Confession: I’ve attempted pie crusts maybe twice before this galette.

Confession: Up until this galette, making pie crust would freak the hell out of me.

Pies in general freak the hell out of me. So much perfection and pretty crusts. There’s nice agile hands that can gently put a pie together and crimp edges and then there’s people like me that have Buster’s giant hand that just damages everything in one sweep. I’M A MONSTER.

That’s why galettes are right up my alley. There’s obviously still the pie crust anxiety that I’ve totally gotten over, but there’s no pressure of crimped edges and pie dishes. Just the most “rustic” folds my Buster hands can handle.

The pie crust fear has also been taken care of, thanks to Joy. There’s no pulsing in the food processor or needing a pastry cutter, just a rolling pin and some flattening and some serious flaky action. It’s super easy and insanely good and adaptable with any berry. Just be sure that you have a rolling pin before you start so you don’t have to sub, say, a portable propane tank. I’m not saying that I did that but I definitely did that.

man vs wild vs pie crust.

I had a serious urge to make a galette after I went to make papaya bars with my friend Anna and I cut open the papaya and it smelled like a baby diaper and I wanted it to be over but apparently they’re supposed to smell and now I know but I needed a backup plan the end.

We almost made hand pies, but settled on tiny galettes and I remembered I wanted to try my hand at those and then try my hand at cream cheese danish filling. I’ve got a thing for cream cheese danishes ya know? They turned out delicious and I knew I had to make a large one when I got home so I could shoot it for the blog and play show and tell.

So today you’re all getting a birth announcement for a sexy frankenstein cream cheese danish galette baby. voom voom shebang.

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Here I am!!

It’s been quiet around here because I’ve been gone down in Southern California. I had every intention of writing this grocery list post while I was down there then I just decided I’m on vacation and I didn’t do it. Real life.

I actually miss the Orange County weather and the sunshine and the ability to wear fun summer clothes. I’m pretty sure the vacation’s over though. The 13 hour drive back up here totally pumped my vacation brakes.

I am excited though that in hopefully just a year Steve and I will be down there for real for real kicking ass and wearing fun summer outfits all the time. That’s all that really matters. That, and the fact that it will allow me to make male sun hats happen.

Until then though, I’ll wear fun summer clothes around my house and stare at the random palm tree outside my window and make the goodness that’s on the internet right now.

First up: Ice cream. Duh. My girl Megan created the ultimate summer ice cream that combines the awesomeness of a berry crumble, mixed into the ice cream. I just, I can’t handle it. (via Take a Megabite)

Dana made the ultimate breakfast sandwich that I would probably eat like 5 of before you could say voom voom shebang. Real talk: Steve and I both have a weakness for english muffin breakfast sandwiches from an establishment which name rhymes with McDonalds. Don’t judge. (via Minimalist Baker)

Then this happened. What the hell Jessica? So much fried cheesy goodness involved that I want to slap you. Knock it off. Just kidding. But Seriously. (via How Sweet It Is)

I think I’ll wash it down with some sexy oatmeal brownies from Cindy. And by wash it down I mean shove my face with brownies. Obvs. (via Hungry Girl Por Vida)

I can for real wash it all down though with Tracy’s strawberry ginger punch. Then some of her honey lime drumsticks. Then more punch. (via Shutterbean)

I’ve never had papaya. At least I don’t think I have. But these papaya bars from Adrianna. I mean, hello mr. popular at any BBQ or summer shindig I bring these to. (via A Cozy Kitchen)

Erika has some sass, some real talk, and some lemon poppyseed muffins all wrapped into one post and I couldn’t be happier with any of it. (via Southern Souffle)

You know I love a good dessert for breakfast. Jonathan delivers with a giant coffee cake banana bread hybrid worthy of smashing my face into. (via The Candid Appetite)

Everything about this post and zucchini spaghetti is why I love Izy. A lot. Izy move to California. (via Top With Cinnamon)

I don’t think a grocery list would be complete without ice cream and popsicles, duh, so I think I should make Joy’s roasted strawberry and toasted coconut popsicles. I’m going to alternate bites with Megan’s ice cream. (via Joy the Baker)

And lastly, even though it’s not a direct link to a food, it is a direct link to awesome party throwing powers from Cindy and Megan. Girls know how to do. Just look.

For music I bring you my new obsession: Fitz and the Tantrums. I’ve heard some of their stuff from their last album and now I can’t stop playing them. Especially this piece. When it plays I just want to dance and grill food almost like Carlton except it’s worse, because I’m more of an Elaine.

Yes, I’m bringing you peanut butter and jam.

I’m doing it because nothing store bought compares to homemade peanut butter or jam.

I’m doing it because you probably have a strawberry hole in your fridge.

I’m doing it because sometimes you just need something simple to make.

I’m doing it because you can listen to this piece while you make the peanut butter.

And this one while you make the jam (jelly). You’re ready for it.

Growing up, I had a pb & j probably 3 out of the 5 days I went to school. Steve didn’t. He doesn’t like pb & j sandwiches. I know, I should break up with him. We’ve already talked about it. He’s lucky he’s cute.

I love a good pb & j. I love it even more when it’s made with super good peanut butter that has a little flair, like a side ponytail made of cinnamon and brown sugar, and intense strawberry jam that doesn’t have a giant mushy strawberry waiting to ruin my day.

The other great thing about homemade peanut butter is that it doesn’t just have to be peanuts. Technically any nut can be turned into a butter. And it’s insanely easy with flavor options for dayyyys. Almond Joy Butter anyone?!

Jam on the other hand is usually a little trickier. There’s pectin and canning and enough things to make you want to scream and throw something against the wall, but this jam is different. There’s just 4 ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and awesomeness.

Voom voom shebang. Pump up that jam. Let’s get to work.

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Technically this week I only have like 2 nights I have to make food for us, then it’s off to Southern California for almost a week. We don’t have much plans except for a couple of things with Steve’s family. Then there’s shopping and eating and more shopping. And then I finally get to see my one of my favorite queens: miss Jujubee

Any and all recommendations for food are totally welcome! So far I just have plans to get my paws on one of these bad boys. And eat In-N-Out at least 3 times.

If I weren’t going on the trip and I had to make food at home, this is what I’d consider making:

Megan’s Gluten Free Polenta Quiche. Because it looks like one big slice of comfort, obvs. (via Take a Megabite)

Also for breakfast? PEANUT BUTTER CUP PANCAKES CUE CONFETTI CANNONS (via Minimalist Baker)

I think Sriracha makes everything better. Can it make brownies better?! Erika says yes. (via Southern Souffle)

Cindy’s bombe is the prettiest bombe of all bombes. ps if you get that reference we’re best friends. (via Hungry Girl Por Vida)

Jessica made some everything white bean hummus that I wish I could just pull through my screen. Luckily we have slug slime from Los Bagels up here that I can throw all over that. (via How Sweet It Is)

Ashley made an ice cream that dreams are made of. True story. I day dreamed about it while staring at my screen for like 5 min. (via edible perspective)

My man Jonathan made this chocolate tart. A chocolate espresso hazelnut tart is a sexy tart that nobody could turn down. Unless you’re allergic to hazelnuts, then I’m sorry. (via The Candid Appetite)

I really need to get a legit popsicle mold that doesn’t produce rocket shaped popsicles. The first ones I make will probably be Tracy’s refreshing Mango Lassi Popsicles. This popsicles got game. (via Shutterbean)

Of course there should be a salad eaten at some point. I would probably have Joy’s masterpiece at least once. I love everything in this salad. (via Joy the Baker)

Maybe I’ll have like four helpings of Stephanie’s Stuffed Cheesy Bread. Probably closer to five or six. (via Girl Versus Dough)

I’ve never made a gallette before. Nicole looks like she has one for me to try. Would it be wrong to put cream cheese and blackberries in there and make like a giant cheese danish?! Think about it. (via Dula Notes)

And lastly, because pinterest randomly makes me fall on older posts on people’s blogs, I give you Izy’s date caramel sauce. It looks insanely easy and I can’t wait to put it on everything. (via Top with Cinnamon)

For music this week I leave you with something that’s probably too racy for a food blog but I’m slightly obsessed with everything about the song, including the video which should have the hashtag sexy cool all over it. Plus I’m pretty sure it’s like, half as sexual than Selena Gomez’s new stuff. Don’t ask me how I know that.

This salad is what summer picnic dreams are made of.

This salad is a punch of flavor in your mouth, or your face if you’re the kind of person that likes having salad thrown at their face.

This salad is from Tracy over at Shutterbean and it makes me happy.

To be clear, Tracy’s is made with farro. I couldn’t find it at three different stores because apparently I live in a farroless cavehole. If you can find it, which I’m sure you can somewhere, go full speed ahead with it. The best substitute I could find frantically through google on my phone was pearl barley, and there’s something about the name ‘pearl barley salad’ that just doesn’t do it for me. The next best name was confetti salad, followed by chop chop chop, followed by vegetables and barley. Confetti salad gets the square.

The salad has a nice zip from the balsamic and a ton of crunch from all the vegetables. There’s a nuttiness from the grains, and it can easily be made into a whole meal with some shredded rotisserie chicken or some fried up chickpeas. All that goes into a tortilla with some sprouts and voom voom shebang, you’ve got a wrap.

Seriously guys, let’s all have a picnic.

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See that there? It’s strawberry lemonade. The strawberry part comes in the form of strawberry rhubarb vodka, duh. 2oz vodka, 6oz lemonade. TGITuesday.

Seriously one of my favorite things about the summer and having a carazy work schedule is the random BBQ in the middle of the week with cocktails and more carne asada than you can throw at my face.

I’ve got some more free time now to actually make dinner, eat breakfast, not shove not healthy food down my gullet. after work. at 11pm.

I think the first time I have the opportunity to make some dinner this is going to happen. Roasted garlic, sausage, pasta, broccoli, I mean, come on. (via Bev Cooks)

The next time I have an afternoon for a picnic, I’m following Megan’s menu. This girl knows how to pic to the nic. FOCACCIA SANDWICH?! (via Take a Megabite)

I haven’t had a good burger in a while, and it’s like Cindy read my mind. Coming to a t shirt cannon near you. (via Hungry Girl Por Vida)

As if one pasta dish wasn’t enough, Dana’s created what looks like a heaping mound of perfection. Butter-less alfredo? All those peas? Just stop it. (via Minimalist Baker)

I’ll be honest, I’ve never had Farro before. It kind of looks like smacks cereal. I think Tracy’s salad will be my maiden voyage. (via Shutterbean)

Pesto is seriously one of my all time favorites, and there’s so many variations, but I’ve never seen Gabriel’s option of nutritional yeast to make it vegan/healthier/cheaper. I’m pretty stoked to try it. (via Man Made but you should absolutely right now take a look at Gabriel’s personal blog.)

For finishing off anything that comes off the grill, Nicole has some compound butter that I just need to smear on everything. (via Dula Notes)

PANCAKES! First up, Erika has some banana pancakes that have the best name ever for a recipe, and Adrianna sends out some coconut pancakes from her new cookbook. I think a personal pancake breakfast is coming soon. (via Southern Souffle and A Cozy Kitchen)

DESSERT!! I’ve seen them pinned like a million times because, well, it’s Izy and she’s awesome, but I thought I’d share these bad boys sent from heaven. (via Top with Cinnamon)

And to top off this whole list with another dessert is this babe of a cake with compote, THERE’S RUM IN THE CAKE, and imagine what leftover compote would do to some pancakes or ice cream…(via The Candid Appetite)

Even though I’ve mentioned them a million times, I give you yet another video from Two Door Cinema Club, mainly because they just announced their North American Tour for this fall and tickets are on sale for most of the shows. If you have a chance, go and see them. We may or may not be seeing them for a third time when they come to Oakland.