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{inspired by : sungold spaghetti}

well, summer is gone and we are in the autumn months and slowly transitioning into winter… and as the seasons change, so does my palate and therefore, what i enjoy to cook and eat.

i recently decided to leave the social media world for a while. it’s just too much and it’s not what i signed up for. i only mention that because sometimes i did enjoy getting inspired by other foodies while scrolling and sifting through the mostly nonsense, and i found the recipe for this dish. it is one of my new favourites that i now eat on the regular. it was particularly awesome to make it when i was able to grow my own tomatoes.

i miss having a garden so much it hurts.

this dish is so simple to make. i was so happy to see that i could find sungold tomatoes at my local grocery store since i am not able to grow my own. they are so wonderful! they are like natures candy… sweet and tangy… and if i’m not mistaken, they are less acidic than regular tomatoes (which is really important to me at this time in my life.) they are so juicy and they pop and burst in your mouth and make a delicious sauce! when i saw they were on sale in the late summer, i bought a bunch with the intention of making some of this sauce to freeze so i could enjoy it during the approaching wintertime. it freezes really well and during the cold months, is so comforting, refreshing, and satisfying.

ingredients are simple, as always – measuring with your heart :

sungold tomatoes
sweet onion
garlic
olive oil
spaghetti or pasta of choice (thin spaghetti is the food and foto choice)

i think the key with this recipe is to make sure not to use too much of the onion and garlic. you really want the tomato to be the star. the aromatics help with overall flavour, but we don’t want to overpower the delicate taste of these beautiful summery golden tomatoes.

the best method i’ve found is to add the onion, garlic, and tomatoes to a bit of olive oil in a sauce pan and simmer very slowly, adding a bit of water as to avoid any burning. the tomatoes will eventually burst and create a wonderful base for the sauce.

once the tomatoes are fully cooked, transfer to a blender and marry all those flavours together. cook the pasta until al dente, then add in a bit of starchy cooking water to the fragrant sauce and then add in the noodles. remove from heat and top with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano. transfer to a bowl and finish with (homemade) croutons and fresh parsley. *chefs kiss*

usually i have a small cucumber salad on the side… nom nom.

this really is a dish for tomato lovers!

have you ever tried sungold tomatoes? shoutout to daphne oz for the inspo on this! she’s just so classy and such a foodie!

Tags: cooking, easy, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food blogger, food photography, foodie, foodnfoto, foodography, inspiration, recipes, simple, sungold, sungold tomatoes, tomatoes, yum

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Categories cooking, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, the food, the foodie

{pastini AKA italian penicillin}

17 Oct

oh! we are officially in soup season and this foodie girl couldn’t be happier. 🙂

autumn is my favourite time of year when i feel like i thrive the most! although, i admit i do not love the change of light and losing of light and such, but i do love the food and the smells and the colours and the leaves and the slowing down…

mostly, i love making soups and so now is the time i will enjoy them more often. during summer months, when frequenting the farmers markets and local farm stands, i tend to stock up on fresh veggies (and/or delightful friends gift them to me), make my own broth, and create tons of soup to enjoy during the winter months.

this is such a lovely simple dish that is apparently a staple in many italian kitchens. it’s a way to get extra nutrients in your diet without actually eating vegetables, it’s a way to sneak in vegetables to kiddos, and it’s super health-conscious and fantastic as we move into the fall and winter seasons.

for me, the hardest part was finding the pasta shape. this teeny tiny pasta shape {pastina} is what makes this dish so special. it just feels so comforting and easy to eat and almost nostalgic. that’s kind of what i love about ancestral food… there’s just something so special about the simplicity of these comfort foods and how they’ve been passed down from generation to generation.

it all starts with the basic mirepoix blend… simmered in chicken stock {homemade is best – although this one is beef, i also make it with chicken} and cook until the veggies are tender. next, remove veggies from the stock and blend with a bit of the liquid. add mixture back into the pot with the pasta and cook until desired consistency. sometimes i add water or more broth. typically what i do is make the mirepoix blend ahead of time and freeze. then when i’m ready to serve, i heat the mixture and add the pasta as to not overcook. either way, basically it’s delicious no matter how you serve it.

finish with a healthy topping of freshly grated parmigiana reggiana and fresh parsley. sometimes i also add homemade croutons for a bit of crunch and extra flavour. nom nom! slurp slurp!

have you ever had this classic italian dish? do you add variations to it? i hope you try it sometime, it may change your life! 🙂

Tags: ancestral food, comfort food, cooking, eat the rainbow, food, food and foto, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, healing foods, healthy eating, immunity foods, Italian food, keep it simple, mirepoix, nom nom, pastini, recipes, seasonal cooking, simple, soups, yum

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Categories cooking, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, recipes, the food, the foodie

{sally salad volume 2}

24 Sep

as many of you already know, i am sometimes referred to as “sally salad” because well… as the kids are saying these days, IYKYK. 😛

i created this big salad a couple weeks ago for a gathering and people often comment on how good my salads are. to be honest, i’m actually not sure why haha. it could be because of the dressing i use {it’s kind of a trade secret but i don’t gate-keep – so feel free to comment or ask}. that said, what i feel may be the case, is that i put a lot of love into food that I prepare/cook. it is truly a love language for me. it’s like – being in the kitchen is one of the only ways i feel i have any sort of control most of the time. i get to create on my own terms, in my own way, with my own rules, on my own time. and i deeply love that… especially in todays world. but also, i truly do enjoy sharing food with others and so i tend to believe that people can feel that when they eat the food i make. it’s a beautiful thing, really.

so anyway here’s a pretty salad i recently made 🙂

starts with a bed of super crispy romaine lettuce… with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, carrots, celery, sweet onions, fresh parsley. sometimes i like to add cabbage or artichokes… or in this case, i did add a little heat with some peperoncinos. always finished with my favourite champagne vinaigrette. very much the epitome of “eat the rainbow” 🙂

nom nom!

Tags: 100 mile diet, eat the rainbow, eating, farm to table, food, food and foto, food is pretty, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, keep it seriously simple, kiss, local, salad, sally salad, simple

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Categories eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, lifestyle, nutrition, the food, the foodie

{lettuce “chips” and dip}

10 Aug

this simple concept will definitely remain a new staple in the food and foto kitchen!

as many of you already know, i love to eat my veggies! specifically – lettuce! one of my nicknames is “sally salad” because i’m always the one that brings the salad to any gathering or potluck. 🙂

i also love snacks. and there’s something about eating lettuce this way that makes it feel more like a snack. simply cut the lettuce into little chunks and dip it in your favourite dressing. i used romaine lettuce hearts and ranch dressing… but sometimes i like to mix it up with french dressing or caesar, or a mix… it’s just fun to eat and something different, and it’s nice and refreshing on these super hot summer days!

and the crunch is the best part!

#nomnom

Tags: chips, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy eating, healthy snacks, in the kitchen, kiss, lettuce chips, light eating, simple, snacks, summertime snacks

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, snacks, the food

{first diy reuben sammy}

4 Apr

well i’m just full of firsts in 2024! especially in the kitchen!

recently, i randomly decided to make my own reuben sandwich at home. it is most certainly my all-time favourite sammy! there was a glorious place in denver called masterpiece delicatessen and they made THE BEST reuben sandwich! {recently found out they closed, bummer!} and since then, i’ve been trying to find a place that creates one in the same way… alas – to no avail, i have yet to.

BUT! – as usual, when i can’t find what i want, i try to make it myself. and i feel like i was able to artfully recreate this specialty in my own kitchen, and i must’ve eaten one every day for like a week – haha!

complete with homemade russian-style {aka thousand island} dressing and homemade saurkraut! 🙂

this totally hit the spot… perfectly toasted marble rye bread, superbly savory pastrami {sliced thin and stacked high, of course}, delightfully melty swiss cheese, crunchy and punchy {and gut-healthy} sauerkraut, and slightly sweet tangy russian dressing… *chef’s kiss*

what’s there not to love?!

nom nom!

Tags: classics, comfort food, DIY, easy cooking, eating, food blog, food blogger, food photography, foodandfoto, foodie, foodnfoto, foodography, homemade, reuben, reuben sandwich, sandwiches, simple, yum

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Categories eating, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, fun, the food, the foodie

{(not-the-first) homemade maryland crab soup}

7 Mar

i am undoubtedly a marylander in this one particular way… i could unabashedly eat crabs almost every day!

{also, i’m a poet and didn’t know it}

okay, maybe not every day, but like… all the time.

if you know you know… in that, maryland is known for their blue crabs… caught fresh off the chesapeake bay and steamed in savory spices like old bay or JO and a bit of local beer… served piping hot with corn, potatoes, and sometimes hush puppies.

but also, recreated in a simple vegetable soup… which freezes comfortably and easily.

so, that’s what i did last summer… bought a bunch of steamed maryland blue crabs… hand-picked them all… saved (most) of the meat… added it to my homemade soup recipe… and froze it…

and NOW! i get to enjoy it in the colder months… share it with friends and family… and reap the benefits of my patience, self-control, and overall appreciation for homemade preserved food…

i sometimes also make a cream-of-crab soup/dip and i’ll mix the two… this picture/recipe below is classic maryland crab soup with a tomato base. my favourite preference for sure.

audrey michelle’s homemade maryland blue crab soup :

28 oz. crushed tomatoes of choice
32 oz. chicken and/or veggie/seafood stock
1 can light beer (yuengling is my choice)
carrot
celery
onion
garlic
corn
potatoes
cabbage
green beans
tomatoes
fresh lemon
OLD BAY!!!
S&P to taste
1 pound crab meat (or as much as you want!)

typically, i build my soup in “layers” – starting with sautéing the mirepoix mix in a little olive oil and/or butter… splashing some white wine in the pan, then adding the broth… next, the canned tomatoes (or blending a little of both and then adding to the pot)… then, depending on if you are using fresh or canned veggies – add those in layers also… if fresh – start with potatoes and a little crab meat… then add in green beans, cabbage, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and lastly tomatoes… add old bay to your preferred taste, S&P, and finish with more crab meat. i like to layer in my crab meat for flavour but also because the meat will break down and “shred” as it’s cooked… therefore, the final step for me is to add in crab meat at the very end while it’s cooling (whether or not i’m freezing or serving immediately) and then i also serve it with a fresh jumbo chunk on top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, squeeze of lemon, and more old bay.

this is hands-down my favourite soup of all time. have you ever had it?!

NOM NOM !!!

Tags: comfort food, cooking, easy, eating, favourites, food, food and foto, food blogger, food blogs, food photographer, food photography, food stories, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy cooking, home cook, homemade, local, local cooking, maryland, maryland crab soup, photography, recipes, simple, soup

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, maryland, recipes, the food, the foodie

{first pad thai – ever!}

9 Feb

this is another first…

first time i ever tried making this dish from scratch. and possibly the first time i have ever eaten this dish.

a friend of mine came to visit last year and i asked him what his favourite meal was so that i could cook it for him.. and he was quick to respond :

“pad thai”

and i was just a wee-bit nervous because i had never made anything like that before. but – i sought out a recipe through the magic of the internet, and then i gathered the ingredients and followed the recipe and it ended up being pretty delicious! i love the loads of flavour from this well-known dish. AND – it’s actually pretty healthy!

Tags: asian cuisine, chef audrey, cooking, DIY, eating, flavour, food, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodie, foodography, healthy eating, home chef, home cook, pad thai, recipes, sharing food, simple, simple eating, yum, yummy

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Categories eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{first pancakes of 2024}

31 Jan

possibly my first pancakes… ever?!

i am feeling pretty proud of these {cute} little {yummy} pancakes that i made on the morning of new years day… particularly because it was my first time in my adult life that i’ve made them from scratch. i always felt so intimidated, so i just never tried. {silly, yes.}

i know that it may seem so simple, but this is a big accomplishment for me – haha! ironcially, making pancakes is a very simple process and i can’t believe i took so long to do it. these were rather delicious. and simple ingredients of course…

the basics :

flour
sugar
baking powder
pinch of salt
melted butter
egg
milk

mix dry and wet ingredients separately…

heat in a cast iron skillet with a little butter until bubbly… then flip…

serve with softened butter and maple syrup… and nom nom!

they were rather fluffy and delish, if i may say so myself. 😉

Tags: cooking, DIY, easy, eating, first of the year, food, food and foto, food blogger, food blogging, food from scratch, food photography, foodandfoto, foodie, foodies, foodnfoto, foodography, homemade, new years day, pancakes, quick recipes, recipes, simple, yum, yummy

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Categories blogging, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, the food, the foodie

{seasonal eating : braised cabbage}

7 Aug

it’s that time of year again – HARVEST SEASON!

it seems like everything is producing right now! in my garden, i have lots of herbs as well as tomatoes and cucumbers, which are slow-growing but i’m ok with that…

and at the farmers’ markets, the selections are vast! corn, peaches, berries, melons, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, squash, garlic… and cabbage! {and the list goes on!}

i am fascinated by the insides of vegetables… especially cabbage! isn’t it just so cool?! the way they grow and form… all those layers and intricate patterns… just so cool!! divine design. 😀

this particular cabbage was so tender!

i chopped up the cabbage, then added it to a super hot cast iron pan with a little bacon fat and diced vidalia onions. after searing for a couple of minutes, i added some water to the pan and covered it to let the liquid absorb and steam slightly… about 6 minutes, stirring once or twice.

{p.s. – how cute is my little pot handle cover – it’s a kitty!}

finally, i served it up with a filet of fish and… nom nom! 🙂

do you like cabbage? what are some of your favourite ways to prepare it?

Tags: 100 mile diet, braised cabbage, cabbage, cook at home, farm to table, food, food and foto, food blog, food blogger, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, local eating, meal prep, photography, seasonal eating, simple, support local farmers, vegetable guts

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Categories blogging, Farmers Market, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{what a view!}

6 Jul

right in my little neck of the woods…

summetime vibes! 🙂 ❤

Tags: beauty, consciousness, enjoy the simple things, food and foto, foodnfoto, fotography, iphoneography, maryland, my happy place, nature, nature photography, northeast, northeastern maryland, pay attention, photography, reflect, reflection, river, river baby, rivers, simple, simplicity, summertime, water, weather

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Categories audrey michelle, beauty, iphoneography, life, maryland, nature, nature photography, photography, the foto, whatever

{what’s for dinner?}

9 Feb

pan-seared mahi mahi – crusted with old bay and lemon juice, served with homemade roasted corn and shishito pepper succotash, and a glass of miller high life – ‘cuz we fancy. 😉

what are YOU having for dinner??

Tags: blogging, clean-eating, dinner, DIY, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, homemade, kiss, simple, what's for dinner

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, DIY, eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{inspired by : stracciatella}

1 Oct

this simplistically yummy soup was inspired by the same instagram account i mentioned in a previous post {see recipe here} which i stumbled onto one night while scrolling and searching for recipe inspiration. i had never heard of this dish, but then i did some research and found out that it is derived from roman culture and the word stracciatella actually translates to “little rags” – which i think is both adorable and poignant. it was created to use up kitchen scraps… as {in my humble opinion} some of the best meals always are!

this soup is so simple and easy to make. the chicken stock is the most time-consuming part of this recipe. sure, you can buy it… but homemade is best! in my kitchen, i tend to make chicken stock about once a week. i use it for everything and i sip on the bone broth a lot during cold winter months and/or freeze or can it for future use. and now that we are officially in the autumn season, and the weather is cooling down, i am truly enjoying this soup even more. although, i tend to enjoy soup year round.

as you know, we appreciate simplicity around here at food and foto. quality in = quality out. simple, healthy, clean ingredients lay the foundation and make for the most enjoyable meals.

this is one of my new favourite soups! so soothing, so comforting, so simple, and so delicious.

8-12 oz chicken stock
1-2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup parmigiana reggiana
1/4-1/2 cup fresh spinach
S&P to taste
parsley, optional

a crumbled up parmigiano reggiano swirl via stovetop sauté pan – also optional. {but adds some great flavour and crunch!}

method :

heat stock on medium to high and wilt in spinach. drop in the egg{s}. stir in grated cheese and season as desired.

#sipsip #nomnom

Tags: comfort food, food, food photography, food stories, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, from scratch, healthy, healthy cooking, homemade, in the kitchen, photography, simple, simple cooking, soup, stracciatella

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, recipes, the food, the foodie

{DIY bath soak – with himalayan pink salt!}

4 Dec

i love a good soak in the tub!

… it’s so relaxing and comforting. i especially love to enjoy a hot bath when i have sore muscles or if i want to fight off icky feelings possibly related to a cold or germs, or LIFE, etc. i make time to enjoy a hot bath at least once a week, but i prefer to do it twice a week. it’s a crucial part of my self-care routine, and one i look forward to enjoying as frequently as possible.

i’ve been making my own bath soak for a while now. i choose to use himalayan pink salt because it is extremely mineral-rich. sometimes i add in epsom salts or magnesium salts for additional benefits.

soaking for about 20 minutes in a rich salt bath has many rewards. of course, it’s very relaxing but it’s also detoxifying and soothing to both the nerves and the skin.

i like to play around with different ingredient mixtures depending on the season or how i am feeling. sometimes i will make an oatmeal bath for extra moisturizing.

it’s very simple and easy to make your own bath soak, and you can get creative with the ingredients. there are a lot of different recipes out there, but this is my favourite go-to that i’ve been making for quite some time now.

——

2 cups himalayan pink salt
1/2 cup baking soda
8-10 drops lavender essential oil
2-3 drops vetiver essential oil

optional ingredients :

ginger powder (for detoxification)
dried lavender (for relaxation)
dried flowers
dried sage

Continue reading →

Tags: at home, audrey michelle, bath salts, bath soak, DIY, DIY bath soak, do it yourself, easy, fotographer, fotography, homemade, lifestyle, photographer, photography, relax, simple

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Categories audrey michelle, beauty, blogging, crafts, DIY, lifestyle, photography, projects

{homemade gummy bears}

9 Oct

i have been making my own homemade gummy bears for a while now, and i have been meaning to write a post about it…

i have always loved fruit snacks, gummy bears, et al. however, the ingredient list always detoured me – even the natural ones are full of mostly sugar.

so, i did some research and realized that i could be making my own gummy fruit snacks! and not only that, but i could make them GOOD for me!

my curiosity was piqued when i started looking for a clean source of gelatin to help with collagen production and joint support.

…which i don’t have pictured here because i typically transfer everything i buy into a glass jar… {no shame in my game}…

anyway, i wanted to incorporate gelatin into my diet and that’s when i got super stoked about the idea of making my own gummies! so i found these silicon molds on amazon {along with the gelatin} and looked up a few recipes to get me started.

as usual, i like to keep things as simple as possible. some recipes call for honey or a sweetener, but i like to avoid added sugar where i can {so i can guiltlessly enjoy a candy bar from time-to-time}.

so – here is my very simple {2-ingredient!} homemade gummy fruit snack recipe – which yields about 200 gummies and the ratio can be adjusted accordingly :

1 cup fruit juice {i usually opt for concord grape}
3 tablespoons gelatin powder

you could add in some honey or agave for sweetness, but i find the concord grape juice to be sweet enough on its own.

sometimes i’ll add in some elderberry syrup for additional health benefits during the cold-season months. Continue reading →

Tags: blogging, DIY, diy gummies, easy, food, food blogger, food blogging, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, fruit snacks, gummy bears, healthy, healthy eating, healthy gummy bears, healthy recipes, healthy snacks, homemade, in the kitchen, keep it seriously simple, kiss, photography, recipes, simple, snacks, squish, squishie, squishy

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, fun, health, healthy eating, nutrition, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{simple (rainbow) pasta salad}

22 Sep

as you probably know by now, i like to eat with the seasons as much as i possibly can. i enjoy it for lots of reasons. i always look forward to eating whatever vegetables or fruit are best during that particular time of year… and it makes me appreciate them more.

that said, i often struggle with “transitional” times of year – such as the month of september. i find myself unsure about what to wear, what to eat, when to go to sleep. it’s kind of funny but it’s true. {this also applies in the month of may.}

anyway, because i find september to be a transitional month, i also find myself eating transitional foods. i made that term up, but my point is that i’m not ready to start eating soups and squash, but i’m also done with light foods like salads and such. during this transitional time, i usually prepare foods that can be enjoyed hot or cold. and pasta salad is one of those dishes i could enjoy every day during transitional months.

i also really love orzo and i don’t use it often enough.

i whipped up this simple {rainbow} pasta salad and made a huge batch to take to work for lunches.

it’s so easy and so i thought i’d share the recipe… even though i didn’t measure anything, as per usual… but it’s so simple – just chop and toss!

————————————

simple pasta salad :

cooked orzo
diced summer sausage
chopped tomatoes
sliced olives {black & green}
diced red onion
diced banana pepper
diced green pepper
diced cucumber
roasted garlic
crumbled parmigiano reggiano

homemade dressing :

olive oil
apple cider vinegar
spices :
- oregano
- sage
- parsley
- comfrey
- basil
- dill
- tarragon
- garlic
- onion
- salt
- pepper
- bit o’ parm reg

i like to serve mine at room temperature and i sprinkle crumbled italian breadsticks on top…

SO GOOD!

Tags: batch-cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, in the kitchen, kiss, photography, recipes, seasonal, seasonal eating, simple

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{foodie friday : vegetarian buffalo cauliflower bites}

2 Feb

i kind of made these by accident… as in, i-got-super-hungry-and-didn’t-have-much-in-the-fridge-to-eat-but-got-creative-and made-these-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-which-accidentally-turned-out-to-be-ahhhmazing!

…and so i just had to share the recipe. these {veggie} buffalo cauliflower bites would make a great game-day snack for superbowl sunday! and they are a great vegetarian alternative to the classic buffalo wing. {i would devour both!}

i was inspired to make this dish because i was scrolling through instagram and spotted a recipe for cauliflower florets that were battered & fried, and served with buffalo sauce and ranch – like a chicken wing! and i was thinking, “that’s probably sooooo delicious!”

then i remembered that i had frozen riced cauliflower, and i created my own version based on what i had in the fridge…

very simple ingredients :

frozen riced cauliflower
chopped celery hearts
buffalo sauce {i opt for franks!}
ranch dressing {i use brianna’s!}

i began by chopping the celery into approximately 1-inch pieces…

next, i sautéed the cauliflower with a little butter over medium to high heat, adding a little water as i went along to soften the cauliflower a bit more…

then, i added in some buffalo sauce to taste, and cooked until almost al dente…

finally, i scooped some of the cauliflower mixture into the celery bites and drizzled a little ranch dressing on top. it can be a little messy, but that’s what buffalo sauce is all about, right?! 😉

these little buffalo cauliflower bites are soooooo yummy and i will definitely be making them on game-day! it’s always funny to me when i cook something on the fly and it turns out to be my new favourite thing ever.

this was one of those recipes. 🙂

by the way, i didn’t watch one single football game this season, and i could care less about the patriots or the eagles… but it should still be a fun day full of snacks and silliness!

Tags: blogging, buffalo cauliflower bites, cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodography, football, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, photography, recipes, simple, simple recipes, snacks, superbowl, vegetarian

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{dehydrated baby bananas}

2 Mar

bananas-web

whenever i notice any kind of produce is starting to lose its freshness, such as these adorable baby bananas, i know it’s time to bust out the dehydrator.

banana faces 🙂

bananas-web-4 bananas-web-3

banana chips make for some great snacks!!

i also love to throw them in smoothies, as an alternative to frozen or fresh ones.

do you use a dehydrator? what are some of your favourite things to dehydrate?

Tags: bananas, dehydrating, dehydrator, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, health, healthy, healthy eating, healthy snacks, photography, simple, snacks, vegan, vegetarian

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, fun, health, healthy eating, photography, the food

{pan-seared wild-caught salmon}

13 Feb

]

i love salmon! and although it’s not in season just yet, i try to eat it at least twice a month, but ideally i would like to get back to consuming it once a week or more. it’s full of omega 3 fatty acids and healthy lean protein. this particular wild-caught salmon filet was hand-delivered to me by an alaskan fisherman! 🙂

my favourite way to prepare salmon is to pan-sear it. don’t be intimidated, it’s a very easy method.

i simply sprinkle my salmon filet{s} with a little S&P and squeeze a little lemon juice over it, as well.

then, start with a medium-high heat skillet coated with a little olive oil, and place salmon filet in skin-side up. cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip over and finish with skin-side down, another 4-5 minutes. cooking it this way usually allows for the filet to come up easily off the skin when serving. i like to serve mine over a bed of greens or a simple couscous recipe.

bon appetite!

Tags: alaskan salmon, blogging, cooking, eating, food and foto, food blogger, food photography, foodie, foodography, health, healthy, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, keep it seriously simple, kiss, omegas, recipes, salmon, simple, wild-caught salmon

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Categories blogging, food, food photography, health, healthy eating, nutrition, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{meatless monday : whole grain couscous with fresno and mini bell peppers}

8 Feb

i haven’t written a meatless monday recipe in a while. i came up with this one by accident.

i love love LOVE fresno peppers. they are so full of flavour and yet mild enough in heat to not overpower most dishes. i also love couscous; it’s simple and easy to make and reheats well, so i will often batch-cook it.

i shared this dish some with a friend this weekend over brunch and she commented on how much she liked it, so i thought i would share the recipe. as i said, i sort of came up with this on accident… but i’m glad i did, as i’ll be sure to make it again in the future!

simple ingredients :

1 cup couscous, 1 cup water
3 fresno peppers, chopped
5-6 mini bell peppers, chopped
olive oil
S&P

this is a very easy recipe to make. simply saute peppers in olive oil until tender then pour in water. bring to a boil and add in couscous. remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least 5 minutes. fluff couscous with a fork and sprinkle in salt and pepper.