All posts filed under: Food

Food: Dinner Tonight – Thai Chicken Noodle

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I’m back from another crazy few days of juggling and the first stop to normality is my blog and need to share what’s for dinner tonight – with cold/hot/warm/freezing/windy temperatures and this is just hour to hour. So here it is – Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen/noodle soup which goes something like this: INGREDIENTS 4 cups low sodium chicken broth 1 can (14 ounce) coconut milk 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons honey (omit from my Keto Diet efforts)  1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 red peppers, chopped 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 4 squares ramen noodles  (omit from my Keto Diet efforts) juice of 1 lime 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1/3 cup fresh basil or cilantro, roughly chopped, plus more for serving chopped peanuts and toasted sesame oil, for serving (more)

Food: Sunday Morning Apple Cider Doughnuts

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I needed to make sweets for this morning’s breakfast for a houseful of guests who are getting ready to leave after a special occasion get-together on Saturday. This recipe for spiced apple cider doughnuts popped up and although I am watching what I eat, I figure indulging one day is not going to kill me or set me back –  unless I scuff down 8 of these beauties. 🙂 .  And yes, a dozen softly boiled eggs and non-GMO bacon is always available in case, I chicken out of having a doughnut. Oh who am I kidding. I am not chickening out of anything. Doughnut or bust I say. INGREDIENTS 3 cups apple cider 1 stick cinnamon 6 tablespoons salted butter 1/4 cup real maple syrup 1/2 cup apple butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon  high heat natural oil, for frying (such as vegetable oil) {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Roasted Chicken and Burrata

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Here’s what’s happening this week – I have family in town. Which means, there is no deciding or organizing any meal at home. Everything is decided last minute and meals are consumed at any number of wonderful eateries around the city-San Francisco.  Except tonight – where I am left on my own and the meal I prepare will be a healthier variation to the mostly overly salty meals I’ve been having each night since last Thursday.   By the way, this is also the explanation for my lack of posts. I will be on track next week for sure. So, here’s what I’ll be switching up to take my dietary needs into consideration ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS – RECIPE 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (skin on or off, I prefer skin off)  – {sticking to chicken breast, not a fan of thighs} 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup all-purpose flour   {Not adding any flour} 4 …

Food: What You’ll Find In My Mediterranean Kitchen

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For every site I find suggesting what constitutes healthy consumption of food, there is another, stating otherwise.  I have to admit. I take all of the information offered with a grain of salt and continue to, simply follow what I’ve learned from generations past about our Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. Sure I tweak the recipes a little or experiment with a ‘healthier alternative’, but at the end of the day; I think my grandmother, and my aunts had and my mother has to this day, the secret to the best method of preparing the healthiest of meals. The reality is – the ingredients produced in masses today, no matter organic or otherwise, mostly filled with additives, or certain mystery matters, lacking the pure quality from decades ago, make it difficult to sustain a healthy cooking style. As a result, in some cultures today, we can only strive to learn and do our best with what we have, to  create the healthiest meals possible for ourselves and our family.  Everything else is simply information overload.  Meat: …

Food: Dinner Tonight: Coconut Curry Noodles or Chicken

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I do love coconut curry or around this time of year, butternut squash curry I normally order from my favorite eatery in the city here, and here.  So, here’s whats happened. I assumed we were finally getting our warmer temperatures in the city, but it turns out, we’ve had nothing but cold windy days, overcast, and definitely the feel of Autumn in the air.  Which of course has me craving soups of sorts – and so this recipe for tonight’s dinner: INGREDIENTS 8 ounces rice noodles  {or I’ll add boiled chicken pieces instead of the rice noodles for my diet} 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 sweet onion, diced 2 zucchini, or summer squash, diced 2 ears sweet corn kernels, removed from the cob 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste 1 14 ounce can full fat coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce (soy sauce for vegan option)   {not a fan of fish sauce so that will be omitted} 2 teaspoons honey   {not necessary, but it’s all up to you} juice and zest from 1/2 a lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro OR basil, roughly chopped (use you personal favorite) sliced …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chipotle, Lime Chicken and Fries

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The weather has finally turned for the better in the city – with warm days and SUNSHINE throughout the city and not just downtown. I love this time of the year, when the mornings are crispy cold-ish and the days although shorter are sunny and hot. The only challenge is while other parts of the world are turning to comfort food, or soups to wards off the colder temperatures, we in the city are aiming to cool down by eating all things summer. So I am naturally pretty conscious on how best to proceed with my weekly meal plan, and I think this one will do just fine to half-Keto for me and the original recipe for the family. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped 1 tablespoon honey (cut out for hardcore Keto) 1 teaspoon cumin 2 limes 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks  (I can cut this portion out for Keto, but I may just cheat today)  2 avocados, lightly mashed 3 heads romaine lettuce …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Skillet Chicken and Peaches

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Growing up in a Mediterranean home meant, fresh seasonal fruits were used to create the most interesting of meals and the tastiest fruit salads to indulge. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found this recipe – which in addition to reminding me of my childhood – is going to be the most talked about dish in our household. In a good way, I can assure you.  Also, pretty Keto friendly if you leave out the rice pilaf I’d consider pairing up with this meal. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons smoked paprika zest and juice of 1 lemon kosher salt and pepper 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth 2 peaches, sliced 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios, chopped 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese {more}

Food: Chocolate Panna Cotta for Breakfast?

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This morning I craved pudding of sorts. Don’t ask, and no I’m not expecting. I simply and utterly craved pudding+chocolate, but had to be careful of the ingredients when searching for a recipe, which as you know, I am always adjusting to make it Keto-friendly.  The one I found here is filed under gluten-free, which sometimes can cross over to Keto and it sounded delicious enough to make and have for breakfast. Okay, okay – I had my usual cup of coffee, two boiled eggs very early in the morning, and for a mid-morning snack while working on my next novel, I craved this wonderful pick-me-up. {Take note, I love recipes from international bloggers} ORIGINAL Ingredients For the chocolate panna cotta 500 ml 16,89 fl oz – 2 cups + 1 3/4 tablespoons of fresh cream 100 ml 3,38 fl oz – 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons of fresh whole milk 1 to nka bean 50 g of sugar 1,76 oz – 4 tablespoons 15 g of gelatin sheets 0,53 oz 150 g of dark chocolate 5,29 oz – 1 1/3 bar   *** I use organice 70pct to 90pct  …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Grilled Zucchini all around

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So excited to report that I found yet another recipe that I can keep as is for the FAM, and also add my own twist to make it Keto-friendly for me. Here’s what I am thinking: ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS 1 cup dry orzo pasta    ***instead I will use ground chicken sausage – remove skin and saute with a touch of butter – or lots of butter – I usually use Ghee or Grass-fed 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano 1 clove garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup cubed feta cheese   ***or Parmesan if you aren’t a fan of feta 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 3 zucchini or yellow summer squash, halved  *** sticking to only green zucchini for the calorie count and carbs kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup basil pesto   {MORE} And because this variation is delicious, I am making it for the entire family rather than the orzo pasta option for them. {image and recipe source}