Tuscan and Beyond: Julep Cooks Up a Heart-Healthy Storm!

Our resident wonder, Julep, is really the most remarkable of cooks, on top of being a top notch shopkeeper. Some people just have all of the talent. And, like any fairy godmother, she believes in using her abilities for good. This past Friday, as a part of American Heart Month, she was hosted by THRIVE Gym for Women in Exeter as part of a "Tuscan and Beyond" evening. There, she held a cooking class that taught 20+ lovely ladies how to bring out the best of the flavor and nutrition in great dishes such as Farro Salad, Mango Salsa (swoon), Root Vegetable Pizza (any leftovers, Julep?), and Bul Go Ki, better known as Korean Barbecue. Julep kindly supplied me with one of the recipes and I rushed home and made it last night!

Can you spot the Maldon Salt Flakes?

Root Vegetable Pizza

1 sweet potato (microwaved 7 min. & sliced into 1/2" slices)

1 sweet onion (sliced)

2 carrots (sliced in half long ways & cut into 3-4" pieces)

1 Parsnip (sliced in half long ways & cut into 3-4" pieces)

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

3 Tbs melted butter with 1 tsp garlic powder & pinch of salt

1 large pizza crust

1 cup ricotta cheese or mozzarrella

1. Preheat oven to 400 (or as specified on pizza dough). Bake dough until crust is done.

2. Place all vegetables in a baking dish, sprinkle lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar. Mix well and bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

3. Remove from oven, using a pastry bush, lightly coat pizza crust with garlic butter.

4. Arrange vegetables. Add cheese and place in 450 degree oven until cheese melts.

Julep complimented her amazing flavors with a different kind of amazing taste- aesthetic! She served her dishes on our new Maker's Mark dinnerware- the clean ivory platters with their little vintage stamp details look good against any colorful meal!

Platter - $75 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Side-plate - $18 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Regular Plate - $22.50 at Pickwick's Mercantile

To add a little color into the mix she also used one beautiful Main Lion platter, hand-painted in Italy. We can't get over the lush colors and details on these porcelain pieces of dinnerware. The Italians obviously do things right. 

The Mane Lion dinnerware - $120-$200 at Pickwick's!

Come in and chat up Julep about her adventures in cooking and we'll set you up with some basics to make any evening of healthy entertainment, delicious and beautiful!

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Can't come in to snag these treats for your special someones? 

That's alright! Send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com to order

and we will make sure they arrive, wrapped and ready on your doorstep!