grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Radicchio stuffed with Goat Cheese & Walnuts

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Radicchio stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

If you’re looking for a fancy-ish salad for Easter or any special gathering, try radicchio stuffed with goat cheese and walnuts. The combination of sweet and salty pairs well with most any protein. These radicchio salads can be eaten the traditional way (with knife and fork), or the naturally cupping radicchio leaves can be wrapped and eaten as a finger food or appetizer (i.e. lettuce wrap).

This recipe calls for both goat cheese and balsamic vinegar—two staples in my house. My favorite goat cheese comes from White River Creamery in Elkins, Arkansas. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, find it HERE.

Also, I highly recommend De Nigris 1889 balsamic vinegar. The 1889 in the label refers to the year Armando de Nigris founded the first vinegar works in Naples, Italy. The rich, flavorful vinegar will take your dish up a notch.  Find De Nigris EVERYWHERE.Continue Reading

Blue and the Bluebonnets

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Blue and the Bluebonnets, Austin, TxMeet Blue. Blue belongs to my daughter, Kelsey, and she belongs to him, and they live in Austin where the bluebonnets are in full bloom. It’s a great relationship except for the fact that she broke her ankle and he’s a puppy with tons of energy and they live in an upstairs apartment and she’s in law school and I’m sure you can understand why I might be in Austin for a few days. While there’s never a good time to have a broken ankle, it worked out well for me considering the bluebonnets.

So Blue and I go for walks in the bluebonnets.

U.S. News and World Report named Austin, Texas the #2 place to live just ahead of #3 Fayetteville, Arkansas (where I live). I’m pretty sure the bluebonnets pushed Austin ahead of Northwest Arkansas. Bluebonnets and Tex-Mex food, no doubt. And, of course, all of South Congress.Continue Reading

Your Top Five People

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the people we become

Have you ever stopped to think that your perception of everything is shaped at least in part by the company you keep? For a few moments, think about the five people you spend the most time with. Or seven people. Pick a number. Now consider this—you become the people you spend the most time with. 

I heard something similar months ago, and my brain latched on to it as one’s brain does. I think it’s a powerful concept, and to a large extent, I think it’s true.

Everyone is filled with a certain energy, whether positive or negative. The essence of those you spend time with becomes part of you. Slowly, so slowly you won’t notice at first, or maybe you never will. But how could such a thing not happen?Continue Reading

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