Mackenzie Makes a Feast

In honor of Mackenzie's birthday (which is today) I decided to make a post entirely devoted to showing off her incredible culinary skills. This really isn't difficult at all considering her food is usually very photogenic, especially the delightful dishes she made recently for Easter.

Above is her smashing summer quinoa salad. For those who don't know, quinoa is an incredibly healthy and scrumptious grain that is super easy to cook and quite inexpensive. You can find it at Whole Foods in the dry goods isle, or at any grocery near rice and pasta. It is especially tasty and nutritious when paired with fresh veggies like these snap peas, green peas, and mushrooms. Super simple, healthy, and so good you'll be begging for seconds, not many dishes can accomplish all of that. Below is a fabulous whole grain pizza made with baked brie, blackberry preserves, and red onion, it was absolutely incredible. If you like the desert pizza at pizza hut brace yourself because your mouth is about to have a system overload. Baked brie is always spectacular, but paired with the other toppings it was mind blowing.

However, the bacon, pesto, and yard egg pizza was also fabulous... and more photogenic than the Dominica pie that inspired this creation. Though I do adore bacon and pesto (and eggs on pizza) my heart only gets that warm tingly sensation when my tastebuds are awakened by the oh-so mouthwatering sweet-savory combo; which is why the other two pizzas were my favorite.
This pie beats the bacon because although it is hard to tell from the photograph, underneath that ooey gooey luscious cheese is thinly sliced sweet potatoes. Again the salty-sweet dynamic prevails as the winner, as this pie was unanimously the favorite of all six taste-testers, myself included.
But wait there's more! Mackenzie also managed to make a spectacular (and healthy) potato salad without Mayo! Unlike most people in New Orleans, I am slightly grossed out by mayonnaise and try to refrain from eating it unless it's on a po boy. So naturally, potato salad is not exactly my favorite side dish, but this one was just lovely! Tangy and light, with a variety of veggies and a bit of cilantro.

Clearly I choose roommates wisely! Happy Birthday Mack Attack, here's to many more years of cooking, tasting, and indulging in the finer things in life.