Here you’ll find everything I’m preparing in my kitchen - from veggies, to leftovers and pasta. I eat simply, and I cook for one, but love cooking for others. And no matter what, I always pause to plate pretty.
Most of my meals are often times the result of freestyle recipe free ingredient riffing and a trip to the vegetable market. Produce is my passion, and I hope that you won’t simply come here for a recipe - but that you’ll read, cook and create a new story of your own.
I believe there’s power in a stocked pantry and freezer. From traditional Italian dishes to alternative sweets, vegan and vegetarian swaps - there’s something for everyone.
Let this serve as inspiration and let’s eat!
When I was kid I spent a lot of time sleeping at friends homes. Between my moms schedule; one that required taking my brother to the hospital a few days a week, and dads late nights truck driving - memories of food that I built outside of my family home have stayed in my heart and still give me comfort today. I loved sleeping over Antoinette’s and it wasn’t just because she had two older brothers that were handsome
Read MoreI’ve been eating a lot of beans. Shocking. I must begin these blog posts with that line at least 3x a week. And, being as my life goal is to make a bean cookbook before I die or head to some sort of after life where I pray (as much as I love beans) that I can eat more cannoli’s than beans without feeling the wrath of sugar ills and where I can drink more Negroni’s
Read MoreTired of hummus? Same old, same old dip? Don’t just spice it up, triple spice it up!
Fresh out of chickpeas after last weeks bean filled bonanaza, I had a can of cannellini to spare. Instead of using them in their standard Italian preparation, I took them on a new flavor journey.
I closed in on a quick granola for the yogurt, muffin, oatmeal and fruit topping win! And I baked some apples that were looking sad in my fridge! Most days in my kitchen, cooking is about using what I’ve got in order to survive hunger, mealtime and loneliness. Lemme not go down the emotion path and keep this on the quick cooking tip!
Read MoreThis week I spent $13.49 on vegetables to get me through the week until I fly south to see the family. That said, it's been hot and sticky here in NY which means that roasting and turning on the oven is a huge no no. Luckily, my life is pretty saucy (that's a pesto joke) and I've figured out a thing or two when it comes to cooking veggies on
Read MoreIf you’ve read anything I’ve ever written recently or in the past, you know I’m single and over buy produce - it’s my thing. I’m a well intentioned shopper and eater who is sometimes tempted by wine, crepes, a night out or sushi on my couch. Every week I buy what looks best at the market - my only goal is to refresh my refrigerator with real/fresh food and produce.
Read MoreA few weeks I bought my favorite pre-peeled and pre-cooked Gefen Organic Beets.
Why do I love these whole peeled, ready to eat, vacuum sealed, organic beets?
Because they are mess and hassle free, my weeknight lunch prepping and snacky friends.
Put them in a quick salad, eat them as is (I'm strange, I can snack on sweet beets and sometimes I crave exactly that) or turn them into your favorite dip.
Read MoreI’ve been cooking quite a bit, but with the balancing of substitute teaching and coaching - recipe posting has taken a backseat for the moment. Waking at 5am and getting home at 4pm, although shorter than my corporate days are still somewhat anxiety filled (counting kids and making sure everyone is learning, getting along, practicing kindness and has not gone missing) but much more joyful.
Saying I’m ok with not writing and running myself ragged while I continue to take on new work and projects makes me proud, where as in the past I would have made myself feel terrible for not doing it all.
Maybe you’re thinking, why is this broad telling me this? Just gimme the recipe for that green stuff on that salad and I’ll be on my way …
Routine is wonderful and keeps us in check, but stepping outside of our comfort zone is essential for growth - in life and food. And keeping things saucy is certainly one of my secrets to making meals consistently fun and tasty. I don’t know if I could eat chicken, rice and broccoli or the same one pot meal over and over again throughout the week - not without some special sauces.
If you like the kitchen and if you don’t mind getting in it, dare to keep it saucy.
Read MoreI grew up eating Sunday sauce with a family where we connected folding tables in a basement, ate meals bumping elbows and talking with our mouths full. We fought for freshly fried meatballs and seconds at the table. Obtaining the final meatball could be likened to winning the WWF heavyweight championship title belt.
Read MoreOnce a week I do a produce refresh for my lunches and dinners and I wrote about it here.
Today I'm gonna go a little more in depth with regard to what landed on my table from that one cooking session. And please don't think this is how you have to cook, not in any way, I'm simply sharing the possibilities that come with making a tray of veggies and how they can have use in your day and meals beyond a simple side eaten as is. This is inspiration. A recommendation. Maybe some motivation.
Veggies can be used to create the base for a multitude of meals (at least in my single lady world)
Read MoreThis week I’m off from substitute teaching, but I’ve still got private and corporate health work to attend to with a No Bake Treats workshop happening at a law firm in NYC on Friday, then one in DC and CT the following 2 Friday’s while I balance sub teacher life. That said, this week promises to be quite busy as do the coming weeks ahead. Filled with teaching, treat making, writing and figuring out how to get new clients and wondering how I'm supposed to date in the middle of so much newness. I digress.
A meal strategy going into a week is key for me and, I’d imagine for you too. And, I’m in the zone when it comes to my own food and time. I know what food I like, I'm committed to eating well (and all within reason, hello, Nutella) and I’ve already prioritized cooking as an integral part of my life that I don’t plan on sacrificing. Cooking makes me feel good
Read MoreAt 11:35am I made myself a hummus and almond bread sandwich with a cucumber and tomato salad on the side. Lunch doesn't get any simpler than hummus and veggies. Packed with fiber, protein and pleasing texture thanks to Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning.
My tip: this is a traditional hummus, but not as strong with the lemon. I use only the juice from 1/2 a lemon, a little bit of zest and a shake of cumin as I don't want the lemon and cumin competing with the Everything Seasoning.
Read MoreListen, I know most folks want gourmet meals prepared and chicken cordon bleu on Tuesday nights - but I've reframed meals to mean anything that satisfies me and hits my vegetable quotient for the day. Perhaps you're rolling your eyes, more vegetables, and I say - the more veggies and simple food you eat, the more you actually crave them.
A good bean or veggie based dip can be used to top off your grain bowls, salads and roasted veggies. It can get smeared on bread
Read MoreThe base for these here truffles is the great cacao nib, chock full of REAL HEALTH benefits. It's not your over processed, sugar and chemical laden grocery store chocolate, no no no. And the cacao nib health realness surpasses that of the dark chocolate bar (even those of the fancy fair trade variety). Cacao comes from the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree. It's chocolate in its realest and purest state.
And since I'm all for eating to feel good and to look good, let's be real people - eating real food makes ya skin glow like a lightbulb, brings clarity to those peepers,
Read MoreI'll be going out to lunch today so I wanted a breakfast that would sustain my energy and give me a boost for the long walk I plan on taking. I know my body and I know it'll be feeding time at the zoo well before 1pm, so I've got my snack bag packed so I'm not skipping and then dipping into whatever looks good to feast on at 1pm.
Having breakfast at 7:30am and waiting 5.5 hours to eat lunch is a NO GO in my book and kinda in everyone else's. Checking in on hunger can be tricky, but building a habit out of it is how you recognize it. Here's how.
Read MoreIs your pantry bare and now you’re in a snow day scare?
STOP. READ THIS. ON STOCKING. AND EAT THIS.
Because healthy means, chocolate and coconut for breakfast and it’s all so simple with a stocked pantry!
Read MoreI mentioned it earlier that I'm not a big fan of baking. I enjoy the making of brownies, different types of bars, chocolate barks and nut butter cups and especially my no bake balls. I dabble in the art of raw vegan cookie dough and the other morning while horsing around in the kitchen I happened upon a happy cookie accident.
Read MoreGrowing up eggs were a staple in our home. From eggs in purgatory to peppers, potatoes and eggs and giant frittatas - they made for an appearance at dinner least one night of the week. These mini veggie stuffed frittatas are bite sized and filled with flavor, perfect for breakfast, a quick party appetizer, mid-day snack, lunch or dinner with soup or salad.
Read MoreOne of the healthiest and least stressful ways I like to get through a week, particularly pre-holiday, is by sticking to some sort of cooking routine - even if it means only making 1 tray of roasted vegetables. I know cooking for yourself during stressful times seems counterintuitive, but it makes total sense - trust me. A little time at the front getting some veggies and cooking...
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