How to be Awesome on $20 a day - Life should be awesome, even if your paycheck isn't.

Awesome in March

March 30, 2020March 24, 2020 Renee Leave a comment

Remember like a hundred years ago at the beginning of the month when we thought life would be normal? Yeah, me neither. But let’s not stop looking until we find something awesome in March.

We’ve all been so obsessed with watching the news and wondering what will change every day, where we can go and who we can or can’t see, it almost seems silly to try to sit down and write about my favorite things for this month. Our governments have been making a lot of frustrating decisions, people haven’t been following advice to keep each other safe. There’s a lot outside our control right now. Feeling powerless is definitely not awesome.

What has been beautiful is seeing people online figuring out new ways to connect and making a commitment to supporting and protecting one another. I hope we continue to inspire and support one another even after this pandemic has ended.

We did go out for a lovely anniversary dinner early in the month at La Vita in George Square. It was absolutely delicious. If you’re able to order takeaway or buy a gift card to use once things reopen, I’d highly recommend it. It’s very reasonably priced, too. I’d love to go back.

What to eat in March

We’re all eating at home more and more, so everyone is looking for the most awesome online recipes. There don’t seem to be any food shortages here, so I’m hoping to try some new recipes during the lock down. We’re still allowed to go to the grocery store here. Just remember to stay two meters away from everyone.

This Easy Red and White Baked Spaghetti looks not only delicious, but something that’s totally approachable during a lock down.

Rebecca at Foodie with Family is solving all your syrup emergencies with this Brown Suar Butter Pancake Syrup. This could really save the day.

If you’ve already stocked up on your Easter candy, I think these Cadbury Easter Egg Cookie Bars might be in order.

Whipped Ricotta | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

Your favorite recipes this month are Whipped Ricotta, Amaretto Sour, and a Brown Elephant Cocktail. It sounds like we’re all partying on our own. I’m in favor of this. Do carry on.

It looks like we’ll still be social distancing come April. It’s fine, friends. We’ll stay awesome together apart.

Passion Fruit Curd

March 27, 2020March 21, 2020 Renee Leave a comment

This Passion Fruit Curd is tart and creamy. Spread it over toast, pound cake or anything that needs a hit of exotic sweetness. Once you get your hands on some fresh passion fruits, it’s unbelievably easy to make.

I planned all of my posts for March at the start of February when coronavirus was something far away that we weren’t paying enough attention to, as usual. Before social isolation and panic buying and flattening the curve. Oh how quickly things can change.

Maybe I’ve always been secretly British at heart because I’m very much in the “keep calm and carry on” camp. This is our new reality for the time being, and all we can do is make the most of it. I recognize that I am immensely priveleged. I’ve never been more grateful for my stable government job, even though I’ve ironically been wishing to leave it and be self-employed all year. Maybe the universe knew this wouldn’t be the right time.

I’m also lucky enough to live in a country where, should I become infected and need medical care, I will never receive a bill. If you’re finding yourself in a difficult financial situation right now and also needing expensive medical treatment, maybe remember this feeling when you go to vote in November. And if that’s not you, can you imagine if it was? What kind of world would you want to live in? That’s all I’ll say about that.

And if you know someone who is still out there keeping basic services running for the rest of us, give them a no-contact high five and let them know that they are a hero. We may be physically separated at the moment, but we need to support each other more than ever. My prayer is that we, as a global family, come out of this stronger and better than we’ve ever been.

Grocery stores probably aren’t too concerned with stocking passion fruits at the moment, but if you happen to have some or have your own vine as we did in Hawaii, you can easily make plenty of passion fruit curd. Put this tart sweet concoction into jars, wipe down the outside with some disinfectant, wash your hands, then leave it at the doorstep of someone who needs a little sweetness in their life.

How to make Passion Fruit Curd

To make passion fruit curd, simply gut a bunch of passion fruits into a big glass bowl. Then add eggs and yolks and sugar to a big bowl. Whisk it all together, then add in the buter.

Make a double boiler by putting a pan with about an inch of water on the stove to simmer. Then put your glass bowl over the pan. Just make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Then you just keep stirring until the whole thing thickens up. It takes 15 or 20 minutes. It goes from looking like a disgusting gloppy mess to a smooth golden curd that you’ll want to just eat with a spoon.

Nobody knows what life will be like from day to day. That was always true, but now we can’t forget it. Might as well make it awesome. Mix up some Passion Fruit Curd and live your best life. A safe distance from everyone else. Stay safe, my friends.

Since we can’t hang out in real life, let’s all get together in Instagram. Stay connected, friends.

Need more passion fruit recipes? Try my favorite Passion Fruit Green Tea.

Goat Cheese Souffle

March 25, 2020March 19, 2020 Renee Leave a comment

This Goat Cheese Souffle is delicate, but packed with flavor. Topped with a creamy sauce and a hit of extra cheese, it’s practically foolproof and definitely delicious. Don’t worry. You totally got this.

How are we, friends? Do we even know where we’re going or what we’re doing? As I write this, so much is uncertain here in my part of the world. We’re still allowed to go out but strongly encouraged to limit gatherings. Schools are closing soon, but I think I still have to go in to work because the building is still open and one of my kids might show up for lunch or something. I’m not really sure. I just know I’m tired.

Getting into my kitchen at the end of each day has been a welcome escape. It might be the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. At the moment, I’m still able to get everything I need, and I hope that lasts. It feels so comforting to be able to rely on the simple magic of ingredients plus heat transmuting into a delicious meal. It keeps me going.

My store is short on eggs, so I’m hoping that means you already have plenty in your kitchen, and you want to eat them before they go bad. Souffle might seems too fussy to some people, but I find it heavenly. This Goat Cheese Souffle is both light and earthy with plenty of cheese. I just love it.

How to make Goat Cheese Souffle

I love this recipe, but it is a bit of a project. It will use several pots and create a lot of dirty dishes. You don’t have anywhere to go at the moment, though, so you might as well just get into it. We first need to steep some onion, bay leaf, and pepper in milk that we gently heat on the stove. While that’s going on, we’re cooking together butter and flour in another pan, then stirring in our warm milk, straining out the onion and bay leaf to create a thick cream sauce. Stir in some fresh parsley, egg yolk, and lots of goat cheese, then let that hang out.

Don’t freak out, but we’re gonna whip some egg whites to stiff peaks. Use an electric mixer. You’re not a superhero. Then comes the sort of tricky but also not really a big deal part of the process. Ever so gently bring together the egg whites and the cheese mixture to create a light and airy batter. Divide that amongst three ramekins and baking until golden and puffy.

Sorry, but we’re not done yet because while that’s baking, we’re going to mix together some cream and more goat cheese over a gentle heat. When the souffles come out of the oven the first time, we spoon over this sauce, top each one with a fat pinch of grated Swiss cheese, then put the whole thing back in the oven again to puff up.

Look, souffles are always going to look their best the moment they come out of the oven, but they’ll tastes amazing always. Serve these with a green salad and a glass of wine for a fancy lunch.

We’re all gonna be fine, kids. We’ve got each other’s backs, and we’ve got Goat Cheese Souffle. What else do we need? It’s gonna be awesome.

Love souffle? Try this White Cheddar Polenta Souffle.

Also, let’s hang out on Instagram and help keep the world awesome.

8 Books I’ve Loved Lately

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Renee Leave a comment

Staying in is the absolute perfect excuse to read a great book. I’m bringing you 8 books I’ve loved lately to take you away while you’re staying in. I hope you have plenty of time to read. You’re gonna love these books.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi -If you love a good YA fantasty but you’re desperate for something unique, this is the book for you. Children of Blood and Bone is set in Africa (ish). The magic portrayed is different from anything you’ve seen before. There’s blood and tears and romance. You’ll love it. The sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengence, is also available, but I haven’t read that yet. If you have, let me know what you think.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – This book straddles America and Nigeria, and it was a real eye opener for me. As a white lady, most of what I know about the black experience comes from books, and I’ve ready my share if African American literature. This novel, though, is written by a black woman from Nigeria who lived in America. Her views on race in my country helped me see things I hadn’t considered before. Beyond all the politics, it’s also just a fantastic coming of age story.

The Power by Naomi Alderman – Oof! This book had me hooked from the first moment and delivered so many things I didn’t expect. Women suddenly discover that they have the ability to cause others pain with electricity created by their bodies. How will they use this new found power? Therein lies the adventure. Don’t miss this one.

The MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood – Bonus, this recommendation is actually three books. If you’re only going to read one, the first book, Oryx and Crake is my favorite. If you loved The Handmaid’s Tale, either the novel or the TV show, you will definitely love this trilogy. Sometimes I’ll be reading a random book and wonder why I’m not reading Margaret Atwood. Her work is absolutely transporting, and this speculative fiction series is as good as any. If you want to go deep on how disease and climate change can change the world, this book will blow your mind.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – If you started to watch the series on Amazon Prime and thought it was awful, please don’t let that stop you from reading the book. If you like quirky humor and a heaping dose of mythology, this book is for you. It might feel like the end of the world, so you might as well laugh your way there.

Atonement by Ian McEwan – This book will absolutely wreck you. It’s so unbelievably tragic, I get a stomach ache every time I open it up. That being said, I think I’ve read this book three times. The language is poetic without being pretentious. The characters are beautifully drawn. Just thinking about this book fills me with emotion.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris – If you want blistering wit, read anything by David Sedaris. If you’re reading this in bed with a partner, you’ll want to read like every other line out loud to them. I mean, really just read all his books. This is the one I just happen to have on my shelf at the moment.

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester – This is the only stricly non-fiction book to make the list. Technically, Me Talk Pretty One Day is non-fiction, but it’s memoir and this is history, so… This book tells the fascinating story of the creation of something that probably sounds immensely boring. You will not believe how this dictionary came into being.

What are you reading right now? I’m always looking for a great new-to-me book. Share your recommendations in the comments. And if you’re looking for more great reads, check these out.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I receive a small commission which allows me to bring you more great recipes and other content.

Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosas

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020 Renee Leave a comment

Whether you’re gathering with friends or enjoying a long languid Sunday morning of social distancing with your partner, a pitcher of Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosas is going to make everything a lot more fun. Brighter and zingier than the original, this drink is worth getting out of bed for.

We’re entering what I like to call brunch season. The sun is finally up by the time we get out of bed in the morning for one thing. But we’ve also got British Mother’s Day, then Easter, and finally Mother’s Day in the US. Then we’re going to be smack in the middle of wedding season and hen/bacelorette weekends. All of these seem like a perfect reason to enjoy a little sparkling wine before noon.

As much as I enjoy going out for brunch, there’s something so much more inviting about hosting brunch in your home, particularly if it’s for a special occasion. I’ve got dozens of awesome breakfast and brunch recipes in my archives, and those are usually the ones that make my mouth water the most. You a gorgeous breakfast casserole in the oven, bake up a few little pastries, and put out a gorgeous spread of fresh fruit, and you’ve got yourself a party.

Of course, mimosas will take everything straight to the top. These Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosas almost make you feel like you’re at the spa. The carrot juice is stil quite sweet but also brings a subtle earthiness. The ginger infuses the whole thing with a fascinating bit of heat that really wakes you up. And the bonus is that you can use cheap sparkling wine here. The juice would mask the flavors of a fancy champagne anyway.

How to make Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosas

Making this up could not be easier. No one will be surprised to learn that I use bottled carrot and orange juice here. If you want to juice carrots and squeeze oranges, be my guest. I’m sure that would be awesome, but I don’t have the equipment or the patience for that. Do you slices of fresh ginger, though. If you want the ginger flavor a little stronger, you could always grate the ginger in, but this leaves tiny bits of ginger root floating in your drink, then sticking in your teeth. I prefer more of an infusion of ginger.

You can also decide whether you want to mix the wine with the juice all at once or if you want to offer the juice mix and the wine separately. I like to keep them separate. Then you can also offer some soda water for anyone who can’t have or doesn’t want alcohol. Just fill the glass about a quarter of the way with the juice, then top it up with whichever sparkling beverage you choose.

Hopefully we’ll all be gathering together again very soon. Until then, get plenty of vitamins and drink a Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosa.

Recipe adapted from Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson.