Category Archives: Lindsey

1 Year Blogiversary

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Pas de Deux is one year old today!
Celebrate with a slice of cake!

Celebrate with a slice of cake!

Casey posted our first post exactly one year ago today. It’s hard to believe that a year has already gone by, and fun to see all of the amazing meals we have cooked along the way. In honor of our birthday, we thought it would be fun to take a moment to appreciate all we have done by remembering some of our favorite posts from the past year.
Lindsey
Buckweheat Banana Bread

Buckweheat Banana Bread

This post is by far the most popular search term that brings readers to our blog! I made it again a few weeks ago, this time with half buckwheat flour and half spelt flour, and it is seriously delicious. I particularly enjoy a slice toasted, with sunflower butter smeared on top.
Most Simple (and Amazing): Homemade Pistachio Milk
Casey
My first taste of Pistachio milk

First taste of Pistachio milk

Blogging provided Lindsey an impetus to start making her own nut milks. Shortly after she made almond milk, she told me about a pistachio milk latte.  I was so inspired that I whipped up my own batch of pistachio milk!  Lindsey has also dabbled in cashew milk, brazil nut milk, and hemp milk, but we both agree that pistachio milk is one of the best!  Add some to your iced coffee–it will change your life.
Most Likely to Brighten Your Morning: Berry-Coconut Breakfast Polenta
Lindsey
Berries on top!

Beautiful berries on top!

It’s no secret that I love breakfast. Of our 167 posts in the past year, 40 have been breakfast recipes! This particular bowl is perfect for summertime–I can’t wait to make it again when local berry season reaches its peak.
Most Likely to Please Cookie Monsters: Oatmeal Wheatgerm Chocolate Chip Cookies
Casey
Yum!

Yum!

I have a serious weakness for chocolate. And cookies. And chocolate in cookies.  This recipe is amazing because it totally satisfies my sweet tooth, while still letting me believe I’m eating something wholesome.  Inspired by one of my favorite cookies at Specialty’s, this is a recipe I will make again and again.
Casey
Kir Royale with Vanilla Cognac

Kir Royale with Vanilla Cognac

This easy cocktail is great for a group of girls!  The flavor is remarkably complex for such an uncomplicated beverage!  I’ve always enjoyed Kir Royales, and I love vanilla, so for me, this cocktail is heaven.
Most Healthy: Get Your Greens! (Wheat Berry and Kale Salad)
Casey
Wheat Berry and Kale Salad

Wheat Berry and Kale Salad

This salad was my first wheat berry experience.  I love them!  I also really enjoyed how colorful this salad was.  The combination of textures with the leafy kale, chewy wheat berries, and crisp peppers was quite a treat!
Lindsey
Classic Meatloaf, served with potatoes and green beans

Classic Meatloaf, served with potatoes and green beans

I love to explore new recipes and try interesting flavor combinations (see below), but sometimes, simple and traditional is just plain good. For my husband’s birthday this year, I made a very “American” meal: meatloaf, potatoes, and green beans.
Lindsey
Sweet and savory

Sweet and savory

I always love sweet and savory combinations. This date-sweetened oatmeal, studded with fresh rosemary and topped with roasted pears, a fried egg and a sprinkle of salty parmesan, is truly delicious.

This year has been full of new experiences for us, both in and out of the kitchen.  We have loved having this blog to connect us not only to each other, but to all of you!  Thank you for your support and inspiration!

–Lindsey and Casey

Pas de Deux Blog

Grilled Cabbage with Honey Mustard Dressing [MMAZ]

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Let’s talk about cabbage.

The humble cabbage

The humble cabbage (plus honey mustard dressing)

Such a funny, unassuming (and perhaps under-rated) vegetable. Prior to this winter, I’m not sure if I had ever purchased a whole head of cabbage. Pre-shredded bags of coleslaw mix, sure, but a head of cabbage? Probably not…

This winter, however, I discovered the joys of cabbage, both green and purple, after receiving a head cabbage in a Bounty Box from Relay Foods. Unsure of what to do with my cabbage, I turned to the blog world, where I was inspired by Sarah to cut my cabbage into wedges and roast it in the oven. The resulting wedge salad I created was terrific, and I realized that as with most vegetables, roasting a cabbage is the way to go–the natural sugars caramelize, creating a delicious result. A cabbage is, after all, pretty much just a large brussels sprout, and who doesn’t love roasted brussels sprouts?!

Grilling cabbage

Grilling cabbage

When my parents came into town this weekend and our talks turned to dinner cooked on our new grill, I remembered the lovely savoy cabbages that I had seen at the City Market the past few weeks and began dreaming about grilled cabbage, topped with a dressing inspired by Tim‘s idea for a cashew cream veggie dip and Sarah‘s honey mustard dressing. The result was superb–crispy edges, soft interior, and a dressing with a perfect amount of sweetness, tanginess, and body. It’s a perfect spring recipe as the weather warms to grilling temperatures, but the last of the winter veggies are still lingering at the market.

Grilled Cabbage with Honey Mustard Dressing

Grilled Cabbage with Honey Mustard Dressing

Grilled Cabbage with Honey Mustard Dressing

Ingredients

  • One head of (savoy) cabbage
  • Olive oil
  • 1/4 cup cashews, soaked for 4 – 8 hours and drained (discard the soaking water)
  • apple cider vinegar
  • whole grain mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • soy sauce/tamari
  • water

Method

Remove outer leaves from the cabbage; wash and slice into wedges. Arrange wedges on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Grill cabbage wedges until softened, about 5 – 8 minutes per side. Drizzle dressing over the cooked wedges; pass additional dressing around the table, as needed.

Delicious!

Delicious!

A big thanks to Heather for hosting today’s Meatless Monday from A – Z link-up. Be sure to check out the other recipes created for today’s link party for inspiring and creative ways to cook with cabbage.

BWV-Round2-April-Cabbage_thumb

What is your favorite way to prepare cabbage?

-L

Meyer Lemon and Blueberry Scones [MMAZ]

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Spring is officially here! We even had a taste of summer last week, with a few days of 80 degree temperatures. Suffice to say I am craving lighter foods, fresh fruits, and delicate flavors like lemon (Meyer lemon to be exact).

Spring colors and flavors

Spring colors and flavors

Meyer lemons are actually a cross between a lemon and an orange, resulting in darker, deeper yellow skin and aromatic, less sour juice than a typical lemon. The taste is absolutely incredible in baked goods–light and “zippy”, taking a dish to a whole new level of “yum.”

It’s been a while since I cooked with new-to-me ingredients that required research… Enter the result of this weekend’s kitchen experiment: scones made with spelt flour and coconut palm sugar, inspired by the recipe Shanna shared, via her friend Kendra, last Tuesday. Shanna’s recipe used Einkorn flour, but I could not find any at the store, so I decided to use spelt flour instead.

Meyer lemon and blueberry oat scones

Meyer lemon and blueberry oat scones

Spelt is an ancient grain with a mellow, nutty flavor, and slightly higher protein content than wheat. Though it is not gluten free (it actually has more gluten than wheat), it is easily digestible. Sarah B of My New Roots explains more:

“Spelt is an excellent source of manganese, which helps protect your cells from free radical damage, keeps your bones strong, maintains nerve health, and promotes the function of the thyroid gland. Spelt is also very high in fiber and contains a good amount of protein.” (source)

Delicious!

Delicious!

Coconut palm sugar is made by tapping the nectar from the coconut palm tree and drying the juice in a kettle drum. It condenses into an unrefined brown sugar that can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for white or brown sugar. It has a deep caramel flavor, perfect for baked goods. You can read more information here.

one scone

Perfect for breakfast or tea time

Meyer Lemon Blueberry Oat Scones

Adapted from Shanna’s recipe

Makes 8 scones

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup spelt flour
  • 3/4 cup oat flour (make your own by blending steel-cut oats until fine)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Zest of 1 – 2 meyer lemons
  • 8 ounces (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or, in a pinch, strained regular yogurt, per above note)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • Juice of 2 – 3 Meyer Lemons
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Method

Preheat your oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, oats, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and salt. Toss the lemon zest with the dry ingredients.

Add the cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Rub or cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles small, coarse peas (using your fingers or a pastry cutter). Add yogurt and honey, and toss everything together with a fork or your hands until all of the dry ingredients are moistened.

Add the lemon juice last. Use the juice to bring the batter together, adding a little at a time until the mixture forms a nice dough that will hold together in a disc shape–not too wet or too crumbly. Gently fold in blueberries.

Form the dough into a large, flat disc on the parchment paper, pressing with your fingers as needed. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown on top. Cool for 15 minutes before cutting into 8 pieces.

Cut into wedges, like a pie

Cut into wedges, like a pie

The “base” for these scones came from Shanna and Kendra, but the blueberry-lemon combo was inspired by this week’s Meatless Monday from A – Z link-up, hosted by Heather. Although I missed the last two weeks (avocado), I hope to make it to the party more often this round!

BWV-Round2-April-Blueberry_thumb

Though I did not notice a huge difference in taste using the spelt flour (versus my usual whole wheat), I like the idea of an easier to digest and higher protein grain. Have you ever cooked with spelt flour? Please share any recipes you have tried! 

Enjoy!

-L

Mocha Coconut Oatmeal

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“The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.” (Source)

It’s no secret that I love oatmeal.

Mocha coconut oatmeal

Mocha coconut oatmeal

While a basic bowl is always delicious, sometimes I wake up feeling indulgent–and this bowl certainly is, with coffee AND chocolate mixed in. But an indulgent morning is about more than food.

Breakfast is served

Breakfast is served

Cooking helps me to slow down and to see the details within the everyday routine of my life. Starting my day with a bit of breakfast indulgence means more than adding chocolate to my oats, it means taking time to create a breakfast lovely enough to photograph and unique enough to make the day “special.”

Indulging in my morning means really noticing they way the soft spring sunlight streams into my apartment; feeling connected to my husband as we sit on the couch to eat breakfast and watch the Today show together; not responding to the inevitable buzz of my phone as work emails start to come in.

Coconut cream on top

Coconut cream on top

I increasingly find myself wanting to resist the “busy trap” of modern society, even as I say “yes” to too many things and inevitably overcommit myself. I need reminders that idleness is healthy, and spending time in the kitchen helps me to do just that. So oatmeal like this becomes a small way in which I am able to slow down and indulge a little, to notice the details and to enjoy my morning routine a bit more.

Digging in

Digging in

Mocha Coconut Oatmeal

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 banana, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk (full fat, from a can)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • top with coconut cream*, coconut flakes, and cacao nibs

*Place can of coconut milk in the freezer for 30 minutes. Skim coconut cream off the top. Pour the remaining liquid into ice cube trays and freeze for later use (in smoothies).

Method

Combine oats, banana, coffee, coconut milk, water, cacao powder, and cayenne in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir vigorously to combine. Cook about 5 minutes; transfer oats to a bowl; top with coconut cream, cacao nibs, and coconut flakes. Indulge!

Morning indulgence

Morning indulgence

How do you find small ways to slow down and indulge throughout your day?

-L

Apricot Coconut Quick Bread

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When we started this blog almost a year ago, I wasn’t quite sure why I really wanted to try out this whole blogging thing.

I have worked to improve my food photography skills, sometimes with success, and other times, less successfully. But in the past few months I have realized that photography is not my passion.

Apricot Coconut Quick Bread

Apricot Coconut Quick Bread

Sometimes the lighting in my apartment is just right, and I love taking photos of my food. I love that I have learned to use my husband’s DSLR, and I am very proud of how far my photos have come.

But sometimes, the lighting is just blah and I am more invested in the process of cooking and sharing the food I make with others than in the process of photographing my food.

Sliced bread

Sliced bread

In the almost year we have been blogging, I have invented some delicious new recipes, but in the past few months I have realized that recipe development is not my passion.

I much prefer to be inspired by other peoples’ recipes or to just throw “a little of this and a little of that” into a dish, no measurements required. By the time Friday rolls around, I have pinned and bookmarked more recipes than I could ever tackle in one weekend, and I don’t really feel like creating something “new” of my own.

(Note: Mom got a new bunny apron this year!)

(Note: Mom got a new bunny apron this year!)

But blogging has helped me to learn more about myself and to find a way to articulate my true passion(s). It has helped me to understand why I cook, and it has awakened in me a curiosity about why other people cook.

Blogging has helped me to learn more about our food system, and to understand how my personal choices can and do have an impact on our larger food culture and food systems.

Blogging has helped me to understand that the pursuit of self knowledge and taking time out for self care make me a better person not only for those I love, but also enables me to work towards something greater than myself.

Hello gorgeous!

Hello gorgeous!

Blogging has helped my sister and I connect over food in a new way, and it has created a platform by which my family has begun to share stories about out “kitchen history.”

After losing our Grandma last August, these stories are more important than ever. They are slowing coming out—like a few weeks ago, when my Aunt Kris followed up on my post about pizza with an email telling me that Grandma used to make huge batches of pesto, with basil that the neighbors left on the porch for her (the whole plant, roots and all!), and froze it in ice cube trays to have on hand whenever it was needed.

Freshly baked

Freshly baked

All of this is to say that as life has gotten busy in the past few months, the frequency of our posts has decreased, and will likely continue to remain at 1 or 2 posts per week rather than 3 or 4. But I will continue to document and recount my kitchen adventures when I can! I assure you that I spend most weekends on my feet making one thing after another, even when I forget to take photos.

I whipped up this lovely loaf of bread last Saturday to serve on Sunday morning for Easter Brunch with the East Coast portion of my family (Casey was sorely missed). Inspired by Smitten Kitchen, I did what Deb said was not necessary, and adapted Bill Granger’s recipe for Coconut Bread. I wanted to incorporate the dried apricots that my sister’s mother-in-law brought as part of a house-warming basket for my parents, and this bread seemed the perfect use.

While I have no doubt that the original recipe was fabulous, I really love the addition of the apricots.

Served for Easter Brunch

Served for Easter Brunch

Apricot Coconut Quick Bread

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups canned coconut milk milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt 
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes 
  • 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 

Method

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and sugar and coconut, and stir to mix. Make a well in the center, and pour in egg mixture, then stir wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. Add butter, coconut, and apricots and stir until just smooth — be careful not to overmix.

Butter and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or coat it with a nonstick spray. Spread batter in pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool in pan 10 – 15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Hope you had a happy Easter with your loved ones!

-L