toes

Who is ready for dark tootsies??? As much as I LOVE summer and all of the bright colors that go along with it, there is something about the DARK colors that give me that extra sass! Get into the Espresso lane is my new fave! What's yours???

why MUSH?

mush...

mush...

mush...

mush...

and more mush...

Are you wondering how I could possibly eat this EVERY morning?! Well, it simple! It warm, comforting, tasty, healthy and full of fiber.  Oat bran leaves me feeling fulfilled and ready to ROCK! Are you still wondering why not just eat oatmeal? All oat groats comprise three parts: outer husk, middle germ and innermost endosperm( I'm quizzing you later).  Oat groats go through different processes and form various types of oats that are on most of our breakfast tables.  Rolled oats are formed by passing the groats through rollers, flattening them.  As this process takes place it separates the outer bran A.K.A. oat bran.  Both oatmeal and oat bran are capable of reducing bad cholesterol, heart disease...BUT oat bran is slightly superior than oatmeal.  It is higher in fiber and protein.  I'm just saying...

What mush do you wake up for?

Fritatta

I'm a little in love with this simple Spanish inspired dish because it is EASY, DELISH, and I can be creative and throw whatever I want in it!  As summer comes to an end(did i seriously just say that?) I like to incorporate corn, toms, peaches...into my recipes as much as possible! This dish tonight was simply a mix of some farm stand ingredients that I had on hand.  The leftovers are just as divine!

Farm stand Frittata

3/4 egg whites

4 organic eggs

1 cup of organic mozzarella divided (1/4 cup sprinkled on top the last minute)

1/2 chopped jalapeño

1 ear corn cut off the cob (cooked)

1/3 cup heirloom toms (seeded)

Whisk the eggs together with some salt and pep then add the remaining ingredients. Spray your pan(i use coconut oil spray) then add the egg mixture.  Allow to cook for about 10 minutes on med low heat until the sides are set.  Place the frittata under the broiler for the remainder of the cooking time(about 5-10 minutes). Sprinkle the cheese on the last minute of cooking.  When the cheese is melted take out and allow the eggs to rest for a few minutes before cutting! Serve with your favorite seasonal salad!  Let me know what ingredients in your kitchen inspired you!

Infusions

So as some of you may know, I was crazy enough to commit to 30 days of clean eating.  As some of you may know...I eat pretty freaking clean! The kicker in this feel better challenge is NO ALCOHOL! Huh? Really? Needless to say my glass of vino that I looked forward to at the end of a whirlwind of a day is no longer.  Instead of dwelling on the idea that my wine fridge is going to be lonely without me, I decided that I needed to come up with something delish to "replace" my Pinot Grigio.  Here is my first creation! Cilantro, jalapeño, lime water! It is damn good! Try it yourself and see what other ingredients might inspire your infusions.

Infusion #1

1/2 gallon water

1 handful cilantro

1/2 jalapeño

1 sliced lime

Add these ingredients to your water and let the flavors marry for about 24 hours! Drink up!
Cheers,
Emme

Tabbouleh

I know you probably think I'm making up words or speaking another language.  Tabbouleh(tab)(b)ouli) is a Levantine Arab salad made of bulgur, tomatoes, cucumbers, finely chopped parsley, mint, onion, and garlic seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt! Sounds like an easy quick recipe right? NOT! But it is so worth the soaking of bulgur, the chopping of veggies and herbs and the messy kitchen afterwards.  I guess the reason why this dish is so near and dear to my heart is because this is my blood.  If you dont know, I am Lebanese (hense the bump on my nose).  I grew up watching my mom massage the flavors together to create this fresh, wholesome, healthy dish.  I enjoy making this because not only is it delish but it makes alot! This is lunch for a week! Get your apron on and get those cutting boards out! You will not be disappointed!

 Tabbouleh

My Tabbouleh Recipe
1 cup of bulgur wheat

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup EVOO

1/2 cup finely chopped scallions

1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

1/2 cup chopped mint

1 cup English cucumber seeded and diced

2 cups chopped tom(cherry tom work great)

2 tblsp kosher salt and pep

Directions

Place the bulgur in a large bowl, add the boiling water, and 1 tblsp salt. Stir and let stand at room temperature for about an hour.  If needed drain any extra liquid then add scallions and the rest of the lemon and massage the ingredients together with your hands(the FUN part!) Continue to add the mint, parsley, cucumber, tomates, the rest of the salt and lemon.  Add pepper to taste and mix well. The flavors with marry after sitting for a little. 

I am so excited for you to experiment with this recipe because it is my favorite and when made with love its even better:) Happy chopping! Keep in touch!

First Friday Finds

  

 Good Morning world! So I wanted to share with you what I found on my ventures in YORK, yes YORK PA.  This place is near and dear to my heart because for 30 years it is what I experienced.  I owned a home in the downtown area and watched it go from a market with 2 vendors to a market that has CULTURE! Last night was their traditional FIRST FRIDAY which meant I needed to go! I am home for the weekend so I decided to go on an adventure.  I quickly became inspired by the smells, the passion, the smiling faces, the familiar faces, the art and most of all the growth of what once nothing to brag about.

 My first stop was Central Market! I have been wanting to check out a new vendor Sharmini and she was there!!!



  As I entered market the waft of fresh garlic, the sizzle of oil, and the warm laughter from the kitchen drew me into Sharmini's! Dressed in a colorful tunic with her apron draped perfectly she was cracking eggs and tossing rice noodles with her well known Malaysian infusions.  I watched Sharmini and she created her dish and she was more than excited to share with me her culture and her passion for cooking. I decided to try one of her green teas...being that I'm on this clean eating kick I haven't had any caffeine but I thought this would be a good chance to get some extra antioxidants! All I have to say is Starbuck, you got competition! The bright ingredients shined through in every sip! It was refreshing, healthy, and made with love.

https://www.facebook.com/SharminisKitchen

 This is on my list for next time! OMG it smelled so GOOD!! Next time you are in the area visit Sharmini...she will share her passion with you!



 I continued my adventure with my green tea. I bopped in and out of stores and made a few purchaces here and there like homemade foot scub, body butter, foot butter...not to eat people...for your skin.  My next big stop was Park Street Pantry! The sisters that own this place ROCK! They know how to mix flavors like no other...well, maybe Bobby Flay.  The first thing I notice and I enter is this bright green something! Naturally I needed to know what it was! YUM! I continued to stroll through and I found myself walking in circles because I LOVE it all!!!

eeni meeni minee moh...

parkstreetpantry.com



 Oil, balsamic, bacon jam, sugars, salts, seasonings, specialty chocolates, cute dishes and tea towels...I want it ALLLLLLL...I did good and made 3 purchaces! Meyer lemon EVOO for my salads, smoked sea salt for steaks(for Max) and salmon(for me) and rosemary sea salt for veggies!!!

 At this point of my First Friday findings I am in my glory! As my evening is coming to an end I decide to stop at my FAVE Thai restaurant Esaan! I haven't been able to find Thai cuisine more fresh than this!





esaanofpa.com

 I hope my Friday night motivates you to support your area! Get out there and find inspiration in the people, places, and experiences around you!

 I can't even begin to tell you how much I am going to miss fresh summer produce! Fluorescent red tomatoes, sweet as sugar corn, juicy peaches that drip off of my chin...my list is never-ending! Dinner tonight was a tribute to summer fresh veggies! Support your local markets and produce stands and add this to your menu!

Organic parsley lemon chicken with fresh corn and tomato salad
Organic chicken breasts pounded out( this makes it more moist and tender)
Bill lettuce-rinsed and dried
Farm stand tomatoes or cherry tomatoes(sliced however you prefer)
Grilled corn cut off of the cob
1/4 cup Parsley
1 tbsp. grated Garlic
Dijon
Lemon juice and rind of one lemon
EVOO( not trying to steal RR's thunder but it's easier)
Salt n' pep

Get the grill fired up and mix chopped flat leaf parsley, lemon juice and rind, garlic, evoo, salt n' pep...rub over the chicken and allow to marinate for 10 minutes

Next salad dressing time!! Dijon, 1 tbsp. EVOO, salt, pep...easy peasy!

Tear or cut your bibb lettuce into bite sized pieces and add your corn and toms! Place in the fridge and get your grilling tongues out! Grill the chicken 3-4 minutes on both sides or until the liquids run clear. I like cover meat and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving or slicing.

Grab your refreshing salad out of the fridge and drizzle your dressing over top

Slice your chicken into strip and divi up on your plate along with your salad!

Enjoy your simple summer fresh creation with a glass of vino or your favorite summer brew

Recommendations: Pinot Grigio, Hefeweizen

Hey peeps!

 I have been clicking and swearing and clicking and swearing...k-3 art teacher meets...setting up a BLOG! I've been so super excited to get this party started so lets do this! My goal on this space is to share my knowledge of healthy simple recipes that are sure to make you crave MORE! My goal is to learn from you and most importantly I want us to LAUGH! This is a place that you can come for more than rabbit food recipes! Tag along as I figure out this blog shit, and eat CLEAN!

KALE...I double dog dare you!!!!