All posts filed under: Food

Dessert: Coconut Pie

Published by

I woke up today craving all sorts of desserts – so you know where my mind was about dinner tonight – or maybe after dinner tonight: INGREDIENTS CRUST 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut 3/4 cup all purpose flour 1 tablespoon Domino® Golden Sugar 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, cubed COCONUT FILLING 4 large egg yolks 1/4 cup cornstarch 2 (14 ounce) cans full fat coconut milk 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon Domino® Golden Sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut 1 cup cold heavy cream zest of 1 lemon toasted coconut, for serving  {more here} Featured image and recipe source and full credit 

Food: Homemade Ready Meals

Published by

I’m not a fan of cooking a batch of something and then freezing a portion for another day. But I do know folks that brag about the technique. So if you are curious, here’s some options to consider stocking up in your freezer for a ready meal. Maybe I’ll test it out the next time or when I can solo travel, with my family meals prepped and ready for their dining pleasure 🙂 Featured image full credit. For the complete list of meals go here

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beef Bourguignon

Published by

Although this recipe calls for beef short ribs, I am going to go with grass-fed organic beef stew chunks I’ve purchased from the grocers and was wondering which direction to take our dinner tonight. For the stew: 1/2 pound boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 pinch each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence 1 dried or fresh bay leaf 1 cup red wine (I used a Côtes de Bordeaux) 1 cup water 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 small carrots, thickly cut on the bias (about 4 ounces) Mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice, for serving For the gremolata: 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs 1/2 garlic clove, grated 1/2 lemon, zested 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 pinch each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste  {more} Featured image and full recipe credit here On another note – what films have you seen lately? If you’ve run out ideas, may I suggest…

Food: Dinner Tonight Calls For Soup

Published by

I woke up in the middle of the night craving creamy mushroom of sorts and with that in mind wondered what I can create for dinner tonight, since it’s been unusually cold/rain/windy in San Francisco. Also the fact, my mother told me – no more cooking with beef. So, here we go – we are having this creamy, wild rice, chicken, mushroom soup for dinner, with sliced toasted Italian bread and a glass of wine for me naturally. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 cups dry wild rice blend 6 carrots, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 2 medium shallots, chopped 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cups fresh baby spinach or kale 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk 1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus more for serving kosher salt and black pepper 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted 2 pounds mixed mushrooms, roughly torn 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 4 cloves garlic, smashed zest from 1 lemon  {continued} {Featured image and recipe full credit} What films have you seen lately that you recommend?  

Food: Pasta Carbonara The Easy Way

Published by

Pasta Carbonara, by far, is my favorite pasta dish. But I’ve always been a bit intimidated in making it at home for fear of not setting the eggy sauce correctly. So, every chance I get, while in a traditional Italian restaurant in San Francisco, or Italy 😉 – I order the dish – leaving the bountiful flavors in the hands of the chef. But, in light of our situation, and my fear of order take-out right now, I am attempting to make this dish for our Friday night dinner following this easy recipe. Ingredients and Step-by-Step: Go here 3 Tbsp. kosher salt, plus more 4 oz. guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or bacon 2 oz. Parmesan 4 large egg yolks 2 large eggs Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. spaghetti, bucatini, or rigatoni  {more} https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/simple-carbonara – step-by-step video For Dessert: Panna Cota  This recipe of Lemony Panna Cota, with Blackberry or in my household, raspberry sauceessert – Panna Cota

Food: Some Ideas To Share for The Foodie At Heart

Published by

I dabble in cooking, and some baking-only when it doesn’t require too much work. But mostly cooking, while always cooking for new recipes to make the meals exciting. Although, my mother last night told me, she doesn’t want me to buy chicken, or beef, or make pasta anymore, when I asked her for her grocery list. So I asked what would you like to eat? She said, something with chicken and I batted my eyes in confusion. Anyway, so while searching for different takes on the same old, I came across some helpful topics to share: Featured images and article full credit here

Food: Grilled Sandwich Based on What You Have in Stock

Published by

So, I buy loads of eggplants, broccoli, cauliflower for the lunches we’ve been preparing in my household. Such as eggplant sandwich, or melted cheese and cauliflower bake, and of course broccoli as a side dish with dinner.  But I realized, while doing an inventory of what to shop for next, that I have four loafs of brioche bread (while stocking up) I need to do something with. Some for french toast in the morning, and the rest for this wonderful suggestion – for dinner tonight – except I’m not a fan of brie, so we’ll be using white cheddar instead or just sliced mozzarella. INGREDIENTS 1 cup marinated jarred artichokes chopped 1 cup chopped broccoli florets 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup shredded fontina or mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme) 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried oregano) 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 3/4 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought 6 ounces Brie, rind left on, and sliced extra virgin olive oil for rubbing 8 slices challah, sourdough, or ciabatta bread 1/4 cup honey   {more} Featured image and recipe credit here

Mother’s Day Brunch At Home Or In The Garden

Published by

Before this year’s restrictions on social gatherings – my mother preferred a family dinner at home instead of the going out. So the day would start with me buying an abundance of a flowers from the flower market and arranging them in different vases and placing them throughout her house.  Breakfast would consist of her favorite, crepes simply enjoyed with a dash of sugar and cinnamon, and some tea. Then for dinner, I’d make her favorite pasta dish, or roast, or chicken fajita – based on what she is craving. No gifts, just a classic film we’d watch together over dessert – a slice of lemon cake or ice cream, if our weather permits. So, this year is no different – at least in our household – where I will spend the day just like the years before.  And since we are all on a necessary lockdown, consider a brunch, maybe in the garden, where the family gets all dressed up, and use the finest china and silverware, and offer up mom a wonderful family …

Food: Dinner Tonight – From Taco to Chicken Skewers

Published by

I spent the entire morning in line, plus grocery shopping with not much luck in finding everything in one store. What I dislike the most about this sort of shopping experience, is that it is difficult to stick to a menu for the week, like I used to when I trekked over to my favorite Trader Joe’s and picked up the same proteins, plus the ingredients for my weekly, taco, pasta, chicken, seafood, salad and soup dish.  Not complaining hopefully, just painting the picture. Anyway, while stuffing my freezer with all the things I bought  on “I think I might need,” since we can’t just run to the store anymore on a whim to pick up missing ingredients, I had trouble settling on what’s for dinner tonight.  So, I’ve included my first and second choices just in case one stands out over the other 😉 Option One – If you are craving chicken Option two – Taco for any day of the week and then some     {recipe and photo source} {featured image source}