I’ve been so out of the cooking loop that last weekend I went on a baking spree. Yes, Baking spree. I spent my Sunday making goodies. Honestly, I’m not even sure who’d eat them since I’m doing my best to avoid sweets. A friend of mine gave me a basic cake recipe and I decided to do a little experimenting by adding in a different flavor. Let’s just say, they were requested as an after dinner dessert. Win. (more…)
To be a cook, is not about making everything from scratch, it’s about being smart with your ingredients. Some may call it cheating, faking, you name it. But really, isn’t it about mixing together the right ingredients to create a masterpiece? Plus, if we weren’t meant to use pre-packaged food, why would they sell them in the grocery stores and make them so easily accessible and cheap? Why would I spend more time making something that could essentially take me ¼ of the time if I used pre-packaged kits. Well, if you’re the decision maker in your kitchen it’s your prerogative. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I bring you Lazy Pumpkin Brownies. (more…)
I don’t really cook with corn, unless in corn on the cob. So lately, I’ve been trying to find recipes with corn as an ingredient. I just so happened to come across this recipe from Slodka Babka and thought it’d be a nice addition to Taco Night. The Nacho Doritos really amp up the flavor give it that nacho-ey feel. I received compliments from everyone (mom and dad included). (more…)
The best part about living in the DC area is that we get to experience all four seasons. Arguments can be made that not all four seasons are enjoyable. But we get all four nonetheless. Every season, as you know has its food staples, as I like to call them. In the fall it’s everything pumpkin and apple. The summer, I become obsessed with watermelons, ice cream and red white and blue. Springtime is about pastels, brunch, cookies and cakes. Winter is all about stews, soups, candy canes and hot chocolate. Additions can be made to said seasonal staples. It’s all about apples and pumpkins now and one of my number one cravings during closer to Halloween is Caramel Apples. (more…)
Since I got back from Sydney, Australia, I have been on this crazy seafood kick. I loved seafood before – I’m talking crab legs, oysters, lobster, salmon, snapper, shrimp, you name it I’ll eat it. But after the trip, I have been craving it almost daily. While in Sydney, I had the pleasure of trying Australian Barramundi, native to Northern Australia. I’ve found that in general, people in the U.S. like to have their fish filleted before they eat it. I, on the other hand, find it more appetizing to order grilled fish and have the whole fish handed to me on a platter. Some may say, “ew, how can you eat it when it’s looking at you?” Well, I don’t really think too much into that. The eyes don’t really catch my attention as much as the rest of the fish. I’d say, if you haven’t tried it that way, give it a try. You may surprise yourself and actually like it. (more…)
I love spending time with my mom, and more importantly getting recipes from her. Lucky for me, she doesn’t live too far away. Over the weekend, on one of my weekly visits, she was going on and on about a new salad she’d tried out – something about corn and avocados. At the word avocados my ears perked up (think small puppy ears) and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the recipe. Next thing I know, she pulls out a Tupperware with leftover salad and starts going down the list of ingredients. That’s when I started my menu planning for the week, Sunday afternoon. It’s a really light salad, as the dressing is super simple. I’m not really one for complicated salad dressings. My dressing of choice is olive oil and lemon juice on most occasions. (more…)