All posts tagged: cooking is therapy

Food: Pasta Carbonara The Easy Way

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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: Corned Beef and Cabbage Pie Altered

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A Topic very difficult to avoid right now is the concern and fear over COVID-19, which is naturally on all of our minds . Even if we pretend a strong front, the worry about spreading the disease or contracting it, has become part of our daily routine, as we figure out ways to adapt to a new lifestyle. The only thing I want to ask, is that we don’t freak out, nor become obsessed, but rather do our part through legitimate sources online to help contain the spread of the virus. Not to say that I am downplaying the situation, but panic is the worst enemy in times of global threat or affliction. For the time being I keep my family engaged in much cooking, and alternative conversations to help distract – and finding interesting recipes to consider fits both of my efforts. INGREDIENTS 2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 2″ pieces 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided 1 head of Savoy cabbage 3 thick-cut bacon slices (about …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pineapple, BBQ Chicken, Quinoa

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I’ve switched gears, just like that, regarding eating less comfort food and more healthy meals. Yes, the weather has been unusually freezing in San Francisco, with the weirdest of storms passing over the city. But my body is in Spring-Summer mode I think and it is craving more veggies, and less starch – so the meal planning begins to satisfy my cravings. Yes folks, the family usually works around my clock – in terms of food. 😉 So, here we go – tonight’s dinner INGREDIENTS 2 pounds  boneless skinless chicken breasts 2  cups BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought (if using store-bought, I like Primal Kitchens BBQ Sauce) 2 tablespoon pineapple juice juice from 2 limes 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks 2 jalapeños, chopped, and seeded if desired 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped kosher salt and pepper 3 cups cooked quinoa or rice  – OR in my case, I prefer cauliflower rice over quinoa 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil, and or cilantro leaves, roughly chopped 5 cups shredded romaine lettuce 1 avocado, sliced 4 fresh chives, chopped fried garlic for serving (optional)  {more} On another note – what TV shows are you binge-watching right …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Hummus

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Over the weekend, while doing the usual grocery shopping, I brought home chicken as usual, and a half dozen fresh sweet potatoes with the intend that I would dice up the chicken, and the sweet potatoes  and stir fry it with garlic, olive oil and herbes de Provence blend of spices and then I saw this recipe and decided to shift gears and try something new. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon honey 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes juice of 1 lemon kosher salt and black pepper 2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 4 cups baby arugula 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes + 2 tablespoons oil from the jar 4 ounces cubed feta cheese 2 cups plain hummus, homemade or store-bought naan, Persian cucumbers, and fresh dill, for serving  {more} In case you are curious about cooking with herbes de Provence – there is a whole list of recipes to incorporate the spice –