Minted Spring Pea Paté on Crostini (also, #HeatWave2013)

Today has been kind of ridiculous. To start, it’s almost triple-digits here in the Bay Area. Which means, oh, I dunno, it’s almost intolerably hot. I say almost, of course, because it’s actually quite lovely when you take into account the perfect excuse it makes for a beach day. Think tanning, picnic, young adult novels galore and ice cream. Marianne’s Ice Cream, just to be clear. Studded with toffee-coffee goodness and stacked doubly tall in not one but two crannied waffle cones. (The gang’s all here.) Just try and tell me how wonderful a Saturday that does not make. Go ahead. … Read More

Pineapple & Spinach Green Smoothie

Good Tuesday, pretties! Hope everyone’s been having a lovurly week. Seven days post-vacay, I think we’ve finally recuperated from our extra-long weekend of glitz and gluttony in NYC — thanks in no small part to a few detox meals based almost solely around things that grow from the earth. (Apparently, the detox ended last night when I decided that a platter of meltingly tender carnitas-style pork belly with Spanish rice and refried beans makes for a balanced meal, but we’ll leave that for next Tuesday’s post. I will say now: no regrets whatsoever.) So what does one eat while trying … Read More

Sweet Potato & Green Bean Salad with Maple-Mustard Dressing

{Reminder: our Saucy Mama Giveaway is open until June 29th! Win three mustards, or just take advantage of the P&Q coupon code. Have you entered yet?} In the past 96 hours, I’ve eaten pizza. I’ve eaten pastrami. I’ve eaten burgers and fries and snappy-skinned hot dogs that, while delicious, no amount of papaya juice can make go down easily. I’ve had pork belly upon pork belly upon pork belly: on sandwiches, in soup and in a salad that showcases one of the tastiest flavor combos I’ve tried. I’ve had cookies and ice cream and caramels and, ohhhhh the coffee drinks. … Read More

Spicy Deviled Egg Dip (oh ok, Egg Salad)

Whadda ya know, things are moving so fast over here that I completely spaced on reaching my 100th post! You know, the one about that possibly perfect salsa? Yeah, that marked triple digits, buddy. I’m feeling rather accomplished, I have to say, and we should definitely acknowledge the props you all deserve for sticking with me. I know things can get a little willy-nilly around here sometimes like, all the time, so thanks for hanging around. Sidebar: every time I use that crossy-outty text I wonder if I’m using it right. Like, should I have crossed out “all the time” … Read More

Earth Day Roundup: A Week of Meatless Eats

Oh hey dudes and dudettes — Happy Earth Day! If you’re anything like me, Earth Day seems a little underplayed considering the fact that — as cliché as it sounds — we should probably treat every day as Earth Day, but from the glass-half-full (errr, icecap-half-frozen) perspective, one day is better than none. And if one day is better than none, five days are better than one! I know, I’m one clever hen. But I’m going somewhere with this: This year, why not stretch Earth Day into Earth Week and celebrate with 5 days dedicated to eating sustainable, lower-carbon, meat-free meals? C’mon guys, given … Read More