Now That's a Spicy.....Cabbage?!?

Yeah, you read right. Way Mama Kitty (what I call my mom...hi mom!) raised me, a gracious hostess is never without a housewarming gift. Since we're all just getting to know one another, I thought I would start things off with one: a recipe for my yum and a half Spicy Coleslaw Salad. This darling is SO very cool, crisp, and refreshing on a warm, damp spring evening. I devoured a huge bowl of it on my back stoop last night, watching Max chase fireflies in a circle out in our yard. Polish it off with a bottle of tangy Red Stripe and you've got yourself a fine meal!

SPICY COLESLAW SALAD

Like so many good fresh veggie recipes, this really requires no exact measurements. And, as always, it will be that much better made with ingredients from local, organic suppliers.

Shred or slice into strips one whole fresh cabbage. Add half a diced red onion and one large handful of chopped cilantro, toss. For the dressing: mix about 1/4 cup vegan spicy Lemonaise (or, alternatively, use regular mayo and add fresh chopped chilies), the juice of one lime, a dollop of agave or honey, and about a tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Whisk until blended and then pour over salad. Add sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste, toss well. If you really wanted to heat things up, mix in a diced hot pepper of your preference. The bit of Lemonaise and lime juice really smooth the spicy flavors into a pleasantly mellow heat so don't be afraid to experiment!

This salad always makes a splash when I take it to potlucks or picnics. Speaking of, any saucy shenanigans planned for the holiday weekend? I really wanted to get out and float one of our incredible nearby rivers on a canoe but instead wound up agreeing to put in a bit of extra time at the tennis and fitness center where I work. Wherever you are, have a burger hot off the grill, a dash through the sprinkler, and think of me!! XOXO

Still Getting the Hang of This...

Okay, you guys may have to help me a bit as I get started! I have tons of blog READING experience but, writing one, not so very much. In the words of Christina Ricci, "I couldn't even get my Easy Bake Oven to work!!" Fritters to that, though. This is definitely my age of embarkment, if I ever had one, seeing as how I graduated from university a total of three weeks ago. Sink or swim, eh? I know you can relate.

Let's see now...you'll be wanting the highlights, yes? To date: I am a recent recipient of a bit of paper (see above) that says I rather like to read, courtesy of the University of Arkansas, right here in my wee hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas. I live with my boyfriend, Mr. K, and our runt of a pup, Max, in a little restored farmhouse at the bottom of a big hill. (Pictures to follow as soon as my digital camera and I establish just who is boss.) My days are full of bike rides, kitchen schemes, my crazy wonderful family, yoga at our brilliant local studio, Arkansas Yoga Center, and whatever other mess I see fit to get into, right here in the utterly beautiful Ozark mountains. Change may not be far in the future though, since I have plans in the works to spend a four week intensive session at the Ananda Village yogic community in northern California around the end of the year. Mr. K and I have fond dreams of moving out west to investigate this sun-drenched land of coast and forest so who knows where we might end up. The world is one lovely, shiny oyster when you are young, though it can make you feel like a mite of a pearl sometimes.

So stick around and palaver with me. I'll post recipes from my own kitchen and those of my numerous southern friends and relatives, yoga info and articles, vintage and antique finds, funny stories, etc. My heart is open, big wide blog world, so I hope yours is too!