Bites of My Life

Taking my first bite of 24! I mentioned a few weeks ago that this month was treating me too well and I was pointing fingers at the reason being because it was my birthday month. Yes, I think that did play a roll, but with everything going on right now, I think it's more just timing that is making May the month of the year! I have been extremely busy with both work and play. Baby showers, wedding showers, work events, a lake trip, two restaurant openings, looking for new house...I'll stop now. Hence the lack of any kind of post this last week. Keep reading for the short version recap of the past two weeks! 

-Last time with all 3 at Mahler Pl. before we go our separate ways. Couldn't ask for better people to live under the same roof with in these pivotal past two years. 
-When food like this is pumping out of the kitchen at work, it's hard to not go on a complete carb only diet. I suddenly want/need all the breads, biscuits and baked goods. 
-Every day I'm continually validated by my job and the people I work with. Want to join the crew? Apply here. 
-Typical Oklahoma storm watch. Feet up, wine poured. Twisters shmisters.
-Kitten is leaving us to be a big cat in Chi town! A proper adios fiesta was in order before she departed! 
-A big night for The Jones Assembly two Saturday's ago. Can't wait to open our doors to the public at the end of June!
-When I volunteered to help throw a shower for sis, I obvi took over the food task. It was a very What's Gaby Cooking inspired spread. 
-I clearly didn't wear the right foot wear for futbol. I'm just going to leave this picture right here and not get into the weird details of why I was kicking around a soccer ball last week. 
-Like, so, #ontrend. Scarf found here.
-Breakfast//lake edition//birthday edition.
-Move over LeCroix, there's a new basic betch in townl
-Hot dogs, baked beans, and patriotic berries. All the eats for this holiday Monday!

Annie

P.S. Make sure and hop over to The Well Today for my guest post from yesterday!

Bites of My Life

Work isn't slowing down, and neither is anything else. I'm not mad about it though. When things are busy, more gets done and in my experience more fun is had. It's like when you have barely time to do anything, you try to slip in as much fun as you can have.  

-Celebrated 4 years of teaching barre3 for sis last week! Still killing the game even 7 months preggo!
-Sweetly surprised when my drink order came out pink unknowingly. Order this: the sweet almond herbal tea from Elemental Coffee, add steamed almond milk. 
-A little post-college Monmouth Duo party. 
-A summer version of my go-to lunch!
-When the craving comes on strong and you can't leave the grocery store parking lot without ripping open the bag of popcorn. I wish I could say this doesn't happen often...
-First time trying Chick-n-Beer! With none other than my adventurous eating PIC, dad!
-It's too convenient that my new favorite coffee shop is walking distance from my work. 
-Bibimbap is one of my family's favorite things at our favorite restaurant in the city. Kathleen's version comes in a very close second. 
-The Hall's Pizza Kitchen officially opens today! Got a sneak peek last Friday and already have plans to go back this week. Their burrata is calling my name!
-Baby K can't come soon enough, loved getting to shower sis this weekend.
-Crawfish, barbecue and beer (and club specials) oh my. 
-Love a day just for you mammasita!

p.s. take a look at last week's Key Lime Pie recipe post if you missed, it's a must make dessert! In fact, I'm making it again tomorrow!

Annie

The Only Key Lime Pie Recipe You Need

Look no further. This is the last key lime pie recipe you need. I got the recipe from one of my best friend's moms. She adapted it from Joy of Cooking then I made of few tweaks myself. The results=absolute deliciousness. I'm not even going to ramble on about it, let's just cut to the chase.

I'm a sucker for a good graham cracker crust. Especially this one. It has brown sugar it. I'm telling you it makes all the difference. 

Key Lime Pie
yields 1, 9" pie

Crust:
1 1/2 cups of graham crackers (about 10)
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup brown sugar 

Filling:
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup key lime juice (about 12 to 14 key limes)
zest of two key limes, plus extra for garnish

Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp. sugar

Directions:
Preheat your over to 350 degrees. In a food processor, grind up your graham crackers until finely ground. Pour melted butter and brown sugar in and process together. Dump graham cracker grounds into a 9 inch pie pan. Using your hands spread them out and up the sides. Use the base of a measuring cup to help pat down the crust so that it is even. Use the side of the measuring cup to smooth the sides and make sure the crust is even all along the rim. Bake for 10 minutes.  

While your crust is baking whisk your egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and key lime zest in a large mixing bowl. Once your crust is done, lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Pour in the filling and bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Let your pie cool completely before adding the whipped topping. 

Once the pie is cool, make the whipped cream. Using an electric mixer, mix heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Using a spatula, loosely top the pie with a hefty amount of whipped cream. Sprinkle with extra key lime zest. Serve cold. 

Make it for you momma this weekend. I know she will love it. Mine sure does!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Dove head first into the new month with a week and weekend filled with too much fun. I'm pointing fingers at this being my birthday month as the reason why. So much delicious food, made and eaten, drinks with friends, new and old, gorgeous weather, long sunny days and and a major feeling of summer creeping in. 

-Used my archived Cauliflower Crust Pizza recipe to make this pizza pie last Monday. Turned out better than I remembered, a post update is in the works. 
-A healthy dinner followed but an unhealthy amount of vegan cookie dough...this stuff is amazing (found at Whole Foods).
-The Moscow Mule adventure I mentioned before, went full speed last week. We tried out three more places and IMO mine is still the best!
-I have a friend who has me hopping on the oil train. Swapping real lemons for lemon oil in my morning hot water.
-Have you made the basil vinaigrette I posted last week? If not you are mistaken. I topped my cauliflower crust pizza and salads with it. 
-Last week's recipe post looking prettier than ever. 
-The last key lime pie recipe you need, coming this week.
-Scenes from cinco. 
-Not embarrassed at all to admit I went to En Croute 3 times in 24 hours over the weekend. Our new-ish little neighborhood french bistro has me smitten. 
-When you get to be wedding dates with one of your besties!
-The best time of year!!!
-Turkey burger night round two with my favorite people (my parents).

Annie

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Hello May, hello summer food. It's not quite summer yet, but I am diving in to colorful food. I love indulging in seasonal dishes and this salad 100% fits the bill for the current season. 

The avocado and grapefruit combination is delicious, but the star of the show is the basil vinaigrette. The recipe comes from Gaby at What's Gaby Cooking. I've made this a few times and every time I'm reminded that I should make it more. It's amazing as a salad dressing, but also so good over fish, chicken, in replace of pesto, as a marinade, basically anything. I used it as a pizza sauce, so stay tuned for more on that. 

I've been making this salad for lunches and just keeping all of the components sliced and prepped in the fridge so I can toss it all together fresh once lunch time comes. Although, this salad would be great with salmon added to make it more filling or as a side with grilled meats or burgers. 

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
yields 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
1 large grapefruit
1 large hass avocado
5 oz mixed green or spring green lettuce
3 green onions, whites and greens, thinly sliced
Basil Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Maldon salt

Directions:
Using a small sharp knife, peel your grapefruit. Start from the top and peel down as if you were going from the North to South Pole. Then slice thin rings and then cut each ring into fourths so you get triangular shapes. Then cut your avocado in half short ways. Remove the pit and slice into rings like you did the grapefruit, and then in half. Once your components are all sliced and ready it's time to assembly.

In a large bowl add your greens. Top with your grapefruit segments, avocado slices and green onions. Drizzle over a good portion of the basil vinaigrette. With two large spoons toss until the vinaigrette is incorporated. Top with a sprinkle of Maldon salt and enjoy! 

Basil Vinaigrette original recipe from What's Gaby Cooking 
yields ~1 cup

Ingredients: 
1 shallot, roughly chopped
2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves, stems removed (about 4 ounces)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or high powered blender and until smooth. It will be a little thiner than pesto. Store in a mason jar or sealed tight container. Vinaigrette will stay good for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Serve as a salad dressing, spread on pizza, sandwiches, and wraps or over pasta in replace of pesto. Also great as a marinade for fish or drizzled over the top. 

Annie