The first I opened was from Krista over at Krista’s Kravings, and she and I agreed to do a local food swap! There is a package of mostly-Chicago goodies en route to Canada as we speak! It was seriously like the first night of Hanukkah for me, opening this box because it was full of SUCH AMAZING THINGS!!! I have a feeling that not many of the munchies will make it through tonight!
SUCH wonderful goodies! I can't wait to try them all!! THANK YOU SO MUCH KRISTA!!!
In addition to all these edibles, ALL of which I cannot wait to try, there was the cutest little kitchen/tea towel:
I believe that describes me well!
While I was opening up the first amazing package, I noticed a delicious smell coming from the other package. I couldn’t quite place it… sweet for sure. I opened the box to see a TRAY OF BLONDIES from none other than VEGGIEGIRL!!! I feel like I’ve “arrived” in blogland, now that I’ve gotten blondies from VG! They smell absolutely amazing, and upon reading the card (Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass window on the front, very nice! He was a Chicagoan!) I found out that they are chocolate chip hazelnut blondies. Just look how beautiful!
Thank you SO MUCH, VEGGIE GIRL!!!
The first one will be my dessert when Adam gets home from work! (I’m on major exclamation point overload today.)
Bonjour, Remy!
Yet again, since Adam is working late tonight, I decided to make something that I knew he wouldn’t eat. I know, it sounds mean, but sometimes I like to be selfish and make something that ONLY I will eat! There are very few things Adam just WON’T eat:
- mushrooms
- zucchini
- eggplant
- too many onions
- green peppers
Not bad… but considering that those are some of my favorite vegetables, sometimes I’m a little limited in my cooking options. Tonight, I made up my mind that dinner had something to do with that little rat up there. Any guesses? (pause for guessing) Yup, I made ratatouille!
Both my mom and grandma made ratatouille throughout Spring and Summer as long as I could remember. Mom’s always had more capers and tomatoes, and grandma’s was always full of eggplant. We’d eat mom’s warm with parmesan cheese, or cold after a long day at camp. Grandma’s was always served on pasta also with parmesan cheese, but always warm. Both were always delicious, and always extremely healthy (they were both way ahead of their time!) I asked my mom a while back about her “Rat” recipe (we always called it Rat). She referred me to this recipe by Craig Claiborne and said “I just used a couple tablespoons of olive oil instead of the 1/3 cup it calls for.” So I tried it. And it came out JUST how I remembered! I made it a point to eat it in one of my grandma’s bowls with one of my grandma’s spoons.
Nostalgia in a bowl, with Parmesan on top
Just an FYI: This recipe, sans Parmesan cheese is not only vegetarian, but vegan! It’s extremely low in calories and fat, and very satisfying!
Thanks for the recipe, Axor
(In case you’ve wondered, if you ever see “axor” make a comment on my blog, it’s my mom! LONG story!) I have about 3 servings left for lunches and the freezer… and as the produce gets better and more local, trust me, I’ll be making this again!
Another huge thank you to Krista and VeggieGirl for TOTALLY making my day!










{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my!!! It certainly seems you’ve had an awesome day of eats! And Krista did a good job too – woohoo for Canadian goodies!!!
PS: You’ve no idea how excited I am for the challah to arrive. In fact the other night my fiance asked “Does this mean we get to have French toast again!?” lol
TorontoGirloutWest´s last blog post..And the WINNER of my First Giveaway Is . . . .
You are making me crave some blondies!
Matt´s last blog post..Hump Day Run Day
omg what great packages!! i can’t wait to hear what you think of everything!
Melissa S.´s last blog post..Scars? And do you know what Hearts of Palm is?
Fun mail gifts! That towel is adorable!
Christina´s last blog post..Savory Bread Pudding
What great food surprises!!!! I would love to try Canadian (or Chicago) treats and of course, I am dying to try anything made by Veggie Girl. Enjoy the treats.
Hangry Pants´s last blog post..She Says: Stonyfield Farm Earth Day Giveaway
Wow those are some awesome gifts! Lucky you
I totally do the same thing when my guy has night class. Then he calls after class and goes, “what’d you make me?” When I say “curried lentils” or “baked tofu” or something…that’s when he stops for fast food on the way home. But hey, a girl’s gotta be selfish sometimes, especially when it comes to food!
Hallie´s last blog post..Pasta Salad for the Potluck
I love me some ratatouille!!!!! lot’s o’ exclamations for ya
laura´s last blog post..Singapore Stew
amazing package and yummy ratatouille. I didn’t new the name of the dish until I saw that sweet cute movie!
you just remembered me to make some!
and that package from Krista and great job with those amazingly delicious blondies!
coco´s last blog post..Day 3: resisting the temptation and hunger! ^_^
*waves to axor*
Does she know I admire her?
MizFit´s last blog post..Home Fitness Body.
I love Remy
chocolatecoveredvegan´s last blog post..Wild Wild(wood) West
HOORAY FOR TONS OF GOODIES FROM KRISTA!!! And me…
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..Three Steps
Maybe I should try a veggie diet too.
Paul U´s last blog post..Monetizing an entertainment blog
Great dinner!
And your welcome for the treat box!! Can’t wait to hear your reviews!
ratatouille? oh that movie was REALLY cute.
and omgosh! wow on veggie girl’s blondies! i can’t wait to hear what you think
Pearl´s last blog post..Pecan Nut Butter
Oooo that looks so good! I’m in soup-making mode right now because I have a feeling it’s about to get too warm to eat soup.
Wiggs (The Beholder)´s last blog post..…in which Wiggs discusses her addiction to black eyeliner
Love the tea towel!! And lucky to get a hold of VG’s blondies – they look so good!
Biz´s last blog post..Big News and BSI Lemon!
yay for fun mail!
brandi´s last blog post..I. Love. Coffee.
i love that movie ratatouille!!!! SO cute. and i love the food itself too
the one they make in the movie (yeah i know it’s animated but still!!) is beautiful and i want to recreate it
what lovely packages – BLONDIES! yum!
mi´s last blog post.."recasting" recap, & hear the BF’s piano talent!
What a great idea for swapping food finds to other people who live far from you!
I love that idea!!
Jennifer´s last blog post..Mexican Fiesta
Oh my I am so making this one day next week, it sounds perfect!
And yayy for all those goodies!
Danielle´s last blog post..Brinner Makes It Better
those are some AWESOME packages! You know those blondies are going to rock your world!
Olga´s last blog post..Tough call.
omg what a great day!!! your ratatouille looks DELISH
Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog post..Daily Delish – Mom’s home cookin’
Love ratatouille! It’s great with shrimp
But yours looks pretty amazing with the parm, too!
Lucky you with VeggieGirl’s blondies! Where is that towel from? I totally love it.
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog post..I Just Need a Tutu…
Wicked packages. Getting the mail is always more fun when it isn’t just bills. And ya know, if you ever need some more food products with English & French on the label, say from the west coast, let me know
Marianne´s last blog post..Ga-Ga For Groceries
I am SUPER jealous of those packages! You are a lucky girl
And your dinner definitely doesn’t look like rat’s patootie – I just love the title of this post! Seriously though, it looks delicious!
eatingbender´s last blog post..25:42!!
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