This week we hosted our church small group and the meal theme was taco bar. I was lucky enough to get to prepare one of my favorite things to make – SALSA. When I started cooking, a variety of salsas was what kicked off my kitchen experimenting. So much so, that people started saying,…
Author: expepicurean
Rambutan & Lavender Fruit Salad
The first time you see a rambutan you are sure to think, “How do you eat THAT?!?”. The fruit is covered in a hairy peel that seems uninviting. If you simply scour the peel around the middle you reveal the white flesh in side. Many people enjoy them as is and just chew on…
Tropical Turmeric Smoothies
Do you love smoothies but feel like you are in a rut? Why not trying an unexpected flavor to change things up? A twist I tried this week is fresh turmeric. Turmeric is a rhizome in the same family as ginger and is more typically used dried, though it is just as delicious…
Meltology – A Review of Cheese Melting
Cheese is eaten in my house everyday, and it is a common ingredient in my recipes. Meals such as pizza and burgers are best with perfectly melted cheese, but past the more common cheeses of mozzarella and cheddar, my knowledge of how other cheese hold up to heat is a bit limited. Hence, I…
Berry Good Finds – Triple Berry Parfait
Last week I was so excited when I received an email from the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) that they were open for raspberry picking the next day (one day only!), which happened to fall on my Friday off from work. I had never picked raspberries and I thought it would be a…
Classic Banana Bread with Elvis Presley Frosting
I started collecting recipes long before I actually had the opportunity to get in the kitchen everyday and tinker. One of my early acquisitions was my grandma’s Joy of Cooking Cookbook. An odd momento for an 18 year-old to keep, but at the time it seemed such a true representation of her and…
Quinoa Tabouleh
A fresh, brightly colored salad is hard for me to resist. Both the vibrant hues and the variety of ingredients make me almost forget that it is in fact already October, ushering in cooler weather. A favorite in my household is tabouleh, a dish originating from the Middle East, typically consisting of mint,…
Malaysian Curry Tuna Sandwich
A few years back, a good friend of mine brought a house warming gift when she visited me at my new home. It was a simple gift, but perfect in selection, since she new I loved to tinker in the kitchen and try new things. It was a jar of Malaysian Seven Seas…
Cappuccino Chia Seed Pudding
I know, I know, chia seed pudding is an “in” thing right now, but have you tried it? It is definitely worth the hype, since it has the trifecta of great taste, easy prep, and good-for-you benefits. Chia seeds are a power house of nutrition, with a high fiber content, protein, calcium, and…
Cocoa Peanut Squares
Do you have a favorite treat from your childhood? Sometimes the simplest ones – like Rice Krispies Treats® and brownies served on hot dog day at school – are the treats that you can’t wait to eat. The extra special Cocoa Peanut Squares my Grandma use to make were something I really looked…
Chile con Queso with Fresh Roasted Chilies and Cashew Cheese
I have been waiting all summer for fresh roasted chilies from my local farmers market. While I could roast peppers myself, you just can’t beat the chilies roasted over coals in a hopper. Last week I was informed that there was only one more week of waiting, so I put my name down…
Tisane Punch
Having a refreshing drink prepared ahead of time and ready to serve is one of tips you will often see from party planners. My Tisane Punch is a variation of a the classic Arnold Palmer and just what you need to add to your Labor Day celebration. An Arnold Palmer is equal parts lemonade and…
