All posts tagged: easy recipes

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lentil Salad

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I have a bag of lentil I’ve been itching to cook up – normally I drizzle olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, chop up fresh cilantro, and dice up chives and voila a quick and easy dish after a busy day.  But today, this recipe sparked my desire to up the simple meal to this variation – I will use Halloumi cheese naturally – which is the best grilling cheese in my opinion.  Paired with a bottle of white or red (for me) and now we have a gourmet stay-in dinner. INGREDIENTS Kosher salt ¾ cup black beluga lentils 3 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. honey 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided Freshly ground black pepper 8 oz. grilling cheese (such as bread, Halloumi, or paneer), torn into 2″ pieces 1 lb. sweet mini peppers, ribs and seeds removed, halved lengthwise, cut into thirds if large ½ tsp. dried oregano ¼ cup (packed) basil leaves, torn if large Flaky sea salt  {continued}     Featured image source and full credit

Zoom, Cocktails and Conversation

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A friend asked if we could zoom at some point or another, sooner or later, and all things you type over text. But she actually organized the invite, which had me running to the grocers to pick up a bottle of wine to pair with ‘already made pizza dough’ I had in the fridge while stocking up a month back to avoid going to the grocery store and stand in a long line. Every time I opened the freezer door, I stared at the dough wondering when I was going to actually use it. So – wine and sheet pan pizza it is going to be instead of the normal cocktails and dinner we opted for over the years. By the way this recipe settled my decision: INGREDIENTS 1/2 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought 3 cups cherry tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, 2 whole smashed, 2 grated 2 teaspoons fig preserves or use honey 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried) 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 pinch kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving (or 1 …

Food: Cooking Helps – Especially Cheesy Chicken Enchilada

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I’ve always found cooking to be therapeutic, so I opt to make dinner every night and take the leftovers for lunch to work. That’s been the standard in my household for a few decades. So, I do recommend the exercise while forced to stay home the next couple of weeks – cook, or bake, and then wash the dishes by hand rather than placing them in the dishwasher. The idea of doing something you can control has a positive affect – trust me. Tonight’s dinner – leaning towards much comfort food also – is this Cheesy Chicken Enchilada skillet – which I never thought of doing – I normally leaned towards the traditional over-baked version.  This one is easier for sure. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 (16-ounce) jar medium red salsa 1/2 cup sour cream, plus more for serving 4 corn tortillas, torn into quarters 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (from 1 [2 1/2-pound] rotisserie chicken) 1 (15.5-ounce) …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Mushroom Taco and Garlic Lime Sauce

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Haven’t written much about what I am aiming to cook for the fam – but tonight, we are excited that my American football team, the 49ers will be playing in the Superbowl. There was a crazy madness to the city yesterday as everyone was shopping for Superbowl snacks, and beverages, as well as the usual Taco, nachos and other finger foods ingredients to be served at a Superbowl gathering all over the city in anticipation for a Superbowl win. So naturally, tacos will be served with beer in our household and this recipe seems like a pretty good addition to the usual shredded chicken or beef tacos I make every year. INGREDIENTS 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 chipotle peppers in adobo ¼ cup apple cider or white vinegar 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 3 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 12 …

Food: Apricots and Chamomile Panna Cotta

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Two separate recipes I found here, reminding me of my childhood indeed. The sad thing is I hardly remember much of my past, until I see something online and BAM! It all comes back, like how to preserve apricots and chamomile Panna Cotta with cherries –  that’s all I’m saying. Do you watch the Hallmark channel? If so, have you seen Rome in Love ? Let me know what you think? Have you read the book? And what you think of books turned to movies? 

Food: Chicken, Veggies and Avocado

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This recipe is titled California Chicken – which naturally sparked my interest – because I am often curious about the naming of recipes. California chicken in this case, has to do with Avocados I think.  All I know, is that I have chicken thawing in the refrigerator and at first considered a simple fajita dinner, but now – well, we are making California Chicken for dinner tonight. INGREDIENTS CHICKEN 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon zest 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried) kosher salt and black pepper THE RICE + VEGGIES + AVOCADO 2 red bell peppers, cut into fourths 1 zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 avocados, mashed very well juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 2 cups cooked basmati rice 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped 1/2 cup crumbled feta, goat, or blue cheese  (and Cotija cheese it is, considering it is a California thing)  – {more} On another note, …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Chickpeas and Sweet Potato

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A simple take on the old recipe with chicken. A funny story I had been turned-off of chicken recently, mostly craving beef instead for my protein intake. But I am back to serving meals with chicken in mind – and here’s a great one for dinner tonight: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs 1/4 cup olive oil plus, more for drizzling 2 lemons, juice and zest from 1 + 1 sliced 2 tablespoons Harissa seasoning 1 tablespoon honey kosher salt and black pepper 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks 1 sweet onion, sliced 1 can (14 ounces) chickpeas, drained 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1/3 cup green olives, smashed plain greek yogurt and fresh mint or cilantro, for serving {more}