Mushroom-Arugula Omelette

Omelette stuffed with sauteed chopped arugula, green onions, and mushrooms.

Slow Cookin'

On the urging of several friends and my sister who've jumped onto the slow cooker bandwagon, I finally caved and bought a crockpot a couple of months ago. I took it out of the box, washed it, and it's been sitting on my counter since. I had a friend coming over for dinner tonight so I decided it was time.

I wasn't really sure what type of cut to buy but I was lucky enough to encounter one of the butchers while he was stocking the meats. He suggested I stay away from the leaner cuts if I was slow cooking, and suggested a cut called blade shoulder.


Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients:

2 lb. piece of blade shoulder beef
I cut it into three portions, where it was easy to cut, removing some of the fat. Made a rub with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and applied to all surfaces of meat. Heated olive oil in skillet and seared meat on each side for about two minutes. Added it to crockpot.

Add the following to the pot:

three small brown onions, sliced
10 carrots, peeled, cut into thirds
4 small red potatoes, whole, peeled
one cerrano, whole, sliced down the middle
several green onions, sliced
ginger paste
garlic paste
few tbs crushed tomatoes
rub -paprika, black pepper, salt, cumin
pinch cardamom powder
piece of cinnamon bark
1 cup red wine
1 cup water
couple tbs white vinegar

I threw all of it into the pot before going to bed, and voila! -it was all ready by the time I woke up in the morning. Okay, it was almost that simple. I did do a tasting and added a bit more salt and pepper to my liking.

Grapefruit and blackberry salad w/agave balsamic dressing

I (finally) found a way to eat grapefruit and enjoy it!



mixed greens, sectioned grapefruit, blackberries

Dressing:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper

Combine all ingredients and shake well.
(Optional: emulsify ingredients in blender.)

Mom's Gobhi Paranthas

Okay, so technically I didn't make these. I did, however, stand over my mom's shoulder the entire time watching her prepare them. I had unexpectedly gone to my parents' home last weekend and my mother asked what I felt like eating. "Whatever is fine with me. Eggs?" She asked again, what I really wanted to eat. I normally don't ask her to make these because I feel like it's too much trouble, saving the request for special occasions... but she was insisting, so with a huge grin on my face, I asked, "do we have cauliflower?" She knew what I wanted. Gobhi paranthas -a type of stuffed, pan-fried flatbreads - are probably my favorite breakfast item.



Unlike the kinds you get at restaurants, mom hand cuts the cauliflower and other ingredients so you get big bites of flavor.

cauliflower, cilantro, ginger, cerranno peppers


A little patience is necessary for best results:

Summer Salad

Even though it's pouring sheets of rain outside, this salad reminds me of summer. Fresh ingredients from the farmer's market -crisp romaine, luscious tomatoes and perfectly ripe avocado -topped with shaved parmesan and dressed with salt/lemon juice/olive oil.

Tricolore Orzo Salad w/Basil-Cilantro Pesto

orzo salad with basil-cilantro pesto, baby asparagus, grape tomatoes, and uncooked firm tofu

I bought several bunches of fresh herbs from the farmer's market the other day -basil, parsley, and cilantro. I keep hearing how easy pestos are to make, but I find a bit daunting any recipe that calls for me getting out my stepstool and reaching above the stove to get down the food processor. Sure, I could leave it on my counter, but its more often used sibling appliances have already taken residence on what little space I have. Silly, I know. I finally decided today was the day, and it was so easy!

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1 cup cilantro
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic
salt and fresh cracked pepper

Add herbs to food processor. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Add garlic and jalapeno and pulse again until blended. Add salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Orzo Salad: Blanch some baby asparagus and set aside. Cook one small box of orzo, according to package. Rinse and allow to cool. Add asparagus, grape tomatoes (sliced in half) and firm tofu (one package, drained and cubed). Dress with as much of the pesto as desired. Optional: add fresh shaved parmesan.

Move Over, Wahoo's!

Tilapia, marinated in lemon juice, salt and ground roasted cumin. Cooked on grill pan, on high heat 2-3 minutes each side (depending on thickness of filet). Cabbage salad -cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped tomatoes, one large clove garlic, paprika, roasted cumin powder, dried mint, sea salt, fresh cracked black pepper. A couple of tbs vinegar and fresh lemon juice. For a creamier salad, instead of mayo, I used two tbs firm yogurt and a tbs low fat sour cream. Arrange fish on corn tortilla, top with cabbage salad and sliced avocado.