Reunion Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every summer my immediate family gets together for a week near some mountains and water. This summer it was Lake Tahoe and it was beyond perfect. I think the search is over, I would happily have this be our location for reunions each summer.  Flawless.

With the number of adults and kids (this time: 18) we have, it is almost never makes sense that we go out to eat. Luckily all the girls in the family enjoy cooking, so we take turns for each meal. (ok, my mom does MOST the work). I heavily document reunions with my camera and make notes in my phone so I can journal and blog later, and many of those photos and notes include the food---it's just that important to us. :-)

I'm documenting it here because you may find it helpful to see what our meals look like for a week with a big group.

Monday//
Breakfast: acai bowls with Nova Granola
Lunch: hot dogs and sides
Dinner: pizza at a restaurant

Tuesday//
Breakfast: crepes
Lunch: sandwiches
Dinner: pasta Italian

Wednesday//
Breakfast: breakfast burriots
Lunch: make your own
Dinner: fish tacos

Thursday//
Breakfast: oatmeal
Lunch: bagels and sandwiches
Dinner: ribs and chicken

Friday//
Breakfast: ableskivers
Lunch: make your own
Dinner: chicken and coconut rice

Saturday//
Breakfast: acai bowls
Lunch: make your own
Dinner: pizza takeout

Breakfast /// Acai Bowls

 

 

For our family reunion this summer we had acai bowls with Nova Granola twice. Each time was a hit. They are fast, easy, and simple to make and everybody is happy. No real recipe to follow, but play around with measurements till you get the consistency you want. To make it "acai" you should get the frozen packets from Whole Foods.

In blender:
greek yogurt
acai frozen packet (whole foods has them in the freezer section)
pineapple and orange juice (i noticed that Banzai Bowls in Laguna Beach asks for soy milk or apple juice, so you could really pick any liquid you like here)
frozen banana
frozen mixed berries

Top with:
Nova granola
coconut
chocolate chips
sliced banana
sliced strawberry
drizzle of honey

Try // Fat Almond Pancake

I must be on summer break because all I care about is breakfast, running, and going to the pool.
One morning I made a giant pan of this and I was the only one around. This girl (me) needs mouths to feed. Any takers?

I used Green Kitchen Stories recipe for Fat Almond Pancakes. Think German Pancake or Dutch Baby. I promise, this healthified version is just as good. (my brother-in-law is going to roll his eyes at me for saying that)

The recipe calls for buckwheat flour but I subbed fresh ground wheat flour and it tasted just great.

I topped mine with powdered sugar and strawberries and I didn't need any syrup at all. Probably because there was some syrup in the batter and it was perfectly sweet.

In other news. I got an ipad and it makes cooking and baking THAT much better. Spotify and podcasts and pinterest right at hand.

 

Dinner // Fancy Sandwiches

 

To celebrate Maggie's birthday we had a "fancy sandwich" dinner. We had a spread of colorful options and everyone could build their own. The paradox of choice!!!!!

Options:

peppered bacon

lettuce

avocado

tomato

 peppers

cucumber

fig butter

champagne mustard

fancy pickles

basil
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

more photos over on JaneSays

Dinner // Vietnamese sandwiches

Do you like Vietnamese sandwiches? I've only had them a few times, but never made them myself. Egan and I decided to give them a try for Sunday dinner. We followed the recipe/assembling at Oh Dear Drea blog.
I really loved the combination of flavors. (mint, sriracha, basil, pickled mango/radish/carrots, marinated tofu, lime, cucumbers) It was an easy meal and they were so good.
Another plus, all the colors! Just how I like my food---fresh and colorful.

California eats

I was in California a few weeks ago and there was no shortage of delicious food.

Went to Nekter Juice Bar for acai bowls and fresh pressed juice. Utah, are you listening?

 

Milk and Honey in Costa Mesa. Teen and I shared a PB & berry sandwich. gimme.

 

Got all fancy huh at Nick's in Laguna Beach. I ordered meatloaf! I haven't had meatloaf in YEARS! no regrets. so good.

Breakfast at Banzai Bowls one morning in Laguna Beach. Utah---pretty please?!

  

and Costco pizza. that. hit. the. spot.

 

Breakfast // Pancakes with no syrup

 

We made pancakes one morning while I was visiting my twin sister in California and she didn't have any syrup. No problem, I warmed up some frozen berries, gave them a mashing, and drizzled some honey to sweeten it up.

Healthy Wholewheat Pancakes
adapted from Favorites cookbook
1 cup wholewheat flour (I used freshly ground)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sucanat
1/2 teaspoon real salt
1 cup almond milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

Combine all ingredients and mix. Bake on hot griddle.