TOMATO TOAST

We LOVE toast, the crunchy sourdough with melted garlic, fresh tomato and basil is an ideal summer snack. Make this dish in the peak of tomato season and you'll be hooked.

makes 5-6 full size toasts

you'll need..

good sourdough bread (we use local Crumb Brothers sourdough)
2 medium heirloom tomatoes
small bundle of basil
flaky sea salt
cracked pepper
2-3 garlic cloves, for rubbing on toast
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling on toast

to do..

Slice and toast sourdough bread on a dry cast iron grill pan.
Grill both sides and remove from pan. While hot, rub with a garlic clove. The
garlic will melt into the toast. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and cracked pepper.

Add slices of local ripe tomatoes and a few basil leaves.

Finish with flaky salt, cracked pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

DONUT FALLS | BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON

On a hikeabout in Big Cottonwood Canyon, we ventured to Donut Falls. We hiked it and liked it. We're looking forward to heading back when the leaves change, and begin to carpet the canyon floor. This is an easy short hike to the falls, but can be a bit tricky to climb up once you get there.

Make sure to vear left 1/2 way up the mound of rocks, to find the cave opening. If you want to explore the cave wear your water shoes! The best part of hiking is the snacks, we bought the following goodies at Trader Joe's; a couple peaches, kale chips, freeze dried raspberries and trail mix.

Directions:
Take the I-215, exit 6200 S. Follow signs to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd. make a right onto Jordan Pines Rd. Head straight, continuing onto a dirt road, for about a mile. The trailhead is there, with plenty of parking and a loo. There are no dogs allowed in this canyon, because it is a watershed.

S T A Y  G O L D E N

GRILLED WATERMELON TOMATO BASIL SALAD

This salad has summer written all over it. The grilled watermelon adds a subtle heartiness and the combination of seasonal tomatoes and watermelon is unreal. It's simple and impressive, a good last minute dish for an end of summer picnic.

makes 4

you'll need..

1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes
1 small watermelon
small bundle of basil
1 large handful hazelnuts, toasted
drizzle balsamic vinegar
drizzle extra virgin olive oil
maldon flaky sea salt
cracked pepper

to do..

In a dry skillet toast hazelnuts for a few minutes, until fragrant. When cool, rub between hands to remove most of the papery skins.

Cut cherry tomatoes in half and roughly tear basil. Add to a bowl then drizzle with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper.

Cut 1-2 inch thick slices of watermelon, then quarter each round. Grill in a dry skillet, a minute or two on each side.

On a plate add a couple slices of watermelon, top with tomato basil salad and hazelnuts.

Diamond Fork Hot Springs

We've been discovering a bit of magic and healing in natures, natural hot baths. We've noticed a difference in our skin, hair, and overall sense of being as we've soaked in the rich mineral content, the therapeutic heat, and surrounding nature.

We're not the only ones who think there is something powerful going on at these hot springs. Balneology is the branch of medical science concerned with the therapeutic value of baths, especially those taken with natural mineral waters. This branch of medicine has been commonly practiced in parts of Japan and Europe for ages. 

The Ute Indians were the first to unearth the healing benefits of the mineral rich waters found in the natural occurring hot springs in the Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico territory.  They called the waters, Tampah, meaning 'big medicine'.

As we soaked in the hot springs, we dreamed of living in an earlier time, when more likely we would have discovered these mystic waters. We both claimed we would've set up shelter near by and enjoyed these waters most days. We wondered if anyone who came before us did just that, for a period of time.

there are a handful of pools with varying temperatures

the three forks trail weaves alongside diamond fork river and fifth water creek 

directions:
take exit 258 off the I-15 south, towards highway US-6 (toward Price/Manti), Spanish Fork Canyon. Drive around 11 miles, to mile marker 184.1, take a right here, at the turn off to Diamond Fork Canyon. You'll drive about another 10 miles and come across three forks trail head.  You can't see the sign until you've about past it, so whenever you come across a small parking lot take a look back, and check your not passing three forks trailhead. Theres room to park and a pit loo. Its about a 2.5 mile hike in and 2.5 mile hike back. The trail is pretty straight forward, walk straight past the first bridge with the metal gate. Don't take the trail through the gate, and you'll be on your way. Bring plenty of water, the hike and the heat from the hot springs will dehydrate you. Wear shoes with good traction, and no hike is complete with out some trail snacks.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO BREAD SALAD | RAMBLIN' RECIPES

This substantial summer salad is the perfect way to use day old bread and highlight the summer’s juicy tomatoes. The simple herb pesto is a lovely staple to have on hand to spread on sandwiches, add to a summery garden soup or to an elegant pasta. Check out the recipe on Sycamore Street Press today.

RAW PEACH CRUMBLE | RAMBLIN' ROSE CAFE

we want to share some of our most popular recipes from vending with the ramblin' rose cafe last summer. first on the list, dessert! peaches can be substituted for any soft seasonal fruit.

Raw Peach Crumble

you'll need...
8-10 seasonal peaches
2 parts nuts (almonds & walnuts)
1 part soft pitted medjool dates
pinch of real salt 
dash of cinnamon 

cashew cream
1 part cashews
1 part filtered water
1 date or honey
pinch of salt 
   
to do...

for crumb and filling
blend dates, walnuts, almonds, salt and cinnamon 
in a food processor, pulse until crumb like

chop peaches into bit sizes chunks

in the food processor pulse one pitted date  
and half a peach, add puree to chopped peaches 

for cashew cream
in a high speed blender blend cashews, water, date and salt until it creates a thick cream. add more water for the right consistency.

in a cup layer peaches and crumb, then top with cashew cream and a pinch of cinnamon. viola, instant classic.

SMASHED PEAS ON TOAST | RAMBLIN' RECIPES

we love ANYTHING on toast, but THIS toast is lovely, 

refreshing and perfect for spring! Head over to the 

Sycamore Street Press Blog for the recipe. 

Photo by Lizzy Rinner

STRAWBERRY APRIL FOOL | RAMBLIN' RECIPE

happy april fools! this month for the ramblin' recipes food column for Sycamore Street Press we made a strawberry april fool. a fool is a simple english dessert made with seasonal fruit and cream, this is our veggie-based version. the strawberries can be exchanged for any soft seasonal fruit. 

making cashew cream is a great technique to practice. You can use unsweetened cashew cream to make a soup, risotto or pasta creamy. you can use it plain or blend in herbs, spices or veggies, to eat as a dip or to layer in a dish. 

also you can switch out the cashews for pecans, hemp seeds, brazil nuts or macadamia nuts to make a variety of creams. cashew cream is the base for several raw desserts, like raw cheesecake or this strawberry fool. find the recipe on sycamore street press blog today.


photo by Lizzy Rinner original recipe for sycamore street press

RAINBOW CHARD POTATO CHOWDER | RAMBLIN' RECIPES

for this month's ramblin' recipes column, we made a hearty end of winter soup, that is a classic go to recipe for us. we mix it up by switching rainbow chard for kale and corn for squash depending on the season. find the recipe on the sycamore street press blog. happy spring equinox ramblers. can't wait to get campin' again.

photos by lizzy rinner original recipe for sycamore street press.

TRAVLIN' TIPS | FOR THE STOKED AND BROKE

ONE <> make your own meals

you save loads on making your own food. invest in a backpackers pocket stove. you can buy the gas once you get there. the first thing we do when we get somewhere is find a camping store. buy a cast iron pan, gas, lighter and all the basics.

TWO <> pack light

if you only bring a backers backpack you have no room to fill it up and it makes for easy travel. no waiting for baggage claim or paying extra to check bags. packing light makes utilizing public transportation much easier & rolling luggage through dirt or cobble stone streets is hard work.

THREE <> public transportation

trains, buses, the subway anything but taxis! This is the big money saver, also if you can walk, do it. By walking you see so much more and you happen upon alleys and nooks you never would have otherwise.

FOUR <> rent a car and sleep in it/camp

we have done this in the UK, NZ & WA, works like a charm. ideas for showering if its summer, the beach has public showers, ask a campsite to pay to use their shower or jump in the lake! we did the lake thing in Scotland nearly froze in the mountain run off but now it's a fun memory.

FIVE <> WWOOF/HELPX 

our favorite way of travel, you meet the locals and learn new skills, in exchange for room and board. with WWOOF each country has their own website, you can join for around $20, then you can start the research to find the right host family for you & your interests.

sweet pea pickin' and weedin'

summer harvest at the penpont farm shop.

things we harvested while wwoofing.

pizza night while wwoofing at tracebridge sourdough

SIX <> avoid tourist traps

skip the touristy stuff and do as the locals do. this last time we went to London we purposefully didn't pay for one attraction. instead we went to all the markets, the best tea shops, and explored parks and neighborhood shopping.

exploring the outdoor markets in London. camdem lock, 

brixton market & columbia road sunday market.

SEVEN <> tour the countryside

you spend way more for everything in the city. the countryside offers authentic shops and people. plus it actually feels like a vacation. here we took the train out of London to Richmond. it's close to the city but still has the country air.

the best tip we could give is make your trip authentic to you. there are so many things you "should" see when you go to a new country. but are those things going to be the most memorable for you?

for us its not about visiting every museum or waterfall, we just like to explore and find the true character of the city or town.
happening upon a little gem of a shop or a ma & pa est. & meeting beautiful people & hearing their story are the things that keep us reminiscing. ramble on ramblers.