Author Archives: Sharde

Rosemary Buttermilk Biscuits

Posted in Breakfast by

I have a confession to make to you.  These biscuits have a secret ingredient: whole wheat pastry flour.  I love the flakiness of a good biscuit, but they’re frequently made with lard and I just can’t get over that. This biscuit recipe is lightened up by using the whole wheat pastry flour and leaving out the lard, but it still has the buttery flakiness I love.  They’re reminiscent of the southern biscuits I ate during college in Texas (isn’t that where the Freshman 15 comes from?). There is no wrong way to eat these biscuits.  This recipe is for rosemary buttermilk biscuits, but you can easily omit the rosemary and you’ll have a fantastic buttermilk biscuit recipe.

20140906-DSC00851

Continue reading →

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Posted in Side Dishes, Vegetarian by

Yes, you read that correctly.  I’m posting roasted brussels sprouts for Meatless Monday. Before you grumble about how much you hate brussels sprouts (I’m looking at you, mom!), just hear me out. I used to dislike them as well.  However, once I started roasting them and realizing how flavorful they could be, I started to develop an affinity for them. So, maybe give them another shot by trying this recipe!  If you still don’t like them, I’ll never tell you to eat them again.  I promise.

20140906-DSC00874

Continue reading →

Toasted Ciabatta with Maple Glazed Figs

Posted in Appetizers/Snacks, Vegetarian by

Have you ever had one of those meals that was so amazing you knew you’d never forget it? Well, I did three years ago in a wonderful town in Northern Minnesota called Duluth.  My boyfriend and I were on our way north for a weekend getaway in Lutsen, Minnesota, during law school one fall and were told to stop in Duluth for dinner.  Everything we had that night at New Scenic Café was excellent, but I especially remember a fig tartine appetizer.  When my boyfriend brought figs home a couple of weeks ago, I decided to finally try to recreate it.  Although I didn’t quite remember all of the ingredients, I remembered the general idea of the flavors I loved. The sweetness of the real maple syrup balances perfectly with the flavors of the gorgonzola.  This is the stuff dreams are made of, people.

Continue reading →

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes

Posted in Main Dishes, Vegetarian by

I can’t believe it is already Labor Day. This summer flew by. However, that means more of my favorite food. No, not pumpkin, although I will share some pumpkin recipes this fall. I mean sweet potatoes! I think I’ve mentioned that sweet potatoes are my favorite food, but if I haven’t, I’m saying it now. Sweet potatoes are my favorite food. I make them sweet or savory depending on my mood.  When I’m feeling savory (and healthy), I make this quinoa salad. I like the versatility of the dish because it is filling enough that a bowl of it is a satisfying meal for lunch or dinner, but you could also use it as a side dish.  After a trip to the Minnesota State Fair this weekend, I may need a detox with this healthy salad. No regrets.

Final-Double-Bowl-Quinoa-SP

Continue reading →

Agave Raspberry Scones

Posted in Breakfast by

I had friends over for brunch on my birthday last week and had a lot of leftover raspberries.  I needed a way to finish them before they went bad. Enter the raspberry scone.  I could’ve just eaten a bowl of raspberries, but sometimes I like my fruit with a side of carbs. These scones are lightened up by using a combination of butter and vegetable oil, agave nectar instead of sugar, and a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. Some scones are too dense and heavy, but these have just the right amount of airiness.  These are amazing hot out of the oven and I completely approve of reheating them before eating the leftovers.

on pan

Continue reading →

Arepas Stuffed with Corn and Peppers

Posted in Main Dishes, Vegetarian by

Hola! Bienvenidos a Meatless Monday! I received another Summerland LA vegetable delivery yesterday, so decided to use some of the goods for the Meatless Monday recipe. We got some amazing Hungarian Peppers and I wanted to cook some of those first. I used the peppers as a filling for these arepas and they add just enough spice, but these aren’t spicy by any means.  You could top these with spicy salsa to add some heat.  They’re also great with fresh tomatoes or greens.

DSC00703

Continue reading →

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake for Two

Posted in Dessert, Recipes by

Is chocolate a food group? Well, it should be. If I had to choose between chocolate and fruit desserts, I would choose chocolate. But then again I do like fruit dessert.  I’m really just a dessert person.  This is why I’m also a runner. I digress… This molten chocolate lava cake is dangerously easy to make.  I say “dangerously easy” because maybe one day you won’t feel like cooking dinner and you’ll just make this instead.  Not that I’ve done that. I’ve made this for dinner parties, date night, and lots of times in between.  Everyone is really impressed because of that whole lava thing, but they don’t even realize how easy it is to make.  Whip this up ASAP and you’ll thank me. 

DSC00565

P.S. This recipe can easily be multiplied. Continue reading →