kitchenette

May 14, 2013

Green Gimlet

Sometimes I want a cocktail that’s on the savory side, but don’t quite feel up to tackling a meal-sized bloody mary. That’s where this Green Gimlet comes in.

And for those wondering if that near radioactive green hue is the product of food coloring: nope! It’s alllll natural – a combination of lime juice, basil simple syrup and celery juice.

Green Gimlet

…And gin. Of course gin.

Posted in: Drinks, Spring, Summer, Vegetables, Vegetarian

April 12, 2013

Sausage & Goat Cheese Meatball Sandwiches

I recently had a “meatball sandwich” from an establishment that shall remain nameless. My friend got one too, and we were both a little confused when our sandwiches came out with lettuce, tomato, and onion on them.

What??

Is this a Bay Area thing? This has happened to me here before, and I don’t get it.

Hot meatballs and marinara sauce + cold, bland toppings… does not compute.

To top it all off, the food from said establishment left us both with stomach aches all afternoon.

Sausage & Goat Cheese Meatball Sandwiches

It goes without saying that I needed to make this right, so a few days later I cooked up my own meatball sandwiches.

Posted in: Dinner, Fall, Lunch, Meat, Spring, Winter

April 2, 2013

Maple Lavender Frozen Yogurt

There was a time when I really tried to hate frozen yogurt.

This, of course, had nothing to do with the year or so I spent working at a frozen yogurt shop.

Nothing at all.

Maple Lavender Frozen Yogurt

I was just genuinely against its velvety texture, the balance of sweetness and yogurty tang, not to mention its health benefits over run-of-the-mill ice cream.

Nope, it had nothing to do with me having to be polite to rude customers all day while making minimum wage + crap for tips.

It’s cool. I’m not bitter.

Posted in: Dessert, Ice Cream/Sorbet, Spring, Vegetarian

March 27, 2013

Asian Glazed Broccoli

This is the type of recipe I don’t normally write down – an impromptu side dish that came together because I happened to have some broccoli and an itch to break out some of my favorite condiments.

In fact, this applies to most things I cook; I don’t make many dishes quite the same way twice. I just make things up based on what I have on hand, then taste and adjust as I go along.

broccoli

It’s like my own little episode of Chopped. Except for some reason Ted Allen never shows up…

Posted in: Side Dishes, Spring, Vegetables

March 8, 2013

Baked Potato with Sautéed Arugula

You know that point when you’re about to go out of town and trying to whittle down the produce in the house? And then you end up with a potato and a handful of arugula and think, well I guess I’ll try to make a meal out of this…

It could just be me. Other folks might go for take-out at that point, but I like a good food challenge.

arugula

I especially like it when an attempt to use up some random food ends up being really, really delicious.

Posted in: Lunch, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Winter

February 13, 2013

Bourbon Caramel Peanut Butter Cups

Too often I find myself in this situation: I just finished a swanky meal (most recently at Wayfare Tavern) and the waiter asks if I want to see the dessert menu.

Um, NO. Then I’ll want every single thing on it, and there is absolutely no room left in my stomach after the appetizer, entree and two cocktails. It just isn’t going to happen. That always makes me sad.

Bourbon Caramel Peanut Butter Cups

This is why it’s nice to have something like these Bourbon Caramel Peanut Butter Cups on hand. Post-Valentine’s Day dinner, you don’t want to have to be rolled away from the dinner table.

A little treat like this will be rich and satisfying, but won’t leave you feeling like a glutton.

Although I guess that depends on how many you eat…

February 6, 2013

Roasted Pepper Turkey Burger

Ah, the humble burger.

Sometimes I get so caught up in kitchen experiments that I forget to just cook a damn burger once in a while.

We have a red-meat-intolerant hubby in the house though, so burgers here are generally made from alternative meat sources.

And since a plain chicken, pork or turkey patty can’t even pretend to compare to beef, I dress them up a little.

roasted peppers

Sometimes a lot.

Posted in: Dinner, Fall, Meat, Spring, Summer, Vegetables, Winter

January 30, 2013

Indian Spiced Chicken Wings

When it comes to food and holidays, are you a traditionalist or do you thrive on serving the unexpected?

(Have I been watching too many Sex & the City marathons? I feel that question was worded in the style of Carrie Bradshaw…)

Personally, I like to walk the line between the two worlds. Take Thanksgiving – of course I’ll serve turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and something green, but they won’t necessarily be prepared in “traditional” ways. Then maybe I’ll throw in a curveball of an appetizer.

Indian Spiced Chicken Wings

You have to keep them on their toes, but you can’t leave out the classics.

That’s where spices come in.

Posted in: Appetizers, Fall, Meat, Party Food, Spring, Summer, Winter

January 23, 2013

Roasted Beet and Lentil Salad

I guess I can see why some people aren’t down with beets.

They’re a bit funky looking, and most people seem to have some unpleasant childhood beet memories. Just like peas, lima beans and brussels sprouts before them, beets get tossed in the mental “icky healthy food” bin without a fair fight!

You can’t just slop some plain boiled peas or a pile of raw shredded beets on a plate and expect your kid (or anyone, for that matter) to rejoice.

beets ready to roast

Beets deserve a bit more attention.

A little time and love, that’s all they’re asking for.

Posted in: Salad, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Winter

January 11, 2013

Spiced Mixed Nuts

Over the past several years, I’ve made an effort to cook from scratch as much as possible. This has lead to a growing number of pre-made, shortcut-type-shenanigans that I just don’t buy any more.

Jarred pasta sauce comes to mind. In a pinch, sure I’ll grab some. But why spend $6 or $7 for what’s basically a glorified can of tomatoes when I can very quickly and easily put together my own, using all the ingredients I want and none that I don’t?

Spiced Mixed Nuts

Now, I by no means want to make you feel bad if you’re a fan of the food shortcut. We all have to pick our battles.

But let’s pretend that your resolution this year is to save money. Or to eat healthier.

Making things like these Spiced Mixed Nuts from scratch works on both fronts!

Posted in: Appetizers, Fall, Holiday, Party Food, Vegetarian, Winter