Category Archives: Spring

Ham and Spring Vegetable Soup (a.k.a. Hot Ham Water)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Danguole| Leave a comment

Happy Day 3 of Arrested Development Week!  Only 6 days to go, and you, my little chicken dancers, must be hungry.  And that’s what this is for.  A solid springtime meal for a solid springtime Monday.

You may be in a sweets coma, after all–did you see these insane frozen bananas that Elizabeth at SugarHero made for you/us?    They put the Bluths’ bananas to shame, but we all know the Bluths are only in it for the money.  This is frozen bananas, with love (i.e. sprinkles).

So, to help you recover, we’re making soup.  In honor of Lindsay Bluth Funke, born Nellie Sitwell: charity event-thrower, cause taker-upper (HOOP, anyone?), shopper, unsuccessful business launcher, hands-off mother (to someone who just happens to be one of the coolest characters in television–so “Maeby” there’s something to the Funkes’ parenting style; I’m just saying).

(Yes, if I had children, it’s possible I would gather parenting insights from sitcoms.  Let’s all be grateful that I do not.)

(photo from http://fashionandhistrionics.blogspot.com/)

Lindsay is by no means domestic, but when she tries, you get a big spoonful of Hot Ham Water.  It’s a fine idea–and revolutionary, to boot–but I’m thinking Hot Ham and Vegetable Water would be even better.

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Posted in Main courses, Meat, Soup, Spring

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Elderflower Collins (and a piece of toast)

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Danguole| 3 Comments

Do you know what day it is?

There are only two correct answers to that query, the first of which is:

(Image from omgarresteddevelopment.tumblr.com)

The second of which is: there are only 8 days until the return of Arrested Development!  Also known as: The Unmaking of a Huge Mistake.

Am I a fan?  YES.  Am I excited?  YES.  What was my first thought when my girl Elizabeth aka the SugarHero brilliantly suggested we come up with some recipes to celebrate this legendary event?  HELL YES.

And that’s what we’re doing here!   A week full of Arrested Development-inspired food from both of us.  Fellow AD fans, this is no illusion: hop on the stair van, because we’re going to the model home.  All.  Week.  Long.  It’ll be more fun than Motherboy.

Everyone else, please pardon the interruption and endless gratuitous references to the show–I hope you still enjoy the recipes.  Also, WHAT are you doing with your life.  (Statement, not a question.)

I’m kicking things off with a nod (and a too-long wink) to Lucille.  The matriarch of the Bluth family enjoys her cocktails–and if it’s before noon, a sensible piece of toast will make it breakfast.

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Posted in Drinks, Entertaining, Spring, Summer

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Banana Frozen Yogurt with Rhubarb Swirl

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Danguole| 16 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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Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Caraway

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Danguole| 9 Comments

Somebody hold me…  Because in nine days, it’s time to say goodbye to The Office.  Forever.  I don’t know if I’m ready yet.

(And the lines between TV talk and food talk blur once again…  Bear with me?  If you want?)

Critics say the U.S. version of the show overstayed its welcome, to which I respond: duh, and it’s all because of unsophisticated ding dongs like me, who kept watching no matter what.  Sorry, serious legitimate critics and Comic Book Guys (and Ladies) of the world.

What can I say?  I’m loyal.  And I, for one, am glad the show stuck around as long as it did, despite the peaks and valleys.  Here’s why:

1.  Its success practically spawned Parks and Recreation, which we can all agree is literally amazing, sharp television, no?
2.  It exposed the world to the girly genius of Mindy Kaling.
3.  The Office at its worst was still a thousand times better than Two and a Half Broke Whitneys or whatever.
4.  If it took that long to take Pam and Jim from nauseatingly perfect to real-life perfect, I’m okay with that.
5.  Finally, if we had to tolerate a weak season (or a few) to get an epic a capella showdown involving Stephen Colbert (can’t find a clip to link, so sad), I’m game. 

In short, I think this is a good time to give our insides a big old hug with springtime comfort food.  That’s not as weird as it sounds…  I don’t think.

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Posted in Fall, Healthy (?), Main courses, Spring, weekend, Winter

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Celery and Radish Salad with Avocado and Toasted Cumin Vinaigrette

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Danguole| 9 Comments

Two items on the agenda today!  Well, three if you count the salad.

In fact, I can cover the salad ground briefly right now: it’s fresh, it’s seasonal, it’s healthy, it’s vegan, it’s crunchy and avocado-creamy, and it’s delicious.  It’s also completely self-explanatory, which allows me to talk about something else with you today.  Selfish, I know, but sometimes these things can speak for themselves…  Everyone knows that celery is especially eloquent.

Anyway, I was reading this lovely post by my friend Sara the other day, and it reminded me of something I thought of a while back and keep meaning to discuss.

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Posted in Healthy (?), Picnic food, Salad, Sides, Spring, Summer, Vegetarian

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Strawberry Caprese Turkey Burgers

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Danguole| 10 Comments

Tomatoes!  I miss tomatoes.  It’s been too long.  Sometimes I wonder if they miss me, too.  Maybe they check my Facebook and accidentally like an old status, then frantically unlike it before I find out.

I’ll just have to wait patiently for summer, for crates upon crates of ripe, juicy, flavorful tomatoes.  We will be reunited, and it will be glorious.

In the meantime, say we’re craving the classic combination of tomatoes+basil+mozzarella.  Say it’s spring, and we’re eager to start grilling again.  Say we’re really excited about gorgeous strawberries this time of year.  Say we’re open to making substitutions for tomatoes.  Lo and behold…  Look.

It’s red, and green, and white.  It’s slightly sweet, fresh, with a slight balsamic touch.  It’s not really a caprese salad, but it’s inspired by one, and it wants to be your dinner!  Right now.  Seriously.

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Posted in Healthy (?), Main courses, Meat, Spring, strawberry, Summer

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