All Colors Accounted For

Simple, Healthy, Delicious

• Chopped Red Cabbage

• Sliced Mandarin

• Falafel

• Hummus

• Green Scallion

• Chopped Cilantro

• Arugala

• Red, Yellow, Green, Purple Tomato Medley!

To Season: Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pepper and a hearty dash of Garlic Salt

Fantastically Fresh

Meals on the Fly — I made the yummiest summer dinner — pearl couscous, chopped roast white meat chicken seasoned with adobo spice, a bountiful handful of chopped fresh cilantro, and diced cold artichokes pieces (from a can). Fantastically fresh and delicious!

Cool Crisp Delicious

A Take on Tzatziki

I have a hard time with recipes. Generally, i take a quick look then make it up as I go — most likely it’s a matter of ingredients that I actually have in the house, and sheer laziness of measuring and checking the recipe. This one is a combination of the following:

• About a cup of Greek Yogurt (plain, non-fat)

• 1-2 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Pinch Salt and Pepper

• Garlic clove minced

• Red onion minced (1-2 slices)

• 2-3 squeezes of lemon juice

Mix it up — and ready to go. I may enough to last a few days and use it for burritos, chicken dishes… anything to add a nice cool bite and add some healthy flavor.

(I didn't take a picture, so I included my friend’s cat because she is adorable. Happy Cooking!)

Happy Passover!

Pre-seder delight:

• Matzah

• Smoked Turkey

• Gouda

• Basil

• Rosemary

• Light Mayo

• Perfecto!

Lovin' This Couscous

Pearl Couscous

Chopped Ripe Avocado

Toasted Pine Nuts (in the skillet on high for minute — watch closely so they don’t burn!)

Sundried Tomatoes

Thinly Chopped White Onion

Chopped Turkey or White Meat Chicken Breast

Adobo Seasoning (or Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Splash of Lemon Juice)

Yum!

Return of the "Cook"!

Hello my blog friends, I have not stopped “cooking” but I did take a hiatus from blogging. I’ve missed sharing my latest triumphs along with my epic concoctions that have gone horribly awry (but I still eat or drink because I refused to throw away food… or money!)

So why not return on Thanksgiving — when the nation turns to food. Much gratitude this year for continuing this cooking adventure. Today I’m going to post one of my favorite breakfasts. Simple. Pretty. Healthy. And the place just makes me happy: hardboiled egg, bright green, nicely ripe avocado, fresh raspberries. A good amount of cayenne pepper over the egg — maybe a few drops of extra virgin olive oil and voila! Yum.

Coming soon… Bronx run for the best chicken cutlets in the town.

My Favorite Basil Sauce (i.e. the only one I've made to date)

I've got this recipe down to a "science"... uh, no. I have a very confident sense of the ingredients then adjust each time I make it :)

About 6 handfuls of basil. About 1-2 cups of extra virgin olive oil. Put it in the Food Processor until it begins to liquify. Then add the fun ingredients, beginning with toasted pine nuts. I leave them on the stovetop in a small pan for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown. (My preference is about a 1/4 cup) Add those to the food processor along with 1-2 ample squeezes of lemon juice, salt and pepper and a small clove of garlic. Let it blend for about 1-2 minutes. Taste, adjust seasoning as needed. 

This recipe is perfect to put on an sandwich or wrap, as a salad dressing or even over pasta or with meat. The taste is strong so very little is needed. It refrigerates well so it can last a while :) On occasion, I'll add a bit of spinach or parsley to the ingredients or a splash free lemon or lime.  

Say hello to my little friend

Is there nothing this miracle device can't do? First, after being in storage for... years??? it miraculously still works! Blends, crushes... keeps me "relatively" healthy! Sure, i need to move as well. But this little gem... bliss. Two morning recipes:

(1) Light morning concoction: 3-4 pieces of pineapple, one glass of water, tbsp hemp seeds, 1-2 tbsp coconut flakes, 1 tbsp chia seeds, half banana, nice chunk of ginger. 

(2) I may have mentioned that my juice recipes can sometimes backfire. For whatever reason, this one worked: sliver of ginger, handful of kale, 3-4 pieces of parsley, half an orange, half of a golden beet, ice, full glass of water, blend. It was shockingly good and refreshing!

Simple cooking

A go-to staple of yum. Chopped chicken breast, sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, with white onions, garlic, salt and pepper. I don't overcook the onions so they are still crunchy, then add spinach, sundries tomatoes. I save the best for last: a generous amount of capers to give each bite a bold taste.

Small Bite

A favorite go-to snack or light meal: Lightly toast whole wheat pita until golden brown; add half or whole ripe avocado; drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil, add fresh dill or cilantro; dice small amount of red or white onion; squeeze a bit of lemon juice. Final touch: a good dash of cayenne pepper. Then roll up like a burrito. Great with a pineapple smoothie (see below).