Cookbook Crush: The Lost Kitchen

Have you heard of The Lost Kitchen?  It's a farm to table restaurant in Freedom, Maine that's become so hugely popular they only take reservations by written note. How clever is that?  The chef, Erin French changed to this reservation policy after seeing her demand outpaced her restaurant size.  Low and behold, she received 20,000 reservation requests!  Intrigued by this concept and her restaurant itself, I did some digging, and discovered The Lost Kitchen also has a cookbook, also titled The Lost Kitchen.

The cookbook catalogues her arduous journey to from a secret supper club to establishing the restaurant, only to be literally locked out and lose everything in a messy divorce.  I found her story extremely compelling, a bonus narrative to the pages upon pages of delicious farm fresh recipes.  Notably the rhubarb spoon cake, chamomile creme brûlée, and apple cider and rosemary sorbet (she does have more recipes than purely desserts, I assure you).  

It's a cookbook I hadn't seen on any recent bestseller lists, or Amazon bookstore shelves, but one worthy of a read, or at least a timely flip through. 

Dinner Last Night: Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Made this for dinner last night after viewing it on Liz's instagram - a delicious meat-free entree with minimal prep.  A great weeknight meal.  Too bad it wasn't a huge hit with my kids - one of my kiddos loves sweet potatoes so I thought this recipe would be a slam dunk but...no dice.  Maybe next time?  You snooze you lose, more leftovers for mom, I guess.

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Friday Fun

+ this squash-onion bruschetta concoction sounds pretty delish

+ doesn't this sound like the loveliest 40th birthday party?

+ i've never been to charleston, but after reading bridget's post (and seeing the bea's nest) I reallllly want to go!

+ i'm not much of a super bowl watcher, but I do love super bowl fare!  thinking I might spice up my frozen trader joe's soft pretzels with these toppings

+ go vegan and you could get beyonce tickets for life...for reals!

+ pretty excited for these colorful stamps slated to debut in 2019

+ i've had a renewed zeal for this podcast lately - loving their thoughts + recommendations

Have a good weekend!

image/erineverafter

Friday Fun

How's your week been?  We've had a sick one 'round here.  That January sickness is rough, I tell ya!  It seems we're on the mend and very thankful for things like Kleenex, Netflix, and hot tea with lemon.  Hopefully you're staying healthy wherever you are.  This weekend's my birthday and I want for my birthday this year is for everyone to be happy and healthy.  Here are some links I've rounded up for the week.  Have a restful weekend!

+ dinner anyone?  How do fire roasted pulled pork stuffed peppers sound? Yuuuuummmmm!

+ need clean products for the men in your life? the mens collection, counterman launched this week!

+ New Year's resolutions based on Meyer's Briggs personality types.  Mine's spot on!

+ i'm growing bored of my breakfast routine, might need to mix it up with this

+ just put this book on hold at the library, planning to read cover to cover!

+ have you seen these 3D geode puzzles?  I'm intrigued!

+ this dairy free mint-chip smoothie sounds kind of amazing

+ kind of obsessed with my new shoes that are beyond comfortable

+ hoping to try this creative project with my kids sometime soon

+ keep your data to yourself! 15 privacy changes you should make right now

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Quote of the Week

"The opposite of a hot mess is cold, predictable, and tidy. That's not where your magic lives. Be brave and choose the mess."

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

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Dinner Last Night: Slow Cooker Beef Mushroom Stroganoff

This cookbook is a weeknight savior. Everything I've tried thus far has been fairly quick, simple in ingredients and steps, and delicious!  One of our go-to weeknight meals is her slow cooker hamburger mushroom stroganoff. While only one of my kids eats mushrooms without a fight, the prep is fairly quick and the final product is flavorful, hearty, and makes for excellent leftovers.  To make it a tad healthier I sub in almond flour for white flour and plain or unsweeneted non-dairy yogurt for sour cream.  Serve over noodles or polenta with a green salad or in our case, roasted broccoli.  Voila!  Dinner is served.

image/fairyburger

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is my favorite - a sport I never could do myself but love to watch.  This girl from UCLA is amazing!!  Anyone else ready for the next Olympics?