Forking Up

It's February, and we all know what that means... brace yourselves, SXSW is coming!

For those who are new to the area or have no idea what I'm talking about, SXSW, or South by Southwest, is our biggest festival of the year in Austin, Texas. The festival and conference lasts about two weeks in mid-March. During this time, Austin is overrun with tourists, brands, and most of all PARTIES.


I've lived in Austin for six years, and have attended SXSW in some capacity nearly every year. From working for a brand, to having a full badge, to getting a press pass, and NEVER having much of a budget, I've gotten the full experience. And mostly, it's been a free SXSW experience.

Read on for my suggestions on how to have the best SXSW experience on a budget! Or even FREE!



Pick Your Experience
There are four tracks to SXSW: Education, Interactive, Film, and Music. The majority of the first two are filled with teachers or business people who were sent by their employers, and the other two are filled with people looking to see the best new films or their favorite up-and-coming recording artist.

You can purchase and individual badge, or a platinum that gives you access to everything. What not everyone realizes is that ANY badge will give you secondary access to any of the branded events. So, for example if I have a Music Badge I get first priority for Music events, but I can still get into any Interactive or Film event before it's opened to the general public. Considering the steep cost of the badges, pick the track you're most interested in and don't get Platinum if you're paying your own way.

My REAL tip? DON'T buy ANY badge. There is plenty to do without needing to drop over $1000 on a badge alone (after all, flights to Austin nearly triple during March). Read on for my tips on what you can do for FREE!



Know What's Free
There is more than enough to do during the festival that doesn't require a badge, but each track seems to have its own benefits for what is free. Here's what I've found to be true of the free SXSW experience:

Innovation: Brands take over the city and provide free swag, food, and open bars to those partying during the festival. There's also often tons of local music playing. You can literally keep your food and drink budget to pennies a day if you know how to sniff out the brand parties!

Music and Film: The freebies during these tracks will mostly be free shows and screenings. Most of Austin takes advantage of the influx of people to showcase local music in smaller venues across town. Occasionally you can find free swag or food/drinks, but for the most part the show IS the prize, and the venues want to charge for what they can.

Education: Nothing, really. Sorry. This track seems to be purely business, and since it's the first track in the festival, things haven't really started up yet. There might be included parties, but not much outside the actual festival.

Sometimes you run into your favorite YouTube celebrities!

Resources
But how do you FIND the free stuff? People often underestimate how truly overwhelming SXSW can be. Make sure you've downloaded the following apps to make your way around and hit up all the free spaces.

• The SXSW App: Even if you don't have a badge, you can use the app to sign up for official events that are badgeless. The app lets you build your schedule and reminds you when events are coming up.
• Do512: If you're not from around here, you may not know about Do512. Basically, it's our go-to resource for all events! Simply download the app, create an account, search "Free SXSW" and RSVP for any events that look interesting.
• RSVPster https://rsvpster.com/ For a small fee, you can get RSVP'd to all free events and unofficial SXSW parties via this service.
• Twitter: Follow the following hashtags:  #sxlines #sxdrinks #sxnoms #sxfree #sxswag. This is the BEST way, throughout the fest, to see where the free food, drinks, and swag are, but also where the lines are shortest! Posters will also often tag if a badge is required.

Other Tips and Tricks

Stay Near the Action - As much as you can afford, anyway. Austin's public transport is nowhere near sustainable for us on a normal day, so you'll be relying on peak-pricing Ubers and Lyfts if you don't choose a spot within walking distance. And if you need to stay outside of downtown, factor in time for traffic. Again, it's bad on a normal day, during our biggest event it'll be even worse.

Don't Just Visit on the Weekend - Weekdays are your best bet for the shortest lines and best experience. On the weekend, the crowd doubles with working locals who want to get in on the fun. If you're local, try to take at least a day off to get the full experience before the lines get insane.

Pace Yourself - It's a large festival that spans the entire city, and Austin can get HOT in the Spring. Even outside of downtown, the rest of Austin wants to enjoy the influx of tourists, or the influx of locals wanting to get out of downtown. Especially if you're hopping from free event to free event, you may be covering ten city blocks between each spot. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a backpack for freebies, and try to plot out your schedule so that you don't have to rush long distances in a short timeframe. Oh, and water is your friend. Luckily, if you've forgotten one, it's a popular swag item you can snag pretty easily.

Have a Back Up Plan - Even with a badge, popular events fill up quickly. I once got in line for an Assscat show two hours ahead of time and still didn't get in. SXSW isn't really about just seeing your favorite bands, films, etc. It's about discovering new things. Do your research and have a backup plan in case your favorite event fills up before you get there.

Create a dummy email - Most free things require you selling your soul--err, I mean your email address--as an entry fee. If you don't want to be flooded with marketing emails after the festival, create a specific email just for the event RSVPs. You'll thank me later.

Take Time to Explore - Austin is so much more than just downtown. If you can, take time to get outside of the tall buildings and see the rest of the city! Check out the breweries on Metric, take a Fredericksburg wine tour, jump in Barton Springs or Deep Eddy, explore the Cathedral of Junk, or rent a car and try the world-famous Salt Lick in Dripping Springs!

Happy February, everyone! I suddenly had a craving for a warm bowl of soup and thought I'd share my favorite recipe (now updated with vegetarian substitutions!) for one of my favorite soups.

As a New Englander, I thought that up North we had the most haphazard weather; freezing one minute, hot the next, rain, sun, thunderstorms in the same day, winter too long and summer too short. But Austin is definitely giving it a run for its money.

The sun makes me happy, and so does my favorite dress.

In the past week in Austin I've been able to wear a winter coat and a sun dress. IT EVEN FRIGGIN SNOWED! It's been 30s and it's been near 70. I went from living in an endless winter to enjoying a sort-of winter with bits of summer in between.



Hey, I'm not complaining. That's why I moved here! I need the sun, I like it popping in to say hello like this. The days of the week I can bask in the sun like a cat are worth the days I have to turn up the heat and curl up WITH my cats (and dog) instead.

And if I have this soup, all the better.

Just look. at. that. CHEESE!

This recipe is a combination of what my mother-in-law showed me over one Christmas, and Alton Brown's dummy-proof recipe. Plus my own little flair, as always, and some substitutions to make it meat-free. The result was pretty fantastic, and I highly recommend you make this the next time a chill comes through. Bursting with flavor, paired with toasty bread and gooey cheese. Delicious.



French Onion Soup
(Loosely based on Alton Brown's recipe)

• 5 yellow onions (or a combination of yellow and red), sliced to 1/4" thick
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 cups mild red wine
• 5 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
• 2 chicken stock cubes
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or use a vegetarian version or soy sauce)
• 1 sprig thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried or fresh chopped parsley
• 4 slices baguette, toasted and brushed with butter
• 4 slices provolone cheese

-In a large dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add a layer of onions and sprinkle with salt. Continue until all onions are in the Dutch oven.

-Cover the dutch oven and let onions sweat for at least 15 minutes. After the onions look shiny and wet, gently stir. Add the pepper and sugar. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep caramel in color.

-Once onions have reduced to about two cups, pour in the wine. Turn heat to high. Let the wine reduce until thick, about 7 minutes or so.

-Add the broth, stock cubes, sherry vinegar, Worcestershire or soy sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and parsley. Simmer for 20 minutes.

-Remove thyme and bay leaves. Heat oven to broil.

-Pour into four croques or heat-save bowls set on a cookie sheet. Place bread and a slice of provalone over each. Broil until cheese is bubbly. Serve hot.

Hi there and welcome to my new little series "What to do in Austin" the Forking Up edition! In the next few posts I'll be detailing out my favorite suggestions for what to do in Austin, based on what kind of trip you're hoping to have. I hope you'll enjoy reading these new Austin travel guides as much as I enjoyed writing them.

I'm starting with my guide for First Time Visitors to Texas! While Austin is a bit different than other Texan cities (we like to "Keep Austin Weird!") you can certainly find your fair share of good old fashioned Southern fun in our great city. Read on for my suggestions on what to do on your first visit to Austin!

The First-Time Texas Experience Travel Guide

Tamale House East - An Austin institution. The original has sadly shuttered its doors, but the family keeps the East location hopping. There isn't anywhere better to grab brunch, or stop by for a hearty lunch with the titular tamale. The ambiance is wonderful, the patio is gorgeous, and the food is delicious. A perfect start to your Austin adventure!
Location: 1707 E 6th St, Austin, TX



Allen's Boots and Cavender's - enter Allen's Boots on South Congress and breathe in the deep leather scent of the wares lining the shelves. Have a complimentary drink while you browse boots that cost half my rent. If you're able to shell out the cash, it's the ultimate Texas souvenir. If your wallet is more like mine though, head over to any one of the Cavender's locations in town for a stylish pair of boots that won't break the bank.
Location: Multiple, check websites for Allen's and Cavender's



The Capitol - The Texas State Capitol building seems to shine like a beacon at the end of South Congress, which in part is due to the fact that surrounding buildings cannot be taller within a certain radius. It's free to explore, and while there isn't much to actually do there, you can admire the gorgeous architecture inside.
Location: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX



Salt Lick  - Truth be told, there is better BBQ within city limits. If you have a whole morning to spare, maybe try your hand at waiting in the endless Franklin's line for a taste of the city's favorite. But there truly is no better Texas EXPERIENCE than a drive out to the original Salt Lick in Driftwood. The wait will be long, but it's made better by live music and popcorn and lemonade while you wait. Once you enter you're greeted with an open pit, stuffed with every smoked meat your little heart desires. Get a little bit of everything with the Thurman's Choice platter.
Location: 18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826, Driftwood, TX, or check their website for more locations



The Oasis - I remember the first time I visited, The Oasis seemed like a ghost town. It's set up like an outdoor mall, but most storefronts were empty. The joke was that you didn't go there for food, you went for the view. These days the storefronts are open again, with multiple options for food, drink, and shopping. While the food is fine, it's still my suggestion to watch the sunset on Lake Travis with a few drinks and maybe some chips and salsa. For the Instagram crowd, you'll find plenty of photo ops with a gorgeous view of the lake.
Location: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX check website for menu

Maverick's and Broken Spoke - Let's talk true Texan nightlife! Are you looking for some serious country music? Want to break in those new boots? Then you'll have a blast at either of these dance halls, known for their live music and two stepping. Grab a pint of Lonestar and your favorite dance partner and hit Maverick's for a younger crowd and rowdier time, or Broken Spoke for a slice of Austin tradition and a more laid back (but still fun!) good time.
Location: Maverick's (multiple, see website) and Broken Spoke 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX

Did you enjoy my Austin Travel Guide? Locals, what am I missing? Let me know in the comments!

Happy (belated) New year, everyone! I hope 2020 is off to a good start. After the madness that was 2019 for me, I am happy to report that the new year has been pretty good to me so far.

As you may have noticed, in recent months I've changed my content a bit. The reasoning? I just don't have much time for recipe development lately. Plus, I've found my little following is a bit more interested in my reviews. I don't ever want to give up on recipes, but I thought I'd try out more lists and longer content and see what sticks. It's definitely easier than having to develop, photograph, and edit a recipe each week!

Also, I do comedy in my spare time. Sooo maybe that should find its way into my blog? Who knows.

Anyway, I've been wanting to do a few 2019 roundup lists, and what better way to start than by sharing the products that made my kitchen even tastier!

Note: None of these lead to affiliate links (unless noted) and I don't make any money off sharing or you buying.

Ashley's Top 2019 Food Products


Truffle Zest
You know that slogan, "I put that shit on everything"? Well, I think it applies even MORE here. I impulse-bought this little jar of deliciousness at the behest of an internet list and I am so very glad I did. I'm not one of those beyond-snooty foodies who claim truffle is cheating. If it's tasty, it's tasty. Try it on veggies or roasted potatoes (my favorite is brussels sprouts!) for an out of this world flavor experience.



Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Man, I love dash. Such cool, inexpensive little gadgets! I won this little waffle maker in a white elephant gift exchange and it is now an integral part of my weekly brunch. I love that I don't have to lug out my whole huge waffle iron for a quick breakfast! Bonus, you can make hashbrowns or fun omelettes as well.



Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
Another Dash product! This has been a godsend for cooking quick, peel-able hard-boiled eggs and effortless poached eggs! The timer is based on how much water is in the cooker, and it sings you a little song when you're done. Pro tip: measure the liquid amount in the little cup they give you, so in case you lose it (like I did, d'oh!) you know how much water to use for each kind of egg.

Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
This isn't my favorite of 2019 per say, but it is my favorite seasoning of all time. I put it on veggies, meats, non-meats, basically anything I want to jazz up a bit. Not too spicy, just a bit of a zing and savory salt flavor to really enhance a side dish. It's also a great secret ingredient to chowders! I just discovered they have a salt free option, which is a great idea for those of us looking to make better health habits in 2020.


Imperfect Produce (this contains the only referral code of the post!)
I cannot reccommend this enough! I LOVE Imperfect Produce! I've done a ton of Farmshare and veggie boxes in the past and while I love the idea of supporting local farms, Imperfect definitely gives you the biggest bang for your buck in regards to vegetable quantity and variety of additional products. Plus it helps reduce food waste! Use my code to sign up (via that link) and we'll both get a lil discount on our next box.



Instant Pot
It took me a while to get on the Instant Pot train. And, to be honest, I don't really do a ton of full one-pot dinners in this thing. I like to taste my meals as I cook, add things throughout, and the IP doesn't really allow for much improvisation in that regard with it's "set it and forget it" method. What I've really enjoyed, though, is that it makes cooking time-consuming staples (rice, quinoa, potatoes, lentils) SO much quicker! I simply add the dry ingredients and the liquid, and in under 10 minutes I have as much as I want. Definitely a kitchen MVP!



Wundernuggets
A friend of mine in the Austin Food Blogger Alliance created Wundernuggets as a nutrient-rich upgrade to her kids' favorite food: chicken nuggets. Story time: this year was rough. When I'm depressed, it's hard to eat. I kept a bag of these in my freezer all year as a quick dinner where I could force the appropriate nutrients into my body when I didn't have it in me to put through the effort. So I am super grateful I knew about these veggie packed nuggets! On a happier note, picky eaters will also find these great. The flavors are all awesome and I can't wait to see what comes next with this company!

Beyond Meat and The Impossible Burger
As you may know, I've drastically cut down my meat intake over the past year. But every now and then... you just need a burger. I am happy to report, these fit the bill. While there are different environmental factors that come into play with all the "meatless meats" hitting the market, it's good to have these on hand for a treat when you want to stick to a plant-based diet. I prefer the Impossible Burger, but you can only purchase it in restaurants. For an at-home version, Beyond Meat is the best on the market.



Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
I fell victim to another internet list BUT this is pretty awesome. Super easy--simply put the coffee grounds in the cyllander, fill with water, and let steep overnight. What results is a rich coffee that isn't bitter. I like it cold, but you can warm it up too. And after a week of forgetting to take out the grounds, it still hasn't leaked or changed the flavor.



Double Joy Select Coffee
I have a coffee maker. I have various French Presses. I don't always have the time to dedicate to brewing coffee. Nor do I have the budget for Starbucks Via, my usual go-to for instant coffee. I read the reviews on a number of instant options, and decided to try Double Joy. And thankfully, they lived up to the reviews! These are delicious, rich little coffee packets that are great to keep on hand for lazy days, travel, or in your desk in case the office coffee maker is on the fritz.


Mike's Mighty Good Ramen
Ramen is one of my favorite meals I never knew about until I moved to Austin. Since then, it's become super popular. With Mike's Mighty Good, I can get a restaurant-quality ramen base for only a few bucks that I can make at home! I love the vegetarian kimchi version, to which I add a pat of butter, corn, kimchi, scallions, lime, and a soft boiled egg. Sooo good!

That's all I have for now, but I'm sure I'll think of more. What was your favorite foodie discovery of 2019? Let me know in the comments!

Note: This was originally posted on my personal Facebook, but I felt compelled to share it here as well.

You guys, 2018 and 2019 were rough. Y'all have said you appreciate my honesty, and that's the honest truth: I am ready to put those years behind me. So many struggles--money, relationship, death, body image--I keep hoping the fresh start of 2020 will be a clean slate and that things will start looking up, that all family members will be safe and healthy, that I'll start chipping away at this debt mountain, that marriage will be smoother sailing from here on out, and that I'll love my curves as much as they deserve to be loved. Something's gotta give, and a new year is a great place to start. I've been avoiding an end of year post because the year and the one prior weren't great, though of course not without their bright points--probably the best being all the travel I did and ending the year with my family's first Texan Christmas.

But looking at the decade as a whole, I accomplished a whole lot. I joke that I'm "more impressive on paper than in person" in my charming self-deprecating manner, but I think if I can learn anything from this decade it's that I need to stop belittling my accomplishments. So, for those who are into this kind of thing, here is some high points from the past 10 years, in no real order.

• Graduated with a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College
• Did a career change before I even started and got a solid job right out of college making a decent salary
• Dove headfirst into Community Theater and kept my love of theater and musicals alive
• Started two food blogs to moderate success
• Moved into my first apartment
• Came to terms with my sexuality (not straight, y'all) and stopped making excuses for it
• Moved across the country MA > TX
• Road tripped that drive at least 3 times
• Started improv and sketch and a love of comedy
• Played in at least 10 improv troupes, 3 sketch troupes, and too many shows to count
• Wrote a sketch that won a little award and made people cry and laugh in the same breath
• Became better friends with my mom
• Lived with a partner for the first time
• Got engaged
• Got married
• Attended weddings of so many wonderful friends
• Was in a Netflix special (Mortified, I'm in two episodes as a street interview)
• Read my childhood diaries onstage MULTIPLE TIMES
• Accomplished a life goal of writing and publishing a book before I turned 30
• OPRAH MAGAZINE MENTIONED MY BOOK, Y'ALL! (May 2017 "Cookbook of the Month") as well as The New York Times and various other publications
• Came to terms with my mental health (anxiety and depression, woo!) and got treatment for it
• Did yet another career change (writing > marketing > customer success)
• Dyed my hair purple, pink, and purple and pink
• Found a job that I adore in a company that is just amazing
• Adopted 3 wonderful pets that I love with all my soul
• Went abroad twice and traveled as much as I possibly could
• Had my first solo trip
• Took a dip in the Arctic Ocean
• Ziplined through the rain forest
• In the last year, cut down on eating meat by about 75%
• Got 8 Tattoos, a few more piercings

Sending y'all positive vibes for this new year and new decade. I hope it's a great one for all of us 

Roasted corn and black bean tacos with lime crema

Spicy veggie stir fry and spicy edamame

Asparagus on whole grain toast with hollandais, side of sweet potato hash

Vegan lazy golumkis and wild rice

Portobello sandwich and cheddar broccoli soup

• I didn't miss meat nearly as much as I thought I would. Subbing out a burger for a portobello mushroom was just as satisfying to me. A vegetarian lasagna tasted just as good as one with beef. Pasta and sauce is delicious, quick, and easy, and doesn't lack flavor at all. Tacos with refried beans instead of beef are still mighty tasty.
• My passion for cooking returned. This blog hasn't been the most active this year, due to some life things and my other commitments keeping me busy, and I found myself eating out more and taking time to cook less. But Mondays were the exception.
• Without my grocery budget being eaten up by pricey meat of unknown origin, I had more money to spend on higher quality, organic, and local ingredients. Do you know what you're missing by buying cheap grocery store eggs? Buy a local, farm-fresh dozen and get ready to have your mind blown.
• It is easy to rely on processed food to fill the meat void, and it's definitely something I did in the beginning. With all the new brands popping up with plant-based meat, you can almost entirely replace your proteins with these and feel like you never even stopped. But then you're reducing the environmental good of cutting out meat. So as the experiment progressed I tried to limit these to treats when I had a craving--the Impossible Burger is SO good, y'all!--instead of always making them the star of my dish.

Crock pot mulligatawny soup

Homemade veggie tortellini soup

Roasted butternut squash pizza with ricotta, goat cheese, and veggies

Mushroom bolognaise

Is there any Christmas treat as polarizing as egg nog?

I feel like you either love love love it, or HAAAATE it!

Myself, I fall into the love category. Maybe because my dad loved it, and as a kid I decided I loved most foods he did: Boston Baked Beans, Big Macs, black jelly beans...

Some of those are a bit weirder than others, I suppose.


Christmas is a time to remember those who are no longer with us. Sadly this year I'll be raising a glass not only to dad, but my uncle and Nana this year. Though I never did ask their thoughts on the beverage... so perhaps I'll just cheer on the Pats for my uncle and have a Toasted Almond cocktail for Nans.

This egg nog is pretty dang good... if you drink it immediately, anyway. After chilling, it got WAY too thick. This means I over-cooked it. I was so worried about making sure the egg was fully cooked, I let it get too thick on the stove. I forgot that it would thicken more as it cools. If this happens to you, simply add a bit more milk!


I also tried to make a dairy free, natural sugar version and that one tasted FANTASTIC... until I overcooked that one. Overcooked almond milk turns into a clumpy mess. So sad.

Homemade Egg Nog
(Adapted from Doughmesstic)

• 6 large eggs, plus 2 yolks
• 2/3 cup sugar
• pinch of salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• pinch of allspice
• pinch of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Bourbon

-In a large pot over medium-low heat, beat together the eggs, yolks, sugar, and salt. Slowly add the milk, and mix until well combined.

-Turn heat to low, stirring regularly, until liquid has thickened just enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Add nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Remove from heat.

-Before serving, add bourbon (or rum!) and mix well. Can be served hot or cold, but I prefer hot!