Month: May 2020

Food: Pasta Carbonara The Easy Way

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Pasta Carbonara, by far, is my favorite pasta dish. But I’ve always been a bit intimidated in making it at home for fear of not setting the eggy sauce correctly. So, every chance I get, while in a traditional Italian restaurant in San Francisco, or Italy 😉 – I order the dish – leaving the bountiful flavors in the hands of the chef. But, in light of our situation, and my fear of order take-out right now, I am attempting to make this dish for our Friday night dinner following this easy recipe. Ingredients and Step-by-Step: Go here 3 Tbsp. kosher salt, plus more 4 oz. guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or bacon 2 oz. Parmesan 4 large egg yolks 2 large eggs Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. spaghetti, bucatini, or rigatoni  {more} https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/simple-carbonara – step-by-step video For Dessert: Panna Cota  This recipe of Lemony Panna Cota, with Blackberry or in my household, raspberry sauceessert – Panna Cota

Food: Some Ideas To Share for The Foodie At Heart

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I dabble in cooking, and some baking-only when it doesn’t require too much work. But mostly cooking, while always cooking for new recipes to make the meals exciting. Although, my mother last night told me, she doesn’t want me to buy chicken, or beef, or make pasta anymore, when I asked her for her grocery list. So I asked what would you like to eat? She said, something with chicken and I batted my eyes in confusion. Anyway, so while searching for different takes on the same old, I came across some helpful topics to share: Featured images and article full credit here

Food: Grilled Sandwich Based on What You Have in Stock

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So, I buy loads of eggplants, broccoli, cauliflower for the lunches we’ve been preparing in my household. Such as eggplant sandwich, or melted cheese and cauliflower bake, and of course broccoli as a side dish with dinner.  But I realized, while doing an inventory of what to shop for next, that I have four loafs of brioche bread (while stocking up) I need to do something with. Some for french toast in the morning, and the rest for this wonderful suggestion – for dinner tonight – except I’m not a fan of brie, so we’ll be using white cheddar instead or just sliced mozzarella. INGREDIENTS 1 cup marinated jarred artichokes chopped 1 cup chopped broccoli florets 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup shredded fontina or mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme) 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried oregano) 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 3/4 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought 6 ounces Brie, rind left on, and sliced extra virgin olive oil for rubbing 8 slices challah, sourdough, or ciabatta bread 1/4 cup honey   {more} Featured image and recipe credit here

Easing Into Monday Morning

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Hope everyone had a sweet Mother’s Day.  I spent the day with my mother, like normal since early March. But it was nice. I made crepes, which she totally appreciated it. Then did some ‘office work’ for her bills and paperwork, helping her yet again, relearn banking and her favorite quicken to maintain her finances, she says, which always gets me laughing.  Then we prepped a roast to be pressure cooked-yummy-for dinner, and I baked her a cake. So all in all it was grand, minus a few disagreements naturally. The weather wasn’t the best to do more – like my normal walks across San Francisco or enjoying a homemade sandwich in a park.  So I stayed in Saturday and did much editing. This week will be a busy one for me – so I figured I’d ease into Monday with some cool articles of interest: How do you ease into a Monday?

Mother’s Day Brunch At Home Or In The Garden

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Before this year’s restrictions on social gatherings – my mother preferred a family dinner at home instead of the going out. So the day would start with me buying an abundance of a flowers from the flower market and arranging them in different vases and placing them throughout her house.  Breakfast would consist of her favorite, crepes simply enjoyed with a dash of sugar and cinnamon, and some tea. Then for dinner, I’d make her favorite pasta dish, or roast, or chicken fajita – based on what she is craving. No gifts, just a classic film we’d watch together over dessert – a slice of lemon cake or ice cream, if our weather permits. So, this year is no different – at least in our household – where I will spend the day just like the years before.  And since we are all on a necessary lockdown, consider a brunch, maybe in the garden, where the family gets all dressed up, and use the finest china and silverware, and offer up mom a wonderful family …

Decor: We Don’t Have to Agree On Everything

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Home decor is naturally based on one’s taste in how to create the most comfortable home while personalizing it to express one’s artistic qualities – was my thought process this morning, while taking part in four back-to-back zoom meetings for work. Yes, I often feel my brain wandering off to elsewhere during repetitive meetings or those not very well presented. But onto the decor I was referring to and parts of this home, I would love to see in mine. what has you feeling the need to escape the mundane?