Fig Spread? Yes...Please.

There is no doubt that if I had to live on figs, cheese and bread I would be a happy person. I actually don't cook very much during the week. The bulk of my cooking happens on weekends, when I am testing recipes or cooking for friends or family.

I once was talking to a woman, giving her some meal ideas and cooking tips. She was really excited and seemed pretty inspired when we were done chatting. At the end of the conversation she asked me what I normally have for dinner each night. I replied, "Toast". She looked so deflated when I told her that. I think she pictured me having these big meals each evening. In reality, it's just me and the pup. I am pretty selfish with my time when I get home from work and usually after I am done running I don't want much more to eat then a little toast and jam with some yogurt or a couple slices of cheese, salami, and some fruit. Heck, even a bowl of cereal tastes pretty good me on a Tuesday night and is a common dinner for me.

One of my favorite treats, whether I am just spreading it on bread and cheese or using it to help cook a meal is Dalmatia Fig Spread. This stuff is HEAVENLY. There is a reason why they refer to figs as the fruit of the gods. Dalmatia is in Croatia where they grow and dry the figs. They then put those figs into this fantastic spread. At New Season's they will actually sell it by the pound for you, although the jars are not too pricey and only run about $7.00 bucks. You can also get the spread at Whole Foods and online.

This stuff is amazing. It's very sweet, so a little a goes a long way. I have used it to spread on pannis with arugula, rare roast beef, and a little creamy horseradish mayo. I have glazed pork tenderloins with it and I use it in salad dressings. My favorite and most common way to consume this heavenly figgy spread is just on some tangy cheese. It goes great with goat cheese. I used it today on a bit of Spanish Miticrema, which is a spreadable sheep's cheese. Yum!

I included an easy dressing recipe for you, using the spread. I love to pour this on spinach, red onions, strawberries, goat cheese and pecans.

Dalmatia Fig Spread Dressing

1 Tbsp fig spread
1 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice
little lemon zest
1 tsp of finely minced shallot
1/4 cup of oil (olive or canola)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk

Years ago one of my favorite people, my Aunt Allison, introduced me to Rufus Wainwright. Yep..my aunt is uber hip but not in the blechy hipster kind of way. She's always teaching me about what the cool kids do or listen too. She knows all the tips and tricks to some seriously neat stuff. But I digress...which I will do...a lot on this blog. So if digression is not your thing...don't get attached to this blog. Walk away, because before you know it you will be okay with digression and really offensive run-on sentences. 

Back to Rufus...so Rufus Wainwright has this amazing song called Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, which has turned into a favorite song of mine. It also happens to be one that my aunt loves as well. It is very likely you will love it too. (This could be my theme song.)

Here are some of the lyrics, copyright of Mister Rufus Wainwright of course:

Cigarettes and chocolate milk
These are just a couple of my cravings
Everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger
A little bit thicker
A little bit harmful for me

If i should buy jellybeans
Have to eat them all in just one sitting
Everything it seems I like's a little bit sweeter
A little bit fatter
A little bit harmful for me

Now I have never had a problem with cigarettes but chocolate milk on the other hand...ooooohhh boy. I love chocolate milk. I really love it. It's one of those things that the minute I am out of the store...I am lucky if it makes it to the car. My favorite is Organic Valley Chocolate Milk. This chocolate milk tastes like grown-up chocolate milk. It is not too sweet and really has amazing chocolate flavor. What makes this chocolate milk special is the salt. That's right there is salt in this chocolate milk. It's pretty spot on perfection because of that. Salt = Magic in the case of chocolate milk. Go try it out...you can get it at New Season's. The song...well it's already a favorite isn't it? Told you...Aunt Allison knows her stuff.