The other night at dinner, I told a friend that I was planning on making chili. His response, “you mean, chili con carnie?” I had no clue what he was talking about. Was it the British accent? Or was chili con carnie something I had never heard of? I explained I was making good ol’…
Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
Skinny Mac and Cheese with Kale and Mushrooms
It’s Friday and it’s sunny! I really couldn’t ask for more. We’re on the Eurostar on our way to Brussels right now. It’s our first time, and I’m loving it while we snack on our chips and ginger beer. Its been a really exciting week. Here’s a few of the highlights, as the week is…
Figs, Crème Fraîche and Prosciutto
I could happily spend every weekend at a farmers market. Any farmers market, any city, any time. In Chicago, my love was Green City Market. I’d be there almost every weekend – even in the winters, when the market had to be moved indoors to a nature museum, I’d go just to satisfy my craving…
Dirty Chai Latte No-Bake Cheesecake
If I were in the US, I’d have gotten myself a pumpkin spice latte the day that it came out this year. September 3rd – yep, I’ve kept track. Starbucks and all of you posting pictures of your PSLs are killing me over here! For me, a PSL is the mark of autumn. In my…
Graham Crackers with Buckwheat Flour (Gluten Free and Vegan)
It wasn’t long ago that I first learned that graham crackers are not available in the UK. “What do you mean?!?” I sputtered. But sure enough, I can’t find them anywhere. And when someone tells me that I can’t have it, well, it makes me want it all the more. So since then, I have…
Chocolate Pasta con Chiles and Ricotta
The deep rich taste of this chocolate pasta is spiced by a kick of red chile oil. But the ricotta cheese and avocado tame the heat, leaving you with a balanced baked pasta dish. When I was living in California, Jonathan always brought back chocolates for me from London every time he visited (he’s a sweet…
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
I haven’t quite figured out the British attitude towards peanut butter. It seems to be a slightly new craze, but peanut butter cookies are almost non-existent in London. I’ve been to at least 10 different coffee shops and cafes here, and none have carried peanut butter cookies. Since peanut butter cookies are so delicious, I’m…
Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes
These Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes are thick, fluffy, and delicious. I served them with fresh fruit, and just a drop of maple syrup.
Thai Fusion Baked Risotto with Coconut Milk and Butternut Squash
Coconut milk and lemongrass give this classic Italian rice a nice Thai kick! It’s a one-pot dish and the risotto is baked in the oven. I loved the vibrant colors in the dish – oranges, reds, greens, yellows and browns. And when the baked risotto came out of the oven and I lifted the lid…
Mini Apple Pies
These mini apple pies are perfect for any time of the day. Eat them for breakfast, with a cup of tea, or as dessert! I love mini desserts because they are simple and so easy to eat and share. They also have a built-in portion control system. Just count the wrappers and you know…
Easy Banana Whipped Cream
This Banana Whipped Cream is so easy to make. You only need 4 ingredients to make this Banana Whipped Cream — a ripe banana, whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract. Serve this on a bowl of fresh fruit, pancakes, waffles, or anything that you desire!
The London Particular Yellow Split Pea Soup
This London Particular Yellow Split Pea Soup is made with yellow split peas, which are a bit sweet and have an earthy taste to them.
Roasted Potato Salad with Crème Fraîche
I gave the secret away in the title. The secret ingredient in this roasted potato salad is crème fraîche. This French cream is the cook’s ultimate friend in the family of creams. It’s incredibly versatile with its smooth and tangy flavor. The Larousse Gastronomique defines crème fraîche as a thickened cream that has a “slightly…
Iced Vanilla Rooibos with Honey
Summer is here and it is HOT! I made a trip to Las Vegas this past week, and it was about 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) during the day, and at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) during the nights. Needless to say, I spent most of the trip indoors where the air conditioning was…
Cashew Chocolate Chunk Cookie
I went hiking up Half Dome in Yosemite last weekend. It was really beautiful, especially at the top when you look into the valley. But it’s a sheer drop off the side, and I had butterflies in my stomach every time I tried to do that. It took us a total of about 12 hours,…
Cashew Nut Butter
I am off to hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park this weekend. It’s about a 15-mile round trip, with a 4,800 feet elevation gain, that we will tackle in the course of one day. The question that keeps coming to my mind is — what snack should I pack? It has to be something filled with…
DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract with Gin
An easy to make DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract with Gin. Perfect to use for baked goods and in cooking. Also a beautiful gift! Only 2 ingredients needed: vanilla beans and gin. As my trip to London nears to its end, I wanted to create something reminiscent of London. Many ideas floated through my mind, including baking…
Shiitaki Mushrooms, Spinach and Halloumi
A few months ago when I was in London, I ate at a food truck called Wholefood Haven. It’s signature dish — the Buddha Bowl. Brown rice – massaman curry with pineapple, potatoes and soya chunks – steamed garden greens – carrot and kimchee pickle – omega seed mix – halloumi cheese – dash of…
