Food

July 1, 2015

Almond Bark Rice Krispies

image

Can we all collectively say mmmmmm….

I found on Pinterest (go figure) a recipe for chocolate covered Rice Krispie bites and was stoked to make and take to work.   And, like most recipes, I changed it up because it either A) didn’t work or B) I do what I want.

This one I changed for both reasons.  I wanted to use Almond Bark instead of white chocolate and it was just to thick to dunk them all.  So we went with the drizzle method and I’d say it was a pretty stellar idea.

image

Ingredients

6 cups Rice Krispies

3 Tbsp. Butter

1 bag of Marshmallows (40 count regular size, not mini’s)

Sprinkles, cuz who doesn’t love sprinkles?

Almond Bark or White Chocolate

Directions

Melt butter and mallows together, add krispies.   Stir to cover completely, let cool for a bit.    Butter your finger tips and start forming little golf ball sized bites, or larger, depending on what you’re making them for.   Set on wax paper.   Melt chocolate and start drizzlin’.   Add your fun sprinkles and there ya have it!

image

I also made a regular pan of krispies and added the drizzled almond bark and sprinkles to take up to Butterfield’s today.   Those boys gave me the hookup on my back tire repair.   Have I ever mentioned how much I like those guys?   Maybe a time or two… 😉

Go there.  Get your parts from them.   You won’t regret it.

And tell them the Pirtle’s sent ya.

🙂

image

Cheers!

June 29, 2015

Cauliflower and Kale Detox Salad

image

My friend Ashley made the original version of this salad a few weeks ago and was kind enough to bring me a container of it.   I fell in love with the light, fresh taste and the overall health benefits this recipe packs.  Did you know cauliflower, kale, basil and lemons are known for their detoxifying capabilities?  After my weekend, this recipe was very appealing to me!

The original recipe can be found here courtesy of Blissful Basil.  

I altered the ingredients for a few reasons:

  1. Cost
    • Sun-dried tomatoes are pricey at my grocery store
  2. Availability
    • I looked in two grocery stores for Tahini and couldn’t find any.  Ashley told me where I could find it, but it’s about $8 a jar.   Since this only called for 1/4 cup I decided to just use olive oil.  Completely different tastes, but with the other ingredients in the dressing, I was confident the taste would be just fine.  
  3. Taste
    • I added slivered almonds and omitted hemp seeds and pepitas.   This also could fall under reason #2.

 

image

 

Ingredients

For the Salad
  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into pieces
  • 2 cups finely chopped kale
  • ⅔ cup chopped fresh tomatoes
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • ⅓ cup raw pine nuts
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
For the Dressing
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (or to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Grate the cauliflower pieces in a food processor until riced. Transfer to bowl.

image

2. Chop Kale by hand or in food processor.   Add to cauliflower.

image

3. To bowl add tomatoes, basil, pine nuts and slivered almonds.

image

4. Make the dressing by adding the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, water, sea salt, and black pepper to an airtight container and shake.Pour the dressing over the cauliflower mixture and toss to coat.  Let marinate for 10-15 minutes.

image

5. Serve and refrigerate leftovers.

image

 

June 24, 2015

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Ok, my photos are pretty lame when it comes to food.

I know.image

 

How about when it comes to food photos we make a deal?  Just go ahead and trust what I say and not what I photograph with my iPhone (which, by the way, I have a GORGEOUS new fancy dancy camera I got from the hubs for Christmas… I should use it.)

These little fruit snacks are delicious, nutritious and easy to make.

I found the original recipe on thankyourbody.com – so check her out for legit photos of the yummy gummys like this:

fruit snacks

The Recipe

Ingredients:

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice or fresh orange juice (I used lemon and they were delicious!)
2/3 cup frozen berries (I used a berry mix of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries)
1 – 2 Tbs honey
5 Tbs gelatin

Directions:

1. Pour juice and berries into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until berries become tender and begin to soften.

2. Add honey and stir until completely incorporated. You will want the fruit to dissolve quite a bit until you have a compote.

image

3. Turn the heat off, and quickly and vigorously whisk in gelatin one tablespoon at a time to prevent clumps.

4. Puree mixture using a immersion blender or small blender (I used my food processor since I don’t have the before mentioned gadgets)

5. Pour into a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 glass dish. Refrigerate until set (30 minutes to an hour). Cut in small squares. (Or use fun molds!)

image

 

Enjoy!

image

 

June 17, 2015

Coconut Lime Energy Bites

I originally came into contact with these delicious little nuggets during the Market to Market Iowa run.   Sara made a few different energy bites for us to snack on and these little guys won me over.   They are a nice switch-up from the traditional energy bites that I make with peanut butter, honey and oats.

Lime and Coconut = Light, refreshing and super easy to make.

And makes me want a vodka.

Typical….

I found this recipe on Spoonful of Flavor.  The only change I made was I used regular limes, because I have no idea what makes a key lime different AND I am fairly confident you can’t find one in Nebraska.   The recipe turned out just fine.

 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 1 1/2 cups dates, pitted
  • Juice from 3 limes
  • Unsweetened coconut

Instructions

1. Add the almonds and cashews to the bowl of a food processor and pulse.

image

 

2. Add the dates and lime juice.  Pulse until the dates are finely chopped and the mixture starts to clump.

image

 

3. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls. Roll in coconut and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

image

.

image