The Tapestry Blog: February 2015

It seems I have an obsession.

Let’s call it a hobby of sorts.

I used to collect stickers when I was little (I remember the first day I found a wrinkled, faded sticker on the floor, picked it up, and decided it needed friends - the collection made its debut).

Now, it’s recipes.

But not just any recipe drawn from a simple search online such as “what should I eat for dinner?”….

Starting a few years ago, in the dead of winter when the sun disappeared at 4 o’clock, mere minutes (it seemed) after school was let out, I did make a search like that. After convincing my mom to cook comfort food for that cold winter day, and two substantial helpings of dinner later, I was still yearning more; winter had put an extra oomph into my appetite, physically and creatively. I needed some comfort food for the brain. I started looking up all sorts of recipes from cooking channel websites, blogs, family cookbooks in the cabinet, circling and cutting out magazines… I found I was almost addicted to finding yummy recipes!

Along the way, I’ve realized my preferences. For example, I found out that I really like breakfast, after heading to the breakfast category first in every source I go to (I especially love muffins and waffles).

A majorly prominent theme I’ve discovered is that I am attracted to healthy recipes. Now, I know you may be thinking, “hmm, this ‘healthy’ stuff can be kinda sketchy…”

These things are homey awesomeness.

It is true that I enjoy collecting healthy recipes - who doesn’t want to feel good about what they’re eating? - and I’ve grown to love EATING them too! This all comes on one stipulation…

My major, #1 rule is it has to TASTE great!

I do not enjoy slogging my way through “healthy” fare when it tastes like bland cardboard.

#2: Be relatively simple to make.

I’ve discovered, I love the challenge of researching kitchen techniques, nutrition, and learning about ingredients and then putting it to use in making food taste great while maintaining its purpose of nourishing.

These are better than burgers! Lots of fresh flavor. Paired with sweet potato fries = great combo.

While time can be sparse within school schedules and activities, when it shows up, it can be relaxing to turn up your favorite music, cook freely, and eat (this is especially fun in the summer).

Within this post are some of my favorites that I can personally recommend (had the curry for dinner yesterday; it gave me inspiration). Plus, they're easy to make! Whether to appeal to your eyes on while reading this post or to your tastebuds on your plate, I hope you enjoy these, too :)