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{(not-the-first) homemade maryland crab soup}

i am undoubtedly a marylander in this one particular way… i could unabashedly eat crabs almost every day!

{also, i’m a poet and didn’t know it}

okay, maybe not every day, but like… all the time.

if you know you know… in that, maryland is known for their blue crabs… caught fresh off the chesapeake bay and steamed in savory spices like old bay or JO and a bit of local beer… served piping hot with corn, potatoes, and sometimes hush puppies.

but also, recreated in a simple vegetable soup… which freezes comfortably and easily.

so, that’s what i did last summer… bought a bunch of steamed maryland blue crabs… hand-picked them all… saved (most) of the meat… added it to my homemade soup recipe… and froze it…

and NOW! i get to enjoy it in the colder months… share it with friends and family… and reap the benefits of my patience, self-control, and overall appreciation for homemade preserved food…

i sometimes also make a cream-of-crab soup/dip and i’ll mix the two… this picture/recipe below is classic maryland crab soup with a tomato base. my favourite preference for sure.

audrey michelle’s homemade maryland blue crab soup :

28 oz. crushed tomatoes of choice
32 oz. chicken and/or veggie/seafood stock
1 can light beer (yuengling is my choice)
carrot
celery
onion
garlic
corn
potatoes
cabbage
green beans
tomatoes
fresh lemon
OLD BAY!!!
S&P to taste
1 pound crab meat (or as much as you want!)

typically, i build my soup in “layers” – starting with sautéing the mirepoix mix in a little olive oil and/or butter… splashing some white wine in the pan, then adding the broth… next, the canned tomatoes (or blending a little of both and then adding to the pot)… then, depending on if you are using fresh or canned veggies – add those in layers also… if fresh – start with potatoes and a little crab meat… then add in green beans, cabbage, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and lastly tomatoes… add old bay to your preferred taste, S&P, and finish with more crab meat. i like to layer in my crab meat for flavour but also because the meat will break down and “shred” as it’s cooked… therefore, the final step for me is to add in crab meat at the very end while it’s cooling (whether or not i’m freezing or serving immediately) and then i also serve it with a fresh jumbo chunk on top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, squeeze of lemon, and more old bay.

this is hands-down my favourite soup of all time. have you ever had it?!

NOM NOM !!!

Tags: comfort food, cooking, easy, eating, favourites, food, food and foto, food blogger, food blogs, food photographer, food photography, food stories, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy cooking, home cook, homemade, local, local cooking, maryland, maryland crab soup, photography, recipes, simple, soup

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, maryland, recipes, the food, the foodie

{first pad thai – ever!}

9 Feb

this is another first…

first time i ever tried making this dish from scratch. and possibly the first time i have ever eaten this dish.

a friend of mine came to visit last year and i asked him what his favourite meal was so that i could cook it for him.. and he was quick to respond :

“pad thai”

and i was just a wee-bit nervous because i had never made anything like that before. but – i sought out a recipe through the magic of the internet, and then i gathered the ingredients and followed the recipe and it ended up being pretty delicious! i love the loads of flavour from this well-known dish. AND – it’s actually pretty healthy!

Tags: asian cuisine, chef audrey, cooking, DIY, eating, flavour, food, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodie, foodography, healthy eating, home chef, home cook, pad thai, recipes, sharing food, simple, simple eating, yum, yummy

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Categories eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{first pancakes of 2024}

31 Jan

possibly my first pancakes… ever?!

i am feeling pretty proud of these {cute} little {yummy} pancakes that i made on the morning of new years day… particularly because it was my first time in my adult life that i’ve made them from scratch. i always felt so intimidated, so i just never tried. {silly, yes.}

i know that it may seem so simple, but this is a big accomplishment for me – haha! ironcially, making pancakes is a very simple process and i can’t believe i took so long to do it. these were rather delicious. and simple ingredients of course…

the basics :

flour
sugar
baking powder
pinch of salt
melted butter
egg
milk

mix dry and wet ingredients separately…

heat in a cast iron skillet with a little butter until bubbly… then flip…

serve with softened butter and maple syrup… and nom nom!

they were rather fluffy and delish, if i may say so myself. 😉

Tags: cooking, DIY, easy, eating, first of the year, food, food and foto, food blogger, food blogging, food from scratch, food photography, foodandfoto, foodie, foodies, foodnfoto, foodography, homemade, new years day, pancakes, quick recipes, recipes, simple, yum, yummy

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Categories blogging, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, the food, the foodie

{roasted garlic & mushroom couscous}

25 Apr

hey y’all.

i love this dish! it’s so easy to make, keeps well, and it’s delicious and filling!

couscous is one of my favourite grains. it’s so fluffy and fun and takes on the flavour of whatever you add to it. personally, i could eat mushrooms basically on the daily. i just LOVE mushrooms! this is one of the staples in the food and foto household. i make it ahead of time and eat it throughout the week. it’s easy to re-heat and the texture maintains throughout.

caramelized onions
sautéed garlic
crimini mushrooms
1 cup couscous
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
parsley, to taste
S&P, to taste

the ratio for couscous is 1:1.

i used a combination of homemade chicken bone broth and water for this recipe. simply bring liquid to a boil then toss in couscous. remove from heat, cover, and allow to “steam” for about 6-8 minutes, fluffing with a fork half way through cook time. this grain is so fine and delicate that it cooks rather quickly. finally, add in other ingredients and enjoy! it’s also really good with fresh peas!

nom nom!

Tags: batch-cooking, cooking, couscous, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography fotography, healthy eating, homemade, meal prepping, mushrooms, recipes, simple recipes

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Categories blogging, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, nutrition, the food, the foodie

{blue cheese steak salad}

11 Jul

i love to enjoy food leftovers the very next day… and it’s even more fun when i create something different with the leftover item i’m using. for example, after making this meal, i use the steak the next day for a yummy salad with blue cheese. it’s one of my favourite go-to meals these days. light and refreshing, but still flavourful and filling. high in protein, and always a crowd-pleaser.

simple ingredients, as per usual {measuring with the heart and “some” of each :

leftover room-temp steak {i typically use grass-fed strip loin}
hard-boiled egg{s}
blue cheese crumbles
chopped crisp romaine lettuce
chopped scallions
blue cheese dressing
croutons {optional}
tomatoes {optional}

this is a staple in the food & foto household. it’s also a big hit at parties or gatherings and is packed with nutrients and flavour! it also makes a good lettuce wrap! i opt for grass-fed meats whenever possible… they are higher in nutrition and i believe they taste so much better!

Tags: blue cheese, easy meal prep, eating, food, food is good, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, grass-fed, healthy, healthy eating, meal prep, recipes, salads, sally salad, steak, yum

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{inspired by : big salad, little steak}

4 Jul

oops, this email was accidentally sent out last month – my mistake… anyway, happy summer, y’all!

i found this recipe through an instagram account {@katherinewants} and i was inspired to try it.

it’s adorably called – “big salad, little steak.”

i have been eating this at least 1-2 times a week, lately. it satiates me in such a way, and it’s also easy to make {now that i’ve mastered it}. i used to be so intimidated by cooking steak… i would always overcook it and/or ruin the overall taste or quality. so i hadn’t tried making it in years. then i discovered this recipe and method for cooking steak, and i am proud to say i’ve been nailing it every time! i don’t have a grill, so using a cast iron pan is perfect for my apartment lifestyle.

i believe three key factors make the main difference in how this steak is prepared :

quality of steack
quality of butter
basting!!!

the best meals always start with some of the simplest ingredients :

grass-fed strip steak
garlic
shallots
rosemary & thyme
grass-fed butter
romain lettuce
parmigiano reggiano
caesar dressing

the best meals also start with some of the simplest techniques :

bring steak to room temperature
season steak liberally with salt & pepper
add steak to a very hot cast iron pan and sear on one side for approximately 2-3 minutes
turn steak on its side to render the fat
flip steak to other side and add butter, garlic, shallots, and herbs
baste, baste, baste – approximately another 2-3 minutes or until internal temp of 110
remove from heat and allow to rest

slice steak to your desired thickness. serve with caesar salad {croutons optional} and a glass of prosecco {maybe-not-so-optional ;)}. Continue reading →

Tags: big salad little steak, carnivore, eating, farm to table, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, grass-fed, healthy eating, inspired, instagram, it's ok to eat meat, katherinewants, photography, quality food, recipes, salad, simple cooking, steak

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Categories eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food facts, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{crab and veggie frittata}

7 Nov

oh and speaking of crab recipes… i made this yummy crab and vegetable frittata over the weekend and it was SO yummy! i made two small batches and i reheat them in my air fryer {one of the best investments ever!}

i hadn’t really planned to blog about this, but as i started making it i grabbed my camera and snapped a few fotos to document. as per usual, i try to use what i already have in the kitchen and in this case it was mushrooms, peppers, and onion.

so i chopped them all up and added in my crab meat.

i added a little dried chives, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper, and nutritional yeast, then heated the mixture up in a pan with a pat of butter on low until slightly cooked…

then poured the mixture into these cute little tins, and baked for 15 minutes in a 360 degree oven…

finally, i let the frittata cool for a bit, popped it out of the tin, and put it in the fridge so i could have them for breakfast/brunch in the mornings.

i love a frittata!

Tags: breakfast, brunch, crab recipes, eating, food, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, frittata, recipes, simple recipes, yum

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Categories the food

{homemade gummy bears}

9 Oct

i have been making my own homemade gummy bears for a while now, and i have been meaning to write a post about it…

i have always loved fruit snacks, gummy bears, et al. however, the ingredient list always detoured me – even the natural ones are full of mostly sugar.

so, i did some research and realized that i could be making my own gummy fruit snacks! and not only that, but i could make them GOOD for me!

my curiosity was piqued when i started looking for a clean source of gelatin to help with collagen production and joint support.

…which i don’t have pictured here because i typically transfer everything i buy into a glass jar… {no shame in my game}…

anyway, i wanted to incorporate gelatin into my diet and that’s when i got super stoked about the idea of making my own gummies! so i found these silicon molds on amazon {along with the gelatin} and looked up a few recipes to get me started.

as usual, i like to keep things as simple as possible. some recipes call for honey or a sweetener, but i like to avoid added sugar where i can {so i can guiltlessly enjoy a candy bar from time-to-time}.

so – here is my very simple {2-ingredient!} homemade gummy fruit snack recipe – which yields about 200 gummies and the ratio can be adjusted accordingly :

1 cup fruit juice {i usually opt for concord grape}
3 tablespoons gelatin powder

you could add in some honey or agave for sweetness, but i find the concord grape juice to be sweet enough on its own.

sometimes i’ll add in some elderberry syrup for additional health benefits during the cold-season months. Continue reading →

Tags: blogging, DIY, diy gummies, easy, food, food blogger, food blogging, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, fruit snacks, gummy bears, healthy, healthy eating, healthy gummy bears, healthy recipes, healthy snacks, homemade, in the kitchen, keep it seriously simple, kiss, photography, recipes, simple, snacks, squish, squishie, squishy

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, fun, health, healthy eating, nutrition, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{simple (rainbow) pasta salad}

22 Sep

as you probably know by now, i like to eat with the seasons as much as i possibly can. i enjoy it for lots of reasons. i always look forward to eating whatever vegetables or fruit are best during that particular time of year… and it makes me appreciate them more.

that said, i often struggle with “transitional” times of year – such as the month of september. i find myself unsure about what to wear, what to eat, when to go to sleep. it’s kind of funny but it’s true. {this also applies in the month of may.}

anyway, because i find september to be a transitional month, i also find myself eating transitional foods. i made that term up, but my point is that i’m not ready to start eating soups and squash, but i’m also done with light foods like salads and such. during this transitional time, i usually prepare foods that can be enjoyed hot or cold. and pasta salad is one of those dishes i could enjoy every day during transitional months.

i also really love orzo and i don’t use it often enough.

i whipped up this simple {rainbow} pasta salad and made a huge batch to take to work for lunches.

it’s so easy and so i thought i’d share the recipe… even though i didn’t measure anything, as per usual… but it’s so simple – just chop and toss!

————————————

simple pasta salad :

cooked orzo
diced summer sausage
chopped tomatoes
sliced olives {black & green}
diced red onion
diced banana pepper
diced green pepper
diced cucumber
roasted garlic
crumbled parmigiano reggiano

homemade dressing :

olive oil
apple cider vinegar
spices :
- oregano
- sage
- parsley
- comfrey
- basil
- dill
- tarragon
- garlic
- onion
- salt
- pepper
- bit o’ parm reg

i like to serve mine at room temperature and i sprinkle crumbled italian breadsticks on top…

SO GOOD!

Tags: batch-cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, in the kitchen, kiss, photography, recipes, seasonal, seasonal eating, simple

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{meatless monday : a flavourful riced cauliflower dish}

9 Jul

i made this delicious riced cauliflower one-pot make-ahead meal for lunch last week and it was so yummy, i just had to share the recipe! i love experimenting with random things in the fridge!

i’ve been really into using riced cauliflower as a replacement for grains and it does a wonderful job as an understudy. 😉

riced cauliflower has a great texture and maintains it well during the cooking process. i’ve purchased it both fresh and frozen and they both seem to hold up just fine.

i made this dish as i was trying to use up some leftover ingredients such as frozen asparagus from another recipe. i also had some frozen jalapeños that i grew last year and wanted to use.

so this is what i came up with {amounts are “ish”} :

16 oz. fresh riced cauliflower
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup sweet corn
1/2 cup diced asparagus {mine was frozen}
1 medium size jalapeño, diced {ribs and seeds removed}
2 tbsp hot sauce
1 tbsp cumin
salt & pepper to taste

heat some butter or oil of choice on medium heat and toss in riced cauiflower. cook slowly until al dente. add in asparagus and jalapeño, cook until slightly tender then throw in black beans and corn and cook for another minute or so. sprinkle in hot sauce and spices and toss together. keeps well in the fridge for a few days. can be frozen for future consumption.

organic chicken or grass-fed ground beef makes a nice addition to this recipe. i made this one vegan because i like to eat vegan at least once a week… not for any particular reason other than keeping things in balance 😉

and i just-so-happen to love cumin! it’s one of my favourite spices… do you like cumin?

Tags: cooking, cooking with audrey, easy recipes, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodnfoto, foodographer, foodography, fotography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, photography, recipes, riced cauliflower, simple cooking, vegan

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Categories blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, health, healthy eating, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{foodie/foto/flashback friday – spring/garden fever}

9 Mar

seriously, though… is it time to garden, yet?! i am so eager to get out and play in the dirt!

i definitely want to grow some {organic} cabbage again this year!

here’s a little flashback friday for ya : to that ONE i grew last year and turned into delicious sauerkraut!

hope you have a great weekend!

Tags: community garden, cooking, DIY, eating, farm to table, flashback friday, food, food photography, foodie friday, foodography, foto friday, fotography, garden to table, gardener, gardening, gardens, grow your own, homegrown, life, love, organic, organic gardening, photography, recipes

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food photography, food stories, fun, garden, north carolina, organic, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{foodie friday : vegetarian buffalo cauliflower bites}

2 Feb

i kind of made these by accident… as in, i-got-super-hungry-and-didn’t-have-much-in-the-fridge-to-eat-but-got-creative-and made-these-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-which-accidentally-turned-out-to-be-ahhhmazing!

…and so i just had to share the recipe. these {veggie} buffalo cauliflower bites would make a great game-day snack for superbowl sunday! and they are a great vegetarian alternative to the classic buffalo wing. {i would devour both!}

i was inspired to make this dish because i was scrolling through instagram and spotted a recipe for cauliflower florets that were battered & fried, and served with buffalo sauce and ranch – like a chicken wing! and i was thinking, “that’s probably sooooo delicious!”

then i remembered that i had frozen riced cauliflower, and i created my own version based on what i had in the fridge…

very simple ingredients :

frozen riced cauliflower
chopped celery hearts
buffalo sauce {i opt for franks!}
ranch dressing {i use brianna’s!}

i began by chopping the celery into approximately 1-inch pieces…

next, i sautéed the cauliflower with a little butter over medium to high heat, adding a little water as i went along to soften the cauliflower a bit more…

then, i added in some buffalo sauce to taste, and cooked until almost al dente…

finally, i scooped some of the cauliflower mixture into the celery bites and drizzled a little ranch dressing on top. it can be a little messy, but that’s what buffalo sauce is all about, right?! 😉

these little buffalo cauliflower bites are soooooo yummy and i will definitely be making them on game-day! it’s always funny to me when i cook something on the fly and it turns out to be my new favourite thing ever.

this was one of those recipes. 🙂

by the way, i didn’t watch one single football game this season, and i could care less about the patriots or the eagles… but it should still be a fun day full of snacks and silliness!

Tags: blogging, buffalo cauliflower bites, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodography, football, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, photography, recipes, simple, simple recipes, snacks, superbowl, vegetarian

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{what’s in my refrigerator}

28 Jan

on sundays i like to do my meal-prepping for the week. i have lots of containers and jars for storing my dry goods as well as my make-ahead meals.

here’s what i created to eat last week :

raw spinach salad
hard-boiled eggs
sautéed veggies for an asian-inspired dish
blanched broccoli
citrus baked salmon
roasted garlic israeli cous-cous
my famous mashed potatoes
raw celery sticks
curried lentils with ham and veggies
sauerkraut (not homemade)
garlic dill pickles (homegrown and homemade)
roasted tomato soup
homemade beef bone broth
potstickers (to go with asian dish)
turmeric tea w/ coconut milk

do you like to make your meals ahead of time? batch-cooking has been something i’ve adopted into my lifestyle over the last few years and it’s really helped me save money and keep my diet in check.

Tags: audrey michelle, batch-cooking, blogging, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, eating on a budget, food, food and foto, food photography, foodie, foodnfoto, foodography, fotographer, fotography, healthy eating, in the kitchen, meal prepping, photography, recipes, what's in my refrigerator

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, eat the rainbow, food, fun, health, healthy eating, nutrition, organic, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{homemade relish with my homegrown cucumbers!}

11 Jul

so, as i mentioned in my last blog – i have harvested well over 200 cucumbers this year from my garden! i wish i would’ve been weighing my harvests, to get more of an idea of yields. however, looking back through the fotos i snapped every time i harvest – it’s safe to say that number is pretty accurate. crazy, right?

anyway, on top of sharing my harvests with neighbors, and consuming a cucumber a day, i also enjoy making pickles and relish with my cucumbers! that’s why i specifically grow the pickling cucumbers. that, and i just think they taste better.

i will share my pickle recipe soon, but for now i want to share this super yummy relish recipe that a good friend of mine passed along to me last year. i love it because it’s very simple and does not have added sugar. the only sweetener is honey and i think it is so well-balanced in flavour. i love add my relish to egg salad or tuna salad. it’s also just good right out of the jar!

homemade pickle relish recipe :

1.5 pounds {pickling} cucumbers, finely diced {mine was homegrown}
1 small onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1.5 cup distilled white vinegar
6 tbsp honey
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill {mine was homegrown! 🙂}
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp kosher salt {i used himalayan pink salt}
1 tsp celery ceeds
1.5 cornstarch

directions :

in large saucepan, combine all ingredients except cornstarch. simmer over medium-high head until vegetables are tender – about 8-10 minutes.
in small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 2-3 tbsp of the cooking liquid until smooth. add to pan and let cook another 3-5 minutes. cool.
use canning method to preserve, or store in airtight container, chilled, up to 1 month. also freezes well.

i made a lot more than what is pictured – this jar i gave to my neighbours. 🙂

i also tasted mine before adding the cornstarch. if i needed to increase any of the ingredients, i did. i think i added a little extra honey and vinegar to mine because i had a little more than 1.5 pounds of cucumbers. the key is to start with small amounts… you can always add more. i love the colour it turns out – that’s largely due to the turmeric.

i hope you enjoy this recipe and please do let me know if you ever try it out!

thanks for reading! 🙂

Tags: audrey michelle, blogging, cooking, DIY, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogs, food photography, food stories, foodography, gardening, grow your own, grow your own food, healthy eating, homegrown, in the kitchen, natural, organic, photography, pickles, recipes, relish

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Categories eat the rainbow, food, food photography, food stories, fun, healthy eating, nutrition, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{st. paddy’s day dinner!}

17 Mar

i tried my hand at making my own corned beef and cabbage dinner for saint patrick’s day this year. i chose to just kept it simple with some pickling spices and brown sugar for my brine. i purchased the {grass-fed} brisket at the farmers market; it was close to 6 pounds.

perfect for plenty of leftovers.

there are so many methods and recipes out there, and after tons of research, i decided to do a simple 3-day brine {it was all the time i had anyway} and boil the meat on the stovetop, which is apparently how a traditional new england dinner is prepared.

i brought my brine to a simmer for about a half hour, then let it cool and refrigerated it for a couple of hours, until it was nice and chilled.

when ready, i poured the mixture into a brining bag with the brisket and immediately stuck it in the fridge to begin soaking up the flavour. i wish i would’ve prepared for more time, but as it was, i brined this for just under 72-hours.

to cook, i emptied the brine, rinsed off the meat, and stuck in a huge stock pot of water {enough to cover plus 1 inch} to simmer for about 30 minutes. then i drained, refilled the pot with water and brought to a simmer again, cooking for about 3 hours until tender. i added in my potatoes and carrots about an hour before finishing, and then tossed in some cabbage near the end.

stpaddysday-8

it came out pretty yummy, overall. i served it with some irish soda bread… that i did NOT make, since i’m a lousy baker. my family seemed to really enjoy this method. i liked it because it was simple and i only had to use the one stock pot. it got me thinking about the history of the dish and how “back in the day” most families probably only owned one stock pot, anyway. so it makes sense that they would cook everything as simple as possible.

i will say, i think a longer brining process would’ve added more flavour, but i as i said, i only had a little under 3 days. the meat was still nice and tender and moist, but in my opinion, it could’ve had more of the “corned beef” flavour. i also chose not to add in the preservatives that make it create that pink colour.

overall i was very pleased with this st. patrick’s day meal. it was fun to make, and next year i’ll experiment with more time.

i hope you all had a nice day.

slainte!

Tags: blogging, cooking, eating, food, food photography, holidays, in the kitchen, new england boiled dinner, photography, recipes, saint patricks day, st. patrick's day, tradition

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Categories blogging, food, food photography, food stories, holidays, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{pan-seared wild-caught salmon}

13 Feb

]

i love salmon! and although it’s not in season just yet, i try to eat it at least twice a month, but ideally i would like to get back to consuming it once a week or more. it’s full of omega 3 fatty acids and healthy lean protein. this particular wild-caught salmon filet was hand-delivered to me by an alaskan fisherman! 🙂

my favourite way to prepare salmon is to pan-sear it. don’t be intimidated, it’s a very easy method.

i simply sprinkle my salmon filet{s} with a little S&P and squeeze a little lemon juice over it, as well.

then, start with a medium-high heat skillet coated with a little olive oil, and place salmon filet in skin-side up. cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip over and finish with skin-side down, another 4-5 minutes. cooking it this way usually allows for the filet to come up easily off the skin when serving. i like to serve mine over a bed of greens or a simple couscous recipe.

bon appetite!

Tags: alaskan salmon, blogging, cooking, eating, food and foto, food blogger, food photography, foodie, foodography, health, healthy, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, keep it seriously simple, kiss, omegas, recipes, salmon, simple, wild-caught salmon

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Categories blogging, food, food photography, health, healthy eating, nutrition, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{farmers market turmeric root}

6 Jan

have you ever seen turmeric root like this before?

i was fascinated when i spotted this at my local farmer’s market. when i go to visit, there is one stand in particular that i like to frequent. the lady who owns it is so sweet and always has a ton of good information on her products and she is always willing to answer my and all of my questions. it seems that the prices for produce at farmers’ markets are sometimes half the price of grocery stores or health food markets, which is just another reason why i love to support the farmers!!!

a few other reasons i choose to put my money into farmers markets are as follows : accessibility, freshness, availability, integrity, seasonality, friendliness, knowledge, willingness, and as i mentioned, affordability.

i had never seen turmeric root in this form, and i couldn’t wait to pick some up to take fotos of. sometimes i’ve seen parts of it broken off into larger and smaller pieces, but not in a huge chunk like this. i have been wanting to incorporate turmeric into my diet more frequently, particularly because i have been experiencing some pain in my elbow lately. and as you may know, turmeric is known for having anti-inflammatory properties. i am hoping that by consuming turmeric regularly, the pain in my elbow will substantially subside.

i thought it would be fun to share these fotos of turmeric, since it is so intriguing to look at! check out all the ‘knobs’ and ‘nodules’ and the funny/fascinating shapes it takes on and how it forms that way. i love all root vegetables, and when i find something in its natural state, i get even more excited about it. did you catch that cool post about ginger-root? i just love going to the farmer’s market and i one day hope to have a nice big garden in my backyard, as to grow lots of wonderful food. i basically want to be a farmer.

one of the things i’ve been doing with turmeric lately is making tea, which i am just loving! have you ever tried turmeric tea? i have been wanting to try it for so long now, but as with anything “new,” i tend to get intimidated until i actually just go for it! and i’m so glad i finally did! i made some tea with this beautiful chunk of turmeric, and i loved it so much that i wanted to share the recipe.

you can usually find fresh turmeric at health food stores. or if you have access to one, check at your local farmers market, as well. some of my research has discovered that you can also use the ground spice to make turmeric tea, however i prefer the fresh stuff. it’s definitely more time-consuming, but for me, it’s so worth it. plus, i just love the creative process. having said that, to be even more economical, you could make it with a mix of fresh and dried root.

super simple health-boosting turmeric tea :

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Tags: cooking, Farmers Market, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, health, healthy, healthy cooking, healthy eating, organic, photography, produce, recipes, tea, turmeric, turmeric tea

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Categories blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, health, healthy eating, nutrition, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{meatless monday : whole grain couscous with fresno and mini bell peppers}

8 Feb

i haven’t written a meatless monday recipe in a while. i came up with this one by accident.

i love love LOVE fresno peppers. they are so full of flavour and yet mild enough in heat to not overpower most dishes. i also love couscous; it’s simple and easy to make and reheats well, so i will often batch-cook it.

i shared this dish some with a friend this weekend over brunch and she commented on how much she liked it, so i thought i would share the recipe. as i said, i sort of came up with this on accident… but i’m glad i did, as i’ll be sure to make it again in the future!

simple ingredients :

1 cup couscous, 1 cup water
3 fresno peppers, chopped
5-6 mini bell peppers, chopped
olive oil
S&P

this is a very easy recipe to make. simply saute peppers in olive oil until tender then pour in water. bring to a boil and add in couscous. remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least 5 minutes. fluff couscous with a fork and sprinkle in salt and pepper.