I Really Mean It

While thinking about what I wanted to write a post about (as I do with every post because I don’t just ‘wham bam thank you ma’am’ anything) it occurred to me at a random moment (as with most things) what the topic at hand would be: inspiration. On a sidenote: I find that most brilliant ideas come while doing the most monotonous things like sitting on a toilet. Imagine a toilet couch. Better yet, a toilet chaise. I’d be full of ideas! I’ve noticed that lately, especially, I’ve been surrounded by things that have been opening my eyes with even more wonder.

Beautiful fruits

This particular apple tasted like an Asian pear, and supposedly has more vitamin C than an orange! There’s a little juicy plum to tag along.

When one of my best friends introduced to me Balthazar’s ‘Ginger-Citrus Tea’, I knew I had to recreate it at home.

It’s a very comforting and awakening recipe, as the ginger has a bold presence. Just pouring a cup of it makes me feel better, like wrapping up in a Swayter. Luckily, Balthazar’s spilled their secret for this precious recipe.

Aside from tea and fruits, the friends I’ve been making since I moved to New York have all been so wonderful.

I’ve had instances recently that have shown me when someone is not a real friend, but the true golden hearts shined brightly . Those golden hearts help me stay hopeful and are reminders of the compassion that exists in this world.

Drum Roll Please

My oh my! Things have been pretty busy for me lately, and all I want to do is take a nap. Just one, please. I actually fell asleep in class the other day while we were sitting at the conference table. Oops! Atleast I had my head up, right? Anyway, I’ve been meaning to do this for quite some time now, and I finally got around to making one… a review page! You can check it out at the top of my blog or just click here. I have a couple of exciting new ones I’ll be sharing with you all soon!

Now what has this busy lady been up to in the kitchen?

Chickpea burger served in a pita bread.

To go with the chickpea burger I stuffed the pita bread with baby spinach, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion jam, and BBQ sauce.

Nom nom nom!

I like to make batches of things that are easy to take with me, and that are tasty as well! Whether it’s vegetarian burgers, noodle dishes, or pasta bakes. CHOW is a great site to find recipes. I know some of you have asked some of my favorite places to get recipes, and that is one of them. Epicurious, The Post Punk Kitchen, VegWeb, and of course fellow bloggers have great recipes up their sleeves as well. Most of the time I’ll look up a single ingredient and I’ll stumble upon great recipes that way. Anyone have any favorite recipes for when you’re on-the-go you’d like to share?

Oh and that onion jam I mentioned above?

I finally got around to making some! Not quite as “jammy”, but it sure adds lots of a flavor! Onion jam is a must-have condiment if you like sandwiches. It makes things extra-special.

Banana-Cashew Balls

I saw this recipe on Susan’s blog, and I must say that these were mighty tasty!

I liked how these tasted different from the usual “ball” recipes out there.

The banana pulp gave so much flavor, and the oats made it this taste so comforting. I felt like I was eating yummy baby food. Just give me a blankie and a bottle, and I’d be good to go… take a nap.

Vegan Fudge Love

When Katie shared her tasty recipe for chocolate fudge I knew I had to make it! Each ingredient is something I would eat on its own, or mixed with something else (cocoa powder and cinnamon alone… no thank you). Since I didn’t have coconut butter on hand I just made some. All of the flavors were able to shine through, so if you like the ingredients then go ahead and try to make it. Just the thought of making my own fudge made me happy. The flavor possibilities are endless, and Katie knows that too!

Speaking of love… on Valentine’s Day I woke up to this sweet gift my roommate left for me.

Later that day we planned to have a Valentine’s Day dinner date.

I thought that would be a nice time to try out Buitoni’s Pasta Riserva.

As part of the Tastemaker’s Program I was given the chance, through Foodbuzz and Buitoni, to try out Buitoni’s Riserva line. The wild mushroom agnolotti ravioli sounded like something I’d really enjoy. Stuffed pastas are my favorite!

Dinner is served!

To go with the ravioli I made Giada’s balsamic brown butter sauce, and served it with sautéed peas, lacinto kale, toasted walnuts, and grated blend of three cheeses.

My lovely date.

Why hello there!

Emily’s father has a vineyard and started bottling his own wine–cheers to scuppernongs!

Mmm ravioli!

The raviolis were huge, and actually quite flavorful. I wanted to keep the accompanying sauce simple so I could really get a taste of what I was eating. It was simple, but I think it complimented the pasta very well. It was earthy, but didn’t taste like dirt! Something my teeth could sink into, and that I could chew on forever. Emily agreed! Verdict? Delicious! Now how’s that for fast, convenient, and tasty ?

During the few days of warm weather I had tacos!

I filled them with black beans cooked with spices and onions, goat cheese, Trader Joe’s tomato-less salsa, avocado slices, lettuce, and lime juice. Warm weather… please stay! I love soups and all, but lately I’ve been craving lots of fresh foods like salads, juicy peaches, and cold sandwiches.

A flavor of Kombucha I hadn’t tried before.

Notice the 99-cent price tag. My parents live near a discount health-food store, and they brought up a bottle for me when they came to visit. If only there were more discount health-food stores in the world… Sometimes it annoys me how organic or all-natural things can be overpriced. It’s funny because these things are just reverting to the good old-fashioned way of doing things.

Another refreshing meal enjoyed on an unusually warm day.

I’ve forgotten how wonderful pasta salads are. I used the rest of my box of mini farfalle to make Kristin’s farfalle with broccoli and feta. I threw in some cherry tomatoes for a burst of more flavor. Serving this with extra olive oil drizzled on top really does something wonderful to this dish. When does an extra drizzling not do that?

So now is the time to announce a couple of winners!

First up, the winner of the Farm Rich & Gardein vouchers + a special surprise giveaway is the very thoughtful Lindsay! And now the winner of the Three Sisters Cereal giveaway is… the lovely Eloise! Congratulations to the both of you! Just e-mail me your addresses and your prizes await you.

Much love to everyone!

Hello, Hallo, Hola!

Surprise, surprise! Oh boy, where do I start? It’s been quite awhile, and I’ve got a lot to share. Everything starts from somewhere so I’ll just start with this…

The past couple of months have been hard for me. For awhile it seemed like all of the conveniences in my life started disappearing one by one. You know when you feel like everything in the world is falling out right from underneath you? That’s how I felt for awhile. But you know what? Over the years I’ve learned from my past demons that talking about how you feel is important. Say it out loud to a friend. That’s partly what they’re there for, and it’s wonderful! Yeah, everyone knows that someone out there in this world has it worse, but it doesn’t make things any better when you just want to vent. As cheesy as this sounds, I get by with a little help from my friends. I hesitated at first to share my burdens with my friends because I had been betrayed a couple times in the past by “best friends”. I think I’m at a point in my life though where I know to choose my friends wisely, and I definitely have. Time and time again my friends reassured me that they will be there for me, and that it’s okay. What a relief. I also reminded myself of the strength I have inside me, the blessings that will always be in my life, and the notion that life goes on. Whatever happens, happens.

Anyway, I know that was really vague, but I’ll talk about it more in my catching up posts.

A live update! With Matilda and some hot chocolate.

Now let’s rerererewind!

Awhile ago I had received a mysteriously large shipment…

Foodbuzz had offered to try out some loaves of Nature’s Pride OvenClassics recipe as part of their Tastemaker program. Oh all of the wonderful things I could use bread for!

Toast for breakfast, capital idea!

One slice of honey wheat with butter, and a slice of the oatmeal kind with mascarpone and honey (oh fancy!). Two thumbs up for both slices! Especially the buttered one.

Now in sandwich form.

The slices were a bit too big for my bean burger, but I didn’t mind. It still tasted good! Usually I go for bakery or sprouted breads, but there’s no comparison when it comes to buttered toast. This kind of bread is perfect for that!  And of course it’s good for other yummy things too. Now that I’m thinking about it… I wish I had made French toast with them!

Around that time I also made some vegan parsley pesto.

I’m not the biggest fan of parsley, but I had a bunch of it just sitting in my fridge. Things don’t go to waste when I’m around… not under my roof. That’s when I decided to make the pesto! Something I would surely like, and I wouldn’t be letting the parsley just wilt away. Pesto can be used for so many things! In sandwiches, as a pasta dressing, a dip for crackers, mixed with an aoli, or whatever else you can think of!

Looking good with some linguine, veggies, and grated pecorino!

Something else I like to make at home... hummus.

Not just ordinary hummus though. For a little kick I made it with some horseradish cream. If that’s your thing you should definitely try it. Just follow a basic hummus recipe, and add in the horseradish cream to your liking.

Spaghetti with a creamy mushroom sauce--more pasta please!

I finally got around to making this recipe that I’ve had my eye on, and I had all of the ingredients on hand. Fantastico!

Now let's hop on over to the opposite end of the taste spectrum!

Remember when I made those raw energy truffles? The ones that reminded me of those delicious Ferrero Rocher chocolates? Well I decided to make some using dates, Bellagio’s gourmet white chocolate cocoa mix, dried strawberries, pistachios, and cashews. Each time I popped one into my mouth I smiled and wished that it could last forever! So satisfying and sweet. Yum!

Perfect for a lady!

(for Halloween I was inspired by the art noveau illustrations by Alphonse Mucha)

And for all sorts of other characters! (from Halloween)

So with that I just want to let you all know that I am back in the swing of things, and I can blog again! There’s no way I would disappear on you guys for forever. Expect some flashbacks and other exciting surprises that I can’t wait to share with everybody. I’m so excited to click the post button! I haven’t done this in awhile! 1… 2… 3… AH!

Benvenuti in Mia Casa

Edit: voting is now open, and you can click here to check out this entry to vote! Thank you, and good luck to my fellow contestants.

The third challenge of Project Food Blog was one that I’ve had my eye on for awhile.

 

Inspiration for the meal that I had been imagining came from this.

A simple sprig of rosemary. This challenge asked us to host a dinner party where our guests would discover new tastes and exotic flavors. Also, watch out for hosting tips throughout the post.

So here’s what I’ve had in store for the third challenge!

What to do a week or a few days before your dinner party…

Come up with a guest list and invite them! On the invitation I let my guests know that this affair was one that called for “dressing up” with room for their own interpretation. I couldn’t wait to see what they would come up with.

Pick out recipes.

Keep your guests and their allergies/dislikes/likes in mind when coming up with a menu.

For instance, I remembered one of my friends really loves farfalle.

Little things like that can bring a simple smile to someone’s face.

Make your shopping list.

Things to do the day prior…

Hunt and gather!

While I was shopping for my groceries I kept in mind that I want my guests to feel as special as they are. Quality and authenticity are very important to me, and this doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank: check for sales, don’t just buy the first thing you see, and consider the things that you feel okay splurging on.

Tidy up your place, and make sure your co-host is squeaky clean.

Looking at the steps in a recipe beforehand will keep you from finding out about long prep times at the last minute.

Depending on what you’re making, you can start prepping the day before. I recommend doing whatever will keep you at ease. The last thing you want is for your guests to feed off of any stress, so it’s better to do things at a nice pace rather than waiting till the last minute.

Simply enjoy yourself! My sassy self doing just that by singing along to Domenico Modugno .

The day of…

First thought: FINALLY!

Most of your cooking should be done today to ensure a fresh meal, and to let the seductive smells take over; Perfect for greeting your guests! Also, keep love and celebration in your heart when cooking. I truly believe that people can take these things in while they’re polishing off their plates.

The bell rings and…

The guests have arrived!

I wanted us to take a journey through Italy starting from the northern region and making our ways feasting through this incredible country. Italian cuisine is usually associated with pizza, pastas, red sauces, cheese, and wine. Over the years I’ve learned that there are so many more dishes that this country has to offer. Afterall, with such an ancient history and every family having a sacred recipe by their Nonna, there’s just got to be more!

Very fresh out of the oven!

Focaccia is enjoyed throughout Italy, but it’s interesting to see how the preparation differs in each region. One thing that is so great about this bread is that it really embodies this sense of community. It brings me back to times of getting a big loaf of bread at a bakery with friends, ripping off chunks and devouring it while walking and talking the hours away.

I put the knife down and we all just broke off pieces with our hands, dipping it in the oil & vinegar infusion.

My mom may recognize this dress, since it was hers from when she was my age! I thought the Emilio Pucci print was very fitting for traveling through Italy, don’t you think?

Matilda attending to her duties as co-host, switching to each guests lap spreading the love... or wanting the food?

Next stop, the romantic lands of Tuscany.

People in this area are often called mangiafagiole, which means “beaneaters”. None of us had ever tried a pasta dish like this, and we all agreed that we would happily try more!

Sicilian cuisine is usually influenced by the sea and fresh picks from the garden.

It’s nice to be reminded that simplicity can also be thoroughly enjoyed, which shows that you don’t need to make a highly elaborate dish to satisfy your guests. I think an empty dish can attest to that.

See what I mean--sneaky sneaky.

In a relaxed atmosphere, helping ourselves to more if we felt like it...

And having good conversation!

Then it was time to make the dessert. It’s nice to cook with your guests, and it doesn’t come off as unprepared at all. We’re human and sharing food is such a great way to establish a deeper connection. Who needs stiff air that doesn’t allow for any interaction if everything is already “set”?

Matilda knew something sweet was in store.

Ending a meal on a sweet note, Italian-style!

I served the oranges in a marsala sauce along with the biscotti, and sweet white wine (which I highly recommend) for dipping. Everything complemented the other wonderfully. When my guests exclaimed that these were the best biscotti they’ve ever had, I couldn’t help but agree! Hey, when it’s good, it’s good.

I was little weary of this recipe because of the combination and I made them egg-free.

A toast to recent accomplishments and a great meal.

What a great challenge, and I hope you all enjoyed it! I had been looking forward to this and keeping my fingers crossed, hoping I would make it to this round so I could have the most motivation to host a dinner party. Having a dinner party may sound like a stressful task to undertake. But if you see it as something fun where you get to share a wonderful experience with others… well, why not have a glorious feast in that honor?

Voting opens tomorrow at 6 AM Pacific Time October 4th through 6 PM Pacific Time October 7th. You can check out my profile here!

At the Top of Your Game

I’m glad to see that so many are in the same boat as me! That’s one of the reasons why I love keeping up with my blog and others as well. It’s helped me realize even more how we are all human! We have more in common than what meets the eye.

My beautiful friend came over for a special dinner on Friday.

While we were talking about being a single young woman, the World Cup, and whatever random things popped into our heads…

I was cutting the vegetables.

We were taste-testers that night!

Courtesy of Foodbuzz and Buitoni! I love pasta, especially anything stuffed like ravioli, tortellini, and cannelloni. I went to the grocery store and traded my voucher in for the four cheese & spinach ravioli with tomato basil sauce. Sounds appetizing doesn’t it?

Before you knew it, dinner was served.

Ze pasta.

I bulked it up with veggies and garnished it with some fresh basil.

Yummm

The verdict? I was actually pretty satisfied with the taste! I loved the cheesiness–I could actually taste the different cheeses–and the large raviolis!. The sauce could’ve been a little thicker though and I did add some salt and pepper to it, but I tend to do that anyway. I would definitely recommend this if you like pasta and find yourself sometimes pressed for time. A warning though! It is on the pricey side, or maybe I’m just not used to buying frozen meals? When I went to Buitoni’s website I found a coupon so that helps out! One day I want to make my own stuffed pasta! And my friend was satisfied as well! She’s a pasta lover like me, and it was so much fun to partake in this taste-testing adventure together.

We made an impromptu decision to go the movies--it was starting in five minutes!

This is what happens when I ask "Mom, can you take a picture of us?" Action-shot!

We wanted to watch “Grown-Ups” but it was already sold out, so we decided on “Knight and Day”. It was actually a pretty funny movie and I realized that I hadn’t seen an action movie in a long time! Within the first action scene I couldn’t help but burst out, “WHOA!!! OH MY GOSH!” I definitely laughed out loud at some of the one-liners and cheesiness in the movie. I love feel-good movies. Who doesn’t?

When we got home from the movies we formed an ice cream brigade.

Aye aye captain, more Coconut Bliss in my life! And you know what? Everyone loved it! I’m pretty sure my mom has been mentioning it everyday. The other day we went for a nighttime stroll along the beach and as we started heading back home she mentioned that she wanted ice cream. I pointed out the ice cream shop right across the street and she said, “no I want the coconut one we had the other day!” I sadly had to break the news to her that we didn’t have anymore. I think Luna and Larry’s creation is going to be a new staple in our household.

The next day I pulled out a delicious surprise!

My dad went for his long run on the beach and stopped by the German bakery. Usually he brings back a yummy loaf of freshly baked bread or maybe some German chocolates… but that day he brought back a bag of brötchen!!! You don’t know how happy this made my family. We so dearly miss going to the bakery first thing in the morning and picking up a variety of fresh bread rolls. No bread rolls in the world can top the beloved brötchen. I don’t care what anyone says haha! We could come back from the bakery and lay out a spread of toppings for our bread. Deli slices, cheeses, butter, cream cheese, marmalades, fruits, tomato slices, herbs… the works! Just sit down at the table, grab your roll from the basket, and enjoy to your heart’s content.

Remember the curried sweet potato and tofu dish I made?

Well I made it again, and this time my parents got to try it as well. That time around it was more satisfying because someone besides myself enjoyed it as well.

Brötchen!!!

And my dad made a delicious salad to go with the meal!

With baby spinach, tiny but incredibly flavorful bell peppers, avocado, baby mango (extra sweet!), cherry tomatoes, onion, and olive oil.

Germany getting third place...

My mom ran over to get my camera to take a picture of the television hahaha! They are great team full of young players, so I hope that in four years they’ll be the best! World-Class. Then I started to think about how these top soccer players must feel. On top of the world, and like nothing can bring them down? I would! But you know what? The great thing is that I think most of us have those moments from time to time. Those moments where everything just seems right in the world, and you couldn’t care for anything else except the now. Fill in the blank: I am a world-class ___________. Let’s see… I’m a world-class always-smiling-creative extraordinaire!

In summer, the song sings itself

Words by American poet, William Carlos Williams. Usually summer for me means lots of relaxing and “me” time. I’ll admit that I’m not totally use to all the me time, and sometimes I find myself trying to push it away. There are things I wish I could be doing… especially when I see a lot of my friends that stay up in Virginia have those get-togethers on perfect summer nights. But you know what? Then I stop for a moment and look around me. During these long breaks I usually set up little projects for myself to keep me occupied. Usually they involve the kitchen, house decorating, spending more time practicing yoga and dancing, and making some art. I also take this time to read, learn about different subjects, and trying to watch television. Yes, I said trying to watch television! Up at school I don’t have a tv (I prefer it this way, plus I think they’re ugly to look at when they’re not on). So whenever I’m down in Florida I get a dose of pop culture and I finally get clued in on what and who everyone else is talking about! Anyway, I really went off on a tangent! This summer I came up with another project: compiling a cookbook! That means I’m actually going to look back on my entries, and from now on I will take notes as I conjure up spells… I mean recipes in the kitchen. Tomorrow I am going to see if I have any extra notebooks lying around the house! Does anyone out there have any advice? I would greatly appreciate it!

Another great thrift store find--a bowl fit for a king cost me only fifty cents!

Irish steel cut oats again.

I let them cool down in the fridge for a bit and mixed in some banana slices + for topping along with crunch peanut butter and chocolate almond butter. My mouth was very very happy.

This time I fried the bananas in ghee with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.

Then I added some cashew-macadamia butter and sesame seeds to my bowl of oats. Either of these breakfast bowls would be great to get me going and ready for a…

A shopping adventure with my little nugget

Lounging around in my favorite store!

That harness makes her look like she was a gift sent from up above!

We took a food break.

Have you guys ever heard of Maoz?

“Maoz Vegetarian is an international, quick service vegetarian restaurant chain, which brought to the world the delicious Maoz sandwich: FALAFEL.
Our menu is strictly vegetarian and is based on simplicity, freshness and care.”

They only have 12 locations in the United States, but more worldwide. I’m lucky enough to have the only location in the southern United States right in my backyard… in a mall food court of all places! I love their sweet potato fries dipped in their garlic sauce. Yum!

I dressed it with their garlic sauce and cilantro dressing.

Another great thing is that you can choose your fillings!

I opted to fill mine with carrot salad, beet salad, cole slaw, and the falafels automatically come in the pita. After we finished our delicious sandwiches we checked each others teeth to make sure there were no random green things. All good!

And of course I did not leave my favorite store empty-handed.

I fell in love with the vibrant blue and asymmetric cut.

My new shirt is as vibrant as beets.

This was my first time roasting golden beets. I can’t explain how excited I was! Something about beautiful foods just gets to me. I roasted the beets and tossed them in olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Then I whipped up a honey-dijon vinaigrette and sprinkled on some goat cheese. Next time I will make some candied pecans to go with this!

Also a very colorful bowl: sweet potato and butternut squash soup with coconut milk.

I almost always prefer thick soups to broths.

With this post I can see that the artist in me never disappears.

I am just naturally drawn to colors! I cooked some rotini, and simmered zucchini, red onion, cannellini beans, red bell pepper in a tomato sauce with balsamic vinegar. Then I garnished it with fresh basil, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, goat cheese, and a drizzle of white truffle oil. Later on I also threw in some parmesan and the taste just made sense. Don’t forget the ground black pepper!

Very very appetizing.

How appetizing?

Buon appetito! Ne voglio ancora?

“Are there any seconds?”

For dinner I wanted to do something special...

Matilda was of course included!

This was the star of the show that night.

I cracked open a book of mine that I have unintentionally been neglecting, The Conscious Cook by Chef Tal Ronnen!

Very Green Salad with Cucumber, Kohlrabi, Sweet Onion and Herb Vinaigrette

This salad was perfect for eating outside and cooling down our bodies. Making the herb vinaigrette was so pleasant, and I couldn’t help but breathe in the sweet aroma of all the herbs and other ingredients. Eating the raw kohlrabi brought back memories of having it so many times when I was still living in Germany. Do any of you have any familiar tastes that make you nostalgic?

After eating our dinner we just sat around in the backyard and listened to the soothing sounds of bossa nova and a rain storm. It was incredibly relaxing and perfect for unwinding on a Friday evening. I believe summer is here and this oh-so chic little lady explained the feelings of this sweltering season perfectly: “I love those days when you actually prefer to ask for frapuccinos or something that has to do with ice or ice cream, and when the only “hot” thing allowed… is YOU. (all of you, not just me).”

And one more thing I’d like to share to mark the days of more sun

Remember Me?

Oh wow! I can’t believe it’s already June. It’s been awhile since my last post hasn’t it? Well, there’s a lot to catch up on. I foresee recap posts in the near future! And don’t worry I won’t disappear on you again. I have quite a bit of catching up to do myself.

Let me just rewind a couple weeks back to when I was at the beach. I mostly ate a lot of…

Sun-dried tomato hummus!

Almonds, honey, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chip granola

And platefuls of delicious pasta dishes!

Now here are pictures of some of the fun that was had!

Losing my Chat Roulette virginity!

There I go making everyone lose their balance.

Headed out to go dancing!

Texting wars were had.

Hole in the wall places.

She was happy to have a warm meal.

That's right girl!

I spy a domestic hottie!

Now I spy lots of hotties!

Being sneaky and capturing some brave guys on the beach.

Lots and lots of relaxing

Okay let's see if I can get a good one!

Wee!

Limitless

Catching the sunset while eating

On the hunt for ice cream

The beach trip was exactly what I needed. Despite being in a house full of estrogen (which can often be a recipe for disaster), it was relaxing. I’d wake up and leisurely make breakfast then hang around. I was able to do yoga outside on the deck and get the full effect of sun salutations. After lunch we’d all cross the street and we were already on the beach. Our hungry bellies would guide us back to the house and we’d just hang around till the nightfall. The witching hour meant card games, movies with heart throbs and lessons for life… just hanging out with friends. Some nights we would go out and dance, and I’m always up for that! The day I got back from the beach I had to do my laundry, pack, and organize some last minute things because my flight to New York was just a few hours away. Luckily, I finished all the tasks at hand and caught my flight. I can’t wait to share my recent trip to New York with all of you.

In latest news, Late July is giving away coupons and the chance to win an organic beach bag filled with organic goodies for your summer road trips this summer!

To enter send an email to offers@latejuly.com with your mailing address and post a comment on Facebook or at www.latejuly.com to tell them where you’d like to take your family this summer or please share a special trip experience from the past. Their trip this year was their favorite, but they’re hoping to get a few good ideas from you for next year. All submissions will get coupons, but their favorite will also WIN a Late July Beach Bag filled with at least $50 worth of Late July Organic Snacks, a $25 iTunes gift card and they’ll also carbon offset your trip!

p.s. while I was on my mini-hiatus I turned 22! The big two-two? What will this year behold for me? Who knows, but I’m looking forward to it! Stay tuned for my New York recap. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the season!

Giving Nature Credit

Hello everyone! So I survived the semester and I’m currently at the beach for the week with my ladies. First night was so much fun. I lost my Chat Roulette virginity. Let’s just say that we did our fair share if screaming in shock! I also may not be posting regularly since I’m at the beach and the day I get back is the day I fly to New York!

Anywho, there are a few beliefs I have and one of them is that I don’t think it should cost an arm and a leg to eat well. Especially when essentially most of the things I eat come straight from nature. I’d like to say that I eat well. When I say well I mean that I don’t sacrifice good taste just because something has nutritional value. Shots of wheat grass? No thank you. Maybe I’m a food snob, but I don’t care because I eat what I like and try new things as well. Sometimes I give things a second chance like my beloved brussels sprouts. And there are some things that I loved in my childhood that never get old. As a college student and a lover of food I’ve learned how to cook deliciously on a budget. I’ve learned that hummus is a cinch to make and usually ends up tasting better than what I get at the store–aside from Sabra’s miraculously creamy hummus. Some secrets are just too good to give out I guess. Oh well, I have a few of my own too!

I made my own creamy tomato sauce recipe!

And I am definitely sharing this one! Although I must warn you that the measurements aren’t precise because as usual when I cook, I just put in things by my taste. Mine turned out more like an arrabiata (spicy sauce) since I was generous with the black pepper. Oh! And it’s also vegan. Since I didn’t have any creamer on hand I opted to make a vegan alternative I’ve done many a time and have loved each time: cashew cream.

Vegan Creamy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

Canola oil for cooking

3/4 cup onion, finely diced

1 bay leaf

1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Sea salt

2 large cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press

1 grated carrot stick

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

Sliced sun-dried tomatoes

A little less than 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice

1/3 cup cashew cream

Fresh ground black pepper

Dried sweet basil and tarragon

1. Heat pan first then canola oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bay leaf, pepper flakes, and salt and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until onion is soft and beginning to turn golden.

2. Add garlic and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high, add tomato sauce, grated carrot, dried basil, tarragon, and sun-dried tomatoes and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, about 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add balsamic vinegar and cook, stirring often for about 2 minutes. Add can of crushed tomatoes and bring to the boil.

4. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, stirring often, until sauce reduces and is thickened, about 25 to 30 minutes.

5. When sauce has thickened, remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in the cashew cream, and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Voila!

I served the sauce with sautéed garlic, yellow squash, onion, mushrooms, and cannellini beans over penne pasta.

Up next…

I also made another batch of granola!

Honey Cranberry-Almond Granola

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/3 cup honey

1 1/2 tbl canola oil

1 tbl almond extract

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Shredded coconut

White chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients except the dried cranberries, shredded coconut, and white chocolate chips.

3. Spread out the granola on a nonstick baking sheet.

4. Bake the granola for about 30 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes or so. Halfway through sprinkle on the shredded coconut when stirring. Remove from oven, allow to cool.

5. Once cool mix in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips

It’s so easy! I love coming up with combinations, and they’re perfect as yummy gifts. Just think of the flavors a loved one enjoys and make their very own mix. You can put it in a mason jar with a delightful tag, and I’m sure the lucky recipient will name their first-born after you.

Almonds, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips is one of my favorite combinations.

And…

Homemade hummus too?!

Sun-dried Tomato Hummus

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves, minced and then mashed

2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed

1/4 cup avocado oil

Sun-dried tomatoes

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1. In a food processor, combine the mashed garlic, garbanzo beans, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water. Process until smooth.

2. Slowly add in the avocado oil. Add salt, starting at a half a teaspoon, to taste.

Serve with anything your heart desires.

Gosh it feels good to share my own recipes with you all again! During the semester it’s hard for me to actually sit down and think about that. Even though I’m an only child, I love to share. So being able to share these recipes is awesome–from my kitchen to yours!

Satisfaction Guaranteed

I just finished my dinner and that’s one thought that came to mind. During my semester I usually make things in batches, and I have my go-to recipes that I know are quick and tasty. However, cooking a special meal is something that I appreciate every time. I just got done having an incredibly flavorful meal that took a bit of time to make, but was still very simple. Eating good food makes me feel… content. I think that’s the perfect word because I feel happy yet calm. If only you could see the smile on my face hehe.

This was my dinner!

Remember how I use to think brussel sprouts tasted like farts… that is until I gave them a second chance. I finally prepared them the way I thought I would enjoy them most. Now this just opened up so many more doors. I followed this recipe to make shallot and balsamic roasted brussel sprouts. I want to try roasting them with honey, honey and lime, and maple syrup! I bet it would be nothing short of delicious. For the cannellini beans I cooked them with minced garlic, cumin, dried basil, salt and pepper, and a bit of balsamic vinegar. These were served on top of basmati rice and everything was topped off with pine nuts.

A close-up was in order!

I’m proud of myself for giving this veggie a second chance and deciding to prepare it myself. And you know what? It was absolutely delicious! Do you ever feel proud after cooking or baking something?

Super easy snack!

I think I’m doing a good job of coming up with simple savory snacks! This is a Dr. Kracker seeded spelt flatbread. I really enjoy the size of these flatbreads because they’re not as small as the Wasa crackers. You can top them with more things! The flavor is also something to be noted. I could have these plain too! It was delicious and simple which lends to  its versatility. You can make these a part of a savory or sweet snack (topping with nut butter and jam perhaps).

Another flavor...

These are the Sunflower Cheddar crisps. They’re perfect to use as croutons in a salad as well. If you go on their site you can read all of the great recommendations they have for each flavor. Back to these crisps! I love their nuttiness, crunch, and cheesiness! By the way, these are awesome with avocado!

A refreshing shake!

I tried a packet of Jay Robb’s Vanilla Rice Protein powder. I blended in a frozen banana and almond butter as well. Yummy creaminess!

Another savory snack idea!

A nice fluffy pita filled with chickpeas, tomatoes, and goat cheese. I wish I would’ve had a garlic sauce or something to go with this!

POM!

Not too long ago I was sent a package of POM Wonderful’s 100% pomegranate juice. Juice is such a refreshing thing during the warm months. Perfect timing, I say! Anyway, these alone are tasty and not as tart as the fruit itself. I know this has nothing to do with the juice, but I’ve always loved the packaging. The glass ones are my favorite because you can re-use them. Anyway, I have one more container left and I wanted to try it in a recipe. Anyone have any suggestions???

I finally got around to trying another recipe from the Veganomicon.

These are beanballs! They were so easy to make and were perfect for leftovers. I served them with penne pasta (I didn’t have spaghetti on hand), artichoke scarpetta (that translates to “damn good sauce”), goat cheese, and pine nuts. On the side you see frozen grapes. These are one of my favorite things to eat when the weather gets warm.

And my breakfasts are still my favorite meals!

This was a bowl Udi’s granola, Greek yogurt, sliced banana and apple, and my favorite peanut butter. Granola and yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is one of my favorite combinations.

Oh, and I re-stocked my supply of my favorite BBQ sauce.

Bone Suckin’ Sauce! I think it’s a favorite amongst many of you out there; with good reason!

Oh Happy Day

Before I say anything in this post I just want to give a warm welcome to some new readers! I am so glad that you all have found my blog and may it bring a smile to your face. So if you’re a reader and haven’t said hello, please don’t be shy. I love discovering new blogs and learning more about all the interesting folks out there! So let’s all dive right in, shall we?

Leftover pasta + manchego

Simply stated, I am a lover of cheese.

One of my best friends surprised me with a little Valentine gift!

Crispy, milky, and deliciously sweet.

Now that we’re on the topic of chocolate, and I happen to be sitting on a throne made of decadent chocolate, it’s only natural to share!

3400 Phinney Hazelnut Crunch

Wow! Can’t quite recall when the last time was that I bit into a milk chocolate bar with such a great flavor. The crunchy hazelnut, the sweet milky chocolate, and the subtle salty twist won me over with the first bite.

Coconut Curry milk chocolate

Stained wrapper

Wonderfully complex. The curry flavor wasn’t just from the curry powder, but rather a blend of coriander, turmeric, mustard, cumin, fenugreek, paprika, red pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. So you can imagine…

More leftovers!

It’s amazing what one can do with leftovers. I used the rest of the angel hair pasta for this dish. I sauteed some mushrooms with onions and then simmered them in a tomato sauce with balsamic vinegar. Using the rest of the sage and pumpkin seed crust mix I made awhile ago, I dredged some tofu in it and baked it till it was nice and crispy on the outside. I also tossed in some pine nuts and the very very last of the sage and pumpkin seed mix.

Delicious!

Now I ALWAYS pack snacks for on-the-go, because you never know when hunger may strike!

More spicy black bean burger goodness.

I only have one bean burger left! This one I had with roasted red pepper, onions, ketchup, cilantro, pepper jelly, and melted manchego.

I got home from my night class and I just wanted something comforting so I made a cup of hot cocoa with creamy, thick almond milk.

With a warm cranberry Heart Thrive topped with coconut butter.

The last of the manchego put to great use!

I made a sandwich on this delicious bread (has dried cranberries, sprouted grains, and various nuts and seeds). I filled it with melted manchego, pepper jelly, roasted red pepper, onions, and sweet basil. I also decided to sprinkle on some nutritional yeast on the kale.

Close up was in order.

Then it was time to take my dad to airport.

It's not goodbye, just see you later!

I came home, relaxed, and got ready for a date!

We went to his favorite place... a little Vietnamese restaurant.

The woman already knew his order!

A big bowl of vegetarian pho.

I’m usually not a fan of brothy soups, I prefer thick purees. I tried his soup though and I would definitely order it for myself next time I go there. I thought it was really cool that the plate full of herbs, sprouts, and lime wedges were to rip apart and put in the soup; as much or as little as you’d like because not everyone’s tastes are the same.

I ordered fried tofu in a sweet and spicy lemongrass sauce with steamed rice.

The place may seem like a hole in a wall, but lots of times those restaurants have the best food! There’s a place down the street actually that serves Korean food and I swear the owner is a mother to everyone. If you’re sick she’ll give you extra helpings. These places seem so cozy that you could eat there alone and just hang out for hours. As for the date, it went well, but no romantic sparks. However, I’m going to keep hanging out with him because I think he’s a good friend and you never know what could happen!

Tiramisu for breakfast anyone?

I tried to recreate one of my favorite desserts in oatmeal form after seeing all of Katie’s creative recipes on her blog. Seriously, this little lady is endlessly creative and she has so much positive energy I can feel it through her words! I cooked my oatmeal in chocolate protein powder and instant coffee. Since I didn’t have mascarpone I subbed in some cream cheese, and added that while the oats were cooking. I topped it with coconut butter, more coffee granules, and a lady finger. Not quite like tiramisu but definitely reminiscent; delicious nonetheless!

On this sunny and re-energizing day I decided to tackle some recipes I had been eyeing for quite some time.

Those recipes, my dears, come straight from The Conscious Cook. I took a break from this book for awhile because I missed making up my own things.

Tomato bisque--another recipe of Chef Tal's that calls for cashew cream.

And focaccia with caramelized onions.

For the focaccia I opted to do 50/50 unbleached all-purpose flour and whole wheat. The dough ended up being enough for two large loaves. One for me and one for my roommate! Might I also add… I’m just going to say it flat out: this was my favorite meal all week and I don’t think anything can top it. Nope, can’t even try. The tomato soup was thick and full of flavors from the herbs and bay leaf it simmered with. I ripped off another piece of the bread to scoop up the very last drops of my soup. Foodgasm at it’s finest. And a pat on the back for me… on both sides! Seriously, I’ve forgotten how amazing and satisfying homemade bread is. As I was kneading it, I was reminded of how much fun the process is.

Speaking of being proud of myself, I came across a very inspiring post that Maggie wrote about believing. Click here to check it out. Her message really resonated with me and I felt it throughout the whole day as the sun was giving off it’s glorious and comforting rays. Wow, it’s not even Friday and I’m already celebrating! I hope you’re all in the same boat. Where should we sail?