Monthly Archives: January 2012

January 28, 2012 · 10:09 pm

Banana Stuffed French Toast With Streusel Topping

Sometimes a decadent breakfast is required in order to start the  day out right. Although I would not recommend doing this everyday, I completely think that indulging for breakfast every now and then is totally acceptable.

This is exactly how I felt this past weekend – I just wanted French Toast  and did not want to care about the dreaded caloric content. My solution? Decadent breakfast + smaller-than-normal portion size = one satisfied lady with a stomach that was not too full!

Step 1: Cut Challah Bread into Slices and
Cut “Pouch”; Cut Banana Slices

Step 2: Carmelize Bananas and Stuff into Bread

Step 3: Whisk the Egg Mixture Together

Step 4: Place Stuffed Bread in Egg Mixture with Almonds

Step 5: Combine Streusel Topping; Place on Top and Bake

Although decadent, I am happy to have made this. One recommendation is to be careful with the soak time of the challah bread and how much liquid it absorbs. Other than that, a perfect start to a Saturday or Sunday!

Cheers!

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January 23, 2012 · 3:24 am

Mighty-O Donuts


 I absolutely love finding restaurants and shops in local neighborhoods. Mighty-O Donuts is no different. Although I do not normally indulge in donuts, what especially peaked my interest about this place was the fact that they stray away from the “norm” and offer plenty of unique donuts such as lemon poppyseed and french toast to name a few. After staring at all of the choices for a few minutes, I finally settled upon the orange blossom (as pictured above).

I definitely was not disappointed with this choice. Not only did my stomach feel more than satisfied, but I am happy that I helped support a local company that is dedicated towards offering food with organic ingredients and sustainability in mind. Seattleites – visit this place and then take a stroll around Greenlake!

Cheers!

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· 3:07 am

How to: Pita Chips

I am pretty sure that I could not live without hummus. Basically, on average, I consume a lot more than is considered to be normal of carrots, celery and pita chips as a result of my hummus addiction. Since one cannot “make” carrots or celery, I figured it would be fun to make pita chips.

Step 1: Get Pita Chips and Garlic

Step 2: Cut Garlic and Pita Bread

Step 3: Toss Pita With Olive Oil,
Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Other Spices

Step 4: Place On Baking Sheet and Bake
For 15-20 Minutes at 425 Degrees
Step 5: Dip in Hummus and Enjoy! 

These are quite simple and take little time to make. Plus, I think they taste better than pita chips from the bag. My suggestion is to dip them in sun dried tomato hummus.

Cheers!

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January 20, 2012 · 5:16 am

Lemon Bars

Sometimes I just get the urge to bake. Tonight was no different. Unfortunately, I am in desperate need of a grocery shopping excursion. As a result, I’m left to the bare minimum for food. This lack of items did not help me with my baking quest at first; however, it did help me uncover easy recipes that I could use with both few and ordinary items. I settled upon making Lemon Bars – delicious, refreshing and probably one of the best desserts to make if in a bind for ingredients.

Step 1: Cream Sugar and Butter; Add Flour

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

Step 3: Bake Dough; Pour Wet Ingredients

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy!

Did I mention this is a Barefoot Contessa recipe? Although this is a dessert served better in the summer, I personally think it is a perfect change for a season that’s filled with way too many heavy items.

Cheers!

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· 4:25 am

Olive & Garlic Foccacia Bread

I have never been one to crave bread, choose to consume it on a whim or eat multiple slices while waiting for dinner at a restaurant. However, for me, focaccia bread is in its own category. I absolutely adore the buttery taste of this bread that is often complimented by simple ingredients like sea salt, pepper and garlic. For this time, I added kalamata olives and roasted garlic to spice it up.

Step 1: Stir Yeast, Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil and Water Together

Step 2: Chop Kalamata Olives

 Step 3: Stir in Flour and Let Rise

 Step 4: Season, Bake and Eat!

For me, this results in a simple equation: balsamic + olive oil + focaccia bread = buttery goodness. Perhaps it’s a good thing I don’t have bread too often!

Cheers!

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January 18, 2012 · 10:08 pm

Meatloaf

So, I’m  not going to lie, the whole thought of meatloaf is not that appetizing to me. I’m not sure why not – the ingredients that comprise it are pretty much the same ingredients for meatballs. So, in essence, meatloaf is just like an expanded version (a much expanded version) of meatballs. But, I think perhaps it is the thought of the meat looking like a “loaf” that makes me feel oddly about it.

Regardless, my boyfriend suggested making meatloaf the other night. I was a bit skeptical; however, we at least chose a recipe from a very, very legitimate source (Bobby Flay’s cookbook titled Bobby Flay’s Throwdown!). I must say, I was pretty pleased with the results. Although I didn’t include the recipe from his cookbook, I would highly encourage you to buy this book. It has great recipes and I’ve enjoyed choosing a recipe from there every now and then!

Cheers! 

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January 10, 2012 · 6:25 am

Everything is Bigger and Chocolatey-er in Texas!

My eyes lit up as soon as I found a recipe for a Texas Sheet Cake. In order to look forward to my upcoming trip to Austin, Texas (yes, I am so incredibly excited), I figured that I absolutely, positively had to make it. Plus, did I mention it was ranked #2 Best Dessert in Cooking Light magazine and it has copious amounts of chocolate? Sold.

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients Together;
Add Dry Mixture

Step 3: Bake Batter; Combine Butter,
Cocoa, Powdered Sugar and Pecan; Spread & Eat 

After making this cake, the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” kept ringing in my head. But, according to this cake, the phrase really should be “everything is bigger and chocolatey-er in Texas”. This was definitely a delicious cake with plenty of chocolate-y goodness. Perhaps my stomach size needs to increase before my upcoming trip!

Cheers!

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· 5:49 am

Maple-Mustard Chicken

I normally would not think to combine maple syrup and mustard with chicken. In fact, this combination has never crossed my mind. But, in an attempt to be more adventurous, I decided to try this recipe from the latest issue of Cooking Light. In this situation, sweet + savory wins.

Step 1: Prepare Spices and Cut Garlic

Step 2: Saute Chicken for Two
Minutes on Each Side

Step 3: Combine Liquid Ingredients
to a Boil in Skillet; Add Chicken

Step 4: Bake and Serve

This chicken recipe was a good decision and in commitment to my New Year’s Resolutions. Even though this recipe is on the healthier side, it definitely packs plenty of noticeable flavor. I highly recommend you to try it!

Cheers!

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· 5:29 am

Sweet Potato Fries With Sriracha Mayonnaise

I feel as though sweet potato fries are the new “it” item – they literally seem to be popping up on restaurant menus everywhere. Although the term “fry” usually provides for an unhealthy connotation, at least I feel better consuming sweet potato fries because I know I will be receiving my daily dose of Vitamin B6, C, D and Iron. Besides the vitamin values, I especially became inspired to make them after seeing a mouth-watering advertisement in Cooking Light from Alexia that featured Sweet Potato Fries With Sriracha Mayonnaise.

Step 1: Peel and Cut Potato Into Strips


Step 2: Toss With Olive Oil,
Garlic, Sea Salt and Pepper


Step 3: Mix Mayonnaise With
Sriracha Sauce and Lemon Zest;
Bake, Dip, Eat, Enjoy!

Although I totally jumped on the band wagon with this one, I do not regret it at all. These are extremely easy and provide for a light snack (if you do not dip in mayonnaise like I did of course!) and something that is a little bit healthier than the normal greasy fry.

Cheers!

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January 5, 2012 · 3:44 pm

Favorite Recipes of 2011

Bye bye 2011 – the year filled with various fruit-filled desserts, homemade pizzas and plenty of roasted chicken recipes. Throughout this past year, I definitely learned many new tricks including how to make pie pastry dough from scratch (and cut and assemble lattices for pies), how to properly clean and prepare a whole chicken for roasting and how to properly make quinoa, just to name a few!

In order to celebrate 2011, I just wanted to list a few of my favorites:

Strawberry Shortcakes

Cheddar Jalapeno Bread


Homemade Oreos


Roast Chicken With Chickpeas,
Tomatoes, Olives and Thyme


Sour Cherry Pie With Lattice Crust


Spaghetti & Sicilian Meatballs


Lemon Ricotta Pancakes With
Lemon Curd and Raspberries


Chicken Piccata


Blackberry Peach Crumble


Baked Macaroni & Cheese
With Garlic Bread Crumbs

Pumpkin Cake With
Cream Cheese Frosting

I am already excited for 2012: hoping to experiment more with pomegranates, mustard (yes, Epicurious predicted it to be a Top Food Trend for 2012), avocados and I would like to make homemade Pho. Join me in my adventure!

Cheers!

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