BROWN RICE CRISP TREATS

I don't read as much as I'd like. Lots of blogs and cookbooks, but not as much fiction as I would prefer. I love when a good writer really draws you in - when something they write feels so familiar, it's like they are describing an emotion that you weren't certain you were feeling until you read their piece. I was reading Molly's post about having house guests after spending quiet days alone, working and writing from home. It reminded me how I felt last week, as we had all our evenings booked with some plan between house guests, a going away party for a best friend, dinner dates, tax appointments and the like. I really like being busy, it makes me feel more alive, more motivated.

I haven't really found a rhythm with this working from home deal. I am easily distracted, usually off task and missing the affirmation when I do something well. It has it's moments of lonliness, regardless of my beloved being here with me most of the time. I feel SO lucky for the schedule we keep, and there is not a dinner time prayer that goes by that we don't express our gratitude for having the means to do what we love, but it is different. I connected with Molly's post, because she was reveling in what fun it is to spend time with people you delight in. I was entertained by the dinner conversation with our house guests over the art of a perfect veggie burger, I waxed sentimental over the goodbye dinner of a dear friend from second grade moving states away, and laughed at another friends house while we watched random You Tube break dancing dance videos after a great dinner (isn't that how your dinner dates end?). All to say, introvert or not, there is nothing like the pleasure of good company.

BROWN RICE CRISPIES // Makes one 8x8 pan

Adapted from Vanilla & Lace

You can find brown rice syrup at most health food stores. It is thicker than maple syrup, so the treats will stick together a little better. Maple syrup works well, but is thinner, so the treats are more fragile/crumbly. The dark chocolate lends a sharp contrast to the crisps, but milk chocolate would be a fine complement as well. The amount below gives a pretty sturdy chocolate layer, simply half it if you want something lighter.

1/2 Cup Creamy Almond Butter

1/3 Brown Rice Syrup (or Maple Syrup)

1 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract

3 Cups Crisped Brown Rice

7 oz. Good Quality, Dark Chocolate (I used Valrhona 71%)

1 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter

1. Using a double broiler method, set a glass bowl over a small pot of simmering water, making sure that the bowl is not touching the water. Put the almond butter, brown rice syrup and vanilla extract in the bowl and stir until everything is evenly incorporated. Remove from the heat to cool a minute.

2. Put the crisped rice in a large bowl and pour the almond butter mixture on top, mix thoroughly.

3. Coat the bottom and sides of a 8x8 glass pan with a light coat of desired neutral tasting oil (coconut, canola, grapeseed etc.). Pour the rice mix in and push it down with the back of a spoon. Put it in the fridge while you make the chocolate layer.

4. Clean the bowl from the almond butter mix, and set up the double broiler again. Add the pieces of chocolate to melt slowly, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is melted, add the butter and stir. Pour the chocolate on top of the rice crisps and quickly spread it across the top with an offset spatula or back of a spoon in an even layer. Refrigerate for at least an hour and a half to set and cut them in to squares with a sharp knife. Keep stored in the fridge and try to eat them within two days as the rice starts to absorb moisture.

LEMON MERINGUE ICE CREAM PIE + NEWS.

The Sprouted Kitchen by Sara Forte, photographed by Hugh Forte. Hopefully hardcover, matte paper, intriguing images, produce focused, approachable recipes... a book. We're creating one. Exciting and petrifying, right?

I left my big-girl-career-job last March, knowing that it was not my future. I enjoyed the work and the people, but despite the pragmatist in me, I had a hope that maybe I could take a chance at doing what I actually enjoyed. Hugh motivated me to take the leap, and a lot has happened between then and now. Who knew that months later, the opportunity to write a book would find it's way into my inbox? Long story short, there have been months of emails with Ten Speed Press, lots of questions and me seeking advice from a couple people I respect who have published cookbooks of their own.

I love to eat, I find it gratifying to experiment and end up with something good every so often. I believe in encouraging people to eat well by providing practical tools/recipes to fill their bodies with good things (that may include a bit of ice cream pie) and most importantly, to end up at a table, spending time with each other, because eating is an experience and we all need to be fed. This blog has given me space to do that, and I want to be better; I want to keep learning, and to learn more you must be challenged. Through your kind comments telling me that you made something on here and liked it (which p.s., makes my day), or that you enjoyed the pictures, or resonate with something I wrote, I have been inspired and fulfilled. So, even though I didn't think the opportunity to write a book would come about as quickly as it did, and I may not be completely ready for the task, I needed to say yes. We are beyond excited, but because you people are my trusted internet friends, I am scared and intimidated to enter a market that is inundated with so much incredible work.

I am off to a bit of a slow start, but I am at a grocery store or farm stand every other day, so we're on our way. Hugh is my live in taste tester, and so far hasn't complained about the four dozen carrot date muffins I made before I felt the recipe was just right. It's been fun to brainstorm the feeling we want this book to evoke - to dream together.

So I made this lemon meringue ice cream pie in honor of the big news. I love the different layers of flavor and texture here; crunchy to creamy to tangy to pillowy golden meringue. It may not be ice cream weather where you are, but trust me, it doesn't matter. A slice of pie and a thanks to all of you for making our corner of the internet a place to dream big.

LEMON MERINGUE ICE CREAM PIE IN TOASTED PECAN CRUST

Serves 8

Slightly adapted from Jamie's Restaurant in Florida via Bon Appetit

There are a few softening and freezing steps, but overall, this is a very easy pie. If you were in a pinch, store bought lemon curd will work in the layers here. The homemade version can be made ahead of time.

See our Lemon Curd recipe here

Crust//

1 1/2 Cups Finely Chopped Pecans

1/4 Cup Evaporated Cane Juice/Sugar

1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted

3 Cup Good Quality, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Meringue//

3 Large Egg Whites
Pinch of Cream of Tartar
6 Tbsp. Cane Sugar

5 Tablespoons Evaporated Cane Juice/Sugar

1. Make the curd according to instructions and chill for a few hours to firm up.

2. Preheat oven to 400'. Mix the pecans, sugar and butter together until moistened. Press the pecan mixture on the bottom and up the sides of a 9'' diameter glass pie dish, the mixture will be crumbly. Bake until the crust is slightly toasted, about 12 minutes. The crust will have slipped down the sides, use the back of a spoon to press it back in to place. Cool and then freeze the crust for 30 minutes.

3. Dollop 1 1/2 Cups of the softened ice cream over the crust, and spread into an even layer. Spread lemon curd over the ice cream and freeze until firm. About 1 1/2 hours. Dollop the remaining ice cream over the lemon curd, and freeze again. You can do this in advance and finish it with meringue when ready to serve.

4. Preheat oven to 500'. To make the meringue, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until frothy, add the pinch of cream of tartar and gradually add the sugar while mixer is running. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue on top of the pie in an even layer. Place the pie in the oven until meringue is golden in spots, about 3-4 minutes. You could use a butane torch as an alternative if you own one. Cut and serve immediately.

PEACH + BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE

Our pastor is requiring us to write promises to each other for the wedding, and read them aloud. It's just part of his program, it's not an option, and I do agree with the reason that it personalizes the ceremony. I enjoy writing personal things, but the thought of speaking in front of 138 people, a paragraph that will relay my commitment, gratitude and humbleness towards marrying a man I am wholeheartedly crazy about, is a bit daunting. I've been brainstorming, and am taking note of every emotion that passes in these next few weeks. We just found a place to live recently, Hugh is moving in next Tuesday, and there is a warmness I feel in anticipation of having a home with him. It will be our place - a place we get to wake up, drink coffee, read books, work together, tell secrets, enjoy friends, stay up late watching movies and all else that fills our days. Sure, we don't exactly own any furniture at this moment, but I'm actually excited to eat canned soup on the floor while we don't have a table, a stocked kitchen, or unwrapped pots and pans. Isn't that all part of the endearing cliche of being a newlywed? My point is that just as a school is a place you learn or a hospital is a place you get well, a home is a place you love and I CAN'T wait. We won't be in this place forever, but the intangible parts of building a 'home' begin now.

So cheers to home; the occasion calls for a treat like this. The perfect combination of ingredients as we transition from the end of summer towards the beginning of fall. It's something perfect to share, and regardless of where you live, a crumble tastes just as wonderful on the floor of a new apartment as it would on a pretty kitchen table.

PEACH + BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE // Makes 6 Small Ramekins, 4 Large, or 8x8 pan

You could use more or less honey depending on the sweetness of your fruit. I got the tail end of these summer fruits, so I found this measurement to be a perfect compliment to their sweetness. There is flexibility in this recipe - you can use any citrus juice for the orange, your nut of choice, or another flour you have on hand. This could easily be a vegan crumble by substituting the one egg white for a bit of flaxseed meal, and topping it with a non-dairy frozen treat.

3 Peaches (about 1 lb.)

2 Cups Blackberries

1 Tbsp. Fresh Orange Juice

2 Tbsp. Fresh Thyme Leaves

2 Tbsp. Whole Wheat Flour

1/3 Cup Honey

3/4 Cup Oats

1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/3 Cup Chopped Pecans

1 tsp. Sea Salt

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Muscavado or Natural Cane Sugar

3.6 oz./ 1/3 Cup Unrefined Coconut Oil, warmed to a liquid

1 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract

1 Egg White

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream/Gelato for serving

Oven to 375'

1. Wash and dry fruit. Cut peaches into 1'' chunks and place in a bowl, add the blackberries as they are. Toss the fruit with the fresh orange juice and thyme leaves. Sprinkle the whole wheat flour and honey over the fruit, and toss gently. If the mixture looks fairly wet, depending on the ripeness of your fruit, add a bit more flour.

2. Fill the ramekins or pan about 80% full of the fruit mixture. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, combine the oats, whole wheat flour, muscavado/natural cane sugar, pecans, salt, cinnamon and mix. Add the coconut oil, vanilla, and egg white and combine into the dry ingredients. It should resemble a loose, crumbly dough. Distribute evenly between the ramekins, or on top of the 8x8 pan.

4. Place the ramekins on a cookie sheet, and set on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and a bit of fruit juice is bubbling up the side. I like the fruit to stay a bit firm, if you like it soft, give it another 5-10.