Guest Post: Honey-Pistachio Granola and a Honey Blog Hop

Happy Friday! Today I am guest posting over at 84th & 3rd while the lovely JJ travels the world. I know that she likes to eat healthy, so I’ve made some easy and flavorful honey-pistachio granola that’s sure to brighten your morning. JJ is one of those bright and warm people that I’ve “met” through blogging, and who I hope to catch up with in person some day (our mutual stomping ground is New York City, and I’m confident that our globe hopping will eventually intersect there). If you’re not familiar with JJ and her gorgeous, inspiring blog head over there now. Also, if you want this enticing recipe (it makes a great diy holiday gift too!) you’re going to have to take a peek there. But then come back for the blog hop!

Honey Pistachio Granola

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Blogiversary Giveaway: Magimix by Robot-Coupe Food Processor & Juicer Attachment

Can you believe it’s been two years? I started this blog on September 30, 2010 soon after moving to Israel. I wanted a fun and creative outlet to complement my professional writer website, and that’s exactly what I’ve gotten. 318 posts later I’ve grown as a writer, photographer, and recipe developer, and been introduced to an incredible community of passionate and talented bloggers. If you follow me you know that I rarely host giveaways (in fact, there’s only been one, this time last year), but I wanted to do something to thank you for reading my blog, sharing your tips, and bringing me joy. So I’ve got something exciting for you.

Magimix by Robot-Coupe Food Processor and Juicer Attachment Giveaway

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Sugar Free Sugar Cookies and a Cookie Blog Hop

I know it sounds crazy even to say – sugar free sugar cookies? It’s a total oxymoron. But when planning a baby shower for a woman with gestational diabetes the usual sweet buffet just won’t do. Beth cut most normal carbs and processed sugars out of her diet, and took regular blood sugar tests so knew that she reacted well to spelt flour and agave nectar. My mission: To make something akin to sugar cookies without all the sugar. I found these healthy sugar cookies, swapped the almond flour for whole wheat spelt flour, and was in business. With only four ingredients and no butter, I knew that these would be about as healthy as cookies could get – but how would they taste?

(Almost) Sugar Free Sugar Cookies {KatherineMartinelli.com}

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How to Make a Watermelon Baby Carriage

While this post is uncharacteristic of me and this blog, baby fever has taken over my life. My Facebook feed is overrun with babies these days, and in real life it’s time for my first close friend to have a child. My very best friend in Israel Beth is due any day (hour?! minute?!) now and so a few weeks ago I had the fun of planning my first baby shower. I needed baby shower food ideas, and as usual Pinterest came to the rescue. This watermelon baby carriage was perfect because not only does it look cute and create an interactive centerpiece, but since Beth has gestational diabetes it also fit my sugar-free rule. Yup, the whole baby shower was outfitted with snacks made entirely (ok, mostly) with natural sugars.

How to Make a Watermelon Baby Carriage {KatherineMartinelli.com}

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Smoky Cashew Salsa and a Nut Blog Hop

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had something so extraordinary that it haunted you? That happened with nearly every dish we ate at Empellon, the upscale Mexican taqueria in New York opened by WD50’s former pastry chef, Alex Stupak. Although the restaurant came with high praise from good friends, I admit that I had my doubts as we stood in the crowded dining room on the stormiest night of the summer waiting for a table. A fancy Mexican restaurant with a molecular pastry chef gone savory and $18 tacos? It’s rare that I say anything was worth a two hour wait and a substantial bill. But they knocked it out of the park. And this smoky cashew salsa has haunted me ever since.

Smoky Cashew Salsa, Inspired by New York's Empellon Restaurant

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Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and a Tomato Blog Hop

Bruschetta was one of the first dishes I taught myself to make. I was only just learning to love tomatoes, and I remember preparing batches freshman year in the communal dorm “kitchen”. It was equipped with a fridge, sink, and microwave, so no-cook recipes were key. As soon as the first hint of spring warmth hit I’d walk, bike or get a ride to the grocery store and pick up fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, and a nice crusty loaf of bread. That’s all that’s needed for this crowd-pleasing appetizer that tastes of summer.

Tomato and Onion Bruschetta

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Thai Coconut Soup and a Coconut Blog Hop

Tom Kha Hed (Thai Coconut and Mushroom Soup)

When Liz pointed out the lone stand with lemongrass in Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market a few months ago, I immediately became excited. It’s one of those ingredients that some of my favorite recipes call. It can be omitted, but you always get the sense that something is missing. You don’t need a whole lot of lemongrass to get the impact, and so Liz and I split a bunch and I quickly began thinking of how to put it to good use. In an instant I knew: Coconut mushroom soup, or Tom Kha Hed. This is one of those dishes that shows up on American Thai menus often, but I get the sense isn’t so far off from the real thing. Continue reading “Thai Coconut Soup and a Coconut Blog Hop”

Classic Daiquiri for #SundaySupper

The theme of this week’s #SundaySupper is Beat the Heat – and I don’t know about you, but when I think about cooling off in summer a cold, refreshing cocktail is one of the first things that comes to mind. This classic daiquiri recipe fits the bill. With only three ingredients (rum, lime juice, and simple syrup) it’s clean and fresh, and oh so simple to make.

If you’re looking for a sugary, frozen, flavored concoction then this is not the drink for you. This is a daiquiri in its purest form, favored by luminaries like Hemingway. It is believed to have been concocted in the late 19th century in a Cuban mining town.. According to Rob Chirico on Chow.com, “Although the locals had probably been knocking back rum and lime for years, in 1886 an American engineer, James Cox, and a Cuban engineer named Pagliuchi refined the rum and lime drink by adding cane sugar. When Admiral Lucius Johnson introduced the recipe to the Army Navy Club in DC, in 1909, the daiquiri was becoming one of the world’s most popular drinks.”

Daiquiri Recipe from KatherineMartinelli.com

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Roasted (or Grilled!) Asparagus for #SundaySupper

With Independence day on Wednesday, this week’s Sunday Supper is appropriately themed “4th of July cookout fun! Could be favorite foods on the grill, salads or desserts.” While my cheese-stuffed burgers would make the perfect entree, I could easily eat an entire platter of roasted asparagus and by just as happy. As I’ve said time and again, roasting is one of my favorite methods for cooking vegetables as it brings out beautiful flavor in them. As usual, I prefer simplicity: just some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Once they’re done, sprinkle on some freshly grated parmesan and you have yourself an incredible side for just about any meal. I usually roast them, but they are beautiful on the grill as well and make an awesome addition to any barbecue.

Roasted Asparagus from KatherineMartinelli.com

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Guest Post: Collard Slaw from Everyday Maven

I have a special treat for you today! This gorgeous collard slaw is care of Alyssa from Everyday Maven. If you haven’t checked out her beautiful blog, head over there right now. Alyssa’s focus is on healthy recipes (in particular Weight Watchers-friendly) that are also delicious, and she absolutely succeeds. Her dishes are always fresh, light, and absolutely tempting. Alyssa, take it away:

Hi Everyone! You may remember me from a couple of weeks ago when Katherine graciously guest posted on my blog Everyday Maven. She shared her deliciously simple and elegant Zucchini, Ricotta and Mint Appetizers. If you missed them, you must go check it out ASAP.

Collard Slaw from Everyday Maven

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