Almond Butter and Coconut Stuffed Dates with Orange Blossom Water and Honey

Moroccan Inspired Stuffed Dates

Almond Butter and Coconut Stuffed Dates with Orange Blossom Water and Honey

The secret ingredient to these rich sweet stuffed dates is the addition of orange blossom water.

When it comes to sweets and desserts, I am admittedly not a baker. I do try from time to time to bake up a treat, usually around one of the girls birthdays or when I want to challenge myself in the kitchen. When I came across some  ideas for stuffed dates, I was immediately inspired to create a recipe that takes those flavors on a Moroccan journey for our bohemian tea party, and no bake was something I am totally down for. In planning the party, I was thinking influences from India, Morocco, Turkey, and England. I wanted something vegetarian, since my good friend Rosie was coming and I thought about the traditional almond paste used in Moroccan cooking would be tasty stuffed in a date. There are traditional recipes for this treat, but being of bohemian spirit and liking to try out my own spin on the traditional, I decided to try it with almond butter. Adding the orange blossom water and honey to it gives it a sweet a light floral taste that is slightly mysterious. The amounts of almond butter, honey and orange blossom water are going to vary a little by how big your dates are. I used a couple tablespoons per date, since I was able to find these big medjool dates at the international market. (read more)

Whimsical Bohemian Tea Set by Nini Violette

Bohemian Tea Party Inspiration

Whimsical Bohemian Tea Set by Nini Violette

While planning an upcoming Bohemian Tea Party, which you will see here on the blog, I have come across many inspiring ideas that I wanted to share here. When I start thinking about a party, usually I have some sort of theme in mind like last summers Midsummer Masquerade, to an Indian inspired intimate dinner for 4, it helps to plan the decor, menu and music. If you checked out the Convivial Bohemian Table post, you may have had some inspiration to make your everyday dinning special and uniquely your own, or so I hope anyway! (read more)

#breakfast #tacos with #kale #pancetta and #avocado #bohemiancottage

Breakfast Tacos with Kale, Pancetta and Avocado

#breakfast #tacos with #kale #pancetta and #avocado #bohemiancottage

Breakfast Tacos with Kale, Pancetta and Avocado

Savory breakfasts are my favorite. Add a little spice, even better. Occasionally I do enjoy something a little sweet, but most often with a savory addition to the sweet like in the Bacon and Gruyere Stuffed French Toast. This taco creation was made with items that we already had in the fridge, and it resulted in one of the tastiest impromptu recipes I have created in a long time. The creamy avocado, health boosting kale and just enough pancetta to give it that extra burst of flavor, it is a recipe I felt I needed to share. I always think, what would make this recipe even better? Adding some chipotle chili powder or a fresh salsa verde. Or how about pico de gallo or if you don’t have pancetta, good ol’ regular bacon or smoked ham bits. In the bohemian way, experiment. Add your own personal and creative flair. I would love to hear how you made this even better with your unique twist. (read more)

Sangria Cocktail Kiwi Passionfruit

Friday Happy Hour Cocktail: Kiwi Passion Fruit Sangria

Kiwi Passion Fruit Sangria

For this Friday evening’s cocktail hour, (ok, so it was more like 3 hours) some friends and I enjoyed some fresh fruity Sangria. I wanted to try something a little different from the traditional, you know, go bohemian with it, and decided on this passion fruit kiwi recipe. I was not able to find plain passion fruit juice, so I opted for apple, passion mango and pineapple juices. The oranges I found at the grocery store looked like little ruby grapefruits when I cut into them. They were sweet and delicious oranges though. I plan to get some more of them and make something, not sure what yet. Got any suggestions? (read more)

Margarita

Raspberry Key Lime Margarita

Blanco Tequila

I tried the Espolon Blanca Tequila for this Margarita

Friday and Saturday evenings I’m typically ready for a cocktail to help relax and to celebrate the week. I have recently been reaching for a glass of wine or a beer, but both of those lovely choices do not lend much room for creativity behind the metaphorical bar. I also thought it would be fun to start a regular section of the blog for cocktail recipes. Viola! Here is the first one, a colorful and fresh raspberry and key lime margarita!

With some trial and error (imagine the face you give when you suck on a lemon…opps)  I think I have something that is not only delicious in its fully intoxicating version, but its mocktail version is a nice alternative for kids and non-drinkers too. (read more)

A Picnic in Winter

Picnic in the park

Mediterranean style picnic in the park on a warm winter day.

Weather in the high 60’s on a winters day in the Rocky Mountains makes us want to head straight outside. The girls and I decided to pack a Mediterranean style feast and head out to the park. Luckily for us nearly every last living soul was in front of their TV watching football (we are in Broncos territory after all). As the Broncos were making their way to the Superbowl, we were basking in the sun enjoying our impromptu lunch. 

We packed a small baguette, some pre-made sun dried tomato relish, salami, Italian olives, mixed nuts, fresh veggies, hummus, pasta salad, smoked Gouda cheese, crackers, San Pelligrino water and Italian sodas. This was a spontaneous event, so we decided next time we will make our own pasta salad and share the recipe here with you. (read more)