Blog

Foodisthemuse Cookbook Club

In December 2023, amidst the post-college graduation haze, I found myself craving two things: new friends and delicious food. Little did I know, a simple idea would turn into a viral sensation in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona.

It all began with a spark of inspiration and a dash of TikTok magic. Determined to expand my social circle and indulge my passion for cooking, I decided to start a cookbook club. The premise was simple yet enticing: once a month, a group of culinary enthusiasts would come together to explore a different cookbook, each person selecting and preparing a recipe to share.

But how to spread the word? Enter TikTok, the platform where trends are born and connections are made. With a sprinkle of creativity and a pinch of enthusiasm, I crafted a video inviting fellow foodies to join me on this gastronomic adventure. Little did I know, my humble invitation would strike a chord with the local community and beyond.
Before I knew it, our cookbook club was making waves across the Phoenix area, drawing in members from all walks of life. From seasoned chefs to kitchen novices, everyone was welcome at our table. Each month, our gatherings became the highlight of my social calendar, a joyful celebration of friendship and culinary exploration.

Our Sunday afternoons were transformed into vibrant feasts, complete with beautifully curated tablescapes and a mouthwatering potluck spread showcasing the best of each cookbook. As we savored each bite and swapped stories over shared meals, bonds were forged and laughter filled the air.

What started as a quest for new friends and good food had blossomed into something far greater: a community united by a love of cooking and a desire for connection. Through the power of social media, our cookbook club had transcended its humble beginnings, bringing people together in ways I could have never imagined.

As the months went by and our club continued to grow, I couldn’t help but marvel at the magic we had created. In a world that often feels divided, our shared love of food had become a unifying force, bridging gaps and forging friendships that would last a lifetime.
So here’s to the power of a simple idea, the magic of TikTok, and the joy of coming together over a shared meal. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, there’s always a seat at our table. Join us, won’t you? After all, life is too short to eat alone

Goodbye 2022

It’s a Tuesday. I feel like I have drifted away from this place I call home (my lovely blog that I love so much). It reminds me of many things I drift away from or even drift away from me. As January comes to an end in the year 2023, I feel like it is an excellent time to reflect.

This is the first time in my life that I haven’t started off a year dreading or stressing about school. That is a super weird realization to come to. It feels out of place, but also relieving. I am so happy and proud of the person I have become since graduating college. I feel freer and more relaxed. However, no one ever told me of the post-grad exhaustion. I feel like I am still trying to catch up. However, that’s not the case. What am I trying to catch up to? I am reminding myself that I am on my own path and I can take as many stops as I want to.

I think it’s good to take a pause and take in on what’s going on around you. The people you surround yourself with, the hobbies that make you smile, the new car you just bought all by yourself (yes, me I did that!), or even the new candle you got for Christmas from your sister.

I hate saying it, but it is nice to leave old habits and ghosts of people you once knew in the last year.

I don’t know. It’s good to be back and journal some of the thoughts that I think about. Just here to say, take a deep breath and be yourself. Don’t drift away from you.

Chicken Picatta with a Lemon Orzo Arugula Salad

What you need:

  • 1 Chicken breast
  • Arugula
  • Orzo
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Capers
  • White onion
  • Garlic
  • White wine (dry)
  • Chicken Broth
  • Olive oil
  • Your favorite go to seasonings!

How to cook it:

  1. Start with chopping up all the onions, garlic, and artichokes.
  2. Season the chicken.
  3. Start a pot with boiling water for the orzo pasta.
  4. Heat your medium-sized pan on medium heat.
  5. Add olive oil to your liking.
  6. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked (I normally undercook it so I can add it back into the sauce to cook fully)
  7. Remove chicken from pan.
  8. Add the onions to the pan and let it soak up the chicken goodness.
  9. Once those start to ferment and produce the best onion smell, add the garlic.
  10. Let those marry each other.
  11. Add the white wine and the chicken broth and let those simmer.
  12. By now the water should be boiling, add salt to the water and then cook the orzo according to the package for a nice al dente.
  13. Let the sauce come to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  14. Add the artichokes and capers.
  15. Add the chicken to the sauce and let those become friends.
  16. Remove the orzo and rinse with cold water.
  17. Assemble the arugula with lemon and olive oil.
  18. Add the orzo to the salad.
  19. Plate the chicken on top of the salad.
  20. Add the sauce on top of it all and I like to add parmesan on top of it all!

Lox Breakfast Bagel

I am a sucker for morning bagels. It is one of my favorite things to eat in the morning (yeah, I know I still have my love for an avocado toast of course!) However, this little recipe is so good for a summer morning! My little spin that I do is always to have a side of pepperoncinis. I like to bite into the pepper and let all the good vinegar and seeds fall out onto the bagel. So let’s get to it! Here is the recipe.

What you need:

  • Trader Joe’s Everything bagels
  • Homemade scallion and chive cream cheese
  • Alaskan smoked salmon
  • Sliced beef steak tomatoes
  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Sliced red onion
  • Capers
  • Salt & pepper to add to the tomatoes!

How to assemble:

  1. First, cut up all your veggies!
  2. Add salt and pepper to the tomatoes to give it a nice flavor
  3. Pop the bagel into the toaster for a nice golden toast
  4. Smear on the cream cheese right when you take the bagel out of the toaster.
  5. I personally have an order in which I assemble the veggies…
  6. Add capers onto the cream cheese.
  7. Add sliced cucumbers.
  8. Add sliced tomatoes.
  9. Add red onions.
  10. Carefully place the smoked salmon on top of all the goodies.
  11. Place three capers in the middle of each slice.
  12. Add to a clean plate that is photo worthy!
  13. Enjoy every bite!

Post-Grad Life

I have entered a new chapter of life—the afterlife of college. I look back on my years of school and I see a different version of myself, yet the same girl I am now. I see a self that was so excited for new experiences and new beginnings. She saw it all; the new friends, the new memories, and the overload of changes.

I especially reflect on my years in college. It was a completely new chapter for me, from living on my own entirely and putting myself out there in a way I never could before. It was the beginning of finally letting myself be me. I feel like moving away from your hometown; even if it is only 20 minutes away, it is such a life-changing experience. In my case, I was only living a new life 20 minutes away from my old life. I was able to change my narrative. I was able to put myself out there completely and see what happens.

I joined so many new communities that allowed me to meet people that would change my college experience. From late nights in the dorms to giggles in my first college apartment, and days in the sun with people I truly cherished. It all changed from here. I fell in love with so many new passions that I never knew I could push myself to do. I fell in love with creating a community of friends that loved to fuel their bodies with love and yummy foods. I fell in love with different movements of your body like working out, yoga, and even just walking around Tempe. I felt peace within myself by discovering these new things.

All these moments led up to the final moment of walking onto the big stage at Sun Devil Stadium and receiving my final accomplishment of the last four years. However, it looked a little different than the start. I surrounded myself with the most important people in my life and celebrated this moment; some were there from the beginning and others were added along the way of this journey. No one could have prepared me for this moment. This is the new chapter.


This new chapter hasn’t been that long, but it is completely different. I feel a difference in myself from even a few months ago to even a year ago. I feel fearless. I no longer care for what used to bother me. I think the one thing I have learned over the last few years is people are there for either a season, a reason, or reoccurring character in your life. I have seen a lot of people come and go in the last four years, but it doesn’t change the memories that I have had because at the moment they were the best. But it is time for a new chapter.

About two months into post-grad life, it is different. I am no longer stressing if I did the assignment correctly or if I missed a due date. It is really freeing yet scary. I have all the time in the world to figure out what this new chapter holds… and you know what? There’s no time limit on when I need to figure it all out. Just one foot in front of the other and it will all happen when it needs to happen. There’s no rush. Currently, I am working a serving job and it is so much fun. I am 22 years old… why do I have to figure out what I want to do for the next 4o years this young? I will just have fun and figure it out along the way. My only goal right now is to put my life into this blog and my passions as I work on moving to a new place for this next chapter.

This is all scary, but it makes it fun. Be graceful with yourself.

Lots of love,

T

AVOCADO TOAST DONE RIGHT!

I have fallen in love with pickling. So naturally, I will add to it anything; even avocado toast. So enjoy my new favorite avocado toast combo.

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • Multigrain toast 
  • Avocado
  • 2 eggs
  • Pickled red onion 
  • Arugula 
  • Mushrooms
  • Goat cheese
  • Balsamic glaze

HOW TO MAKE IT:

  1. Start by cooking your eggs and sauteeing your mushrooms as well.
  2. Cut up the avo and mash it with the seasonings of your liking (i normally do garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper)
  3. Toast your bread
  4. Assemble with avocado – arugula, mushrooms, onions, goat cheese.
  5. Drizzzleeeee that baby balsamic on there!!

Tia Gia’s Chicken Wings

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • Chicken wings (flats and drums)
  • Franks hot sauce 
  • Celery
  • carrots

For the sauce:

  • Franks hot sauce
    • Butter if you don’t like spicy

Blue cheese dressing:

  • Blue cheese crumbles
  • Sourcream 
  • Mayo
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • White wine vinegar (or lemon juice)

HOW TO MAKE IT:

  1. Cook chicken wings in sauce in a medium sized pan and simmer with a lid on until chicken is cooked thru.
  2. Once you get a good crisp on them, throw them in the oven or airfryer to crisp up even more.
  3. Toss in the sauce (boiled sauce).
  4. Serve with celery, carrots, and blue cheese dressing.