One of the weirdest things I have ever had...

I did not create this beauty.  But everyone should know it exists.
Burger... With peanut butter, bacon, and swiss cheese


Ok... This is what I saw on the menu at Mugshots Grill and Bar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  http://mugshotsgrillandbar.com/
(Also... Shout out to ASB Bama... love you guys)

I asked the waitress what the best thing on the menu was, and she said this was popular... with bacon and swiss cheese. So I really wanted to try it.  Naturally it was Bun free... I take two of my own with my at all times, so I don't need them with my burger (gluten free jokes).

They ask if you want crunchy or creamy peanut butter... so crunchy was the only rational choice.

How'd it taste? WOW.  It's weird because it's not that weird and it should taste REALLY weird.  It is a natural taste that is unexpectedly expected.  America= Burgers and America=Peanut Butter so my horrible math concludes that Burger+Peanut Butter= Super America. It made sense.  I made people around my table to try it and they all agreed.

What is really cool is that usually when you eat peanut butter, it's the taste you are looking for and  focusing on. When you are eating a bacon and swiss cheese burger with peanut butter, the peanut butter becomes an accessory flavor rather than the main focus.  My explanation might not make sense... but trust me... the flavor of this burger made the whole world make sense.

Thrill of the chase... Coconuts

This isn't really a recipe.... it is more of a PSA/tribute to coconuts.
I LOVE them... they are such a rewarding fruit.  As mentioned in the title, there is a "thrill of the chase" experience that happens while trying to open them, but it is worth it in the end!




I usually go for the hammer method... but I don't really want to tell you guys my trick with this because figuring it out is half the fun. Not even kidding.  They are not very expensive and give you about 45 minutes of fun. Dream big. Just drain the juice before you start ragging on it with miscellaneous inanimate objects.

Once it is open... please be safe.  People think opining it is the dangerous part, but really, getting the fruit out is the killer.

I don't want to skew your perceptions of caprese

Caprese Skewers.  Great to take to a party/dinner. Also great to eat alone because you dont have to share.

Caprese Skewers! 

What You Need:
Cherry Tomatos
Small Mozzarella Balls
Fresh Basil
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Skewers

(side note... good balsamic vinegar rocks and is worth the investment... A REALLY good place to look for quality balsamic is at TJ Max... #sharedmysecret).

Simple enough... put cherry tomatos, mozzarella and fresh basil onto a skewer.  Stack the skewers on a plate and trickle on a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar... I like a sprinkle of good black pepper with it.. but that is up to you.

Greek yogurt cookie dough ice cream

Ok... So technically this is pseudo plagiarism... I based this recipe off of a Pinterest recipe.

WHAT YOU WILL NEEEEEED
Greek Yogurt
Peanut Butter (crunchy> creamy)
Vanilla
Agave/Honey
Chocolate Chips

Spoon some peanut butter into a big bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds to get it soft. Mix in greek yogurt, a splash of vanilla, chocolate chips and agave. It is that simple.... You can eat it then.... Or do what I usually do and pack it into smaller containers and put them in the freezer. Take it out about an hour before you want to eat it....It's a great snack to take if you have a long streak of back to back classes or even a snack between rehearsals!!!

Swimming Upstream w/ Fried Rice

OK! I know it sounds weird... But it is an association recipe. Aka salmon tastes good with teriyaki sauce... Which is made with soy sauce... Which goes well with fried rice.

What you need:
Reference the simple salmon recipe on this blog... you need that recipe to make this one!
White or Brown rice
Frozen or fresh veggies of your choice
Gluten Free Soy Sauce
HOT SAUCE

Start by putting a little bit of oil in a decent sized pan... Budget a little extra space. Put the COOKED salmon into the pan and break it apart with a spatula. Add a decent serving of both veggies and cooked rice. I like to use peas because they are sups cheap and I usually have them in the freezer. Pour on soy sauce and start mixing. I like to add about a tablespoon of water then put a lid on top of everything just to help everything come together but this step is not necessary. Either way, keep stirring. Keep an eye on everything and get saucy as you see fit! Noms on noms.

Ode to the EGGS

 Ok... I don't make these... but from Feb. 14 ~ the end of April... they are a staple in my diet... so they should be an important part of yours too.

Some haters gon hate on the fact that they are cadbury but "not real"... and I think this people are closing their minds to a world of beauty and I feel sorry for them.  

Eat. Enjoy. Love.

I am considering baking them into something...

I feel awkward about this empty space so I am just writing nonsense. 

The fondant ones are great too.

Sorry you are still reading this...

Time for me to go get dressed for dinner with friends... DEUCES 

Chocolate Chai Pumpkin Cookies

Sorry I am so bad at blogging... there is hardly time to cook anything worth blogging about... plus, blogging itself takes some time even if you write it as poorly as I do... ces't la vie

What you need:
Oats
Can of pumpkin
Pumpkin Seeds
Gluten Free Flour
Agave or brown sugar
Chai mix (I like baking with the dry Oregon Chai)
Chocolate Chips
Egg
Baby splash of canola oil, melted earth balance, or butter
Vanilla!!!! (Optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 and get start gettin baked... with cookies!!!!!
Mix in about 3 parts of oats and 1 part gluten free flour to get going.  Throw in agave, pumpkin seeds, the canned pumpkin, a couple scoops of the chai mix, oil (try applesauce even!), an egg or two and chocolate chips. Mix it all together till it's nice and sticky!!! I taste it (because i am a daring soul and talk chances with eating raw eggs... #badass) but try to formulate some method to see if you like the taste and add ingredients accordingly!

Bake for 7-13 minutes.
BAM. That easy.