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Coffee Banana Breakfast Smoothie

September 13, 2013 by Erica

Coffee Banana Breakfast Smoothie // Coffee & Quinoa

Sometimes I say that I want summer to stick around forever.

Sometimes I then get to relive my childhood summer nights, trying to find the cool side of the pillow on the third floor of my parents’ un-air-conditioned house.

Sometimes I need a really cold breakfast.

Coffee Banana Breakfast Smoothie // Coffee & Quinoa

Yes, if I’ve learned anything this past week, it’s that moving to a place where all buildings are air-conditioned and driving (and parking!) everywhere is easy has made me downright soft. Not that my parents are exactly living in the dark ages in New England, but A/C… you are now a non-negotiable for me.

And if I can’t have you, I definitely need this smoothie.

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Zucchini Almond Pesto

September 11, 2013 by Erica

Zucchini Almond Pesto // Coffee & Quinoa

Reason #66 that I love pesto: You can make it out of just about anything.

Start with garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and some sort of nut, and you’re basically guaranteed a delicious and pesto-y-tasting outcome, no matter where the rest of the ingredient list takes you. It’s magical!

Zucchini Almond Pesto // Coffee & Quinoa

In case you’re wondering, reasons #1-65 that I love pesto involve the taste of garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and nuts, the fact that it can be spread on just about anything, that it reminds me of my childhood, that it’s quick to prepare, etc. etc. etc. Don’t make me list them out one by one!

For this pesto, I was actually considering making some sort of zucchini noodles, but ended up thinking it would be too much trouble. Instead, I opted to roast the zucchini, throw it in the blender with all those other wonderful pesto ingredients, and toss it with regular pasta. Ta-da! A quick and satisfying seasonal pasta dish that doesn’t involve me purchasing some sort of spiralizing equipment.

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No-Bake Coconut Raspberry Tarts (Can Be Vegan & Raw)

September 9, 2013 by Erica

No-Bake Coconut Raspberry Tarts (Can Be Vegan & Raw) // Coffee & Quinoa

Greetings from the East Coast!

We just got back to my parents’ house outside of Boston after a wonderful weekend in Maine. Our friends Ali and Ken (hi Ali!) got married at Bowdoin College, where they went to undergrad with Nate. It was so much fun to be back up in Maine (where I also went to college), reunite with all Nate’s Bowdoin friends, and celebrate Ali and Ken, who are two of the sweetest people ever. Such a happy weekend!

Now that we’re back in Boston, I’m looking forward to relaxing with Nate and my parents, working remotely for a few days, meeting up with friends, and going to some of my old favorite places! I’m thinking that it will be a pretty low-key week, which to be honest is exactly what I need after any wedding weekend. Sometimes I think I require more sleep than the average human.

No-Bake Coconut Raspberry Tarts (Can Be Vegan & Raw) // Coffee & Quinoa

But let’s talk about these tarts, shall we?

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Summer Squash Loaf Cake with Fennel and Almonds

September 6, 2013 by Erica

Summer Squash Loaf Cake with Fennel and Almonds // Coffee & Quinoa

So you guys: Moving. Let’s talk about it, because it’s kind of taking over my life lately. Also, you’re so supportive.

I promise we will get to this cake in a minute.

But first, moving. Moving is terrible.

I am at peace with the process now that we are fully moved in, only 2 walls of our living room are stacked with boxes (instead of the entire apartment), my kitchen is 90% organized, and some new IKEA furniture has even been assembled. But during the move, things were pretty painful.

Our new apartment is only about a mile from the old one, i.e. pretty much the easiest move possible. We signed the lease completely on a whim, and moved almost immediately. (Somehow my old landlord had no problem with this! Although I learned later that she was looking for a new place and ended up moving in when I moved out. Thaaaat might have something to do with it.) Anyway, I am about the least impulsive person imaginable., and definitely experienced some buyer’s remorse after signing the new lease.

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Fresh Corn Polenta with Tomatoes and Basil

September 4, 2013 by Erica

Fresh Corn Polenta with Tomatoes and Basil // Coffee & Quinoa

This polenta is my answer to the question, “What do I do with all this corn?”

We’ve been getting a ton of corn in our farm box recently. And by a ton, I mean three or four ears a week. I know, I know, that’s not that much. My dad, who hails from the Midwest, could (and regularly does) eat that in one sitting… but for two city kids who mostly just put corn in our salads (can we still be city kids now that we live in Utah?), that is a whole lotta corn. But something fortuitous happened last week: in the few minutes that I was driving home from picking up our farm box, NPR was playing a piece about heirloom corn and making delicious polenta with it. Ding ding ding! We have a winner. What an awesome coincidence.

Fresh Corn Polenta with Tomatoes and Basil // Coffee & Quinoa

To be honest, I didn’t even know you could make polenta from fresh corn – every recipe I’ve ever seen has involved cornmeal. Shows you how much I know! Turns out, you can make the most delicious polenta EVER when you start with fresh corn. And from the recipes I’ve seen, starting from scratch doesn’t add to the cooking time of “regular” polenta.

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