SRIRACHA

So I have been on a soba noodle sriracha KICK! If you have no idea what sriracha is, you need to get your snow boots on and get your ass to the store! Last night I was feeling like I wanted to spice things up during the thunder-snow(WTF). The recipe that follows is easy peasy and can be made ahead of time!! If you are a sriracha VIRGIN I want you to try a little squirt on your morning eggs…you will be addicted in no time!

Soba, cauli, kale, chicks, sriracha, miso, tahini, garlic, agave=AMAZEBALLS

Ingredients:

Soba noodles (I used just enough for me)

5 or so nice leaves of kale rinsed dried chopped and massaged with salt, EVOO and lemon

Roasted cauli or whatever veggies make you happy (toss with EVOO salt and pep and roast at 375 for about 20 minutes (flipping 1/2 way)

1 handful of chickpeas

Dressing:

1 squeeze of sriracha

1tbsp tahini

1tbsp miso

1 garlic clove (grated)

2 tbsp water

Agave-just a little dribble to balance out the flaves

Cook your noodles as directed, drain, and cool ( I always rinse with cold water so they don't stick)

Then add your massaged kale to your dish, place your soba on one side and your roasted cauli on the other, chickpeas down the center.

After mixing the dressing together drizzle it all over your delicious bowl of goodies!

This noodles in this dish give the satisfaction of a carb( a healthy one) and the veggies add a perfect texture while the creaming dressing has a kick but a touch of sweetness

If miso and tahini are not in your language try them!! Get out of your comfort zone and add them to your 2014!

Happy cooking!!

LLL

EmME

xo

KALE-AHOLIC

So those of you who really know me or just met me know that I HEART KALE! It's so GOOD and so GOOD for you! If you aren't quite obsessed like me A.) You aren't massaging it like its your main squeeze or B.) You aren't massaging it like its your main squeeze!!

Its all about the EVOO, kosher salt, lemon juice and getting your hands in there!! Check out my previous post if you have no idea why I'm talking about massaging lettuce!!!

Anywho…I thought I would show you some of my cray cray DELISH combos!

Kale with NJ sweet corn, roasted summer squash and parsnips

with a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds for a crunch

This colorful combo has roasted carrots, cauliflower, and brussels with a side of Greek olives and toasty bread! I gotta have my CRUNCH! I think a see a little avo hiding too…love the creaminess! 

Hard boiled eggs(I make them every Sunday) chopped ago, a smear of hummus, Greek olives and toasty bread! Hummus isn't just for dipping people!!!

Have fun with cutting your veggies different ways! I cut mine more like fries so I could dip them in carrots you are missing out!! CANDY! This salad has a pile of fluffy parm which pairs well with kale!

CHICKPEAS are my easy protein!! I usually buy the low sodium ones BUT when I'm really extra healthy I soak and boil my own! Let me tell you there is such a HUGE difference in flavor!! In this salad I tossed in a couple homemade croutons and roasted some beets!! If you think you don't like beets you need to erase that food memory from Aunt Dorothy's Easter Dinner with canned beets and pickled eggs!! They are fabulous just roasted! ( Scrub them really well, chop off the greens, wrap them in foil with a drizzle of EVOO and roast at 400 for about 40 minutes) Let them cool a little but then take a paper towel and rub the skin off! VIOLA! Their natural sweetness and earthiness is divine and a great addition to any salad!!

I hope this post inspires you to add your faves to a delicious kale salad!! It is truly a blank canvas! I never get bored with my salads bc well…

LLL

xo

EmME

What is REAL love?

My hubby and I celebrated Vday a little early with a delicious dinner at our cozy home.

Of course I still got sassed up and curled my hair (which I never do). When planning my menu I wanted something sexy, simple, tasty, and pretty.  I'm talking about my menu, not me but thank you! 

Blood Orange Gin Fizz

Chilled Garlic Shrimp

Spinach salad with frizzled pancetta 

Linguini with fresh tomatoes, toasty breadcrumbs, fresh basil

Lemon Scorpini

Vino ALWAYS

I want to share with you the delish pasta dish that can be made for a special occasion or a quick weeknight meal! I am proud to admit that I haven't quite perfected it yet but I am damn close!! Cooking is like a sport for me! I will practice until I get a hole in one!! Keep in mind that the following recipe is not set in stone! Add your own faves to it!! Sun dried tomatoes, olives, artichokes…I'm thinking capers next time!

Ingredients:

1 box Linguini

1/2 cup panko or homemade bread crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan

1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning

1 pound cherry toms

8 cloves garlic

1/4 cup EVOO

2 tsp sugar

1 tbsp kosher salt

Fresh basil

After rinsing and drying your toms place them in a broil proof baking dish (trying to keep them in one layer). Add garlic then drizzle with EVOO, and sprinkle with sugar! Mix with your hands or a spoon if you are afraid to get dirty:) Oh yeah, and I forgot to tell you to preheat your oven at 450…Anywho, after your toms are coated with good stuff mix your breadcrumbs with salt and dried Italian seasoning. Dust the toms with the breadcrumbs then get your hands dirty again! Time to pop these babies in the oven so they can make your kitchen smell like Italy! They are going to bake for about 15 minutes so we better get our water boiling for the pasta! Always salt your water to give it flavor! Once the water is rolling dunk those noodles in and cook away! Check on your toms…watch out for the beautiful waft of toms and garlic when you open the oven!! They should be having a party in there...splitting and browning. If this is happening put them under the broiler for another 5 or so minutes! Keep your eye on them!! Drain your pasta and put it back in the pot with a drizzle of EVOO! Add your homemade roasted sauce to the noodles, place a nest of pasta on each plate, add a couple leaves of basil (I like to rip mine for its rustic appeal) shower the dish with parm and fall in love.

Fall in love with the man across from you.

 Fall in love with the comfort of your home. 

Fall in love with the flavors exploring your mouth.

Fall in love with simplicity.

Fall in love with yourself.

LOVE

xoxo

LLL (live laugh love)... in case you weren't sure

EmME

MASSAGED kale

I enjoy massaged kale salads at least a handful of times throughout the week! I am emphazising that this is massaged kale (lucky green shit right)?! First things first WASH your kale really well unless you like to crunch on sand!! Then dry it the best you can and chop however you prefer your greens. Top with a drizzle a little evoo or grapeseed oil (or oil of your choice), a grind of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon! And now MASSAGE like its that guy you've been crushing on!(you might want to do this when noone is watching) I like to dribble a little agave into the mix to take any of the bite out! Now that you have your base its time to be creative!! Roasted or raw  veggies, nuts and seeds, avocado, beans, chicken, salmon, quinoa...your options are endless and this is why I can eat this so many times in one week! I crave it!

***

My SNOW DAY creation:)

Massaged kale, roasted brussels sprouts and sweet pot, diced avocado, chickpeas and a sprinkle of dried cranberries! (with a side of sprouted grain bread for crunch)

Now its your turn! Go for it! If you are a kale virgin maybe try to add your fave dressing first!(I would still massage it A.) Texture B.) So you can day dream about your heartthrob! Then once you are feeling brave experiment!!

happy munching

LLL,

Em

SNOW DAY again…

As much as I hate it I love it! I get to enjoy my morning coffee in my comfies, concoct a delish breakie, snuggle with the love of my life (my dog Quincy) and share my yummy ideas with you! What is your typical breakfast? Egg whites? Cereal? Greek yogurt with fruit? I LOVE breakfast! I wake up hungry and can't wait to crunch into whatever is on the menu that day!!! I've created a very simple breakie that makes me happy and satisfies all of my needs (at least something does) haha…It is cheap, quick, crunchy, creamy, and HEALTHY!!! Thank god because pizza and wine have been my diet! Soooooo…drum roll please!!!!!

So coffee is a MUST!!! Pike place is my go to!! 

Food for Life Spouted Grain bread is my crunch! My creamy is 1 mashed banana with a dash of cinnamon, topped with a dollop of almond butta! Yep that's what I said! BUTT-A! When you bite into this deliciousness you might just have a FOODGASM! Just sayin…

happy breakie

LLL

em

So lets chat about risotto…A.K.A. adult mac and cheese! This dish is my therapy! Some might dread the stirring and adding and stirring and stirring…but for me it is relaxing and makes me feel at home.  My memories in the kitchen with my mom, Diana Krall, and a martini in hand live near and dear in my heart! Cooking and enjoying food with those I love are my passion, my joy, my ohm. So back to risotto  before I start sun salutations…ROSEMARY LEMON RISOTTO! You need this in your belly! This dish makes an amazing main course with grilled shrimp, salmon, scallops, chicken…YOU PICK! Or just enjoy it as is!

My mom always taught me to prep! Its my best advice!

4-5 Servings

(This depends on if you steal bites from the pan while cleaning up the kitchen)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons EVOO

5 cups of low sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cups of arborio rice

2 lemons zested and and cut in half( see pic)

2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary(smells so good)

1 cup of parm plus a little extra to sprinkle of top

1 cup chopped onion

1/4 white wine (if you have but not necessary) 

salt and pep

TIME TO CREATE!

Heat your broth over low heat in a medium sauce pan. Melt 1 tbsp butter and evoo in a dutch oven.  Add chopped onion and rosemary- cook until onion translucent. I like to sprinkle a little salt too…Add arborio rice and stir it into the onion mixture, coating each grain. Add your wine and allow to absorb (if you didn't already drink all of it). Next add 1 ladle of chicken broth…stir around and allow to absorb. When stirring this dish it releases the starches creating the creamy texture that we love so much!  Then squeeze 1/2 lemon into the mixture…you are going to continue this pattern of broth and lemon until the broth is gone and the arborio is al dente! You do not want to overcook risotto because it will become sticky and mushy. Once the grain has a slight bite, take it off the heat and add the cheese, remaining 1 tblsp butter salt and pep! Once the flavor has a enough punch for you serve this steaming comfort onto your plate and top with fresh lemon zest and a sprinkle of cheese!

Pair this dish with your favorite red or white and let the flavors warm your belly. 

I hope this dish is a new food memory that you can share with 

your loves….

Enjoy

LLL,

Em

Hey foodie friends!
I'm back in action! Why? Perhaps the snow day motivated me or maybe it was the amazing salmon dish I created the other night that you NEED to make!! Anywho, I hope you are keeping warm on this snowy day! I know my slippers are not coming off( although Quincy might need to do his duty at some point). So before we get too crazy with recipes I need to share with you my all time fave snack!

                                           AVOCADO HARD BOILED EGG TOASTIE

comforting, creamy, crunchy, healthy, snack

Ingredients:

Toast of your choice

1/2 mashed avocado

1 sliced hard boiled egg

sprinkle of kosher salt

Ill let you figure out the recipe:)

Happy Snacking!

LLL, 

Em