been pretty obsessed with blueberries since childhood. My mom would buy the plastic pints from the grocery story when I was young and I would eat the entire container immediately. There is just so much goodness packed in such a tiny little berry. Although I'm pretty content with just popping blueberries alone, they are the perfect companion for my morning yogurt and I've recently been dipping them in yogurt and then freezing them for a summer snack. Of course you can't go wrong with a blueberry dessert—adding blueberries to vanilla ice cream or simple white cake is pure perfection. I'm hoping to plant a few bushes of my own very soon!

I love that blueberry-dipped-in-yogurt idea. Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites with House to Haus

Today I'm talking with Talley from House to Haus. I stumbled upon her lovely blog not too long ago, and I'm so glad I did. She is an architect that once lived a routine life in Connecticut, but uprooted to Switzerland with her husband. She says she wasn't much of a cook until she arrived in Zurich, but I find that hard to believe. Her photographs and stories are captivating, and her recipes make my stomach rumble. I can't wait to make this boozy compote, this fava bean crostini, and this ratatouille tart. Hungry yet? Make sure to follow along with Talley's adventures in the land of cheese and chocolate.

Talley, what's your favorite food?

Dark Chocolate: I arrived in Switzerland, the land of chocolate and cheese, an apathetic chocolate eater, but now a year later I am officially addicted to the slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate. I eat at least a square a day, and when I’m not eating it plain I’m melting it into mousse or chocolate cake and chopping it into chips for cookies. It is really true that using good chocolate when baking makes all the difference in flavor. My favorite chocolate to use in baking is Cailler 64% (except when I’m melting chocolate bunnies), but to eat I prefer it with a little extra pizazz, like Beschle’s Fleur de Sel & Pistachio. I do as the Swiss do and pick up Schoggi (Swiss German for ‘chocolate’) every time I’m at the store so I can be sure that I never run out. 

Here's the recipe for her chocolate mousse featured above. Yum! Have a great weekend everyone. 

Friday Favorites with Living Antenna

I met Barbara in the winter of 2005 at our dorm in London when we were both studying abroad. She was studying fashion, I was studying design. We instantly clicked. Fast forward 7 years later, we email regularly and visit each other when we can, even though we live on separate continents (B lives in Amsterdam). Barbara's the most curious person I've ever met, always wanting to learn something new, and up for anything. We share a passion for food and design, and could (and have) talked for hours about it. Her blog, Living Antenna,  is a culmination of current trends in food, design, and sustainability. She was recently nominated for a TWOTY (Trend Watcher of the Year) award for upcoming talent. You might want to pour a cup of coffee, and curl up with Living Antenna, like you would a good book.

Barbara, what's your favorite food?

Barbara: Here's my fave food—actually any grain or couscous, mixed with lots of greens, herbs and some sort of nuts. If I could, I'd eat it everyday. But I guess the most important part of any of those dishes are herbs, I just love to mix dill with basil, use cilantro along parsil, use chervil and chives when I can.. That's why Etti's herb salad by Yotam Ottolenghi is my fave dish to serve to friends. It makes them realize that herbs are not only seasoning when dried and blended in a little jar, but rather the heart of your meal, from which you subsequently pick your veggies, and then either the proteins or carbs to top it off. 

We're off to the beach with friends for the long weekend. There won't be a post on Monday, so check back early next week. Have a great holiday!

Friday Favorites with Note to Self

Today I'm talking with Sarah of the blog, Note to Self. Sarah is a graphic designer who's currently pursuing her Master's degree from SCAD. She's also the associate designer of Matchbook Magazine. I just love the Sip/Snack series, her attention to detail, and the overall aesthetic of her work. Make sure to read her local's guide to Savannah—trip 1, trip 2, trip 3—if you happen to be visiting there anytime soon.

Sarah, what's your favorite food?

Sarah: My favorite food right now is the peach. One of my favorite things about getting to live in Georgia is its signature fruit. They're just coming into season down here, and whether they're plucked straight from the farmer's market, mixed into a cocktail, or grilled and wrapped in prosciutto as a snack, a juicy peach simply can't be beat. 

Thanks Sarah! See you guys on Monday!

Friday Favorites with Reading My Tea Leaves

Today I'm talking with Erin of the blog, Reading My Tea Leaves. I've been following Erin before she moved to NYC and was living in Wilmington, NC. Her blog gives a glimpse into her everyday life and boy, is it pretty. She lives in a teeny apartment and shares tips for surviving in a small space. I love her week in object series, and her way of making the everyday mundane things so beautiful. She's the type of person I'd love to meet for an early morning cup of coffee and a cheese & chive biscuit (or maybe a slice of this) and discuss making the world a better place.

Erin, what's your favorite food?

Erin: When I first thought about my favorite foods, my thoughts turned to favorite dishes. I started dreaming about the buttery, flaky crusts that encase savory tarts filled with sweet leeks and fresh eggs and cream. Then I dreamed up a lasagne oozing with ricotta and winter spinach and drenched in a rich red tomato sauce. Next, a kale salad tossed with lemon and parmesan and sprinkled with hazelnuts. And finally, dessert and rich chocolate cake topped with barely sweet cream. But for Adrienne's question, I decided I wanted to think about individual foods: those things that we eat that are so interesting and inspiring that they stand up all on their own. With spring arriving to the New York City Greenmarket, I couldn't help but turn my attention to the red-veined sorrel popping up on farmer's stands. Sorrel isn't a longtime favorite of mine, but it stole my heart last year at this time and I haven't turned back since. The taste is sharp and lemony and yes, something about it evokes the sweet and the sour of an early spring strawberry. If it's tossed into a salad, I promise, you hardly need a dressing at all.

We're on a plane to Seattle right now! We'll be there for a couple of days before heading north to Vancouver, BC. I'm so excited to get away, for cooler temperatures, awesome coffee, delicious food, and to explore new places. I have a few posts scheduled for next week, so be sure to check them out. Until then, see you in a week!

Friday favorites with Wit & Whistle

I've decided to open up Friday Favorites to other bloggers I admire, not just food bloggers. So today's guest is Amanda from Wit & Whistle. Amanda and I were in the trenches together at the College of Design, so I know first hand how smart, quick, and funny this girl is. She always manages to make design look effortless. I love her DIY tutorials, recipes, and beautiful photographs on her blog. Make sure to visit her online shop (or these retailers) and purchase a witty Mother's Day card or a handmade jotter.

Amanda, what's your favorite food?

Amanda: Asparagus is easily my favorite food (in spite of the rather unfortunate side effect it causes). It's best drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and roasted at 425 F for 9–13 minutes until it's tender but still crispy. I've been known to eat an entire pan of roasted asparagus in one sitting, but if I manage to leave behind any leftovers, they are delicious cold, straight from the refrigerator.

Thanks Amanda! I thought it was fitting to share Amanda's love for asparagus after the Food Matters recipe earlier this week. Also make sure to check out yesterday's chard recipe. Have a great Friday everyone and stay cool in this heat!

Friday favorites with Two Blue Lemons

Today I'm talking with Sarah of the blog Two Blue Lemons. I've been following Sarah's blog for a couple of years now, even before she had her super cute son. Sarah's a health coach and shares great recipes and tips for cooking for kids and for us adults, too. Her passion for simple living and healthy eating is contagious. She's offering a 21 day gentle food cleanse in May, so grab a friend and sign up.

Sarah, what's your favorite food?

Sarah: My son's favorite food is beans. If you have children you know that your child's favorite food quickly becomes the staple of your household. We love beans because they come in fun colors, shapes, and you can make breakfast, lunch, or dinner with their help. I'm afraid to say it but I see years of fart jokes ahead of us...

Thanks for sharing, Sarah! Have a great weekend everyone. See you back here Monday morning where I'll be hosting the Food Matters Project for the week!

Friday favorites with The FauxMartha

Today I'm talking with Melissa of The FauxMartha. Melissa is a designer by day and a baker by night (sound familiar?). She makes homemade goodies like fig newtons, pop tarts, naan, and dark chocolate nutella cookies. Her photographs are beautifully composed, just take a look at that pinterest board. I also enjoy reading her informative tip of the week series. You'll find Melissa contributing to Mint and to the Food Matters Project. Now get baking!

Melissa, what's your favorite food?

Melissa: We're mildly obsessed with brown rice these days. We buy a mixture of short grain brown rice, barley, and bulgar from the bulk section at Whole Foods. Cook up a big batch on Sunday and eat on it all week. Our favorite way to eat it? A bitchin' bowl.

Happy Friday! I turn 28 on Sunday, so I plan to spend time trail running, eating dark chocolate, visiting museums, and having brunch with friends this weekend. Have a good one!

Friday Favorites with Naturally Ella

This Friday we're talking with  Erin of the blog, Naturally Ella. Erin is passionate about seasonal, local produce and creates vegetarian meals with her CSA ingredients. She recently added a section to the blog that illustrates that eating seasonally is easy. I can't wait to try her breakfast tacos with kale-cilantro chimichurri or her roasted carrot spring rolls. Watching her ravioli video inspired me to make my homemade ravioli stuffed with kale pesto that very night. Follow along with Erin as she's also a member of The Food Matters Project and make she to read her new what I'm craving series here.

Erin, what's your favorite food?

Erin: I have a slight (read major) love of chickpeas. I use them for everything: snacking, salad topping (or salads themselves), hummus, tacos, loaded potatoes, stir fry, soup thickener and I'm evening learning to sprout them. I buy them dried, cook them up every weekend and toss them in at least one meal a day! 

Thanks Erin! 

Speaking of CSAs, we went to a cocktail kickoff for our CSA last night to get a tour of the farm and meet other members. It was great and I scored some leeks. Yes! Can't wait to cook those guys up in soup or maybe just by themselves. Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Friday Favorites with La Domestique

Friday Favorites is back! Today we're talking with Jess from La Domestique. I really like the concept behind Jess' blog. She picks a new ingredient every Monday and gives you a bit of background on it.  Tuesday she gives you 10 ways to use the ingredient, and then she shares a recipe too. You can also find her articles over at the Whole Foods Cooking Boulder blog. Follow along with Jess for endless inspiration and check out her list of pantry items for Spring.

Jess, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of La Domestique

Jess: Oranges always cheer me up and stimulate my palate with their varied colors and sweet, tart flavor. I enjoy every part–the juice in vinaigrettes and refreshing drinks, the flesh tossed into salads, fragrant zest to flavor cakes, and chocolate-coated candied orange peel as a sweet treat. 

Thanks Jess! We're headed to Asheville to visit family and I couldn't be more excited for a weekend away. Have a great Easter weekend!

Friday Favorites with Megg Salad

Today's Friday Favorites is with Megan of Megg Salad. I first found her blog through Sarah's recipe contest last December. Megan won the contest with her wholesome cranberry pear tart.  Megan is a health coach, and she shares healthy recipes and tips for eating and living healthy on her blog. Follow Megan or sign up for her spring detox to find that balance you've been looking for.

Megan, what's your favorite food?

Megan: I'd have to say my favorite food hasn't changed since I was a kid—pure and simple strawberries. 

Thanks Megan!

I'm headed to my parents' for the weekend. We're celebrating my younger sister's birthday and my brother's return from a six-month deployment. That gave me the perfect excuse to make this chocolate bundt cake. I used Foothills People's Porter as the beer—a local brewery my sister likes—and made it in a cake pan (I don't own a bundt cake pan). The remaining batter was made into cupcakes, topped with crushed hazelnuts and cinnamon. Hey, someone had to taste them before we cut into the cake tonight! A deep, malty chocolate, not overly sweet. I think it's ok to indulge every now and again, and this is just the occasion for it. Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites with Good Things Grow

Today's Favorite is from Jacqui, the woman behind the blog Good Things Grow, formerly known as So Good & Tasty. Jacqui's blog is full of delicious vegetarian dishes and wholesome sweets. She's also a member of the Food Matters Project, contributes recipes to the Whole Living blog, and photos for Bon Appetit. When she's not blogging or cooking, she's working as a graphic designer at her creative studio, Slide Sideways, with her husband, Scott. They whip up some beautiful posters, screen-printed stationary, and these awesome produce bags. Make sure to check out their etsy shop!

Jacqui, what's your favorite food?

Jacqui: Not many people can say they actually crave leafy greens, but I do! I incorporate them into my cooking everyday, even at breakfast time in a green smoothie or simply sauteed with an egg on top. Plus they love me right back by making me feel good and providing me with tons of nutrition my body needs.


Thanks Jacqui! Have a lovely (hopefully warm!) weekend, everyone!

Friday Favorites with Love and Lemons

Today's Friday Favorites is with the couple behind the beautiful blog, Love & Lemons. Jeanine does the cooking, sharing her vegetarian and dairy free meals she makes for herself and her husband, Jack. I love the color and creativity of their dishes like this roasted cauliflower with raisins & capers and this broccoli & pistachio soup. And the molten chocolate cake Jack makes the one night he gets in the kitchen (sans Jeanine) is mouthwatering. Make sure to follow along with their kitchen adventures (and as a Food Matters Project member as well).

So Jeanine & Jack, what are your favorite foods?

Jeanine: This is kind of obvious given the name of my blog, but I could not live without lemons. I love food that is bright, and a squeeze (or a zest) of lemon does the trick just about every time. Jack's answer is cheese (which is ironic because I'm lactose intolerant and I cook a lot of vegan food). 

Thanks guys! Have a great weekend, everyone.

Friday Favorites with La Buena Vida

Today's Friday Favorites features the very talented Nicole of La Buena Vida. Nicole is a photographer who documents living and eating in NYC (as well as her other travels) through her lens, and I'm so glad she does. Take for example, the recent Kinfolk dinner in Brooklyn, this still life, or a behind the scenes look at Untitled at the Whitney. She takes breathtaking photographs, but she also knows her way around the kitchen. Take a look at her delicious recipes like this grilled cheese (I'm a huge pickle fan, too!) or this winter kale & mushroom salad. Make sure to visit Nicole's blog and her beautiful portfolio site too.

Nicole, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of La Buena Vida

Nicole: My favorite food is salads, no matter what time of year. Endless variations, good for you and taste great. 

Thanks, Nicole! Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday Favorites with The First Mess

I first found Laura's blog, The First Mess, through this post. I was enamored with Laura's passion for eating seasonally and inspired by her wholesome meals. Her posts are warm, inviting, and I find myself bookmarking her recipes for later like this healthy version of biscuits and gravy and this delicious snack. I absolutely love her post about cupcakes.

So, Laura what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of The First Mess

Laura: I put it in so many things. Roasted root veggies, sauteed cabbage, my morning cup of tea, salad dressings... Plus it comes from the inside of a tree! So cool.

Thanks Laura! Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites with Happyolks

Kelsey, the lady behind Happyolks, has a way with words. I get lost in her stories about life and time spent in the kitchen. I love her honest recipes like these beans or this curried bowl of goodness. Her videos are breathtaking as well. I can't wait to try her beet, seed, and blood orange cake.

So Kelsey, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of Happyolks

Kelsey: If I were a food, I'd be a beet. Earthy, feisty, sweet. Funky on the outside, bursting with life on the inside. Cut 'em open and be surprised. Love 'em or hate 'em, they (literally) know how to leave their mark. 

Thanks Kelsey! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Friday Favorites with ScandiFoodie

Today we're talking with Maria from ScandiFoodie. Originally from Finland, she now resides in Australia. I love her beautiful healthful recipes, and recent posts about green cleaning and mindful eating. She recently completed a 21-day sugar-free vegan challenge, and has shared the menus for the first, second, and third weeks along with shopping lists.

So Maria, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of ScandiFoodie

Maria: My favourite foods (there are so many!!) would have to be almonds. They are such a versatile ingredient, important source of protein and fats for us vegans and also a great ingredient in gluten-free baking!

Thanks for sharing, Maria!

We're headed to NYC today for a long weekend. Excited to catch up with friends, visit museums, and eat good food. Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites with Cookie + Kate

Today we're talking with Kate of Cookie + Kate. Kate shares her love for vegetarian dishes, tasty beverages, and whole food ingredients on her blog. Cookie is her too cute four-legged assistant. Kate has also started a community cooking project where she and other bloggers will cook through Mark Bittman's The Food Matters Cookbook. The project launches on Monday, so make sure to follow along.

So Kate, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of Cookie + Kate

Kate also shows us how to make her favorite baked sweet potato fries here. Thanks for sharing, Kate!

Friday Favorites with My New Roots

I'm always inspired by the super talented food blogging community, so I decided to start a series—Friday Favorites—where I will ask some of my favorite food bloggers to share their favorite food. No recipe required. So make sure to check back each Friday to see a new favorite by a blogger I admire.

First up is the lovely Sarah B. from My New Roots. I remember when I first stumbled upon her beautiful blog, and felt like we had so much in common. Every recipe looks and sounds perfect. I love her witty writing style, easy-to-understand nutrition tips, and oh-so-healthy-yet-delicious recipes. I mean just look at that raw cashew dream cake and her parsley root fries!

So Sarah, what's your favorite food?

Image courtesy of My New Roots

Thanks for sharing, Sarah!