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{a halloween thirsty thursday : “creepy” but delicious — finger lime soda water}

finger-lime soda water…

a friend of mine gave me a sample of these delicious and interesting FINGER LIMES! yes, that is their name. and one can see why, eh?! they look like little nubby fingers…

perfect for halloween, i say!

after cutting one open, i remembered that i had tried them before! here’s part of the description i read :

“The globular juice vesicles inside these citrus fruits have been likened to a “lime caviar”, which can be used as a garnish or added to various recipes. The fresh vesicles have the effect of a burst of effervescent tangy flavour as they are chewed. The fruit juice is acidic and similar to that of a lime.”

those little vesicles are so fun to eat! they “pop” in your mouth and they flavour is intense!

the fruit itself is so interesting-looking! some of them are pink inside!

i made a little bubbly water with my sodastream and squeezed in some of the finger limes and their juices, along with these halloween-themed ice cubes.

it was super yummy!

of course, the adults could add in a little vodka or libation of choice… 😉

when i was a kid and i would be lucky enough to have a glass of soda as a treat, i used to sit there with my mom and be like, “check it out ma, the bubbles are taking the elevator to the top!” and she would giggle… and to this day i remember that and thought of it when these little vesicles floated to the top of this glass. 😉

ohhhh, that childhood imagination.

wishing you all a safe and happy halloween!

are you dressing up? and if so, as what?!

Tags: adult beverages, bubbles, creepy drinks, drinks, food and foto, food photography, fun, fun for adults, halloween, holidays, photography, recipes, sodastream, thirsty thursday, weekends, whatever

Comments 5 Comments
Categories blogging, food, food photography, fun, holidays, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{colourful pasta salad w/italian sausage}

28 Oct

happy wednesday, gang!

it seems like italian food, festivals, wine, and celebrations are everywhere i look this time of year… did i miss a memo!? anyway, i’m all for it. i love me some good pasta, and i used to be so intimated by cooking it… but not anymore!

i just wanted to share this pretty pasta dish i made recently… as the temps cool down, i will transition into more hearty foods like squash, soups, potatoes, root veggies, and the like… but for now, i am still holding on to lighter fare with dishes like this – a simple pasta salad with italian sausage.

red peppers
scallions
red onion
fresh tomatoes
black olives
parmigiano reggiano {the real stuff!}

cook and drain pasta of choice… these little orechiette {which means “little ear”} are so fun, so i chose them!

then simply chop up all your ingredients, and drizzle in your favourite vinaigrette like italian or french dressing… something with a little punch. toss all the ingredients together, sprinkle with tons of freshly-grated parmigiano reggiano… and admire the rainbow of food you’re about to eat!

this keeps well in the fridge and is a great option for batch-cooking for lunches, etc.

nom nom!

Tags: colourful, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, pasta, photography, recipes, simple

Comments 2 Comments
Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food photography, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{what goes great with oktoberfest beer?? — homemade sauerkraut!!}

23 Oct

ownin’ my german roots! 😉

i love love looooove making my own food. i especially love making things that are expensive to buy, but cheap to make. case and point : sauerkraut.

sauerkraut is one of my favourite things ever. it’s so good for you, and it’s been around for centuries… it’s one of those ancestral foods like homemade bone broth that has proven to be a staple for health in many ancient cultures for ages.

sauerkraut is FULL of healthy probiotics, which are essential for maintaining a healthy gut.

and it’s so super easy to make.

start by chopping up your cabbage, as thin as you want/can get it… i find it helps to quarter the cabbage first, then cut into strips. you want about 1.5 pounds per 1 tablespoon of salt. once that is complete, add it to a large bowl and begin “squishing” the cabbage and salt together using your hands.

this is another reason i love making sauerkraut – you get to play with your food! 😉 Continue reading →

Tags: ancestral foods, DIY, easy, eating, fermented foods, fermenting, food, food photography, health, healthy eating, healthy food, make your own food, photography, probiotics, raw diet, recipes, sauerkraut, simple, vegan, vegetarian

Comments 3 Comments
Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food photography, recipes, the food

{healthy homefries}

18 Aug

my grandpa used to say, “a potato will cure what ails ya…” and i’ve held on to his words over the years. i can hear him in the back of my head when i’m making mashed potatoes, or any variation of potatoes. i just happen to love them. probably in part due to my irish and german roots and also due to my grandma always teaching me how to stretch a dollar. the potato is an inexpensive food that is loaded with vitamins and minerals. when i was a kid, i used to chop them up into small bits, sprinkle them with salt, and eat them raw!

today, i eat them any way i can get them. lately, i’ve been making a potato hash, or potato homefries. it keeps well in the fridge, and you can make a huge batch and heat them up for breakfast or a side dish with dinner. top with a fresh egg, or dip in a little ranch dressing or ketchup… and nom nom!

i’ve been keeping it pretty simple with mine :

russet potatoes {they are simply heartier and healthier}
bell peppers {i choose red for the colour and vitamin c}
garlic {does wonders for immunity and the body!}
onion {red, again, because – eat the rainbow!}
S&P {i mean, can’t have potatoes without it}

simply heat up some oil or butter on medium to high heat and add in garlic, onions, bell peppers, and potatoes… then cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occaisonally. you want the potatoes to crisp up a little bit… but keep in mind, if you are batch-cooking them, you can reheat them later and crisp them up at that time.

super easy and simple. and you could even freeze these if you wanted to! but i doubt you will want to or have any left over, because they are just so yummy! 🙂

Tags: audrey michelle, cooking, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, healthy, homefries, photography, simple, vegan, vegetarian

Comments 7 Comments
Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food photography, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{burger lettuce wraps}

7 Aug

i love finger food. therefore, i love lettuce wraps.

i’m all about lettuce wraps these days. i feel like it’s my favourite new way to eat things – especially in the summertime! i find that during the warmer months, i tend to want to eat “lighter” foods, and lettuce wraps fit the bill perfectly!

also, sometimes i just don’t care for the heaviness of bread or sandwiches. i mean, don’t get me wrong… i’m an east-coast girl at heart and i love my sub sandwiches from the local deli! however, as i said – when it’s hot like it’s been here {in the upper 90’s}, i feel like my body simply wants lighter fare… and so i willingly oblige.

PLUS – the waistline seems to appreciate it when i skip the bread 😉

i made these “burger wraps” the other day when i was craving a burger but didn’t have time, energy, or the grill to make a burger with. so, i improvised. what i love about lettuce wraps is they can be utilized for just about anything. the lettuce leaves themselves are the perfect vehicle to transport yumminess from plate to mouth to tummy.

in this recipe, i started with red lettuce leaves. i chose red because {especially} when it comes to food, in my book – the more colour, the better.

my method is simple : chop up some fresh tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles, and any other toppings you may want on a burger. then, simply brown some grass-fed ground beef on medium-to-high heat and add in a little S&P. finally, pile your toppings one-by-one onto your yummy lettuce wrap and then finish with some mustard and/or ketchup. i personally love both on my burgers. Continue reading →

Tags: beer, burger wraps, cooking, drinks, eating, finger food, food, food and foto, food photography, gluten-free, lettuce wraps, paleo, photography, recipes, session lager, simple, weekends

Comments 2 Comments
Categories food, food photography, photography, recipes, the food

{before & after}

24 Jul

simple pasta w/ chix & veg

fusilli, roasted chicken, caramelized onions, green peppers, olives, and fresh tomatoes…

Tags: batch-cooking, before and after, comfort food, cooking, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, healthy, pasta, pics, simple, whatever

Comments 2 Comments
Categories food, food photography, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie

{“drink the rainbow” : berry-cream vitamix smoothie!}

16 Jul

it’s been a while since i’ve done a post about a vitamix smoothie! however, it’s that time of year when i find myself wanting to eat a little less and drink a little more. the heat of the summer causes us to sweat out toxins and i find that my body craves the freshness of a cold fruit smoothie to help replenish vital minerals.

berry-cream vitamix smoothie : frozen blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and peaches, with fresh dates and coconut milk

do you sometimes do what i do?

…catch myself feeling guilty for not drinking more smoothies, so i’ll run out and buy a bunch of stuff to make them with, but then i don’t make nearly as many smoothies as i said i would, and those yummy ingredients go bad in the fridge. and nothing upsets me more than wasting food! {and money, for that matter!}

well, may i suggest something i do in order to avoid wasting precious resources?! just keep canned or boxed coconut milk in the house and/or fridge! you can purchase coconut milk in aseptic {shelf-stable} containers. why coconut milk? well, i personally prefer coconut milk for the healthy fat content as well as the the fact that the coconut is pretty much one of the most amazing things on the planet! not only is coconut milk loaded with vitamins and minerals, it’s also great for your heart, your hair, your skin, your nails… shall i go on?! furthermore, i’ve created the habit of freezing any overripe fruits that i buy, and that way i always have the two main ingredients i need to make a smoothie!

of course, you can also add in spinach or kale to get a little extra vitamins and nutrients. for this concoction, i kept it pure and simple. just frozen blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and peaches blended with fresh dates and coconut milk. it’s light and fresh and only gently sweet. dates are nature’s candy! they are loaded with potassium and create a little sweetness without adding in unnecessary calories or sugar. and this smoothie is perfectly refreshing on a hot summer afternoon!

drink the rainbow!

Tags: colourful, drink the rainbow, drinking, drinks, food and foto, food photography, health, healthy, juice, juicing, photography, simple, smoothies, summer, vitamix

Comments 3 Comments
Categories blogging, food, food photography, life, photography, recipes, the foodie, the foto, vitamix

{meatless mondays : red quinoa with grape tomatoes, fresh corn, and black beans}

6 Jul

this {vegan} dish is totally protein-packed and nutrient-rich. i just love quinoa, don’t you?!

and did you know that quinoa is considered a complete protein… which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids. this makes it a wonderful protein-source for vegans. the black beans in this recipe add in healthy fiber, which is a great combination with the quinoa!

i can eat these grape tomatoes like candy!

and believe it or not, colorado boasts growing some of the best sweet corn in the US!

summer is for corn!!!! Continue reading →

Tags: clean-eating, cooking, corn, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, healthy, photography, quinoa, recipes, simple, summer, vegan, vegetarian

Comments 9 Comments
Categories food, food photography, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie

{red white and blue… cookies!}

2 Jul

i made these yummy cookies in 2012 for the holiday, and it’s become a tradition ever since.

it’s no secret to those who know me well, that i am not a good baker. i can whip up things in the kitchen over a skillet pretty amazingly, but one can’t “wing it” when baking… it is a legit science! and i respect that… i just can’t seem to nail it.

but i did with these cookies! Continue reading →

Tags: 4th of july, america, baking, blogging, colourful, cookies, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, festive, food, food and foto, food photography, fun, holidays, life, photography, recipes, weekends, whatever

Comments 6 Comments
Categories blogging, food, food photography, fun, holidays, life, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie

{light & simple fusilli pasta salad with roasted chicken and fresh veggies}

17 Apr

i love to make this dish… and quite often, too! it’s simple, healthy, colourful, and great as a make-ahead meal to have on-hand for lunches. furthermore, it is an easy to dish to batch-cook… a great choice to take to potlucks or BBQs. it has a lot of fun “crunch” and texture, which we all know i love and enjoy, and as always, you can control the ingredients. i simply buy a roasted chicken from the market whenever they are on sale… then i eat some, shred the rest, and save it for a dish like this or to throw on salads.

i always try to eat something raw with every meal i have – whether it’s a large salad with some warm soup and bread, a ripe banana in my oatmeal, or fresh avocado slices on top of my scrambled eggs – i always try to incorporate raw ingredients. i believe it’s important to balance out a dish with raw components that only fresh vegetables or fruits can offer. what i also love about this dish, is that it can be served hot or cold – it’s great both ways! i love it when my food is versatile 😉

and you can add in whatever veggies you want, really. mix it up with cooked and raw veggies… i would like to try this dish with some fresh spring peas, roasted garlic, and blanched asparagus – to celebrate the season!

———

fusilli with roasted chicken and fresh veggies:

– 16 oz cooked fusilli pasta, drained and set aside {reserve 1/4 cup starchy water}

– shredded roasted chicken {about 1 cup}

– veggies {about a quarter cup for each} :

~black olives

~cucumbers

~red onion

~mushrooms

~tomatoes

~corn

~purple cabbage

———

combine all ingredients and mix together. drizzle in reserved starchy water {this will help “marry” the pasta to the veggies}. add in dressing of choice {i opted for a french vinaigrette} and some S&P to taste. sprinkle in some dried herbs, if you wish…

and… “eat the rainbow” 🙂

make a big ol’ batch and take some to work for lunch!

nom nom…

Tags: batch-cooking, cooking, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, healthy, make-ahead meals, photography, recipes, salads, simple

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Categories blogging, food, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{healthy batch-cooking}

11 Feb

it seems like this is the time of year when everyone promises to “eat healthier!” and so with that in mind, i’m going to write about a little something that helped me change my diet by creating better eating habits and healthier decisions.

i’m referring to BATCH COOKING.

working in the food industry all these years has really helped me learn how to be a better at-home cook. i wasn’t even much of a cook until recently… i’d say within the last 5 years i really discovered my love for cooking. it actually is relaxing to me… chopping, stirring, mixing, tasting… all of it makes me feel good.

anyway – between wacky work scheduling, random one-day sales on groceries, and not having a vehicle -something I’ve kind of had to learn to do well is batch-cook. i find it’s much easier for me to spend an afternoon preparing a bunch of food for the week than trying to figure out how i’m going to get three daily meals in during my regular work week. i was first introduced to the idea of “batch-cooking” when i was working at whole foods market. i had never really thought about preparing food ahead of time… it just wasn’t something i had considered. but the more i thought about it, the more sense it made… especially at the time, when i was working the night shift. i simply didn’t have enough time in my day to cook at home as much.

that has all changed, though. now it’s become a regular thing for me to batch-cook at least 2-3 things each week. i don’t plan my meals before shopping, i let the food guide me. when i shop, i simply look for what’s fresh – as well as local and organic. sometimes i’m inspired right on the spot and sometimes i wait until i get home and look at what i got and create dishes based on that and what i have in my pantry.

every week is different. i don’t {and due to where i used to live, couldn’t} rely on being able to get anything i want at any time i want… which is a much different mentality then my days living in manhattan. but it keeps my diet much healthier because i know what i am buying didn’t have to travel very far and therefore is much fresher, and it keeps me eating in tune with nature and the seasons.

here are a few pics of some dishes i batch-cooked recently :

slow-cooked smoked ham hocks w/ green beans and leeks…

herb-stuffed roasted chicken and veggies…

savory mushroom soup {with homemade beef broth}…

dehydrated {rainbow} bell peppers…

bacon and brussels…

my mom’s recipe : hearty beef vegetable stew… ❤

candied carrots, sautéed cabbage and bacon, garlic and onion kaniwa, and red kuri risotto…

i also have been LOVING these purple sweet potatoes! i like to bake 3-4 at a time and just bust them out when i’m ready for one. they freeze really well, too!

—

do you batch-cook? what are some of your favourite make-ahead meals? i love to hear from you, so comment below and let me know what you think!

Tags: audrey michelle, batch-cooking, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, healthy, new years, preparing meals, recipes

Comments 9 Comments
Categories food, photography, recipes, the food

{eat the rainbow : purple sweet potatoes}

11 Dec

i get super excited when i see a rainbow on my plate. it just makes me happy to eat COLOUR! and these wonderful bright purple sweet potatoes please both the palate and the eye.

i love how they grow in weird shapes, too.

have you ever had a purple sweet potato? i was first introduced to them many years ago at whole foods, as they tend to get the “cool” produce a lot. since then i have been seeing them in mainstream supermarkets and grocery stores, as well. unlike purple potatoes, these do not lose colour when you cook them. in fact, they get BRIGHTER! it’s the coolest thing. Continue reading →

Tags: cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food is cool, food photography, organics, photography, produce, purple sweet potatoes, recipes, seasonal eating, seasonal produce

Comments 4 Comments
Categories food, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{homemade nutrient-dense beef bone broth}

7 Dec

it seems like bone broth is all the rage these days. everyone is talking about it, bloggers are writing about it, and i see articles in random magazines about it, too. i also find it funny that food has like, fads. i mean – i figure diets have fads because that is essentially what “dieting” is… but it just tickles me when i notice certain “food trends”… you know what i mean?! nevertheless, i’d be lying if i didn’t say i recently jumped on the bandwagon regarding bone broth. 😛

———

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH BONE BROTH, ANYWAY?!

– bone broth is ancestral food – our grandma’s grandmas probably made it all the time!

– bone broth contains many nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus.

– bone broth is also high in beauty-supporting collagen and amino acids.

– bone broth is comforting, and great for those days we feel “under the weather.”

– bone broth supports a healthy gut and intestinal-lining.

– bone broth contains joint-supporting gelatin, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

– bone broth is very cost-effective and you can control the ingredients when you make it yourself!

———

anyway, my cute little store sells beef bones with the marrow included, which is what you want for making broth. i’ve read several articles and books about the benefits of ancient cooking and bone broth is something that always seems to be at the top of the list for overall health-boosting properties. i usually opt for a veggie broth when i am stocking the pantry. however, i couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make something new from scratch. i just love to create things. plus, understanding the health benefits of bone broth make it extra appealing to me.

after perusing several recipes and suggestions, i did what audrey typically does and i created my own version of bone broth. this entire batch {which made about a gallon} cost me around $4.00. try comparing that to the stocks or broths you find in the store… it simply doesn’t. nor does the nutritional value.

ingredient guidelines for bone broth :

– 2 lbs grass-fed beef bones

– 2 large carrots, chopped

– 2 celery stalks, chopped

– 1 yellow onion, chopped

– 3 cloves garlic, chopped

– 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

– 3 or 4 sprigs fresh parsley {optional}

– 1 bay leaf {optional}

Continue reading →

Tags: ancestral food, audrey michelle, batch-cooking, bone broth, broth, comfort food, cooking, easy, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, healthy, healthy eating, nutrient-dense, paleo, photography, simple, soup

Comments 10 Comments
Categories food, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{red kuri squash risotto}

3 Dec

it’s comfort-food season!

i will preface this post by saying that this dish, albeit exquisite, took a little time to make. typically i prefer my meals to be a little more “easy breezy” to prepare… however, this one is oh-so-worth the time and effort!

and let me reiterate – this dish is absolutely DIVINE! i totally love risotto any way i can get it, really… it’s one of my staple dishes, for sure. when i discovered this new squash, i was inspired to fuse it with some risotto and eventually make it into risotto balls.

risotto is hearty and filling while still being gluten-free, which i kind of love. the red kuri squash is in its prime season right now and it is just beautiful! full of vitamin a {that lovely colour!} and potassium [like most squash}, it added so much flavour to this amazing dish!

red kuri squash is delicious on its own, too. the flavour is reminiscent of chestnuts, and the flesh has a rich and creamy consistency when cooked.

risotto itself is very simple, it’s just a little time consuming to make. the ratio for making risotto is about 1:4 – one cup rice to 4 cups liquid. you can use a blend of water and broth or just water or just broth. i tend to mix it up a little, but typically i use broth. the key {and magical} ingredient in making risotto is white wine. you can use any ol’ wine – cooking wine, cheap stuff at the liquor store, whatever. but it must be dry and it must be included! the wine gives the risotto TONS of flavour and really rounds out the dish. Continue reading →

Tags: cooking, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, gluten-free, photography, recipes, risotto, seasonal, seasonal recipes, squash, vegetarian

Comments 8 Comments
Categories food, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{seasonal eating : wild chanterelle mushrooms}

27 Oct

i looooooove mushrooms, did you know this?! it was amazing to discover that some mushrooms grow WILD up here in the high country. morels, boletus, and chanterelles, to name a few. and they are all something special. when we received some wild chanterelles at the store, i eagerly nabbed some up so i could try them for the first time. they are only available for a short time, and many of the “professional” foragers are extremely secretive about their “finding spots” – and who can blame them!!?? – they sell for upwards of $20.00 a pound! we had a very rainy august here in the valley, and that made for some ideal mushroom hunting-and-gathering!

the peak season for chanterelles is in the fall… we have had a little frost in the mornings lately, so i’m kind of assuming they’re done for the year… but i could be wrong. i’m also just a little late in posting this blog 😛

i most likely have had chanterelle mushrooms at some point in my life and not realized it. i’m sure at some fancy dinner in NYC, i had a couple in a dish once… but i wanted to truly truly taste the mushroom – being a purist and all – so i simply sauteed them in some awesome local pasture butter.

i sauteed the golden fungi for about 15 minutes, until they were nice and aromatic… then poured the whole mixture over a yummy baked russet potato…

it was a taste of heaven…

do you like mushrooms? have you had chanterelles? what is your favourite mushroom??

Tags: chanterelle mushrooms, chanterelles, colorado, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodie, foraging, mushrooms, organics, photography, recipes, rocky mountains, seasonal, seasonal eating, wild

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Categories blogging, colorado, food, life, mountains, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{homemade sauerkraut}

13 Oct

i’ve been wanting to try to make my own sauerkraut for a while now… as i’ve mentioned in the past, i’ll get on these kicks where i’m all like, “i can make that!” and i think that i can make TIME multiply and have more of it so i can actually MAKE all the stuff i say i can make… silly me.

anyway, luckily this whole sauerkraut making process is super easy and not nearly as time consuming as one may think. well, the actual “making” of it takes a little while, but preparing it does not. it’s quite fun, too. you get your hands involved and you get to “play” with your food, which i always enjoy. 😉 plus, it’s oktoberfest!! and i’m part german, so it’s high time i learn how to make this amazing stuff so every october i can eat it. just kidding, that’s not my only motive. sauerkraut is one of the oldest fermented foods out there. and it’s one of those things that is actually pretty inexpensive to make on your own, but for whatever reason, can be kind of expensive to buy. this small batch didn’t cost me much. i had the salt at home, and this head of organic cabbage was $2. it’s loaded with probiotics and because it’s cabbage, it naturally contains a prebiotic as well. it’s just really awesome stuff. we should all eat more sauerkraut… in my humble opinion.

i digress.

as i said, the process is very simple. and so are the ingredients :

– one medium head of cabbage {organic, if possible}

– 1 1/2 tbsp salt {i chose himalayan pink salt}

– large glass container or fermenting crock {as clean as you can get it}

begin by quartering cabbage and then chopping into “ribbons.” add salt and begin to work in the salt using your hands. this is the fun part. you can literally {with clean hands, of course} squish and squeeze the cabbage all around. this will eventually cause the cabbage to wilt from working the salt in.

it’s quite amazing how it works, and it’s just oh-so-fun. Continue reading →

Tags: audrey michelle, autumn, cooking, DIY, easy, eating, fall foods, fermenting, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, kiss, october, octoberfest, oktoberfest, organic, photography, recipes, sauerkraut, simple

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Categories blogging, food, life, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{fried green tomatoes}

1 Oct

happy october! are you loving the fall colours where you live?! this is my favourite time of year – i just love autumn! it’s also when i was born, so i feel most alive during this season. i’ve also been feeling very lethargic and sleepy… but i suppose that just comes with the change in season and light. i kind of wish i could just hibernate all winter… snuggle with callee more and eat tons of comfort food.

i’ve been wanting to make fried green tomatoes for a while now… what, being born in the south and all, it only seemed fitting. i can’t believe i had never tried to make them before! have you?! when i spotted these perfect tomatoes, i was inspired and excited. so – i practiced the KISS method :

oh.so.simple.

and beautiful.

AND delicious!!!!

i fried my green tomatoes in real sweet cream butter after slicing them about 1/3 inch thick, then dipping them in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs with a little S&P. i finished the ‘maters off with a topping of freshly-grated parmigiano reggiano. super simple, super easy, and super yummy!

Tags: autumn, colorado, comfort food, cooking, easy, eating, fall, farm to table, food, food and foto, food photography, fried green tomatoes, kiss, local food, photography, recipes, simple, vegetarian, whatever, whatever wednesday

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Categories blogging, colorado, food, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto, whatever

{mini caprese stacks}

10 Sep

finger food is my favourite! i believe in touching and playing with your food!! 😉

and i’m kind of obsessed with tomatoes… i eat them with almost every meal, it seems. i love the colourful variety of them. little, big, funky shaped, speckled… deep colours, bright colours…

i especially love to make little snacks with tomatoes – any way i can.

and so, i present to you… the most adorable mini-caprese stacks ever. at least by my standards.

😉 Continue reading →

Tags: audrey michelle, caprese, easy, eating, farm to table, farm-fresh, food, food and foto, food photography, photography, recipes, simple, snacks, tomatoes, vegetarian

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Categories blogging, colorado, food, life, photography, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{“i can make that!” – coconut flax granola}

17 Jul

i get on these kicks where i think i have all the free time in the world to constantly be making my own food… particularly, easy snacks. i’m such a label-reader, that i’ll look at the ingredients and be like, “i can make that!” 😛

this time, it was granola.

i had a gigantic container of organic rolled oats sitting around, waiting to be turned into breakfast vitamix cookies, but i kept forgetting to buy jelly! so as i was grocery shopping the other day, it came to me. “dude, audrey – you should totally make your own granola!” what inspired this was my other new favourite obsession right now – yoghurt. i know it’s nothing new to a lot of you, but i never much cared for yoghurt and suddenly – just like sauerkraut, and eggs – i can’t seem to get enough yoghurt. so – i was completely stoked when i saw my favourite brand, noosa had introduced a coconut flavour!!! holy smokes dude. AHH–MAZING! and i love noosa because they use milk from pasture-based cows. LOVE THAT!

anyway, to bring it all full circle, i was like, “self, you should just buy some coconut flakes {super cheap} and use some pantry items to create your own granola to compliment this amazing yoghurt discovery!” {sometimes i do talk to myself like that} and so i did it – i bought some organic coconut flakes for about $2.00 and had the rest of the ingredients at home. as per usual, i didn’t exactly measure – so i don’t have an actual recipe for you, but if i can wing it, you can wing it! 😉

ORGANIC HOMEMADE COCONUT FLAX GRANOLA :

– rolled oats

– maple syrup

– vanilla extract

– coconut oil

– flax seeds

– coconut flakes Continue reading →

Tags: coconut, cooking, DIY, easy, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodography, fun, granola, healthy, healthy eating, homemade, photography, recipes, simple, snacks, vegan, vegetarian

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Categories food, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{“progressive one-pot” make-ahead meals : buffalo sausage w/ zucchini, red peppers, and sauerkraut}

22 Jun

this meal was a total inspiration from a co-worker who i spotted eating this on his lunch break at least twice last week. so – i totally begged him to give me the recipe. i added my own variations, of course… and you can make as much or as little as you want, but the base is simple :

– sausage of choice {i picked buffalo andouille from the buffalo guys – they have great ethics!}

– zucchini {cut into 1-2 inch strips}

– red peppers {also cut into 1-2 inch strips}

– sauerkraut {i chose bubbies brand}

and, i chose to add in a handful of shredded carrots because i had them around… and about a cup of kelp noodles, which i’ve written about here.

Continue reading →