Saturday, June 28, 2014

Marlee's Baby Super Food: Apricot & Mango

Marlee's Baby Super Food: Apricot & Mango
 
 
Makes: about 5 cups
 
 
2 c. dried apricots
1 mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
 
 
Place dried apricots in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until reconstituted and plump. (This may take some time and you most likely will need to add more water throughout process).
 
Place plump apricot, mangos and enough water in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Slowly add more water as needed while pulsing.
 
 
* Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze small portions of food that can be easily heated as needed.
 
Depending on the food you're cooking you can either steam, boil, bake or roast ingredients, however, steaming is the best method to preserve nutrients.

Marlee's SuperBaby Food: Blueberry, Apple & Oatmeal

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Blueberry, Apple & Oatmeal
 
 
Makes: about 5 cups
 
 
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
1 large red apple, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 large green apple, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 c. cooked oatmeal
 
 
Place apples in a medium pot with a steamer basket and a tad of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer, cover and steam just until fork tender.
 
Transfer to a blender or food processor along with blueberries, oatmeal and enough water. Pulse until smooth, adding more water as needed.
 
 
* Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze small portions of food that can be easily heated as needed.
 
Depending on the food you're cooking you can either steam, boil, bake or roast ingredients, however, steaming is the best method to preserve nutrients.

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Cherry, Blueberry & Barley

Cherry, Blueberry & Barley
 
 
Makes: about 5 cups
 
 
1 c. fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and/or thawed
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
2 c. cooked barley
 
 
Combine cherries, blueberries, cooked barley and enough water in a blender or food processor and blend or process until smooth. Slowly add more water as needed while pureeing.
 
 
* Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze small portions of food that can be easily heated as needed.
 
Depending on the food you're cooking you can either steam, boil, bake or roast ingredients, however, steaming is the best method to preserve nutrients.

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Carrot & Red Lentil

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Carrot & Red Lentil
 
 
Makes: about 5 cups
 
 
2 1/2 c. water, for cooking lentils
1 c. red lentils
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
 
 
Bring water to a boil and add lentils. Reduce heat to a low simmer, cover and cook until water is absorbed and lentils are smooth.
 
In the meantime place carrots in a medium pot with a steamer basket and a tad of water. Bring to a boil reduce heat to a low simmer and steam carrots just until tender.
 
Transfer both the lentils and carrots to a blender or food processor and blend or process until a smooth puree is achieved. Add water as need.
 
 
* Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze small portions of food that can be easily heated as needed.
 
Depending on the food you're cooking you can either steam, boil, bake or roast ingredients, however, steaming is the best method to preserve nutrients.

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Peas, Spinach, Barley & Mint

Marlee's Super Baby Food: Peas, Spinach, Barley & Mint
 
 
Makes: about 5 cups
 
8oz. frozen or fresh peas
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and liquid reserved
1 c. cooked barley
1 T. fresh mint
 
Combine peas and spinach in a medium pot with a steamer basket placed inside along with a tad of water. Steam vegetables over medium just until either defrosted or warmed through.
 
Transfer veggies to a blender or food processor along with cooked barley, reserved spinach liquid, mint and enough water to puree until smooth. Slowly add more water as needed while blended or processing.
 
 
* Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze small portions of food that can be easily heated as needed.
 
Depending on the food you're cooking you can either steam, boil, bake or roast ingredients, however, steaming is the best method to preserve nutrients.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

21st Annual Taste of Fair Oaks

21st Annual Taste of Fair Oaks at Northridge Country Club
 June 6th, 2014
 6-9:30pm
 
 
 
This was my first time attending a Taste of Fair Oaks event, presented by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, and it WON'T be my last! As an obsessive foodie this was a super fun and tasty way to become more familiar with the very town I grew up in, Fair Oaks. Not only was there an abundant amount of local and regional food, wine and microbrew samples, there was also a ton of new friendly fellow foodies to meet.
 
As my boyfriend and I made our way throughout the thick crowds we nibbled on pulled pork sliders, buffalo wings, hearty meat and bean chili, prosciutto wrapped melon with balsamic reduction, tacos with slaw, eggrolls, enchiladas, gluten-free mushroom raviolis with truffle cream sauce, tender beef and pork meatballs in a rich red sauce, dry-spiced meats and an array of desserts...just to name quite a few. And while we nibbled we also sipped on amazing wine, champagne and microbrews including an awesome, not too sweet apple cider. I just wish I had gotten more photos of all the culinary glory but it all just went down the hatch too quickly...
 


 
Participating Restaurants
 
Chili’s Bar and Grill – www.chilis-fairoaks.eat24hour.com
The Chocolate Architect – www.chocsilk.com
Chocolate Fountains of Sacramento – www.chocolatefountainsofsacramento.com
Costco – Rancho Cordova – www.costco.com
The Couch – www.thecouch.net
Dad’s Kitchen – www.ilovedadskitchen.com
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – www.dickeys.com
Fire Rock Grill – www.firerockgrill.com
Il Forno Classico – ww.ilfornoclassico.com
The Melting Pot – www.meltingpot.com/sacramento
Mighty Tavern – www.mightytavern.com
Orangevale Meats – www.orangevalemeatshoppe.com
The Pasta Queen – www.facebook.com/ThePastaQueen
Sam’s Club – Citrus Heights – www.samsclub.com
Stirling Bridges – www.stirlingbridges.com
Trader Joes – www.traderjoes.com
Village Treasures- www.villagetreasures.net
Yogurtland – www.yogurt-land.com
 
 
Participating Wineries
 
Andis Wines – www.andiswines.com
Barsetti Wines – www.barsettivineyards.com
Bogle Vineyards & Winery – www.boglewinery.com
Carvalho Family Winery – www.carvalhofamilywinery.com
Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards – www.charlesbmitchell.com
Chateau Davell Boutique Winery
Chatom Vineyards – www.chatomvineyards.com
Cooper Vineyards – www.cooperwines.com
Crystal Basin Cellars – www.crystalbasin.com
Frog’s Tooth Vineyards – www.frogstooth.com
Holly’s Hill Winery – www.hollyshill.com
Gekkeikan Sake – www.gekkeikan-sake.com
Lava Cap Winery – www.lavacap.com
Moniz Family Wines – www.monizfamilywines.com
Renegade Winery – www.drinkrenegadewine.com
Sera Fina Cellars – www.serafinacellars.com
Story Winery – www.zin.com
Terra d’Oro Winery – www.terradorowinery.com
Three Wine Company – www.threewinecompany.com
Villa Toscanco – www.villatoscano.com
Vino Noceto – www.noceto.com
Wilderotter Vineyard – www.wilderottervineyard.com
Wise Villa Winery – www.wisevillawinery.com
Wreckless Blenders – www.wrecklessblenders.com

  • Participating Microbreweries

    Hoppy Brewing Company – www.hoppy.com
    PuLagunitas Brewing Company – www.lagunitas.com
    Lost Coast Brewery – www.lostcoast.com
    Markstein Beverage of Sacramento – www.marksteinbev.com
    Mendocino Brewing Company – www.mendobrew.com
    Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – www.sierranevada.com
     
     
    More Foodie Fun
    Raffles
    Silent Auction
    Live Auction
    Live DJ
    Golf Putting Contest...
     
     
    ...Josh didn't win, but it was fun!
     
    * Be sure to attend next years Taste of Fair Oaks!!!
     
    

    Monday, June 2, 2014

    The Foodie Blogroll 1, 2, 3 Cook & Snap Monthly Recipe Photo Contest: Seared Pork Belly, Granny Apple Puree & Soy Caramel Sauce

    The Foodie Blogroll 1, 2, 3 Cook & Snap Monthly Recipe Photo Contest

    Another challenge from Foodie Blogroll, and this month's theme is to create a recipe based on a culinary trip I took. The Napa Valley immediately came to mind as my boyfriend and I go each year to celebrate our anniversary. This culinary delight featured on Redd's menu, located in Yountville, is on OUR menu every trip we make.
     
    Seared Pork Belly, Granny Apple Puree & Soy Caramel Sauce


    12 oz. fully cooked pork belly (available at Trader Joe's)
    2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
    water, for boiling
    1/2 c. soy sauce
    1/4 c. brown sugar
    2 T. butter
    1/4 c. romaine leaves, torn (garnish)
     
    Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place pork belly into skillet fat cap side down. Sear until browned on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Slice about 1/2-inch thick and sear again quickly on each side just to lightly brown.
     
    In the meantime combine apples and just enough water to cover them in a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer until apples are tender. Using an immersion blender pulse until a puree is achieved. Set aside and keep warm.
     
    For the sauce combine soy, brown sugar and butter in a small skillet. Heat over medium to melt sugar and blend ingredients stirring often. Reduce heat to low and let reduce until slightly thickened.
     
    Assemble dish by spooning apple puree on bottom, lay a few strips of pork belly, drizzle with sauce and garnish with romaine leaves.
     
     
    * For more information about The Foodie Blogroll and all the opportunities they have to offer visit:
     
    * For more information about this contest visit: https://www.facebook.com/FoodieBlogroll/app_451684954848385

    Visit my Buggl site to view my culinary trip to the Napa Valley: http://www.buggl.com/trail-along-the-29-through-napa-valley-tasting-here-there-and-everywhere-639/overview
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