It’s November! Over the weekend, I have been a busy bee compiling my notes and jotting down my sweet and savory recipe ideas for Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to share them with you! Oh, the decisions … the best kind in life. This is my favorite time of the year to push my hectic life aside to enjoy the moments … loved ones, traditions, reflecting on the good things in life … and with that good food.
Sweet Potato and Red Onion with tahini and za’ atar
Given the amount of cookbooks I’ve collected over the years one would think a new recipe would be whipped up every day. Not every day, sometimes not for weeks. And then, as if something is in the air, I’m yearning to try all sorts of new recipes. When the mood strikes for Middle Eastern my go-to cookbooks are from Yotam Ottolenghi. I will admit, I’m not really one to go too far off the beaten path in terms of spices and such because, you know, children, weeknight dinners, and allergens. But sometimes cookbooks, like his, bring a sense of adventure and faraway travels to the table without being too fussy and far reach; or even objected by very cute little palettes and become family favorites. This is one of those recipes, and now a go-to recipe in our home.
Pumpkin Alfredo Chicken Skillet Pasta
As much as Target and Pinterest remind me that fall season has been here for two weeks now, I need to actually see piles of those charming pumpkins before I get into the fall season. Only then do I start thinking about hearty, comforting foods and oh yes, the scent of pumpkin spice in the air. It’s been too long.
Simple End of Summer Peach Arugula Salad
Summer stone fruit has nearly run its’ course, which I take cue overstuffing my farmer’s markets bag (lucky to have this in southern California) without a care in the world as to what I’m going to do with them.
Stone fruit: they have a way of figuring these things out like ending up in this simple salad, or here or here. Though I’m a sucker for fruit desserts, I will admit sometimes there’s nothing better than leaning over the kitchen sink (preferably an empty sink) eating a big fat peach with its’ juices dripping down my chin, or arm, as I take a minute to enjoy the moment.
Shrimp Tacos with apricot salsa fresca and avocado crema {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}
My boys love tacos, so do I… especially shrimp tacos. Tell me you love tacos, if you do you’re gonna LOVE this! My take is with apricots and a mean avocado cream sauce I call crema just to make it sound fancy.
Going out for some tacos at our local Mexican place is not so easy when allergies are involved — too many risks of contamination with all the flour and cheese lying around so I make them at home and let me tell you they are easy to make with just some prep work for the toppings. Even if you can eat all the gluten, and dairy with no problem you will still want to shovel eat this right up.
Easy Cherry Quinoa Salad + Honey Ginger Dressing
Michael and Ely (my twin boys) started school today (5th grade already!), Mr. teenager started high school (yikes!) last week. With all three in school now I decided to take a breather for a minute to enjoy some quiet time sitting outside, slowly sipping my americano and letting the sounds of nature consume me.
Easy Green Enchiladas
Light and Easy Spaghetti with Lemon, Fennel, Basil, and Langoustine
When I think of pasta I think big bowls smothered in sauce. And although most pasta dishes kind of make you wish you had those big, stretchy sweatpants on … not today. Light and easy is on my mind.
Can you believe this is Los Angeles? Need a pick-me-up.
In need of some of mother nature’s sunshine: lemons. Pasta, sans sauce, full of lemon and fennel with langoustine is dinner tonight. A light pasta perfectly suited for my slow and aging metabolism.