All posts filed under: Food

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Hummus

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Over the weekend, while doing the usual grocery shopping, I brought home chicken as usual, and a half dozen fresh sweet potatoes with the intend that I would dice up the chicken, and the sweet potatoes  and stir fry it with garlic, olive oil and herbes de Provence blend of spices and then I saw this recipe and decided to shift gears and try something new. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon honey 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes juice of 1 lemon kosher salt and black pepper 2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 4 cups baby arugula 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes + 2 tablespoons oil from the jar 4 ounces cubed feta cheese 2 cups plain hummus, homemade or store-bought naan, Persian cucumbers, and fresh dill, for serving  {more} In case you are curious about cooking with herbes de Provence – there is a whole list of recipes to incorporate the spice –    

Food: You Had Me at Rose, Lemon, Shortbread Cookies

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I teared up when I saw this beautiful pic online leading to a simple shortbread cookie recipe which by the way is wonderful to have on-hand for not only Valentine’s Day, but for bridal showers and even a simple wedding in a friend’s backyard or another.  The hardest part is finding the perfect ensemble of cookie cutters – past the heart-shaped ones, perhaps parasol for showers, baby carriage for, well baby showers and so… INGREDIENTS 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon dried rose petals, finely crushed (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour LEMON GLAZE 2 cups powdered sugar 2 tablespoons Meyer (or regular) lemon juice 1-2 drops blood orange juice (optional)   {more}  Cookie cutters in the U.S.  from here, here, here and here And my favorite from here

Food: Appetizers For Dinner

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I normally let my taste buds dictate what we will be having for dinner, and today it seems like a ton of finger foods are in order to pair up with beer. Don’t know why, but these days all I crave is beer. So here we go – click on photo to find the recipe: And for dessert – of course there is dessert and a few class movies here, here, and here and lots of snuggles from my dog Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Food: Dinner Tonight – Quesadilla

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You know, sometimes you have to follow your cravings. Like last night, where I knew exactly what I wanted to make for dinner while commuting home from work, and by the time I got home, I craved roast chicken from the grocers with a side of home-made mashed potatoes and  sauté-d string beans with garlic and olive oil – again my  recipe. Today, I am actually serving breakfast for dinner – or ingredients decided to be used mostly for breakfast and in the form of this Quesadilla recipe: INGREDIENTS 6 large eggs kosher salt 1 tablespoon butter at room temperature 1 can (4 ounce) diced green chiles 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped   4 whole wheat or regular flour tortillas 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese 4 slices cooked crispy bacon, lightly crumbled    {I’ll be using Turkey bacon for our family} 1-2 cups baby spinach or arugula 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives extra virgin olive oil, for cooking AVOCADO SALSA 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives or green onions 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped juice from 1 lime 1 avocado, diced kosher salt   {more} Followed by this …

Sunday Edition: Movies, Novels and Chocolate

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If someone were to ask me what my plans were today, I’d  say, stay in bed all day, napping in between reading, and watching classic films. It’s just that kind of day. I did much walking yesterday, along the beach and Land’s End in San Francisco – yes the weather cooperated enough, and while walking did too much thinking. So today, here’s the plan: After waking up at four in the morning to feed my dog, crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head (I lied- shoulders) and go back to sleep. Wake up, make coffee, and crawl back into bed, and read a few chapters of this novel – which is too well written to put down, but too depressing to read all of it at one sitting/laying/lounging. Play on cellphone – color-by-number for about thirty minutes, or until I fall back asleep Then a classic film, another snooze, after which I sit up, to watch in full  a second film before slowly crawling out of bed, just in time to eat …

Food: Chocolate Cake Is In Order Tonight

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On Fridays I work from home, and it almost feels like it is the busiest day of the week, even while the weekend is on everyone’s mind. I realized while clicking away at my keyboard, that I needed a treat of some sort tonight and lucky for me, this tantalizing chocolate cake popped up in the corner of a site I was visiting, attempting to  calm my stress level.  I think what sparked my interest is the word VEGAN in the title – which I find hardly an option when baking any dessert. In my head, dessert needs to be rich in all flavors, and if paired well with an after-dinner drink, champagne in the case of chocolate cake, your mouth will thank you, and your brain will love you. 🙂 So, I’ve ordered a bottle of bubbly to pick up from the ‘grogers’ in a few hours, and as soon as I am done for the day putting out million little fires at work, I will be baking this lovely chocolate cake, with a …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Spicy, Ramen, and Sweet Potatoes

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My tastes buds are forever set to spices of all types, and although on occasion, I settle for bland, just to flush out the over indulgence – I start searching for that exotic dish, full of robust flavors.  The funny thing is while I take out the ingredients from the refrigerator or the cupboard, those around me waiting for my creation to take shape, always wonder with great curiosity how I know what ingredients work well together. This recipe for example is the perfect combination of ingredients, I know it, because I can taste it virtually 🙂 – those who cook understand what I am mean by virtual tasting. INGREDIENTS 4 strips thick cut bacon, chopped 3 small shallots, thinly sliced into rounds 2 tablespoons sesame or extra virgin olive oil 8 ounces wild mushrooms, torn 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced 8 cups low sodium chicken broth 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (korean chili paste), using more or less to taste 2 small sweet potato sliced into 1/4 inch rounds or half moons 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast 4 squares ramen noodles 4 cups shredded Tuscan kale   {not a fan of …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beans and Toasted Italian Bread

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In Rome, I’ve observed, that most tourists normally opt for pasta or pizza while seated at curbside at any restaurant, aiming for a quick bite in between touring the amazing ancient city. And this is often the case for my travel partner, but not me. I scan the menu for Canoli beans (Fagoli) hopeful it is offered by the restaurant.  And if so, I order the simple dish prepared with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, served with a slice of toasted Italian bread and enjoy every bite. So guess what I am craving for dinner tonight –  beans not poured over the bread, but rather served with on the side. INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed 5 garlic cloves, 3 thinly sliced, 2 finely grated ½ tsp. dried oregano ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes 3 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more 1 5-oz. package baby spinach, coarsely chopped  {or in my case, cilantro} 2 15.5-oz. cans white beans, …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemony Chicken and Orzo

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I got a late start today – after waking up at 330 in the morning, to get glimpse of the only blood moon for 2019 – which was more silvery by the coastal San Francisco. But that’s ok. It was a beautiful sight no less – clouds stacked upon clouds, and the full-moon larger than usual, adding the perfect soothing shades to the fluff, glistening over the Pacific. I grabbed a fresh-bought novel from the stack I brought back with me from England, and got back into bed – with dog by my side, I attempted to read, but ended up falling asleep instead – waking up suddenly and realizing I hadn’t shared a subject of interest with all of you this morning. So – first of all – thank you to those who emailed me for a copy of a novel I had written a few years back. Your copy will be in the mail in the next few days. Second, I am jumping right into an easy dinner on this cold San Francisco …

Food: In Search Of Olive Oil and Lemon Cake

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I had a recipe a decade ago that I seem to have misplaced. It was a simple cake, baked in one round pan and no frosting. I mean who really needs frosting? Not Europeans and not me, especially if the cake is the best of flavors combined. A few days ago, while in an assembly belt style restaurant, where you pass by a dozen dishes and pick and choose what your eyes think your stomach can handle, and end up ordering too much – sort of place. But it was organic, freshly made variety of proteins, and side dishes, and very creative salads which changes using seasonal veggies and fruits. So, I queued up, and with my eyes opened wide, and my mouth-watering, ordered more than I needed to and by the time I reached the cash register, I noticed a lemon cake made with olive oil and I pointed to the very slice I wanted – making the person behind the counter laugh at my reaction of pure joy. The cake was good enough, …