This afternoon I discovered a new coffee shop near the local university.
It had a very indie/rock feel to it that had me feeling like a college student when I pulled out my laptop. It was fun to pretend I was back in school for a couple of hours. The iced coffee wasn’t bad either. π
I stayed for a few hours, then headed home when my battery life moved into the red.
A Quaker Smashbar (HLS swag!) acted as my snack on the way home
I’ve seen mix reviews on these, but I’m a fan. They taste like rice krispie treats and remind me of my childhood. I wouldn’t call them a ‘health’ snack, but I would call them a tasty one. π
Dinner featured another HLS swag item – a box of the new Near East Quinoa Blend.
I followed the directions on the back of the box, then added roasted eggplant and chickpeas before serving it over a bed of spinach with goat cheese.
I like that Near East has dove into the quinoa market, it adds a little something to their typical products. The flavor was a little bland on it’s own, but once I added some salt and goat cheese – it came together nicely.
Dessert was the fun part of the evening. π
This photo makes me laugh for too many reasons. π
I was trying to highlight that the dessert I was making was so delicious, that the bowl had to be licked clean.
Yum. π
What was I making? Just a little recipe I found online from Martha Stewart for Lemon-Fig Cake.
The poor cake wasn’t very photogenic. I blame my ‘glazing’ skills.
The original idea came from Lisa in the comments of my afternoon post. She suggested adding fresh figs to a lemon cake mix (which is genius), but after a quick google I found this easy recipe from Martha Stewart and knew I had to try it.
I did make a few changes.
Like letting the figs soak in the sugar before I added them to the mix.
And using a cake pan because I’m not even 100% sure what a tart pan looks like.
I also created a glaze of powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk for the top.
Next time I’ll work harder at evenly blending the clumps of powdered sugar. π
I had a piece for dessert and nibbled my way through half of another one. Martha Stewart knows her stuff – this cake was great!
Unfortunately Derek revealed this evening that: A) he doesn’t like lemon cake and B) he doesn’t like figs. This made me very sad inside. Sniff. Sniff.
I still have a container and a half of figs left… thanks to all of your ideas – I now have an idea of what I’ll make next. π
That sounds really good- I’m not quite sure if I like figs or not either, but they always sound so good. Although I definitely don’t know how you don’t like lemon cake. π
Heather @ Side of Sneakers recently posted..Summer Lovin’ {Giveaway}
I would gladly help you out.. i LOVE figs but they aren’t in season around here yet.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing recently posted..Checking In
First of all, CUTE HEADBAND! I love it, where did you get it??
Also, I have something inappropriate to say about how the glaze looks. But I’ll be a lady and keep it to myself π glad it tasted good!!
Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) recently posted..Tuesday Snooze-day
THe headband is from Target π
Ha! I think Derek is nuts! All things lemon & all things fig are great π
This grilled fig and portobello pizza I made a few weeks ago changed my life! http://www.saywhatyouneedtosayblog.com/2011/07/when-i-grow-up.html
Lauren recently posted..Night Off
At least Derek not liking that means more for you! π
It looks delicious.
As does that SMASHBAR!!! I want to eat that right now.
That looks like my kind of dinner! Seriously, so delicious!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey recently posted..the hot seat⦠round two
Mmm, that cake sounds so good! I don’t always love Martha recipes but this one looks delicious. And I may need to steal your idea of sprinkling goat cheese over the HLS swag quinoa. Yum!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) recently posted..Hurricane (Irene) Smoothie
Looks delicious! A tart pan is one of those shallow pans with the wavy edges where the bottom comes out. Looks like this turned out just a great without one!
mmm that cake looks amazing. I want a piece!!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) recently posted..(Im)maturity
oooh I hadn’t thought of lemon and figs together π
Looks like a delish night was had!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife recently posted..A Perfect Dessert
Are you sure you aren’t just seducing the camera!?
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Ants on a Log
I’m a student at USF (senior-woo!) so I’m there twice a week-I’ll have to try that place out after my Starbucks gift card runs out!
Also-this may be weird-but: I’ve never had a fig. Ever. Is it similar to a date?
Yes! Very similar
I don’t even want to say out loud what that glaze looks like on the cake….haha! But, I’m sure it tasted delicious π
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen recently posted..Back in business
I think i’ve only had figs a handful of time in restaurant salads but you have me wanting to run out and buy some π
Meghan recently posted..Tone It Up Pyramid
that looks really good! sometimes unphotogenic stuff tastes the best, right? π
courtney (pancakes and postcards) recently posted..The Giant Race Recap!
Figs are a great sub or addition to a strawberry spinach salad!
wymberley recently posted..One Of Those Days
Derek doesn’t like lemon cake?! Girl, I will take that off your hands π
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) recently posted..Make it Yourself Monday- Ice Cream Cake!
Ohhh I absolutely love figs! My vovo used to give them to me all the time when I was younger!
Amy recently posted..Wednesday Weigh In: Body Comments
I LOVE that golden leaf headband! Very pretty.
Alex recently posted..The Art of Clean Up – Ursus Wehrli
GOOD GOSH I learn a lot here.
tart pan?
new smash bars?
I
HAD
NO
IDEA!
MizFit recently posted..Whatβs the point of compression sleeves?
Sniff sniff? Meghann, this just means that more of that cake is reserved for you. You should be excited! Haha!
Hillary recently posted..Stuffed
Sniff. Sniff. because he doesn’t have the same love as I do for lemon cake and figs.
I love working in coffee shops, but a lot of times I get way too distracted people watching to actually be really productive. It’s always fun to try though π
Ali @ Ali Runs recently posted..Another School Year
Figs are the best! Especially on pizza. π
Alaina recently posted..An Unwanted House Guest
I don’t think I ever had figs before! What do they taste like? I think that cake looks yummy!
Hope recently posted..A Delicious Crockpot Meal Kind of Nightβ¦
Glad the cake was delicious! And hey, if Derek doesn’t like it that just means more for you!!
I have never tried a fig but I sure do want to now! I’ll have to hunt some down when I go grocery shopping this weekend!
Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life recently posted..What I Ate "In the Dark" Wednesday!
Looks like you’ll just have to eat that whole cake by yourself. DRATS! (note the dripping sarcasm…. dripping, not unlike that yummy clumpy glaze. Just like Martha would make.)
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers recently posted..How to Eat Free All Birthday Week Long
I have never had a fig… I am not sure that I would like the texture… It might be good IN something though!
mary recently posted..August Goals in Review
I kind of have to agree with Derek on that- tried a fig once and spit it out. But, I love your headband! Where did you get it?
How can someone not like lemon cake?? Impossible!! π
Ashley recently posted..Pints to Pasta
A) How can one not like Lemon cake?!!! B) All the more cake and fgs for you then π
Sophie recently posted..The One Where I Pour My Heart Out.
Oh, I share your pain…my husband doesn’t like lemon cake (or key lime pie…lemon sorbet…any citrus dessert really), and it makes me so sad! I love making lemon bars, but since he won’t eat them I don’t have much of a reason!
I also have the problem of not knowing what to do with figs. My in laws have a huge fig tree outside in their yard, and a few months ago we harvested pounds and pounds of figs. I had no idea what to do with them. I do like sauteeing them with spinach, onions, and garlic…mmmm
Katie recently posted..Sometimes the little things count
That looks so much fun to make..
Lily recently posted..Paint Zoom
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