All posts filed under: healthy cooking

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup and Here’s Why

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I normally do an inventory of what’s in my refrigerator the night before to see what dinner I can create from the ingredients  within.   Simply put, I don’t like when fresh food items go bad or expire. So, I make do with what I have – even if it means altering ingredients suggested in a recipe. Plus the fact, I do not have a slow cooker – so stove top it is  for this recipe INGREDIENTS 6 cups low sodium chicken stock 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 onions, chopped 4 carrots, chopped    {Since I only have zucchini at home, and not carrots, I will substitute)  2 parsnips, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped  {Broccolini will have to do based on my inventory}  2 leeks, chopped 8 peppercorns 1 bay leaf 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken breasts or thighs kosher salt and black pepper juice + zest of 1 lemon 3/4 cup dry farro 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and or mixed herbs  – in my case parsley it is    {follow along here}  {Photo and recipe source here} Soup to be eaten with fresh baked …

Sunday Edition: Movies, Novels and Chocolate

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If someone were to ask me what my plans were today, I’d  say, stay in bed all day, napping in between reading, and watching classic films. It’s just that kind of day. I did much walking yesterday, along the beach and Land’s End in San Francisco – yes the weather cooperated enough, and while walking did too much thinking. So today, here’s the plan: After waking up at four in the morning to feed my dog, crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head (I lied- shoulders) and go back to sleep. Wake up, make coffee, and crawl back into bed, and read a few chapters of this novel – which is too well written to put down, but too depressing to read all of it at one sitting/laying/lounging. Play on cellphone – color-by-number for about thirty minutes, or until I fall back asleep Then a classic film, another snooze, after which I sit up, to watch in full  a second film before slowly crawling out of bed, just in time to eat …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beans and Toasted Italian Bread

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In Rome, I’ve observed, that most tourists normally opt for pasta or pizza while seated at curbside at any restaurant, aiming for a quick bite in between touring the amazing ancient city. And this is often the case for my travel partner, but not me. I scan the menu for Canoli beans (Fagoli) hopeful it is offered by the restaurant.  And if so, I order the simple dish prepared with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, served with a slice of toasted Italian bread and enjoy every bite. So guess what I am craving for dinner tonight –  beans not poured over the bread, but rather served with on the side. INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed 5 garlic cloves, 3 thinly sliced, 2 finely grated ½ tsp. dried oregano ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes 3 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more 1 5-oz. package baby spinach, coarsely chopped  {or in my case, cilantro} 2 15.5-oz. cans white beans, …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Butternut Squash Pizza

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A few weeks ago I had food poisoning from a chicken salad I bought for lunch. The same one I normally ordered from an organically sustainable eatery in downtown.  After that incident, I haven’t craved meat and the idea of seafood makes my stomach turn. Not sure what happened, but it’s as if my stomach has realigned itself and I have no choice but to obey. So for tonight – since I was craving pizza at 3 in the morning – I plan to make these wonderful beauties instead. Ingredients 12 slices of butternut squash 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 tablespoon of water Freshly ground black pepper For the seasoning 300 g (1 cup) of peeled datterini, or tomato pulp Extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano Salt 250 g (1 ½ cup) of mozzarella torn into pieces 2 tablespoons of grated pecorino romano  {more} {photo source}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – White or Cannellini Bean Stew

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In Rome, for a mid day fuel, I searched for restaurants which served Cannellini bean stew and if they didn’t offer it, I kept on walking until I found the one place that did. Cannellini bean stew drizzled with olive oil and dusted with fresh Parmesan cheese – is probably the best meal I’ve had in Italy. Anyway, tonight, we are having cannellini bean stew in my household, and this recipe is one that sparked an interest because…1 tablespoon of tomato paste added to the beans. Which is something my mother used to do with the white bean stew she made centuries ago in her Mediterranean kitchen.   The other part I plan to do is instead of the meatballs, I will saute Italian sausage without the case in a touch of olive oil and garlic, and then add it to the bean stew. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of finally chopped Italian parsley and serve. This cuts down on time and tastes equally good.  Ingredients For meatballs 200 g (7 oz) of ground beef 100 g (3,5 oz) of fresh …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Fall Salad, You Bring The Squash

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I found this recipe a few days ago, and immediately thought, why settle for roasted pumpkin as suggested in the ingredients? Instead, I prefer butternut squash or Acorn? I prefer the taste of roasted Acorn over pumpkin any day. But you are more than welcome to try any squash your heart desires.  You know, in case, like me, you are craving a light dinner tonight: Ingredients For the baked pumpkin 800 g (1.7 lb) of Mantua pumpkin or butternut squash 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt Nutmeg Black pepper For the salad 100 g (3.5 oz) of rocket ⅓ cup of shaved Parmigiano Reggiano 2 tablespoons of black olives pitted 2 tablespoons of pine nuts toasted For the vinaigrette 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of aceto balsamico 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar Zest of ½ an organic lemon grated Salt Black pepper  {more} For your reference

Dinner Tonight: French Onion Soup With A Twist

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The weather turned or as everyone would say, has become ultra unpredictable – where one day it is in the high 80’s and the next, down to the low 50’s.  I would say, I guess this is Fall, but the weather in San Francisco is a toss-up every day of the year. Hardly sun, some sun, wind, and fog – I call it unpredictably consistent. So, I already announced while bolting out of the front door this morning, that we were having soup for dinner. At first I was planning chicken vegetable homemade soup, but now I am leaning towards this French shallot soup, with my twist – and yes a slice of bread included. INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons salted butter 6 medium shallots, thinly sliced 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar.     {exclude for my recipe} 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour   {exclude for my recipe} 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc 2 quarts low sodium chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves 1 pinch black pepper 6 slices french bread …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Personalized Pizza

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I have a weakness for pizza and could very well eat a personal size one a day – with a variety of toppings. My current favorite pizza places in San Francisco being here for a get-together traditional pizza experience, here for a quick bite to eat at the mall, and here, and here when we venture out of San Francisco and do not have the time to search for a local Yelp reviewed five-star restaurant. The trouble with Pizza is that since I have cut down or eliminated as much as possible, carbs from my diet, I try to minimize the consumption to once a month or twice and maybe three times, but only on a cold and rainy day. 🙂 So when I found this recipe here, I felt the need to  switch-it-up to fit all of my dietary restrictions and I am forcing the family to follow along. INGREDIENTS 1/2 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought {I switched to cauliflower ready-made dough} 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil  1 yellow onion, thinly sliced kosher salt and pepper 3 tablespoons crème fraîche …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

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San Francisco’s Indian summer temps are in full swing this week. Which mean, we can shift our meals to salads, rather than the hearty comfort food we crave during our cold summer months.  Last night, while ordering Chicken cobb salad at one of my favorite restaurants, I realized, I wanted the same thing for dinner tonight – except I aim to swap out the chicken for shrimp, with a few ingredients I am switching up not because of keto, but rather a seasonal thing. This recipe is fine the way it is: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin Kosher salt 6 cups fresh greens, such as romaine 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 peach or nectarine, thinly sliced   {since peach is out of season, try adding tart green apples} 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled 1 avocado, sliced 6 strips crispy bacon, crumbled 4 hard boiled eggs, sliced JALAPEÑO CORN VINAIGRETTE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil juice of 2 limes 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey  {omit not really necessary} 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired 1/4 cup fresh cilantro 1 pinch kosher salt 1/2 cup fresh corn …

Food: A New Take on Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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Whatever this year’s Indian summer is in San Francisco; it seems to last only from noon to four in the afternoon. The rest of the time its been crispy, windy and chilly outdoors and indoors to the point I was actually freezing last night, and needed to bundle up while reading, before turning in for the night. This very chilly morning, I decided it was time to craft soup for dinner  or adjust a few existing recipes to fit my dietary need. So on my hunt for soup recipes, I came across this perfect  one to kick-start the soup season. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 1 small sweet onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour  (omit for my Keto diet) 2 cups whole milk  (I will use 1 cup coconut milk instead and one can of pure coconut cream ) 2 cups low sodium veggie or chicken broth 1 12 ounce pumpkin beer  (This is going to be my cheat, but you can remove it if you wish) 3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or …