Inspired Edibles - ~ wellness, wonder, words ~

Maple Glazed Balsamic Tempeh Two Ways

May 3, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 30 Comments

Just when you were ready to give up on the drab slab of soy for good, this happens.

Marinated in a base of maple and balsamic and roasted to lip-smacking deliciousness, the depth of flavor and appetizing texture of this plant protein may surprise even the most reluctant. And you don’t have to limit yourself to mock burgers either! You can dress this recipe up to elegance alongside fresh berries, soft feta and seasonal greens or enjoy it as an appetizer with a delightful spring guacamole.

I’m serving it up two ways today but first, a little background. …

Simple & Delicious Quick-Pickled Red Onions

April 7, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 30 Comments

With the notable exception of making 125 jars of strawberry jam for our wedding guests some 20 years ago and the occasional flirtation with infused oils, my adventures in canning, curing, pickling and preserving (beyond freezing) have been rather restrained.

And yet there is everything to love about this age-old practice. Sensible, economical and the ideal way to enjoy food captured at the peak of freshness throughout the year, notably during off-season. Plus, you get to think of yourself as a real home cook à la pioneer woman when you’re sterilizing bottles. …

Crispy Baked Spring Chickpea Cakes with Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce

March 29, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 28 Comments

You can plan things as meticulously as you like but the universe has its own sense of humor and sometimes the best thing you can do is roll over and laugh along with it. …

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

March 7, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 36 Comments

Today’s delightful recipe is from The Clever Cookbook, a beautiful debut work written by the talented, humorous and fun-loving Emilie Raffa.

I was first drawn to Emilie’s blog, The Clever Carrot, a number of years ago through her distinct visual artistry. If you enjoy quality food photography, or are a food blogger looking to improve your own, my advice is to pitch a tent, get installed and bring your popcorn. This girl has the magic touch — a clean at times ethereal aesthetic that will leave you breathless in its wake. Most infuriatingly, (and I mean that only in a loving way), she makes it look easy. A couple of my favorite examples are here, here and here. …

Blueberry Yogurt Banana Bread (+ The Sights & Sounds of Costa Rica)

February 27, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 37 Comments

Recently back from the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, my hands are busy unpacking, sorting laundry and paying bills but my mind is flush with images — swimming against the current in sparkling turquoise waterfalls, trekking in the lush rainforest with polls in hand and tucans overhead, soaking our trail-weary muscles in volcanic warmed hot springs and taking a bumpy boat ride across an endless lake in the unrelenting wind and rain to catch a glimpse of the majestic Arenal volcano – its upper slopes wrapped in mist and cloud. …

Roasted Garlic & Creamy Potato Soup with Seared Mushroom

February 2, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 49 Comments

I started making Béchamel sauce in my late teens. It was a technique I learnt from one of my sisters who served it to me one evening over ravioli with a red sauce on top. At the time, I had no idea that this creamy, luxurious white sauce was called Béchamel (nor that it was one of the famed French mother sauces). What I did quickly realize back in my university kitchen was that through a simple act of alchemy I was able to transform a pile of goop (melted butter and flour) into a delicious silken sauce through the addition of milk. …

Simple & Delicious Slow-Cooker Peanut Chicken

January 21, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 29 Comments

Here’s a new one.

I recently purchased two movie tickets online (so far, so normal).

My husband and I make our way to the theater and are unable to print our tickets from the dispensing machine (so far, so normal). …

Roasted Sweet Potato & Persimmon Hummus with Flaxseed Crackers

January 6, 2016 By kelly / inspired edibles 42 Comments

The first time I tasted hachiya persimmon, I gagged profusely and then proceeded to spit every ounce of it back up on the kitchen counter. My cheeks felt like they had been vacuum packed, my tongue went numb and I thought I might be going into anaphylactic shock.

(have I got you excited about the recipe yet?) …

Baked Quinoa -Pecan Appetizer Balls with Yogurt Dip (Gluten-Free)

December 15, 2015 By kelly / inspired edibles 37 Comments

Northern friends, if you’ve been wondering where the cold weather is, wonder not. It’s here in sunny California where we’ve been freezing our tushies off ~ (my sons say I’ve gone soft).

Warming things up over here however are these fragrant little bites.

Some of my favorite meal experiences have been built from appetizers. Sometimes it’s by design but more commonly, it happens when we visit an eatery and everything on the menu sounds so good that we literally can’t decide on that singular appetizer – and nor do we want to! Happen to you too? …

Favorite Things – Holiday Edition!

December 5, 2015 By kelly / inspired edibles 33 Comments

As I write this entry, the rain is pounding on my window and the wind is lashing against our back door. It’s not snow but I love it just the same. I’ve got a candle flickering beside me, the warmth of my dog underfoot and a cozy blanket wrapped around my body (I’m also craving penne arrabbiata – extra picante – but that’s another story).

December is settling in and in the spirit of celebration, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite holiday decorating and gift-giving inspiration with you. …