I am beyond excited that we are kicking off a giveaway today for a gorgeous Magimix 14-cup food processor. (It is valued at over $500, so be sure to enter the giveaway here!)
So to put my own new Magimix to use, I decided to make a classic apple pie from scratch, using the food processor for every step. Now granted, people have been making apple pies since before the time of electricity. (Which – sidenote – it turns out that apple pie was actually the favorite dessert of Abraham Lincoln, who we’re talking about today on our Reads and Film sites in honor of the release of the film “Lincoln”!) But I have to tell you, even in the twenty-first century, having a great food processor sure makes cooking much quicker and easier. Oy.
‘Tis the season for babies, apparently! I have so many friends right now who are expecting little ones, and spent the evening last night with a close friend who just delivered two days ago. So fun!
Today I’m excited to also be celebrating one of my blogging friends who is expecting — Jen from My Kitchen Addiction! Jen’s site was actually one of the first food blogs that I began reading years ago, and it has been amazing to follow along as she has built her beautiful blog (also including her awesome Kitchen Bootcamp series) and shared her life with us along the way. Jen is also one of those bloggers who is a tremendous encourager, and her kind words have meant a lot over the years.
I know that it is an everyday part of our lives. But more and more often lately, I find myself stopped in my tracks in awe at just what an incredible gift the food is that we’ve been given.
For the 4th of July this year, I packed up my bags and drove down south to….Ooooooooooo-kla-ho-ma! Yep, the state where the wind comes sweeping down the plains is also home to my good friend Megan who I’ve known since high school. We all imagined she was destined for city life as a talented graphic designer, but she happened to fall in love with a boy from the Oklahoma country. (Sound like another famous blogger?) So now they live in this super adorable little farmhouse about a half hour outside of Oklahoma City that — between a graphic designer and a modern architect — is a Pinterester’s dream come true. :)
But in addition to being a wonderful friend, blogger, designer, musician, and 8-months-pregnant-soon-to-be-new-mama, Meg is also a fabulous cook. And since taking up life in the farmhouse, she has become a fabulous canner! So while I was down there on a 100+ degree day, she graciously offered to teach this canning novice how to make jam. Somehow in all my 29 years, I have never ever canned, and was more than a little intimidated by the process.
Ok, I’m not sure whether to be more excited about these Kiwi Mojito Popsicles…or the fact that I actually got them photographed before they melted!!
Holy moly. I don’t know how popsicle photographers do it. The first batch of these that I made a few weeks ago were slipping and sliding all over the plate, and then melting all over the plate before I could get a decent photo. But somehow these little guys stayed put yesterday, and I was able to snap a few pics to share with you before the mellllllting…melllllting….began. (Ok, I’m from Kansas – “The Wizard of Oz” is in my blood.) :)
Ok, I know I already posted a recipe where I turned my favorite pineapple-orange-banana juice into a smoothie. But I couldn’t resist one more recipe — pineapple orange banana popsicles!!!
Seriously, friends. I know I’m admittedly obsessed with the pineapple-orange-banana combo. But you need to make these.
I have fond memories of grapefruit breakfasts growing up. Every year, the kids in the youth group at church would have a “fruit sale”, and my mom was always that parent you could count on for a fantastic order of grapefruit. Our family loved it!! I remember flying down the stairs many a morning before school, and seeing my dad or mom standing there segmenting out a grapefruit for me to enjoy. (I know, I know, I was a spoiled grapefruit eater!) And then of course, squeeeeezing out every last bit of delicious juice after all of the slices had disappeared. Mmmmm….
Nowadays, of course, I have to segment my own grapefruit! But I still love it, and love experimenting with different ways to enjoy it! Without a doubt, broiled grapefruit is one of my favorite go-to breakfasts. It literally just takes a second to slice the grapefruit, sprinkle on some brown sugar (or some other add-ins I’ve mentioned below, if you want to get fancy!), and then pop it in the broiler or toaster oven for a few minutes. And then a heavenly, warm, and wonderful sweet but tart grapefruit is yours to enjoy.
Ok, I have to admit that I saved the best for last. Behold, the color for “Smoothie Week” – GREEN!
This smoothie happens to be modeled after one of my favorite fresh juices called “clean green” from a neighborhood coffee shop. When I first saw it being served there, I realized they weren’t kidding with the name. My camera was having a bit of trouble with the tone-on-tone, but have no doubt, this smoothie is GREEN! :)
Ok, this one may technically be closer to “cream” or “taupe”. But the 5th color in “Smoothie Week” is the WHITE smoothie!
The inspiration for this one comes from one of my all-time favorite snacks — apples dipped in peanut butter! What was once an after-school snack, and is occasionally now breakfast or lunch, has been transformed into the world of smoothies! Also added in some bananas (another favorite fruit with peanut butter) to give it some extra thickness.
Yellow is the fourth, delicious color in “Smoothie Week”. And I’m pleased to say this smoothie is all about pineapple!
Any of my friends will tell you I go a little nuts when fresh pineapple goes on sale at the store (texts sent out to everyone, pineapples as gifts, inviting everyone over for pineapple something or other). It kind of makes me ridiculously happy.
