All posts filed under: Food

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup With Orzo Included

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On Monday, I announced to my family that I would be making chicken soup for dinner – except, when I got home from work, I realized I did not have the chicken broth in the cupboard as I imagined I did while on the commuter train. And since then, I’ve been too lazy to go to the supermarket and get the one important ingredient to make the soup I’d been craving for four days now. Yes, I do know I can make my own chicken broth simply by using the water the chicken was boiled in, which I do. But store bought chicken brought adds just the right zing or heartiness my taste buds crave. So, to the supermarket after work it is and home to make this delicious version of chicken soup: INGREDIENTS 2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound) kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 8-12 large cloves of garlic, smashed (use to your taste) 6 carrots, chopped  {my go to is parsnip, I prefer the taste more}  1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves kosher salt and …

Food: Cauliflower in Full Bloom

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I ordered a side of cauliflower the other day while lunching with a friend at Stanford Shopping Mall. We were aiming for a quick bite since we each had other engagements to attend in the evening. So we walked into my favorite eatery and in addition to a fried chicken sandwich, which I highly recommend, I opted for steamed cauliflower, which I didn’t realize until I took a bite, it was curry flavored. I don’t know about you, but although I love curry mixed with veggies, and some form of protein, I don’t care for it on cauliflower. Since cauliflower has a unique taste and one it takes time getting used to, adding the wrong flavors tend to play tricks on your taste buds and curry with cauliflower is just not the best of combo in my opinion based on decades of enjoying my family’s Mediterranean cuisine . But that’s me. You might think otherwise and that’s perfectly fine. But since Saturday, I’ve craved cauliflower, grilled to perfection in the oven and tossed around or …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Sticky Korean Chicken

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It is Friday. I’ve managed to complete most everything on my to-do list this week, leaving (intentionally) a few minor items for next week – in an effort to lessen the anxiety I feel when I think I must do more and then some more. One of those things was that  I finished watching Amazon Prime– Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season two – and I have to say, the show thus far is fascinating in every sense of the word – from entertainment, content, decor and naturally the fashion – best yet since Mad Men.  Which I will be discussing more about over the weekend but for now, here’s what I am aiming to make for dinner tonight, serving it up with a bottle of lite beer – yes you read right – beer is the only go with sticky Korean chicken. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari 1/4 cup honey 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts steamed white rice, for serving 1 cup kimchi 1 mango, sliced toasted sesame …

Food: Puff Pastry Treat

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I saw this recipe, which reminded me of something I’d done over a decade ago. When  I found  a packet of puff pastry nearing  its expiration date in my mother’s refrigerator and asked if I could take it home. I had a jar of Nutella (naturally) and a jar of apricot jam. So I layered the puff pastries all buttered up in a pan and baked them in the oven.  Then I cut them into squares the size of brownies, and pulled them apart in the middle to drop a spoonful of Nutella in some and apricot jam in others and served my creation to the family for breakfast.  Rich – sure, tasty – of course, worth the carbs – yes indeed. But I love what the below recipe calls for – Ingredients Ingredients for the rustici Approximately 80https://en.julskitchen.com/savoury-cakes/rustici-a-street-food-from-salento0 g of ready-made puff pastry 3 rectangular sheets 200 g of fresh mozzarella 2 peeled tomatoes 1 egg Ingredients for the béchamel 25 g of butter 25 g of flour 300 ml of whole milk 1 …

Food: Butternut Squash Cake And A Cup of Coffee

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When I work from home, I opt for a slice of something baked from scratch with my cup of coffee. More so,during the winter months. And this gluten-free cake will be baked tonight for my Friday work from home ritual. Ingredients 350 g of butternut squash peeled and cubed 180 g of fruity extra virgin olive oil 3 free-range eggs 180 g of cane sugar 150 g of gluten-free flour mix * 100 g of almond flour 15 g of baking powder 1 teaspoon of grated nutmeg 1 teaspoon of orange powder or orange zest 100 g of shelled pistachios coarsely chopped Ingredients to decorate the cake 4 tablespoons of apricot jam 1 tablespoon of water 100 g of shelled pistachios coarsely chopped {More} For how to convert grams to ounces and more go here

Food: Dinner Tonight – Korean Sticky Chicken

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While in England over December, I craved Korean food and since I was tucked away in a small town hours from London, I made do with frozen or ready-made meals bought in a grocery store. I missed a home-cooked meal every single day I was there and have already planned out all the meals I intend to prepare over the next few weeks. For example – there is nothing tastier than sticky Korean chicken dish and this recipe is on point with the perfect ingredients to satisfy my taste buds: INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari 1/4 cup honey 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts steamed white rice, for serving 1 cup kimchi 1 mango, sliced toasted sesame seeds and green onions, for serving {more} Some of my favorite recipes are included in the book below

Holiday Series: What To Bring to the Office Party

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Rrrrright about now, companies are planning their annual office party, where employees sign up for what to bring to the pot luck. Or, a group of co-workers and friends organize a house party – where they provide the alcohol, if you bring the snacks and appetizers. In case, you have run out of ideas, or the idea of running to the grocery store to stock up on pre-packaged goodies is no longer considered cool, then here are some ideas to consider. {Click on image to the recipes} {featured image source}

Recap and a Brioche Bread Recipe

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I realized while pacing the airport waiting for a flight to board, that I haven’t added my two or three cents here for your reading pleasure or boredom – depending on your mood while scrolling through the madness otherwise known as the web and stumbling upon my blog. But truth be told, I was also being mindful of the black Friday extending to the weekend after Thanksgiving and cyber Monday shopping frenzy we are conditioned to embark upon – in the U.S. So, now on Wednesday, I am hopeful you have survived the Turkey feast, the family in town or otherwise, the Friendsgiving, and doorbuster shopping you may have done over the long weekend. I actually spent a soft (stress-free) thanksgiving with one of my favorite gals –  a last-minute shifting gears from the normal meal planned at home. I simply got in the car, drove down south and spend a few days in a pretty mellow environment – away from the ash and smoke-filled skies over the bay area. Although the day I left, it …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

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After turkey on Thursday, and leftovers on Friday, I am ready for this recipe – an interesting one for short ribs. I mean what is there more to say, expect if the family is visiting from out of town, and easy dinner prep is the idea, then go here for the recipe: INGREDIENTS 5 pounds bone in, beef short ribs kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 shallots, thinly sliced 4 carrots, chopped 2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 2 cups low sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 bay leaves 2 cups fresh cranberries mashed potatoes, for serving {Featured image source} How about this recipe for cranberry Thyme Spritz and a good old-fashioned board game after dinner  

Food: Marble Pound Cake

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When I was a child, there was a tradition established where relatives – mostly the women – visit one another on a particular date each month. The date was determined based on a symbolic event for that certain family – such as a birthday or a wedding date.  The hostess would bake a cake or two or make brioche and other wonderful baked goods, fresh lemonade in the summer and cinnamon spiced tea in the winter and sometimes even ice cream or jello would be added – for the kids that behaved during the visit. I don’t recall behaving until the cake and ice cream was served and then I had to glance over to my mother to make sure I was entitled to getting my share. So in light of traditions, and hosting a tea party or Sunday brunch or even a simple get-together just because, I share with you this wonderful old-world, easy marble cake recipe, just like the ones my mother and aunts made – right  here: Ingredients 3 eggs about 210 g 210 g of cane …