Whole Foods "Bites and Bloggers" and Parkside Cocktail Party by Stonyfield and Organic Valley BlogHer Events

Soooo, the past couple of days have Austin has been filled with bloggers from all over for the BlogHer conference. Bloggers including the famous Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman, who of course through her blog has made cookbooks and has her own show on Food Network.

Kinda cool right?

While I didn't go to all of the events, I only attended 3, they were amazing I have to admit.

The first one was the opening welcome party held at Whole Foods downtown on the roof. Tons of Austin's top female chefs including the lovely Jodie Elliot from Foreign and Domestic and Sarah McIntosh from Epicerie all created wonderful and unique dishes to serve at this event.

Let me just tell you, there was so much good food I didn't know where it was going to end. I tried to eat a sample of everything but I failed. That wasn't even the first event of the night!

I feel so bad though I took so many pictures but can't remember who made what, but just indulge in  these pictures with me. The woman behind every dish did a fantastic job and they all deserve equal applause.

Whole Foods Bites and Bloggers

My First Smashburger Experience

"Smashed fresh. Served delicious"

Sarah Eats Austin goes to Gourdoughs

Mmmm... Donuts... 

For anyone who's ever watched the Simpsons you know what i'm talking about. And that is exactly what I was saying while eating at Gourdoughs!

A local food truck based on South 1st St. This food truck is taking the people of Austin away into donut heaven. It has received much publicity, being seen on the Food Network and Cooking Channel, this food truck has definitely made it's mark in the food scene.

Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip

Who's ready for the superbowl?! 

Just 1 week away you guys! Do ya'll have all your game day meal plans written out yet? no? Ok, well here's something you can add to it!

Whiskey Chocolate Chip Praline Cake

Hello, my name is Sarah. I enjoy movies, dancing, and long walks on the beach.

But most of all I enjoy sitting by the fire eating cake.

Homemade Pasta Dough Tutorial

Usually when I make dinner, it tends to be some sort of pasta. There are several reasons for this. First, pasta is always good. No matter what kind. Second, it makes me feel like i'm actually putting effort into making dinner, since I make the dough from scratch. It feels "truly" homemade.

More homemade than throwing something into a pot and letting it cook for several hours. Don't get me wrong, that is certainly a delicious method of cooking, but I like being hands on for everything.

Plus making the dough is very relaxing for me.

While pasta dough seems intimidating for beginners, it's really very very simple. 

My new favorite cookie (white chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies)

Sometimes I forget how good oatmeal cookies are. Given the choice between oatmeal cookies or chocolate chip cookies I would always pick chocolate chip. The oatmeal always scared me away.

They are totally underrated though. Just because they say oatmeal doesn't mean they're all healthy and nasty.

These white chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies are anything everything but nasty.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

This semester I had an early class at 7:30 two days a week. Surprisingly I preferred those days over the ones where my classes started at 10:30. I went to class half asleep but when it was over with I was done with the day. The whole rest of my day was free!

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Pumpkin season is just great! My mother made pumpkin mac and cheese (post coming soon) and pumpkin frozen yogurt! Both are absolutely amazing so I had to let her let me post the recipes for you guys.

(Sorry for the picture not being all fancy, but trust me it's delicious)

Austin/Boston food blogger swap!

I've always wanted a pen pal. I've never had too many friends and the thought of writing to someone in a far off land always appealed to me. Why did I never do it? Partially laziness. I didn't know how to find a pen pal. 

Now this isn't really a pen pal thing, but it's kind of close, so I was very excited to be a part of it. 

And how cool is it that my Boston partner is awesome? 

Butterbeer Cupcakes

I have a confession... don't judge... I'm a big Harry Potter fan. Like i've read all the books, own all the movies and have watched them many of times. They're the movies I turn to when i'm homesick. They just make it feel like home. 

I watch them any time of year, but I especially get in the mood to watch them during the holidays. Once October gets here either the movie is in, or it's a Harry Potter movie weekend on ABC Family. 

So why have I not made any Harry Potter recipes before? I have no idea, but here is my first and i'm so excited about them! 

Butterbeer Cupcakes! 

Peanut Butter Cup Sprinkled Brownies

Is anyone else loving this weather? This morning I woke up to go to class and it was in the 50's! It's actually cold enough to have wear jackets and jeans!

This is part of why fall is my favorite time of the year. The cold weather, football games, hoodies, holidays, and pumpkin everything! Especially Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte... Mmmm... late night Starbucks run anyone?

Anyway, a friend of mine asked me to make him some brownies that he'd seen a picture of on facebook. He actually offered to pay me for the price of ingredients plus an extra $10! This is the first of my customers for my business! How exciting!

I don't usually use recipes from brand names, usually because I don't like using brand name mixes, I like homemade everything, but since he specifically wanted this recipe I allowed it. It was homemade too, except for the peanut butter cups, but it was absolutely delicious! He shared some with me and some co-workers, oh so sweet of him!

They came out so beautifully, and the peanut butter swirls remind me of maple leaves, which of course makes me think of fall, which is partly why i'm posting this now!

Fall is in the air and so is the smell of pumpkin! Which reminds me, Starbucks anyone?

Here is the link for the recipe if anyone wishes to try this deliciousness for themselves!

Vanilla Cupcakes!

So one of the people I work with isn't a big fan of sweets, especially chocolate. I make a lot of chocolate desserts, so he never really cares for anything I bring in. I see this as a challenge. I wanted to bring him something he would actually truly enjoy. So knowing he likes vanilla and strawberries I decided to make vanilla cupcakes with vanilla and strawberry frosting! Perfect plan.

Have ya'll ever been to Sweetapolita's blog? If you haven't, please go now. Seriously, it's amazing. I used her cupcake recipe that are apparently the same cupcake recipe that Magnolia bakery uses up in New York! After tasting them I would believe it. They're the most delicious, light, soft, moist vanilla cupcakes you have ever tasted. And the buttercream frosting? Bliss.

Of course however the day I bring the cupcakes in the coworker I had made these for wasn't working, but everyone else sure enjoyed them!

Go check out the recipe here.

To make the frosting strawberry I just added a little strawberry jelly to it.

Shepherds Pie (Cottage Pie)

Even though it's still hot outside, when September rolls around I start thinking fall and holidays. I get antsy waiting for cooler weather and even more for the warming comfort food! Shepherds pie is one of those comfort foods.

It's simple to make and delicious! Meaty, cheesy, potatoey, and hey throw on some bread crumbs too and you've got all the best foods in one delicious pie!

Although it might not be too figure friendly, it'll definitely help warm you up in the winter!

This was my first time making shepherds pie and I must say it came out pretty damn good. I didn't really follow any specific recipe, just kinda threw in what looked good, and asked my mom to sort of guide me a little. She was hesitant knowing how I am in the kitchen. Prone to start yelling and breaking down at any mistake I make. BUT she helped! Thank you mom!

I don't measure really in my cooking so sorry for the lack of measuring, but here is the ingredient list!

Shepherd's Pie (Cottage Pie)

(Recipe by Sarah Eats Austin)

For the potatoes

Potatoes of choice

Garlic salt

Butter (Lots of it)

Sour Cream

Milk

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

For the Filling

Olive Oil

Ground Beef

1 Onion

Garlic Cloves

Garlic Salt

Worcestershire

Tomato Paste

Beef Stock

Parmesan

Flour

The potatoes are easiest, just boil your potatoes mash em' up with the rest of the ingredients.

The Filling isn't hard either. Pre-heat oven to350.  Pour some olive oil in a skillet and start caramelizing your onions. After they've cooked and are soft and translucent add in your garlic for a few minutes then add in the beef. completely cook the meat and then add some beef stock, not too much you don't want it to be runny, and the rest of your ingredients. Add the flour a tablespoon at a time until it's to your favored consistency. Not too runny, but still moist. Pour the filling into a pie or casserole dish, top with mashed potatoes, grate sharp cheddar on top and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Switch oven to broiler and broil until cheese gets brown and crispy.

Take out and enjoy!

The Noble Pig

Finally! I was so excited to try The Noble Pig last week. After hearing about it from a friend, food network, everywhere in Austin and from my brother about amazing this place is, i've been eagerly awaiting the time when I would finally try it....

And now I have.

Sometime's after hearing great reviews on something it tends to be a let down. I mean it has to be truly mind blowingly good if that's what I hear about it all the time. The Noble Pig was not a let down.

It's a very small deli several tables and usually a line out the door. When I went it was no exception. Me and my brother patiently waited in line in the Texas heat with everyone else trying to have a taste of one of, if not, THE best sandwhiches in Austin.

The menu varies from a familiar BLT to a Smoked Duck Pastrami sandwhich. The one that really caught my eye though was the Seared beef tongue sandwhich with smoked green onions, red pepper relish, and aioli. This sandwhich.... pure bliss. Served on whole wheat toasted bread, the simple combination of flavors worked perfectly together. And how they managed to get the bread from getting soggy I have no idea, but this sandwhich was a work of art.

It comes with a bag of seasoned potato chips, and of course who can pass up root beer in a bottle? A perfect lunch any day. Well worth the 8 bucks.

Man Bites Dog

I'm always cold. Seriously all summer I have carried a jacket around with me everywhere I went. This past week though? HOT! I've hardly worn a jacket at all and I actually turned the air conditioning in my car up past low. You know it's hot when that happens. I'm actually getting ready for fall...
Anyways, today was a split shit at work and not knowing what to do with three hours I drove to the Domain, walked around for a bit, then decided to drive down Burnet and see if any restaurants looked good. I wasn't particularly hungry but it's something to do and I knew I needed to eat. I could either eat at work, go home, or try something new. I almost gave up and went home to find something to eat when I saw Man Bites Dog. I'd heard of the place before and knew I had to try it.

I walked into the tiny place and loved it instantly. Small and cute. Looking at the menu everything looked amazing. I asked the girl what was her favorite and what was the most popular items on the menu which she told me were the Abe Froman and the Chili Cheese. I was undecided between the coney, chili cheese dog, or the all classic Abe Froman dog. I eventually decided on the Abe Froman: Beef frank, yellow mustard, onions, relish, tomatoes, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. The food was served fast and the dog was amazing. Hot and fresh, it was honestly one of the best hot dogs I've ever had. Considering im not the biggest hot dog fan that is saying something.

Halfway through the Abe Froman, I just had to try the Cartoon Dog. A hot dog with peanut butter and jelly topped with captain crunch cereal. How could I possibly pass that up?

Sweet and savory. Crunchy, creamy, juicy, sweet and salty. This dog had everything. While if you're looking for a good old fashioned hot dog, don't go for this, but you should at least try it. While eating it you feel like a little kid. Almost naughty in a way. So wrong but so right...

Needless to say it was a good break from work.

Cooking at home

My family knows how to cook. My mom can make the best anything, same goes for my dad and brothers. I honestly don't know if there's anything they've made that I don't like! That doesn't mean we eat like kings and queens every night though, however we always ate at home more than most people I know. It always shocked me how so many people never cook at home with their family. Eating a homecooked meal (not from a box) is surprisingly  rare it seems. I just couldn't understand this.
This is all coming from a girl who's been homeschooled her whole life. My family had time to cook at home. Now that I have a job and go to school, I understand how hard it is to cook at home sometimes. Sometimes the last thing you want to do is come home and cook after a long day of working and freaking out! Thankfully my mom still cooks amazing meals so I get leftovers.
Now while I haven't been eating out too much either, I usually just don't eat til I get home, the thing is I miss having meals with my family. I miss spending all day on Saturdays and Sundays cooking a great meal and relaxing, enjoying one another's company and then feasting on amazing food. Sharing love and comfort with each other. Food is almost always the center point of any gathering for a reason, it brings people together. It's a sign of love. Cook something for someone and they will feel loved. Not only does good food make people happy and feel good, but it is a sign of nurishment. It makes me sad that not everyone gets to have that.
We're so caught up in our busy lifestyles that slowing down for one afternoon can be tough. I now understand how hard it can be for many people to do this, but I strongly encourage them to try and make the time. Invite friends and family over and just relax and enjoy. Cook some good food, have others bring their own food, share recipes and stories and have fun! Food brings people together and makes anything more special.
Have a great weekend everyone and cook!

Hopdoddys

So during a break from work one day I found myself with nothing to do. I went home for about 5 minutes, got bored of that so I then went to the Domain and walked around and soon got bored of that as well. So what does a foodie do when they are bored? They eat. That day I decided to try out Hopdoddy's since they supposedly have the best burgers in town.

Here's a secret. I happen to work at another burger joint in Austin that has amazing burgers, the back of our shirts actually say voted best burgers in Austin. I felt like I was cheating when I walked into Hopdoddys. Since I was just on break I still had my shirt on and all the workers kept asking which was better, how I liked it, how we made ours.

I'll be completely honest. Hopdoddy's makes a damn good burger! I went with the classic bacon cheeseburger and floated into hamburger heaven for a minute. All the ingredients are fresh and it shows. It was juicy and greasy in the best possible way.

Now which burger is better, the burger joint I work at, or Hopdoddys? Honestly I feel like they are two completely different burgers. Hopdoddy's is more of an upscale burger bar rather than the family style burger joint I work at. The fact that Hopdoddy's makes everything, including their own buns, fresh every day impresses me, and I love the fact that they get all their food from local farmers. Any place that does that I support completely!

There is one thing I can say for sure though. The fries were not my cup of tea. Were they good? Yes, they were good, but when I want french fries I want thicker cut, not wedges but not shoe string, and I like em' deep fried and extra crispy.

Would I come back? Yes, especially seeing the shakes... I must try one of their shakes one day, however it is rather expensive for a broke teenager. Over 10 dollars for one burger and fries is quiet a bit, but if you have the money do it! I urge everyone in Austin to at least try it, because it is amazing! Definitely one of the best burgers in Austin!

The Buckhorn Exchange

Hello lovelies! So I just got home from my vacation to Colorado which was AMAZING! I hate caps lock, but this trip was so fun I just couldn't not use them. I got to see the Beach Boys in concert, which was amazing... just truly so great! We also went sandboarding, so so fun! And hot springs are perfect... So many great memories!

We went to eat at the famous Buckhorn exchange in Denver, which was just so great! The carnivore in me came out. There were 6 of us and we all got something a little different so I ended up trying 8 different animals that meal. Several of which i'd never tried before like ostrich and rattlesnake. We also had elk, quail, lamb, buffalo, cornish game hen, beef, and pork. The food was heavenly...

Above is a picture of the Rattlesnake appetizer. It was basically queso with rattlesnake in it. It was absolutely delicious! Being from Texas you gotta appreciate good queso! The rattlesnake was better than I expected, a little chewy but good!

Our meals also came with either a soup or salad. I got the lamb stew which was comfort food at it's finest! Lamb and potatoes in a steamy broth. This is the perfect dish for a cold Colorado night.

And here was the plate I ordered. Peppercorn  Crusted Ostrich and quail with a raspberry sauce and beans. I wouldn't say that ostrich comes close to being my new favorite meat, it's still good! Definitely worth a try, for those who didn't know they would probably think it was some sort of beef. A little tougher but still good. Quail is my favorite type of bird, and this did not disappoint! The raspberry sauce was the perfect touch of sweetness with the meat. This meal was so good even the beans were heavenly! Although I didn't fill up with them too much as there was so much food!
If you're in Denver definitely check this place out! A little expensive, and not for any vegetarians, but worth the money and worth the trip!

Ross's Old Austin Cafe

Wow, I have been lacking. I honestly haven't been posting much due to the fact that i've been working like crazy, taking peoples shifts and just been out and about enjoying my summer! But, I shall try to get back into the habit of posting more for you all! Next week I'm going to Denver Colorado for vacation, and of course I must eat at the Buckhorn Exchange and find so many other amazing restaurants i'm sure some of you may, or may not, care about.

But anyhoo, on to the review! I'm terribly sorry for not having pictures for this review I forgot my camera when I went.

Ross's Old Austin Cafe. This place is one of my parents' go to spots for breakfast, they go probably at least once a week. The waitress knows them and has their coffee waiting at their table when they walk in. I love the old timey feeling, the little country store where you can come in, have a hot good meal and just relax like you're in your southern grandma's house. I honestly used to hate breakfast, I wouldn't eat anything except cereal or a toaster strudel. Now? I love it. So I was very excited to stray from our usual dinner date to a morning feast.

On the morning we went I was craving some biscuits and gravy. So naturally, I got the biscuits and sausage gravy! We also ordered pancakes which came with eggs and sausage. All the carby sugary goodness!

Biscuits and sausage gravy are to die for. The gravy is creamy and rich and is filled with giant chunks of sausage that has a little spice to it. You can actually taste the sausage it's not just a bland filler. And the biscuit itself is light buttery and flaky. If I could have this every morning i'd be in heaven...

The Pancakes were also very very good. Drizzle a little syrup on there and man you got a smile on your face that lasts all day, which is really saying something since I especially used to hate pancakes. These were very very good.

Ross's Old Austin Cafe is one of those small town feeling cafe's that I just love. The people that come in are regulars and you just feel at home. Everyone's friendly and you can feel like your out in the country for a while and forget about whatever's bothering you.

My parent's also would like to recommend the breakfast tacos which are some of there favorites. They almost always get some and being the great parents they are they always bring some back for my brother.

Now I am off to make some lasagna for my dad to celebrate his birthday today! I hope everyone has a great weekend and happy early Fourth of July! Celebrate people! And cook! BBQ all day and enjoy each other's company. Relax and sit and talk and feast.