product review Archives | Fake Food Free

The Ultimate Holiday Burger

December 12, 2016

The holidays always seem like a good time to go all out. Attempting to do just that, this is a go big or go home kind of burger.

In an effort to celebrate the season, I did all I could to infuse as much holiday flavor as possible. Those touches reach everything from the seasoning for the meat to the toppings I piled on top.

Another name for it could be Grass-fed Bacon Burgers with Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, Pickled Onions and Cranberries, and Garlic Parmesan Black Pepper Mayonnaise. See. It’s a little long.

I think Ultimate Holiday Burger suits it pretty well.

Four Favorites in June

July 1, 2016

I know, I know. I completely skipped over my four favorites for May.

That’s not the worst of it, though. I also missed this blog’s anniversary.

Again.

I haven’t remembered one year, in fact.

Mid-summer rolls around and I think — Oh, that’s right. I started this blog in May of 2008. I forget. Every time.

I’m back on track now, though. And so far this summer I have encountered some really great stuff. A coffee subscription service, a book I know you know about but that you should still read, a blog that inspires me and a lavender ranch.

In case, you are new around here, my monthly (or sort of monthly) Four Favorites is where I share my favorite finds in the form of a brand, a book, a blog and a (travel) break.

Four Favorites in March

April 5, 2016

Favorites in March include a granola that takes me back to my days in Kentucky and some excellent literary guidance for travel writing. My four favorites posts are where I share a brand, book, blog and break that I enjoyed throughout the month and want to share with you.

I’m backtracking just a few days to share my four favorites post for March. I had every intention of publising this post up last week. I have it written all over my calendar to prove it. But life got in the way. And by life, I mean our new house! I haven’t said much about it so far, but we’ve finally purchased a home in California. Things aren’t quite as crazy as they could be, but we are still juggling a few projects like working with painters and having some new flooring installed. It has me way off schedule with new posts. Just a few more weeks and hopefully we’ll be back to smooth sailing.

Fortunately all that has been going on hasn’t kept me from exploring some new foods, books and blogs in March. I have a lot of good stuff to share so read on!

Four Favorites in July

July 31, 2015

My Four Favorites series is back and I’m introducing a new theme to these monthly installments of my favorite finds.

The four Bs. A book, a blog, a brand and a break.

These are a few things I’ve come across this month that I’ve enjoyed so much that I must share.

Blackberry Scofflaw Cocktail

June 18, 2015

I like cocktails that have a seasonal twist. When Templeton Rye sent me a bottle of their whiskey to try in celebration of Father’s Day, it gave me the perfect opportunity to add a touch of summer with this Blackberry Scofflaw Cocktail.

I grew up with more blackberries in a single summer than most people eat in a lifetime.

For as far back as I can remember, at least one side of the property of my parents home was lined with blackberry plants that would produce buckets all season long. These then turned into bag after bag of berries that filled our freezers throughout the rest of the year.

And not those puny berries that are so tart you can barely eat them. These were berries that grew to the size of a cherry tomato. They were so plump that if you squeezed a little too hard while picking them, splatters of juice could find their way from your forehead down to your ankles.

Beef Medallions with Spinach and Arugula Paired with Cultivar Wine

January 26, 2015

Special meals don’t have to be complicated. These beef medallions are quick and easy. They pair so well with the excellent 2012 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon I received from Cultivar Wine.

Fancy is not a word that I would use to describe my cooking. Most often from scratch, sometimes simple, other times complicated, but not exactly fancy.

But every now and then I get the opportunity to make something a little special. Like when you receive an elegant, yet approachable bottle of fine wine.

Holiday Gift Ideas

December 14, 2014

It has been a year of cool finds around here which leads to a great list of holiday gift ideas! Whether you are buying for a cook, a runner or a traveler, I have a few ideas that will simplify your holiday shopping.

It’s the holiday season and what kind of blogger would I be if I didn’t share a few holiday gift ideas. Fortunately, compiling a list has been easy. I’ve come across so many things this year that fit every hat I manage to wear on a regular basis. If you happen to have a traveler, cookbook lover, runner or food blogger on your list, look no further. I have no doubt they will love these gifts as much as I do.

Vegetable Party Appetizers

October 14, 2014

Get ready for the holiday season with these vegetable party appetizers! From walnut-stuffed tomatoes, to hot pepper jam and eggplant pâté, you’ll love these easy-to-make recipes using Mucci Farms produce.

There are few things more perfect to me than aisle after aisle, bin after bin, and row after row of fresh produce. It’s why you’ll find me at the farmers market almost every week, hear me asking for just 5 minutes to run in this international market, and catch me hanging out the window with my camera as we speed past the farms when driving through the Central Valley. They can be as common as the green bell peppers my dad grows in his garden or as rare as the tropical fruits we encounter while traveling. Plain and simple, I love fruits and vegetables.

product review

The Ultimate Holiday Burger

Four Favorites in June

Four Favorites in March

Four Favorites in July

Blackberry Scofflaw Cocktail

Beef Medallions with Spinach and Arugula Paired with Cultivar Wine

Holiday Gift Ideas

Vegetable Party Appetizers

Thanks so much for reading!

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