This week’s post marks my final blog as the St. Olaf Her Campus Cooking on Campus blogger. I have been posting for two and a half years, making recipes and sharing them with the St. Olaf community. My goal with this blog has been to inspire college students to cook, bake and enjoy homemade food despite being away from home and having to cook in less than perfectly equipped kitchens.
I have had such a good time writing this blog. I loved having an excuse to cook or bake each week, even though, like everyone, some weeks I lacked inspiration or time to create something truly special. I hope this blog has inspired some of you to try my recipes, or at least become a little more interested in how much fun food can be.
As for my post-graduation plans, I have my life planned for this summer, and not much more past that. This summer I will be traveling to Norway, London, Spain, Portugal, Paris and Canada with my friends and family. When I am finally back in the US, I will work on getting settled in my hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, where I will be volunteering and working part time. Like so many of us, I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life, so I am taking life one step at a time. Whatever I end up doing, I know that food will ALWAYS be a major part of my life, and I will be cooking and baking and sharing food with the people I care about. And of course, I will always look back on my 4 years at St. Olaf and appreciate how Olaf changed me and cherish the memories I made here.
For my final post I want to send you off with inspiration for dishes to make this summer, whether just a weeknight meal, a picnic, or a potluck. Per usual, I have found these recipes on blogs or Pinterest.
Recipes:
Appetizers/Main Dish:
Pioneer Woman’s Asian Noodle Salad: This salad looks great for a summer potluck/picnic because of all the yummy veggies you can buy fresh in the summer, and it’s hearty enough for a main meal. Plus, its a Pioneer Woman recipe- who doesn’t love her food? http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/03/my_most_favorite_salad_ever_ever_ever_ever/
Paula Deen’s Corn Dip: I have had this dip at many picnics, and I love it. Crunchy, tasty, and full of corn- one of my favorites. Great to dip chips in! http://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deens-corn-salad-230035
Desserts:
Pioneer Woman’s Chocolate sheet cake: This recipe is is very similar to the one we make in my family, passed down from my grandma. The buttermilk is the secret ingredient. Perfect for a potluck! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/
S’more Bites: these bite size s’mores look like they would be great finger food for a summer picnic, without the mess of real smores. http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2012/06/smore-bites/
Sunflower Lemon Cupcakes: I just found this recipe on Pinterest yesterday, and immediately fell in love. Sunflowers are my all time favorite flower, and these cupcakes look amazing! I promised myself I would make them this summer. They look tricky, but could make for a yummy challenge. http://www.ericasweettooth.com/2012/04/lemon-sunflower-cupcakes.html
Drinks:
Rasberry Beer Cocktail: For all of you 21+ , how good does this raspberry beer cocktail look? Fresh raspberries, Corona, lemonade, and vodka. YUM! http://www.acupofmai.com/2012/02/raspberry-beer-cocktail.html
The Pioneer Woman’s Mango Margaritas: These need no explanation. I cannot wait to try these. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/08/mango-margaritas/