IFBC Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2017/10/242018/01/25

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Kale Salad for Autumn

Adam took pleasure in the new life. When autumn touched the trees he had got as far as Omaha, and without question or reason or thought he hurried west and south, fled through the mountains and arrived with relief in Southern California.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Kale wasn’t served, Brussels sprouts were cooked until mushy and sauerkraut came from a can. Don’t get me started on what happened to broccoli. Some childhood food memories are best forgotten. Learning to cook vegetables with strong flavors is worth the effort. Of course brassicas are healthy, paired with the right ingredients they are scrumptious too. I’m on my way to finding the best raw kale salad. Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing is really good, the best so far.

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing is super easy to make. The kale salad comes together quickly in one bowl. Even the balsamic dressing is tossed in with the kale, no separate bowl required. What makes the Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing special is the layers of flavor and textures. To a base of softened kale the tangy and sweet Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is tossed with olive oil to dress the greens. After that it’s all about adding pops of flavor and texture with persimmon, pecans, dried cranberries and parmesan cheese. Because it’s a kale salad, it can be made ahead of time. I can confirm leftovers make an excellent lunch. READ MORE . . .

2017/10/112018/01/25

Apple Pie Bread

IFBC 2017 with a Big Fat Slice of Autumn

I asked what you wanted, and you said, A box. What for? To put things in. What things? Whatever you have, you said. Well, here’s your box. Nearly everything I have is in it, and it is not full. Pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts —the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation.

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Somewhere between SEO and avocados I lost my patience. My pen dug deeper into the paper while my heart shattered into a heap of brightly colored sprinkles. Other than the opening remarks at the International Food Bloggers Conference by Nick Papadopoulos of CropMobster, it was all about me, me, me. I found myself wedged between blogging as a business and searching for a way to nurture my creative spirit. We learned the importance of more unique sessions, better SEO, having more followers, all about making money blogging. And yes, I know we need money to live in this time and place. And yes, we all would love to have wildly popular blogs that bring in six figures from advertising. I wanted more. READ MORE . . .

2017/02/212018/02/09

Hippie Oatmeal Cookies with Hemp Seed Hearts

A Healthish Cookie

“February in Salinas is likely to be damp and cold and full of miseries. The heaviest rains fall then, and if the river is going to rise, it rises then.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Of course cookies aren’t very healthy, nutrition wise. Unless we add mental health, comfort and satiety. And a need for really good snacks. And hemp seed hearts. Hemp Seed Hearts are loaded with vegan protein and amino acids which is why they are typically added to smoothies or smoothie bowls. I’m not adverse to smoothies, they just aren’t a favorite. Making cookies is more interesting. Something I would do any day. READ MORE . . .

2016/10/102018/03/23

Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers

Dinner Made Easy

“Lee had kept Adam’s eggs warm and had fried two for Cal. Aron walked through the dining room on his way to school. Want me to wait for you?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

All the sweet flavors of multi-colored bells mingle with your favorite salsa for a spicy update to the classic recipe in Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers. The rice stuffing cooks inside the peppers that are nestled in a tomato based sauce. Topping these Spicy Stuffed Bell Peppers with an egg adds a boost of protein which could be dinner, lunch or brunch. The Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers can be served with chips and salsa but warmed tortillas would be wonderful too. Temper the spiciness of the recipe by varying the type of salsa and amount of red pepper flakes. READ MORE . . .

2016/08/172018/01/03

Double Ginger Pear Crisp

A Taste of Sacramento

“They do pretty nice things in Sacramento, and Horace told how they did things in Sacramento as they rode along.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Last month I attended the International Food Bloggers Conference, IFBC, in Sacramento. It was my first food blogging conference. Gerlinde, of Sunny Cove Chef, and I traveled and roomed together. It was a whirlwind four days of non-stop activity. The experience was rewarding and I recommend attending next year’s conference in Sacramento. READ MORE . . .