Spring is here! Okay maybe not really, but we’ve been getting some unseasonably nice weather in Washington, while so many of my friends in other states are getting the crazy weather we usually have. So I thought I’d share a drink that’s sure to make anyone in any location feel like spring is on the way. Fresh cucumber juice is so simple to make, and it’s a beautiful fancy drink that’s perfect for parties. Plus it’s alcohol free!
For this month’s 24, 24, 24 event I proposed preparing food for a big party using ingredients that were locally produced, grown, and made. Some ingredients I used were ones that I canned or froze over the summer months. But most of the ingredients were ones that I bought this week, and in season. It was a lot of fun talking with farmers and vendors about what’s in season during the cold month of December, and what’s available locally. Eric and I were getting pretty excited about being locavores, and are considering trying a month of only eating local because of the bounty of local food in Washington. Here’s a video of the local producers and the party.
Would you vote for me to get to demo my recipe at the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival? Just click Buzz It for my Shrimp Alfredo Baskets.
I’ve been wanting a Vietnamese coffee pot or press for about 10 years and never bought one for some reason. But as I mentioned in my sushi post, I got a giftcard to AsianFoodGrocer and was thrilled when I saw their Vietnamese coffee set. In fact it was the first thing I put in my virtual shopping cart. If you’ve never had Thai coffee, or had it but never made your own, don’t be silly like me and wait 10 years to get a pot! In case you’re unsure, let me show you how to make Thai Coffee, and then I’ll give you not one but TWO recipes using Vietnamese Coffee, because I can’t stop at just coffee.
Alright, yesterday was my first day back at work after vacation, I feel like I’m back in the real world again. Not so fun, but necessary. Two things that can help you get through vacation rebound? Reliving your time off through photos, and refreshingly tropical treats. I’ll have some posts over the next couple weeks about our vacation interspersed with regular recipes. To kick off the post vacation posts, I’ve got some photos from Foodportunity, a neat idea of freezing tropical fruit puree that I got from Kiran (Help, I saw this idea on someone’s blog who commented here recently but didn’t bookmark it you made popscicles and called them lollies, let me know so I can link to you!), and the amazing and incredible vegan smoothie I made with the fruity ice cubes.
Every month Foodbuzz asks its featured publishers to submit proposals for an event for 24, 24, 24. I have been wanting to throw an authentic luau or pa’ina since moving from Hawaii to Washington, so a little over 3 years now. But it’s expensive to do! So this month, I decided to submit it as a proposal and was absolutely thrilled when they chose me. Then I realized that we would be getting back from vacation three days before the required party date, which left me only two days to get everything ready. I began making tons of lists of recipes, ingredients, stores, music and more to prepare. Thankfully, the party was a huge success, with a great mix of family and friends, some of whom are also from Hawaii and were excited to get some ono grindz (good food!). We even got to wear our super cute matching touristy outfits that people on the mainland don’t know are touristy! Here’s my original proposal to Foodbuzz.
