Category Archives: Food and Drink

Our First “Atlanta Food Swap” Event

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We’ve been making kombucha at home for a while now and felt like it was getting to the point where we’d like some objective feedback and to see if it’s in-demand. We’re not ready to sell it so the Atlanta Food Swap seemed like the perfect next step for us as we hone this craft beverage. Sean and I work together on all our batches of kombucha and think that our Lavender-Mint Kombucha is our best and most unique flavor to date. So that’s what’s going to the swap later today. I’ll probably update this post with a report on how it went, but wanted to get this up in case we had site visitors from the event today.

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! If you’re interested in potentially ordering some kombucha, leave a comment. All kombucha is made-to-order and can take 1-2 weeks.

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Update: The Swap Meet was great! There were all kinds of items from fresh produce to canned jams and jellies and handmade toys to spice blends. We got a lot of stuff and had a wonderful time meeting everyone and learning about their crafts and hobbies.

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Easy Refrigerator Pickles

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IMG_0613Ah, summer produce. It’s here in all its glory and abundance. In past summers, I’ve had great success with cucumbers, often having many more at one time than we could eat. This summer is our first one with a garden at our new house, so it’s been a learning experience on what will grow, where the best sun is in our yard, etc. I’ve still gotten quite a few cucumbers from just a couple of plants but they’ve been very small. I don’t think they’re getting quite enough sun but they’re still tasty. 

One of my favorite things to do with “too many” cucumbers to make refrigerator dill pickles. They keep in the fridge for a few months (but are generally best within the first few weeks) and are a great snack. I’ve experimented with a few different recipes and have finally put together the one that I think delivers the most crunch and flavor while being QUICK and EASY! Continue reading →

Easy Hummus Recipe

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I remember my very first time eating hummus. I was 13 years old and my mom had taken us to a Mediterranean restaurant called Aladdin’s. I remember loving to dip the soft, warm pita into the thick chickpea dip. 

Hummus has been a consistent snack in my life since then but up until recently, I always purchased it pre-made from the grocery store. As it grew in popularity, it became more expensive and I found myself wanting to make my own to save money and also experiment with flavors.

After a couple of tries at roasted red pepper and jalapeno-cilantro, I realized I needed to master a good “plain” recipe. I experimented a bit and the final result is great – smooth, slightly tangy and always satisfying.  Continue reading →

Out and About: Tea Tastings at Zen Tea

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Sean and I try to go on a “date night” 3-4 times per month. It’s more than a quick dinner on Buford Highway – it’s planned out with reservations and is generally somewhere we have not been or something we haven’t done previously. This works great for us as a way to keep exploring Atlanta beyond our own favorites on Buford Highway.

One site I always check for fun and interesting date night ideas is Scoutmob and their “Hand-Picked” series. It goes beyond food to include activities, massages, music, museums, etc. and all for great prices. When I saw the Hand-Picked promotion for tea tastings at Zen Tea in downtown Chamblee, I knew it was perfect for date night. Continue reading →

Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Chicken Thighs, Mushrooms and Swiss Chard

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Thai red curry, coconut milk, fresh vegetables and delicious spices combine with chicken thighs and homemade chicken stock to make this rich and satisfying soup. There are a lot of ingredients in here and so it does take a good bit of prep time but it’s worth it. Plus, it makes a lot so you’ll have leftovers!

My first two times making this soup I used fewer vegetables and served it over buckwheat noodles. It was good but I prefer it without the noodles and with more veggies. You can try it either way! Continue reading →

California Road Trip: San Diego

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I know I’m a bit behind on getting this final post of our California trip done, but here it is! Whew!

On Thanksgiving morning, we left Solvang early and got on the road. We drove through the hills back over to the Pacific Coast Highway, headed to San Diego. This would be the last leg of our trip and we were both excited to explore the city and its many unique neighborhoods. 

We stopped off at many spots along the way, including several beaches, to take in the sights and revel at being in this glorious place. Every corner we turned gave us another amazing view. And we loved each one! Continue reading →

Sweet and Sour Pork with Steamed Rice

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I remember first falling in love with sweet and sour pork at a Chinese restaurant in London’s Chinatown. I loved the sticky, sweet and tangy sauce, the crispy pork, and the special treat of pineapple chunks. Comfort food at its finest. 

Fast forward 10 years and my love for the dish remains, although I’m less enchanted with with the overly sweet, vegetable-less versions from Chinese take-out spots. Instead, my husband has a version that his family has been making for years that’s simple yet impressive. We enjoy eating it throughout the year and even making it for guests. This recipe will undoubtedly become a staple in your kitchen, too. Continue reading →