Sea Salt Tahini & Helva Brownies

- Amanda 2 Comments

Chocolate lovers this one’s for you. Today is World Chocolate Day after all. Say what?! I too only heard of this magnificent day recently. I mean if there is one food day to really mark, I think chocolate deserves it, right? Or maybe ice cream. Well it’s a toss up. In any case, we’re marking today over here in Istanbul with a recipe that I think is not only perfect for this “holiday” but also highlights a few specialties of our current locale. These Sea Salt Tahini & Helva Brownies are bananas. Like whoa good and definitely not for the faint of chocolate heart.

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Coconut Cashew Granola

- Amanda

I am really excited to share this orange scented Coconut Cashew Granola with you today. We’ve been enjoying it so much for breakfast, an anytime snack and sometimes for dessert with a few mini chocolate chips thrown in. It’s slightly sweet, perfectly crisp, nutty in just the right amount and delicately scented with bright citrus-y notes. And if all that wasn’t tempting enough, the good-for-you factor should seal the deal. Now let’s talk about how to make this insanely delicious recipe…..

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Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie

- Amanda

Saying happy 4th of July with this Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie never tasted so sweet. And with all going on in this crazy world today, that’s saying a lot. But this deserves all the praise it gets. It’s easy to throw together. No making or rolling pie crust. Check. It uses the best of the season, gorgeous summer strawberries. And is nice and chilled for these hot summer days. And and there are two popular summer treat bonuses in here, the combo of lemonade and pretzels. Yup, you read right. I threw some pretzels in the crust just for fun and because why not. And the filling takes on notes of fresh strawberry lemonade with a big kick of fresh lemon zest and juice. This is good. really good. My husband had two servings good. (He’s a chocolate or nothing guy.)

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Almost Percy’s Macaroni Salad

- Amanda 2 Comments

Is macaroni salad a summertime staple for you? It is for me, but particularly on the 4th of July. And well, with tomorrow being Independence Day, and us being here in Istanbul, I had to make some to mark the holiday. Besides, it goes so so perfectly with my previously posted Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken, that I just had to share it today.

You might be wondering about the name, Almost Percy’s Macaroni Salad. The previously mentioned beloved mac salad I look forward to every year on the fourth, is not one that I make for our neighborhood block party, but my neighbor does. I have been lucky enough to grow up down the street from an awesome family, among others, who have become family to us. And Percy (a nickname I gave her I can’t remember when,) is like a favorite auntie to me and an incredible cook among her many fabulous traits. And one thing she does particularly well, is macaroni salad. It’s simple enough, but just something about it, I can never get enough of and I make sure to always get to the 4th of July buffet table in the middle of the street early enough to snag some before it’s gone.

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Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken

- Amanda

This Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken is such a winner in our house, I just know you’ll love it too. My kids really can’t get enough. So much so, that the amount I made for two nights, really only ended up making it to one night for all of us, then just enough for the munchkins the second night. And what’s even more awesome, Miss Sparkle, exclaimed “Mama, I just love this chicken!” For her, that’s big when it comes to many things savory, especially chicken.

With the fourth of July weekend here, and traditional ways of celebrating possibly (hopefully) halted for most, I think it’s nice to still be able to feel like we’re doing something special and fun to make the day feel different. For us here in Istanbul, we’ve gotten pretty good at that, having had to celebrate a few different holidays we’re normally used to celebrating that are just an ordinary day here. December 25th here definitely has a different feel to it than back home. And it should be no surprise that my favorite way to connect to traditions and the roots I grew up with, is none other than food. And 4th of July fare is no exception.

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