all dried up.

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014 revel designsLeave a comment

I borrowed a dehydrator from a friend to see if I need one. I made raisins, banana chips and apple rings. While they are tasty, there are just some things that I’d rather buy. I have been enamored with making some of my own staple items, like yogurt and ricotta cheese.

I’m glad that I did it. I’m glad that I can. BUT- I keep thinking that for a couple of dollars more, I can buy some! The older I get, the more precious my time feels. I want to focus more on cooking the actual meals than the ingredients. Maybe someday I’ll get back to making everything from scratch but for now I’ll savor time with my darling, my babes and my horse!

feed me!!

open canning season.

October 12, 2012October 12, 2012 revel designsLeave a comment

It’s autumn and the perfect time for giving foodie gifts to sweet friends. It’s a toss up whether the canning or the decorating of said canned good is the best part.

feed me!!

leftover pancakes:: molasses french toast.

July 13, 2012February 21, 2014 revel designsImageLeave a comment

feed me!! · Holidays! · kidstuff

april fool’s.

April 1, 2011 revel designsLeave a comment

Mmmm. Spaghetti? Probably not. Cake and icing with strawbery sauce and chocolate bon bon meatballs topped with grated white chocolate. It was so much fun to see their faces as I cut into it.

Cinnamon rolls? Not quite. Dough rolled up with sausage and cheese with a layer of Cheese Whiz icing.

Check out a past prank here!! And here.

feed me!!

tasting fall.

October 20, 2010 revel designs4 Comments

I have to pretend that it feels like fall around here. It’s still so hot out. I’ve got autumn scented candles burning and cooking warm and cozy foods. Here’s one that definitely fits the bill.

Sweet Potato+Corn+Jalapeno Bisque

1/2 cup chopped onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds total), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cups chicken stock
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
2 tablespoons molasses
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Scant pinch ground cinnamon
chopped bacon

1. In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until just soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and stock and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Add jalapenos. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender or a food processor, purée contents of pot, in batches if necessary, until smooth.

3. Return to heat. Add corn, molasses, salt, cayenne, black pepper and cinnamon. Top with bacon!!

I have a stuffed squash on the side. Perfect!!

feed me!!

aztec chilli brownies

October 1, 2010 revel designs1 Comment

I had a coffee night for some fellow Etsy Fort Worth bloggers and all I had on hand was a boxed brownie mix. To jazz it up[which I have been saying WAY too much] I added a few tablespoons of this aztec chilli flavored hot cocoa to the batter and baked as usual. After frosting them I sprinkled them with these chocolate pearls from Jean Phillipe. I love these things! I also used them for THESE caramel apples.

feed me!! · PARTIES!!

japanese dinner party.

September 22, 2010 revel designsLeave a comment

…as I was saying, I had a really great night with friends surrounded by a barrage of Japanese culinary delights.

Blah, blah, blah. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

I could go on and on… but I won’t. I know it was more fun for me than it is for you to hear about it. Here are just a couple of highlights.

::The Menu::

edamame + lychee martinis
seared scallop + toasted sesame microgreen salad
cold shrimp + soba noodle salad
an assortment of sushi rolls
japanese ice cream sundae

And this was the centerpiece. I love my new battery powered candles!! I placed them in a bamboo steamer with brown rice surrounding them. So simple, so pretty.

feed me!!

japanese ice cream sundae.

September 21, 2010 revel designs2 Comments

I had this delicious concoction at a little place in San Francisco, located in their Japantown district. I recently had some friends over for a 6 course Japanese dinner and knew that this had to be the finale.

Simplicity at it’s finest. Delicious ingredients to make an easy but exotic dessert. I diced up the fruit and placed it, with the mochi, into an ice cream bowl. Add a nice scoop of the best strawberry ice cream, with a drizzling of sweetened condensed milk, and you will hand your guests an international delight. I don’t know what it is about this combination. The smell of the tropical fruit salad, the texture of the mochi, the mild sweetness of the condensed milk. It just takes me to the best memories of Asia. Mmmm.

I’ll have more on this dinner party soon! Yummy menu and a great centerpiece idea!

feed me!!

roasted okra changed my life.

July 13, 2010 revel designs1 Comment

We joined a local CSA and have been enjoying all of our locally grown produce. I was a bit puzzled when we were handed some freshly picked okra. This will be a first.

Gumbo?? Not in this Texas heat. Fried?? Too much work. Let’s try roasted!!

Yum! We could not get enough of it. The kids would not stop eating it… until I hid it. There was so much flavor in each bite. They were tender and crisp at the same time. It was so easy. I just sliced them into 1/2″ pieces and tossed them with enough olive oil to coat them, plus salt and pepper. Roast them in a 450* oven for about 20-25 minutes. mmmmmm. A yummy simple pleasure!

feed me!!