Cafenuit Dining

A craft cocktail to celebrate the birthday of my dear friend, ! 🧁🧁🧁
We met and worked at Green Apple books 23 years ago. At work, we sipped coffee from Toy Boat cafe as we opened the store, puzzled through the math of using trade credit for new books, and did closing side work that included emptying bins of those plastic anti-theft cases that stores used to display CDs in. We listened to Belle & Sebastian and Rufus and Jeff Buckley. We filled the store with shelf talkers, our personal book recommendations. This was one of the best jobs I ever had, plus we were in it together. Kera is a voracious reader. A talented writer. A world traveler. She is an innovator who has started her own reading series, marketing side hustle, farmer’s market booth, and writing group. I’m impressed by her creativity, delighted by her sharp sense of humor, and always grateful for her friendship. In honor of her birthday, here is a bookish cocktail perfect for cold, February nights, cuddled up with a pet, and your favorite author’s most recent works. This can also be heated for a quick version of mulled wine. Could pair nicely with bedtime chocolate. 🍫 love you Kera!

Sharing the “Hey, Girl” cocktail to celebrate my bestie’s birthday! 🎉 🌺. I could go on and on about .adams22 and how fabulous she is in her true Aquarian ♒️ nature. She’s an activist, a mom, a beach lover, a traveler, a teacher of 5th grade who has always wanted to be a mermaid, and my bestie since we both waited tables together at an ice cream parlor in the early 90s.

We talk about traveling together when we’re both retired and imagine we’ll sit across from each other at a cafe in the afternoon with drinks like this one.
Our conversations always start with “hey girl”, and this citrusy beverage with gin and Lillet Rouge was created in celebration of her birthday and the amazing friend she is. Happy birthday to you, my dear friend, Shelby! 💖💖🌺

It’s just after 5 on the west coast so it’s about time for a birthday cocktail for the fantastic (though she’s not one to follow the rules, especially when it comes to cocktails and celebrating).

The Straight Shooter is exactly her. Down to earth, non-nonsense, a full embracer of sarcasm. She crafts, makes jewelry, hosts holiday beverage contests with her family, and volunteers early in the morning. She’s an amazing friend to have in your corner; she won’t back down.

Once after a tough day, I dropped in on her at home unexpectedly and she served me a hot bowl of pumpkin curry soup and homemade bread. Plus rugelach warm from the oven that she just happened to have made that day. How does she do it?

Per the last pic, she’s also a fantastic baker of cakes. 🍰 Happy birthday to you, Kathy!
💛💛💛💛

➡️ swipe for recipe!

A specialty cocktail to celebrate my very special ♥️mom‘s ♥️January birthday.
Calling this one Snow on the Mountains. 🏔️

We taste-tested these earlier in the month and I am landing on this final recipe.
This matches her taste for a sweeter drink and celebrates her favorite time of year - the winter holidays. Topped with whipped cream and nutmeg, this drink (which is reminiscent of festive treats like pumpkin pie and hot chocolate) keeps us lingering in the coziness of winter.
Just like my mom, this drink is cheerful playful, and celebratory. Her love of nature inspired the name. , I will have one ready for you anytime of year! ❄️♥️

➡️ swipe for recipe!

Coconut Creamed Greens 🥬 🥬
This is such a delicious hearty side dish or you can top it with roasted sweet potatoes (or chicken, grilled eggplant, or braised tofu) to create a main. Bright, interesting, and with flavors that linger. Here’s the full recipe plus my modifications include:

* I used 1 jalapeño instead of Fresno (just because it was easier to find) and I doubled the ginger
* I used 2 bunches of collard greens and 2 bunches of Lacinto Kale (this recipe made enough for 8 people)
* I added 1 TBSP brown sugar along w the coconut milk
* Simmered greens on low for 25 minutes so they got really silky. 😋
* I squeezed juice from one lime over the greens before topping w toasted coconut

Coconut Creamed Greens from Andy Baraghani
⬇️ ⬇️

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/coconut-creamed-greens

Late summer favorites!
Ok, here’s # 2️⃣ for summer highlights.
I love dip for dinner. When it’s hot out, sometimes chips and dip is all I want. Or in this case, roasted red pepper dip surrounded by veggies, roasted pita, and olives.
Is this girl dinner?