All posts filed under: gourmet cooking

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}

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}

Just A Cake – You Might Say

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I stay away from desserts as much as possible – but when one click leads you to a healthy baking recipe such as this gorgeous take on a cake, you share, you bake, and you indulge: INGREDIENTS: For the cake: 2 cups blanched almond flour ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp Himalayan pink salt 2 eggs 2/3 cup maple syrup 1/3 cup water 1 Tbsp vanilla For the vegan chocolate ganache: 4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate 4 Tbsp coconut oil 4 Tbsp maple syrup ½ cup almond butter ¼ cup almond milk or coconut milk {more}

Romantic Dinner Prepared By You

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Going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day is over-rated and simply too expensive and less personal. I mean the idea of sharing a romantic dinner with 50-75 other couples, all dressed up in like colors, in the past had me giggling the second my loved-one and I were ushered to our table. I think the most romantic is making dinner for him or for her. Send the kids off to the grandparents and take the afternoon off to make the perfect dinner for the special person in your life. And if cooking is unobtainable, then order in – with a bottle of his or her favorite wine. In case you choose to make dinner, there is a list of 25 romantic recipes to help with the process. Here’s what I’m going for. Please cross your fingers. I don’t like to mix alcohol – but the plan is – start with a good bottle of wine – in this case, I’ve chosen a bottle of Chateau St. Jean 2013 and since this variation is my first …

Olive Oil – Facts and Myth

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Seriously, when I saw this article about olive oil, my jaw dropped – what do you mean  “Light olive oil” is a misnomer and a marketing ploy that actually means the oil has been refined and treated with heat to strip away odor and flavor.” Although I do not ever consider “LIGHT’ for the olive-oil I buy for my house-hold – I do go for the extra-virgin on the label because…. Extra-Virgin or Bust “Extra-virgin” is the highest designation of quality given to olive oil, meaning it’s unrefined, free of chemicals and other “defects” like rancidity, and never treated with heat. Quality can still vary within the extra-virgin category, but without intimate preexisting knowledge of individual olive oil brands, it’s as close as you’re going to get to an overall guarantee of purity you can get off a label. Look for those two words, and you’ve already eliminated a vast array of crappy bottles. Here’s where I’ve been going wrong  – when buying the olive oil – I assumed “Product of Italy” was enough to consider. Read the …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cuban Chicken in Avocado Salsa

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After every successful meal, my family asks what we are having for dinner the following night. And my answer is always – I don’t know yet. And then I get to work and search online for ideas, or variations for the norm. Chicken is something we either hate or love in our household and adding a creative recipe to the meat has become challenging. So naturally I found this amazing recipe and guess what we are having for dinner? INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1/4 cup fresh chopped oregano 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons orange zest + orange juice zest + juice of 1 lime kosher salt and pepper 1 sweet onion, sliced 2 russet potatoes, cut into wedges 1 bell pepper sliced 1 small orange, sliced CITRUS AVOCADO SALSA 1 avocado, diced 1 orange, diced 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped juice from 1 lime pinch of flaky sea salt {more}

I Love the Idea of A Relish Tray

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What a wonderful idea for those watching or trying to watch their weight during the holidays – A Relish Tray full of healthy bites INGREDIENTS ½ bunch dill, large stems removed, divided 6 teaspoons coriander seeds, divided 6 teaspoons fennel seeds, nigella seeds, or mustard seeds, divided 2 Fresno chiles, thinly sliced 2½ cups thinly sliced vegetables (such as fennel, scallions, celery, peeled carrots, and/or peeled beets) Kosher salt 2 cups apple cider vinegar ⅓ cup light agave nectar 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground turmeric Pinch of cayenne pepper 8 large eggs, room temperature 8 ounces black Cerignola olives 1 cup smoked almonds Flaky sea salt

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon Sicilian Style

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Salmon is a must in my household. At least once a week and although I love my simple oven-baked variation with ginger, sliced lemon and olive oil – I occasionally crave a more robust flavored variation – like this wonderful recipe from here: INGREDIENTS 4 salmon fillets extra virgin olive oil, for rubbing juice from 1 lemon 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon paprika kosher salt and pepper 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano zest from 1 lemon splash of white wine 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lasagna with a Butternut Squash Twist

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I stocked up on all sorts of Autumn squash, not only for cooking, but for decor. These wonderful vegetables with the hard shells last forever. Although since they are my favorite, I am more than certain they won’t last in my household. For example, like this recipe for butternut squash lasagna for dinner tonight paired with my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon and a simple tossed salad: INGREDIENTS 4 cups butternut squash, cubed (about 1 medium squash) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon honey kosher salt and pepper 6 tablespoons butter 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped 1 tsp dried basil 1/4 cup flour 3 1/2 cups whole milk 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg 1 cup shredded fontina cheese 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated 2 cups whole milk ricotta 2 cups shredded provolone 1 jar (8 ounce) oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained and chopped 1 box no-boil lasagna noodles 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Food: Dinner Tonight – Poblano Corn Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Although we are in the middle of our Indian Summer in San Francisco, I have been craving soup – not a creamy one but a light, broth and just the right amount of flavors, kind of like this one: Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 sweet onion, chopped kosher salt and pepper 4 tomatillos, skin removed and diced 2 carrots, chopped 2 poblano peppers, sliced 3 cups homemade or store-bought red enchilada sauce 3-4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 cups fresh corn kernels 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped tortilla chips, avocado, and cheddar for serving lime wedges