All posts filed under: Food

Food: Where To Go In the States For Your Favorite Dish

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Perfecting a dish is a work of art – and to experience the best of your favorite foods, you must travel through the 50 states. For example in my case, I’d need to go to: {featured image – Cedar plank salmon from Washington} I swear my list of favorites can go on and on, but it’s only fair if you go here to see the rest of the best dishes across the 50 states. I also realize while gathering my list that my brain is subconsiously in comfort food mode. What’s your favorite Americanized dish? And what state is best known in your opinion – for the best a dish can offer.

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

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I am presently what  is referred to as – the salad bowl of Calfornia. Otherwise knows as California’s central coast. The place where all the beautiful farming takes place. I love being here because it is the best getaway for this city girl, tired of the steel, stone and glass all around, and too much construction throughout the city of San Francisco. Which I am not certain if it’s to beautify it or add to the chaos. I’ve lived in the city all my life, and watched it grow into something, I am not sure I appreciate as much as the simpleness the city once was. Sure I live in the outer sunset, which is a bit quitter than downtown, but still, the city is growing in a direction I am having trouble with truly appreciating the older I get. With that said, I make a conscious effort to escape to the countryside, whether east of the city, or south, I take a drive or a flight to somewhere surrounded by farms, where downtown consists …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Zucchini and Cheese Lasagna

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Okay, so here’s a solid recipe to a favorite dish of mine – spicy Italian sausage, veggie (in this case zucchini,  or eggplant that I love, and all sorts of cheese). As you well know, I am always searching for variations to the simplest of ingredients making up a fun recipe and this one works – because in my household, we are divided – 1 Keto (me) and the rest not so much. So, this is what I do to make two dishes out of one recipe: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage 1 small sweet onion, diced 4 medium heirloom tomatoes (or regular), roughly chopped 2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano kosher salt and pepper 1/2 cup red wine  (cut out for hardcore Keto followers) 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, plus more for serving 6-8 no boil lasagna noodles (replace with sliced Halloumi cheese or just cut out the noodles altogether)  3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/8 inch slices 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, torn 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – California Omelette

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This recipe is pretty keto friendly – in fact, this is almost the Keto staple minus the corn and toasted bread of course . But if you are on a meal plan such as myself, you can surely do without the corn and the bread – in fact if you are super watching what you consume – delete the Tahini drizzle also. Otherwise, the recipe is awesome,  but since I don’t care for gruyere cheese, I am replacing it with Halloumi cheese. Check out the ingredients and then do away with what isn’t good for your diet plan or stick to the recipe just the way it is – omelettes are an amazing dinner alternative: INGREDIENTS 6 eggs kosher salt + pepper 2 tablespoons fresh chives finely chopped 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes oil reserved + tomatoes roughly chopped 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese 2 slices crusty whole grain bread, toasted 2 ears fresh corn grilled + kernels removed from the cob 1 avocado sliced 2-4 slices cooked thick cut bacon 2 handfuls fresh arugula LEMONY TAHINI DRESSING 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 cup olive oil juice from 1 lemon 1/2 cup fresh fresh cilantro + basil kosher salt {more} {featured …

Food: Peach Dessert

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Got a sweet tooth all of a sudden this mid-day while working on a few chapters of my next novel – and I realized that I had a dozen ripened peaches sitting in the refrigerator. So I clicked over to my favorite recipe site and saw this inspiration – except I wanted to avoid all things flour and too much sugar. So, here’s what happened to the original recipe below. I raced over, well more like, walked over to the neighborhood grocery store and picked up mini-fillo dough cups, and sliced up the peaches, and sautéed in the butter, cinnamon and vanilla – NO SUGAR – and filled up each fillo dough cup and created a near Keto-friendly variation. But you don’t have to  – here’s the original recipe: INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons butter 1 peach, thinly sliced 4 eggs 2/3 cup whole milk 2/3 cup all purpose flour 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons granulated sugar whipped cream and maple syrup for serving {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon Chicken – Grilled

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Who doesn’t love grilled chicken? And if you haven’t had a taste of it, consider this recipe – which is pretty keto friendly for those following my healthy eating plan. And really, no side dish needed – in my case – I will be sprinkling shredded parmesan cheese over the top of each bite. And if you are not following Keto, but need to stay healthy in your choice of recipes – then add a simple salad, or steamed broccoli. INGREDIENTS 1 (3 1/2 to 4 pounds) whole chicken or chicken pieces 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar  ( I will not be using balsamic vinegar for my recipe)  juice + zest of 1 lemon 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated pinch of crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and pepper fresh basil for, serving {more} {photo source}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Eggplants and Italian Sausage

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I found this recipe, and decided since I am aiming to Keto my way through life – to change one ingredient to fit my dietary needs.  Instead of breadcrumbs I am going to add Italian spicy sausage from Trader Joe  to personalize the already perfect recipe. Simple as that. Ingredients 1 eggplant or 4 thin and long ones 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley 1 tablespoon of finely chopped capers either brined or in salt 1 clove of garlic 4 tablespoons of water 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling A few turns of black pepper Salt {more from the original recipe}

Homemade Coconut and Walnut Gelato

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I had the best of ice cream the other day in Sonoma, California and wished I could simply create my own versions of this treat at home. And guess what happened? I stumbled upon this quick and easy recipe. Ingredients 300 g of fresh cream 200 g of coconut milk 50 g of dehydrated coconut 100 g of sugar 60 g of shelled walnuts Instructions Bring cream to a simmer and remove from the heat. Pour cream over sugar and dehydrated coconut, then let it soak until completely cold. Stir once in a while to melt the sugar. When the cream is cold add the coconut milk and stir to mix. Blend the walnuts until finely chopped, then add them into the cream. Pour the cream an coconut milk into the ice-cream machine and follow the instructor’s directions. When the gelato is ready scoop it into a container and keep it in the freezer for one hour before enjoying it. Serve with chopped walnuts. {more} {I get that some folks are allergic to walnut – …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Ginger, Honey Salmon

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After a week of eating just about anything in site, it’s time to settle into my kitchen and make a home cooked meal like this easy variation for the same old salmon – my favorite. INGREDIENTS 1 (2 pound) wild caught, skin on salmon zest of 1 lemon 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1 clove garlic, grated black pepper 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon chili paste NECTARINE, CORN, AND AVOCADO SALSA 1 nectarine, chopped 1 ear grilled corn, kernels removed 1 avocado, diced 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped juice of 1/2 a lemon juice of 1/2 a lime 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Korean Grilled Steak

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For fourth of July or anytime, this recipe is an amazing variation to a grilled steak dinner. INGREDIENTS 1 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari 2 tablespoons honey 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves garlic, grated 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 2 pounds skirt or flank steak CHIMICHURRI 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 4 green onions, chopped 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil juice of 1 lime kosher salt 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds {more}   {photo source}