Showing posts with label photo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photo. Show all posts

Thursday, August 11, 2011

RIP

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Cilantro

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Hydrangea


I hope these are not an indication of my future mothering skills.

Seaweed Chip

Seaweed Chip by Petunia21
Seaweed Chip, a photo by Petunia21 on Flickr.
These have been my new favorite post-apple & almonds, pre-lunch snack...

I went from eating one and going "well, I like California rolls, but this is too much!"...

... to "Hey, these aren't bad... can I take a few?" (in which I ate 1/3 of Sean's container"...

To buying Sean a replacement bag..... and eating my own... the entire thing in one sitting.

Of course I felt sick. It was too much... but that didn't stop me from doing it again the next day.

Roasted Seaweed snack

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Pumpkin Ice Cream!

I had to improvise and adapt this recipe from 2 recipes... The recipe I was following called for eggs, but did not mention cooking them... I had never made ice cream before but had seen it done enough times on the Barefoot Contessa to remember... tempering eggs (cause it always scared me).


Pumpkin Ice Cream

2 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
3/4 cup Date Syrup *** see recipe below
Cinnamon
Fresh Nutmeg
1 cup Pumpkin Puree

I whisked together the eggs. Then, in a separate container, I mixed the cream, milk, date syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl. I put that on the stove until it was hot enough I thought to cook eggs. Then I took two ladles of the liquid and quickly whisked it into the eggs. Then I quickly whisked all the eggs back into the cream mixture on the stove and continued to cook until it got thick and coated the spoon.

Then I put it in my already pre-frozen ice cream attachment and mixed according to my Kitchen Aid directions. 

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About 20 minutes later, scooped it all out into an old Chinese food container and stuck in the freezer.

Pumpkin Ice cream Take 2

** this is how I would make the recipe again. This is NOT how it went down last night in my kitchen... I'll spare you the dramatic details!

It was quite yummy! I sampled enough of the cream before it got mixed... and licked enough of the spoon to know that totally hard, this ice cream rocks! Not super sweet, but sweet enough for me. And NO CANE SUGAR!

***  Date Syrup

 Ingredients 

10 Medjool dates, pitted (or 20 normal dates, pitted)
1 3/4 cup water
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a blender and process for a few minutes until smooth and completely blended. Start off slowing to allow the dates to break up initially, and then build up the speed. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Pumpkin Pancake/Cake/Kugel

Pumpkin Pancake/Cake/Kugel by Petunia21
Pumpkin Pancake/Cake/Kugel, a photo by Petunia21 on Flickr.

Yesterday, I talked about my "disaster" with the spelt pancake.

I hate throwing things out, especially since 2 cups of spelt flour is not cheap. so I threw in some agave nectar, sprayed a glass pan and threw it in my small toaster oven... it smelt wonderful! But after re-baking like 3 times, I gave up. The texture and consistency is... well, what you see above. Very dense. I ate a piece for breakfast. :)

Chilled Rawvocado Soup with Coconut Water

I made this last night. It was reallllly good.
It tasted like liquid guacamole... which I'm so OK with. I thinned it out a lot with water. I thought I'd only be thinning in a little bit so I opted for water, just not to open a box of coconut water. If I would have known, I would have use the other box. I also added some salt and lime zest. Chilled, its like a refreshing dream!
Chilled Rawvocado Soup with Coconut Water
This recipe makes two servings.  If you want more soup, double the amounts accordingly.
Ingredients:
2 large, ripe avocados
1 cup coconut water (you could also use nut milk or filtered water)
juice of 1 lime (about 4 tablespoons)
½ cup cilantro leaves
¼ cup chives
1 shallot, minced
pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
1.     Cut open and pit avocados. Scoop out flesh, reserving a small portion of one half for garnish.
2.     Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add more coconut water until the desired consistency is reached (it should coat the back of a spoon, but not be solid).
3.     Pour into a large jar with a tight-fitting lid and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Serve when cold. Garnish with avocado cubes and chives or cilantro.
I used the recipe from this article:
http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2011/07/meatless-monday-celebrate-the-holiday-with-this-chilled-and-raw-avocado-soup.html

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Pumpkin Yogurt

I had a big of a spelt pancake disaster on Sunday.  Perhaps "Disaster" is a strong word but... once I combined wet to dry... the batter tripled in size, with the elasticity of... pizza dough?

What I think happened, because it seems to be the only factor that has changed... is the baking powder.  When I wrote the recipe, I used... very old baking powder.  Looking back... 3 tsp of baking powder to 2 cups of flour DOES seem a bit excessive, even for my non-baking brain.

I recently opened up a new batch of powder and this is the second time it's happened. The first time I as camping and blamed it on the "elements".

I ended up adding some agave nectar to the batter, and threw it in a pan to bake off... not quite sure WHAT it turned into, its a mix between a pancake, a cake... and kugel.

So I opened up this huge can of pumpkin (to make pumpkin pancakes) and what to do with the remaining pumpkin?

WELL...

This morning I added it to my Greek Yogurt!

So I made Pumpkin Yogurt?

Pumpkin Yogurt

Ingredients:

pumpkin puree
Greek yogurt
date syrup
cinnamon
pinch of clove
Voila!


I'm quite pleased with the turnout!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Flamer has gone Mexican!

Flamer, my 3 1/2 QT. Le Creuset Braiser has mostly played a key role in my Indian curries cookings.

But I was inspired by my friend Jeanna's Eetlust blog: http://eetlust.blogspot.com/  She just purchased her 2nd Le Creuset piece in just under under 8 days from buying her first one (I'm so proud of her...I swear, they multiply by themselves!). She blogged a few weeks ago about the frittata that she made with her new little LC frying pan.

I have Brenda, my 8 inch skillet that lives upon Sonny a 2 1/2 Qt sauce pan... but there are 2 of us here in this household, so I felt that the 8 inch skillet was not big enough for breakfast...

So, I decided to use Flamer, who was still drying from last night's Indian delight.  I opened up to the fridge to see who wanted to play this morning... and it was spinach!

We went to costo last week, and I have this enormous go to bag of spinach that is already pre-washed and ready to go! I cut up an onion and sauteed for a few minutes. Thew in 3 huge handfuls of spinach and let it wilt down.  then I added a few scrambled eggs some parmasan cheese, and then threw some mozzarella cheese.

Then I threw that puppy in the broiler... something I have YET to do in Flamer... or any of pans!  It was quite exhilarating! Once all the cheese was melted I took it out and voila! My first ever frittata!


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Indian Saturday Night!

Yesterday morning, while eating our spelt banana pecan pancakes, Brian chose Pyaaz Murghi... Breasts of Chicken in an Onion-Turmeric Sauce out of our 660 curries cook book by Raghavan Iyer

 

This is how we normally how we go about finding the perfect weekend curry... Brian looks through, picks one, he reads the ingredients while I am standing at attention in front of the spice cabinet and fridge to see if we have enough ingredients to do it!

As he reads: canola oil, CHECK. Turmeric... CHECK. ..... Punjabi garam masala......... CHECK!  I was thrilled! I had made punjabi garam masala a few months ago.  The recipe I was using it for made more than what the day's recipe called for.  I had an extra small glass jar and labeled it and stuck it in my spice cabinet.  I knew I'd use it again one day, but was thrilled when I was able to pull it out so quickly!  Being organized helps to make life more manageable!

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This is certainly a "during" photo. And I was too hungry to take an "after". But imagine a darker color yellow from the garam masala all sprinkled with green from the fresh cilantro and strips of julienne ginger. We put it over brown rice and served with some roasted cauliflower.  YUMMY! (almost zero leftovers!)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Spelt Brownies

Spelt Brownies... TAKE ONE!

INGREDIENTS -
3 eggs
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 Tbsp of powdered stevia
2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup spelt flour
1/2 cup cocoa (unsweetened)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

3/4 cup butter, melted

PREPARATION -
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a bowl beat together the egg, coconut sugar, stevia and vanilla. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and nuts
  4. Mix together egg and flour mixture then add melted butter.
  5. Scrape mixture into a 9" by 13" cake pan (grease pan or use parchment paper).
  6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick stuck in their center comes out clean.
I halved this recipe since I wanted to play around with the sugar content.


They came out really good! I haven't had brownies on almost 3/4 of a year!  These are more cake-y, and I'd like to explore to make them more fudge-y.  But I have a starting off point.


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Monday, June 20, 2011

Insanely Good Banana Nut Pancakes

Each weekend, I try to mix up and match my extracts and spices to my spelt pancake batter to see how create I can get...

This weekend's delight was inspired by 2 ripe bananas sitting in my fruit hammock...

As these babies were hitting the griddle, the husband asked "Are you baking something?"  They smelt wonderful!


Banana Nut Pancakes just poured

You can notice the bits of walnuts in the pancakes!


One more to flip... they were smelling so good!


Say "CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE"


This platter will serve me for a week!
Here's the recipe for the:

Ingredients:

2 cups of spelt flour                               
½ cup of almond meal                           
¾  tsp of salt                                          
3 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp Cinnamon                                       
2 cups of room temperature milk   (1 1/2 cups for thicker pancakes)                   
2 room temperature eggs                           
2 Tbsp coconut oil room temperature (should be in liquid form) or canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract 
½ cup crushed, hammered, or hand squeezed walnuts
2 ripe bananas, mushed

Combine dry together. Then wet together. Then mix together.  I used an 1/8th cup measuring cup to make mini-ish pancakes.

These smell like banana bread fresh out of the oven!

Next time... I'm adding dark chocolate chips to them!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Pesto Salmon with Broccoli

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I picked 6 cups of basil yesterday off of our enormous basil plant! It truly needed a haircut. There is still plenty of basil left.

I decided to make a pesto with my bounty. I had just enough pine nuts and picked leaves to make 3 batches.

I had no idea how pesto salmon was gonna taste, but I went for it!



I made the Weight Watchers pesto, and cover 2 salmon fillets with it, then stuck it under the broiler for about... 15-20 minutes.  I pan fried some broccoli in my cast-iron skillet and left the carbs in the closet. I had a LOT of brown rice at lunch!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Lunchtime delight

Lunchtime delight by Petunia21
Lunchtime delight, a photo by Petunia21 on Flickr.
A relaxing lunch time for me!

My ipod & journal.

My delicious leftovers of spelt and roasted chicken along with a freshly nuked broccoli with EVOO and salt. All together in my little try thanks to our kitchen, and of course, my jumbo water!

Blanca

Blanca, my beautiful 18 oz. serving bowl which is a Japanese exclusive, in the color pearl.  She is oval shaped and measures 7" long x 5-1/2" wide and is 2-3/8" high.


She was a gift from Aunt Jeanna who I work with who LOVES Le Creuset as well.  Aunt Jeanna actually gifted me with Lola. You can read all about Lola on the link.

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Aunt Jeanna went to the NEW Le Creuset outlet in the Citadel outlets in Los Angeles and felt Blanca needed a home with me!

I naturally welcomed her into the family immediately with open arms, and stomach!



My breakfast of yogurt, agave nectar and Ezekiel almond cereal never tasted to wonderful :)
 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Lamb Meatball Soup

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My co-worker made this soup last night using Carmen, her new 7 1/4 QT. Le Creuset Oval Doufeu.
 
Stock photo (actual picture of Carmen will be posted soon). 

Carmen is actually my god daughter. And I had the pleasure of naming her! (that's a story for another time.)

This was the first time I ever tried lamb!  Mom and Dad never cooked it to my recollection growing up, so I had no inclination to really eat it.  But after my sister moved to Scotland, she says she eats it all the time.  

After a short conversation with my friend Kelly the other day, she was talking about these Tapas that she was eating at a restaurant and mentioned Lamb.  

So when presented with the opportunity to try this lamb soup today, I trepidatiously said "YES!" 

Kelly reminded me that its awesome, when the bowl was in front of me, so I put my big girl panties on and shoved the spoon i my mouth.  AND YUMMY! It felt REALLY lean. I don't know if that was the cut of the meat, the way that it was prepared, or the natural make up of the lamb, but I am pleased!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Breakfast Options Expanded!

In my ever expanding need to mix up breakfast... I found this Ezekiel 4:9 cereal at whole foods. Not cheap, but this box will live at work, so my 6'4 husband won't be getting his hands on it!

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal

I haven't eaten it as "cereal" yet... I have been using it as an accoutrement to my yogurt. A little faux granola.  Its certainly crunchy! And NOT sweet at all.  I still added a touch of agave nectar to the oatmeal for the tiny bit of sweetness. But overall, I'm happy with a new breakfast find!

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

My Buffet of Flavors


Almond -- (used mostly in my spelt pancakes and my oatmeal!)
Peppermint
Rose
Ginger
Almond
Star Anise
Lemon
Vanilla
Chocolate
Orange
Clove
Lavender
Cinnamon
Vanilla -- (used in mostly everything)
Peppermint -- (used most often in my hot chocolate)
Coconut (artificial... scandalous, but will do for now)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

E.T.

Has anyone heard the new song by Katy Perry and Kanye West E.T??  Weird. 

Has anyone seen the video????  WEIRDER

I mean, I'm not a prude... but my god, the entire video/lyrics is about sodemistic penetration and like, forceful sex:


[Kanye West ]
I got a dirty mind I got filthy ways
I'm tryna bathe my eyy in your milky way
I'm a legend I'm irreverent I'll be reverend
I'll be so faaaaa-ar up
We dont give a fuuuh-uh-uck
Welcome to the danger zone
Step into the fantasy
You are not invited to the other side of sanity
They callin me an alien a big headed astronaut
Maybe its because yo boy Yeezy get ass a lot

[Katy Perry]

You're so hypnotizing
Could you be the devil
Could you be an angel

Your touch magnetizing
Feels like I am floating
Leaves my body glowing

They say be afraid
You're not like the others
Futuristic lover
Different DNA
They don't understand you

Your from a whole other world
A different dimension
You open my eyes
And I'm ready to go
Lead me into the light

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me
Infect me with your love and
Fill me with your poison

Take me, ta-ta-take me
Wanna be a victim
Ready for abduction

Boy, you're an alien
Your touch are foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial

Your so supersonic
Wanna feel your powers
Stun me with your lasers
Your kiss is cosmic
Every move is magic

Your from a whole other world
A different dimension
You open my eyes
And I'm ready to go
Lead me into the light

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me
Infect me with your love and
Fill me with your poison

Take me, ta-ta-take me
Wanna be a victim
Ready for abduction

Boy, you're an alien
Your touch are foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial

[Kanye West - Verse 2]

I know a bar out in mars
Where they driving spaceships instead of cars
Cop a prada space suit about the stars
Getting stupid hah straight up out the jars
Pockets on shrek, rockets on deck
Tell me whats next? Alien sex.
Imma disrobe you
Then Imma probe you
See I abducted you
So I tell you what to do

[Katy Perry]

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me
Infect me with your love and
Fill me with your poison

Take me, ta-ta-take me
Wanna be a victim
Ready for abduction

Boy, you're an alien
Your touch are foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial

Extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial

Boy, you're an alien
Your touch are foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial

Video



Its just out of my small box. But I must say, there is something about this image that made me have to screen cap


I think its the double braided hair draped around her forehead... the cool purple eye shadow that looks like works of art, along with the face tattooing.  Or the softness of the lighting...

but... it is kinda catchy!

Like the Clap!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Welcome to the Family

My beautiful 3.5 qt Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Buffet Casseroles in Flame...

I got it for my Birthday. He/She will be named later.

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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Lunch!

I made this Salmon and Lentil Salad Monday morning, after trying to get around to it for 2 weeks! Thankfully, the dill (which was the only thing that had a real expiration date on it) was still in good shape.

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It's very tasty!

Click on the link if you want the recipe!

 

Lemony Lentil Salad with Salmon


I paired it with some spinach. The same spinach I had with my omelet this morning. Its even EASIER to make at work. I keep a jammed pack Tupperware full of it at my work fridge. And when I want some, pop it in the microwave and cook for like a minute. Sprinkle on some salt, garlic powder, and a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive that I keep in my work drawer, and we're good to go!