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food

Tasty

Did Someone Say Burrata?

June 2, 2014

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Got your attention did I?

Sliced Tomatoes

Well I was craving some comfort food amongst this warm weather (why, I have no idea), and wanted to make a seasonally appropriate dish… here is what I put together:

Heirloom Tomtato and Burrata Pasta

  • 10-12 heirloom tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 lb. pasta (I used quinoa spaghetti that worked well)
  • course sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • Burrata cheese (how much depends on you decadent you want it – I used 1/2 a ball
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Slice tomatoes in half and transfer to a mixing bowl.
  3. Top with mixture of olive oil, vinegar, garlic and heavy seasoning of salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt). Mix until combined.
  4. Spread tomato mixture on a foil lined baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes (you want the tomatoes to be caramelized).
  5. While tomatoes are roasting, cook pasta in salted water until al dente and drain.
  6. Return noodles back to pot and once tomatoes are ready, add complete contents of baking sheet (tomatoes and their juices – not the foil) to the pot.
  7. Depending on how would like to present it, either add the burrata in now and give it a good stir, or individually plate the pasta and give each person their own portion of burrata atop their pasta.
  8. Garnish with herbs (basil works best, but chives, parsley, or whatever you can get your hands on should do the trick!)
  9. Mangia!

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Tasty

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

May 5, 2014

Mexican Salad2

I LOVE Mexican food.

If I had to eat one genre of food (without having to worry about my waistline), Mexican would win by a landslide… enchiladas? Quesadillas? Tacos? Oh goodness…

Chicken Enchiladas

Well in honor of Cinco di Mayo, I wanted to share some of my favorite Mexican inspired dishes that I’ve shared on the blog… take your pick for a yummy dinner for tonight!

Chicken Sopecitos

Starters

Mexican Salad

Mains

Fish Tacos

Don’t forget to check up my round-up of favorite margaritas from last week’s Fun Drink Friday!

Tomato Salsa

Party

La Rusticana d’Orsa Cooking Class

April 14, 2014

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I was so lucky to be invited to attend a cooking class at La Rusticana d’Orsa a couple of weeks ago (thank you Patti).  La Rusticana is a gorgeous estate in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, which transports you to an Italian countryside. They have left no detail untouched – beautiful roses, Italian Cypresses, lily pounds, sculpture gardens… it is very hard to believe that this Tuscan inspired villa is a quick drive to Downtown San Jose.

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The owners have opened up their property for art lessons, cooking classes, etc. and I was lucky enough to snag a coveted spot with Italian trained chef – Franca.  She is the sweetest lady and put together an amazing menu of Italian Easter dishes.

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There were 21 of us, and each couple (and myself) picked a dish to be in charge of… I went with dessert, naturally. We spent the evening cooking, drinking wine, enjoying the grounds and making new friends.  It was an amazing group of people, and it was nice to go out of my comfort zone and try something new!

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La Rusticana also bottles their own blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, and has some magnificent vineyards on the premise.

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Here was our menu (didn’t realize this was ALL IN ITALIAN until just now…. sorry!):

  • Bocconcini al Caprino
  • Crespelle di Prosciutto Cotto e Funghi
  • Pizza Rustica
  • Arrosto di Agnello con Salsa all’Aglio
  • Farro Salad
  • Grilled Corn and String Bean Salad
  • Peperoni Arlecchino
  • Frittata di Carciofi e Patate
  • Ginger-Orange Strawberry Shortcake

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Not only were we able to use their beautiful kitchen but also cooked some of our meal on their massive outdoor grill (thank goodness I was not in charge of the lamb).

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Here was the recipe I was in charge of:

Ginger-Orange Strawberry Shortcakes

  • 4 cups flour
  • 4 Tblsp crystallized ginger, minced
  • 3 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 Tblsp baking powder
  • 2 Tblsp sugar
  • 2 Tblsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, chilled, cubed
  • 1 2/3 cups whipping cream, chilled
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 Tblsp water

Filling: 

  • 3 baskets strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 4 Tblsp orange juice
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 cups whipping cream, well chilled
  • 2 Tblsp Grand Marnier
  • 2 Tblsp powdered sugar

For the shortcakes: 

  1. Mix first 7 ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Rub in the butter until mixture resembles course bread crumbs.
  3. Add in the cream, stir with a fork just until clumps form. (DO NOT overwork dough)
  4. Gather dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.
  5. Preheat oven to 350.
  6. Line baking sheet with parchment.
  7. Gently roll out dough on a floured surface and gently pat dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
  8. Using a 3 inch cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Reroll scraps and cut additional rounds.
  9. Place on baking sheets and brush with beaten egg wash.
  10. Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Cool on rack.

For the filling: 

  1. In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, orange juice and sugar.
  2. Stir and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and Grand Marnier to soft peaks.

For serving: 

  1. Cut shortcakes in half.
  2. Top bottom half with sliced strawberries and some of their juice.
  3. Spoon whipped cream over the strawberries and cover with shortcake top.
  4. Dust with powdered sugar.

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I can’t wait to go back! For more information on La Rusticana d’Orsa – click here.

 

Tasty

Morning Sunshine!

February 19, 2013

I always ate breakfast growing up but once I “went corporate” I found it a lot harder to make time for the most important meal of the day…

The solution – smoothies! My sister went on a kick for awhile and made these AMAZING concoctions every morning, but due to my lack of creativity and time I have created a new staple.  

4 ingredients + 1 blender + 20 seconds = filling/tasty start to your day!

So go grab – 1 banana, 2 handfuls of spinach or kale, 1 spoonful of almond butter and about a 1/4 cup of almond or coconut milk…

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Mix everything in a blender then add some ice, blend some more and voila!  

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PS. If you aren’t a greens kinda person, don’t let it fool you – it tastes like a peanut butter smoothie!

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Tip: When you’re done rinse your blender immediately add some water a pump of dish-washing soap and put the lid back on to blend for 30 seconds more.  It instantly cleans your blender!  

Tasty

Weekly Menu #7

February 18, 2013

A new recipe: Lemon Ricotta Risotto with Asparagus, Peas and Prosciutto

I saw this in Martha’s magazine last month and knew I had to make it.  So many of my favorite things all in one recipe… a winner!

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A tried and true recipe: Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata and Cacio e Pepe with Lemon

I love this chicken piccata recipe and (also) saw this pasta recipe in Martha’s mag last month.  So simple, yet so good!

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An easy recipe: Kobe Beef Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries and Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce 

J bought these Kobe patties from Trader Joe’s last month and we’ve yet to make them… All I had to do was get some buns, throw together a few toppings and made a quick batch of sweet potato chips with dipping sauce and voila! Dinner on the table in under 30 minutes! (Disclaimer: These did not turn out super good…would not recommend 🙁 Also, please don’t judge the too small hamburger buns.)

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Sriracha Sour Cream Dip:

1 cup Sour Cream

2 Tablespoons Sriracha (or to taste)

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Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

1/4 cup Low-Fat Mayo

1/4 cup Dijon Mustard

2 Tablespoons Honey

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