Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Comfort Food

The other day, I was feeling run down and tired. I knew I needed a boost of vitamins, and fast. I quickly roasted a sweet potato and then broiled a grapefruit. The result was a flood of vitamins A and C, pectin, and lycopenes. If you're feeling run down, just grab your nearest vegetable or fruit, add some sugar, spice, or salt and you'll have a satisfying, healthy treat. These two snacks are my new comfort foods, good for a chilly, rainy, Seattle day.

Broiled Grapefruit


I recently stumbled upon this beautiful blog post  from Gimme Some Oven and was quite inspired. I was not disappointed. I think next time I will add some cinnamon and sugar, as in this recipe, so as to add a little more flavor. All in all a wonderful idea and quick too!

Ingredients:

1 large ruby red grapefruit
1-3 tsp. brown sugar
Optional: 1 tsp. ginger or 1 tsp. cinnamon


Method:

Slice your grapefruit in half and cover with sugar and spices. Broil fruit about 2 inches from the heat. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the edges turn brown, your sugar sizzles, and you can't stand the smell any longer!



Roasted Sweet Potato

For my birthday, a dear friend gave my husband and I some black truffle oil, specialty sea salt, and vanilla salt from Sugarpill, an apothecary in Seattle. Delighted and excited to try all these treats, I sprinkled the coarse salt on my roasted sweet potato. Combined with the creamy Kerrygold Irish butter (hey, I'm half Irish), it was perfect. There is nothing like a roasted sweet potato with just a teaspoon of butter and salt. To me, it tastes like sitting in front of the fire, or waking up warm on a sunny Saturday morning in April. If this sounds too dramatic for you, just try it.


Ingredients (makes one serving):

1 large sweet potato
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. coarse sea salt

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In an oven safe bowl or on a baking sheet, place your sweet potato and puncture with a few holes to release the heat. Roast for about 40-60 minutes until soft and the skin is crinkly. Slice open and cover with sea salt and butter. And last but not least, enjoy! 




Friday, February 22, 2013

26.

Today I am 26. If this year is as good as the previous I'll be in the money, baby.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Thank You, Born Hungry Mag!


Nicole Jones, the editor at Born Hungry online food magazine sent these treats with a sweet, thoughtful note, thanking me for supporting Born Hungry with my contribution this year. What a very special treat for me to come home to, all the way from my home state!

Please check out this lovely online food magazine, it is an insightful publication and a delight to it's readers. Plus, now I have a pen pal from Brooklyn!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

You've got a Pizza My Heart!

Here are some sweet valentines that I found online this morning! Happy Valentine's Day to you and your Loved Ones! 

I will be making date truffles and whipping up some fondue tonight, Yum!

Hugs and Kisses,
K





Monday, February 11, 2013

Lovely Article

Here is a lovely article from Born Hungry Magazine. How lovely, insightful, and gracious this 'story' of sorts is. Perfect for evening reading with your pup curled up next to you and a mug of ginger tea.


Spicy 'Cajun Chicken with Mardi Gras Salsa'

I am always so inspired by my daily inbox greeting from Iowa Girl Eats. This blog is not only pleasing aesthetically, but also, the recipes are healthy, filling, and simple. I also thoroughly enjoy Friday Favorites and look forward to what Iowa Girl has to share!



One of the latest recipes, Cajun Chicken with Mardi Gras Salsa, had me so inspired as I checked my e-mail this A.M., that I set out to make it as soon as I got home. My lovely husband had already done an insane amount of mundane chores by the time I got home, so I thought I'd cook him up something healthy and fulfilling before he headed out to hockey practice. Not only was this meal husband approved, it was me-approved, as a recent clean eating devotee. My salsa isn't quite the same as Iowa Girl's, but I loved the Mardi Gras "theme" so I kept it!

Ingredients:

1 lb. skinless, boneless, organic chicken breast, halved and pounded (if desired)
1 tsp. sea salt
2 tbsp. cajun seasoning (one tbsp. per side of chicken)
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
sprinkle of homemade taco seasoning
Juice of 1 lime

Salsa-

1 small can pineapple rings, diced
1 medium sized mango
1/2 yellow, red, or orange bell pepper, sliced
1 tsp. sea salt
1 c. medium-hot salsa, I used Trader Joe's Salsa Authentica (no preservatives! no thickening agents!)
Juice from 1 lime



Method:

Heat oil in large skillet on medium high heat for a minute or two. Add thinly cut chicken breasts to the pan and season them, adding more spices if desired. Cook for about 6 minutes, then flip and season the other side of meat.



Meanwhile, combine all the salsa ingredients in a bowl and let the fruit absorb the juices. Check your meat, it should be golden brown and should have developed a crust from all the seasonings and olive oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan and sprinkle with lime juice. Turn heat off and transfer to plates. Top with salsa and chow down!


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Clean Eating Challenge, snack time.

Easiest snack ever, banana egg pancakes.




Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon



Method:

Whisk all your ingredients together. Grease a small saucepan. Drop 2 or 3 tablespoons of banana-egg pancake mixture in the pan, as you would pancakes.

Garnish with berries!

Clean Eating Challenge, breakfast.

I haven't had a ton to post about recently, sine this last week, my sister and I have cut out sugar, dairy, wheat, and alcohol. In a word, it's going alright. I miss Ezekial bread and I miss cheese! But this breakfast has been getting me through!



 Yes, that's my Molly sitting at my feet. It's Sunday and I will eat on the couch if I want to!


Baked Berry & Oats

Ingredients:

1/2 c. Old fashioned oats
2 c. Frozen or fresh berry medley
2 tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 c. Unsweetened coconut milk



Method:


Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine berries and oats in an ovenproof bowl. Bake for about 20 minutes, then mix with coconut milk. Enjoy and feel great all day!


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Let them eat cake. As long as it has raspberry buttercream frosting. And there are friends there.




I made this recipe into a divine Valentine's Day cake. Clean Food Eating Challenge, Day One starts tomorrow! Will be documenting...


Monday, February 4, 2013

Monday


Dinner by the husband!

Precooked chicken from Trader Joe's
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella
Spicy feta dressing

Yummy and tasty.