I’m a big summer roll fan.  No lie, I’ll take it over a deep fried spring or egg roll any day of the week.  They’re light and super refreshing, and I enjoyed how, once you get over the intimidation factor, how incredibly simple they are to make and customize to your liking.

This is a recipe I was addicted to the summer after graduation, but I hadn’t really made since.  That’s probably because I, along with my team of parental sous chefs, prepped over 100 of these alone for mine and V’s college grad party, and there definitely can be too much of a good thing.  It’s based off of Tyler Florence’s recipe, but I’ve changed it up over the years.  What I like most about Tyler’s spin on the summer roll is that it’s got the classic Thai elements, like cilantro and cellophane noodles and peanuts, and then some fresh Vietnamese ingredients, such as mint and mung bean sprouts, and also few delicious surprises, like the beets.  So anywho, Jared and Robin’s oscar party seemed like the perfect opportunity to dust off that old recipe and give it an update.  It’s a bit time consuming, prepping the veggies and rolling each individual roll, but man, it’s so worth the effort.

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asian, healthy, vegan Hide

Oh my. It’s been a while hasn’t it? Poor unloved, dusty blog!

For me, being on serious overtime means surviving on catering and never, ever, ever getting to cook. But never fear, for the time after a movie is done (called “unemployment”, or as I prefer “extended vacation”) means lots of cooking and experimenting with new recipes! Now, so far some have been, uh, lackluster. I’m looking at you, rock hard homemade rice crackers. But others have been lovely. Like these nice Prosciutto, Dijon, and Gruyere Puffs:

Om nom nom.
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appetizer, gruyere, puff pastry, quick and easy Hide

Delicious, speedy appetizer for entertaining? Count me in.Firat’s artsy photo composition and framing?  Even better.

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dip, healthy, vegan, vegetarian, white bean Hide

You know the old saying, “If you want something done right you have to do it yourself.”? Never has that been more true than with granola. It’s stupidly easy to make and infinitely customizable . Not only do you get to lose a crappy processed food, but you get to make it with exactly the ingredients you want. Also, much, much cheaper per serving than boxed granola. Lemme show you!

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Breakfast and Brunch, cereal, granola, healthy, homemade Hide