URL Update

The Salted Spoon will no longer be available via the URL TheSaltedSpoon.com. Going forward it will be available via foodiethingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com.

Dine & Dish: Slotted Spoon

The Salted Spoon meets the Slotted Spoon: A meatball eatery.

A what? Yes, a meatball mecca. An entire shop dedicated to meatballs of all varieties. You pick the meatball, the vessel on which to enjoy said meatball and then choose your sauce and extras. All this comes together to make one customized and enlightened meatball experience.

And in Denver style, the Slotted Spoon serves it up in a 'fast-casual' eatery. They've discovered and honed in on a niche in the ever growing fast-casual market that is inventive and fun. I anticipate we'll be seeing these guys open up numerous locations once the word spreads about their meatball goodness.

We lunched on Salmon Meatballs on a whole wheat hoagie and the Black Bean Meatballs on salad greens. Diner tip: Don't miss the Sautéed Greens which are divinely flavored with cracked pepper bacon and roasted garlic.

Need a bigger helping?:
Slotted Spoon: A meatball eatery

His & Hers Weekend Treats

My weekend desires sure have changed. Normally I'd like to enjoy a nice bottle of wine with the hubs...these days, we have his & her treats. Beer for him, ice cream for me.

Belly update

Hi my foodie friends!

You may have noticed I've been a little quiet lately.

I assure you this is not for a lack of eating! As you can see, my preggo belly is expanding! A little more so each day it seems. My appetite has also expanded.

While I've been posting less than normal, please know I am here, thinking about food. And on higher energy days, I am found in the kitchen - actually cooking. In the meantime, my hubby has gotten very good at making dinner. My hunger-panged belly appreciates his culinary contributions.

- Kelly (& Baby Girl)

A Hummus Duo

In need of more healthy snack options to take with me to work - I am after all, in a frequent snacking phase of my preggo life - I set out to make a batch of hummus. As I warmed up my food processor blending tahini hummus, inspiration struck. What about a couple of different flavored hummus options?

I usually turn to hummus for the snacking appeal, but it's also good for spreading on to sandwiches as a healthy alternative to mayo. These hummus flavors would give me great versatility.

Citrus Herb Copper River King Salmon with Potatoes

As a member of the Fresh Catch Crew, I get to taste the salmon varieties of Copper River Salmon - the wild caught, high demand, top-of-the-market salmon.

I know, I'm one lucky gal, huh?

I posted a few weeks ago about Sockeye salmon. And now I am talking about King salmon. So, how is King salmon different? What makes it unique?

BIG news & foodie cravings

I have a BIG announcement! ...

Dan and I are expecting our first baby! Arriving in November!

I told you it was big news!

This experience has been wonderful and adventure-filled already. I am learning all sorts of things in terms of how the body prepares for baby - of particular note, the desires of my belly!

As you know, I've always been a foodie. Now, I am a foodie with a purpose! I am one hungry girl. And believe it or not, even that has been a learning process.

In the first couple months, it took me some time to figure out just how many snacks I needed to pack each morning to get through the workday. I must admit that on more than one occasion, I had a hunger freak-out as I found myself ravenous during my commute home. Eventually, I found a balance for fueling my body. And packing extra snacks just in case is always a good idea.

And then there are CRAVINGS. A commonly asked question and topic of preggo discussion.

Happy Anniversary with Fresh Squeezed Lemonade!

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of The Salted Spoon! I can hardly believe it it's been 2 years already!

Those of you who've been with me since the beginning know it took a little time to find my blogging groove. For you The Salted Spoon newcomers - I WELCOME you!

Thank you for following, supporting and chatting with me as I journey along in my foodie adventures.

On this special day, I am happy to celebrate a blog I truly enjoy with an ice cold glass of homemade lemonade!

Cedar Plank Grilled Sockeye with Parsley Butter

I’ve long been a salmon lover. This summer I get the opportunity to become a salmon aficionado.

As part of the Fresh Catch Crew, I get to taste the different salmon varieties that come from Copper River Salmon. I’m always up for expanding and fine-tuning my palate. Of course, this will come at the cost of ruining me for other, lesser quality salmon. But that's a cross I am willing to bare. :)

Watermelon Mint Granita

I had some leftover watermelon from a barbeque and refashioned it into a tasty after dinner treat.

A treat that's both fresh and fruity that satisfies my ever-so-present desire for ice cream.

Copper River Salmon season is here!

Warm weather has arrived and this means backyard grilling, dinner on the patio and my favorite part - light, fresh, colorful meals. I love this time of year!

And this summer, I'm excited to share (!), I will be representing Denver as a member of the Copper River Salmon’s Fresh Catch Crew. Being a Crew member means that I get to cook with this *prized* salmon throughout the summer.

Celebrating Mom

Sunday was Mother's Day and this day is one of my favorites.

In childhood, my momma was wonderful as I grew, learned, explored and figured out who I am today. As an adult, I am blessed to call my mom my friend.

Here's to the woman who instilled so many great things in me - amongst them, my love for cooking and sharing food with others. What a better way than to celebrate mom with a lovely brunch.

Maple Almond Cookies

I've been baking up a storm ... and I am so excited to share my creation with you! These cookies are both delicate and delicious. Their light almond flavor and texture is reminiscent of a sugar cookie.

We've been enjoying these cookies in our house for a couple of days now. But they are nearly gone. A treat this good doesn't last long around here!

Popcorn Friday: Cracked Pepper Corn

Popcorn Friday is here and I am back to flavorings of the savory persuasion.

If you like salt and pepper potato chips, this week's popcorn is a healthy alternative to those chips. The flavor comes from the freshly cracked pepper - ground pepper is no substitute here.

Crepes and Soufflés Galore!

I took a hands-on Crepes and Soufflés class at Stir Cooking School last weekend. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.

The school is so cute and colorful! I had a great time. And seriously indulged!

As you know, I cook healthy versions of recipes in my home kitchen. Wow, was this a change. I left the class feeling energized with ideas yet lethargic with a very fully belly. I had to take an afternoon nap to sleep it off! Ha!

In the coming weeks, I hope to re-create the crepe into a healthier version of itself. While it will still be a special treat, at least it will be a bit healthier.

Soft Pretzels

I've had a tasting for soft pretzels lately. This must be because yesterday (April 26th) was national pretzel day. How timely of me, right? So this week, in lieu of my normal popcorn adventures, I changed things up with a little baking.

There are numerous pretzel recipes out there. Some are more complicated than others and may require boiling the twisted dough prior to baking.

Sautéed Mushroom Cups

When entertaining for dinner, I like to have a starter ready to go when our friends arrive. It satisfies those who are arrived with hungry bellies and gives me time to visit before serving dinner.

We had friends for dinner and I had leftover wonton wrappers from some recent potstickers I had made. I dont think wonton wrappers freeze well so I needed to use them up.

Popcorn Friday: Homemade Kettle Corn

This week's popcorn continues my sweet twists on popcorn. And it's one of my favorites - Kettle Corn.

I love that at nearly every farmers' market, fair and outdoor event there's kettle corn to be had! I typically smell it roasting before seeing the kettle drum roaster and I reach into my purse for cash - that is if my husband doesn't already have the money out.

What draws me in? It's the combination of sweet and salty that gets me. That, and crunchy. An ideal combination for snack time eats!

Celebrating a mother-to-be friend

My dear friend, Melissa, is pregnant and expecting a baby very soon. Melissa is one of my best friends and I am so excited for her as she is about to become a first-time momma.

Selfishly, I am looking forward to her having the little guy soon so I can hold him! :)

This weekend, my other friend and I got to honor Melissa by throwing her a baby shower. Our shower had all the festive ingredients you would expect from a baby shower – decorations, friends, food and ‘oohing and aahing’ as she opened gifts and help up teeny-tiny onesies. Simply adorable.

German Chocolate Cake Popcorn

I've enjoyed the sweet twists to popcorn. This week, I was inspired by a desire for chocolate. Rather than have a whole chocolate bar, I created a chocolaty and crunchy popcorn.