that’s pinteresting no. 3 – spring eats edition

Posted on April 5, 2012 by mari

Confession time: When I find something I like, I tend to like it a lot. A LOT. So when I find a cool blog, I will read that thing from beginning to end. That may have happened with Two Peas and Their Pod.

I was looking for light summer recipes that would make good use of our Papa Spud’s box and I fell down the rabbit hole.

I had no choice but to go through their entire recipe archive! I swear, no choice. But as a result you get the benefit of my long, arduous work… a selection of awesome and delicious looking recipes just in time for the weather warming up and fresh foods popping up from the ground. Enjoy!

PS. Check out my Pinterest page for more recipes… I just couldn’t stop. Oh, and click the photos for links to the original recipes!

Asparagus, Spinach, and Feta Frittata

Yum. David and I signed up for this weekly vegetable box from a local Raleigh company called Papa Spuds. It’s like a farm CSA, but you pay weekly and get to pick what comes in your box. And then they drop it at your door. It’s basically an online farmer’s market and we love it so far!

We got some fresh asparagus, chard, and goat cheese in our last two boxes, we swapped them in. It was effing delicious!

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Red Onion Pizza

We also have a ton of sweet potatoes hanging out in our pantry from Papa Spud’s. This recipe has a link to a pizza dough recipe, but I have used and liked The Pioneer Woman’s recipe as well.

I made dough on Tuesday and we had homemade pizza with goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, asparagus and bacon last night. So good.

Surprisingly, pretty easy. Not as easy as putting a frozen pizza in the oven, but I think the extra effort was totally worth it. And I love that you can make whatever kind of pizza you want with what you’ve got on hand.

Black Quinoa Salad with Mango, Avocado, & Tomatoes

This recipe looks so easy and yummy that I went out at lunch and bought quinoa (KEEN-wha). I think I’ve had it once before but I haven’t ever made it.

I’m looking forward to making cold salads for summer lunches. I’m pretty much sold on anything that has mangos and/or avocado.

Grilled Polenta Cakes

Again, have eaten polenta but never made it. These look so good with fresh tomatoes and basil. I can’t wait to try grilling these… it will be a nice alternative to heavy burgers on a warm spring night.

Black Bean and Mango Tostada

Mango, avocado, and lime must be my go-to spring/summer flavors. Everything with these ingredients looks so mouthwatering. This tostada recipe will be a great, quick weeknight dinner option. Also – no cooking required. That’s full of WIN.

Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad Sandwich

Mmm… creamy avocado and cilantro. I might eat this all the time. I might also have to get me some homemade bread. Store bought will certainly do, but don’t those thick slices look heavenly. I say it again, mmmm…

Cilantro Hummus

I won’t lie, I would totally eat this for lunch and call it good. David and I got some cilantro hummus from Trader Joe’s when we went to the mountains and we both loved it.

Since Santa brought me a food processor for Christmas, I think it’s only a matter of time (and finding fresh cilantro) before I start making this on a regular basis.

Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut, Lime and White Chocolate

Finally, no summer meal is complete without dessert, amiright? Two Peas and Their Pod must love coconut and lime as much as I do, because they have no fewer that 5 recipes with this combination in multiple formats.

I made these last night. The taste is so light and subtle, but the cookie is pretty hardy with the oatmeal. These are great springtime cookies and I imagine they will be in regular rotation as well, if David has anything to say about it.

that’s pinteresting no. 2

Posted on February 28, 2012 by mari

This week’s round up of things I found while Pinteresting… (as always, click image for original source).

I make felt flowers for craft shows and this one is beautiful! It looks a little labor intensive to sell, but I definitely want to make a few for myself.

This is such a cute print. It makes me think of David. It’s so cozy looking.

I haven’t admitted this on the blog yet, but I am a huge Dr. Who fan. My dad got me hooked last winter. While I have significant love for David Tennant, I think Matt Smith and Karen Gillian are my favorite doctor/companion duo.

No one I know likes Dr. Who, so if there are any other Who fans, please please please sound off in the comments! I need someone to geek out with before the next series starts!

Such a beautiful cabin. David and I are going away in a few weekends for a belated anniversary trip to the mountains. The awesome cabin we’re staying at might just gives this one a run for its money. But maybe we’ll have to take a trip to Montana to try this one out :) Going to Montana is on my sort of life list.

The eternal challenge of my young life. I’m trying, I’m trying…

I have been on a total biscotti binge lately. I never realized how delicious it is dipped in coffee! After an ill-gotten experiment with biscotti several years ago, I used this recipe to give it another go. I would label it an unqualified success!

I might need to get this to hang in our living room. Aww, so sweet!

This weekend resulted in some major sewing stash reorganization… but I might have to look into this for reigning in the fiber stash next.

What have you been pinning this week?

that’s pinteresting

Posted on February 22, 2012 by mari

I waste a lot of time on Pinterest - here are some of my favorites from the last week or so. Click the image for the original source.

This looks like my favorite time of day in Michigan during the winter. Everything is blue and orange and pink… warm and cold at the same time. It reminds me when I used to get home from class in college, after trudging all the way across campus in the twilight and finally making it back to my warm cozy dorm room.

This is how I picture myself internally. Sort of nerdy but totally a bad ass.

I want one of these cars so so so badly! Too bad I would need to be independently wealthy to afford the gas…

More inspiration for my pixie cut. Once the summer humidity hits, I envision letting it go wild. I hope my wavy hair behaves as beautifully.

I so want a tattoo! I’m scared of the pain but I’m hoping one day soon I will just go for it. I have plans for at least a couple of different tattoos to represent my home (Michigan) and my family, but down the line I’d LOVE to get a sleeve or chest piece that has something to do with my crafting loves.

Pitbulls are so sweet. We’re a long way off from a house with a yard (which is the condition for adding another dog to the family) but I hope to have one of these sweeties someday.