Salad with a View

I've been sick for nearly a week and am finally turning the corner. Thought my immune system could use a little help so I ordered up some Dellz Deli. Love this place. Everything is made with love, and there are tons of veggie and GF options. They even made my favorite wrap into a salad. Bam!

After being cooped up in the house all week, I decided to have a picnic by Brittlebank Park downtown. Can't beat the view (or the nice weather we've been having lately)!

Eggplant Parm

My sister over for dinner and we decided to whip up some eggplant Parmesan. Oh how I wish I'd remembered to take an after picture! The gluten free version involves peeling and slicing a large eggplant, then salting both sides of the slices and letting them sit on paper towels for a bit (this supposedly pulls out some of the bitterness and helps flavor them), then patting them dry, dipping the slices in egg, rolling them in cornmeal (mixed with Italian seasoning and shredded Parmesan), then placing them on a baking sheet. They cooked at 375 for about 20 minutes (until they started browning). They were finished off with some tomato sauce and additional cheese, and would be great over GF pasta too.

For a side we chopped up a whole zucchini, a yellow squash, a red pepper, and an onion and sauteed the veggies with pesto and a can of kidney beans. I threw a little goat cheese on top before serving.

Bench Makeover

A year or so ago I got this bench and two chairs from the Habitat store for $40. They've been on the back patio getting minimal use since then. We finally ponied up for some nicer Adirondack chairs and I gave this one a make-over before sticking it on the front porch. The chairs were also sprayed, topped with pillows, and sold on Craigs List.

Before picture to come!

World's Best Spinach Dip

No exaggeration, this stuff is off the chain. It's my go-to party app. And so easy! I think it was a Martha Stewart recipe originally but I've tweaked it over the years. I've made it three times in the last month and am not tired of it yet!

Ingredients
1/3 cup mayo
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
Garlic (chopped, paste, salt, whatever you've got)
1 tub of grated Parmesan cheese
2 cans of drained, chopped artichoke hearts
6 oz.(ish) of frozen spinach

Combine everything in a big mixing bowl, transfer to a baking dish. Salt and pepper it up. I like to microwave it for about five minutes and finish it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Throw some extra cheese on top if you're feeling it. Serve hot with tortilla chips (gluten free) or Ritz crackers (buttery deliciousness).

Sweet Radish

When I grow up I want to be able to bake stuff as awesome as Sweet Radish (Charleston's only GF bakery). It's the cutest little shop and they always have the best stuff. Totally my baking inspiration. Below are a marshmallow S'mores cupcake, a PB&J mini-cake, and a vanilla cupcake (that is seriously better than a non-GF cupcake...how is that possible???). Now if only I could get them to stay open later...

Sushi Kick

I've been on a big sushi kick lately. Can't get enough of it! Have had it for lunch multiple times in the last week (delicious, but not so good for the wallet).

Sashimi and Hulk Roll....nom nom nom nom nom....

Basil

My favorite Thai restaurant in Charleston is Basil, hands down. I loved the first thing I ordered there (Pad Woon Sen with tofu) so much, that I've gotten it every single time since. I noticed on the menu now that my fav, despite being made with rice noodles, isn't gluten free. So I tried the Masaman Curry with tofu. Served with steamed rice, it was tasty and reheated nicely for lunch the next day.