Edible Bites

Summer has officially started and I'm starting to settle into it. It really kicked off with the launch party for Edible OKC. I was lucky to attend the celebration of this amazing new food culture magazine that has been brought to our city. The evening was all kinds of perfection, I'm just hoping more summer nights can be spent like this. 

Edible is a national magazine with communities all over the US. The fabulous Jen Snow is the editor and publisher and the one responsible for bringing it to OKC. Once I caught wind of Edible I jumped into researching exactly what it was. I've had the privilege of getting to know Jen and learning more about it. 

"Publishing six times a year, our insightful features and stunning photography tell the stories of restaurants nestled within the brick and mortar buildings in our historic downtowns, newly cultivated farms, exciting artisans, talented chefs, baristas, winemakers, brewers, cheesemakers, home cooks, bakers, and beekeepers. They are the pulse of our community, fueling the exuberance that surges throughout Oklahoma City today."

Edible OKC launched yesterday, but first, a party was in order. The coolest folks, the coolest food, and the coolest drinks all gathered in one of the coolest spots of the city to celebrate Edible! The Rooftop at Plenty Mercantile set the tone for the night. Strung lights hung over head while I sipped on an Okie G&T and an Anthem Blonde while scarfing down a few two many bacon wrapped somethings and continuous helpings of artisan cheeses and pimento dip. 

A night can't go wrong when good food, drinks and people are involved. Big shouts to my partner in crime Maddie for indulging in local foodie goodness with me. I was in my prime and she happily let me be. 

Like I said, Edible is now live in OKC! If you are local you can pick up a copy in places like Whole Foods, Kitchen No. 324, and Cuppies and Joe. You can also subscribe to get it delivered straight to your door. A digital copy is also linked on their website. You may recognize someone familiar on page 4. If you aren't in OKC, check to see if Edible is in a community near you!

Follow Edible OKC on Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Annie

Bites of My Life

This one is going to be long, just a warning. College graduation is the definition of bittersweet. This word has never made more since to me in my entire life. An incredible weekend it was though sharing last moments with friends, being surrounded by family and wrapping up the last of my college career. Never will I take a test again, cram for a quiz, sit through long lectures or enroll in a class. Nor will I live in the same town as all my best friends, go to a date party, attend a chapter meeting or be a student ever again. It's bittersweet I tell you.

After having record breaking rainfall and crazy spring storms all week, I was about to go mad. It was the like the rain was foreshadowing all the tears I would be crying this weekend. Our big outdoor graduation barbecue plans were canceled, we got stuck spending way too much time inside (some of that underground in shelter), and nearly had graduation rained out. All I can say is, it made the week that much more memorable. 

After one last long night in Norman, I packed up and left my college town for good yesterday. I bawled the whole way home, then cried some more and cried some more. I moved home with my parents and celebrated a great day with my family for Mother's day. Tomorrow starts my first full day in my new city. On the horizon are big girl job interviews, moving into my own house and settling into the next chapter of my life. Today is my 100th bites post. What a great way to mark all the new bites to come!

-Avocado is a game changer in smoothies/smoothie bowls. So dang creamy.
-Got to share barre3 in the Myriad Gardens with Marge and Whit! A perk of moving back to OKC.
-Sirens blaring and tornadoes sweeping down the plains. Classic finals week having to take shelter from Oklahoma storms!
-Last "morning with marge" :( Great life chats and lots of coffee and tea these past few weeks!
-Whole Foods goodies to brighten up the dreary week we had.
-Last Thursday at our home way from home.
-Little do you know it's actually raining in this picture. We'll do anything to document our dear Kappa days. 
-Cue post-grad life.
-The weather may have washed out our big grad party plans, but it's safe to say we made the best of it!
-Celebrations always call for cookies!
-Lunching at Whole Foods for the first day back home.
-Steak and potatoes, moms request. 

Annie

Unto the Breach

No words just pictures. Four years of pictures documenting four amazing years of my life. The ups, downs, and in-betweens. The firsts, lasts, and now the very end. Tomorrow closes a chapter but starts one too. Bye college, I love you. 

Annie

Corn Cakes with Zucchini Salsa

Say hello to one of my favorite meals. Hiiiiiiii favorite meal!!!

You may remember when I first made this dish early last fall, but I recently made it again and now it's time to share the recipe. Last September I was gifted a huge sack of Olathe Sweet Corn from two of my friends. Corn, a pretty random thing to give someone, but they brought it all the way back from Colorado knowing I could turn it into something. Olathe is a teeny tiny town known for their "agricultural jewel," the Olathe sweet corn. 

I turned my huge sack of corn into Naturally Ella's Corn Cakes with Roasted Zucchini Salsa. It was amazing to say the least. Corn, zucchini, and red onion are some of my favorite ingredients. With summer on the horizon, it was time to make this warm weather meal again. I had to sub the Olathe corn for whatever average corn they had at Target, but it still did the job!

The corn is shaved off the cob then mixed with some cilantro, red onion, egg, seasoning and flour to make the cakes. I use whole wheat flour because I like the nutty and denseness it gives the cakes. I used an ice cream scoop this time to measure out the perfect size cakes. Then you just pan fry them in a skillet until brown. 

While the corn cakes are in the oven, you would have first gotten the veggies in the oven to start roasting them. Once it comes out, lime juice and more cilantro is mixed over the top!

Corn Cakes with Roasted Zucchini Salsa adapted from Naturally Ella
serves 2

Corn Cake Ingredients:
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 ears sweet corn
1/3-2/3 whole wheat or AP flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Salsa:
2 cups cubed zucchini
1/2  red onion, roughly diced
1 jalapeño, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1/4 cup goat cheese, feta or cojita cheese (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400˚. Toss cubed zucchini with onion, jalapeño, olive oil, and salt. Roast until zucchini has turned slightly brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove and toss with lime juice and cilantro.

While the salsa is roasting, heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add in onions and cook until translucent, 4-5 minutes. Remove corn from cob and stir in to onions, continuing to cook until corn becomes soft, 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and place mixture in a bowl. Add ⅓ cup flour, baking powder, egg, honey, lime juice, salt, and cilantro; stir until well combine. Add more flour until mixture pulls together and can form patties.

Divide batter in to 5-6 patties. I found that an ice cream scoop measures out perfect sized patties. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Pat in to a thick round disc. Fry on each side for 5-6 minutes until browned. Once out of the pan I sprinkle with a little extra salt.

To serve, place a few patties on a plate and sprinkle with roasted salsa and a little cheese! I like to also do a little bit of verde salsa if you have it on hand.

Here is a glimpse at my first go around with corn cakes. I added some feta cheese which is what the original recipe calls for. I may have forgotten to get some at the store this time so that's why it got left off...Head to the store or Olathe, Colorado and get yourself some corn so you can whip up this perfect summer meal!

Annie

Grad Gift Guide

Moscow Mule kit (Use code Fiesta25 ONLY today to get 25% off) // "The World Is Your Oyster" print // Scout Bags storage bin // Madewell tote (monograming available) // Caphalon frying pan // Mark & Graham personalized champagne flutes // Bose bluetooth speakers // Jon Hart weekender bag

Moscow mules and glasses of champagne to toast the next stage of life, sophisticated luggage for business trips or girl trips, portable speakers for dorm room jam sessions or background dinner party tunes, functional storage for moving into a first apartment or into a tiny college dorm (the lid is sturdy enough to double as extra seating), an inspiration art print for decoration and a reminder to never settle, a pretty leather bag to carry papers in to work or your books to class, and a frying pan for cooking up the next stage of life. And because who else has seen the episode of Laguna Beach when Kristen's dad gets her a frying pan for graduation?

Whether you know a high school or a college graduate this gift guide appeals to both! Having personally gone through both and seeing two older sisters graduate as well, I have a pretty good handle on what is appropriate, functional, necessary and fun!  

Annie