Bites of My Life

This past week/weekend is notoriously one of my favorite weekends of the spring. The weather usually is always beautiful by end of April, the Arts Festival has popped up, the OKC Memorial Marathon takes place and some kind of wedding celebration has known to fall on this weekend too. Proof here, here, and here.

I’ll be 100% honest, this weekend made me second guess my move from OKC. There is so much pride for the city that takes place this time of year (the memorial marathon being the reason). However, adventure awaits down south and OKC will always be here, so will my love for the big league city.

-New Spring/Summer menu launched at The Jones Assembly and my eyes are all over this well crafted cheese board.
-The new spot in town is both convenient and delicious. Highly recommend the grain bowl at Stitch.
-Unintentional pink on pink on pink deserved to be documented.
-I’ve been going to the Arts Festival since I was tiny, and I’ve always been more interested in the “culinary arts.”
-Somehow we used this photo booth opp as a way to throw it back to our pom and cheer days to celebrate Bailey and Andrew’s upcoming wedding.
-The weather has been gorg-e-ous lately, so I took advantage of it Saturday afternoon.
-Up early at Gorilla Hill to watch runners go by. Elle really dressed for the occasion in her banana yellow.
-After years of watching from the sidelines, I finally got to participate int he OKC Memorial Marathon - relay style!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Wowza. Last week was mmm emotional? Exhausting? Amazing? Emotional because I decided I am moving. Exhausting because crying a lot is exhausting and realizing I have to find a job, find an apartment, and find someone to take my current job is stressful. Amazing because despite the emotion and the exhaustion, I felt liberated all week by my decision and the support around it. And because it was a truly great Easter weekend with friends and family in town.

-Funfetti Cake recipe on the blog last week! Perfect for any celebration!
-New favorite restaurant/coffee shop/place to work is now open! Stitch opened right down from my office and next door to The Jones two weeks ago and I’m going to soak up as much time there as I can!
-Gal Pal Book Club #2! We just finished Girl, Stop Apologizing. We all did not like it…I would still recommend Girl, Wash Your Face, but take a pass on GSA.
-Super easy and nutritious sheet pan week night meal made a “lite bite” appearance. Recipe here.
-Hi! I’m moving to Dallas in June! Deciding if I’m going to write a post on the why… If you are in OKC and looking for a creative job in hospitality marketing, apply here.
-The go-to when I have nothing to eat. Check out my recipe for healthy fried rice. This time I used cauliflower rice and kimchi!
-The whole Social Order crew in one place for our Vol. 4 shoot with The Scout Guide!
-Orange, was I glad I got to go the the first Thunder playoff game, because our future in the series is not looking so bright.
-Spent Saturday morning judging a cake baking competition with the dream team. All to benefit the local charity SixTwelve. A group I wish I would have gotten involved in sooner. If you are in OKC, check them out!
-Really hoping mom’s table setting genes rub off on me when it comes time to host holidays for family in the future. She kills it every time!
-Ready for sister’s little peep to join our girl squad! She is due in a week and a half!
-Aunt Chloe came through with Easter dessert this year! Kathleen and I usually always make dessert (sometimes two), but we loved passing this torch to Chlo if it meant Lemon Cloud Pie!

Annie

Funfetti Cake

“You should try and make homemade funfetti cake!” “OK!” This is verbatim how the conversation with my good friend MaryKate and I went down. Didn’t have to ask me twice!

MaryKate and I had this conversation about a month ago now, but it wasn’t until this past weekend where I had a chance to write out a recipe and get to baking. Last Saturday it rained all day, morning to night. My absolute very favorite time to bake is early on Saturday mornings. Despite going to bed at 2am the night before, I woke up at 7am (I’m a psycho, I’m aware). I made breakfast, made tea, watched an episode of The Pioneer Woman in bed and then got to baking on my perfect little rainy Saturday morning.

Only good things happen on weekend mornings. And this cake was a result of that. The funfetti came out extremely delicious and indulgent. It’s slightly more dense than the light and fluffy from a box mix, but I prefer that. Slather on some homemade buttercream frosting and you have yourself a fun little cake.

Funfetti Cake with Buttercream Frosting
yields 9x13 cake

Cake Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 egg whites
1 cup whole milk
1 Tbsp. clear vanilla flavor*
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil  
1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (like these, not these), some reserved for decorating

Frosting Ingredients:
1 cup (or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons clear vanilla flavor*
3 Tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x13 cake pan, spray with cooking spray and coat with flour, set aside.

Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat sugar and butter until fluffy, about one minute on high. Scrape the sides and beat for a few more seconds. Add in egg whites. Combine wet ingredients (milk, oil, and extracts) in a liquid measuring cup. With your mixer on low, alternate wet and dry until fully combined. Add in your sprinkles and mix on low. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Once cake has cooled, time to make the frosting. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and desired consistency.

Flip your cake out of it’s pan, top down, and on to a serving tray. Spread the frosting over the top of the cake in big swoops and sprinkle with extra sprinkles!

Cake stays good in the fridge for up to a week!

*Clear vanilla flavor is a version of vanilla extract. However, the clear color will keep your cake and icing bright white instead of light yellow. I use McCormicks Found at Central Market and Walmart.

Annie

Lite Bite: Asian Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Asian Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
serves 2 (with leftover veggies)

Ingredients:
2, 4 oz Wild Caught Salmon Filets, boneless, skinless
1 lb. asparagus spears, ends trimmed
1 lb. baby carrots or veggie of your choice (broccoli, sweet potatoes or bok choy would be great
1 Tbsp. coconut aminos
1 Tbsp. almond butter
1/2 tsp. agave or honey
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper
sesame seeds

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. On a parchment lined baking sheet arrange veggies and salmon so everything is on an even layer. Season the salmon and veggies with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl whisk coconut aminos, almond butter, agave, ground ginger and garlic powder. Brush 1/2 of the sauce over the salmon and veggies. Bake for 10 minutes, then brush with remainder of the sauce. Bake for another 5 minutes.

Divide among plates, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Coming back from such a fun weekend in LA was an adjustment, mentally and physically. Physically I was exhausted and sick on Monday, and mentally I was still in La La Land. The week however went by surprisingly fast. Come Friday I got to celebrate my sweet roommate’s engagement. If you need me to keep your engagement to your fiancé a secret, I’m up for hire! Pat on my back for keeping this huge secret while simultaneously psyching them out for two of the people closest to me. Maddie and Kenzie got engaged two weeks apart and I’m relieved that the cats are out of the bags.

-Brought a little bit of Beverly Hills home!
-Recent Brandless haul full of pantry staples and all the non-toxic cleaning products. Have you made the switch to non-toxic? I’ve read tons on how this simple switch can make a difference on your health and well-being. Brandless has great options for cheap!
-Lunch has looked a lot like this lately. I’ve had zero motivation to follow a recipe lately, so I’ll go to the store and buy all the veggies that a speaking to me. Roast some, keep some raw, throw it all over greens with avocado and call it good.
-Went to DryBar for their OKC grand opening on Friday and my stylist told me, “beware, you’re going to get hooked.” I’m not one to spend too much money on personal beauty. I get my hair cut once a year, rarely spend money on my nails, but one good blowout later and I signed up for the monthly DryBar membership!
-And just like that my sweet roommate Kenzie is off the market! So so happy for these two besties of mine and their recent engagements!
-Saturday morning baking feat: disgusting pajamas, bed head, this playlist and my favorite apron.
-If you follow me on instagram, you know what all these sprinkles led to. The “fun” recipe will be coming this week!
-Omelette for dinner and this combo is a win! Two eggs, golden tomatoes, roasted zucchini, green onions, almond milk mozzarella and sprouts!
-Celebrating six years of Take A Bite today!

Annie