Lemon Meringue Tart
Lemon Meringue Tart

We have landed in LA. It has been a rough and crazy couple weeks but we are officially LA residents. I don't think it has hit me yet because I am just so busy. Between my 36 hour trip last week to speak at the Samsung event space and a top secret baking cookbook I am helping to write, I don't know up from down. Which is good and bad. On the one hand it is good because there hasn't been time to really process that we are in a new city trying to make new friends and find new places to eat, things to do. But bad because one day in a couple months I am going to wake up and realize I no longer live in the Bay Area. But I guess denial is good right? 

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Dessert, Entertaining, PieAmanda Fredericksonlemon, dessertComment
Chicken Salad with Tarragon and Red Onion
Chicken Salad with Tarragon and Red Onion

I am pretty sure I ate sandwiches most of my childhood. Tuna fish sandwiches to be exact. That and a good peanut butter and jelly –that was a staple. I have recently discovered my love for a chicken salad sandwich that put all those tuna fish sandwiches and PB &Js to shame. I know what you are thinking, why in the world would I need a recipe for chicken salad? Well because this one is all you will ever need, it is that delicious. I was never a huge fan of chicken salad until I developed this recipe. I developed it one day when I had an extra chicken that was roasted off and was trying to figure out what to do with it. I wanted to do something interesting with it, because well, chicken can be so boring and dry sometimes,especially as leftovers.

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FoodAmanda Fredericksonchicken salad, sandwichComment
The Perfect Margarita
The Perfect Margarita

I love a good margarita. Don't give me a sugary drink that has sweet and sour mix. No way - that is a one way ticket to a hangover. Give me a simple but delicious margarita made with tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Oh and my secret ingredient, elderberry liquor ( St. Germain). Elderberry gives the margarita a sweet fragrant -but no overpowering -floral taste which I am obsessed with. If elderberry is not your thing just replace with cointreau or skip it all together.  Here is a little video I created showing you how to create the perfect margarita. Pair it with some guacamole and maybe a taco or two and you have the world's most perfect meal.

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CocktailsAmanda FredericksonComment
Springtime Vegetable Pizza
Springtime Vegetable Pizza

You guys, I had one of the coolest afternoons yesterday. Don't judge me because I am a total dork but I had a meeting at one of the cookbook publishing mecca's -Ten Speed Press. I know this is so unexciting to you but really exciting to me - I am a huge fan (borderline hoarder) of cookbooks and in all the land, Ten Speed produces some of my favorites. The halls were lined with gorgeous pictures of food and the best part was I got to go into their library where I was literally surrounded wall to wall with every cookbook I could dream of.  I died. Honest to goodness heaven for a cookbook hoarder. I could just move in and be surrounded by cookbooks and live happily ever after. One of these days I am going to do a cookbook round-up but until then here are some cookbooks I am drooling over: Camino (local Oakland restaurant) Hartwood (makes me want to hope on a plane and fly to Tulum immediately) and Sweeter off the Vine (because who doesn't love a cookbook based solely on baking with fruit)

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Food, Easy DinnerAmanda Fredericksonpizza, vegetable, springtime vegetables2 Comments
Chia Seed Pudding
Chia Seed Pudding

Full confession, I love hippie food. The crazier concoction the better. If it looks like twigs and berries and promises that it is good for me I am sold. I think this fascination with natural foods comes from walking the aisles of a natural food store growing up. I can still smell that store - with its carob chips pretending to be chocolate chips and patchouli soap (I still love both for the record). My fascination continues since we live so close to Berkeley's famous Berkley Bowl, where it seems cool to be into natural food stores. (I think I found my people!)

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Food, Gluten-FreeAmanda Frederickson2 Comments
Blood Orange Yogurt Cake
Blood Orange Yogurt Cake

I spent this past weekend in LA. I love LA... I think. Or maybe strongly like.  I used to overlook it as a town filled with nothing but movie star hopefuls but the more time I spend there,  the more I am drawn to it. Although for the record I do not love the traffic. It is a whole different beast compared to the Bay Area. However I do love the food world there. There is some really interesting stuff happening with food and I was excited to get a glimpse of it this past weekend. I was in town for a food conference (IACP) which is a food industry conference that focused a lot on social media, blogs and video this year. It was really interesting to see what people are doing in this space. It is almost like the Wild West in that the possibilities are endless, especially in online food video/YouTube. Really inspiring. So if I can just get over looking at myself on camera I am going to put out some YouTube videos (there are already some of me for Williams-Sonoma floating around which you can view here. Eeks! )

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Food, DessertAmanda Frederickson6 Comments
Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl

I feel like I have been running around like a crazy person lately. Not sure why but life is just busy right now. Busy and a little bit in flux but I guess that is life,  right?

It was Luke's birthday this week so we have been doing a little celebrating. This past weekend I hosted a little get together for friends. Our house isn't that huge but I love having everyone over to celebrate - so much easier than trying to coordinate a restaurant. So we just pile everyone in and they sit and eat wherever they can find a spot.  Plus we are so lucky, we have too many friends to fit in a restaurant. The dinner was totally easy and casual - the hardest part was cleaning up our back. After all the rain the Bay Area has had over the past few months, our backyard looked like a jungle. Our backyard is one of my favorite parts of this house. It is small but there is a table, an outdoor fire pit and some string lights - all you need for a party. We have had pretty epic nights back there. On my list is to really make it nice with plants and landscaping but one thing at a time right?

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FoodAmanda Frederickson2 Comments
Morning Buns
Morning Buns

I am trying to get back into running. When I lived in NY I loved running - I did a full and half marathon...in one year.  But when I moved to SF 9 years ago, the hills were a total deterrent. The thought of running straight up a hill forced me to take an early retirement.   I am trying to get back into it since Oakland is a little flatter but still running a fickle little friend. Some days it feels amazing like you go could on for miles and miles. Other times it hurts every part of your body, scratch that, your soul to finish a 2 mile run.

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Food, BreakfastAmanda Fredericksonbreakfast, croissant, muffins, morning buns, brunch9 Comments
Pan Roasted Artichokes with Mint and Capers
Pan Roasted Artichokes with Mint and Capers

Have you ever thought about the first person that dared eat an oyster? Or what about that first person who tried a mushroom and prayed that it wasn’t poisonous? I am not sure why but I think a lot about these people. Probably because I spend a lot of time prepping food and thoughts like these just pop into my head. Like why do we eat arugula but eating dandelion greens (until recently) has been avoided? Or who thought that if you blanch stinging nettles, which literally sting you when you pick them, they would be the most delicious pizza topping? This burning question is especially relevant when it comes to artichokes. Have you ever seen an artichoke plant? They are scary pre-historic bushes and if the artichoke is not picked in time it turns into this crazy gorgeous purple blossom that looks like it could eat you ( a la the man-eating plant in Little Shops of Horrors). Also the plant is so tough that people literally can make furniture out if it. So who in the world was the crazy person to dig deep inside that prickly center and figure out there was deliciousness in there? How did they know if you steam the center and then douse it with butter and serve with a lemon aioli that tastiness awaits? Who? Who? I need to know!

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Food, Gluten-Free, vegan, VegetarianAmanda Fredericksonartichokes, vegetarian, mint, capers, meatless monday2 Comments
Persian Breakfast
Persian Breakfast

Have you ever thought about the first person that dared eat an oyster? Or what about that first person who tried a mushroom and prayed that it wasn’t poisonous? I am not sure why but I think a lot about these people. Probably because I spend a lot of time prepping food and thoughts like these just pop into my head. Like why do we eat arugula but eating dandelion greens (until recently) has been avoided? Or who thought that if you blanch stinging nettles, which literally sting you when you pick them, they would be the most delicious pizza topping? This burning question is especially relevant when it comes to artichokes. Have you ever seen an artichoke plant? They are scary pre-historic bushes and if the artichoke is not picked in time it turns into this crazy gorgeous purple blossom that looks like it could eat you ( a la the man-eating plant in Little Shops of Horrors). Also the plant is so tough that people literally can make furniture out if it. So who in the world was the crazy person to dig deep inside that prickly center and figure out there was deliciousness in there? How did they know if you steam the center and then douse it with butter and serve with a lemon aioli that tastiness awaits? Who? Who? I need to know!

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Food, Breakfast, BrunchAmanda FredericksonBreakfast, middle eastern food, yogurt, savory breakfast4 Comments
One-Pan Wild Mushroom Lasagna
One-Pan Wild Mushroom Lasagna

Have you ever thought about the first person that dared eat an oyster? Or what about that first person who tried a mushroom and prayed that it wasn’t poisonous? I am not sure why but I think a lot about these people. Probably because I spend a lot of time prepping food and thoughts like these just pop into my head. Like why do we eat arugula but eating dandelion greens (until recently) has been avoided? Or who thought that if you blanch stinging nettles, which literally sting you when you pick them, they would be the most delicious pizza topping? This burning question is especially relevant when it comes to artichokes. Have you ever seen an artichoke plant? They are scary pre-historic bushes and if the artichoke is not picked in time it turns into this crazy gorgeous purple blossom that looks like it could eat you ( a la the man-eating plant in Little Shops of Horrors). Also the plant is so tough that people literally can make furniture out if it. So who in the world was the crazy person to dig deep inside that prickly center and figure out there was deliciousness in there? How did they know if you steam the center and then douse it with butter and serve with a lemon aioli that tastiness awaits? Who? Who? I need to know!

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Food, dinner, Vegetarian, One pan dishAmanda Fredericksonmushroom lasagna, lasagna, mushrooms1 Comment
Coconut Quinoa Bowl with Tahini Lime Dressing
Coconut Quinoa Bowl with Tahini Lime Dressing

My full on transformation into hippie life has begun - and I am proud of it. I have always been on the fence but I think as I get older the more I am embracing it. I don’t know if it is a product of Northern California or if I have always been attracted to a more “natural" way of life, but I am totally waving that flag now. Don’t get me wrong I am still addicted to my iPhone, I may have had just cheese and salumi for dinner last night and I have a tree in my living room that I put Miracle Grow on because it is dying,but I like to think it is all about balance and pachouli. (Yes I love the smell of pachouli - that is hippie 101 right?) I have gone pretty much natural on cleaning products, make-up, deodorant and most importantly food  There is such a connection between how something is grown and raised to the status of our health. If I were to quit my job today one of the paths that I would probably want to go down is food policy in this country. Sounds sexy right? I take for granted how lucky I am in to live in Northern California and have access to some of the best local, sustainable raised food out there. I used to get horrible migraines that all of a sudden stopped when I started eating better food.

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Food, Gluten-Free, SaladAmanda Fredericksonquinoa, coconut quinoa, salad, healthy, gluten free, vegan1 Comment
Spaghetti with Cauliflower and Burrata
Spaghetti with Cauliflower and Burrata

Since I cook for a living people often ask me if I cook when I am not working. If you have been following along with this blog it is clear that I cook all the time, I am pretty much always cooking. But it surprises some people that I still have the desire to cook on the weekends, when I am not at work. I know it sounds strange but the more I cook, the more I want to cook. I get in this rhythm that just makes it easy and effortless. It is when I don't cook for a long time that I become a total spaz in the kitchen. I can't explain it but so it goes I guess.

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Food, PastaAmanda Fredericksonpasta, olives, spaghetti, cauliflower, vegetarian2 Comments
Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie

My co-worker recently called me the key lime whisperer. I think it was a term of endearment (right?) because of my love of anything and everything key lime. It stems from growing up in Florida and being surrounded by citrus fruits.  Key limes were front and center (that and grapefruits and honeybell oranges).  It is pure nostalgia I think. We had a key lime tree in our backyard so key limes were used in everything. They were just as common place as regular limes, maybe even more so.  I even remember ordering a key lime pie martini when I was barely old enough to drink- the rim was lined with crushed graham crackers-amazing. But my love of key limes in its purest form is found in a big slice of delicious key lime pie.

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Dessert, Pie, HolidaysAmanda Fredericksonkey lime pie, dessert, key lime, graham cracker crust6 Comments
Ramen with Garlic Togarashi
Ramen with Garlic Togarashi

Japan is high on my lists of places to travel. Between the food, the culture and their love of gorgeous paper products, I might be in heaven. But in all honestly, I want to travel there for the food. The Japanese take their food very seriously. And what better way to experience a culture than through its food culture. There is so much more to Japanese food than sushi – there is yakatori, shabu shabu, traditional soba noodles and of course ramen. We have a well know ramen restaurant in Oakland called Ramen Shop. There here is always a line so I decided to come up with my own ramen recipe. Since ramen is traditionally egg noodles in some sort of delicious salty broth, I thought I would create my own ramen so I can eat it whenever I want and dream of my future trip to Japan.

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Food, dinnerAmanda Fredericksonramen, japan, pork, noodles, soupComment
Curried Ginger Carrot Soup
Curried Ginger Carrot Soup

Happy New Year! Can you believe it is 2016!? We just got back from vacation. I love vacations but I can’t stay in vacation mode too long. By the middle of a vacation, I crave routine and normalcy.  I love exploring new places but need to balance that with real life. For the holidays we drove to Big Sky Montana. The drive from Oakland to Big Sky is about 15 hours, give or take. We drove this year so we could bring the dog. So much of our life revolves around that silly dog. But he is worth it - most of the time.

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Food, Gluten-Free, SoupAmanda Fredericksonsoup, vegetarian, carrot, curry3 Comments
Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Growing up peppermint patties and Junior mints were always my favorite candy. Anytime we went to the movie theater it was always a box of Junior Mints (jumbo box if no one was looking). Then in college when everyone was on Weight Watchers (because that is what everyone did then, you remember that right? ) I would forfeit lots of point in exchange for Peppermint Patties. Priorities right?!  That chocolate mint combo is my favorite flavor combo. I make my own homemade peppermint patties now and give them out as holiday gifts. I may make a dozen or two to keep for myself. I honestly can't resist them. When thinking about the perfect holiday dessert I was inspired by three things - chocolate, peppermint and cream cheese. From there this simple yet utterly delicious chocolate cake with peppermint cream cheese frosting was born.

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Dessert, FoodAmanda Fredericksoncake, chocolate, cream cheese frosting, chocolate cake, peppermint, holidays2 Comments
Korean Chicken Tacos
Korean Chicken Tacos

Can I tell you something? Something that is pretty shocking especially in my line of work- I hate (well hate is a strong word)  but deeply dislike holiday food.  I know right!? How can that be? There are a couple of reasons. First, when you work in a test kitchen and have to develop recipes for Thanksgiving in the middle of July, the allure of holiday food kind of loses its appeal. Turkey and stuffing in July is just kind of weird. It also doesn't help that I never really know what time of year it is because I work about 6 months ahead when developing recipes - Christmas in August, Valentine's Day in October - it is kind of confusing when the real holiday finally comes around. Plus most of the time that holiday food just doesn't taste good. There I said it. Bam! But you know what always tastes good - tacos. If I could have a taco for every meal, I would and I would be completely happy.

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Food, Easy Dinner, Quick and EasyAmanda Fredericksontacos, chicken tacos, korean chicken tacos, mexican food3 Comments