May 2011

Plate to Page Workshop

May 26, 2011
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Have you ever lived through one of those singular moments in time where you look back and know that was the definitive moment that changed everything? I have experienced a couple in my lifetime – and while it’s only been a few days, I’m pretty sure last weekend was one of those moments. You see, last weekend I went to beautifully historic Weimar, Germany to the inaugural session of Plate to Page: a three day food writing, styling and photography workshop run by four incredible women – Jeanne, Ilva, Jamie and Meeta.

I and the other eleven participants were excited as we first introduced ourselves that Friday afternoon, but surely we weren’t expecting the utterly transforming experience that would unfold over the course of the weekend. That’s right. Three days, four instructors, twelve participants. And what an intense and incredible weekend it was! Every minute packed with activities, the instructors definitely put the “work” into workshop – they pushed us, challenged us, worked with us, helped us, critiqued us, laughed with us, shared with us, encouraged us, drank with us, cooked with us, inspired us, and many smiles and hugs were had throughout the weekend.

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Early Morning Poached Eggs & Tomatoes

May 24, 2011
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Are you a morning person?? I’m a reluctant morning person.  Usually doing my best not to throw my ipod across the room as the purposely annoying ring drags me out of the sweet nothingness that was sleep, leaving me to stumble out of bed and fumble for the buttons on the coffee maker, totally useless [...]

36 comments

Daring Cooks Make Gumbo

May 14, 2011
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Today marks exactly two years since we Daring Cooks intrepidly revealed our first cooking challenge to the world, and every month since has been an eventful, educational (and sometimes stressful) trip across various techniques and cuisines. I am sad to say this shrimp & sausage gumbo will be my 20th and last Daring Cooks challenge that I present to you – the past 24 months have been wonderful, but I have to move on – Daring Cooks was an amazing experience, and did wonders to help me grow with my skills in the kitchen, new techniques, and above all creativity (especially when it came to making some of the challenges gluten free!).

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Tomato & Chevre Crostini

May 9, 2011
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I grew up in a small town.  When I was in high school, I think most of my social activities out with friends included some conversation along the lines of “There’s nothing to do in this town, I’m so freaking tired of the same old same old!”  Wow how short sighted we were back then, [...]

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Banana, Apple and Currant Scones, Gluten Free

May 4, 2011
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Wow I cannot believe that we are on to our third ratio rally event already!  This month, Lauren of Celiac Teen challenged us to make gluten free scones – and after my horrible biscuit failure the other week trying to make strawberry shortcake, I have to say I was a little nervous. But we are [...]

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The Essentials of Guacamole

May 1, 2011
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My baby sister is growing up!  It’s really hard not to think of her as a cute little kid, she’s always been my baby sister.  We’re five years apart you see, and while that isn’t such a difference now, it really was a lot when we were young.  She may have had her antics that [...]

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