Raspberry Brie Puffs

Holiday Hors D'oeuvres

These brie and jam puffs are one of the first recipes I ever came up with for my first catering gigs. I absolutely love baked brie and wanted a bite sized version to serve as passed hors d'oeuvres. Behold the brie and jam puffs. A party favorite for all seasons, these bite sized beauties can be transformed into a savory snack with bacon jam or nuts, or served as a sweet treat with fruit preserves and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Whatever you decide, they are destined to delight!

RecipesMichelle StrobelDecember 1, 2016appetizer, holiday appetizer, hors doeuvres, brie, jam, puff pastry, snackComment

DC Harvest

Is upscale casual a thing?

So, you may know by know that I am very into all things H Street. What I didn't know about was this little hidden gem called DC Harvest. Tucked away amongst construction and office buildings is DC Harvest, an upscale casual restaurant specializing in mostly local and all homemade ingredients utilizing what's in season - my fave. Check out how I filled my belly below!

ReviewsMichelle StrobelNovember 30, 2016restaurant review, dc harvest, hangry district, little wild things, don ciccio, h street ne, h st ne, local, seasonalComment

Homestead

Comfort in the city

Petworth's Summer opening of Homestead came with mounting anticipation during the past year, as their name had been emblazoned on the wooden slats at the start of construction outlining what would soon be one of their three outdoor dining spaces. The restaurant is in the heart of Petworth, attracting millennials and foodies alike for a taste of the newest hot spot in the ever growing DC food scene. I was excited. I had been following the progress on Instagram, checking out the tentative menu and waiting patiently for the doors to open. What I experienced was incredible service with passionate employees; a warm, buzzing atmosphere; and overpriced food and drink. Here's how it all went down...

Market Mondays with Groff's Content Farm

Hangry District's Michelle chats with Bob Bolton, owner of Groff's Content Farm, to learn more about the historic farm, located in Rocky Ridge, MD, and the beef, Berkshire pork, poultry, and eggs they raise and bring to market each week.

Market Mondays with 78 Acres

Hangry District's Michelle checks-in with Rachel Frick to learn about the ins and outs of a family run orchard and vegetable operation.

Market Mondays with Girardot's Crumbs

Michelle checks in with founder Chris Girardot of Giardot's Crumbs to learn about a day in the life of a serious baker.

Market MondaysMichelle StrobelSeptember 9, 2016bakery, Community Foodworks, Giradot's Crumbs, farmer market, dcComment

Tomato & Onion Tarts with Herbed Goat Cheese

Brunch Hero

These tomato and onion tarts have been part of my recipe arsenal since my dad sent a similar recipe to me in 2010. I had graduated college and secured a big girl job in Northern VA. Having lived with my parents for about a year after college, they really started to understand my passion for food. I think I even inspired them, because I started coming home to coq au vin and chicken with mushroom cream sauce -- things that were a far cry from the hamburger helper and spaghetti my brothers and I grew up on. When Dad sent me the tomato and onion tart recipe I thought two things: 1. I absolutely HAVE to make them, because he has never sent me a recipe before and he must have faith in my abilities now; and 2. Dad HATES tomatoes, so challenge accepted. I made them for Easter brunch and watched from afar as Dad ate not one, but TWO glorious tomato puffs and I smiled to myself and kept right on cooking. Keep reading to find out how you can be the brunch hero of your family.

RecipesMichelle StrobelAugust 22, 2016tomato, tomato onion tarts, tarts, brunch, tomato tarts, summer tarts, tart, goat cheese, puff pastryComment

Tail Up Goat

G.O.A.T

I find it quite necessary to write about one of DC's G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) restaurants during the final week of the 2016 Summer Olympics. What's more fitting? The restaurant's name, Tail Up GOAT, even alludes to its greatness. This Adams Morgan eatery is inviting, cheerful and delicious, scoring high enough marks to earn it a gold medal in the Hangry District rankings. Even more appealing is knowing that this restaurant is sourcing from local farmers around the area, including one of my all-time faves, Whitmore Farm.

Shrimp & Pineapple Lettuce Cups

So Fresh & So Clean

SUMMER: The time of year when a lot of my favorite foods come together at peak ripeness and everything is available at the FRESHEST of fresh. Why not combine all of the things into one tasty, fresh, and healthy dinner that can be eaten around a table full of friends, or standing up in your kitchen because you're too excited to eat it and you never make it to the table (guilty). These shrimp and pineapple lettuce cups are a breeze to make, and you can practice your knife skills during the prep. The pineapple lends sweetness to the tender shrimp, while the summer pico de gallo adds tang and brightness. A little crunch from some water chestnuts and bibb lettuce, and you're on your way to a super summer supper. Keep reading for the recipe...

Radish Toast with Herb Butter

The Best thing ON Sliced Bread

I have basically had radishes on hand since March thanks to my wonderful CSA share from Three Part Harmony Farm. You may have read my pickling method for them, but they are also delicious in their natural state with softened, salted butter (what isn't?). Here's an quick and super inexpensive appetizer utilizing herbs and radishes you have on hand to serve for guests or to bring for a light lunch at work. I also tend to eat this for breakfast when I'm hangry! Keep reading to find out how to get your radish toast on.

Sally's Middle Name

Sharing is Caring

Sally's Middle Name has been attracting lots of buzz since opening in June of 2015. It has joined the likes of other H Street treasures such as Maketto, DC Harvest, H St. Country Club, and Granville Moore's. The menu changes daily and the small plates are intended to be shared - my favorite way to eat. I'm totally the girl that reaches across the table for a bite of whatever my dining companion is eating before I try my own, #hatersgonnahate. Sally's is the perfect place to go with close friends or family for unique flavors; fresh, local ingredients; and impeccable service. Keep reading to find out what we tried!

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/7/11/sallys-middle-name#sthash.bATVHbcG.dpuf

I Got a Pickle

Get Yourself Into a One

It's travel season for Hangry District and that means my CSA share from Three Part Harmony Farm has to be preserved in fun and interesting ways so that it's not wasted while I'm away. With an abundance of fresh vegetables these past few weeks, I decided the best way to preserve would have to be my favorite way - PICKLING. I haven't quite mastered canning yet, so I chose to quick pickle - or quickle. Below you'll find the recipe for a variety of quickles that I made using what I already had in my pantry. I've already polished off all of the cucumbers and I hope you'll enjoy this quick and easy technique as much as I do. Happy pickling!

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/7/8/i-got-a-pickle#sthash.zfviWzML.dpuf

RecipesMichelle StrobelJuly 11, 2016pickle, pickles, quickle, quick pickles, cucumbers, cucumber, turnip, radish, radishes, turnips, recipes, summer, side dish, canningComment

Strawberry Rhubarb Galette

For the Lazy Baker

Strawberry rhubarb. Two of my favorite flavor friends. I first discovered the wonders of rhubarb at my best friend's house when I was in middle school. We had just spent a warm Summer day at the Spring Ridge pool and we came home to a rhubarb pie baked by her grandma! It was love at first bite. The aggressive tang from the rhubarb lends a perfect complement to the sweet strawberries. They were meant to be together. So, I combined my lovely seasonal strawberries and rhubarb from my Three Part Harmony Farm CSA share to make these purrrrfect hand pies and a rustic galette. I hope you enjoy!

Five Summer Sides to make right Meow!

Summer Is Coming

Yo, what up hangry people!! Summer is creeping up on us and it's time to get your salad and side dish on. With some collaboration from friends and family, I have created a list of FIVE perfect salads/side dishes to impress your guests this BBQ season. These tailgate worthy treats are simple, seasonal and SEXY (just keep reading, I don't know...).

Holterholm Farms: The Happiest Cows on Earth

Farmer Adam Holter Continues the Family Farm Legacy With 3a.m. Wake-up Calls and A Cold Quart of Milk

Adam Holter and his father, Ron, of Holterholm Farms are tilling the path to success with their farming practices in Maryland. I had the privilege of spending the day on the farm with Ron, Adam and his wife Kristin, to learn about a typical day on the farm and to milk my first cow, of course!

Tortellini Soup

Dinner in a Flash!

I taught myself how to cook during college - after eating every flavor of Hot Pocket that was ever made. I remember sliding the hot pock out of the sleeve and thinking to myself, "enough is enough." Anyway, I was learning the basic comfort foods throughout my four years and was excited to move in with my besties after graduation so that we could all cook together and share recipes. My honorary sister, Kari, made this soup for us while living together and I have been making it consistently ever since. It is so easy and SO GOOD! I'll always think of her when I make it and I think that's why I make it when I'm not feeling so great - instant comfort! Keep reading to find out how to boil up this ridiculously easy crowd-pleasing soup.

RecipesMichelle StrobelMay 19, 2016soup, tortellini soup, tortellini, italian, comfort food, tomatoes, quick dinner, easy, spinachComment

Spring Quinoa Salad

Garden Grazing

It's time to get your garden on! All sorts of tasty things are sprouting around DC, especially now after so much rain. I have been creating a variety of fun dishes like salads and soups with my weekly CSA haul from Three Part Harmony Farm, located right here in the HANGRY DISTRICT! Below is my recipe for Spring Quinoa Salad, which is one of my favorite lunch time treats utilizing carrots, radishes, sorrel and chives from Three Part Harmony!

Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas

Happy Diecisiete de Mayo!

Hangry BFs parents were in town recently and I had the privilege to learn how to make his favorite meals straight from the source - his mom! The first thing we made were her famous enchiladas. Typically she just makes them with cheese and scallions, but I added chicken for a Hangry District twist. Check out how we did it below.

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/5/5/chicken-and-cheese-enchiladas#sthash.DCIR5Rdt.dpuf

Masa 14

Back At It Again

If you have ever lived in or around DC, I'm sure you've heard of Richard Sandoval's restaurant Masa 14. This Asian-Latin eatery has been a staple in my DC restaurant circuit for years but had sort of been forgotten as I was trying to keep up with the insane new restaurant openings in the District. BUT, Masa's new chef de cuisine, Ryan Ratino has put Masa back on the heat map and is absolutely slaying it with innovative, seasonal cuisine. Check out my evening of utter bliss below.

Twisted Horn

The Happiest of Hours

Petworth's Upshur Street continues to stay poppin' with the newest installment of the Hank's Oyster Bar family - Twisted Horn. This snacks and cocktails establishment is classy yet casual with drinks to die for and perfectly popable eats to keep you from being hangry.

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/3/29/twisted-horn#sthash.uT9Al6Li.dpuf

ReviewsMichelle StrobelApril 22, 2016twisted horn, dc, petworth, hangry district, happy hour, cocktails, snacks, cheese, meat, hanks, hangry, bars, vermouth, date nightComment