Food for the Fourth!

July 2, 2015September 5, 2015Leave a comment

Saturday will be here before we know it, and that means the Fourth of July – fireworks, family, friends, starry nights, jeans, bare feet and food. Lots of food.

For all of you out there brainstorming what to bring to your neighborhood potluck, what to cook for your relatives, or how to celebrate this holiday in a more environmentally friendly way by going vegetarian- look no further.

Below I have compiled a list of scrumptious foods perfect for this summer holiday. Check it out, and let me know what you try!

Happy cooking, and an even happier Fourth of July 🙂

With lots of love, Sarah

Appetizers:

Fruit Salsa

Crispy Black Bean Fritters with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Healthy Honey Cornbread

Feta, “Sausage, and Tomato Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Graham Cracker Crumb Fruit Dip

Drinks:

Blueberry Mint Lemonade

Flavored Ice Cubes

Ginger Peach Sweet Tea

Homemade Ginger Ale and Variations

Lavender Lemonade

Entrees and Sides:

Balsamic Mushroom and Fruit Summer Salad

Garlic Hassleback Potatoes

Harvest Peach and Cherry Summer Salad

Homemade Black Bean Burger

Homemade Pigs in a Blanket

Orange and Garlic Roasted Green Beans

Oven-Roasted Corn in the Husk

Parmesan Pesto Pasta with Roasted Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes

Strawberry Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad

Vegetarian Barbeque Baked Beans

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Desserts:

Apple Pie Egg Rolls with Cinnamon Cardamom Dipping Sauce

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

Fresh Fruit Dessert Tart

Homemade Cherry Pie

Ice Cream Sundae Icebox Cake

Vegetarian Barbeque Baked Beans

April 23, 2015September 5, 20151 Comment

This time last year: Thai Veggie Burger with Peanut Sauce (2014)

Well, in case you hadn’t noticed from my apparent absence the last several days, it is finals week. Woof.

The last week has been spent with more cups of coffee and paper writing in front of my computer than I would like to admit.

However, there is a God, and finals week is almost over, so I’m Back!

The next few weeks are going to bring you lots of yummy southern summer dishes, so get excited and come back soon!

To kick that summer cooking off, here is a scrumptious baked beans recipe. Also, check the bottom for some other good summer cook-out and potluck worthy dishes in the Notes and Tips section below!

Got a favorite southern/ summer recipe? Leave a comment- I’d love to hear it!

Happy cooking 🙂

Love, a rented kitchen

Ingredients:

½ cup ketchup
¾ cup barbecue sauce
½ cup water
3 Tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons honey (substitute with agave if vegan)
1 Tablespoon mustard
3 cups canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Optional: Sea salt, to taste*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F.
In a large saucepan, combine the ketchup, barbecue sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, honey and mustard together.
Bring the liquid to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for five minutes.
Stir the beans into the pot and transfer to a baking dish. Bake uncovered for an hour and twenty minutes, or until the beans are soft.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes and Tips!:

I did not add any salt to this dish, I thought it was plenty flavorful enough. However, feel free to season as you desire!
Source: Whole Foods Market
Like this recipe? Try these other delicious dishes from ‘A Rented Kitchen’!:

Homemade Vegetarian Pigs in a Blanket

Healthy Honey Cornbread

Ginger Peach Sweet Tea

2014 in Review!

January 7, 2015September 5, 2015Leave a comment

2015. That happened fast.

In the last year I graduated college, backpacked through Peru for 6 weeks, hiked Machu Picchu to the top in time for the summer solstice sunrise, moved from Richmond to Atlanta, started graduate school, got my own apartment, started hip hop classes, cut my hair three times, and ate a LOT of really good food.

It was a crazy year, a beautiful year, but a crazy one none the less.

In the midst of all that transition, I did my best to keep this food blog running, and am so grateful to all of you who kept coming back- all 21,000 viewers! I learned a lot, and am already excited for some of the recipes I have planned for 2015. It is going to be quite a delicious year!

In celebration of the last year, I thought I’d recap the most popular 20 recipes posted in 2014. Hopefully you saw these when they were posted, but if not, here’s your second chance! Huzzah! I hope you enjoy these treats as much as I did. Happy cooking, and a very very happy 2015 to you.

With love, Sarah

Top 20 Recipes from 2014!

1. Mediterranean Tempeh with Apricots and Capers