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Tasty

Lemon & Dill Cedar Plank Salmon

June 8, 2015

My youngest sister is quite the chef, and kicks our butts in all things grill/bbq related. She recently was gifted a Traeger smoker (yay to the soon to be college graduate!) and whipped up this amazing salmon dish over Memorial Day weekend.

Lemon & Dill Cedar Plank Salmon

recipe via Traegar Grills

4 salmon fillets, skin removed
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (about 1/2 of a lemon, zested)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons freshly chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Lemon slices and fresh dill, for garnish
1 food-grade cedar plank

Soak the cedar plank, completely submerged (we placed a bowl on top), in water for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
When ready to cook, start the Traeger on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Preheat to 350 degrees F, lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes.
While the grill is heating, mix the butter, lemon zest and juice, dill and salt/pepper.
Generously cover salmon fillets in lemon/dill butter and top with a lemon slice.
Put the cedar plank on the hot grill grate and let it sit, with the lid closed for 3 minutes.
Flip the plank over and place the salmon fillets on the hot plank with what would have been the skin side facing down.
Cook for 30 minutes or until salmon is done to your liking. Garnish with fresh dill and enjoy!

Even if you aren’t a huge salmon person, this fish dish with convert you. It’s the perfect mix of citrus and herbs… and oh ya butter. Oh so good!

Sip

Sage Advice

June 5, 2015

This month, I am excited to share four “garden-centric” cocktails featuring fresh herbs from my mom’s garden. First up on the docket? A specialty drink from one of my favorite local restaurants – Dry Creek Grill.

Sage Advice

2 oz vodka or gin
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz honey
1/2 oz Maraschino Liquor
4 leaves of sage

Pour vodka/gin, lime juice, honey, and cherry liquor into an ice filled cocktail shaker.
Place sage leaves into the palm of your hand and clap your hands together to release the oils.
Add sage leaves to cocktail shaker.
Shake for 20 seconds until icy.
Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sage leaf.

Sip

Watermelon Cooler

May 29, 2015

Almost 3 years into the blog and sometimes whipping up new and innovative cocktails can be a bit of a stretch (that’s over 150 Fun Drink Fridays!!!). To then find one that truly blows me away is pretty rare – but this one gets me pretty excited for the warm summer months ahead (like I need any more reason!?).

Watermelon Coconut Cooler

recipe via A House in the Hills

2 full cups watermelon, cubed
12 oz coconut water (Harmless Harvest is the best!)
6 ounces tequila
2 limes, cut into wedges
1/2 lime cut into wheels

Puree watermelon cubes in a blender for 5-10 seconds, set aside.
Muddle coconut water and lime wedges in a cocktail shaker.
Add ice and tequila and shake for 10-20 seconds (until icy).
Strain tequila mixture evenly into 4 ice filled glasses.
Fill remainder of glass with watermelon puree
Stir and garnish with a lime wheel.

Domestic

Spring Cleaning: How to Clean your Makeup Brushes

May 28, 2015

While I would like to tell you that I religiously clean my brushes once a week, it usually comes down to me breaking out and not being able to figure out why… “well it MUST be my brushes” (and have nothing to do with sleeping with my make-up or eating junk food…).

I have tried half a dozen of Pintrest’s cleaning methods, and while I am not sure which help your brushes to be scientifically “cleaner,” each have their pros and cons (brushes smelling of vinegar, oily residue, etc.). Today I want to share one of my new favorite methods!

My mom gifted me this rose scented Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap a couple of months ago, and I’ve loved using it for everything from household cleaning to body wash. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any more versatile, I came across a brush cleaning tutorial featuring the product and had to jump on it!

Wash:

Wet the bristles of your brush (facing downward) – trying your best to avoid the “ferrule” aka metal part (as to not loosen the glue and have the bristles fall out) by gentling dipping into a bowl of warm water.
Drop a dot of soap into your hand.
Swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to help release some of the makeup.
Rinse the brush, and repeat swirling brush on your soap-covered hand, until the water runs clean during the rinse “cycle.”
Lay brush flat on a towel to dry in a warm, sunny area (a window sill is a great spot).

*Don’t forget to wipe down the handle and metal portion of your brushes as well!

I love being able to use organic and natural options when available, and this is an easy (and cost effective) option! You can pick up your own bottle here!

Travels

Hog Oyster Round II

May 26, 2015

After a very successful visit to Hog Island Oyster , we knew we needed to bring our families back to enjoy the beauty that is Tomales Bay. Three month in the making we gave everyone a few to-do items (list below) and the day of went of without a hitch (pretty impressive for a group 12 deep!). If you are looking for a hidden Bay Area gem – this definitely should be at the top of your list!

Here was our group email allocating duties for the perfectly curated menu a la my sister T:

Menu:
Light wines, cheese boards, kale caesar, charcuterie, prosciutto and melon, lentil dip. Oysters and other treats we will buy, preshucked, no mess, there.

There is no hard alcohol allowed on the premises but I was thinking about 15-20 bottles of wine for us (to drink there and maybe bring to next places…. like The Marshall Store….), and some beer to sober up. If everyone just brings a few of what I listed we will be fine. Can always buy more there if we have to.

It’s gonna be a TIME!!!!!! Cannot wait!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

Taylor

Taylor and Ryan
Rose
Sour Beer
Acme bread
Cowgirl Creamery cheeses- triple creams, goats, ricotta, cotswald, white cheddar
Apples, Pears, grapes

Lentil Dip
throw away silverware

knives – for slicing bread, cheese knives
UE Boom box

The Browns
Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc

Beer – whatever you’d like 🙂
Charcuterie – a few salamis, prosciutto, coppa, mortadella, chorizo, maybe some turkey? Whatever you’re feelin!

Tortilla chips
wine bottle opener

portable wine glasses

Josee and Bob
Chardonnay

Prosciutto and Melon