Christa Sauers Christa Sauers

The Echo Bridge

It all begins with an idea.

This Roosevelt ave. bridge, known to most as the “Mrs. Frank Sorrell Bridge” may appear as just an ordinary bridge. but to the seekers of all things beautiful, Mrs.Sorrell transforms herself in to “The Echo Bridge”, a very special concert venue. Concerts are hosted by the Echo Bridge Appreciation Society, founded by San Antonio artists Jeff Wheeler and Justin Parr. A variety of performers from all over Texas grace the stage from goth punk to ethereal instrumentals. Being there sparks my imagination,I no longer see just a bridge I see her as a mystical entity. It’s as if she gifts all who preform there with her magic, to be heard in a way that can only be experienced there. Music amplified to perfection, accompanied by the humming of the cicadas and the bright light of the moon. Honestly, there is not one thing that could make this experience any better. To ensure the most over the top experience, I bring a cooler full of my favorite refreshments. I also like to include my very best stretchy pants, comfy shoes and a snuggly blanket for good measure. If only every bridge in every place could be so magical! To find out more about upcoming shows, follow them on instagram ”echobridgeapprciationsociety”

What’s in our cooler

Roasted beet hummus and roasted tomato and garlic cheese served with crusty bread and raw veggies paired with an ice cold, fresh out of the cooler Lone Star Light

Beet Hummus

Roasted Beet Hummus

Ingredients

  • Three  medium or 2 large  washed and roasted beets

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil

  • 2-3  cloves of roasted  garlic

  • ½ cup feta cheese

  • ¼ cup of pistachios

  • 1 tablespoon of tahini

  • Juice and zest of one lemon

  • 2-3  tablespoons fresh chopped  parsley

  • ½  teaspoon sea salt

  • ½ teaspoon of sumac

  • 1  teaspoon Harissa



Preparation

  1.  Heat oven to 400 degrees

  2.  Place beets on a sheet of foil Drizzle a little olive oil over them and wrap them tightly. Repeat the same steps with a head of garlic.

  3. Place wrapped  beets  and garlic on a sheet pan and roast for one hour.

  4.  Garlic is ready to use or be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

  5. Peel the skin off the beets and set aside.

  6. Puree all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Adjust seasoning to taste

  7.  

Tips

 Serve with crusty bread or crackers. Also goes great with grilled meats.

 

Herb Roasted Tomato and Garlic Cheese Dip

Ingredients

  •  12-15 sliced and roasted cherry tomatoes

  • 1 block cream cheese

  • 1 cup of freshly grated cheddar

  • 1 tablespoon of butter

  • 2 cloves roasted garlic

  • 1 teaspoon horseradish

  • 3-4 sprigs of thyme

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Fresh cracked pepper to taste

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil



Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

  2.  Cut all the tomatoes in half  and place them on a sheet pan. Drizzle them with olive oil and top with thyme, sea salt. and fresh cracked pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes

  3.  Place the rest of ingredients into a food processor and blend them all together until smooth, then transfer to a baking dish and place in the 400 degree oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly. 

  4. When ready to serve, top with roasted tomatoes,  sea salt and drizzle a little bit more olive oil over the top


Tips

 Delicious warm or at room temperature 





Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Muffins With Pecan Streusel

Yield 2 Loaves Or 24 muffins

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs room temperature

  • 2 cups sugar

  • ¾ brown sugar

  • 1 cup olive oil

  • 2 cups canned pumpkin

  • 3 cups flour

  • 1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda

  • 3 /4 teaspoons cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom

  • For The Streusel

  • 1 cup chopped pecans

  • 1/2 cup golden raisins

  • ½ brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons bourbon

  • ¾ cup butter

  • 3/4 flour

  • Two teaspoons cinnamon

  • zest of one orange

  • Pinch of salt


Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, grease two 9”x5” loaf pans or 24 muffin cups

    For The Streusel

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it’s the consistency of cornmeal meal 

     For The Muffins

  2. Combine the eggs, sugars, oil and pumpkin in a stand  mixer or large bowl and stir until smooth.

  3. Sift together the dry ingredients and spices in a bowl,t hen add to the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly.

  4. Fill the prepared  baking pans a quarter of the way up with the batter, top with a generous sprinkling of streusel, then spoon  more batter until ¾ of the way up the pan, top the batter  with more streusel

  5. Bake for 1  hour 10 minutes for loaves and  35-40 minutes for muffins  

  6. Top with some more struesel and orange zest

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Christa Sauers Christa Sauers

Escape To Wine Country

I love that we are literally a quarter tank of gas and album’s length away from some of the most beautiful countryside anywhere. The possibilities are literally endless, from outdoor sports to culinary delights. My favorite part though, is the refreshments. There are over one hundred wineries in the Texas Hill Country alone, with Fredericksburg being the epicenter. There are as many tours as there are varietals. I like to take it slow, do my research and hit just one or two. There are some fantastic world class wines being made right here in our own back yard and I intend on tasting each and every one!

 

Grape Varietals of Texas

  • Red Varietals ; Malbec, Tempranillo, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon,,Pinot Noir, Lenoir

  • White Varietals; Chardonnay, Blanc du Bois,,Pinot Grigio ,Viognier, Riesling,Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc,Orange Muscat, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Gewurztraminer Semillon

  • There are also additional varietals that vintners and universities are experimenting with in hopes of expanding our already robust repertoire

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