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

Mini Ice Cream Ginger Snapwiches

I think I may have confessed a time or two…my love for Young Adult Novels? Or YA as the cool kids say. A group I’d clearly like to join, all joking aside. Lately I’ve been sorely behind on keeping up with the other members of my unofficial YA Book Club (you know who you are) — distracted by things like sweet potato obsessions and giveaways and fabulous culinary adventures to time zones afar. The ridonkulous weather this week hasn’t helped, either. Who wants to stay inside cooped up with a book or a ‘puter when there are things like beer … 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