Spring-er- Rhu

I'm a produce junky. So to me, Spring = A Whole New World of Eating and Baking Opportunities!

One of my favorite Spring crops is Rhubarb!


This is some of the Rhubarb in my parents' yard:

It looks like a pile of weeds right now, but eventually it'll look like this:

But in the meantime, it looks like this:

These fibrous red stalks are still babies, but they are growing quickly.
I also have a friend from Maine who harvests his backyard o' rhubarb for me. (Thanks Sven!)

What the heck can I do with this bizarre plant?
I can make the Strawberry "Roo"Barb Streusel Cake, duh.  And you can get it from me, thank me for changing your life, and beg me for more!

The cake is a secret family recipe. So here's just an overview of what it's all about.

First, there's a sweet & tart Straw-Rhu filling....

Then, cake batter...

Add a bit o streusel topping, and she's ready for the oven...

Ta Dah! This cake's a STAR.

MMM gooey layers....

The perfect treat for any party or occasion.
(And in case you're wondering, yes, breakfast counts as an "occasion"!)

When seasonably possible, I plan to use local strawberries in this cake.
You can get it from me anytime via email, txt, cell, blog comment, or find me at an event or farmer's market near you soon!

Hunkering Down (While trying to stay "UP")

I don't want to even THINK about how nasty the weather was earlier this week, but I will just one more time on account of this posting.

I feel blue and horribly trapped when it rains.  But I'm an inherent optimist, so instead of never getting out of bed or being cranky for days, I try to be motivated and cook things that will comfort me through the icky weather.  I try to pump my body with sprouted & whole grains, intensely colored veggies & fruit (eat from the rainbow!) and complete proteins.

Research has shown that boosting your body with complete proteins can enhance your mood.  Complete proteins contain all 9 amino acids, and are represented in animal-based proteins, quinoa, and appropriate protein pairings such as rice & beans, tahini hummus, etc.

So do your part to maintain your natural mood-enhancing chemistry with food!
As if I needed an excuse?!

Rainy Day Seafood Stew

Soup just makes you feel better when it's raining.

This is an Asian-style noodle soup with shrimp, veg and organic buckwheat noodles

Rosemary Ham, Potato & Cheese Stuffed Wheat Bread

Coconut Curry Brown Rice with Vanilla Scallops

Hungry Man Breakfast for Dinner! (Brinner) a la Rooney!

Gotta have the potato, sweet potato, beet homefries medley and some sort of green veg.

Hungry Lady Brinner with a Leek/Spin/Goat Cheese Omelette