Tag Archives: lemon

Elderflower Collins (and a piece of toast)

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Danguole| 9 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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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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Pasta with Peas, Lemon and Mint

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Danguole| 8 Comments

Sometimes I forget about the joys of pure, unadulterated, simple carbs.  No talk of protein, fiber, the glycemic index, or–even worse–gluten, just starchy goodness.  I love wholesome, hearty brown grains as much as humanly possible (pretty sure), but there’s no substitute.  You know what I’m talking about–apples are good, oranges are good, but they’re not the same.  Let’s stop pretending.

Also, it’s spring.  It’s time to reawaken those taste buds with bright, delicate flavors like lemon, and peas, and what’s that–fresh mint?

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Posted in Main courses, Spring, Vegetarian

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Amaretto Sour

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Danguole| 9 Comments

Let’s have a look at our liquor cabinet, shall we?  Bourbon is having a serious moment, deservedly so.  Rum is just moping around unshaven in a bathrobe, gazing at the fruit basket.  Your time will be here soon, little guy, no worries.  Gin is taking a nap…  Gin gets grouchy in the winter, too.  It’s tough being away from limes and tonic that long; I get it.

Vodka is…  Good for keeping your ice cream from freezing too hard?

Of course, that’s not everything–not nearly.  If you happen to like alcohol, you REALLY like it.  Like me, you might be a booze hoarder.  Without even looking, I can tell you I have bottles upon bottles of things I’ve used once or twice.  Maraschino!   Creme de violet!  Both kinds of vermouth!

Which leads me to my main point: today in Nice Problems to Have news, I need to drink more.  So let’s make us some drinks.

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Posted in Drinks, Entertaining

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Roasted Garlic Hummus

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Danguole| 1 Comment

How to have a stress-free holiday season:

Step 1: HAHAHAHA.

Step 2: No, really, that’s hilarious.

Step 3: Don’t leave the house on Black Friday.  I mean it.  If you need milk, put coffee or beer on your cereal.   If you need an egg for pancakes, try sending smoke signals to your neighbors.  Toiletries of any kind?  Let’s quit all this worrying and love our disheveled selves exactly as they are.  It’s a jungle out there!

Step 4: If you’re stressing over gift ideas for kids, look no further than this sweet raptor hoodie.  I won’t lie–I totally want one myself.

Step 5: Drink!

Step 6: Bring hummus to parties.  All the parties.  It’s basically the easiest thing ever, and tastes much, much better than anything store-bought.  Look at you, with your fancy instant party success.   I hear people are fond of you.

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Posted in Appetizer, Entertaining, Fall, Healthy (?), Holidays, Vegetarian

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Lemon Gelato

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Danguole| 4 Comments

I don’t know what it says about me (well, I have a pretty solid idea), but some of my best friendships have been cultivated while in a food coma.

Once in a while, a few of my best and closest get together to cook, chat and eat.  It doesn’t happen often, because our eating is legendary (to us, anyway); so much so that going home right away is not an option.  At every such event, someone eventually wanders to the couch, or even straight to the floor; wherever looks like a good place for digestion.  The rest of us follow.  There are usually blankets and pillows, ridiculous conversations and, often, naps.

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Posted in Dessert, Spring, Summer

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