Remember me?

It's been four months since my last blog. Forgive me.


I've been kinda busy.

A bunch has happened. Got a degree, moved, got a job, lost a pet. All pretty big deals (to me).

So here it is another new year. I've got resolutions that include doing this blog thing sometimes (among many other things). Apparently I feel very resolved this year cause I have a lot of resolutions. None of which I have written done or even typed up. (PS why do we write down and type up?) The resolutions are all in this little head of mine. Maybe they'll make it to the blog. Maybe.

I made you treats (healthy treats!) to make up for all that lost time. And yeah, I shot these with my shitty camera phone, cause I haven't used my camera for umpteen millions days and it's dead. And I don't plan ahead. 

Hot 'n Spicy Chocolate Balls

just kidding.

Raw/No Bake Chocolate Chili Truffles
6 truffles

1/4 c. cashews
pinch o salt
sprinkle o cinnamon
sprinkle o cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
10 pitted dried dates

Add cashews to food processor.

Sprinkle in salt (love my bull terrier salt shaker!)

Sprinkle in spices and flavors.

Add 1 tsp of the cocoa.

And dates.

Process for about 20-40 seconds.

Or until you reach a fine quinoa-like consistency

Scoop out by the loosely packed tablespoon.

Roll into a ball.

And drop into a shallow bowl with remaining 1/2 tsp. cocoa. 

Once all balls are in the bowl, shake the bowl around to coat the truffles.

Pop in the freezer for 1-2 hours to set.

See, I didn't forget about you. I brought you chocolates. 

Orange You Glad?

Please don't delete me from your google reader just because I made an "orange" joke. I promise to make it up to you by the end of this entry.

I come from a very citrus-y family. My grandpa came to California from Texas to work at the Limoneira farm in Santa Paula, which is now one of the world's main suppliers of citrus fruits. Growing up, my grandparents always had several orange trees on their property. I remember my grandma always made orange juice popsicles for my sister and I to enjoy after school. (Orange juice mixed with white Karo syrup, that is). I learned to drive a tractor doing figure eights around lemon and lime trees. I can honestly say that my family has never ever paid for an orange at a supermarket.  Have I proven my point?

imagine me... a real tractor... and some citrus trees!

We at the Roady household have a humble dwarf navel orange tree/bush thing. It's not like the giant huge trees my grandparents had, but it still produces more fruit than a family can eat. So, other than eating one every morning with breakfast, we need to find some creative ways to use these things. They are starting to get ripe and delicious!

And what goes better with orange than.... Sriracha!?

source: theoatmeal.com

PS, click that link ^up there ^ for an LOL.

Sriracha Orange Shrimp
for 4

Ingredients

• 2 lbs raw, peeled, tail-on shrimp, thawed if frozen
• 1 tbsp EVOO
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• zest of 1 large orange
• juice of 3 oranges (about 3/4 c.)
• as much sriracha as you can handle (start with 1 tbsp, add as you wish)
• slurry: 1 tbsp corn starch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

• Heat EVOO in a saute pan over medium high heat
• Add garlic and stir around for a few moments until garlic is softened and super aromatic
• Toss in shrimp and stir fry for 3-4 minutes or until turning pink
• Add OJ, zest, and sriracha and reduce heat to medium low

• Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until sauce it hot hot hot and shrimp is thoroughly cooked

• Add slurry to orange juice sauce and very quickly whisk in! Any pause at this step will result in corn starch globs and that is effin gross. 

• Stir well. Sauce will thicken up in moments.

The sriracha makes the sauce a nice bright orange color. You do eat with your eyes first . . .

On the side, I quickly stir fried snow peas, snap peas, broccolini, baby bok choy and portabellas in garlic and a touch of oil.

Also, I had some leftover brown rice from my black bean and brown rice burgers that I spruced up with fresh diced green onion and sesame seeds.

Winner winner spicy orange sriracha shrimp dinner!

This recipe would be equally excellent with tofu or chicken. 

Orange you glad you didn't de-follow me?