Vegan Snack: Walnut, Cilantro, and Jalapeno Pesto

For the first time, I am attempting a pseudo cleanse (via veganism) until Christmas. It's only been a couple of days and I really miss cheese, but I assume that will get easier as the days go by.

My amazing Aunt Paula made things easy on me, unknowingly, and brought a jalapeno, cilantro, and walnut pesto dip that is so delicious and simple that it's out of control. It has a thick, creamy, satisfying texture that I often associate with non-vegan foods. I think I'll be eating this quite a bit over the next month. We ate it with crackers and sliced jicama, but I think it'd compliment just about anything "dip-able."

Cilantro image source.

You can find a recipe here, or simply by typing "jalapeno, cilantro, and walnut pesto" into your search bar.

Earrings

Here's a little peak into what I've been up to when not entertaining my boss (she's 7 months old now, by the way--she's mobile!). The pieces are slowly coming together, but eventually my shop will open. And these will find new homes.

1. Burned natural wood earrings.

2. Earrings made of suede scraps.

3. My messy little craft corner.

Family Feasts

 It was a busy long weekend of food and family. After a fun day in Peoria with Jake's HUGE family, we hosted my TINY family in our apartment. All minor issues aside (like the turkey not being cooked the first time around), it went without a hitch. I made a pretty traditional holiday feast to see if I was capable. Turns out, I mostly am.

After almost a whole week of feeling over-full with fatty foods, I've decided to go vegan for the stretch of time between now and Christmas. The goal is to focus on fruits, veggies, and nuts with some occasional beans and quinoa for protein. Wish me luck! And please, share some of your favorite vegan snack foods. Snacks are always what ruin me!

PS- It's Cyber Monday, so be sure to spend your dollars at places like etsy, Renegade, and Big Cartel! Those big box stores don't need your money.

Believe it or not, that male body form and the plate tectonics print have finally been hung in their appropriate homes. The clutter seen in so many photos has finally been cleared. Sometimes it just takes a little rushed desperation (in the form of family visitors).

Dress: Thrifted while in Iowa, then shortened. I thought the dark corduroy would make the perfect fall dress. $5.00

Shoes: Favorite fall boots with faux shearling on the inside. Vintage, $4.00

Tights: So old I'm calling them free.

Bow: Included in a giant bag of hair accessories, $.10

Approximate Total: $9.10

Happy Day of Feasting with Loved Ones!

Jake and I are headed to Southern Illinois to spend the day with his family, and then hosting our own dinner for the first time as a family on Saturday. We're in the center of my Iowa and Indiana family, so we'll be feeding eight. YIKES. We bought a decent supply of beer from the brewery around the corner to keep everyone happy and entertained. I'm thrilled to have my dad, his sister, and the rest of our family to my home here for the first time.

If I'm not around tomorrow, have a perfect weekend.

Thrift Bounty

Chicago can hold its own in thrift stores, but nothing compares to Cedar Rapids. We made a special trip to two Goodwills when we visited a couple weekends ago. Goodwill of the Heartland is one of few Goodwill regions in the Nation that hires and trains people who face obstacles to regular employment. Go, Goodwill of the Heartland, go!

Each item below is vintage.

Key-shaped key hook. This fulfills a somewhat desperate need in our home, where keys can never be found.

Brass grasshopper. Brasshopper.

Mail organizer in a beautiful copper color, with gorgeous detail. Also fulfills a pretty desperate need.

Four matching glass jars, topped with my favorite shade of orange. I can't wait to fill these with beans, rice, orzo, and quinoa!

Pyrex carafe for keeping spare toddy, and a vintage crank grinder made of glass. Unfortunately it is no longer very functional, but it is stinkin' cute and will make a good receptacle for toothpicks or something of the like.

Outfit 11/18

Dress: Vintage nightie, bought for its print and precious lace bib and due for an altering, $5.00

Tights: Big box super clearance, $3.00

Shoes: my mom's from the 80's and in perfect condition!

Approximate total: $8.00

Leslie's French Onion Soup "Recipe"

Last week, Thursday specifically, I went on a bit of a cooking spree. It's my favorite way to spend a day off.


After drooling over the idea of french onion soup with the roommate, and then witnessing a friend devour a good lookin' cup the following weekend...the time came. I requested my mom's recipe, one that is superbly savory and is a real flavor punch to the mouth. It's more like an onion stew than a brothy soup, but a little sweet without being bitter or overwhelming.





Here is the "recipe" she sent me, unedited (though I included  a few personal notes in small italics):


Leslie's French Onion Soup

lots of different onions (enough to fill dutch oven)

garlic

butter and olive oil

marjoram

thyme

lea and perrins (good amt) Worcestershire sauce

bay leaf x 2

beef consomme x 2   I subsituted with a box of organic beef broth

beef broth (lots)

dry sherry (add into soup when mixing)

touch of white wine (about ½ cup)  I used about half of the bottle...rather, I used the whole bottle, but the other half went directly into my drinking chalice.

salt and pepper 

swiss/gruyere/mozzerella

parmesan

toasted french bread

*texted addendum from my mom: "take the time to caramelize the onions. it takes a long time over medium heat, but it adds a ton of flavor. the white wine and lea & perrins are absolutely essential!"

The lack of quantity and order of operations was a little daunting, as I've never made this soup before, but I succeeded despite my recipe adversity! Fortunately, as an only child, I spent a lot of time helping my mom cook and understand her cooking style. Extra garlic, extra pepper, and taste taste taste!

If you think you might want to try this out, I can absolutely estimate for you the quantities I used. Still, I think it's a fun challenge to gather the ingredients and do a little flavor problem-solving.

Above is only half of the amount of onions we used, which totaled about 5lbs in the end. We caramelized them in two batches to make things easier.

I also made very, very delicious and very, very ugly spanakopita (Greek spinach & feta pie), combining these two recipes I found on Punchfork. Three observations: 1) Phyllo dough is hard to work with! 2) Lemon juice in the filling is an essential special touch, but I skipped the nutmeg and parsley 3) Resist the temptation to take it out of the oven until all of it is a really nice golden brown.