How are we January-ing? Is it gentle? Is it kind? Are you giving yourself allowances? Drinking your water? Going to bed early? Fantasizing about this year’s vegetable garden?
I have to say that I’ve been doing January pretty well. I didn’t read one single book that I bought. But the garden is planned, the seeds are here, the seed starter kits are waiting, the potting shed is ready. I’ve been in constant communication with my neighbor about all her advice. All I really need now are some raised beds and spring sun. Not too much to ask for now is it.
So, while I wait for the earth to thaw and my bulbs to bloom, I’ll stay inside and do the dishes. Not a bad trade off. I don’t mind running soapy water through a million dishes if I get to do it in my favorite place in the world. Where every single detail of it was chosen by me. My quite little ranch house that I’ve filled with love, cats, and coated with Alpaca Blanket by BHER.
I’m tipping the high center of thirties next month into my late thirties. And, for the first time in my life, I feel content in a way that’s hard to communicate. Because I still have dreams and things I’d like to achieve. But this – right here, in these breaths and in this moment, I want for nothing but to run my fingers through dirt, drink tea in my kitchen, and end the nights on the couch with Daniel, Bruce, and Kiwi.
Today’s recipe offerings include a whipped goat cheese spread that’s topped with a bed of finely chopped things. Things like green olives, dried figs, toasted walnuts, orange zest, and fresh rosemary. It’s sort of a nod to those rosemary raisin crackers from Trader Joe’s? You know? If you don’t, that’s okay – I have this recipe for you right here. Just promise me you won’t bring it to a Super Bowl party, okay? She’s far too fancy for that.
Olive Fig and Goat Cheese spread
Fluffy Goat cheese spread under a bed of olives, figs, toasted walnuts and orang zest.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
12 ounces goat cheese, room temp
4 ounces cream cheese, room temp
2 tablespoons cream, room temp
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup green olives, chopped finely
1/3 cup dried figs, chopped finely
1/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped finely
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Serve with sliced toasted baguette or brown bread.
Instructions
In a standing mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the goat cheese, cream cheese, cream, and honey together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Spread onto a shallow bowl or salad plate and set aside.
Mix up the olives, dried figs, toasted walnuts, orange zest, rosemary and olive oil together until combined and spread on top of the whipped goat cheese.
Toast up sliced baguette, or sweet brown bread.
