He's smooth, very rich, wonderfully sweet to me, but has a dark side. The moment he touches my lips I'm filled with pure bliss and delicious happiness. That's right, I'm talking about coffee. Coffee, the elixir of life and the best part of any day. My love for this magic potion didn't start until college when my friend Julie introduced me to the French Press. She showed me what quality coffee tasted like and it was love at first taste! Since then our relationship has grown into an amazing love that transcends time.
Now, I'm not going to go on about coffee for 5 paragraphs, that would bore you to tears. Instead I want to tell you why coffee has become a very important part of my life these last few months.
It's been no secret that I've had a rough transition moving here and I'm still fighting with it everyday. I've found myself smack dab in the middle of the burbs in Ohio....the last place I want to be. One of the many downfalls of the burbs is the sea of Starbucks. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Bucks but I came from Bozeman where unique, fun, and awesome coffee shops were a stone throw away at all times. I expressed my anguish to my new and fabulous friend Sophia and she said she was also suffering from a Starbucks overload. We decided to stick it to the burbs and find unique, fun, and awesome coffee shops in the greater Cincinnati area. Since then it has been a weekly pilgrimage to different coffee shops we find on Urban Spoon (such a genius invention). We've been to coffee shops that house libraries, knick-knacks galor, chocolate covered wine bottles, overpriced crossiants, and even a coffee shop that used to be a house. With each trip I get more excited to see new parts of the city and try some new brews. We have even gotten a few more girls (shout out to Paige and Keri!) along for the journey and it really has turned into the best part of my week.
Meeting with these ladies each week has made this whole process a lot easier. They've given me friendship, support, love, spiritual peace, and hope that I will actually survive the burbs! I know this transition is going to be a very long and painful process for me. This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I long for the day where I can be back West. But in the mean time all I need is a little coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. Thank you ladies for sharing your love of coffee with me and for welcoming me with open arms! I'm already excited for next week ;)
Maddie
Last night I made a roasted artichoke for dinner and it made me reminisce of summer nights growing up. It was a common occurrence to have grill outs with chicken, steak, corn on the cob, big salads, and of course, artichokes. My love for these weird veggies began early, pulling off leaf after leaf, dipping them into luscious garlic butter and scraping the meat off creating one fresh, garlic-y little bite. It's such a fun way to be interactive with your food!
It wasn't until I moved that I realized how spoiled I was to grow up in Southern California. I didn't realize things could be "seasonal" and that certain fruits and veggies (like artichokes) couldn't grow everywhere. It was clear I didn't take advantage of the situation when I was in it. This wasn't more clear as when my Montana friends came to CA for the wedding. I'm pretty sure most of them got sick from eating so many fresh oranges from our orchard.
In honor of Spring and fresh produce I want to share a few recipes that are iconic California to me, and because I love Montana too I want to share a few heartier dishes that remind me of the Treasure State:
California
Roasted Whole Artichokes
This recipe has a step-by-step picture tutorial of how to roast an artichoke. It's insanely simple and pretty much full proof. If you don't feel like using garlic or lemon juice just use olive oil, salt and pepper. This will allow for a simpler flavor.
http://pinchmysalt.com/how-to-roast-whole-artichokes/
Whole Orange Cake
I made this with my friend Abi over spring break last year. It has an amazing fresh citrus flavor that could be dessert or breakfast if you're feeling a little naughty! My only advice is really beat those oranges to heck in the food processor, we ended up with some chunks of orange peel in it which was no bueno.
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/whole-orange-cake-50400000126573/
Blackened Chicken and Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Avocado Cream Sauce
I'm probably the only Californian that doesn't like raw avocados. Avocados are classic California and have made its way into the trendy food world popping up in ice cream and pasta, personally that makes me want to gag. However, I do like it in sauces and dips such as this one.
http://www.sarcasticcooking.com/2012/03/15/blackened-chicken-and-cilantro-lime-quinoa/
Montana
When I think of Montana I don't think of produce, I think of all things meat. You haven't tasted meat until you've been to Montana. The fact that you can look across the street and see your dinner eating grass confirms the quality and freshness that comes from Montana ranchers and farmers. Do me a favor, go to Montana just once and try a steak, your life will be changed.
Bacon and Blue Cheese Butter
I'm pretty sure no matter where you're from when you think Montana you think cowboys and when you think cowboys you think meat. This butter has two, well three, of my favorite things: butter, bacon, and blue cheese. When placed on top of a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak....oh em gee. Pure heaven.
http://www.steamykitchen.com/5984-bacon-blue-cheese-butter-on-grilled-steak.html
Honey Garlic Pork Chops
I made these the other night for dinner and I'm pretty sure they're one of the simplest and yummiest pork dishes around.
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=59689
Mustard and Cracked Pepper Roast Beef
This dish is hearty yet refined, the way I look at Montana. It has traditional elements with a few surprises.
http://reecenosh.blogspot.com/2009/01/mustard-roast-beef-recipe-courtesy.html
Enjoy!
Maddie
