What is you favorite food?

Recently, I have found that my favorite food is one that I can alter to my mood and be most creative with, but one that does not take a lot of time and energy to make if I can't give it.  It can also be made healthy and can use a variety of ingredients.

What am I talking about?

Pizza!

 

So many options!
The crust: store-bought wheat or regular, pieces of bread that you can toast first to make mini pizzas, bagels, flatbread, large tortillas toasted, or your own from scratch. What else could you use?

Sauce: Some of many include: tomato, pesto, garlic cream, or even barbecue sauce.

Toppings: Anything goes - even potatoes (if you pair it with pesto and rosemary).  My favorite toppings are artichokes, mushrooms, and spinach.  If I want salmon, I pair it with red onion and barbecue sauce.  Make sure you cook your toppings separately first if your crust is already cooked. Then top them on and cover with...

Cheese: mozarella always works, but mixing cheeses is fine too.  I like mozarella and parmesan, and sometimes a little goat cheese.

Unleash your creative pizza-maker-self!

Everyone loves a smoothie!

Snack today for the kids in my program:

Peach, Stawberry, and Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie

Few kids (or adults) dislike smoothies.  The only non-takers were those who dislike fruit in general.  These were a great snack for a rare 100 degree September day.

I love breakfast

I am a breakfast eater - I can't go without! The the thing is, I am always eating the same things:
1.  a mixture of 2 of my favorite cereals, with some type of berries or banana, or
2.  yogurt with honey and toast

Over the weekend, I try to have something different, and this past weekend  I made delicious muffins that I found on food.com: Banana oatmeal muffins.  They are healthy, but aren't dry or bland.  They are moist, not too sweet, and simply delicious.

(Photo by GaylaJ on food.com -posted to recipe)

Trying new things

During this summer, I am not working at my before and after school program - but instead am a counselor at a Day Camp. Unfortunately, I do not have any influence on the kids' snacks there.  They eat the same snack twice a week: goldfish, fruit snacks, animal crackers, goldfish again... and I have learned that it is important to try to teach others (especially youngsters) to try something NEW and maybe, just maybe they will actually like it!

-Try swapping plain old cheez-its for some other type of cracker (wheat thins? Kashi crackers?)

I wasn't always so open to trying new things, but once I got to college, I figured it was the perfect time to experiment. I tried out new recipes, learned from new friends, and was definitely tired of eating boring DC food.  It still isn't always easy to step away from the familiar and comfortable.  For example, this past weekend, the boyfriend and I went out for brunch at one of our favorite places in Sacramento.  (Already have posted about this place).  I was tempted to get one of my favorite things since we hadn't been there for a while - but then I saw this very interesting East African Veggie Burger.

I really enjoy vegetarian foods but didn't know if this would be good. I'm also not very good at making decisions. :o( However, I told myself I was feeling adventurous and decided to order it. Good thing I did - it was yum.  And my boyfriend, who rarely would order anything vegetarian, tried it after I insisted and he thought it was pretty good too! I am trying to convince him that even very healthy sounding things can be quite delicious.

This was a wonderful way to end our not so adventurous weekend and kick off a new week. 

This week I am returning to my previous job as a site director for a before and after school program.  I am excited about being able to use my creativity with this new group of kids - and get them to try new things!

A delicious salad...

I received an awesome cookbook for my birthday, Everyday Food - Fresh Flavor Fast, from my friend Jaclyn.  I decided to try the warm spinach salad with poached eggs to break it in.  If you ever need a quick and easy meal, this is a good one.  You can substitute so many things in case you don't have something in your fridge. I've actually made it a couple times since the first time I tried it. 

You will need (for 4 people):
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs white-wine vinegar
4 large eggs
6 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 shallot, minced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces baby spinach (about 12 cups)


Step 1: Fill large skillet with 1 1/2 inches of water and heat over medium until bubbles appear on the bottom; stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.  Poach eggs.
  ** Now this is really difficult and I've never had much luck so I decided to just fry my eggs over medium at the end.  But, if you'd like to give it a try, here are some tips.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan, cook bacon over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes; use a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.  Cook shallot in rendered bacon fat until soft, about 2 minutes.  Carefully add remaining 1/2 cup vinegar, and boil over high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, 2 to 3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: In a large bowl, toss spinach with bacon and the hot vinaigrette.  Divide among four plates: top each with a poached egg (in my case, fried egg or two!).  Serve immediately!

I added cherry tomatoes to the spinach and piled the salad on top of two pieces of toasted whole grain Costco bread to make it more of a main meal.

The finished product:

Artichokes

These weird looking things are artichokes. It is not just my favorite vegetable, but one of my favorite foods of all time. I have liked them since I was a little girl and have introduced them to many people.  I painted this for my sister (one of her favorite foods too.)  If you haven't tried them - please do!

If you don't know what to do with them once you buy them:

1.  Turn a pot of water on (large enough to fit however many you are cooking).  Put a little oil in the water along with some lemon juice and garlic.

2.  Cut off the very top part of artichoke (because it's pointy and dangerous) and cut off long stem.  Cut off pointy part of leaves with some scissors.  

3.  Place in boiling water for about 40 minutes.

4.  Take them out of the water and they are ready to serve!

To eat: dip leaves in either mayonnaise or butter.  (I prefer mayonnaise).  Once you get to the itty bitty leaves that you can't pull off, scrape those out with a knife.  Eat the heart after dipping it in your dip of choice!  Don't skip this part - it's the best. 

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a very popular vegetable in Germany.  Don't ever eat it raw, trust me, but when cooked it is transformed into nothing short of wonderful. I love that it isn't too sweet, but has a tartness to it.... So delectably different.

Here, in a restaurant in southern Germany, it is cooked with other berries and sugar, and served with some sort of vanilla sauce. Soon after I arrived home, I knew I wanted to make a rhubarb sauce to dress up desserts (among other things).  I found a recipe for strawberry rhubarb sauce on Recipezaar and it is delicious.  If you don't have the exact ratio of rhubarb to strawberries, it's okay - use whatever you have.  I tried it wish both fresh strawberries and rhubarb, but I think frozen would work just fine if it isn't the season.

In Germany, I've seen rhubarb paired with other fruit in fillings of cheesecake, pies, and tarts.  I've tried this sauce on ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, and even toast!

Spanish French Fries

 A take on a Spanish French Fry meal....

A couple of days ago I had a craving for some food that I ate in Spain while abroad.  I remember thinking it was strange how they incorporated french fries into some of their dishes.  It was not just a side dish, but the fries were eaten WITH meat (chicken, pork, etc) and peppers, all scrambled with some egg.  It was different, but so good.

They did not use sweet potato fries, but I chose to when I cooked this up for my lunch.  Good choice.

 My own ingredients:

-sweet potato fries
-onion
-red pepper
-mushrooms
-spinach
-2 eggs
-olive oil, salt, garlic
*add any vegetables you like, but red bell pepper is vegetable the Spaniards used, and there is a reason for it :)
*add any meat if you want, but the egg scrambled with it all is a must!

Directions:
-Cook your own size serving of french fries according to package directions in oven.
-While fries are roasting, add your preference of vegetables into a saute pan. 
-I first sauteed white onion and sliced red bell peppers with some olive oil, garlic, and salt
-After onion and red pepper were half-way done (1-2 minutes), I added sliced mushrooms and a handful of spinach.
-Add 2 eggs and scramble all together.
-Add cooked french fries into the pan and let the egg finish cooking around the fries and vegetables.

Enjoy without any sauce, or add some salsa or ketchup. In Spain, they have a delicious red sauce they enjoy with potatoes or french fries but I have no idea how to create that masterpiece. :( So, until I figure that one out, ketchup or salsa works like a charm.

Dates!

These are my recent favorite food.  Why? ...they make a lot of dishes taste amazing and provide ample opportunity to be creative.

My new invention for a delicious breakfast:

Yummy Yogurt Wrap

What you need: plain yogurt, pitted dates, some type of fruit (bananas or blueberries or my favorite addition), honey, peanut butter, a favorite crunchy cereal (I use fiber one for this), and wheat flour tortillas (or some type of thin flat bread)

For one person's breakfast:
1) In a bowl, mix together:
- 3/4 Cup plain yogurt
- 3 pitted dates chopped
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1/4 Cup blueberries
- 1/4 Cup cereal

2) Place half of one mixture in one wheat flour toritilla, and the other half in the 2nd tortilla.

3) Drizzle yogurt filling with honey.

4) Roll up and enjoy.

**Warning: Can be messy. :o)

Turkey Burger

Short and Sweet Tip

for...

A JUICY Turkey Burger!

Usually, turkey burgers can be very dry because there is a lack of fat in the meat.  I have discovered a great trick that does not add a distinct flavor, in case you have a certain recipe in mind.

*For 4 servings of ground turkey, add about 3 Tbs of soy sauce. Also add a clove of garlic.  This makes the burger really juicy and delicious!! :o)

Tonight we added for toppings:
-carmelized onions and roasted red peppers
-slice of provolgne cheese that we placed on top of the patties when they were almost done

Vegetarian Friday

Cooking dinner on a Friday night is rare for me. Oh but when it happens, it feels great.  I think I really prefer cooking to eating out, unless it's a very unique restaurant. 

Dinner last night:

Sauteed polenta circles, topped with portobello mushroom slices and provolone cheese, artichoke marina sauce, and grated parmesan. 
-use half of a polenta log package for 1 whole portobello mushroom
-artichoke marinara sauce (find at most grocery stores)
-couple slices of provolone cheese
-grated parmesan cheese

First, place 1/2 inch thick slices of polenta in a pan with olive oil.  Sauté a couple of minutes on each side.  Place polenta circles in a baking dish. (Preheat to 400). Then, sauté slices of portobello mushrooms in olive oil until tender - add salt and garlic & herb seasoning to taste.  Layer slices on top of the polenta.  Layer provolone slices on top of the mushrooms, and then spread artichoke marinara sauce in a thin layer.  Last step - be generous with the top layer of parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, and then broil (550) for 2-3 minutes.

We also had a side of sauteed spinach with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

And some good whole grain bread from Costco, toasted with butter.

Cheesecake snack & cabbage pasta dinner

Snack for the kids today:

-one graham cracker
-spread cream cheese on top
-top cream cheese with strawberry jelly (or any kind of jelly/jam. lemon curd is close 2nd)
They LOVE this snack.  It tastes like cheesecake :)

I first tried this while studying abroad in Spain on top of these really good "digestive crackers".  It sounds weird, but these crackers are scrumptious. 

Dinner:

Spaghetti with Cabbage

I found this recipe on delish.com.  It was pretty easy and really good.  In order to make it my own, I added a little ricotta cheese on top. 

Valentine's Day brunch & dinner

We decided it would be better to go out for brunch at our favorite breakfast place: Tower Cafe in Sacramento, and then later cook our own dinner at home.
The Tower Cafe is so unique and the menu is great.  The outside eating area is lush and great for people watching: exotic plants, flowers, fountains, and colorful waiters/waitresses.  If you choose to sit indoors (or if weather makes that choice for you), the colorful decorations  and art on the walls are equally interesting and different.  Here are some photos from their website:

  

This is what I had for brunch: crepes filled with sweetened cream cheese, topped with almonds, whipped cream, and a huge array of fruit on the side.

Our Valentine's day dinner

Last week, my mom and I had developed a recipe for a good mango salsa, so I decided we could make that with some salmon.

The mango salsa: 

-one mango
-one medium tomato, chopped
-half of a white onion, chopped
-half of an Aneheim pepper, chopped and take out the seeds if you don't like too much heat
-3/4 cup kidney beans or black beans
-handful of cilantro
-salt to taste

Serve this over some baked salmon! Mmmmm......

Our side dish:

-1/2 onion
-2 small zuchini or 1 large, sliced
- sliced mushrooms after 2 minutes
-season with salt, pepper, and some garlic

Start with the onions and some garlic seasoning, sautee them on high heat to carmelize and then bring down to medium when you add the zuchinni.  Add mushrooms after about a minute.  Salt and pepper. (We added about 1/2 cup of some wild rice when we added the mushrooms - this rice cooks in 2 minutes)

-While cooking veggies, cook half a bag of Trader Joe's harvest grains, cooked in chicken broth with 1 Tbs butter
-Combine vegeables with harvest grains.  Quite tasty :)


The finished product~