I’ve never been a huge potato salad fan, but after trying my husband’s Aunt Fran’s recipe I was instantly converted! Fran is someone who stores all her recipes in her head, so when I asked her for the recipe she said “yes! Do you have a pencil and paper?”
It’s one of those tried and true recipes passed down orally and I think that could have something to do with how delicious it is. I was so grateful to be able to sit at the kitchen counter with her while she dictated this recipe to me.
I’ve stayed pretty true to the original, but the best thing about Fran’s recipe is that it’s very open to interpretation. Fran cooks a lot like I do, to taste.
This salad is so refreshing and makes the perfect summer BBQ side, or – if you’re like me- the perfect midnight snack to eat right from the bowl.
Potatoes: I’ve used several different types of potatoes for this salad before. Usually I go with red potatoes because they’re my favorite, but this particular time I used leftover russet potatoes from thanksgiving, and Fran used golden potatoes. So much like a lot of things in this recipe, it’s up to you and your preference.
If you’re using red or golden potatoes I would go for a 24 oz bag. This time I used six medium russet potatoes.
Scrub and peel your potatoes, leaving only small strips of skin behind. Chop the potatoes into large chunks and boil them in salted water until soft.
After you have your potatoes out of the water, pop them in the fridge for about an hour.
Corn: Corn isn’t in Frans original recipe, but I was inspired by a potato salad I had at The Idaho Shakespeare festival that absolutely blew my mind! I think the corn is a great addition, but it is optional. I use a can of sweet corn. It’s just as delicious as it is convenient. I’m sure fresh corn would also be a delicious way to elevate it as well.
Celery: If you know me, you know that crunch is my love language! Celery checks the essential crunch box in this recipe. Just simply chop the celery up (the thicker the chop the crunchier the crunch) and set it aside. I use about four sticks
Dill: The Dill is what really sets this salad apart and makes it as good as it is in my opinion. I never make this recipe without fresh dill, because it’s worth it to me, but Fran is a dried dill user so either way works! I use a lot, probably about ¾ cups chopped.
Onion: I use both green and red onions. It’s easy for the green onion to be overpowering, so I chop up just one. I also add about ⅓ cups of red onion, so if you’re only using one onion or the other, you could add more.
Seasoning: seasoning is totally up to you and your taste. I use parsley, black pepper, and my trusty red pepper flakes. The dill and dressing adds a lot of flavor, so I keep my seasonings nice and simple.
Dressing: Fran’s dressing compliments the salad perfectly! It’s also the only part of this recipe that I recommend you measure precisely. You’ll need:
1 cup mayo
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
Juice from half a lemon
Whisk it all together in a big bowl.
Once you’ve got everything chopped, boiled, chilled and mixed, add all your ingredients on top of your dressing and toss gently to prevent the potatoes from breaking apart too much. Cover the salad with saran wrap and let it chill in the fridge for an hour or so for the best results. All that’s left is to distract yourself until the salad is ready to enjoy!
Fran’s potato salad has been a go to for me since my first bite. The flavors are fresh and comforting and I love that it turns out a little differently every time. Give it a try! It’s a hard one to regret. 🙂
I’m a peanut butter and chocolate person all the way, so this pie was a dream come true! It’s quick and easy and you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck.
Pie crust:
You have a couple options for your chocolate crumb crust.
The lazy route is to pick up an oreo crust. It couldn’t be easier, which is why I went this route. It tasted great and I wasn’t complaining at all! If you want to be more fancy you can make a chocolate crumb crust with just two ingredients:
Using a food processor, blend up 7 oz of the chocolate wafers until the consistency is similar to sand. Next, you’ll add 5 tablespoons of melted butter and blend that just for a few seconds. Now when you dump your cookie mixture into your pie pan it should be easily moldable. Using your hands, or the bottom of a measuring cup, tamp down the crumbs into an even layer. Then you’ll bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Next we’re going to start on our peanut butter filling. For this step you’ll need:
1 cup of your favorite peanut butter
8 oz mascarpone cheese
¾ powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add your peanut butter of choice, mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar to a mixer and let it mix until fully combined. Once you’ve got a smooth peanut butter mixture go ahead and add your vanilla extract and mix again until it’s evenly incorporated. Place your mixture in a bowl and set it aside.
Now we’re going to switch gears a bit and get going on our whipped cream. You’ll need
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add your ingredients to a mixer and whisk it until you have light fluffy peaks. Take half of your whipped cream and add it to your peanut butter mixture you set aside, folding the whipped cream in gently until smoothly combined. I added the rest of my whipped cream to a piping bag and set it aside in the fridge until it was decorating time.
The next step is to make a chocolate ganache sauce. You’ll need
¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
½ cup heavy cream
Add your ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until your mixture is shiny and smooth.
Now we’re finally getting to the fun part!! Let’s assemble. Add your peanut butter mixture to your pie crust, using a spatula to even it out. Next you’ll add your chocolate ganache. Using a rolling pin, whack some toffee peanuts (to taste. I did an absurd amount because I’m all about that crunch!) and sprinkle them over the top of the chocolate sauce.
Just in case the chocolate is still warm, I popped my pie in the freezer for a bit before piping on my whipped cream. Once it was ready I added some small dollops around the border of the pie and one big dollop in the center. For a final touch, I sprinkled some leftover chocolate chips on top of the whipped cream.
It honestly looked like a pie you’d pick up from a bakery! It was difficult for me to not just dig in right away, but I was strong and let the pie chill in the fridge for about six hours. Once the wait is up it’s time to eat!! This pie does not disappoint. My husband and I finished it in about a day and a half all on our own!
this blog post was written on spec for Gourmandise in SLC UT.
What is brunch?:
Brunch is the perfect combination of breakfast and lunch. Typically served in the late morning/ early afternoon, brunch consists of both savory and sweet options to start a slow morning off right. Often brunch goers will pair their light meal with alcoholic beverages (champagne, mimosas, or other cocktails)
It goes beyond the food too! Brunch tastes best when it’s shared with friends and family. Brunch is a time to reflect on the past week, and to start the new week off on a note of connection and indulgence.
Origins:
The term was coined in 1896 in Britain. After years of waking up early for breakfast, dragging himself to church and then following it up immediately with a heavy lunch of meats and savory pies, our brunch pioneer, Guy Beringer, said enough is enough.
Why not let Saturday’s “late night carousers” sleep in and then take it easy with a light lunch after church?
In his words:
“Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting. It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.”
Beringer gets it!
Much later in the 1930’s, American brunch was popularized in New York City. Much like the late-night carousers in late 19th century Britain, brunch fit perfectly into the typical New Yorker’s lazy Sunday morning.
Brunch today:
Brunch today might be different in form, but the function is much the same as it’s late 19th century beginning.
Picture yourself waking up Sunday morning after a late Saturday night with friends. It’s 10am, too late for breakfast, too early for lunch. You know it’s time for brunch! And you know the perfect place to enjoy brunch is at Gourmandise!
Grand Cayman is known for its beautiful beach resorts, top tier snorkeling and delicious food. At first glance it could look impossible to enjoy the island on a budget, but don’t despair! Cayman is for all budgets, if you know where to look.
Take it from a local that is not swimming in cash, you can have the time of your life in Cayman without spending a fortune! In fact, you’ll probably have more fun than our friends spending thousands over at the beach resorts.
Here you’ll find a list of 15 local approved activities that will give you the tropical vacation you’ve been dreaming of without breaking the bank!
Spend one minute in Cayman and you’ll know there are plenty of beautiful beaches and ocean views, but the island’s flora and fauna are just as stunning. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is the perfect place to see it all up close!
Tickets will only cost you about 20 Caymanian dollars which is about $25 USD.
The garden is split into separate loops, so you can choose to stay for a short stroll, or make a day of it! If you go this route, consider packing a lunch and taking a break at the picnic tables by the water! This is also one of the few places where you can see an endangered Blue Iguana, which are very hard to spot in the wild.
Cayman Farmers Market
If you’re like me and you like to stray from the typically touristy attractions and get more of a sense for local culture, the Cayman Farmers Market is a great option!
The fresh fruit is the main event. There are tons of options that would typically be pretty spendy, like star fruit and ramadan, but in Cayman you can find them at a fraction of the cost!
One of the booths sells a coconut oil bug repellent that I encourage everyone to buy! It works like a charm and isn’t nearly as stinky as your regular bug spray.
Scotch bonnets are delicious peppers that are popular locally, so if you’re going to be doing any cooking during your stay I’d recommend trying them out! They have a unique spice without leaving too much of a lingering burn in your mouth.
Zippys smoothies
While you’re at the market, stop by Zippys for a made-to-order-fresh-as-it-gets smoothie! They have a huge selection and the staff is always very friendly.
If you’re looking for something sweet, they sell local dark honey that is definitely splurge-worthy.
There are also a lot of healthy and protein packed options to get you powered up for the day’s adventures!
Cayman Islands Humane Society
For all the animal lovers out there, the humane society is a great option for a unique activity. You can walk-in anytime during their hours and see if there are any dogs that could use a walk!
Talk about a win-win! You get to spend time with an adorable pooch, and you can feel good knowing you helped the humane society out.
Beach day at Smith’s barcadere
There’s plenty of beach options in Cayman. It’s a given that you’ve got to do a full beach day during your stay, and you can’t really go wrong with the beach you choose, but my top pick would be Smith’s barcadere. It’s my recommendation for a few reasons:
Picnic tables and bbqs- A lot of beaches in cayman have a few picnic tables, but smith’s barcadere has more than usual, and it is less popular so you are much more likely to get a good table and bbq.
The snorkeling is great – there is an awesome natural cove at smiths barcadere that feels almost like a swimming pool with how perfectly shaped it is! The cove makes the waves less choppy, making it the perfect place to try snorkeling for the first time. You have a good chance of seeing some interesting fish and coral here without too much of a crowd!
The sunset is beautiful there- It’s not hard to spot a beautiful sunset in Grand Cayman but the sunsets at Smith’s Barcadere are some of my favourites. Just take a look at the picture above!
6. Get a sticky toffee latte
Sticky toffee is a classic Cayman dessert, but I -almost – prefer the latte over the real thing! I’m a big coffee person, but the sticky toffee latte sold at Paperman’s coffee is something you should do even if you’re not typically a big fan. My husband is a tea drinker, but he is right there with me singing this latte’s praises!!
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, with caramel and cinnamon flavor. Paperman’s is a popular coffee house on the island with several locations. If your vacationing, you’ll most likely be closest to the West Bay road location.
trust me, you’ll want to order a large!!
7. Check Out Another Chance Thrift
I’m a pretty dedicated thrift shopper so you can trust me when I say I know from experience the best Cayman thrift shop!
Another Chance Thrift is a little tricky to find, as it doesn’t show up on google maps. But if you are wrapping up your sticky toffee latte from Papermans on west bay road, all you have to do is climb the stairs right outside the door and go to your left at the top. Another Chance is just a few shops down.
For how small the store is, I’m always shocked at how much I can find and the quality of what I find. I can guarantee you if you look for long enough you can find some real gems here.
8. Go shell hunting
This is another instance where straying from the beaten path is going to make all the difference. You can find AMAZING shells in Cayman if you know where to look. So where should you look? The answer is simple: look anywhere that other people aren’t looking. (how many times can I say look in one sentence?)
You can find decent shells on popular beaches like 7 mile, but if you go off road you’ll be much more lucky. You can definitely find a massive conch shell with stunning colour pretty easily.
You’ll want to look for somewhere that has access to the edge of the water but isn’t a beach with sand you could lay a towel out on. Walk along the rocks and explore a bit and you are bound to find huge shells that are intact and colorful.
Consider bringing along a bucket or sifter to make the process quicker!
Up above is a picture of a shell I found just sitting on the ground while on a walk with my husband.
9. Snorkel!
This is one instance where the tourists have it right! Cayman has amazing snorkeling. The water is clear and there are opportunities to see starfish, turtles, fish and more!
Anywhere you go will be a blast. You can’t really go wrong as far as location. If you want my recommendations, consider checking out Starfish Point, Spotts beach or Cemetery beach.
10. See a shipwreck
There are a couple shipwrecks right off the Cayman coast. It’s a really unique experience to be able to swim out and see them up close!
Check out the wreck of the Gamma. It’s a little tricky to get in the water, so use caution. You’ll have to climb over some iron shore rocks, which can be sharp.
Once you get in, the shipwreck is very close and you can swim right up to it. You don’t even need scuba gear because the wreck pokes right out of the water! So cool!
There are plenty more shipwrecks and interesting submerged things to check out in Cayman, but almost all of them would require scuba gear. Wreck of the gamma is a great option for anyone who doesn’t want that big investment to still see an awesome shipwreck.
11. Stingray city
Stingray city is a MUST! If you’re an animal lover this will be a life changing excursion for you. It will cost a bit to get you out there, but it couldn’t be more worth it.
In Cayman you can pay to hitch a ride out to stingray city. It’s about a 15 minute boat ride out to a sandbar where the water is shallow enough to stand in. The water is stunningly clear blue!
There are tons of stingray that hang out here that you can interact with. I recommend purchasing some squid to feed them. You will definitely be very popular if you have snacks! You can hold the sting ray gently in your arms, give them a kiss, dive under the water and swim with them, and more! I could spend hours hanging out at stingray city.
If you have your squid, you can have 10 or more stingray swimming right around you!
A lot of stingray city packages will come with snorkeling excursions as well. There is a beautiful reef very close to the stingrays where you can see exotic fish and starfish.
A tour out there can be anywhere from $60-$80. Again, I can’t stress how worth the price it will be!!
12. Czech inn grill
Want to eat where the locals eat? Czech inn grill is a very uniquely Cayman experience, serving much more than just Czech food.
The grill is out in Bodden town on the south side of the island. The energy is eclectic, almost chaotic in the best way possible!
The owner George is a character and very fun to interact with. I would strongly recommend getting the mussels to start off with.
Everything is amazing, but my husband and I will always swear by the schnitzels.
13. Hack the beach resort amenities!
I’m going to let you in on a little hack I learned when I first moved to Cayman.
In the beginning, my beach day game was not on point. I didn’t even have a beach towel! I always envied the people with access to the resort beach chairs and umbrellas.
But here’s the secret, all you have to do is buy one little snack or iced coffee, and these resorts will give you total access to beach amenities!
If you spend $6 on a coffee, you can have that coveted chair and umbrella. Beach day is immediately elevated!
This is just one more reason to go with the cheapest accommodations you can find. It won’t keep you from your luxurious beach umbrella experience!
My favorite place to do this is The Kimpton, for a couple reasons. Their food and drinks are really good, the staff is friendly and there are a ton of chairs, so it’s no trouble to find chairs for a group, or give yourself a cushion if you want privacy.
14. Macabuca
Macabuca is such a fun and unique experience. You’ve got to eat, so might as well kill two birds with one stone and get your food and a fun swim all in one!
It could be confusing to find because when you search for Macabuca it will come up as the Cracked Conch. Don’t worry. It’s the same place, same parking lot. For Macabuca you’ll just go around the back of the building to the patio seating.
I give Macabuca’s food an enthusiastic 10/10! I’ve always had a great experience with the food and the staff. But what makes this place unique is that you can climb down a ladder right into the ocean from their patio seating!
So wear your swimsuit under your clothes, place your order and then go for a swim while you wait for your food!
Even if you’re not swimming, Macabuca is perfect if you’re looking for dinner and a beautiful view!
15. Plastic free cayman
If you’re looking for something fun that will make you feel great, try volunteering for Plastic Free Cayman!
Plastic Free Cayman does a plastic cleanup once a month. It’s a great way to give back! There are a lot of very friendly people that meet up there every month.
It’ll be hot, and you’ll get sweaty, but it’s such a fun environment and amazing to see how quickly places get cleaned up!
It’s completely free, they provide clean up materials and it is a great way to get to see the eclectic culture in Cayman.
The travel bug is impossible to ignore. Maybe a weekend getaway simply isn’t cutting it, and you’re dreaming about that one-way ticket!
Moving to a new country can quickly become overwhelming. But, if you’re intentional and prepared, it can be the best decision you’ll ever make!
One thing to keep in mind: at the end of the day you won’t be able to escape the need to do your own research, and a lot of it. Every country has different processes and requirements when it comes to work visas, insurance, what documents you’ll need, travel insurance, and much more.
I’ve included here some tips that I think are really universal, but this is not meant to be a complete check list. trust me, you’ll have to get comfortable with the idea of doing more than 5 things to be prepared.
This article is going to help point you in the right direction so that your move is as stress-free and exciting as possible!
Wardrobe:
Depending on where you’re off to, you’ll want to consider taking a look at your wardrobe. If you live somewhere temperate, but you’re moving to a tropical island you’ll want to think about what to do with all your sweaters, coats, boots etc. If you’re moving somewhere cold from somewhere that never sees snow, you’ll have to consider packing away your shorts and tanks or getting rid of them altogether.
You can always donate the clothes you won’t be needing anymore, or even better you can find a second hand store that will pay you for all the clothes you’ll no longer need!
If you’re like me, there are several items you couldn’t possibly part with forever. It’s never a bad idea to research some storage options. If you go this route make sure your clothes are stored safely (no cardboard, no uncovered boxes.) I kept my select few items in a sturdy plastic tote where they’ll be safe and warm until we’re reunited.
Downsizing
As you get closer to your move date you’ll want to be aware of what needs to come with you and what doesn’t. Take this opportunity to do some serious cleaning out. If it’s not worth packing with you, and not worth storing, it should go. The sooner the better.
Try to be pretty picky with what you keep. No matter how picky you think you’re being, you’ll probably end up cramming the last few things you want to bring along in your bags at the last minute.
It’s never too early to start this process. I promise, you’ll thank yourself later if you start getting these more tedious tasks out of the way months in advance if you can.
Red tape
This is the least exciting but arguably the most important step of all.
Every country is different in how it handles immigration. Make sure to do as much research and consulting as you possibly can and have a good timeline set up so that you can be sure you don’t miss any steps.
If you’re not a natural double and triple checker, now is the time where you’ll want to force yourself to put on that hat.
No matter how much you prepare, there will still most likely be hiccups so be ready to ride the wave and experience setbacks.
Manage expectations
Moving to a new country is exciting and enriching, but don’t be disappointed or frustrated with yourself if you don’t feel endearing emotions in the first months. Culture shock is real – even in a country with similarities to the one you’re moving from.
A fresh environment and perspective is nice, but not a magic potion. You’re still the same person with the same problems, just in a different location. Be patient and gracious with the process and allow the lessons to come in their own time.
Connections, friendships and adventures will all come with patience.
Plan a goodbye party
A lot changes when you pick up your life and move somewhere unfamiliar. Goodbyes aren’t always fun, but you will appreciate those last memories with your friends and family and for me, they were a huge help in easing the culture shock and stress of moving.
Think intimate, unstructured and flexible. You’ll want to be able to have plenty of conversations and swapping of memories without games or distractions getting in the way. We had a backyard barbeque and bonfire the night before our departure.
Some other good ideas could be a cocktail party, charcuterie party, or you could even rent out an air bnb and turn your goodbye party into a goodbye weekend.
Pro tip: despite all our efforts, we had a ton of leftover food when it was time for us to leave. We solved this problem by bringing all the food in bins to our goodbye party and letting our friends “grocery shop” from our leftovers. The rest was donated.
