Archive for ‘LYK Relaxation Station’

May 6th, 2013

Chocolate Coconut Almond Meal Cookies

by Lauren

almondcookie

Chris and I saw Billy Elliot on Broadway this weekend and loved it. I couldn’t believe what an amazingly talented dancer this little twelve year old was. Is everyone on Broadway this amazing? Perhaps I’m out of the Broadway loop.

It gave me a whole new outlook on dedication though. This kid has given up a “normal” childhood to follow his dream. What a sacrifice. It sure is paying off though, he was incredible. His dancing and singing were as good as any adult in the show who had been practicing their whole lives.

Who knew a twelve year old could give you such a kick in the pants. A new level of chasing down what you want and diving in head first.

almondcookie4

That had nothing to do with cookies, I just wanted to fill you in on some LYK musings of late.

With all the almond milk we’ve been making we have loads of almond meal left over.

I’d been searching for something to use it on and these cookies were the without-a-doubt winner. I’m some what of a chocolate/coconut combo addict.

almondcookie1

While this is not an original recipe, I felt compelled to share it with you because it was that good.

After an epic fail with a lemon tart this weekend I didn’t have the guts to try and transform another recipe that requires baking.

Give these a try this week. They are really quick, healthy(ish), delicious, and a great way to put a smile on some family, friends or coworkers faces.

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This recipe is by Minimalist Baker and adapted from the Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook.

I just couldn’t resist.

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From the Little Yellow Kitchen,

Lauren

January 4th, 2013

Satsuma Sunset Cocktail

by Chrissy

It’s the first Friday of the New Year. I think it’s about time for celebratory drinks, don’t you?

If you were lucky enough to have a week or so off work, and returned with a three-day work week, then you will probably agree that these past few days were grueling. It probably had something to do with sleeping in, shoveling holiday sweets into your mouth all day, partying with family and friends, and staying up late. Repeat.

If you weren’t that lucky, sorry, I don’t mean to bring up your misfortune. But since I did, here have a cocktail.

As a part of a fun little food project that Whole Foods Market put us up to, we were challenged to use the two different types of Mandarins—Clementines and Satsumas—in two different recipes. The flavors of the different Manderins were put to the test by our friends.

First up: Satsumas (pictured above, on the left).

Satsumas are bold in flavor; both sweet and slightly acidic, they make quite a distinct statement in recipes. We thought they would go best in a cocktail, paired with pomegranate flavors and pleasantly effervescent ginger beer. This combination creates one tasty sunset in a glass!

Don’t forget the fun brown-sugared rim!

This cocktail is on the sweeter side and with the addition of Mandarin-flavored vodka, you might even believe them to be mocktails. Until you stand up after knocking a couple back. Then suspicions would be confirmed and you would realize that they were the real deal the whole time.

Stay tuned for PART 2 of this Mandarin recipe battle! Here’s a sneak peak of what we created with those cute little Clementines:

You will have to hang tight to see how our taste-testers felt about the Satsuma vs. the Clementine and which one they liked better in these recipes!

Satsuma Sunset Cocktail

Print Recipe!

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

3 oz (2 shots) mandarin vodka (or plain, if preferred)
1.5 oz ( 1 shot) pure pomegranate juice
2 oz ( 1 1/2 shots) fresh satsuma mandarin juice
Ice
Brown sugar for rim
Pom seeds for garnish
Ginger beer, top off about 2-3 oz, or to taste.
Mint garnish (optional)

Directions:
First, garnish glass by running a slice of tangerine around the rim. Dip the top of glass into some brown sugar so it clings around the rim (easy if placed on a shallow plate), and set aside.

Pour vodka, pomegranate juice, fresh satsuma mandarin juice and a handful of ice into a shaker and shake to combine and chill. Pour contents over a handful of ice in sugared glass. Top off with a splash (or a bit more) of ginger beer, garnish with pomegranate seeds and a spring of mint.

 

From the Little Yellow Kitchen,

Chrissy

 

August 30th, 2012

LYK Relaxation Station: Cool Cucumber Margarita

by Pearl


I don’t think anybody would argue with that the anticipation of the upcoming three day weekend has made this the slowest work week EVER!  Not to mention Mr. Golden Sun who has been teasing me all week through the window of my fluorescently lit cubicle.  However, it wasn’t until Wednesday night’s events that time actually began to stand still.

Deep in my laboratory (aka my kitchen) the fate of my weekend was sealed when I crafted the perfect Labor Day Weekend Libation.  Cool and refreshing, sweet, but so very smooth. Until we should me again, the object of my desire would remain a Cucumber Margarita.

While I hate to make your Friday drag on more than necessary by tantalizing you with the details of the cocktail that awaits you, it would be too selfish if I didn’t share this with you.  This margarita’s flavor is bursting with freshness because it base is simply fresh cucumber and lime.  The texture is uniquely frothy and light.  And the cucumber has the ability to curb the sweet, sour, or strong flavor that might taint your palate after a margarita…or two.

With that said, please heed my caution:  These Cucumber Margaritas go down too smooth and too fast.  But I wouldn’t exactly call that a bad thing on a Friday afternoon.

 

Here’s how its done:

Peel and chop up the cucumber, into about 6 pieces.

Place cucumber in a blender.

Juice several small limes or a couple of big limes. You can do this directly into the blender.

Help me, help you.

Add the fresh lime juice, triple sec, tequila, agave, and salt.

Blend on high until completely combined and there are no more cucumber chunks.

It’ll be a little frothy, but that’s cool.

On a shallow, small plate mix salt and sugar. I also like to used a coffee filter to rim glasses since it helps to coat the rim evenly, but if you don’t have one on hand, any old surface will do, really. Trace the rim of each glass with a lime wedge, then dip onto the salt/sugar mixture and give it a twist & twirl.

Fill the glass 3/4 full with ice cubes, then pour in the margarita and garnish with a nifty straw and lime wedge.

 

Have a fabulously wonderful Labor Day Weekend! Check out our Part 1 and Part 2 Labor Day BBQ Posts if you are looking for some rockstar BBQ food ideas.

 

Cool Cucumber Margarita

Print Recipe

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

1 English cucumber, peeled

Juice of 2-3 large limes

3 oz. Triple Sec

3 oz. silver tequila

3 tsp agave nectar

Pinch of salt (less than 1/8 tsp)

 

Rim Ingredients:

1 tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Sugar

1 lime wedge

 

Directions:

Blend the cucumber, lime, aqave nectar, Triple Sec, tequila, and a pinch of salt until smooth and frothy and serve over ice.

To rim your glass mix salt and sugar and spread out mixture on a plate (I’ll often use a coffee filter instead, some reason it works really well) in the shape in size of your glass.  Rub the lime around the rim of your glass.  Then place the glass rim down in your mixture and rotate back and forth to coat the rim of the glass.

 

From the Yellow Kitchen, 

Mixmaster Pearl

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