My first complaint once ridding my kitchen of all gluten and dairy was all about the bread (it was wreaking havoc on my twins’ guts, along with soy, and other foods leaving us no choice). Back in 2007, gluten free/dairy free bread was more of a vehicle to hold some sort of substance into a sandwich. Consumed out of necessity and done so sparingly … and forget about having a good bagel with lox on a Sunday morning; that was pushing it.
Shrimp Kimchi Fried Rice (gluten free, dairy free, soy free)
Asparagus with Mustard Anchovy Vinaigrette + Poached Eggs {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}
Spring is here!
So is asparagus season – yum! Our relationship has come a long way.
Growing up, raw carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes were welcomed on my plate, for the most part, and nothing else. The green vegetables were what I had a tough time with. Mushy, and usually marginally seasoned thus resulting in my conviction: I will never eat vegetables for the rest of my life.
Hearty (Meat-Free) Shepherd’s Pie for St Paddy’s Day {gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan}
When I was sixteen I had the best job ever. I worked at a Chinese restaurant delivering food while the radio blasted in my car (okay, Dad’s car), for a few hours a day on the weekends. The tips were the clincher. The people of Glendale (Queens, New York) were very generous tippers (shout out to the wonderful folks of Glendale), making my job that much sweeter; happy to deliver Chinese food with the usual abundance of fortune cookies and duck sauce tucked into their shopping bags.
Cauliflower Cake {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}
In recent months, cauliflower has been a front-and-center sale item here (“here” being Los Angeles suburbia). Purple, orange and white varieties – all of them – spread out at my grocery store ready for the picking and poking, reminding me that I don’t make nearly enough recipes with this smart looking vegetable.
Takeout-style Peanut Sesame Noodles {gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan optional}
If you love Thai food, then this take-out style peanut sesame noodles is something you need to try. It’s one of our favorites – something we enjoy often. Not only does it deliver on deliciousness, it’s a necessary convenience when there’s only, say, 24 minutes on the clock. It makes a great make-ahead meal when re-living biology and algebra 1 (for the third time, with child number two, to be exact) and tied up until well after five. Kids or not, this will certainly satisfy your carb craving – something salty, sweet, vinegary, and a whole lot of creamy …
Butternut Squash Red Lentil Soup with turmeric + ginger
This soup has been simmering on my stove about a half a dozen times now. Substantial and hearty in all the much-needed ways a soup should be, especially this time of year — and fully capable of taking away those winter blahs. It’s been something I’ve been meaning to share, yet needed to take a long moment of pause just before 2016 came rolling in. You know how life sometimes has you going off the beaten path? Yeah, that.
Chicken pot pie with Chanukah flair
Hope you got to spend some quality time with loved ones and enjoyed good eats on Thanksgiving as we did. It was just last week yet feels like it was eons ago, doesn’t it? We completely stuffed ourselves with roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash puree with homemade marshmallow fluff topping, roasted root vegetables, brussels sprouts, roasted green beans, cornbread, dinner rolls, salad, cranberry sauce and my favorite – stuffing – also cranberry pear and pumpkin pies. If that wasn’t enough, also made peppermint brookies, for the weekend to go with hot cocoa. I dug into my plate full speed and stuffed myself so quickly that halfway through I had to take a moment of pause.
Herbed Roast Turkey and Gravy
If you have been handed over the turkey roasting this year and are nervous or have had more misses that hits, then let’s talk turkey! No need to stress over this, really. The key here is good notes and understanding technique. I’ve jotted down a bunch of notes to make roasting turkey easy. Speaking of easy, there’s no basting.
Kabotcha + Kuri Squash Autumn Soup
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.