Jamily's Top 5 Favorite Cookbooks ( + Food Blogs)

There’s nothing like holding a cookbook in your hands. I love turning the pages and settling in on the couch with a new book. As I turn each page I read the recipe stories and funny anecdotes about how a particular recipe came to be and inevitably start creating a mental food map – basically routing how and when to make each and every recipe that calls to me. Reading recipes is something I do for fun believe it or not! These are my top 5 favorite cookbooks (+ food blogs), in no particular order. I hope I can inspire you to either get one of these books or follow some of these amazing recipe creators! You’ll be so glad you did! 

1.     Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines – If you know anything about Joanna & Chip Gaines you know they don’t cut corners, they give their all and it’s always 100%. I totally feel this is reflected in this cookbook! I’ve had it for over a year and I find myself reaching for it just as much as I did when I first got it. In my mind it’s the top breakfast cookbook. The stories Joanna adds and history behind the recipes are as beautiful as the book itself and it was such a success that she recently released volume 2! It will definitely be my next cookbook purchase. 

Favorite Recipes: Jojo’s Biscuits, The Best Ever Fluffy Pancakes, Three-Cheese Quiche, Chicken Spaghetti!

2.     Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard – Have you heard of her? She the super talented brains behind food blog “Half Baked Harvest”. I’ve been following her for so long I’d be surprised if you hadn’t made one of her recipes! She’s a total kitchen sensation – her ideas and flavor pairings are incredible and I find myself thinking “why didn’t I think of that combo?” a whole lot more.  You will find incredible recipes on her blog and recipe videos on Instagram but this book is just a treat for the eyes you have to have. The colors and recipes will inspire the chef in all of us!

Favorite Recipes: Crispy Chicjen Khao Soi Noodle Soup, The Meanest Greenest Pizza, Spinach And Artichoke Mac-And-Cheese Bake, Chocolate Mousse!

3.     Seriously Delish by Jessica Merchant – Another amazing food blogger turned cookbook author! Jessica is famous for “trashing things up” which basically means taking a classic staple and turning it on its head with something crazy and amazing. For example: adding grilled pineapple to guacamole! I mean, come on! She’s behind the blog How Sweet Eats which I’ve been following for almost 10 years.  Her love for glitter, Lisa Frank, neon colors and the word “totally” is so fun and I feel like you could never be in a bad mood cooking up one of her fab recipes! At the end of every year she posts recipes fails for the year and that’s just hilarious and reminds us all that it’s okay to mess up in the kitchen! Don’t take yourself too seriously. 

Favorite Recipes: Doing A Cheese Board Like Whoa, Vanilla Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Garlic Butter Roasted Chicken!

4.     Mastering The Art of French Cooking – Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle & Simone Beck. Oh Julia. Her passion for cooking is unmatched. She was brave and committed to the kitchen! I didn’t grow up watching Julia Child on TV unfortunately but I certainly learned about her in culinary school and as my culinary adventures grew. Did you ever see the movies Julie & Julia? I was completely mesmerized by it and Meryl Streep’s performance. I need to cook immediately after watching that movie, it never fails. This book is a classic, when my husband surprised me with it I spent hours reading and re-reading cooking methods and traditions. If you’re not well versed in the kitchen I recommend this book because it has so much knowledge and direction on every page. It’s such a joy each time I open the book!

Favorite Recipes: Coq Au Vin (chicken in red wine with mushrooms, onions and bacon), Fonds D’Artichauts Au Beurre (Buttered Artichoke Bottoms), Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew), Bavarois Au Chocolat (Chocolate Bavarian Cream)!

5.     All The Healthy Things by Ashlea Carver Adams – Okay, I’m cheating a little on this one. Technically not a cookbook but a food blog and it is incredible! I feel like cookbooks aren’t as popular as they used to be as technology pulls us farther away from paper. As I said before, I absolutely love a cookbook in my hands but if for some reason you haven’t published one I will follow you and cheer you on and make your recipes as best I can! This is new-to-me blog has sucked me in big time! Ashlea is a gorgeous lawyer turned food blogger, how incredible is that? Her recipes are colorful, healthy and delicious. I am planning on making one of Ashlea’s recipes tonight for dinner and I can’t wait.

Favorite Recipes: Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls with Spicy Lime Tahini, Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken Wings, Greek Chickpea Salad, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Muffins, Honey Sriracha Salmon!

Let me know which recipes you try in the comments!

Erica's Top 5 Local Food Trucks

One of the best parts of being quarantined these last few weeks - nightly food trucks near my neighborhood. If you didn't know, there are 100+ food trucks here in Jax (exciting, right?!) & my goal is to eventually try them all! I'm nowhere near that goal but we're slowly crossing them off the list when we can. 

I need to go on record and say that this was an incredibly hard to list to come up with by only being able to highlight 5. I want to know all of your must-try food trucks too!

Alright, here we go

And in no particular order

Drumroll please.......

1. Atomic Dog: Two words: Corn + Dog! The grown up version of a childhood favorite and they are mouth watering good. Fresh cornmeal batter and fried perfectly - what more could you ask for?! My current favorite is the street corn corn dog which is their original corn dog topped with spicy chipotle aioli, cilantro & parmesan cheese *chefs kiss*

2. Mr. Potato Spread: If you haven't tried Mr. Potato Spread, it's an absolute must. I've tried multiple menu items (so far, all are delicious) but OMG the Hog Heaven on french fries is goooooood. Pulled pork in a mustard based bbq sauce, bacon, & cheddar cheese over perfectly cooked fries. Fun Fact: They have a food truck that is out weekly and a sit down location in the Regency Mall food court & they have vegan options

3. Carolina Jax (formerly Cackylacky's): When it comes to burger's, I'm a pretty simple girl, which is why the "classic" (extra pickles, please) off the "simple burger" menu is my go-to! This award-winning food truck has options - "simple" and "signature" burgers, "sammiches" and loaded fries! The next burger I plan to try is the Tar Heel.....because, ya know, pulled pork and bacon.... I just can't resist it

4. Hapa Li: This is the first and only Hawaiian food truck in Jax, all made from scratch and award winning! I've only eaten here once so far but it was so good I couldn't leave it off this list. There were so many menu items that sounded right up my alley but ended up choosing the Nulu Bowl - Hawaiian bbq chicken served over teriyaki steamed veggies + noodles. Y U M! & they have a vegan option, too!

5. Pizza Brigade: First things first, they have chicken wings in bang bang sauce..... need I say more? Now that we got that out of the way, let's move on to the main attraction... Remember those Stouffer's french bread pizzas? Welllll, this is basically those but on a whole. other. level! If you love pickles like I do (see above #3) and agree that they add that extra bit of razzle dazzle to a dish, then the Southern Man french bread pizza will be your best friend! BBQ sauce, chicken, pickles, cheese, onions and a white BBQ sauce drizzle

Let me know your favorites in the comments!

Alaina's Top 5 Binge-Worthy Shows

Alaina is our go-to gal for so many things, including suggestions in the San Marco/San Jose area and tv shows you should watch! Binge along with her, then let her know your favorites!

1. The Affair- Starring Joshua Jackson, Maura Tierney, and Dominic West. Where to start? This show keeps you on your toes for FIVE seasons. It drags in season 3 for a minute, but Stick.With.It because the concluding seasons are absolutely riveting.

2. Big Little Lies- Oh SO binge-worthy! All star cast! There’s murder, there’s plot twists, there’s comedy- this show has it all! It’s been adapted from a book series by Liane Moriarty ,so if book binging is also your bag of chips (not mine) then this two-fer is for you, baby!

3. Six Feet Under- I have watched this HBO series in it’s entirety a dozen times at least. It’s a captivating drama about The Fisher Family who lives and works in a funeral home. The depth they go into with character development is really unparalleled. Fun fact: Rolling Stone named this show’s series finale THE BEST OF ALL TIME; you will NEVER experience more closure in a finale than you do with Six Feet Under’s... change my mind.

4. Dawson’s Creek- Listen, this is a binge fest then, now, and forever so blow up an inflatable chair and dive head first into the best 90s teenage drama around. If you haven’t watched this series yet I’m definitely judging you, but fear not there’s still plenty of time to catch up with The Capeside Crew!

5. Workin Moms- Ok so moms reading this review- you’ve gotta watch this Netflix Show. The episodes are short so you’ll fly through the seasons in no time at all! It captures the different seasons of motherhood SO well and really illustrates the struggles of #momlife like no other show really does. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll relate over and over again. Mamas, you wanna feel “seen” watch this one for sure! And as always, if you’re feeling alone in motherhood, reach out to me anytime! Helping mamas navigate the foreign waters is my true passion- You’re not alone!

#QuarantineTips Top 5 Dessert Spots in JAX

Danay lives in the Venetia/Ortega area with her husband and beloved otterhound. She's also expecting a baby boy soon! Danay definitely has a sweet tooth, so she's sharing her favorite places to satisfy your cravings in Jacksonville!

1. Dreamette - Such a classic! It's a favorite of my parents, and my grandparents before them, and the baby in my belly already loves it, too (I'm blaming him for the cravings, anyway). Originally named Creamette when it opened in the '40s, it's been a staple of my family for over 50 years; and I'm excited to add a fourth generation Dreamette junkie to the fold (when he's old enough, if my child doesn't love Dreamette - please make sure he wasn't switched at birth). I usually get a chocolate, peanut butter, and banana milkshake (it's not on the menu), but really everything is extraordinary. I don't know why their soft serve ice cream is so extra special; it just is.

2. Tuptim Thai - I LOVE mango sticky rice, and theirs is amazing! Along with everything else they serve. Eat a meal there, too, and don't feel bad if you order dessert first (wink wink).

3. Biscottis - Anything. Take the "tour" at the dessert window and just get any dessert. You will be so happy.   

4. 13 Gypsies or El Jefe for Tres Leches - They both probably have other great desserts, but I really don't care about anything else when an awesome Tres Leches is available.

5. The French Pantry - SO worth the wait in line (I have never not seen a long line) for dessert and food here! All the desserts I've tried are wonderful, but the Wedding Cake is my absolute favorite. The cookies have a special place in my heart, too, as my first encounter with The French Pantry was via a gift of cookies brought by the loveliest patient to the dental office I was then working for. Want someone to love you forever? Take them some French Pantry cookies. Warning- get enough cookies so that you don't eat every one of them on the way to the receiver of the cookie gift.

**Honorable mention/can't wait to try them: Mixed Fillings Pie Shop - I literally just found out today (while writing this list) that we have a new pie shop in Riverside! They are currently taking pick-up and delivery orders and will be fully open soon. My mouth is watering in anticipation. Move over cake, I'm ready for some PIE.

#QuarantineTips Top 5 Reads + Sips

Mary Mychael lives in the heart of 5 Points, and she and her husband run The Riverdale Inn! MM loves to read and used to work for a winery in Northern California, so she's an expert when it comes to a cozy night in! She’s sharing her favorite reads + wine pairings to help you escape to another world during quarantine.

5. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbary

This is the story of an unlikely friendship between two characters who share a love of hiding the best qualities about themselves. Within just a few pages, a beautiful story begins to emerge, and the reader is quickly connected with the characters who realize that the appreciation of finer things in life only excels with company. 

Wine Pairing – Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir

With a setting in Paris, a French wine is clearly the perfect accompaniment to this novel. Many French wines can *break the bank*, so here is one that is elegant, rich, earthy and fruity while still affordable ($20-25).

4. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

This detective mystery novel is fast paced, fun to read and has a timeless quality to it. The first time I read it was in one sitting and it has kept a spot on my shelf ever since.

Wine Pairing – Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Something about the bold masculinity of the characters in this novel scream for a bold rich Cabernet Sauvignon. Albeit…this particular Cab ranks in the *special occasion* category (as it sits right about $100 a pop), but it is worth every penny. I recommend decanting this sucker to let the rich flavors and silky tannins open up, and sip away.

3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

A long-time favorite of mine, and a book I revisit every few years, The Road is a timeless classic. Post-apocalyptic novels have a sort of serenity that encapsulate fear and intrigue so beautifully. “He walked out in the gray light and stood and he saw for a brief moment the absolute truth of the world. The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable.”

Wine Pairing – Blanton’s Bourbon

OK so it’s not wine, but The Road calls for something stiff. Recommended “neat” and probably a hefty pour. Rich, spicy, smooth, with notes of caramel to carry you through the beautifully-rough realties that this novel paints to life.

2. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Just as incredible as the novel itself is the story behind it; Toole considered himself a failed writer yet posthumously received a Pulitzer Prize for this novel (which his mother discovered carbon copies of after his death). An equally hilarious & obscene depiction of the titular character, Ignatius J. Reilly, carries this novel while twisting and turning through New Orleans: as depicted in an equally brilliant light. It is silly, full of satirical humor and necessarily pointless.

Wine Pairing – Steele Viognier

One of my all-time favorite white wines, this Viognier is elegant, bright, floral, crisp, earthy and full. Drink it cold, but not ice cold, and before you know it, the bottle is gone. Steele Winery is located in Lake County California where this particular Viognier thrives. Its small production though, so you might have to go direct to the winery to get your hands on a bottle…and trust me, it’s worth it!

1. Harry Potter (any and all novels in the series) by  J.K. Rowling

I don’t think my love (obsession?) for HP is news to anyone, but here we are. I “grew up” with Harry…the novels came out when I was 10, about the same age Harry was when he discovered he was a wizard (he was 11) and from then on, my life changed for the better. I was on the pre-order list at Chamblins Bookmine for EVERY release and I am always re-reading the series (seriously, I get to the end, then I start again). I don’t need to defend the stories, they are great, and worth reading tenfold.

Wine Pairing – Whatever you have laying around the house

So the point here is not to be picky about your wine choice, but ultimately to drink it out of a goblet. It makes all the difference and adds magic to the experience of drinking while reading. (See what I did there with the magic thing?!) 

*If you enjoyed this beverage pairing with literature, you’ve got to check out Tequila Mockingbird by Tim Federle. It was my inspo for this post and a fun book to thumb through with friends!

Guest Blog: While the World Is Ever-Changing, Home Is Where the Heart Is

Our owner/broker, MaryAnne Rodriguez, wrote a guest blog for Jacksonville Mom explaining life and work during the world of Covid-19. Check out the excerpt below!

Real estate agents are constantly adapting to a job that is flexible but non-stop. We adjust our days, appointments, time with family, and much more to help people through an incredibly important decision. As a mom and owner/broker of Root Realty, I’m constantly juggling 100 moving parts, sometimes in a single day! In today’s constantly changing world of COVID-19, we’re adapting even more in all of our many roles. For some of us, it’s our first time teaching our children formal schooling within the walls of our home. For others, it’s adapting to a temporary new normal of not walking into the doors of our businesses. For all of us, it’s unusual, it’s strange, it’s different, and it requires a few things: adaptability, flexibility, grace, patience, and innovation. For me, this time includes changes to the way I run my business, the way I am teaching my children from home, and how I am learning to innovate and stay safe (and sane!).

Real estate is deemed an essential business as people will always need a place to live. While it’s certainly a blessing and privilege to still be working, it is, most importantly, a responsibility that we are taking very seriously.

How We Are Adapting to the Changing Times

At Root Realty, we have adapted our business practices to ensure safety and health are our number one priority. One way we have adapted is by taking our usual in-person buyer consultation online! Usually, buyer consults take place in our client’s favorite coffee shop or restaurant. We develop a relationship with our customers and dive into what they really want (and don’t want) and overall want to ensure we are both a good fit for one another. Now, we’ve taken that opportunity from a coffee shop right into your living room! We are utilizing Zoom and FaceTime to connect with potential buyers and get to know them on a deeper level. We’re still utilizing purposeful questions, mindful listening, and other strategies to connect from your home. We have also changed the way we “show” homes right now — we are providing FaceTime and video tours to our buyers as well as practicing social distancing during in-person showings while utilizing gloves, masks, and ALL the hand sanitizer.

READ MORE here!