#spaxson dtm

[spaxson]

DTM: Charcuterie Board

What’s more romantic than stuffing your face with cheese and meat with your SO? In this board we got 2 different salamis, 3 cheeses, a variety pack of crackers, dried apricots, olives, and an eggplant spread from Trader Joe’s. Paired with some TJ red wine. Below is what you can include:

Ingredients

Cheese: You’ll want some type of contrast. Either texture (soft/hard) or taste (mild/sharp/smoked). Brie (if you’re feeling yourself), cheddar, havarti, mozzarella, gouda

Meat: Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, sopressata

Carb: I like to get a variety pack of crackers or indulge in a french baguette.

Fruit: Either fresh or dried. GRAPES, apple slices, and dried apricot usually pair well.

Olives: I’m not an olive lady so I have no advice on what to get besides what your heart and stomach desire

Condiments(?): You can serve charcuterie with a spread, jam, and/or mustard.

[spaxson]

Down To Munch

One Pan Salmon & Veggies

Tortellini Soup

[spaxson]

DTM: Kombucha (1st fermentation)

Hello hello! I wanted to try to be hippie dippie & make my own kombucha. Shout out to my neighbor for giving away SCOBY. Peep the instagram story version.

Ingredients

SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) you can buy this or try to find some from a pal

8 tea bags of black tea, green tea, or a mix of both (I did 6 black 2 green)

1 cup of sugar

2 cups of starter tea (I used GTS original)

a large container (brewing vessel)

Instructions

Boil 15 cups of water (3 3/4 quarts). Add your 8 tea bags. Let this steep for 15 minutes. Let your tea cool down to room temp.

I also just read a different one that said to boil 4 cups of water then add 8 cups of cool water to bring it to room temp sooo you can do that too,.

Once at room temp, transfer the tea into your brewing vessel Add 2 cups of the starter tea and your SCOBY with CLEAN hands.

Cover your jar with a tightly woven cloth (ex. bandana), coffee filters, or paper towels. I used a coffee filter and 3 paper towels. Secure it with a rubber band. I used a big rubber band used for portfolios.

Ferment in a dark area at room temp for 7-10 days. I did a taste test on day 5 by dipping a straw and plugging my finger on the other side to pick up some of the liquid. FYI it will look gross. You can taste if it is too sweet or not.

When ready remove & transfer the SCOBY with CLEAN hands. Add 2 cups of the tea so you can have a starter tea for next time.

Check out my post DTM: Flavor & Bottle Kombucha (2nd fermentation).

TA DA you have the first half of the kombucha brewing process done!