Weekend links and photos

by Aimee

Happy Mother’s Day!

I am writing this in hopes that you are lounging in bed or lingering on a sunny patio, waiting for breakfast or at least coffee and a croissant. I’m doing the same; don’t worry, this post was scheduled in advance!

Yesterday my Mother’s Day gift arrived: a load of earth, deposited on our driveway. We spent a good part of the day moving wheelbarrow loads of soil around to the four corners of the homestead. The raspberries got a top-up, the raised beds had a layer added, I dug a new bed for sunflowers, and all of my pots & planters were filled.

My back and shoulders a little stiff and sore, but I’m thrilled that we are now ready. to. plant! Today, however, is for relaxing: breakfast in bed, reading, and a long walk as a family.

Here’s what I’ve been reading and loving around the web this week:

• Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing :: Stetted – We are poised for strawberry season…
• How do I get invited to this Spring Garden Party hosted by Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking?
• Google Says These 5 Food Trends Are Sweeping America :: Adweek
• Non-dairy milks are versatile and easy to make :: The Splendid Table podcast (Related: I really want this book!)
• If You Are What You Eat, America Is Allrecipes :: Slate
• Dreams are made of this Lemony Zucchini Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream :: Top with Cinnamon
• The first season of Rebellion on Netflix has me riveted. Period pieces are truly my kind of TV.

Links for bloggers:

• Instagram Feeding Frenzy: How ‘Influencers’ Are Changing the Food Scene :: Bon Appetit
• Gluten-Free Girl Says Blogs Don’t Matter Anymore :: Dianne Jacob
• How BuzzFeed is cooking up a “Tasty” digital sensation :: CBS
• 5 Key Strategies to Take Your Blog to the Next Level :: Food Bloggers of Canada
• Food Photographer of the Year 2016 :: BBC

As usual, I’ve been cooking up a storm and doing a lot of experimenting and recipe testing. Some of it’s been bad, some good, and occasionally, greatness is achieved.

My sister, Haidi, who lives in New Mexico, talked me through her recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup on the Voxer app recently. (Do you use Voxer? It’s the best for quick conversations and staying in touch). It was loved by all and I think I’m going to have to bring it here to the blog. It uses unique methods to build a lot of flavour with minimal effort – and is unlike any recipe for a similar soup that I have seen.

Remember the harissa I made a few weeks ago? It’s utterly delicious in homemade roasted carrot hummus. I used my usual recipe for roasted rutabega hummus, but used roasted carrots in place of the rutablega, and added 2 tablespoons of harissa. Delish!

I brought some of that hummus to a new mom friend of mine, along with grilled chicken, granola, quinoa salad, pound cake and chocolate oat energy balls. Power foods for a job that requires limitless energy, day after day. This is just one example of food for others, a personal passion of mine.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad is always a good way to feed a crowd. Let the season of simple summer entertaining begin.

Here’s what an early spring harvest looks like: ramps, oregano, trout lily and the first eggs from our hens.

Speaking of hens, they are a pretty bunch this year. I’ll introduce them soon!

Happy Mother’s Day; enjoy your Sunday!

is a post from Simple Bites

© 2010-2015 Simple Living Media, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of SimpleBites.net subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please contact hello@simplelivingmedia.com to let us know. Thanks.