All posts filed under: Food

Food: Fall Harvest Salad

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Oh the delight of cooking with seasonal fresh ingredients and the idea of Superfoods, or mostly plant-based, which I am testing out recently is the inspiration for tonight’s dinner. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 small butternut squash, halved, peeled, and cut into 1/4 inch half circles 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 cup raw pepitas 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 head kale, shredded 4 cups shredded brussels sprouts arils from 1 pomegranate 4-6 fresh figs (optional) 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese  {no cheese for me or feta if you twist my arm dear family} POMEGRANATE VINAIGRETTE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1/4 cup pomegranate juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey kosher salt and black pepper 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes {more} {featured image source} In case you are also wondering what to watch on television tonight – here’s a couple of suggestions now streaming on Amazon Prime or otherwise. 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken In French Wine and Mustard

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Told the hubs I wanted to go to dinner tonight. But what I was meaning to say is that I wanted to indulge in a meal that is different from the normal cooking I do in my household. So while he thinks we are going out, I am going to surprise with this wonderful variation to the otherwise mundane chicken. INGREDIENTS 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc 1/3 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2 tablespoons grainy dijon mustard 2 shallots chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, skin on or off 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage 2 tablespoons salted butter 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 1/2 bunch kale, chopped mashed potatoes or steamed rice, for serving {more} Followed by this Avocado-Chocolate pudding dessert and if avocado isn’t your thing, here’s a list of other healthy dessert options.   

Lifestyle: Back Pain and Other Remedies

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I’ve been dealing with the worst of back pain lately – sitting at a desk for eight hours doesn’t help either. But the pain is border line agonizing. Tylenol helps and walking seems to do the trick temporarily, there is apparently seven yoga moves that also help relieve the pain.   While efforting to Superfood my way to a healthier me – I learned about Lucuma Powder – and just figured I’d put it out there, in case, you struggle like most of us with all sorts of health issues. Animals are probably the best creatures to aid in your well-being, past the meds, and all other stimulants, I prefer the holistic method to calm and tranquility: Struggling to set your boundaries, or perhaps you feel setting them is out of your control – since being so mindful of other people’s feelings – but, take it from me, not setting them will impact your overall mental and physical health: Can social media cause depression? I’ve been considering this claim and have included a supporting article, …

Food: Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

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First craving for soup means my body is acknowledging that Fall is around the corner and although we normally have our Indian Summer this time of year, too bad, soup is officially on the menu and this one is a great start – at least I think so: INGREDIENTS • Drizzle of coconut oil • 1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped roughly • 2.5cm/1in piece of root ginger, peeled and chopped roughly • Pinch of salt • 1 tsp ground turmeric • 1 butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped • 1 tbsp tamari • 1 x 400ml coconut milk, plus a little to serve • 1 ltr/1 3/4pt vegetable stock • 4 heaped tbsp nutritional yeast • Dried chilli flakes and sliced fresh chilli, to serve {more} {featured image source and recipe inspiration} On another note: Do you adore watching classic films during the Fall/Autumn months? I do – here’s a list in case you’ve forgotten which ones. 

Food: Apple Desserts So Fun To Make

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A decade ago a friend of mine introduced me to a flaky apple dessert at a French restaurant in Los Angeles, that was divine. And since then, apple dessert are my go-to when I eat out.  So this year, I am determined to bake – at home – this Fall/Autumn season with plenty of apples and lucky for me this site has 77 variations to consider. Here are some of my favorites: {featured image source and recipe} Is there a recipe you’d like to share? Apple or not, we’d love to hear from you. On another note – how to plan a wedding in less than six-months

Saturday Edition – Home Decor and Alarm Clocks

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Normally on Saturdays I don’t post much about anything because I feel this is the day we need to take a break from all things internet. But I got a burst of energy this morning and felt that I needed to share a few things that’s in the back of my  mind or yours about home decor/revamp/refresh for the upcoming holidays, or realize like me you need a new nightstand clock – even though yes, we can use our smart phones, I prefer some things to remain traditional. Then there is the idea of buying luggage, for that off-season travel you might be planning like me or even trying out a new dish or bake something with apples – after all it is the season for baking. So, for all those things in common we may be having today, here’s what I have to share:

Food: Dinner Tonight – Oh Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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…you had me at first photo. I love the idea of grilled onions, cheese and this one is the winner of what dinner will be in my household tonight. INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons salted butter 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced kosher salt and black pepper 3/4 cup apple cider 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 4 slices prosciutto (optional) 8 slices sourdough bread 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded gouda or white cheddar cheese 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced  {more} I am going to let the pictures do the rest – tantalizing much? {photo and recipe source and credit}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon butter Chicken and Mashed Cauliflower

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I realized last night, while up with eyes wide-open planning the week, that I wanted to make a chicken dish for dinner tonight. Something different and exciting and this recipe is just perfect, because everyone in my family loves cauliflower – let’s just hope they love mashed cauliflower – oh and the chicken too. INGREDIENTS 4 chicken cutlets, or 2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally kosher salt and black pepper 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (can use GF flour too) 1/4 cup grated parmesan 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 12 fresh sage leaves 4 tablespoons salted butter 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 2 tablespoons capers MASHED CAULIFLOWER 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets 3 cloves garlic, smashed 2-3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 4 tablespoons salted butter {more} On another note – if you are wondering what to watch on television tonight since you are probably all caught up on the rest – here’s my suggestion – a start -studded 2002 film with Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig among so many others. I normally …

Food: Feta Pan Fried and Honey Drizzle

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I was introduced to Halloumi cheese while in England last year, and since then I slice the cheese, and pan fry them to add to my Mediterranean salad. Bottom line is that I love pan-fried cheese.  So, you can imagine my excitement over this recipe, with Feta instead, but I still prefer Halloumi so that’s the approach I will be taking… INGREDIENTS PEPPERED HONEY 1/4 cup honey 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving FRIED FETA 1 (10-12 ounce) block feta cheese 1 large egg, beaten 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons thinly sliced lemon zest (from about 1 lemon) 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped pita chips or pita bread, for serving  {more} On another note – have you seen Never Stop Never Stopping – for those who often wonder the lifestyle of a pop-star. This film is a documentary style of a story so familiar to those interested in fame and not so much. 

Food: Baking a Pie Today

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A lazy holiday today has me a bit off-balance, in that I flew back from a short trip up north and now find myself doing a bit of tiding up around the house, and the need to bake something. Perhaps my Fall/Autumn radar is up. But while killing time at coffee shop bookstore yesterday waiting for my ride home from the airport, I ordered a cup of coffee and a pistachio light dessert – and when I saw this recipe, it reminded of how perfectly tasty that one from the coffee shop was – so I made it – mostly with coconut milk, oil and cream: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full-size graham cracker sheets) 6 tablespoons salted butter or coconut oil, melted 4 tablespoons maple syrup 2 cups date caramel (below) or store-bought dulce de leche 3-4 ripe but firm bananas, sliced 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (see coconut cream variation in notes) 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons maple syrup chocolate shavings, for topping {more}   and I will be sitting in front of the television set, binge watching  The Detour? Have you see it? …