Fresh Wallflowers

Welcome to May. Here in the Ozarks, May can come in like it did last year with snow, or this year, hot and with tons of pollen. So with the heat and sneezing, heavy food doesn’t sound too good. Farmers markets are packed with fresh fruit and veggies, so I am ready for some fresh recipes.

So with this fresh and light mood, I stumbled across two wonderful things: Cooking with a Wallflower and her recipe for Strawberry Mango Coconut Sticky Rice. http://cookingwithawallflower.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/strawberry-mango-coconut-sticky-rice/#more-2765

I love sticky rice, but have never been brave enough to try at home. ONE reason is that most recipes have called for elaborate steps and a special wicker rice steaming device. I don’t love sticky rice enough to buy something I would use but a few times a year nor have a place for. SO I was super stoked to find Ms. Andrea’s (aka the cook behind wallflower) recipe that has simple steps and ingredients. I felt quite empowered that I could do this. Her steps  are easy to follow, and I have to admit it, the photos are helpful with presentation and the texture you’ll need for the sticky rice. Even though fresh Mango isn’t as prevalent in NW Arkansas, I know that I can get fresh strawberries.

Andrea Giang is balancing her dental hygienist training and life. This includes her writing, food and crafting. You can experience all theses at her website. Her focus are recipes that someone can fix easily after a busy day and in the middle of a busy life.  As Ms. Andrea puts it, “I know that it’s sometimes difficult to find time to cook when you’re balancing so many other things in your life, but my hope is that you will find that cooking can be fun and relatively simple. I want my readers to be able to have fun cooking as well as enjoy what they eat.” http://cookingwithawallflower.wordpress.com/

Her Recipe tab includes: Appetizers, Asian Inspired, Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Dips and Sauces, Entrees, Italian Inspired, Quick and Easy, and Soups. I found the Asian inspired dishes the most interesting, but I think it was just my mood because she has several recipes that look delicious and are as straightforward as the sticky rice.

The strawberry Apple Crumble is another I was drawn to. I like her close cropped photography and instructions that are to the point. At the end of each entry is a lovely recipe card with ingredients and directions.

http://cookingwithawallflower.wordpress.com/

“Enjoy it. Because it’s happening.” The Perks of being a Wallflower