Faves: Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Being vegan has never looked like so much fun. Not that I'm a vegan, but I do appreciate vegan desserts, especially those made with coconut milk. Coconut milk ice cream is just as good as the "real thing" if not better--it's quite rich and delicious and in my opinion doesn't have the slightly icky aftertaste that ice cream leaves you with. 

This is one of several brands of coconut milk ice cream that Wheatsville carries. 

Num.

Gratuitous third picture, just because it is so delicious.

Happy summer!

Edamame Spread

After seeing edamame spread at the Steeping Room last week, I decided to see if I could make it at home. I almost always have edamame in the freezer, since they are so quick and easy to cook and are good for a snack or a meal. 

I guess it's not actually cooking them--just reheating since they come pre-cooked in the package. But still.

Cooked edamame in their pods

Shelled edamame

The finished product

I used a recipe from Martha Stewart--first hit on Google. It was a little too garlicky but I think with some tinkering this could be a nice substitute for hummus (and more colorful).

Dining Out: Mother's Day Brunch at The Steeping Room

Took my mom and cousin to the Steeping Room for brunch last week... They are a "tea" place but they have a nice menu as well. As far as I can tell, they are not a chain, which would explain the attention to detail found in both the design and execution of their menu.

Three tea drinks:

jasmine green tea w/ lemonade, fruit tea w/lemonade, peach iced tea

My breakfast strata: sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, spinach

Very good; may try to find a way to make this at home

The ladies' sandwiches: edamame spread,

and lapsang souchong chicken salad

Pear cake

Dining Out: Wink

Thanks to my mom and her restaurant.com certificate for a lovely end-of-semester meal at Wink...

Amuse bouche of tomato water with Mexican

mint marigold and ground black pepper

Scallops with buttered savoy cabbage,

baby leeks, and agave mustard

My mom's duck and veggies

Officially: crisp duck breast with succulent spinach,

baby carrots and crimini mushrooms

Dessert trio:

warm chocolate cake, creme brulee, and meringue "egg"

with lemon curd filling and candied lemon

Quite a treat! Now it's back to granola and peanut butter for a while...

Julie & Julia trailer

OMG Meryl Streep as Julia Child! I am very excited.