Chinese Slapped Cucumber

I am back from China! We had an amazing time, but traveling is so exhausting and over the course of our 2 week trip, we were in 4 different cities and on 6 different planes. Whew! Believe it or not, this was one of our very favorite dishes our tour guide searched out for us. I definitely cannot pronounce nor write the name in Mandarin, but it literally translates to slapped cucumber.

Soft Black Pepper Pretzels + Neighborhood Snapshots

A Pretzel Haiku:

Bread twist that is soft.

With salt, has the perfect taste.

How I love you so.

Did you know that Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry? I'm sure I learned that at some point in my high school English class, but since then those fun little facts have been pushed out of my brain to make room for non-fun adult type things, like bills and how to file taxes (without stabbing yourself in the eye repeatedly). Boo! Hiss!

Homemade Marshmallows

It's finally winter here, but before I get too excited let me just caveat this by saying it's still 60 degrees out. It's just a cold 60 degrees. Do you categorize temperatures like this, or is it just me? It's been grey and rainy and cool enough to leave the windows open at night while I snuggle under the covers, instead of the 60 degrees accompanied by a baking sun, stifling humidity and no breeze.

Back to Basics : Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Remember a few weeks ago when we made those delicious stuffed acorn squash? I hope you didn't throw away the seeds, since they make a wonderful little snack! Healthy, flavorful and prevents food waste? Those are three of my favorite qualities in a dish!

No Fuss 30 Minute Banana Muffins

Sometimes you just need a recipe that's classic. Not messed with. Tried and true. Kind of like your favorite jeans, you know? The ones you know make your butt look awesome even after eating a burger and fries the night before. Or that perfect lipstick that somehow magically goes with every outfit in your closet. Oh and especially that black sweater from The Gap you got about 8 years ago....

Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas

If you've read some of my blog posts, you know that if a dish has chicken and spinach in it, more than likely I will make, devour, love and rave about it. These baked chicken flautas are no exception. And they're baked, not fried! Bonus!

Ice Cream Monkey Bread

This bread is crack. I mean it- it's literally addictive. My friend Kim made this the first time I had it, and if I didn't like her so much I would think she were trying to sabotage my life with this bread. I was introduced to monkey bread a few years ago when Travis and I first met and his mom made it for one of my visits, and I instantly fell in love.... with the bread. Oh with Travis too, I guess!

Vanilla Mini Bundt Cakes

The base exchange is a dangerous place. It's busy and crowded, and mostly overwhelming if you are not smart like me and choose to go right when everyone is getting off from work. Not to mention it's basically the only store with familiar products on the entire island of Okinawa. The other option is ordering things online, which is a whole different can of worms. So as I am walking through knowing that I don't need anything other than what is already inside my shopping cart, I just happen to stumble upon the baking/cooking section. 

Roasted Garlic Hummus

I love hummus. Really anything this versatile with golden roasted garlic, protein and fiber that I can eat with a spoon, veggies or on wraps and sandwiches is a magical ingredient in my opinion. Put it on fish, chicken or toasted bread! Use it in sandwiches instead of mayo- it would go spiffily with bean sprouts, turkey and spinach. Schmear it on a wrap filled with chicken, lettuce, black beans and cucumbers. Dollop it on a salad with tomatoes, carrots, celery and radishes. The possibilities are ENDLESS!