diy kitchen series: cinnamon maple almond butter

Making homemade nut butters is incredibly easy - it simply requires, nuts, a food processor large enough to take on the job and a little bit of patience. The patience was the hardest one for me to grasp - there is no such thing as rushing a nut butter into smooth creamy bliss. The transformation from whole almonds to creamy nut butter goodness will happen, simply allow a little bit of time for it to work its magic.

The wait is worth the creamy goodness that comes from a bit of patience and a few inexpensive ingredients that can be easily found in just about and grocery store.

diy kitchen series: oven dried cherry tomatoes

DIY kitchens, localvore's and homesteaders - these terms are becoming more familiar within our society. Not long ago, I am willing to bet: fast, quick, easy & instant were the familiar buzz words used in every day kitchens. A change is happening, in a good way - people are beginning to care more where their food is coming from, what's in it and the process in which it was made. This trailer by Chipotle (first 3 1/2 minutes), in my opinion is one way in which we are seeing the change, a movement growing momentum ; an idea that is becoming main stream. The way people are thinking about their food and the impact it has on the environment along with the people we care about, is changing.

That is a good thing, a very good thing indeed.

coconut molasses cake // fresh figs

 On a few different occasions on the blog I mention that I am in a book club. For our last session I was the host which also meant that I got to select the book we would read & discuss. After much deliberation and researching, I settled on the Kitchen House as our group read. Towards the back of the book there was a recipe for Molasses Cake. A good portion of the book takes place in the Kitchen House along with several scenes depicting large celebratory feasts both inside the "Big House" and out in the field. Throughout the book you will find Belle baking molasses cakes, after writing the book the Author and her daughter perfected what they would like think as Belle's version of molasses cake that she would bake in the book. I would like to share with you my take on this simple & humble cake- not overly sweet but makes for a nice fall treat with a cup of coffee or tea.

eggplant tomato bialy sandwich

I came across a Bialy for the first time a few weeks ago at my local farmers market, they instantly caught my eye; I am a sucker for all things bread. The Bread Peddler on a typical week has on display beautiful loaves of bread. These were different- little round bread circles filled with onions and poppy seeds, I totally needed these in my life, like yesterday. My first thought when I popped the brown bag of Bialy's into my basket was- Sandwiches! I headed home with the intent on making a sandwich, but of course got sidetracked with the garden and ended up bringing the Bialy's to my Dad's BBQ in place of traditional buns. My step mom and sisters knew right off what a Bialey was, apparently they are a popular treat on Cape Cod.

creamy polenta // balsamic wild mushrooms + tomatoes

Honestly I am not sure this constitutes as traditional polenta- consider this the more rustic version of creamy polenta's cousin. Ever since make the amazing polenta fries in VegNews I have been hooked on the idea of making a big bowl of polenta topped with wild mushrooms- well, here it is I finally got around to making it.

Before my magical polenta fries experience I had only ever had polenta twice- layered in a polenta lasagna  and once from the pre made polenta tubes,  it was so memorable I can't even remember what I made with that tube of polenta.

affogato + chocolate espresso biscotti

Affogato translates to "drowned" in Italian - affogato al cafe, meaning drowned in coffee, is a traditional Italian treat served in cafes consisting of a shot or two of hot espresso poured over vanilla or coffee ice cream. Affogatos can be dressed up in many ways; chocolate shavings, whipped cream or chocolate covered espresso beans. To me, the perfect pairing to an affogato treat would be biscotti, the famous twice baked Italian cookie. What a better way to celebrate the month of coffee than with an affogato and chocolate espresso almond biscotti. 

Join me over at Sunflower Natural Foods for the recipe!