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A Flavor Journal

A Flavor Journal

Small Batch Recipes

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Tomato, Basil, and Bacon Pappardelle Pasta for Two

May 8, 2022

Bacon, Cheddar, and Chicken Risotto for Two

October 12, 2021

Juicy Pork Carnitas in a Dutch Oven

August 9, 2021

Spicy Tuna Tartare + Avocado Stacks

May 16, 2019

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aflavorjournal

• Small Batch Recipes
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📍 Kansas City
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Sara | Recipes & Food Photos
What an absolutely incredible week it's been so fa What an absolutely incredible week it's been so far! I just wrapped up my photoshoot at @lidiaskc (such a Kansas City staple restaurant), and I couldn't be more excited to start editing pictures!

In the meantime, I *clearly* have pasta on my mind, as I shot some really beautiful housemade pasta dishes on Monday. Although this picture isn't of fresh pasta, it does feature one of my favorite noodles: pappardelle.

Pappardelle noodles are long, wide, flat noodles; they pair really well with rich, flavor-packed sauces that can spread across their large surfaces to create a flavor balance. Personally, I think pappardelle (traditionally made of egg pasta dough) is so delicious with delicate flavors, too - so I came up with a happy medium with this Tomato, Bacon, and Basil pasta dish (for two)!

I use cherry tomatoes in the recipe because they're easy to find and full of flavor all year long. However, if you have some heirlooms on hand (like we do!), they would be EXCEPTIONAL in this pasta, too!

Grab the full recipe right here >> https://aflavorjournal.com/tomato-basil-bacon-pappardelle-pasta-for-two/ or through the link in my bio @aflavorjournal

xx Sara

#pappardelle #pappardellenoodles #freshtomatopasta #baconpasta #basilpasta #tomatobasil #tomatobacon #heirloomtomatoes #tomatopasta #easypastarecipe #pastafordinner #pastafortwo #recipesfortwo #kansascity #kcfoodblogger #kcblogger #smallbatchrecipes #dinnerfortwo #dinnerideas #dinnerisserved #foodgawker #foodtographyschool #foodblogfeed #f52grams #imsomartha
Flaky white fish, crunchy baked tostada shells, cr Flaky white fish, crunchy baked tostada shells, crisp red cabbage slaw, creamy avocado, and cilantro sauce go into these White Fish + Avocado Tostadas to make them the ultimate flavor + texture experience for two. 😍

One of the key things I've learned in my cooking journey is that texture matters. More specifically, a variety of texture makes a dish more interesting (and typically more delicious), so crunchy/creamy/chewy/crispy/firm textures can all play off of one another to really elevate an otherwise "just ok" plate!

I LOVE to bake corn tortillas at home to make these crunchy tostada shells. I brush them with avocado oil and a splash of lime juice, then sprinkle them with chili powder before baking them at 350 F until crispy (about 16-18 minutes, flipping once.) Be sure to sprinkle them with salt as soon as they come out of the oven; creating flavor in the base of your recipe leads to an overall better dish!

Grab the full recipe for these texturally (is that a word?) exciting tostadas through the link here >> https://aflavorjournal.com/white-fish-avocado-tostadas/ or through the link in my bio.

ALSO, I checked into a loft in downtown KC last night (& for the next three nights) so I can focus on the *most exciting* restaurant shoot I've done to date! I've got two 12+ hour days ahead of me, so bear with me lol. I'll do my best to share some really cool behind-the-scenes shots, and let you in on all of the fun!

xx Sara

#whitefish #fishtostadas #aflavorjournal #dinnerfortwo #recipesfortwo #bakedtostadas #whitefishrecipes #seafoodtostadas #seafoodrecipes #summerrecipes #summerfood #kcfoodblogger #kcblogger #kansascity #healthydinnerideas #lightdinner #healthierrecipes #healthierdinners #cilantrosauce #foodgawker #foodtographyschool #foodblogfeed #smallbatchfood #smallbatch #dinnerideas #dinnertonight
Prosecco cocktails are a great option for light an Prosecco cocktails are a great option for light and easy drinks, especially when you mix them with fresh blueberry syrup, lemons, and sage leaves. #ad

@giulianaprosecco is truly so delicious on its own, and I definitely encourage you to enjoy a sip or two before you dive right into this cocktail. :) There are notes of Golden Delicious apple, pear, and acacia blossom, and it has a light, velvety body. There’s also (clearly) plenty of fun bubbles, so that’s what made it perfect for this cocktail, too!

I created this Blueberry Sage Sparkling Smash specifically for @giulianaprosecco , but I’ve honestly made it so many times now. If you’re hosting brunch, inviting friends over for a relaxing/early evening vibe, or you’re just looking for exciting new ways to try prosecco, this recipe is absolutely for you.

ingredients (for 1 drink):
2-3 fresh sage leaves
½ lemon
1 oz. fresh blueberry syrup (recipe follows)
5 oz. @giulianaprosecco prosecco

directions:

(for the blueberry syrup):
Combine ½ cup each of sugar + water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add 8 oz. fresh blueberries and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir the blueberries to coat them in the sugar water, then turn the heat beneath the pan down to medium-low. Let the berries simmer for 10-15 minutes until super soft.
Strain the berries out of the syrup and discard. Refrigerate the syrup in an airtight glass container for up to two weeks.

(for the blueberry sage sparkling smash drinks):
Cut the lemon into small wedges. Add sage leaves and lemon wedges to the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle until the juice is squeezed out of the lemon, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the blueberry syrup, fill the shaker halfway with ice, and shake for 20-30 seconds.
Fill your cocktail glass of choice with crushed ice. Strain the sage/lemon/blueberry mixture into the glass, then top with @giulianaprosecco 
Cheers! :)
#proseccococktail #giulianaprosecco #bubblycocktails #cheerstobubbles #cheerstoprosecco #proseccodrinks #proseccorecipe #drinkswithprosecco #aflavorjournal #cocktailoftheday #cocktailrecipes
These Chicken Philly Sandwiches have REALLY blown These Chicken Philly Sandwiches have REALLY blown up on my blog lately, and for good reason. They come together in 30 minutes and make two SUPER stuffed sandwiches.

I found some bread rolls (Artisan Sausage Rolls from @saralee brand) at the store that were a suitable substitute for the Amoroso roll, which is the bread roll that is used in a traditional Philly Cheesesteak recipe. Then I stuffed them with lightly charred onions, bell peppers, sufficiently seasoned and thinly chopped chicken thighs, and topped it all off with some melted provolone cheese.

This is a small batch recipe that makes two Chicken Philly Sandwiches, but you can easily double or triple the recipe as needed. It's a hearty sandwich that will certainly get you through the day, and it does not skimp on flavor!

Grab the link right here >> https://aflavorjournal.com/chicken-philly-sandwich-recipe/ or through the link in my bio!

xx Sara

#chickenphilly #chickenphillysandwich #chickensandwich #chickencheesesteak #chickenrecipes #dinnerfortwo #recipesfortwo #summersandwiches #aflavorjournal #kcfoodblogger #kansascity #phillycheesesteak #chickensandwichrecipe #f52grams #foodtographyschool #foodblogfeed #foodgawker #kcblogger #phillysandwich #peppersandonions #chickenfordinner #smallbatchrecipes #
Fresh strawberry margaritas on the rocks are UP an Fresh strawberry margaritas on the rocks are UP and ready to be made! I asked you all a couple of weeks ago if you would be cool with a more natural tasting strawberry margarita (rather than the syrupy/sweet strawberry mix that is used in a lot of restaurant versions), and about 90% of you were totally down for it.

SO. This is definitely a fresh, less syrup-y version of a strawberry margarita - and it's served over ice! I coat the strawberries in sugar and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes before muddling them, which is a great way to coax out some of their juicy flavor in these margaritas.

I also HIGHLY recommend using fresh citrus juice (lime and orange in this case) whenever possible. It's such a game changer for the flavor of your homemade cocktails, and a relatively inexpensive way to guarantee you're making the best quality drink at home.

I also took way too many pictures for these margaritas, but had a blast editing them all morning and am so excited to share them with you now! (We'll see if Instagram actually is going to hop back on the photo-sharing train, but either way, I'm still showing up.) 😊

Grab the full recipe right here >> https://aflavorjournal.com/strawberry-margarita-recipe-on-the-rocks/ or through the link in my bio. Cheers to your weekend!!!

xx Sara

#strawberrymargaritas #strawberrymargaritarocks #aflavorjournal #foodtographyschool #freshmargaritas #margaritarecipes #freshstrawberries #strawberries #f52grams #foodblogfeed #surlatable #cocktailsig #cocktailoftheday #cocktailrecipes #margaritas #strawberrypicking #tequilatequila #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailhour #cocktailgram #cocktailphotography #cocktaillovers #kcblogger #kansascity #kcfoodblogger
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