Sunday, November 22, 2009

New reads & recipes...and a whole lot of thanks!

I've found some great new blogs to read, enjoy, and learn from this weekend. I haven't "gotten out there" in the blog world due to limited time at the computer. Well, more like a lack of down time. So, check out some new blogs per my recommendation, why don't ya!?


Andrea and Erin of Care to Eat  
Corinne of Green Grapes Blog 
Michelle of Lucky Taste Buds
Meredith of Pursuing Balance 
Tay of Taydor Tot

 

And on the topic of reading...Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni is HILARIOUS! I'm only a few chapters in and am thoroughly enjoying it! Thank you, KG for the rec! Glad I asked for rec's!! : )



I went to Akins Health Foods Store after my FIRST hockey game today. Other than Zevia's price increase and the discontinued pumpkin apricot butter I'm obsessed with in my oats, it was a successful venture. As always. Check out the loot:
Going from left to right: organic quinoa, organic low-sodium chicken broth, organic almond granola, Terra Chips x 2, Tasty Thai organic pad thai dinner kit, Fiber Gourmet mac'n cheese, raw honey, and nutritional yeast flakes.

 
 For my oatmeal which will no longer be laden with pumpkin butter (*tear*), I purchased reduced-fat, organic coconut. I think vanilla soy milk + coconut flakes could be potentially mouth-watering additions to old-fashioned oats, eh?


And most importantly, I tried a new dish that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I don't say that very often, so believe it. This salad dressing is by far, hands down, shout-it-from-the-roof-tops phenom (and a recipe of Gina's). Unless maybe you detest goat cheese, and then I question the reliability of your palate. Kidding...kinda. But really, if you decide to try something new in the future, consider this Honey Goat Cheese Dressing!!


Salad: mixed greens, diced apples, Craisins, and pecans topped with Honey Goat Cheese Dressing! Deliciousohhh! Husband seconds that claim, too!


Honey Goat Cheese Dressing

4 ounces fresh goat cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp water
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste


Directions:

Blend together, mixing until combined and creamy in texture.
46 calories per tablespoon


We also had sirloin steaks with bleu cheese topping. Mmmm! I've had red meat twice this month, that's a near record for me. Typically, not a huge red meat fan. But bleu cheese steaks...hook a sistah up! I do believe this makes me a FLEXITARIAN!

 
bleu cheese smothered sirloin with buttermilk mashed potatoes 


Last night husband and I went out to dinner to a new Thai restaurant. Here's what we ordered...



Tom Kah soup with tofu...SOO  GOOD!!



Husband got pineapple fried rice with seafood (which was okay, but it was canned pineapple...bummer!)



Chicken and Vegetable Curry for me...mmm!


I cannot believe tomorrow is our 6 month wedding anniversary! How beautiful was our Chicago wedding? Ahhh! Perfect, amazing day! 






It's been a wonderful 6 months filled with an abundance of blessings...a new home, a WONDERFUL job, the cutest little puppy, and most importantly...our health and love for one another.

So tell me...

What are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving?
What is your FAVORITE Thanksgiving dish?
What do you use nutritional yeast on/in?





Radicchio Coleslaw


What's up Mates? How's your weather today?

Mine is a little bit gloomy today. In spite of that I am still enthusiastic in posting this very simple salad recipe I did two weeks ago. I guess most of Western people are very familiar with the Radicchio. Especially the Australian and English people. I remember my favorite kiddo chef Matthew McKenzie from Melbourne using Radicchio on his salad that he got from his backyard. He simply did a lips smacking dish. From there I was inspired to come up something with my Radicchio. So voila! I come up with this pink coleslaw using my now favorite salad essential--Radicchio! It's also my first time to use fresh green peppercorn which I pounded using my steel mortar and pestle. You guys excited with the recipe?


Just took this photo on my living room floor

My diet meal. No rice just the Radicchio Coleslaw.

Ingredients:

• Half part or small Radicchio
• 2 medium Carrots
• 2 medium onions
• 4 stem fresh green Peppercorns
• Japanese Mayonnaise
• Cane Vinegar
• Salt / Sugar to taste

Procedure:

Slice thinly or shred the Radicchio, Carrots and onions then set aside. Pound the fresh green Peppercorns using the mortar and pestle then set aside. Bring out a huge bowl then put all together the shredded veggies with the pounded peppercorns. Add right amount of cane vinegar then add salt and sugar to taste. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. Mix everything then add Mayonnaise. Chill then you can serve with chicken or steak with mashed potatoes on the side.

Buon Appetito!

hugs,
joanie xxx

Lo Mai Kai


Home made "Lo Mai Kai".

Ingredients:
Glutinous rice
Dried chinese mushrooms
Chinese sausages
Chicken