All posts filed under: Food

Weekend Conversation Starter

Published by

I’ve been watching The Crown season 5 on Netflix, one episode a night. The sad truth is, midway through an episode, I fall asleep or zone out. And my partner in crime turns off the television, disappointed that I am not keeping up. I don’t know about you, but for some strange reason season 5 has been a bit difficult for me to watch for so many reasons. Are you having the same issues? If so please tell me why? Photo source and full credit One film I do recommend is Where the Crawdads Sing, past the novel, the film is captivating and very well paced. I’ve read the book, and normally films do not do justice to the story. But in this instance, the filmmaker took all the right precautions to ensure the screen version captured the essence of the well written story. Image source and full credit Where are we with Thanksgiving? I mean this is the first year for me where I am not the host and since my mother is unable …

Cozy Sunday

Published by

For the first time in a while I feel the need to simply stay home and read, nap and watch Downton Abby – A New Era on Netflix. Also make a cozy dinner for the clan struggling with all sorts of food allergies. Here’s what I am currently reading – mostly for the escape, or in place of the travel I’ve been aching to do, but can’t at the moment. Since I have become my mother’s caregiver. Naps are always a good idea on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s the best way to reset for the week. I wish Downton Abby could return as a series on television, as these bits of stories told through film is simply not enough. Hopefully setting back the clock this weekend will level us all. I don’t about you, but I’ve had many sleepless nights leading to… Lastly Sunday dinner plans – I normally keep pretty basic. Roast chicken is my go to for Sunday dinners and this recipe is one I will be aiming for tonight: How about …

Weekend Bound

Published by

Whatever plans you have for the weekend, I hope it gives you the tiny bit of joy or happiness, or simply distracts from all things unpleasant. But just in case… Last night while aiming to decompress from another stressful week, I opted to watch Netflix-The Parisian Agency . This is of course because I ached to live vicariously through those wealthy Parisians searching for their perfect home somewhere in France and even out. Note to self: Become a fashion designer and move to France. Inside the ethical beauty boom – article talks about the rituals we have established globally for self-care. I’ve been watching Netflix films from Spain. Naturally dubbed in English, but they have actually been super entertaining and somewhat enchanting. Not to mention I enjoy filmmaking techniques from different parts of the world. Having said that, this article about Spain’s white gold super drink had me doing a double take – considering how amazing Spanish cuisine is from all my travels to the region. I had to see what this was all about. …

Pasta For Dinner

Published by

Each evening, while on a time crunch between work-attending meetings and putting out fires and work–to play catch up, I prep a quick meal for the family, which includes Mum. I do the best I can under the circumstances, alternating between chicken or beef for the protein and some starchy side and greens. Not everyone in the household appreciates seafood, so that variation only happens once a month. Last night my mother told me no more chicken and no more beef, and no more spaghetti, and for sure no more hamburger, while I was adding the final touches to her dinner consisting of roast chicken, rice-pilaf and a salad with my own dressing. I think I laughed. So tonight, I am going with this recipe, hoping she’d already forgotten her demands. 1 jar (8 ounce) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes 2 small shallots, sliced 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon spanish or smoked paprika red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 1 pound short cut pasta 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons salted butter 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh …

Tuesday Topics of Interest

Published by

We’ve had Spring-like weather in San Francisco for a couple of weeks now, and although I wish it would rain more, I am happy with the chance that I can enjoy the bright sunny days. So although the plan this morning is to attend one meeting after another, I wanted to share some interesting topics I came across. Just in case you are bundled up at home aching for a distraction or two or three. 😉 Have you see 11.22.63 on Hulu? A suspense thriller based on Stephen King’s novel about the assassination of JFK. Although since it is based on events which actually happened in American and even world history, I found it most interesting to get a glimpse of what would have happened if time travel allowed us to go back in time and ‘fix’ a problem or two. If you have seen it, I have to ask. What did you think of the actor portraying Lee Harvey Oswald’s character. I was feeling a little off this past week, and probably my worst …

Food: Potato Leek Soup

Published by

I had the best soup on Sunday. Ordered to-go from a restaurant that specializes in steak and seafood, which I wasn’t craving. So I ordered soup. It wasn’t potato leek as the title suggests. But more potato and cheese, topped with scallion shavings. I savored every spoonful and actually kicked myself for not ordering a second to-go serving. Anyway, in my household, homemade soup has been a hit or a miss. Because I have the worst food critic – my mother – to please while experimenting with a variety of ingredients. 🙂 She cracks me up, because when I serve her dinner at the kitchen table, she takes a minute to prepare her taste buds for what she is about to eat. Then she takes a bite, and from the expression spreading across her face, I can tell if the dish is a success or a complete flop. Long story, short. I have been craving Potato Leek Soup ever since Sunday. So I went out and bought fresh baked artisan bread and ingredients from the …

Recipes With Global Ingredients in Mind

Published by

As stated here, I did do so much cooking and baking over the holiday break. And I have to say, I enjoyed every bit of it. Perhaps I found my new joy… I also had time to scope out recipes online, and found it interesting about the creator of the recipe, adding a twist to worldly ingredients, such as this recipe, experimenting with Tahini. A cultural staple in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cooking. But the recipe called for Tahini mixed with oatmeal, almond flour and chocolate chips. Never in a million years would the combination have crossed my mind. But I suppose we would need to try it and see how well it all pans out. Here’s a recipe I actually tried and loved, combining Korean and Mexican cooking. Also since Taco’s are my favorite. Indonesian style pasta is this recipe…why not? Let me know if you have a recipe to share, where an international ingredient was used in the most creative or unusual of recipes

Holiday Recipes

Published by

Normally I’d work through Christmas week. But this year, our organization was generous enough to give us the week between Christmas and New Year’s off. Which means I can actually take the time to bake and experiment with new recipes and some traditional ones with my own twist. Here’s what I am thinking Sesame Chili eggroll with chili The list of most popular recipes for 2021 from here Cranberry pie past Thanksgiving… Cocktails naturally

Desserts: All About the Cherry

Published by

I seldom indulge in dessert, I mean pie, cheesecake, doughnuts and all things too doughy. But for Thanksgiving I need pie, or cobbler – cherry that is and I won’t settle for anything else. So here’s to cherry dessert lovers! A search full of cherry desserts to try. But just so we are clear – I serve this French variation to cherry-delightness, or this one all year around. What is your favorite fruity dessert?