{E}dible Flowers: #AtoZChallenge 2016

It’s planting season again, and I am soooo  ready to restart my herb garden. I haven’t had much luck growing flowers so last year I planted my first herb garden!  *grinning from ear to ear*.

Definitely have a green thumb with herbs!  The success of my herb garden has me rethinking adding flowers to this year’s planting project.

I figure,  if I’m going to plant flowers, why not make them edible!

I’m thinking like bouquet-worthy flowers.  Lavender,  Day Lily,  Nasturtium like flowers.

*I feel a learning moment coming on*

All I’ve ever done with flowers is arrange them in a vase.  Not eat them!  I went surfin’ and found the following resources the tells about these edible beauties:

☆ Want the Do’s & Don’ts? Find them HERE

☆ Just how DO you use them?  Look HERE

☆ Check HERE for some unique cooking ideas like the one below

Rather I decide to try my hand at something as fancy as the cookies,  I know that if a decide to grow edible flowers, they’ll definitely make a breathtaking salad!

Have you used edible flowers in any of your dishes?

Do tell…

Next. The Letter  {F}

 

{D}econstruction: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Can I tell you how much of a fan I am of  ‘Chopped‘- one of the many amazing culinary contest shows on the Food Network?  The premise – four contestants  *with better than mediocre culinary skills*  compete against each other by turning ‘mystery  basket ingredients’ into a three course meal.

{via}

 The prize?  Bragging rights and ten thousand dollars! *blink. blink*  

YEP!

I did say ‘ten thousand smackeroos!

{via}

Of course it’s not as simple as cooking whats  in the basket.  Of course not!  That wouldn’t be fun,  right?  RIGHT!  So here’s the twist…..

… the ingredients have to be presented in a ‘deconstructed’ form of their original self!  Alright then!  Since I’m new to the notion that really good food involves more than opening a package and popping it into the microwave, the whole idea of deconstruction – relating to food …. and what’s that?!

the best that I can come up with  *and this after shamelessly watching some uncalculated number of episodes! *  my safe guess is that deconstructed meals have these three ‘Musts‘:

☆ you take foods that are normally combined in the dish

☆ change their forms – use your culinary know-how

and

☆then plate them together in a different way.

‘BOO YOW’

DECONSTRUCTION! !!!!

It’s not just about taking the dish apart, but putting its elements back together.

I know that it’ll be a minute before I can do this little trick!

What food tricks do you have?

Do tell….

Next. The Letter {E}

{C}hermoula: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Since starting this, now love affair with all things food, I cannot stop buying herbs and spices!  I’ve gone from having salt,  pepper, old bay and garlic salt as the only spices on my spice rack to an impressively well-stocked spice closet!

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Finding meals that include these spices & herbs is very exciting. Replicating classic dishes that include many of these spices is fulfilling and satisfying. It makes me feel very ‘Top Chef -like’. *smiling coyly*.

Since today’s letter is ‘C‘ I went in a search for recipe that would rep my {spice} rack well.  I came up with Chermoula- a spicy North African sauce,  that can do  double duty as a marinade.

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Charmoula (you’ll also see it spelled Chermoula) is a spicy sauce and marinade made of a complex spice mixture containing- among other things- herbs, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, cumin,  paprika, coriander and in some cases,  lemon. This sauce is used on meat and fish and can even be adjusted to make a unique vinaigrette.

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It may be a little while before I mix up this tangy delight.  Mainly because I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to spicy hot flavors.  But when I do,  or will definitely be blog fodder.

What herbs and spices are your favorites?

Do tell. …

Next…. the Letter {D}

{B}ourbon: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Hey Luv-lies

Day Two of the #AtoZChallenge. And yes, the party is heating up!   *Woot! Woot!*

So I’m watching one of my favorite food shows – you know,  the one with the hip young dyed-blonde haired chef that visits “Triple D’s” in a fire-engine red sports car.   Yep.  That show.  One of the Triple D’s that he dropped in on was serving up a plate of chicken that had me drooling! *grabbing a napkin*

{via}

You know sometimes I wonder why I temp myself watching these shows.   All of the amazing food has me adding to a list of  ‘places to eat if I’m in _________ town’ *fill in the blank*. I just know that my list is going to come in handy….. I just know it! 

I wait,  pen in hand, for the segment where they name the ingredients and was surprised to learn that the secret ingredient of all of this deliciousness is {B}ourbon!  Who’d of thunk it!

{via}

The smokey caramel & vanilla flavors enhances the distinct flavors of,  both,  sweet and savory dishes.  That makes it BFFs with sugar, pecans, chocolate *umm hmmm- chocolate*, mint,  peaches, apples and pork.  With so many flavor pairings, bourbon is great in marinades,  sauces, glazes, brines, cakes,  pies, cookies AND of course,  chicken!

Bourbon whiskey, which gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, is distilled from a grain mash that’s at least 51% corn (but usually 65% to 80%) and may also contain barley, rye, and sometimes wheat (as in Maker’s Mark brand). The distilled liquor is then aged in new charred oak barrels from which it gets its color and smoky, caramel undertones.

Save the Top Shelf stuff (Blanton’s & Eagle Rare ) for sipping and toasting. For cooking up  bourbon-infused yumminess, the simple stuff (Jim Beam, Wild Turkey,  Old Crow,  or Heaven’s Hill) will do just fine.  *Wink* *Wink*

Have you used bourbon in any of your #Yumlicious dishes?

Do tell. …

Next….. the Letter {C}

 

{A}romatics: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Day One of the #AtoZChallenge!Hello Luv-lies,

Before I dive right into this challenge this year (I tried two years ago but didn’t get too far…*hanging head down in shame*) but this year I am extremely excited about the challenge.  I think that two years ago, I got stalled at the Letter ‘M’  because I just plain ol’  ran out of creative ideas.  What makes this year different?  Focus.  And my love of this year’s theme!

Over the last few years my relationship with food has completely changed. Before, I had no interest in food. I was simply a consumer of food. All I wanted to know was, when it was time to eat!   What changed?  I got bitten by the all things foodie! – magazines to food- inspired television shows.  Now, I can’t seem to get my fill *cheap pun intented* of all that is food!

So now I’m here!   Day One of the #AtoZChallenge!

Without further ado, I give you the {a}wesome:

Letter {A}.  {A} is for {A}romatics

Aromatics is said to be the combination of , mostly veggies and herbs – although at times it can include meat – that are heated in some type of *good* fat at the beginning of preparing a dish.  The result – deep flavors imparted into your favorite dish! You see, it’s the heating of the fats that helps the ingredients release their addictive aromas.

…. and all those wonderful scents are what memories are made of. ….

What’s your favorite food scent?  Where does that scent transport you to?

Do Tell…..

Next….. THE LETTER {B}

{April Blog Challenge}: Theme Reveal-Blogging From A to Z Challenge – April 2016

Good Morning Luv-lies,

      It’s been a little while since the last time that I’ve posted. I’m sure that the lack of posts have rendered this, otherwise vibrant and fun space, appear forgotten and abandoned. Abandoned…Temporarily -*Okay, a lot ‘temporarily’ time lapse*. Forgotten….Never that!- *Despite the way it looks…because looks can be deceiving, Luv-lies*. 

      I kinda of chalked it up to ‘blogger’s block‘. So what better way to get back into the game, than an exciting blog challenge?

                                           *drum roll please* 

                  ‘Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2016‘.

  What?
Say you is the ‘A to Z Challenge 2016‘?

   It all started in March of 2010 when  Arlee Bird, the wonderful blogger over at Tossing It All Out and creator of this inspirational quest challenged her then, 200 new blogger-friends, to an April blogging challenge – blogging everyday, except Sunday.  To up the annie,  the posts had to be thematically from A to Z.   That year 100 bloggers not only took part in the challenge, but passed the word on to other blogger friends. Who told blogger friends…. who told blogger friends… who told – *You get the picture* – to the tune of 1300 bloggers taking the challenge, one year later!

    Three years ago,  Mina Lobo, an A to Z blogger, added another twist to the challenge by introducing the notion of blogging with a theme.  And the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016

                                  Theme Reveal was born!

AND I LUV A GOOD THEME!!!

The #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal 

gives the blog challenger the  ” … great opportunity… to jump start … the A to Z experience … [by linking] up with fellow bloggers, scout[ing] out and bookmarking[ing] themes… and lur[ing] in wandering participants with your awesome theme…”

Without further ado…. 

 

Hello.IamPhat’s  Theme  for the A to Z Challenge is ….

* Drum Roll #2 Please *

……and that’s better than SEX.… {ALMOST!}

• ….Follow me on this alphabetical roll in the hay!!!!

 The Challenge starts April 1st

See You Soon!

*the initial theme was ‘Healthy & Fit is the new Sexy’.  I changed it to ‘Cooking is the……’ because I think that I’ll have more fun blogging about food.  {WARNING!}: Not all posts are health-related or fitness worthy.  But they’re still be delectable!

 

 

My Weight Watchers. My Way … I Know it’s Not Summer

 Good afternoon My Phat Friends

This morning I’ve done something that most of us save for the weekend…. slept in …. very late *blushing*.  Usually I’m up at the crack of dawn.  Waaaay before the dawn.  I blame a super duper looong work day yesterday.  Didn’t turn in until well past midnight … now that I’m thinking about it, it was almost dawn!

After being awakened by the warmth from a ray of sun that had found its way through the closed blinds (the idea of traipsing around in the heat of the day was soon erased by the reality of the recent snowpocalypse that loomed on the other side of those same blinds!) I decided that today would be a good… No.  A “GREAT ” day to do absolutely nothing but veg-out on my favorite foodie shows.   It was while I was watching Ina, The Barefoot Contessa, that I stumbled upon what would eventually become my meal for the afternoon.  You see, during her show, she showcased a chef friend of hers from New York- I don’t remember his name – who grew these wonderful tomatoes and made even more wonderfuller  *is that a word?… hunching my shoulders* tomatoe salads.  They made this beautiful tomato salad

That gave me an idea.  I remembered that I had just bought a few kumatoes from the market.  At the time that I bought them, I was not really sure how I wanted to use them.  Today seemed just as good as any day.

My salad was going to  be just a little bit different than Ina and her friend’s.  I started out with arugula {can’t get enough of the smooth and subtle spicy flavor} that I seasoned lightly with fresh ground pepper and kosher salt

Added a just a littttttle bit of shredded Asiago Cheese {I’m starting to get used to my new vegetable cutter  *smile*

Sliced up some cherry and kumato tomatoes that I seasoned with Tarragon – instead of the usual Basil {this little tidbit I learned today from Ina and her friend}.  According to Ina, Tarragon has the flavor that is a hint of anise.

This is where my salad is a little different than Ina’s … I added carrots, chicken and this mix that I pre-make and add to most of my salads {it’s made up of chia seeds, walnuts, dried unsalted pepitas and dried cranberries}

This is what happened when everything is all thrown together…

… add a good read and the mandatory Cup of Jo’

Oh yes… I didn’t use any salad dressing.  The juice and sweetness from the kumatoes and the cranberries gave it a nice taste.  And, just as Ina and her friend said, the Tarragon was definitely the star of the show!

What do you do on your ‘lazy days’?

… do tell ….

{Tasty Tuesday}…. I’ve been filling my buckets wrong!

Good Morning Good People,

According to the guy in this video, we’ve been filling those little condiment holders wrong.  He shows us the right way. Check this out

… you’d of thunk it?

I’m in the Mood for Munchies

It’s clean up day after this past weekend’s record breaking Snowpocalyps.  Being cooped up for a couple of days is nice, but right about now cabin fever is kicking in.
Big Time!
I haven’t got as bored *or as  crazy* as this girl

… oh the naiveté of youth…*side-eye*…

No.  Snowpocalyps has not put me in the mood to strip down to my skivvies, but it has brought on a decent size car of the munchies.  If you’re like me, you have you favorite ‘go to’ munchies that always hit the spot- popcorn,  chips with dip,  s’mores, some type of fruit bowl,  anything with loads of cheese. ….you know what I mean.  Today’s munch craving is a little different.  I’m wanting something that is not sooo ‘snack like’.

So I turned to one My Pinterest Board: Hello.IAmPhat Luvs {Food Glorious Food}

…. and came up with this goodness!

Fries with Lemon Salt & Rosemary

 

This deliciously savory side dish is from the sinfully tasteful blog – Alexandra Cooks.

This is her first recipe using lemon salt. I’d say it’s a home run!!!!

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Fried Mozzarella, Basil & Nectarine Stacks 

Tieghan, blogger extraordinaire at Halfbaked Harvest, is the mastermind behind this mouthwatering stack of loveliness.  The ‘icing on the cake’?….

…. Balsamic Glaze…#Yumlicious

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Homemade BBQ Chips

Alone or with your fav fun food {I’m thinking hot dog,  hamburger,  steak hoagie} chips are always a hit.  And the Purple Gypsy Home blogger makes the unforgettable.

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Roasted Brussel Sprouts

ala Momofuku

 I might be in the minority with this one,  but I absolutely ❤ Brussel Sprouts!  The folks at Food 52 serves them up roasted….. be still my {heart}

I’m on my way to the kitchen…..

Tell me…. What munchies are you craving?

My Weight Watchers. My Way … a new plan… Beyond The Scale!

Just when I thought that I had the whole Points Plus Value {aka PPV} down to a science, Weight Watchers has gone and changed things! Now,  I must admit, the new program changes would not have come as so much as a surprise, had I been working the program like I should.

But I wasn’t.

And.

Voile’!!

… A Program Change!!!

 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have noticed- couched between the glitzy, happy holiday commercials– were a few well placed ‘teaser’ commercials previewing the New Program…

… Beyond The Scale

The new concept takes the Points Plus Value to new heights by focusing on the mind, body and spirit.  Not just calories.

The past Points Plus taught me HOW to eat.  Beyond the Scale promises to teach me WHAT to eat!!!

I’ve re-committed to working the Weight Watchers program, because I know that it works!  Points Plus.  Beyond The Scale.  It works!!!

Over the upcoming months, I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts, successes, challenges and ‘Ah Hah’ moments as I navigate this new and exciting road!

Stay tuned!!!!

What’s new in your world?