Category Archives: fruit

Banana Frozen Yogurt with Rhubarb Swirl

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Danguole| 18 Comments

Do you remember the last time you initially hung out with a person you met through a mutual friend, without said mutual friend?  No buffer, no safety blanket!  Chaos!  I (being a bit of a recluse) squirm just thinking about it. This platonic situation is scarier than a first date in my opinion–no doubt.

It usually works out well in the end though, doesn’t it?  Your friends have good taste in human companionship–duh.

And…  That’s kind of what this situation is.  Strawberry-banana?  Everywhere.  Strawberry-rhubarb?  Classic.  Banana-rhubarb?  Say what?

Yes, I know.  It’s a bit strange without strawberries in the mix, but there’s no reason it should be.  Sweet meets tart, all embedded in a cool, tangy frozen yogurt.  The flavor combination is interesting, but not exactly challenging.  It makes sense and most importantly, it tastes dandy.  I suggest making this.  I suggest taking it to your next friend date.

(Actually, scratch that, that’s weird.  Keep it all for yourself.  SOCIAL CRISIS AVERTED.)

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Posted in Dessert, fruit, Healthy (?), Spring, Vegetarian

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Lemon and Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Blueberry Compote

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Danguole| 12 Comments

I swear, sometimes I can’t handle the excellence that is this time of year (I’ll be saying the same thing again in six months–mark my words).  The daylight, the jacketless afternoon walks to the coffee shop, the daffodils and tulips everywhere, and the impulse buys of mint-green shorts at Target (I REGRET NOTHING).  So good.

Now, the downside to this time of year (well, this time of every odd-numbered year) for me is that I’m working a lot.  By “a lot,” I mean 80 hours a week, sometimes.  I try not to talk about it too much, just as I try not to talk about the weather, for the same reason: it’s boring.  ”You’re busy?  Oh really?   FASCINATING.”

But, I wanted to give you a heads up.  In case you wondered why I’m not posting as much–because if you like this thing enough to wonder, I owe you an explanation, and probably dessert.

Such as…  Comforting dessert.  Creamy and somewhat rich, but zingy and fruity at the same time–because I like you THAT much.  True facts.

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Posted in Dessert, fruit, Spring, Vegetarian, Winter

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Orange and Cardamom Infused Cold-Brewed Coffee

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Danguole| 7 Comments

Guess who went to a concert 3.5 hours away on a Monday night…  Then came back the same night…  Then went to work Tuesday morning and stayed for almost 12 hours?  Simple math tells us: that is too many hours of traveling and rocking out and working.  And not enough of sleeping.

I don’t know if I’m bragging or telling you that I’m a GIANT IDIOT.

Maybe not that much of an idiot, because this was waiting for me at home.  A pitcher of coffee in your fridge can fix anything.

So, just what is the deal with cold brewing? To recap, it’s making coffee without heat–mix and let it sit, then filter.  I first posted it early last summer, but it’s been a year-round staple for me ever since.  And believe me, I love nothing more than steaming milk for a cappuccino on a winter morning, but that kind of luxury ain’t suited for the M-F of a busy life, baby.

Cold-brewed coffee is an easy, convenient solution, and even the plain-Jane version tastes far superior than hot-brewed and iced coffee.  This time, we’re taking things to a fancy new level: infusing our concoction with orange and cardamom.  Fragrant citrus and warm spice: good morning, sunshine!  It’s so, so very lovely.  I normally drink my cold brew black, but this version, combined with some unsweetened (sweetened would be great too, obviously) vanilla almond milk, is just out of this world.

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Posted in Drinks, fruit, Healthy (?)

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Apple-Cinnamon Breakfast Farro

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Danguole| 2 Comments

What a weekend this one was!  Foodbuzz Festival ’12, my first, was a dashing success in my book.  Lovely people, lovely setting of San Francisco, lovely weather, lovely food and drink, and did I mention the lovely people?

So, so excellent.  I can’t wait for next year.  Going to these things alone is downright terrifying, but all you have to do is remember that food people are the best people there are–it’s the truth.  Food people love each other.

Anyway, all that crazy, amazing madness called for a very, very lazy Sunday.  It called for fruit that I’d picked up at an orchard in Auburn, CA.  It called for wholesome, toothy whole grains, a touch of cinnamon and the natural sweetness of just a bit of maple syrup.  Yup.

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Posted in Breakfast, Fall, fruit, Healthy (?), Vegetarian

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Lea’s Killer Sangria

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Danguole| 4 Comments

It’s been a busy week here at The Headquarters (which is, uh, my bedroom).

There was a quick trip to Sacramento to see some good music.  (On a weeknight!  Maybe I am in my 20s after all.)

A coffee date with Cindy, who is totally lovely and has a beautiful blog with lots of drool-worthy treats that you should check out.

Henry Rollins on a Friday night–just a personal hero in the flesh, no biggie.

Anyway.  This is the perfect time to share something simple, quick, and wonderful with you.  I threw it together with my Denver friend a couple weekends ago, and it has already made a welcome encore appearance in my life.

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Posted in Drinks, fruit, Summer

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Caramelized Fig, Thyme and Brie Crepes

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Danguole| 6 Comments

Remember when I said I had ideas for any leftover crepes you might have?  WELL.

I am a woman of my word.  I’m also a woman who likes: (1) caramelizing things, (2) warm, fragrant herbs, (3) sweet and savory combos, (4) big hunks of brie–the more rind, the better, and (5) occasional decadence.

I mean… Damn.

I can only show you a photo, but this is one of those times when a photo doesn’t feel like enough.  Let’s pretend you can hear the crackling/bubbling of melted sugar and smell the burnt (in a good way!) sweetness, lush ripe fig, and toasty, woodsy thyme.

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Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Fall, fruit, Main courses, Summer, Vegetarian

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