Kitchen Runway
We have been M.I.A for quite some time now, but we have a few good reasons. Last year was a whirlwind for us. We found out that we were expecting a little baby boy, we bought a new home and we put our home on the market. We finally moved into our new home at the beginning of March and started unpacking and preparing for Brandon’s arrival, but we didn’t get much done because Brandon decided to come 3 weeks early. We weren’t ready… but then again is any one ever really ready?
While pregnant, many people often asked if I had any cravings. I think they were hoping to hear something bizarre such as anchovies, ice cream and a drizzle of pickle juice. I was sad to disappoint because the two things that I craved were actually pretty “normal” in my book. Early in my pregnancy, before I even knew I was pregnant, I craved two things: green chile tamales and chocolate chip cookies. I spent days searching for green chile tamales and baked chocolate chip cookies weekly. During my first trimester I craved a lot of fruit: apples, oranges, mangoes, Asian pears, berries, persimmons and bananas. I was especially drawn to orange colored fruits such as persimmons and mangoes. I guess I needed vitamin A. During my third trimester Derrick and I had a green smoothie daily for breakfast which usually consisted of kale, apple, carrot, Greek yogurt, chia seeds and pineapple. I know… pretty boring cravings, huh?
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Cilantro lime rice is simple one pot dish that is full of robust flavors. Sauteed onions, garlic and ginger adds an aromatic and savory touch to the rice. The rice is then lightly toasted in butter, cooked in chicken broth and infused with lime zest to add flavor and a refreshing twist. The rice is then fluffed with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice to brighten up the dish. It’s a decadent way to dress up rice and wonderful served with sauteed shrimp.
Smart & Final and Proctor and Gamble (P&G) have teamed up together for a great promotion. Purchase $25 of P&G products at your local Smart & Final store and receive a T-Fal Caldero (valued at 39.99) from celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann’s Simply Delicioso line and some of her recipes by mail. This promotion is valid from 2/13/13 to 2/19/13. Visit the Smart & Final Social Circular to learn more about the promotion. I’ve used the caldero pot a few times now and I love it. It’s a 5.5 quart pot which is a great size and versatile. It can be used for cooking one pot meals, pastas, roasts and soups.
I love the deep red color of this caldero pot. Don’t be tempted to uncover the pot while the rice is cooking. The steam and moisture trapped inside the pot will help create a fluffy and tender rice dish.
The weather in Southern California is cooling down and we’re experiencing a few days of rain. It’s the perfect weather to cozy up with a warm and comforting bowl of tomato soup and a hot grilled cheese sandwich. This is exactly what I did last week for lunch. I headed to Panera Bread for a bowl of vegetarian creamy tomato soup and a “big kid grilled cheese”. The tomato soup is smooth and velvety. There are hints of oregano and red pepper, but the best part is the crunchy Asiago cheese croutons. If you’re wondering what a “big kid grilled cheese” is, it’s a scrumptious grilled cheese vamped up with lots of big and bold flavors. Gruyere, Vermont White Cheddar, organic sliced American cheese and Applewood- Smoked Bacon are sandwiched between two slices of All-Natural White Miche and grilled until crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside. It’s compliments the creamy tomato soup and makes for a wonderful vehicle to dip. Panera Bread has a philosophy of “Good goes in” and you can taste it in this soup and grilled cheese. I was inspired to make this comforting meal for Derrick this week. I’ve always wanted to make my own tomato soup. It’s a good feeling knowing exactly what you’re eating and that you made it with good fresh ingredients.
The fresh basil and roasted vegetables really shine in this soup.
Tomato Soup + Grilled Cheese = match made in heaven! I love how well Asiago cheese melts.... swoon!
Oreos are an all American treat that is enjoyed all year around but during the holidays it’s fun to dress up these classic cookies to add some festive flair. Oreo cookie balls or truffles are a simple concept but the results are pure decadence. Oreo cookies are finely crushed and mixed with cream cheese then rolled into bite size balls and dipped in chocolate. It’s a little bite of rich Oreo heaven.
The white chocolate dipped cookie balls were made using Candy Cane Oreos. The chocolate dipped cookie balls were made using original Oreo cookies.
It’s the holiday season and granola is a fun treat to make to share with your friends and family. It can be packaged in cute mason jars for gifting and the best part is that’s easy to make. This holiday granola is punched up with aromatic nutmeg and cinnamon which are are the perfect holiday spices. Pecans, cranberries, dates, maple syrup and white chocolate chips adds texture and a touch of sweetness to the granola. The scent of it baking just makes the house smell festive. I made this granola three times last week and fed it to my co-workers. We’ve been snacking on this holiday granola at work, used it as an ice cream or yogurt topper and it’s great with milk. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet and so delicious! To top it all off just in time for the holiday baking season, we’re giving away one (1) Silpat half sheet non-stick baking mat and one (1) William Bound Nutmeg Mill with (1) 1.5 oz tube of Whole Nutmegs. (a $70.00 value)
It's great for breakfast or a snack during the day!
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