Posts in blood orange
honey blossom granola

over the weekend, i had a bit of a pinch me moment. sunday, wes and i did a thirty minute cooking demo at an athletic apparel store at a major mall. we drew a small crowd of people, and it was an athletic apparel store, but it was still AWESOME. 

seriously pinch me. is this my life now? 

we had two awesome volunteers come up and work with us, we gave out a ton of tasty brunch samples (it was a how to step up your brunch game demo) and chatted with a bunch of people about possible future business. including a possible second cooking demo. let's just say two full days later i'm still feeling the emotional high. 

one of the recipes we demonstrated was the signature granola i've been working on for our future restaurant. yes, you read that right... i'm just giving the recipe up. but the best part about this granola, is that it is a pretty simple base that you can easily adjust to your taste, what you have on hand or what is seasonal. you know... customize it! 

orange blossom granola
serves: 4 cups
prep time: 5 minutes
bake time: 30 minutes
cool time: 10 minutes
total time: 45 minutes
ingredients: 3 cups rolled oats. 1 cup slivered almonds (you could sub whatever nuts you prefer here). 3 tbs butter, melted. .33 cup honey. .25 cup orange juice. 1 tbs orange zest (you could sub other citrus). beans from .5 vanilla bean. 1 tsp salt. 

IMG_0541.JPG

start by preheating your oven to 300 degrees f. 

in a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, and the orange zest. 

IMG_0544.JPG

mix well and set aside. 

IMG_0545.JPG

then in another medium bowl combine the butter, honey, orange juice salt and vanilla bean together. 

IMG_0546.JPG
IMG_0547.JPG

whisk until completely combined. 

IMG_0548.JPG

drizzle your liquids over the oat mixture. 

IMG_0549.JPG

dig in and use your hands to combine well. 

IMG_0550.JPG
IMG_0551.JPG

spread your granola over a parchment lined baking sheet in an even layer. bake, stirring the granola about halfway through, until lightly golden brown. 

IMG_0552.JPG

pull the granola out of the oven and allow it to cool. 

IMG_0553.JPG

you can cool it till it's cool enough to eat and enjoy it warm, or you can store it in an airtight container for a week or two. 

IMG_0554.JPG

xo, a

range blossom granola
serves: 4 cups
prep time: 5 minutes
bake time: 30 minutes
cool time: 10 minutes
total time: 45 minutes
ingredients: 3 cups rolled oats. 1 cup slivered almonds (you could sub whatever nuts you prefer here). 3 tbs butter, melted. .33 cup honey. .25 cup orange juice. 1 tbs orange zest (you could sub other citrus). beans from .5 vanilla bean. 1 tsp salt.
start by preheating your oven to 300 degrees f. in a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, and the orange zest. mix well and set aside. then in another medium bowl combine the butter, honey, orange juice salt and vanilla bean together. whisk well to combine. drizzle your liquids over the oat mixture. dig in and use your hands to combine well. spread your granola over a parchment lined baking sheet in an even layer. bake, stirring the granola about halfway through, until lightly golden brown. pull the granola out of the oven and allow it to cool. you can cool it till it's cool enough to eat and enjoy it warm, or you can store it in an airtight container for a week or two.

friyay happy hour: lavender citrus blossom

if the lavender in the secret garden is any indicator, spring has arrived. which tickles me pink because i'm in LOVE with lavender. yes, that may seem dramatic. but it is true. it's a smell that i associate with so many amazing memories in my own life and has such a natural calming effect (which i often need, desperately). 

now that i'm a cook, lavender has found it's way onto my table in many more ways than just vases. i love using it for wet rubs for protein, baked into pretty much anything and in my mind it is the perfect herb for a cocktail. and those colors!!! 

IMG_0494.JPG

in celebration of spring, and friyay i needed a bright, floral beverage. this combo delivered. and the heavy citrus flavors really mellow out a strong drink.

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. 

IMG_0498.JPG

start by prepping your lavender sprigs.

IMG_0495.JPG

gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. 

IMG_0496.JPG

add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. 

add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain.

IMG_0499.JPG
IMG_0500.JPG
IMG_0501.JPG
IMG_0502.JPG

shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined.

IMG_0503.JPG

fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass.

IMG_0504.JPG

strain your cocktail over the ice. 

IMG_0505.JPG

serve and enjoy.

IMG_0507.JPG

xo, a

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. start by prepping your lavender sprigs. gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain. shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass. strain your cocktail over the ice. serve and enjoy.