Hi all!
Thanks for all of the support and follows in the last year. It's been great to get back into blogging. I desperately missed having a website and my own customization however, so I've started a new site.
Northwest Gypsy was already taken so I had to start fresh.
You can find me at here at Summits and Spice
I'll be moving some of my recipes and most memorable posts over to the new site eventually.
Thanks again for all of the support and interest.
Kayla
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
The Little Things
 |
| Campsite on the beach at Antelope Island |
It's the little things.
March has absolutely flown by. Really, where did it go?
Prepare yourself for my sappy (yet heartfelt) recap of March.
If I have learned anything from the last month, it's to slow down, stop, and really be thankful for all the things going on in your life. I have not had a day in the last month that I didn't spend doing something great in my free time - except for maybe that gnarly sunburn on the back of my legs from too much sunshine in the park... but I digress.
The photo above was from this past weekend during the five days my dear friend Melody decided to come back to Salt Lake for round two. I come to my first point:
- Waking up on the beach in a place you've just recently grown to love with your best friend is perfect. Mel and I have been friends for the past 10 years. In that time we have both lived in multiple states, never living in the same state since high school, and yet we have travelled near and far to see each other in that time. I am extremely thankful for her friendship and the incredible adventures we have had and what we have ahead.
The next few photos are the other moments from this month that have not only made me smile, but inspired me in many ways.
The beautiful hikes that begin right inside the SLC city limits - explore where you live - no excuses
Spring in my neighborhood brings the most stunning flowers, I truly can't get enough of them.
My first time skiing at Alta was volunteering to teach ski lessons to teens. This girl inspired me just as much as the nonprofit I volunteer for: SheJumps. For more about this magical organization and the reasons I get involved, check out their site here.
This girl. Again, her mug is perfect and it's safe to say that it was not stolen from the diner no matter how much Mel wanted to take it.
Roommate dates. I ended up with some really awesome boys who never cease to entertain me. I apologize for the shameless snapchat screenshots.
New friends, sunsets, and grueling Friday evening hikes that kick your butt back into hiking shape.
SLC was looking prime on this night. After just over 3000 foot gain in 2 miles I gladly rewarded myself with an entire box of mac and cheese and wine - TREAT YOURSELF.
Camping season has officially begun folks, spring is among us. With the change of season comes spring cleaning (highly needed) and change. Stay tuned for what's next.
Focus on the little things but don't sweat the small stuff.
k.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
(20)15 Adventures
I have been severely lacking on my posts in 2015 as we find ourselves already halfway through February. I apologize.
To make up for it however, I have decided to dedicate this post to 15 things I've been up to in the new year. Everything from my travels, recipes, and new things I've embarked on to bring everyone up to speed on the happenings in my life. Sound good? Here we go.
1. The promised return to Taos for a ski trip.
The moment I was back in New Mexico I knew I had missed it more than I ever thought possible. The sunshine, chiles, and colors of the Southwest were just what I needed to start the new year off right. I may or may not have drank a stein of beer at the Bavarian (go there) that convinced me to try the only trick I know off of a jump under the chairlift. Cheers to beer giving you the liquid courage you need to land a 180 disappointing all of the people who wanted to laugh at you.
2. Thai Peanut Spaghetti Squash.
Personally, I love using spaghetti squash instead of pasta mainly because I love vegetables, it's healthier, and honestly just as easy to make as pasta. You can't beat making your own thai peanut sauce either. Give it a shot, found here
3. Backcountry Tour to White and Pink Pines, Little Cottonwood Canyon
As I've mentioned before, this is my first winter skiing in the backcountry. I've only been able to get out touring a couple times this season from plans and weather but every time I've gone it's been a new, great, challenging, and rewarding experience. As a beginner, I have been really grateful to be able to tag along with roommates and friends into the backcountry. This tour was my first double lap tour on two different ridges. Do you want legs of steel? Start alpine touring right now.
4. Avalanche Courses Continued (It never ends)
Since moving to Utah, I've been able to see what an incredible backcountry community resides in the Wasatch and the value resources we have available. A couple weeks ago I took my first partner rescue class up at Brighton put on by the Utah Avalanche Center. Admitting to the fact that I had been out in the backcountry without having taken a course like this is a little embarrassing and I am very thankful to now have the necessary knowledge of partner rescue. It's the skill you hope you never have to use but wouldn't you want the peace of mind knowing that your ski partners know how to save you in the event that it was needed? I am grateful to work with the UAC in my job and have the resources they provide in my personal life. Be responsible and know before you go folks.
5. Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Long story short: This will be my go-to banana bread recipe from here on out.
So. Damn. Good. I doubled the cinnamon to cut down on the sweetness. Perfection. Find it here.
6. Missoula Gals Reunite
It hasn't been too long since I've moved to SLC, but no time is better than now to see your close friends. Lindsey, Jory, and Raechel made their way to Utah from all directions for a weekend of sunshine and laughs in the Beehive State. The beer didn't match up to Kettlehouse (as nothing will) but it's as if we were never apart. Until next time with these lovely gals...
7. Rollerblading in February
I love rollerblading. I was overly excited to see all of the fellow bladers that recreate at the park near my house. With all the tropical weather we have been having I have been trying to get out and blade when I can after work. I never thought I would be able to blade in January and February. I've put on many miles in the last 6 months and I'm thinking it may be time to get some new wheels if you know what I mean...
8. Exploring Utah resorts.
Winter has been on a bit of a hiatus this season but I made my goal to check out many Utah resorts this year and I needed to get a move on. I had the opportunity to ski at Park City so I figured I should take it. It's a much different place than Snowbird. I don't think I've skied a mountain that I could compare it to and definitely not when all the Sundancers were out. Nonetheless, I've checked another resort out. Onto the next.
9. Back to Big Sky Country
In January I made my first trip back to Montana to join some friends at Big Sky for a long weekend of skiing and debauchery. The monumental moment of the GNAR drinking game being invented happened during this trip. It was amazing to be with friends, on the mountain, in a ski town, and back in Montana. Apparently the vodka slushy machine is only active in the summer months (tragic) so a tequila slushy at The Wrap Shack had to suffice. Big Sky, you are lovely.
10. Snowshoeing for the first time.
During the winter you can typically find me with skis strapped to my feet. Given the mediocre ski climate, I decided to give these spiked flippers a shot and they were awesome. This event leads me to my next adventure.
11. Winter Hiking
I think about hiking often during the winter. I start planning my spring, summer, and fall hikes but never find myself considering them until winter is over usually because I'm too busy skiing. The weeks of 50-60 degree weather in Salt Lake has my mind working though. This past weekend I did some research and found that one of the spring hikes I had planned is also a popular winter snowshoe trail. Bingo! We headed to Big Cottonwood Canyon to start the hike. Twenty minutes later, our shirts were off and the sunscreen was applied. It was warm, too warm for February. Nonetheless, it was a great hike with a beautiful very that had me more excited than ever to start hiking around this beautiful state.
12. Hozier - my Irish love.
I am beyond stoked that I was able to see Hozier on his first US tour in Salt Lake. The Depot is a pretty intimate venue with all GA seating (which I love) and cheap tickets. The show was incredible and one of the better concerts I've ever been to. Thinking about it makes me swoon. Okay- I'll stop. But really if you ever have the opportunity to see him, do it. Also, if you are turned off because the only song you've ever heard is Take Me to Church, I dare you to listen to the rest of his album and see that it's very different, which I love.
13. Creamy Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
I have made stuffed peppers before and honestly they weren't my favorite and I was disappointed. I wanted to give it another shot. These chicken enchilada peppers were a great success. I used dairy free cream cheese and quinoa instead of rice and they were delicious. Try them here.
14. Spring Skiing....in February
Instead of griping and crying about the weather, last weekend we decided to get out and spend our Saturday party skiing in the nearly spring conditions. The skiing was actually pretty great, the sun was out, and laughs were had. Go skiing with your friends.
15. Embracing the "Spring" Weather
So conditions a week later weren't the best on the mountain, but we gave it a go. My roommate led me to a few technical spots (including a Baldy hike) that will be awesome once it starts snowing again which was great. After the coffee high wore off, we threw in the towel and did the honorable thing: host a BBQ and act like it's summer.
This concludes the (20)15 adventures update. I promise I won't wait this long for another post. No matter what the weather is like, find a way to enjoy it. Hike, travel, ski, and eat like there's no tomorrow.
k.
To make up for it however, I have decided to dedicate this post to 15 things I've been up to in the new year. Everything from my travels, recipes, and new things I've embarked on to bring everyone up to speed on the happenings in my life. Sound good? Here we go.
1. The promised return to Taos for a ski trip.
 |
| Taos Ski Valley |
2. Thai Peanut Spaghetti Squash.
Personally, I love using spaghetti squash instead of pasta mainly because I love vegetables, it's healthier, and honestly just as easy to make as pasta. You can't beat making your own thai peanut sauce either. Give it a shot, found here
3. Backcountry Tour to White and Pink Pines, Little Cottonwood Canyon
As I've mentioned before, this is my first winter skiing in the backcountry. I've only been able to get out touring a couple times this season from plans and weather but every time I've gone it's been a new, great, challenging, and rewarding experience. As a beginner, I have been really grateful to be able to tag along with roommates and friends into the backcountry. This tour was my first double lap tour on two different ridges. Do you want legs of steel? Start alpine touring right now.
 | |
| My roommate, Matt, split boarding a ridge in the Pink Pines area |
Since moving to Utah, I've been able to see what an incredible backcountry community resides in the Wasatch and the value resources we have available. A couple weeks ago I took my first partner rescue class up at Brighton put on by the Utah Avalanche Center. Admitting to the fact that I had been out in the backcountry without having taken a course like this is a little embarrassing and I am very thankful to now have the necessary knowledge of partner rescue. It's the skill you hope you never have to use but wouldn't you want the peace of mind knowing that your ski partners know how to save you in the event that it was needed? I am grateful to work with the UAC in my job and have the resources they provide in my personal life. Be responsible and know before you go folks.
5. Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Long story short: This will be my go-to banana bread recipe from here on out.
So. Damn. Good. I doubled the cinnamon to cut down on the sweetness. Perfection. Find it here.
6. Missoula Gals Reunite
It hasn't been too long since I've moved to SLC, but no time is better than now to see your close friends. Lindsey, Jory, and Raechel made their way to Utah from all directions for a weekend of sunshine and laughs in the Beehive State. The beer didn't match up to Kettlehouse (as nothing will) but it's as if we were never apart. Until next time with these lovely gals...
7. Rollerblading in February
I love rollerblading. I was overly excited to see all of the fellow bladers that recreate at the park near my house. With all the tropical weather we have been having I have been trying to get out and blade when I can after work. I never thought I would be able to blade in January and February. I've put on many miles in the last 6 months and I'm thinking it may be time to get some new wheels if you know what I mean...
8. Exploring Utah resorts.
Winter has been on a bit of a hiatus this season but I made my goal to check out many Utah resorts this year and I needed to get a move on. I had the opportunity to ski at Park City so I figured I should take it. It's a much different place than Snowbird. I don't think I've skied a mountain that I could compare it to and definitely not when all the Sundancers were out. Nonetheless, I've checked another resort out. Onto the next.
9. Back to Big Sky Country
In January I made my first trip back to Montana to join some friends at Big Sky for a long weekend of skiing and debauchery. The monumental moment of the GNAR drinking game being invented happened during this trip. It was amazing to be with friends, on the mountain, in a ski town, and back in Montana. Apparently the vodka slushy machine is only active in the summer months (tragic) so a tequila slushy at The Wrap Shack had to suffice. Big Sky, you are lovely.
10. Snowshoeing for the first time.
During the winter you can typically find me with skis strapped to my feet. Given the mediocre ski climate, I decided to give these spiked flippers a shot and they were awesome. This event leads me to my next adventure.
11. Winter Hiking
I think about hiking often during the winter. I start planning my spring, summer, and fall hikes but never find myself considering them until winter is over usually because I'm too busy skiing. The weeks of 50-60 degree weather in Salt Lake has my mind working though. This past weekend I did some research and found that one of the spring hikes I had planned is also a popular winter snowshoe trail. Bingo! We headed to Big Cottonwood Canyon to start the hike. Twenty minutes later, our shirts were off and the sunscreen was applied. It was warm, too warm for February. Nonetheless, it was a great hike with a beautiful very that had me more excited than ever to start hiking around this beautiful state.
 |
| Frozen Lake Blanche and Sundial Peak |
I am beyond stoked that I was able to see Hozier on his first US tour in Salt Lake. The Depot is a pretty intimate venue with all GA seating (which I love) and cheap tickets. The show was incredible and one of the better concerts I've ever been to. Thinking about it makes me swoon. Okay- I'll stop. But really if you ever have the opportunity to see him, do it. Also, if you are turned off because the only song you've ever heard is Take Me to Church, I dare you to listen to the rest of his album and see that it's very different, which I love.
I have made stuffed peppers before and honestly they weren't my favorite and I was disappointed. I wanted to give it another shot. These chicken enchilada peppers were a great success. I used dairy free cream cheese and quinoa instead of rice and they were delicious. Try them here.
 |
| Delish |
Instead of griping and crying about the weather, last weekend we decided to get out and spend our Saturday party skiing in the nearly spring conditions. The skiing was actually pretty great, the sun was out, and laughs were had. Go skiing with your friends.
 |
| Ridge on top of The Cirque |
15. Embracing the "Spring" Weather
So conditions a week later weren't the best on the mountain, but we gave it a go. My roommate led me to a few technical spots (including a Baldy hike) that will be awesome once it starts snowing again which was great. After the coffee high wore off, we threw in the towel and did the honorable thing: host a BBQ and act like it's summer.
 |
| Bring out the driveway pong. |
This concludes the (20)15 adventures update. I promise I won't wait this long for another post. No matter what the weather is like, find a way to enjoy it. Hike, travel, ski, and eat like there's no tomorrow.
k.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
A Toast to 2014
2014, you've been good to me.
This past year has been full of ups and downs, surprises, changes, new adventures, and lessons learned. Hence why it's been so good to me.
Here's a little summary of my accomplishments and adventures from 2014:
1. Broadening my vegetarian cooking and not eating meat during January. I know it doesn't seem like much to only challenge myself for one month but the goal was to make nutritious meals that were filling and plant based. I don't plan on becoming a vegetarian anytime soon but the experience only further supported my ideals of eating the meats that I truly want to eat (aside from the occasional hand dipped corn dog at the fair because you're kidding yourself if you don't want one).
2. Challenging myself in a fitness competition. For me this was going beyond running the several 5k's I run every year and doing something more. In May I finished my first Spartain race coming in 267th out of 1855 women. It was a long road, but worth every mile. We will see was 2015 brings.
3. Hiking higher and higher. Just when I thought I'd be in Missoula for another amazing summer, life took a turn and I found myself in New Mexico. For all of you who read my blog or know me, you know that I love food and hiking more than most things. My journey to the Southwest not only expanded my stomach and love for chile, but I set my personal record for summit elevation with Wheeler Peak (13,159ft) and then two weeks later exceeded it with Mount Lindsey (14,042ft). After returning to Montana, I hiked over 60 miles in just over a month as a weekend warrior which I hope to shatter this summer in Utah. Thanks to hiking, catching the 14er bug, and my favorite La Cumbre beer, I took on the life motto: get elevated.
4. Montana to Utah. Deciding to make the move from Montana to Utah was huge, but I was ready for something new. With all of the adventuring I had done all summer I realized that there are so many places that I needed to go out and explore. Salt Lake has been full of mountains, new food, people, and lifestyle. It feels fresh. Change is a good thing and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations keeps one from becoming complacent. Keep life exciting.
Some of my favorite moments from 2014:
The thing I love most about the new year is making new goals. Goals can and should be an ongoing activity, but there's just something about reflecting on a year and thinking about what goals you attained and what is yet to come that I really enjoy. If you aren't working to better your self, life, or surroundings....what are you doing?
I don't want to go into detail about my life goals, but there's something contractual about blogging about them which will hopefully boost my accountability.
Here is a brief insight to some of my goals for 2015:
-Listen more, swear less
-Ski at least 5 Utah ski resorts
-Hike the peaks of the Wasatch front range
-Conquering a few specific yoga poses
-Visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks (why else am I in Utah?)
-Change my own oil
-Keep hiking...too many places to name.
-Visit a new state
If all else fails, just do more of whatever makes you happy.
"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing" -Barry Finlay
Adios 2014, Hello 2015.
k.
This past year has been full of ups and downs, surprises, changes, new adventures, and lessons learned. Hence why it's been so good to me.
Here's a little summary of my accomplishments and adventures from 2014:
1. Broadening my vegetarian cooking and not eating meat during January. I know it doesn't seem like much to only challenge myself for one month but the goal was to make nutritious meals that were filling and plant based. I don't plan on becoming a vegetarian anytime soon but the experience only further supported my ideals of eating the meats that I truly want to eat (aside from the occasional hand dipped corn dog at the fair because you're kidding yourself if you don't want one).
2. Challenging myself in a fitness competition. For me this was going beyond running the several 5k's I run every year and doing something more. In May I finished my first Spartain race coming in 267th out of 1855 women. It was a long road, but worth every mile. We will see was 2015 brings.
3. Hiking higher and higher. Just when I thought I'd be in Missoula for another amazing summer, life took a turn and I found myself in New Mexico. For all of you who read my blog or know me, you know that I love food and hiking more than most things. My journey to the Southwest not only expanded my stomach and love for chile, but I set my personal record for summit elevation with Wheeler Peak (13,159ft) and then two weeks later exceeded it with Mount Lindsey (14,042ft). After returning to Montana, I hiked over 60 miles in just over a month as a weekend warrior which I hope to shatter this summer in Utah. Thanks to hiking, catching the 14er bug, and my favorite La Cumbre beer, I took on the life motto: get elevated.
4. Montana to Utah. Deciding to make the move from Montana to Utah was huge, but I was ready for something new. With all of the adventuring I had done all summer I realized that there are so many places that I needed to go out and explore. Salt Lake has been full of mountains, new food, people, and lifestyle. It feels fresh. Change is a good thing and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations keeps one from becoming complacent. Keep life exciting.
Some of my favorite moments from 2014:
 |
| Exploring Wilderness in New Mexico |
 |
| The introduction of the gilded ski jacket |
 |
| Mount Lindsey - and it's false summit |
 |
| Celebrating hikes with my favorite beers |
 |
| Celebrating one of my oldest friend's bachelorette party in Vegas |
The thing I love most about the new year is making new goals. Goals can and should be an ongoing activity, but there's just something about reflecting on a year and thinking about what goals you attained and what is yet to come that I really enjoy. If you aren't working to better your self, life, or surroundings....what are you doing?
I don't want to go into detail about my life goals, but there's something contractual about blogging about them which will hopefully boost my accountability.
Here is a brief insight to some of my goals for 2015:
-Listen more, swear less
-Ski at least 5 Utah ski resorts
-Hike the peaks of the Wasatch front range
-Conquering a few specific yoga poses
-Visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks (why else am I in Utah?)
-Change my own oil
-Keep hiking...too many places to name.
-Visit a new state
If all else fails, just do more of whatever makes you happy.
"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing" -Barry Finlay
Adios 2014, Hello 2015.
k.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Powder and Pizza
With ski season finally ramping up all over the country now that we've passed the first of December, I can't help fight that familiar itch that begins. It starts with the first couple times on the mountain. You're happy to get turns in no matter how many rocks you hit or times you catch an edge and wipe out. But slowly the the itch builds. You find yourself starting to check the forecast daily (hourly) lusting to see the snowflake in the upcoming days. Momentary elevation of your mood heightens when new areas of the mountain start to open or you go on a tour to mix things up...but again the itch continues. Finally let's add in the horror of the internet that allows you to look at the snowfall that's occurring everywhere else but not where you are.
That's when you (or at least I) snap. Where. Is. The. POWDER ?!
Some have to bring me down to Earth and remind me that it is still early, there is still snow to be had, it needs to cover up the rocks, etc etc. It's hard to remain calm. Salt Lake had highs of 55-60 degrees for the last two weeks which I really couldn't complain about, but I'm ready for winter. Thankfully this past weekend a storm came through and graced Little Cottonwood Canyon with almost 10 inches and the itch was fixed...for the time being.
While waiting for the snow to fall I decided to take on a new recipe in the kitchen, homemade pizza. It absolutely boggles my mind that I have never made fully homemade pizza given that it's one of my favorite foods. The dough was extremely easy to make and the pizza was perfect for a football Sunday.
I am a huge fan of thin crust and used the crust recipe from The Kitchn. The only advice I would give further is that you really need to roll the dough out. I thought I was borderline too thin but in reality it raised much more than I thought. If you like a little thicker crust then you don't have to roll it out as much.
I'm getting ready to head home this week for Christmas and needed to clear out the fridge in preparation to be gone. Alas, the Mediterranean Kitchen Sink Pizza was born. Here's what I topped my pizza with:
-Herbed goat cheese
-Diced pepperoni
-Caramelized onions/shallots
-Sweet peppers
-Artichoke hearts
-Roasted Garlic
Topped with a balsamic glaze
I am looking forward to more days like these in the future. Powder followed by pizza.
Safe travels to everyone during the holidays. If you have a connection at DIA, I wish you luck. If you need any recommendations about where to find the strongest drink or how to win an arm wrestling match for the nearest outlet to your gate - contact me. I've spent so many hours in that airport during the holidays I should list the skills I acquired on my resume but I digress.
Happy Holidays and cheers. Santa, please bring snow.
k
That's when you (or at least I) snap. Where. Is. The. POWDER ?!
Some have to bring me down to Earth and remind me that it is still early, there is still snow to be had, it needs to cover up the rocks, etc etc. It's hard to remain calm. Salt Lake had highs of 55-60 degrees for the last two weeks which I really couldn't complain about, but I'm ready for winter. Thankfully this past weekend a storm came through and graced Little Cottonwood Canyon with almost 10 inches and the itch was fixed...for the time being.
 |
| On top of the ridge on my first backcountry tour in the Wasatch |
While waiting for the snow to fall I decided to take on a new recipe in the kitchen, homemade pizza. It absolutely boggles my mind that I have never made fully homemade pizza given that it's one of my favorite foods. The dough was extremely easy to make and the pizza was perfect for a football Sunday.
I am a huge fan of thin crust and used the crust recipe from The Kitchn. The only advice I would give further is that you really need to roll the dough out. I thought I was borderline too thin but in reality it raised much more than I thought. If you like a little thicker crust then you don't have to roll it out as much.
I'm getting ready to head home this week for Christmas and needed to clear out the fridge in preparation to be gone. Alas, the Mediterranean Kitchen Sink Pizza was born. Here's what I topped my pizza with:
-Herbed goat cheese
-Diced pepperoni
-Caramelized onions/shallots
-Sweet peppers
-Artichoke hearts
-Roasted Garlic
Topped with a balsamic glaze
I am looking forward to more days like these in the future. Powder followed by pizza.
Safe travels to everyone during the holidays. If you have a connection at DIA, I wish you luck. If you need any recommendations about where to find the strongest drink or how to win an arm wrestling match for the nearest outlet to your gate - contact me. I've spent so many hours in that airport during the holidays I should list the skills I acquired on my resume but I digress.
Happy Holidays and cheers. Santa, please bring snow.
k
Friday, November 28, 2014
Friends(&thanks)giving
The holiday season is upon us full of friends, fun, and so much food. As of a week ago, ski season has also begun here in Utah. I was lucky enough to have my best friend Melody travel from Boulder to come explore SLC for a week, get our first turns of the season in, and cook a Thanksgiving feast.
Our adventures at Snowbird last weekend began and ended with one run being open, drinks, friends, and snowy laps. I can't wait for the season to finally take off.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.This year was my first time preparing a turkey and preparing most of the feast. Melody and I pooled our skills and resources together to put on Thanksgiving for us and my roommates.
 |
| Snowy and matching. Opening weekend at the Bird |
 |
| Lines for days. |
A couple of tips to make Thanksgiving a great success:
1) Turkeys, so I've learned, take quite awhile to thaw so start early. 2 days before.
2) Have lots of wine on hand, but don't break it out too early - that turkey isn't going to carve itself...and you probably shouldn't be handling a hot bird with a carving knife while sporting red wine lips either.
3) Make your pumpkin pie from scratch with fresh pumpkin. I could eat this pie every day. Recipe below!
4) Put goat cheese in your mashed potatoes for added flavor and creaminess.
5) Always say what you're thankful for. It's the best tradition.
Thanksgiving was a success. Here's a recap of the day plus two recipes that will be in my feasts to come without a doubt.
 |
Green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are my two favorite Thanksgiving dishes. This year I'm certain that we found the two best recipes that will be used in my Thanksgivings to come. Here are my modified versions:
Green Bean Casserole with Portobello Gravy:
1/4 cup olive oil
6 medium shallots or half a white onion, sliced into rings (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 pounds thin fresh string beans, trimmed
1 pound portobello mushrooms, slices
6 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
3 cups 2% milk, I used lactose-free of course
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive oil cooking spray
Preheat
the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over
medium-high heat. Add shallots or onions and cook until soft. Remove
from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate. Leave
remaining oil in the pan.
Place
the green beans in a steamer basket fitted over a pot of boiling water.
Cover and steam until bright green and still crisp, about 3 minutes.
Heat
1 tablespoon of the reserved shallot oil in a large, deep nonstick
skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring
occasionally, until the mushroom liquid is evaporated and they begin to
brown, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, 1
minute. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a bowl.
Whisk
together the milk and flour until the flour is dissolved. Add the
mixture to the skillet and, whisking constantly, bring to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to medium low, whisking occasionally, until thickened,
10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the green
beans, mushroom mixture, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, the parsley, nutmeg,
3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Coat
a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon the green bean mixture
into the prepared dish and sprinkle the top with the crispy shallots and
the remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake until golden on top and
bubbling, about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Fresh Pumpkin-Pecan Pie
3-4 pound sugar pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pecan halves.(chopped)
Prepare the pie crust beforehand in a standard 9 in pie pan.
Prepare the pumpkin:
Preheat
oven to 350. Cut the sugar pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Put cut
sides down on a greased cookie sheet for 1-2 hours. Scrape the center of
the pumpkin out of the rind and place into the blender. Puree pumpkin
until smooth. Increase heat of the oven to 450 degrees.
Combine eggs, sugars, spices, flour, and salt. Blend in pumpkin. Gradually add milk, mix well.
Pour into pie shell. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake an additional 40-50 minutes.
Make pecan topping: Combine two tablespoons of butter, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and chopped pecans.
Sprinkle the pecan mixture on top of the pie for the last 10 minutes of the baking time.
By now your kitchen most likely smells amazing and you should be overly excited to dive into this....
Hope you are all nursing your food hangovers well, it was worth it.
k.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
On The Move
It's official, I have left Montana.
I can honestly say that I never thought that some day I would live in Utah. It seemed like one of those places I always just passed through, heard about, and didn't really think much of until the past few years when I started realizing just how great the mountains and therefore skiing were.
Apparently having the Winter Olympics here didn't really register with me in 5th grade but now it's all coming together unlike the Olympics being in Sochi....which I will never understand. Moving on..
I decided to take the long way down to Salt Lake to make a couple stops to see friends and get my fill of the northern mountains. I might as well admit at this point that I was also getting my fill of being in states with regular alcohol laws and "regular" beer. My first stop was Big Sky, MT to see my friend Katy. Everyone should probably visit Big Sky not only because it's beautiful but because there is a bar there that sells vodka slushies. A night can never go wrong when you're in the high country of Montana, surrounded by ski bums and flannel, and there is a dive bar selling vodka slushies and 50 cent wings. You just can't. The morning view isn't half bad either.
The next day I headed out in search of the Tetons. Staying the night in Jackson on Halloween turned out to be a great success full of new friends, wine, killer mountains, and more wine. Let me just say that you never know who you're going to meet, so stay open minded and be outgoing because life is exciting and one should always explore the opportunities that arise.
After two days in the mountains I finally made it to SLC. 100 papercuts, boxes, and 7 days later I had moved into my new place and unpacked my life. Hopefully that will not occur again for a long, LONG while.
I love pizza and had been craving it now more than ever after the long hours of unpacking. The rise of the "low carb" veggie crusts had me intrigued so I decided to give it a shot.
Spinach Pizza Crust
2-3 cups of leaf spinach
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 egg
Toppings:
2 cooked links of chicken sausage, sliced
roasted tomatoes, sliced
shallot, sliced and sauteed
chunks of brie, gouda, mozzarella, any cheese really
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Chop the spinanch in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor. I don't have a food processor and things were a little difficult. After several rounds in the blender I basically just chopped the spinach as small as I could and put it back in the blender with the cheese and egg. Pulse the mixture enough to mix the egg in. The important thing to remember is that you don't want a pureed spinach. If that means you end up doing a lot of hand mixing, that's just fine.
Line a cookie sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Spread the mixture into a circle about a 1/2 inch thick. Season the top with any spices you desire. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.
Turn the oven to broil. Top the crust with the desired toppings and set to broil until the cheese melts. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
I was really surprised as to how well the crust stayed together with the weight of the toppings. I ended up folding most of my slices in half, but the recipe ended up working out really well for a healthy alternative. Next time I think I will use a little less cheese in the crust to cut down on the grease, but other than that this one will be a keeper. Enjoy!
Before I left Montana I bought my tickets to see The Black Keys in SLC. Being one of my favorite bands, I was extremely excited that I was going to be in town for the show. I can definitely get used to the music scene that Salt Lake has. The show was absolutely amazing. You can't beat a good show and good company.
My first couple of weeks in SLC have flown. I can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Opening day at Snowbird is in 9 days and we are counting down in this household.
Eat, sleep, snow dance, repeat.
k
I can honestly say that I never thought that some day I would live in Utah. It seemed like one of those places I always just passed through, heard about, and didn't really think much of until the past few years when I started realizing just how great the mountains and therefore skiing were.
Apparently having the Winter Olympics here didn't really register with me in 5th grade but now it's all coming together unlike the Olympics being in Sochi....which I will never understand. Moving on..
I decided to take the long way down to Salt Lake to make a couple stops to see friends and get my fill of the northern mountains. I might as well admit at this point that I was also getting my fill of being in states with regular alcohol laws and "regular" beer. My first stop was Big Sky, MT to see my friend Katy. Everyone should probably visit Big Sky not only because it's beautiful but because there is a bar there that sells vodka slushies. A night can never go wrong when you're in the high country of Montana, surrounded by ski bums and flannel, and there is a dive bar selling vodka slushies and 50 cent wings. You just can't. The morning view isn't half bad either.
 |
| I could wake up to this daily. |
 |
| Surreal. |
I love pizza and had been craving it now more than ever after the long hours of unpacking. The rise of the "low carb" veggie crusts had me intrigued so I decided to give it a shot.
Spinach Pizza Crust
2-3 cups of leaf spinach
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 egg
Toppings:
2 cooked links of chicken sausage, sliced
roasted tomatoes, sliced
shallot, sliced and sauteed
chunks of brie, gouda, mozzarella, any cheese really
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Chop the spinanch in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor. I don't have a food processor and things were a little difficult. After several rounds in the blender I basically just chopped the spinach as small as I could and put it back in the blender with the cheese and egg. Pulse the mixture enough to mix the egg in. The important thing to remember is that you don't want a pureed spinach. If that means you end up doing a lot of hand mixing, that's just fine.
Line a cookie sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Spread the mixture into a circle about a 1/2 inch thick. Season the top with any spices you desire. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.
Turn the oven to broil. Top the crust with the desired toppings and set to broil until the cheese melts. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
Before I left Montana I bought my tickets to see The Black Keys in SLC. Being one of my favorite bands, I was extremely excited that I was going to be in town for the show. I can definitely get used to the music scene that Salt Lake has. The show was absolutely amazing. You can't beat a good show and good company.
 |
| Little Black Submarines encore - my favorite. |
Eat, sleep, snow dance, repeat.
k
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)