Tag: chili

Make This Now: New Year, New Recipes!

Lauren2 Comments

Um why do I feel like it’s been a really long time since I did one of these posts?  I mean it HAS been since October, and we’ve had something like 8 holidays between then and now, so I guess it really has been a while.  I’m not going to lie, I write posts like this and they feel so stupid and unimportant in comparison to things that are happening in the world at large.  In the past couple of months, I’ve bailed on this post more times than I can count.  My heart just isn’t fully in it.  But then I remember mornings where eating this granola made me happy or cooking pasta with Joey made me feel whole or baking hot pink slider buns felt meditative and I can’t discount those feelings or not share them with you.  Soothing by way of food is totally a thing ♥

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Tahini-Cardamom Granola

I recently splurged on a jar of cardamom — spices can be so pricey sometimes! — so I was extra delighted when I came across this granola recipe that made use of my new purchase.  I made a few nut modifications, subbed apple cider for orange juice and had to bake it for an extra 20 minutes (!!) but it turned out SO GOOD.  Perfectly crispy, subtly spicy with a hint of sweetness and delightful over some full fat Greek yogurt.

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Pasta with Mushrooms, Crispy Sage & Garlic Bread Crumbs

I don’t own/cook from cookbooks very often so pardon how often I mention The Savvy Cook but I’m at it again with this insanely delicious and even more insanely easy pasta recipe.  I didn’t think I’d be able to share it with you but then I found it on the internets!  You’re welcome.  The sauce is simple yet so flavorful and my noodle slurping game felt very on point the night we made/ate this.  An instant keeper!

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Chickpea Sliders with Whipped Feta & Cucumber Slaw

Honestly, baking little slider buns has become one of the greatest joys in my life.  And the moment I saw these hot pink brioche buns, I knew I had to have them!  They came out so pretty and more importantly, tasty.  I’ve never whipped feta (and I actually I still haven’t because Joey did that part), but now that I’ve tasted it, I don’t think I can live without it.  I wish I had seasoned the chickpea sliders better but loaded up with feta and slaw (don’t skimp on that stuff, the contrasting crunch really makes a difference!), these were amazing!

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Chicken Chili 

Joey made this for me Monday night, as the snow was coming down hard and I was curled up on the couch watching the Olympics.  Can you even believe how beautifully he garnished it?!  I think it was the homemade taco seasoning, leaving the chicken is bigger chunks and putting Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, green onion and pickled jalapeños on top that really made the dish.  The best food is food that makes you feel loved, ya know?

Tell me the best thing you’ve cooked recently!

Super Bowl Weekend Things

Lauren2 Comments

This will probably come as a huge shock to anyone who knows how much I don’t care about football, but I love the Super Bowl.

Not because of the actual game.  On Saturday night I had to ask Joey who was even playing.  But more because of the commercials and the food and the beer and the Beyonce.

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But the whole weekend in general was pretty good.  There was a lot of party prep going on, which I was totally okay with.  Except the part where I spent a couple hours in the kitchen, making Jell-O shots and chili and washing dishes and my back felt like it was going to break.  I will never be a professional chef.

I was in a spring cleaning mood on Saturday.  Wait, it isn’t spring yet?

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For years, a giant pile of torn out Cooking Light recipes has been floating about at my parents’ place and on Saturday morning, I sipped a cup of hot tea, watched a new episode of the Pioneer Woman and ripped out all the bookmarked CL recipes I had.  I am my mother.

I also cleaned out and shined up all my jewelry.  So exciting!

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What I don’t have pictures of, but did occur, was some beautiful Colorado weather and an outdoor run.  I basically thought I was going to die as I ran up the final hill back to my apartment but I was proud of myself when it was all said and done.

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This weird snack plate made it into my mouth at some point, between cutting onions for chili and mixing gelatin with condensed milk for Jell-O shots.  And I coerced Joey and my family to go out for burgers on Saturday night.  Weird how Larkburger happened to be right next to Smart Cow.

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Oh.  And I finally watched Saving Private Ryan.  I thought it was really good but it was definitely one of those highly-acclaimed award-winning movies that you see once and then never really need to see again.  Those just aren’t the kinds of movies I like to re-watch.

As for the game.

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We had lots of chili.

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And lots of Jell-O.  I think we still ran out before half time.

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And our chili bar rocked.  Frito pies, chili mac, chili dogs, chili cheese fries, nachos and toppings galore.  I think Jenn and I were the only ones to eat my veggie chili and I don’t even care because that just means I get all the leftovers.  Also, I accepted a million compliments on the chili Joey actually made.  Whatever.

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And guys!  Beyonce?!  Come. On.  I don’t even know what to say except…FIERCE!  If you ask me, she was the clear winner of the game.

So what I’m really trying to say is, I had a good Super Bowl weekend and I hope you did too!

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What did you do for the Super Bowl?

What was the non-football-related highlight of your weekend?

Best Super Bowl commercial??  As usual, it’s too loud and I’m too distracted to fully pay attention to any of them, so I have to go back later and re-watch them all.