Always Gourmet

thank goodness for the great pumpkin!

2011-11-03T08:32:00.001-07:00

i don't know about you, but sometimes the idea of halloween and all the candy freaks me out. pictures of kids with chocolate all over there face, sticky hands, sugar overload. i know, i know, for someone who sells cupcakes and treats for a living this a hard concept for people to understand. the funny thing is, and my friends and family all know this, but we are a pretty healthy eating family! i mean, my kids will tell you we are the house that gives out things like pencils and glow sticks, and pretzels and crackers on halloween. i know, GASP! don't get me wrong, i love sweets, i mean how can my tag line for my business be "la dolce vita" if i didn't. the thing is, a snickers every now or then or some peanut m&m's are not lost on me, but for the most part, if my kids eat sweets i like to know where they came from, what's in them and have some sort of control with the amount of sugar and lack of preservatives and food dyes they contain. so instead of going into a panic the year my son finally got what it meant to receive free candy by just looking cute, i had already devised a plan and my daughter fell into it even quicker than my son. we all grew up watching charlie brown, well i did and most people i know have a soft spot for "the great pumpkin". you know the one "who rises from the pumpkin patch and gives children everywhere candy" well where do you think the great pumpkin gets all that candy? in our house he gets it from all the good children everywhere who sort through their halloween candy, and keep a few special pieces and then pack it up and leave it on the front porch for him to collect for his next trip. in return, he leaves them something for their kindness. for my kids, books, coloring stuff, small trinkets have always been their reward.
tada, stress free, de-fleecing of my children's candy every year. ok, so my son is going to be 10 and my daughter is 7, so they may not really believe the whole great pumpkin thing anymore, but what they do know is that if they do this and go along with their crazy mom's story, there will be something good on the other side of the door in the morning.
and this year a few $5 target cards might give them a little extra incentive for next year! ;-)
so don't stress out, and please don't take it upon yourself to eat all the candy yourself to "save" your children. be it a great pumpkin, halloween fairy or the boogie man, get creative and help your kids understand the real fun of halloween, i mean costumes, spooky stories and haunted houses are really whats fun and the candy, be it tasty is not the only reward. then smile and if your really need something sweet to eat, have a cupcake!

got grapes?

2011-06-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

have you ever walked down the aisle at the farmer's market and seen the huge section of grapes? all colors, black, red, green their glistening hues shining in the sun, just begging you to buy them and snack away. hands down there is nothing better than icy cold grapes on a hot day, but have you ever thought what else could you do with that fabulous flavorful tiny little fruit? believe it or not they can be used in all sorts of fun recipes, salads, cheese trays, even main courses. so i am having a summer fling with grapes and finding all kinds of ways to use them. this recipe is an easy breezy summer appetizer that is great for a warm day with an ice cold glass of prosecco. (throw a few frozen grapes in your glass just to keep the chill on)

grape and prosciutto appetizers

1 baguette, sliced 1/4 inch
4 Tbls olive oil
36 green, red or black grapes**
1 Tbls balsamic vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
4 oz softened goat cheese
6-8 slices of proscuitto

preheat oven to 350. lightly brush baguette slices with half of the olive oil and lay them on a sheet pan and place in oven. toast 5-10 mins until golden brown, and remove from oven and set aside to cool. put the remaining olive oil in a small saute pan and warm over med-high heat. add the grapes and saute for 2-3 mins. or until soft and warmed through. remove from the heat. sprinkle the balsamic vinegar over the grapes and add a few grinding of pepper.
spread each baguette slice with goat cheese. cut each slice of proscuitto in half and drape over the cheese. top each of the baguettes with grapes and drizzle with remaining oil and vinegar in pan. serve right away or at room temp.
** you can slice grapes in half (use half the amount) before heating if you desire so they don't roll off baguette slices, but if softened enough they usually are just fine.

not only is this recipe tasty, it looks beautiful. you can just imagine sitting in a small italian cafe on a warm summer day, enjoying the sweet and savory tastes of the grapes and proscuitto together. so as my summer fling continues i will try and photograph and post my new found creations. i feel a chicken, brie and grape sammie of some type in the near future.

adventures in dining with bite san diego!

2011-06-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

a few months back a friend posted a groupon on her fb wall for a walking food tour of san diego, asking if she had any takers in organizing a trip together? being the foodie i am, i jumped at the offer. so thanks to the organization of a few gal pals we purchased some tickets, set a date and booked the tour. let me tell you, some of the best decisions are made on the spur of the moment and this was one of them!

so excuse some of the blurry photos, i forgot my camera and resorted to my iPhone, which is always hit and miss.

our first stop was royal india, where we met our very knowledgeable tour guide eddie. as we enjoyed our first treat of samosas and other indian delights, eddie started with some history of san diego and all the fun facts it has to offer.

our first course...

we then ventured out into the city on foot, after all, exercise it the best way to work up an appetite!
can you believe this used to be considered a sky scraper back in the day? our next stop on the trip was croce's, opened by famous singer/songwriter jim croce's wife after he passed away, fulfilling their life long dream of having a place together.

we were treated to their fiery and fabulous chili bacon bloody mary's. i'm not going to lie, this drink can cure anything that ales you. they make their own chili bacon infused vodka for this cocktail and it is every bit worth stopping in for.
the girls enjoying the cocktails and yummy firecracker shrimp, while listening to great live music.
back out on the street, we headed to a little gem of a pizza place in the keating hotel, called crust. this place will make anyone who has longed for a slice of what new yorkers call real pizza, think died and went to heaven. they employ their own full time baker and it shows, the crust and bread are perfect and the flavors of pizza, tantalize the taste buds. being italian i am skeptical about fruit on my pizza, but i tried the pineapple, capicolla, and jalapeno pizza and was happily surprised by the sweet and spicy flavor on the perfectly crunchy crust! other flavors including the cheese and pepperoni standards, were pesto and gorgonzola and artichoke and chicken! all fabulous!

the pizza, tom working the oven's and the wonderful hand made breads.
out onto the sunny streets to continue our sight seeing, while heading to our next destination. our guide eddie pointed out great buildings, along with fun history of the growth of san diego through the years. the next stop was karl strauss for some much needed refreshments after the long walk.

we enjoyed a tour at karl strauss while sampling great beer. i am not a big beer drinker, but i really enjoyed their lager and their raspberry ale!
here's our tour guide eddie posing for a pic with our rowdy group!

next my personal favorite place, little italy. our final savory stop of the day was indigo grill, where we enjoyed chips and scallop ceviche with fresh homemade guacamole.

on to the best part of any one's day, at least i know it's the best part of the day for me, DESSERT. what better way to finish off a great day of food, fun, and laughter than with a delicious cannoli.

a great bakery and restaurant right in the heart of little italy is cafe zucchero. i'm telling you, your italian nona would be proud to serve these little packages of heaven.
it doesn't stop with these, the bakery cases are loaded with mouth watering pastries and even some creamy italian decadence, gelato. check out these pics, to get you off your chair and into your car heading south!
all in all, this was a great way to spend the day with friends. we enjoyed wonderful food and drink and eddie was beyond great! i would recommend this tour to anyone with a taste for culinary adventure and history. bite san diego wraps all this into one beautiful package. next stop, i think we might have to try their coronado tour next! you can check them out on the web at
http://www.bitesandiego.com/

the lighter side

2011-06-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

as summer fast approaches and temperatures rise, the thought of turning on the oven or stove floats right out the window. now your dilemma is, what do i serve with that beautiful chicken, steak (insert your main course of choice) that i have on the grill? here is the no sweat, literally, side that is appealing to everyone. this no fuss salad requires nothing but a knife to make. come on admit it, anyone can slice a few strawberries right? just so you know i employ my 6 yr old daughter to do this with a serrated butter knife, so if she can do it so can you. if your really crafty, like i am, i have both my kids put the whole salad together, while i sit and do nothing. talk about no sweat!

Summer Fruit Spring Salad

1 bag of washed spring salad mix,
1 cup blueberries,
1//2 cup slice strawberries,
1/4 cup of crumbled feta (more if you like),
salt & pepper,
olive oil**,
balsamic vinegar**,
1/4 -1/2 cup of candied walnuts,

ready, here's the hard part... ;-)

place spring mix in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, do this before adding the other ingredients. sprinkle salad with blueberries and strawberries. drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. sprinkle feta and walnuts over the whole thing and serve. really, how easy is that? light, healthy and the perfect compliment for any main course. you can really go wild and top with some grilled chicken, before adding the oil and vinegar, and you've turned an easy side into a quick, beautiful summer meal.

so turn off the heat and enjoy dinner alfresco. for those of you not watching your calories or carbing up for a big run or swim the next day, serve the same oil and vinegar, sprinkled with salt and pepper to dip fabulous crusty bread!

** use an olive oil that you like the taste of all by itself, the better the quality, the better the taste.

** when it comes to balsamic vinegar, the longer the aging process the better the taste. this also makes the vinegar thicker often giving it a more syrupy consistency. sometimes spending a few extra dollars on staples like these add a lot to your cooking in the long run. they also last quite a while so it's worth it.

sneaky healthy breakfast!!!

2011-04-10T14:48:00.001-07:00

if your kids are anything like mine, vegetables are sometimes a hard sell. this frittata sneaks in your veggies in a very kid friendly and adult palate pleasing way. the best thing is once you learn the method you can fill them with endless varieties of filling and they are great for breakfast, brunch or dinner.

spinach and veggie sausage frittata

6 eggs beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach
3 patties/4 links of veggie sausage
(i use morning star, but use your favorite)
1/4 of shredded cheese any kind
salt, pepper to taste and a pinch of nutmeg

preheat broiler with rack 4-5 inches from top.

lightly heat, over med heat, a sprayed or lightly oiled (i used garlic oil) nonstick pan. mix your beaten eggs and milk and pour into heated pan. sprinkle the egg mixture with spinach and sausage evenly covering the mixture. season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and slowly allow the bottom to set. 2-3 mins. when the egg mixture starts to set (you should be able to slightly run a spatula around the edge of the pan) sprinkle mixture with cheese, remove from heat and place under the broiler, approx 2-3 mins till golden brown and eggs and cheese are set. the tricky part here is not to walk to far away and keep an eye on the broiler to ensure the top doesn't burn. when set, remove from oven and allow to sit for 1 min, before running the spatula around the edge and sliding out of pan onto a plate. cut and serve.
i like to put a mixture of arugula with a bit of oil and vinegar on the top, my hubby likes to put some hot sauce on it and the kids just eat it plain. however you decide to eat it, i bet you love it!

you can't get an easier meal than that. between the eggs, cheese and sausage my kids have no idea they are eating spinach, and veggie sausage gives them another serving of veggies.
we substitute all the ingredients with the kids choosing the filling all the time, bacon and broccoli, all cheese, tomato, basil and pancetta and even prosciutto and apples with swiss cheese! the possibilities are endless. so the next time you don't know what to have for dinner after a long day of work, serve with some crusty bread and your set. with breakfast serve with cinnamon toast or your favorite bread recipe, we did zucchini bread and what do you know that gave us even more veggies! as my son says "i can eat my veggies this way anytime!"

2011 new years resolution, pantry, freezer, fridge challenge!!!

2011-01-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

so as the new year approached and the christmas and end of the year finances came into play, i started to think "wow! it's time to cut the budget back again and regroup for a new year."
one of my annual christmas/new year traditions is to clean out the whole house and do a big good will donation. i have challenged my kids to this every year also, to teach them how to be giving and what the real meaning of christmas is. so they set to cleaning out toys and i set to the closets and house. while doing this i thought to myself, i clean closets, rooms,and the garage out every year, at least once, sometimes we do a summer clean too. why not my pantry, fridge and freezer. except instead of getting rid of stuff, how about i challenge myself to use and cook with what i have and see how creative i can get. i am not saying there weren't a few items that hit the trash can due to when did i buy this or what was i thinking? the best part of this challenge was the opportunity to cut that family budget while testing myself in the kitchen.

so this is what i decided: i would start by surveying what was there and then, allow myself to buy only what was really needed on a weekly basis. those items were things such as, milk, eggs, fresh fruit and veggies (all though using frozen ones if i had them first) the same for bread and yogurt which i do freeze or keep in the fridge a lot, but usually go through pretty quickly.the same goes for meat purchases, either use what's in the freezer, try a different version of protein such as beans or eggs, or just skip it for the meal. only purchasing if really needed and then looking for a sale or bulk buy to help with the freezer supply. basically what this means on a shopping trip is no visit to the middle isles, and no impulse buys just because something sounds good.
first rule of thumb, don't go hungry or sample hunting, and the two together! a deadly combo. second, avoid taking my kids at all cost. believe it or not, kids can cost us more wasted money in the grocery store than anything else. the treat to keep them happy while you shop, the snack they must have, because all their friends do. the best one, "MOM! I LOVE THESE!!! PLEASE??!!" only to come home and sit on the shelf and end up in the trash because, they taste different or they are not the right ones, code for never mind i'm tired of eating them.
so, as i head into the third week of january, things have been going really well. we have eaten a different meal most of the time, with a few left overs here and there. we've made smoothies with soy milk and frozen fruit, instead of yogurt and fresh fruit and milk. oatmeal from scratch on the stove with their own version of mix in's, like apples/bananas, brown sugar and cinnamon. my kids have been trying new grains, such as quinoa, brown rice and risotto, in sometimes interesting combos other than just a side. we wrapped quinoa, boca crumbles (from the freezer) and feta and broccoli in tortillas for a new version of a burrito. brown rice mixed with chicken tenders (another freezer find) with cheese and tortilla chips for an inventive rice bowl. lunches have been fun too, coming up with ideas other than a sandwich, like yogurt and granola, with dried fruit, or leftovers from a dinner that was a hit. the fact that we have been saving money in the grocery bill department is only one of the rewards. challenging myself and family to think outside the box has been fun and best yet, the opportunity to scale down and maybe learn a better way to shop and eat in the process. then i get to start stocking the pantry all over again, and maybe with some new family staples.

Quick and Easy Treat!!!

2010-10-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

it's that wonderful time of the year where pumpkins are everywhere. if you are like me that means halloween jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin bread and muffins, and yes all those pumpkin seeds! so what to do with all those pesky seeds you've pulled from the inside of your pumpkin? how about a tasty, crunchy and healthy (sshhh, don't tell) snack. the hardest part of this recipe is carving the pumpkin and cleaning the seeds, the rest is a snap. what you don't like to ***clean pumpkin seeds? well for those of you out there that think i'm crazy for spending the time, you can buy pre-packaged pumpkin seeds in the store, just buy them plain and cut the cooking time in half!

spicy pumpkin seed
3 cups of pumpkin seeds***
2 Tbls of oil (any you prefer)
1 tsp dry pico de gallo
(use what ever spicy seasoning you like, cayenne, ancho, ect.)
1 tsp of lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
place pumpkin seeds in a bowl and toss with all ingredients, till all are covered. spread out on baking sheet and cook in oven 10-15 mins. turning every few minutes, till golden brown and crunchy! see easy peasy!
this is the fun part, not into spicy? just use salt and pepper and omit lemon and spice. feeling kind of sweet? switch to a little sugar and cinnamon. the possibilities are endless when you follow your taste buds. happy fall!

*** to clean pumpkin seeds, remove all pumpkin strings and rinse in water, then drain in colander. spread out on baking sheet and let dry 2-3 hours or overnight, before seasoning and baking for a crunchier seed.

Lunch time fun!!

2010-10-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

it's halloween time and what could be more fun than surprising your kids with a little fun in their lunch boxes too?! put a little BBBOOOOO!!! in your kids day! i promise, easy and super fast, you can do it between, dinner, laundry, bed time or in the morning before you head out the door.

Ghostly Sandwiches

white bread (2 slices)
cream cheese/peanut butter
jelly (your favorite)
raisins
ghost cookie cutter/ or you can free hand if your crafty

cut bread slices with cookie cutter, layer your cream cheese or peanut butter and then jelly, put slices together and make eyes and mouth from raisin pieces. come on admit it, anyone can do that right!!

edible eyeballs

carrot peeled and cut in to 1 inch rounds
cream cheese
black olives, cut in half

place carrot flat side down, place a dab of cream cheese in the center and top with olive piece!
ta da!!! spooky, eyeball goodness!!

ok... so i admit this next one takes a little more time due to the fact you have to hard boil an egg or eggs, depending on how many goblins your feeding, but well worth the extra time, for a protein packed lunch time treat!

edible eyeballs take two

eggs
1 teas mayonnaise
1/2 teas mustard
salt and pepper to taste
the amount of ingredients is based on 1 egg, adjust accordingly to how many you are making.

Place an egg in a small saucepan and cover it with cold water. Bring it to a boil and cook for one minute, then turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain the hot water and run cold water over the shell. Then peel the egg and slice it in half lengthwise.Scoop out the yolk into a bowl and mash it with the mayonnaise, mustard, and a pinch of salt. Spoon the mixture back into the egg white halves and top each with a ripe olive.

all of these recipes are curtesy of Family Fun magazine, a go to for family fun of all kinds. you can find more fun recipes and crafts at http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/
happy halloween!!!

Refreshing and Cool and good for you too!

2010-09-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

2 cups ice
1 cup vanilla/plain yogurt
2 bananas
1/4 peanut butter
2 cups soy milk/milk
3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup or a handful of chocolate chips
optional ingredients (protein powder, chia seed, other supplements)

place all ingredients in blender and puree till smooth. check consistency, add more or less liquid to your liking. a healthy, filling and cool alternative on hot mornings or for an after school snack. great for drinking before sports too.
enjoy!

back to school lunch blues

2010-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

summer has ended and the back to school lunch box blues are starting to set in with mom's around the world. the idea of packing the endless lunches for the next 9 months and the chimes of "mom i'm bored!" "peanut butter and jelly again...." do not make it any easier. if you are like me and your children do not eat hot lunch at school everyday, or you don't want them to, for let's just say, lack of a better food choices, there is the constant struggle for fresh ideas to break up the everyday sandwich. well, fret no more. the following recipes can help put some fun back into lunch and help your kids eat a little better too. the other great thing about these recipes is that they can be swapped with lots of different ingredient ideas and can be used for after school snacks and breakfast too. picky eaters can be transformed by taking part in the decision making, as well as the lunch making to motivate them to eat better and try new things. you can also adapt these recipes to your schedule and take the short cuts you need by buying some pre-made or pre-cut ingredients.

caramel apple dip

-8 oz. cream cheese
-1 cup Caramel Dip, Caramel Sauce or melted caramels
-3/4 cup Granola Cereal/chopped nuts any kind
-sliced apples

Spread 1/2 inch of cream cheese across bottom of a shallow dish. Top with a layer of caramel. Sprinkle Granola on top. Serve with apple slices.

this recipe is great to alternate with peanut butter instead of caramel, dippers can be swapped for any fruit your kids enjoy, bananas, strawberries. graham cracker, preztels there are endless choices. layer in individual tupperwares for a lunch box treat or surprise them with a fun snack after school or practice.

this next idea works along the same lines, yogurt parfaits, so good my children feel like they are getting dessert for breakfast. this next recipe is our family favorite.

strawberry and banana parfaits

-sliced bananas and strawberries
-one container of vanilla/plain yogurt
-tbls of honey or agave syrup (optional)

in a glass or see through container, layer 1/4 of the strawberries,
than 1/4 of banana, than 1/4 of yogurt,(if using plain yogurt, drizzle with honey or agave, if you desire) than sprinkle some granola. repeat until container is full. if i pack these in my kids lunch boxes, i keep the granola seperate and let them sprinkle it on themselves so it's nice and crunchy.

this is another great recipe that can be done a million ways depending on your childrens likes and dislikes. use fresh blueberries with strawberry yogurt and Go Lean Crunch from Kashi. no fresh fruit in the house applesauce or any type of jams, jellies or canned fruit work great. not a big fan of yogurt, ricotta cheese drizzled with honey or agave is delicious. change up the crunch with your favorite cereal or graham cracker, smashed up. let your kids make it and give them options to create their own version. my son likes to layer some plain yogurt, with peanut butter and bananas and granola or sometimes crushed pretzels.
these are great alternatives to a sandwich and if the kids get to help in the decision and making process they are more willing to try new things and eat what you pack. these are just a few of the things up my sleeve to take me through the lunch box blues. check back for more lunch recipes in the next few weeks. together we can work at making this a little less stressful school year, at least in the lunch department!

visiting italy via my taste buds

2010-08-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

had a fabulous dinner with friends last night at one of my favorite places. whenever i eat at Via Italia in Encinitas i am transported to Italy by the smells from the kitchen, the flavors of the food and wine and the ambiance that makes you think the cobble stone street of Italy are right outside the door. i have eaten here several times and never been disappointed. the menu has so much to offer for everyone. i myself love the pizzas, risottos and the gnocchi, and to say i love the gnocchi is huge. i rarely find a restaurant where the gnocchi is as light as air and filled with so much flavor. there are several to chose from and i think i have tasted them all and i have nothing but good things to say. last night i tried their saffron risotto it was so flavorful, sometimes saffron gets lost in recipes or overpowers a dish, this was the perfect balance with the creaminess of the risotto.
the pizza's are not your everyday tomato and cheese pies, they are piled high with ingredients like arugula, prosciutto, shaved Parmesan and some are even drizzled with the sweet touches of balsamic vinegar.
if you are ever in the area and need a bite to eat wander in a try a little taste of Italy at the beach. i promise you won't be disappointed, i never am.

http://viaitaliapizzeria.com

light summer sandwich

2010-08-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

as the weather warms up, so does your kitchen and after a long day of work or play the last thing you want to do is cook. here is the perfect answer to a quick, healthy and filling dinner.
the sun is out and that means so are all of the bounties of summer vegetables and herbs. lucky for me i have neighbors who garden and farmers market on every day of the week close to where i live, but no matter where you are there is a store, produce stand or mom and pop market that have tomatoes stacked high and herbs in abundance. i will post what i used below, but feel free to use any cheeses and veggies you chose, the possibilities are endless and it only is about 5 mins out of your busy day.

1 baguette sliced lengthwise, toasted, grilled, broiled
fresh sliced tomatoes
1 handful of arugula also known as rocket
1/2 cup of ricotta cheese
1 tbls of olive oil, flavored is always a great option
1 teas of thyme, chopped fine
1 tbls of Parmesan
salt & pepper to taste

mix olive oil, thyme, Parmesan, and salt and pepper into the ricotta cheese. taste and adjust to your taste buds. spread the mixture on each side of your warm toasted bread. i used the broiler for mine, but feel free to throw it in the toaster or on the grill whatever makes your life easier. place sliced tomatoes and arugula on top of one side of baguette and top with the other, press down a bit to let the flavors mingle. cut into sandwiches wedges and enjoy.

as i said before you can substitute any of the ingredients above, i used ricotta, because of the creaminess and the fact that it is high in protein and lower in fat then some cheeses. goat cheese would be great too. you can even find flavored spreadable cheeses at most markets, saving you the step of having fresh thyme on hand and chopping. another great topping would be spinach, or for the more hearty appetite, a little bit of prosciutto, layered through the middle would be fabulous. the idea is a quick and yummy dinner with minimal fuss and clean up. now if you'll excuse me, i am off to eat my yummy, no cook dinner after a long day of my own!

different ways to play with your kids!!

2010-08-09T11:11:00.001-07:00

after a fun day of playing in our favorite places yesterday, the zoo, the pier, seaside village, our little family was a little lazy this morning. so after cuddling in bed for a bit with my three favorite things, my kids, my coffee and a food show, i asked my kids the loaded question "what should we have for breakfast?" in a duet of different tastes, i received the answers, bananas, bacon, and french toast. what could a mother do but give them everything they asked for.
with some help from my favorite sous chefs we created the J & A french toast breakfast. maple caramelized bananas, with cinnamon, nutmeg french toast and crunchy bacon crumbles. i'm beginning to think my kids my eventually put me out of business. the best thing about this meal was the fun we had making it, or should i say the mess in the kitchen. children dipping bread in an egg batter is not for the neat freaks in the kitchen, there was sugar and eggs everywhere! so here it is, our finished product!

so while parks, beaches and playgrounds are fun with the kids, your own kitchen can be a playground too. the sweet surprise is the love your kids will have for family and food. the ability to get your kids to try new things and eat healthy too. i'll tell you a secret... the bread is multi grain and the bacon is turkey and well there is nothing bad about bananas, but the kids won't care a bit. you can even substitute agave syrup for the maple, but if you are using maple, use the real stuff, not the colored corn syrup stuff, you don't need as much and the flavor is over the top. so go on and play with your kids, oh, and your food!!!

chicken again?

2010-08-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

tired of boring old chicken for dinner AGAIN? or do you want something different and are afraid your kids won't eat it, so why bother? here is a great solution that will make both the foodie in you happy and still be family, namely kid friendly.
the other night i needed to test some recipes for a client and still needed dinner for my family, so i combined the two. the surprise? everyone was happy!
i have a client who is bored with their everyday recipes and wants to try something new. chicken is a staple in their home, so i put something together that requires a little work, but nothing to over the top. the plus is, it can be made and placed in the refrigerator ahead of time and then the actual meal on the table is about 20 mins.
so hear it is.....

spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breasts

for the filling:

2 cups baby spinach
1 shallot, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/4 teas fresh ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
hot sauce to taste
2 tbls of cream cheese, room temp
2 tbls of goat cheese, room temp
2 tbsp on olive oil

heat olive oil in saute pan on med-low heat and add shallots, cook for 2-3 mins stirring often being carefully not to over brown. add spinach and garlic and coat with olive oil and shallots. the spinach will immediately start to wilt so turn off heat and season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and hot sauce. place mixture in bowl to cool slightly, after it is cooled a bit, add cheeses and incorporate.

for the chicken:

4 thinly pounded chicken breasts**
2 thinly pounded chicken breast cut into tenders**
2 cups panko bread crumbs
2 cups italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated ramano cheese
1 cup flour
2 eggs beaten
salt and pepper to taste
3 generous tbls of vegetable oil

make a assembly line of three shallow bowls and a sheet pan covered with wax paper or foil. in first bowl add flour, second bowl add beaten eggs, third bowl bread crumb and cheese mixture.
at this point you may season flour and bread crumbs with salt and pepper to your liking, a little or a lot.
first the family friendly, just in case they won't eat my fabulous creation, chicken tenders.
set aside the four chicken breasts and move on to the tenders. dip each piece, first in flour, then egg and then bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat each side. place on baking sheet. repeat until all are breaded.
now moving on to the i'm not sick of chicken any more creation.
place all four pieces of chicken on a flat surface covered with wax paper. take about a large spoonful of the spinach mixture and spread on the chicken leaving a 1/4 inch border all the way around. you should have a little bit of the mixture left over, set it aside for now. from the skinny end of the chicken, begin to roll each piece, don't worry if they are not perfect, just do your best. after take each roll and repeat the breading process, flour, eggs, bread crumbs and place on cookie sheet.
at this point, cover and place in refrigerator for a least 15 mins, to 1 day ahead. remove from refrigerator about 2-3 mins before cooking.
time to cook:
heat oil in a pan big enough to place all four rolls in at the same time. place a cookie sheet with paper towels for draining, next to your cooking area.
when oil starts to sizzle, a good way to check is to place the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil and see if the oil bubbles, if it does you are good to go.
first, cook off the tenders, place each piece in pan and flip in about 2-3 mins, when they are golden brown, remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain.
now, take your rolled chicken and place in pan, rolls to each side, browning as you go, again maybe 2-3 mins. now if filling oozes out a bit, don't panic it will still taste great. when golden brown remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain. now here's a trick to keeping them warm and crispy while you finish up your sauce and meal. place on serving dishes and put in a 200 degree oven.
** you can purchase thinly sliced chicken or make your own by pounding it out, entirely up to you, your time frame and your cooking comfort level. as you can tell, mine are perfect either, but they still tasted fabulous.

for the sauce:

leftover spinach mixture
1/4 cup of chicken stock

and a simple salad of tomatoes, cucumber, black olives and arugula in a light in the same pan as you did the chicken, drain off excess oil and place back on stove top on med-low heat. add chicken stock to pan, scraping up bits and pieces off the bottom of pan, add the rest of spinach mixture and melt into chicken stock, remove from heat. to serve pour sauce over chicken. you can use this sauce for the chicken tenders too, or for your picky eater, ketchup, ranch dressing, mustard it all works. i served our chicken with some light sides of red quinoavinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper. again for the kiddos cucumbers and olives.
the result is everyone is happy, and you never know, your kids may like it too!! i know my daughter did and happily ate the whole meal, my son, stuck to the chicken tenders with ketchup. and myself, a new recipe, a happy tummy and a dinner with no fuss or complaints. you can have fun with this recipe, by changing up what you stuff the chicken with, or even venture out and use pork, the point is now you know the process, the rest is up to you.
enjoy!!

exceptional dining right around the corner

2010-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

as a full time wife, mother of two and business owner opportunities to go out for a nice, leisurely meal with friends and no children are few and far between. last Saturday the opportunity arose for a night out with friends at a restaurant of my choice. i have been following a local restaurant on twitter called Blanca and drooling over their menus, so i jumped at the chance to try it! imagine my surprise to find such an exceptional dining experience right around the corner in the sleepy and beautiful city of solana beach.
the ambiance and decor were a treat to the senses as we walked in the door and the quiet was a blessing to our ears, both couples the proud owners of 5 children between us, quiet is not something that happens often. i could go on about this, but my girlfriend who treated us to the experience is a graphic designer with a background in architecture and she does a much better job, i have included her twitpic at the bottom of the blog, so you can see and hear her words yourself. on to the food!
first let me say chef gavin smith has an amazing flair and palate for working with the local farms and local, seasonal ingredients. the menu was full of fabulous flavors and twists, an indulgent experience for the foodie in me. as each course arrived, we all tried, shared and devoured the delectable items that arrived on our plates in the form of artworks themselves. i am quite certain the pictures to follow will not give the food justice, as we took them with our iphones in the dark of the restaurant. everything from the charcuterie platter, to the local farm raised pork, local, seasonal vegetables and herbs to the black cod, each bite was an explosion of flavor and melt in your mouth delicious. the dessert finale really sealed the deal for me, a caramelized brioche filled with strawberry jelly, was nothing more than pure bliss, crunchy from the sugar, light and airy brioche and decade filling and sauce. excuse me for a minute, i am drooling as i think of this. i look forward to the chance to taste and experience more of blanca, next time maybe a happy hour in their stylish lounge to try the many interesting items on the lounge menu.

willis farm pork
zucchini soup

black cod
caramelized sugar brioche

check out Blanca at http://www.dineblanca.com

http://twitpic.com/24fidx

ties that bind and define..

2010-06-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

for as long as i can remember food played a key role in my family, it was something that brought us together in many ways. homework in the kitchen while mom cooked dinner. saturdays were for my dad and i, shopping at the italian market and watching football together over his famous sandwiches. family dinner on sundays which was never missed for any reason. holidays and birthdays spent at the table laughing, sharing and in the end learning that home and family were the place and people i could count on. coming from a big italian family on the east coast, when my parents decided to move us to california it was important to them to keep the sense of family ties and love. we spent our summers visiting relatives on the east coast for weeks at a time and while living and growing up in california my parents taught us to build an extended family through our friends. i can never remember a time when there was not a new face at our table and as the years passed our family of 6 grew to a family of now 14, plus various numbers that drop in from time to time. i believe that all of this brought me to where i am now and the passions, decisions and the life course i have chosen, wife, mother, friend, pastry girl and cook.
i now have my own husband and children. as the world seems to run at warp speed with tv, internet, school, sport and social activities i hold tightly to the values my parents taught me and do my best to instill the same on my children. we sit down as often as possible together for dinner, sunday dinners are still alive and well with different friends and family all the time. since cooking now is not only a passion, but my chosen profession, there are many hours with my children doing homework and chatting while i am cooking and baking.
as i spend the day packing for a trip to the east coast, now with my children, to spend countless hours with family, laughing and sharing around the table, i am reminded of my parents who are no longer with me. i plan to share with my kids the stories and recipes of their grandparents as well as do a little research for my cooking as well. so in closing my blog will be quiet for a few short weeks, and when i return i hope to have some new stories to share with my family and recipes to share with my friends and clients.

a lite summer snack!

2010-06-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

while strolling through the farmer's market on a warm day, i close my eyes and take in the fresh scents of herbs, flowers, and fresh baked bread mingled with the ocean air. i love this place and go as often as possible, to check out the fresh fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as the specialty olive oils, cheeses and baked treats. the weather is warming up and i am a big fan of cooling down in the kitchen. this easy summer appetizer is fast, and involves very little cooking. in the end you will have a crunchy, salty snack and very little clean up!
smash a garlic clove and drop into about a 1/4 cup of good olive oil with a pinch of salt and heat just till warm in a sauce pan on the stove, turn off heat and allow to steep, for at least 10 mins. i keep a pan of this on my stove all the time and use for everything from frittatas to shrimp. it's great just to dip fresh, warm bread for a light snack.
preheat your broiler ( you can even do on the grill if you don't want to heat your kitchen). slice a baguette and place on a sheet pan.

drizzle bread with the garlic infused olive oil and sprinkle with grated romano cheese, you may also use parm, but i love the nutty salty taste of the romano. place under broiler (or on your grill) and toast till golden brown.

place on your serving tray and top each slice with a fresh leaf of basil and a piece of proscuitto. finish off by shaving a little romano cheese on top and drizzle with garlic infused oil and a sprinkling of pepper. that's it! fast, delicious and a perfect summer bite.

Childhood Memories

2010-05-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

as i woke this morning to the sun filtering through my bedroom windows the quiet of the morning reminded me of waking to a house filled with the warm smells of cinnamon and nutmeg from my moms cinnamon crunch muffins. so while everyone was asleep i headed to the kitchen to hunt through my mom's old recipe box for the recipe. most recipes she kept locked in her head, but the few she wrote down, i was able to keep when she passed. on mornings like this when the pangs of missing her hit me heavily, i look at these recipes and find comfort in the familiarity of her handwriting and the memories of her in the kitchen, which is where she always was when she wasn't working nights as a nurse. as i started to sift through the ingredients and put the recipe together i thought of my children upstairs sleeping and my heart filled with the thoughts of them, grown up with families of their own. i can only hope that they too will be filled with the same thoughts and memories, triggered by the smells and tastes of their childhood. i have been asked several times for recipes, which i to like my mom keep so many in my head, and people laugh that they are all handwritten and not on the computer. i laugh too, and say, the computer is not in the kitchen with me my paper and pen are. the truth is, although i have started to transfer some onto the computer, the words on the computer can not begin to express the warmth and familiarity of the person sharing the recipe. so i will continue to write with pen and paper and also to transfer to the computer as time goes by. i also make a quiet resolve to write down more recipes to pass to my children, so they too may find comfort, familiarity, warmth and fond memories in my written words to one day share with those they love and cherish.

what's for dinner?

2010-05-20T07:42:00.001-07:00

last night, on his way out the door to take my son to baseball practice, my husband asked me "what are we having for dinner?" i looked at him, smiled and said " i don't know, i haven't decided yet." he left and I stood there realizing, i don't think i've been near a grocery store in at least a week, maybe two. so i stared into my mostly empty refrigerator and found a few odd vegetables, some carrots, a handful of spinach left from a salad and some asparagus that i didn't use when i had planned. what to do? what to do?
this is where as luck would have it, i am usually good at keeping the pantry and freezer stocked with a few key items at all times. being raised italian, that of course means there is always some sort of macaroni (pasta for all of you) and chicken stock, along with a good spice rack and you are good to go. i rummage threw the freezer and find frozen prosciutto and pine nuts, again, normal for my heritage. i put everything on the counter, turn my water on for the macaroni and stare at my ingredients for a minute, the wheels slowly start to turn. what i came up with was a very simple, farm house meal as my mom would call it, i called it kitchen sink macaroni. here in lies the theory, good food does not have to be fancy, expensive or even planned.
ok, so i know most of you might not have these exact ingredients in your refrigerators, freezers or pantries, but most of you have those things that you call your key ingredients. for example rice, tomatoes, frozen veggies, ect.
the point is with a little imagination and the courage you may end up creating something really enjoyable, even a keeper for your recipe box. don't be afraid to put things together that you might not normally and let your imagination flow.
so while i am not including a recipe for my dish, as is there is none, just a lot of throw it in the pan and saute and then add the macaroni, and of course cheese, cheese makes everything good. what i want you to take from this is.. the next time someone asks you or you ask yourself "what's for dinner?" have fun, be creative, and cook! don't worry if it's horrible, there is always pizza delivery!

Take me out to the ball game...

2010-05-18T07:57:00.000-07:00

or should i say ballet....
it was a weekend of toe shoes, tutus, and baseballs! as the season for the boys of summer kicks into full swing, so does the close of many ballet studios spring recitals!
as a full fledged lover of both, this weekend was hectic and fun. while running back and forth between my son's baseball games and my student's rehearsals and recital, i created these fun and yummy cupcakes for a few clients.

spring has sprung!!!!

2010-03-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

the weather is starting to warm up, the sun is starting to peak through it's cloudy blanket and the days are getting longer. with this comes the blossoms in the trees and the beautiful budding flowers, but best of all, the start of the wonderful fruits and vegetables of spring and summer. this recipe is easy and a perfect compliment to the season.
the picture to the right is not the full size tart, just what was left shortly after removing it from the oven and leaving it unattended for 5 minutes with my family. this cheesy, wonderful tart will turn even your pickiest vegetable eater into an asparagus lover. i only say this after a few non asparagus eaters asked for seconds.
the first time i served it as the start of a nice pork loin and mashed potato meal and it was just enough to get the taste buds going. it was such a hit that i served it for a ladies lunch along side a roasted tomato soup. cutting it into smaller pieces makes it perfect for your next cocktail party. however you chose to serve it, i promise you won't be disappointed. it's easy fast and delicious.

Asparagus Tart

Flour, for work surface
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
5 1/2 ounces (2 cups) Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 1/2 pounds medium or thick asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Place pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle. Using a fork, pierce dough inside the markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
Remove pastry shell from oven, and sprinkle with Gruyere. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell; arrange in a single layer over Gruyere, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until spears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

a cure for the winter blues....

2010-03-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

so the winter blues and cold weather got you down? bring a little spring and warmth into your home with some wonderful food that will take you south of the border! ahhhhh, i can feel the sunshine now!
a simple meal of grilled shrimp tacos, roasted corn, fressh guacamole and chips and of course a nice beer or if your feelin' fruity an icy margarita.
shrimp and corn are two great ideas when the weather is cold and you want the spring flavors, but they are not available. Frozen shrimp and corn work perfect in these recipes and then when it really warms up you can use the recipes for fresh ingredients as well. although you can usually find shrimp in your seafood case at the local grocery store year round.

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon each, ground cumin and chili powder
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled (if using frozen, defrost in refrig overnight or run under cold water until thawed)
3 tablespoons butter, melted (can substitute olive oil or other oil of choice)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 limes, cut into quarters
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 6-inch corn tortillas
2 to 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
bottled green tomatillo salsa

Directions

Whisk together the sour cream, and tomatillo salsa. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the butter (oil if using) and garlic, cumin and chili powder.
Preheat a gas grill to high; adjust to medium after 15 minutes. (If cooking over charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with gray ash.)
Place shrimp in a bowl and coat with garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper to taste. Place them on the grill with the limes. Cook about 4 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque and the limes are browned. Remove from grill.
Grill the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, then place inside a paper bag to keep warm.
To serve, divide shrimp evenly among the tortillas. Top with the cabbage, sour cream tomatillo salsa, and a spritz of grilled lime.
Rainy-day method: Broil the shrimp and limes about 4 inches from the heat using the Total Times above. Wrap the tortillas in foil and heat in a 350° F oven for 15 minutes, or wrap them in a napkin and microwave for 3 minutes

I serve this with roasted corn, when the weather is warm and corn on the cob is in season, i brush with melted butter, and throw them right on the grill and char them. add some salt and chili powder or dried pic de gallo seasoning and they are good to go. so here is my winter time trick to have that same great summer flavor.

Roasted Winter Corn

1 bag frozen white sweet corn (thawed, doesn't have to be completely thawed)
3 tbls melted butter
salt and pepper (optional)
chili powder or pico de gallo (optional)

1. preheat broiler and line a sheet pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. mix corn and butter in a bowl.
3. spread on baking sheet and place under the broiler. time in 5 min increments and stir each time you check the corn. the corn should start to brown in about 15 mins, give or take the intensity of your broiler and the proximity of the pan to it. when it is colored to your liking, remove and pour into bowl. season to your liking, salt, pepper, spice....

no summer time, south of the border meal is complete with out your favorite salsa, guacamole and chips and of course a nice cold drink.
so don't let the weather bring you down, turn on the heat and sunshine with some great latin music, some fun food and enjoy your winter break. who cares if you have to eat it fireside!

The Sneaky Healthy burger

2010-03-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Turkey Burgers with spinanch

2 cups spinach
1 garlic clove, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 tbsp butter
1 lb ground turkey
1 tbsp bread crumbs
1 egg (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

melt butter in saute pan on med heat and add shallots and garlic, cook till soft about 1-2 min. add spinach in and turn off heat, mix spinach with shallots and garlic and wilt. remove from heat and allow to cool about 3-5 mins. add spinach to food processor or blender and puree.
in med bowl mix egg, if using, bread crumbs, salt, pepper mix well (i use egg just to hold this mixture together and helps turkey hold it's shape better for cooking) add 2-3 teas of spinach into this mixture and then add turkey and begin to mix until incorporated. at this point you may add more spinach. form into 4 patties. if grilling cook 5-7 mins per side on low. or sear on stovetop in hot pan and finish in 325 oven for 4-5 mins.
add your favorite toppings, cheese and ketchup are the kids choice, but i top mine with sour cream, avocado, cheese, lettuce and tomato.
we use whole wheat buns too, just for a little more fiber in the diet.

as far as the spinach mixture, you can slip this into lots of recipes. mix into chili, taco meat, pasta sauce. double or triple recipe and store in 2-3 tbsp in freezer. this is also great mixed with olive oil and a little pasta water and served over pasta like a pesto sauce, grate on some parm cheese and you have a quick, healthy meal in minutes.

my kids are pretty good about fruits and veggies, but anytime i can add a little extra to their diet and please them with a food they love, i go for it.
enjoy!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter...

2010-02-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

chocolate and peanut butter is there anything better together? ok, well maybe peanut butter and jelly, but i think that is a tough race. this is my tribute to everyone's favorite couple. a moist espresso milk chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. not just any peanut butter frosting either. instead of a dense thick peanut butter frosting usually made with peanut butter, butter and sugar, this is light and airy with all the real peanut butter flavor you love without the addition of butter and sugar. now don't get me wrong i am not saying butter and sugar are bad things, in fact they are very close friends of mine, but peanut butter in itself is wonderful and using it as a base cut with a heavy whip cream makes it almost mousse like. the espresso added in the cupcake gives the chocolate a rich and deep flavor. just to tie it all together it is topped with a reese's peanut butter cup. fun to eat and completely delicious. a favorite of adults and kids alike.

monkeying around!

2010-02-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Nothing makes a child smile like cupcakes, and nothing will ever make me forget the smile on my son's 8th birthday when he saw the monkey cupcakes i made for him.
being born on valentine's day, usually means sharing with holiday school parties and a long holiday weekend where most people go away. sometimes it's hard to compete with crowds, schedules and all that goes with. so when asked what he wanted to do for his special day he informed me just a trip to the zoo with some friends and monkey cupcakes!
i guess it's not a strange request for the kid who's mom is known to all the kids and parents in the school as the cupcake lady, but monkeys? that was a new one for me. so i put my thinking cap on and came up with these cute little guys that were a huge hit.
the cupcakes where moist and yummy yellow cake and the frosting underneath a milk chocolate mousse, topped with a fondant monkey.
there were smiles all around and one very happy boy, who informed me at the end of the weekend of fun and sweets. "This was the best birthday ever!!!!!"

fun, easy valentine's day gifts!

2010-02-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

looking for something fun and fabulous for your funny valentine?

* think sweet, treat that is. order your cupcakes, cookies or candy confections now.

* is your valentine watching their calories or just not that big on sweets? order up a custom cooking class just for them.

* looking for something quiet for the two of you, how about a romantic dinner in the comfort of your own home, no driving, no crowds and heck you can even eat in your sweats if you want.

email me @ gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com and an order up a valentine's day you won't forget. don't be caught in the last minute frenzy of store bought chocolates, fuzzy teddy bears and the bouquet of flowers from the guy on the corner on your way home from work!

what do you think?

2010-01-28T07:53:00.001-08:00

so here is my problem. i am putting together a menu for a cooking class i will be doing. the class is a brunch with a fabulous savory egg dish, a light and yummy salad, and some "good" morning beverages. this is where my road block begins, what should my sweet treat be? i decided to ask my fans and followers "what do you think?" so here is what is running through my mind, be it crazy and confused, it's all I have to work with. so tell me what you think. the choices are: a muffin, perhaps apple-cinnamon snickerdoodles. a breakfast bread, maybe lemon-blueberry love. or a warm and wonderful coffee cake? ok...so you know my problem, what is your solution? post a comment or a suggestion and let me know what you think. if you have a great recipe you like to offer, I always love to try new things. looking forward to hearing what you think and have to say. remember, we all should be living La Dolce Vita! (the sweet life), so this is an important part of the menu!

looking for a diet friendly treat

2010-01-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

I would like to dedicate this next post to a friend who has been working hard and missing his cookies. this recipe is for you Ken!

Dieting is hard and sometimes very frustrating. the worst part of it is, feeling deprived of dessert. so to help get over the hump of frustration or as a reward for a really great day of eating and exercise, these cookies are the perfect answer. Low in fat and filled with cocoa powder and semi sweet choc chips, they can curb your sweet tooth and the chocolate is an antioxidant as well. so enjoy guilt free.

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookie

Yield: 4 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

3 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate minichips

Preheat oven to 300°.

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Sift cocoa over egg white mixture; fold in. Fold in minichips.

Cover a baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat. Drop batter by level tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake at 300° for 40 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 22 (12% from fat)
Fat: 0.3g (sat 0.2g,mono 0.1g,poly 0.0g)
Protein: 0.3g
Carbohydrate: 4.7g
Fiber: 0.0g
Cholesterol: 0.0mg
Iron: 0.1mg
Sodium: 16mg
Calcium: 1mg

Rainy Day Tomato Soup

2010-01-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

looking for a way to keep warm on a cold rainy day? my rainy day tomato soup warms from the inside out. it's filling enough by itself for dinner, or add a salad or some grilled sausage to stretch your menu a little further.

Rainy Day Tomato Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil
3 oz pancetta, chopped (substitute bacon if you like)
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 cups cubed rustic italian bread
6 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes in juice (you can use the kind with garlic and basil too)
1/4 cup coarse chopped basil (2 Tbls of dried)
1/2 teas dried oregano
1/4 teas red pepper flakes (crushed)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 marscapone (u can substitute cream cheese)
1/4 sour cream (you can substitute plain yougurt)

heat olive oil in large pot, add pancetta and saute till golden and crispy, remove from pan. add onion to pan and saute. add bread and coat with drippings, saute till crisp and golden. (if needed you may add a little more olive oil to help coat the pan and the bread. add chicken stock, tomatoes, basil , oregano, red pepper to pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to med-low, cover and simmer about 10 mins. taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

mix marscapone and sour cream together and use to top your steamy bowl of warm and satisfying soup. For my cheese lovers out there you can top with shaved parm or romano cheese!

I don't know about you, but after just typing this recipe I'm hungry. I think I will make some myself, the weather outside is perfect for it.

winter day hot chocolate!!!

2010-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

don't you just love rainy days? i know i do. a warm fire, pjs, books, games and best of all a warm and cozy drink that just screams comfort. so how about a steamy. warm mug of hot chocolate. the recipe below is an adult version, but if you want to leave out the liqueur and the brandy the kids can enjoy it with you too.

winter day hot chocolate

3 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Dutch process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (kahula, frangelico, amaretto) optional
1 tablespoon dark rum or brandy (optional)
Whipped cream
Grated bittersweet chocolate

In a saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a low boil. Remove from the heat.

Whisk the cocoa and vanilla into the milk. Add the sugar and simmer over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the coffee liqueur and rum and stir well.

Remove from the heat and pour into 4 mugs. Top with a spoonful of whipped cream and grated chocolate. Serve.

so light the fire, grab your favorite book and enjoy.

Game Day Snacks!!!

2010-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

are you ready for some football? how about a yummy snack to go with the game and a couple of cold ones?

Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbls of fresh lime juice
1 generous lb unpeeled smallish shrimp
1/2 med white onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup ketchup
1-2 Tbls of vinegary mexican hot sauce (ex: tabasco)
2 Tbls olive oil
1 cup diced peeled cucumber
1 ripe avocado peeled and chopped
salt & pepper as needed
lime slices for garnish
tostada shells, or tortilla chips for serving

toss shrimp with some olive oil, salt and pepper and either grill, saute or broil for about 2-3 minutes, till shrimp curls up and turns pink, remove from heat. cool and chop.

in a small strainer, rinse and drain the onion under cold water, then shake off the excess liquid. in med bowl add shrimp,onion, cilantro,lime juice, ketchup, hot sauce, olive oil, cucumber and avocado. mix ingred together and taste. add salt and pepper to taste. allow about 15 minutes in refrigerator to let flavors marinate.

serve in clear bowl with chips. for added flair or sit down dinner, serve in individual sundae or martini glasses with a dallop of sour cream, lime wedge and chips as garnish!

turn on the game, grab a drink and enjoy!!

Whatever you do today, enjoy the weather, family, friends and good food!

Healthy Snacking in the New Year!

2010-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

with the new year, comes the new resolutions. exercise, eat better, save money. well with a couple of planned snacks you can eat better and save a little money, as for the exercise your on your own there. although I will tell you by taking the stairs instead of elevators and escalators, parking further from the store when running your errands and taking walks with your kids, animals or the solitude of just you, you can be living a little healthier and happier without a lot of work and extra plans or commitments.
so on with the fun stuff.....
something sweet and healthy (and quick for that matter)
Creamy Fruit Dip
2 ozs of reduced fat cream cheese (room temp)
1 Tbsp of strawberry jelly (or any favorite flavor)
mix together and dip away! see I told you it was easy!
we dip pretzels, apples, pita chips and even spread it on our favorite crackers, toast and bagels.

ok... so you want something salty with a little crunch, how about this...

Zippy Popcorn
8 cups popped popcorn (make sure you remove any unpopped kernels.)
2 Tbsps of butter or margerine
1 teas of chili powder
1/8 teas of garlic powder
2 Tbsps of grated parmesan cheese
put the butter in saucepan on burner and heat just until butter is melted, remove from heat.
(for my microwave people.. place in microwave-safe-bowl: cover with waxed paper and heat at 5-10 second increments until butter is melted and remove)
stir in chili and garlic powder and drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat. sprinkle with parmesan cheese and toss again.
munch away! see anyone can do it!

the dip can be stored in refrigerator for up to a week. store the popcorn in airtight container for up to 3 days. great for work, after school or just because, without the guilt!

enjoy.... as I say " La Dolce Vita" everyone should live the Sweet Life!!!

Sweets for your Sweetheart

2010-01-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I don't know about you, but sometimes that standard old box of chocolates won't do. I find myself looking for something that fits the person, not necessarily the holiday. So this Valentine's why not customize a gift or treat just for them. Maybe they would enjoy chocolate, or maybe Lemon Lust cupcakes. How about a cooking class or a quiet dinner for two at home where all the work is done for you. Don't forget your favorite sweetheart. Whether it's your mom, child, sister, brother or that special someone. There is something for everyone! Order your treats now! Choose from candy, cupcakes or cookies. Or even a gift certificate for a cooking class or dinner for two!
email me @ gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com.

What are you doing New Years?

2009-12-29T17:49:00.000-08:00

Still looking for something yummy for New Years? Tired from all the Christmas Rush?
It's not to late to order a tasty treat for your party or a great hostess gift.

email to place a last minute order, it's never to late to eat great!
Alwaysgourmetpcs.com
email me at gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com

Got Cookies!!!

2009-12-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves cookies for the holidays. If you are still looking for that last minute gift for a teacher, coach, coworker, your problems are solved! How about a cookie package or gift certificate for something sweet? They are also a great idea for the potluck Christmas party you don't have time to make anything for.
Taking orders for the holiday rush, now~ email me at gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com and put your worries behind you!

Holiday Recipe

2009-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Peppermint Kisses

3 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 teas peppermint extract
red gel food coloring
1 cup heavy cream
6 ozs chocolate

Preheat oven to 175.
line two baking sheets with parchment paper. fit a pastry bag with star tip.
put egg whites and sugar in heat proof bowl of electric mixer. set bowl over pan of simmering water, and stir gently until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm to touch. (2-3 mins)
transfer to electric mixer and whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. mix in peppermint extract. dip toothpick in gel color and swirl through mixture.
fill pastry bag and pipe small star shapes.
bake 1 hour 40 mins and cool on rack.
heat cream in small sauce pan over medium heat, pour over chopped chocolate and gently stir. spread on bottom of meringues and cool.

Kids driving you crazy?

2009-12-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

do you need to do some last minute Christmas shopping? has the newness of Christmas presents worn off? or do you just need something to do with your stir crazy kids? why not sign them up for a kids cooking class? cookies, cupcakes, treats. for the more serious student breakfast, dinner, there is something for everyone. make it a party, grab your kids favorite friends and sign them up together. the kids have a great time and the added bonus is some free time for you and maybe even the opportunity for your kids to cook you dinner!
classes are customized to the client, for more info email me at gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com

Black Friday Special!!!!

2009-11-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of the holiday shopping frenzy! Order a gift today for your favorite person and receive 10% off!! Don't forget school parties, christmas potlucks and your favorite teacher or coach!!!!

The Holidays are here!

2009-11-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone who is hard to buy for? The person who has everything? A special little something for that teacher or coach? Well, look no furthur, I have the answer for you.

What about a cooking class for the wife or hubby who is hard to buy for. The friend who has everything. Choose from private lessons for one or a cooking party.
How about a homemade treat for the teacher or coach who does so much. Cookie platters, cupcakes or special treats can be the perfect answer to the boring gift card or coffee mug.
Gift certificates are available too.
Call or email now and get a jump on your holiday shopping.

Penguin Fun!!

2009-11-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

Love the fact my daughter is an original in every way! What to do when the request for birthday fun is A Penguin Party!
So here is what I did...
First, come up with a fun and fabulous idea for her birthday cake and cupcakes! I chose an Igloo cake surrounded by dancing penguins.
Second, create a winter wonderland in your back yard, complete with snowflakes and lots of stuffed penguins. I used blue tableclothes and blue balloons for water and white table clothes and white balloons for ice. Place the blue ones on the ground and cover with white circle table clothes for ice burgs. Scatter blue and white balloons all over the ground. I also placed the penguins on chairs and various places. Hang or secure snowflakes all around, I used Christmas decorations.
Third, set a formal table, that is penguin style. Tables were dressed with black table clothes and silver stars. I used a black large plate with a small white one on top and then yellow cups placed in the middle. I was lucky enough to find tuxedo napkins, but use what you can find. (black, yellow or white)
Entertainment: we had craft tables: one table allowed the girls to create necklaces or bracelets with beads and penguin charms. the second table had foam stickers and stencils in the shapes of penguins, snowflakes and igloos. Construction paper, glue and crayons and the girls created their own winter wonderlands.
We played our version of Musical Chairs called Musical Penguins. The other favorite was Pass the penguin (hot potato).
Taking her original idea we turned her birthday into an old fashioned, backyard birthday. Focusing on her and fun for all. The girls had a fabulous time playing together and enjoying each others company.

recipe fun!

2009-10-06T10:14:00.001-07:00

Recently a friend had a recipe catastrophe...
Recipes are suppose to be fun not frustrating, my motto keep it simple and it will be delicious!!

I am posting this next recipe for her....

Vanilla Cupcakes

2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 teas baking powder
1/2 teas baking soda
1/2 teas salt
1/2 cup of milk **
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 teas vanilla extract **
1 stick (8 Tblspns) unsalted butter, softened **
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 325. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine milk, oil and vanilla extract in a 2 cup measuring cup or a small bowl.
3. In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture alternately with the milk mixture in batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and beating just until blended.
5. Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, which ever you prefer fill muffin cup 2/3 full. Bake until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean, 15-20 mins. Remove and cool before frosting with your favorite frosting.

** If you would like to infuse more vanilla flavor into your cupcakes, place milk in sauce pan and scrape the seeds out of one vanilla bean and place seeds and vanilla bean into milk. Bring milk to just a gentle simmer, remove from heat and cool. This will steep vanilla bean into milk. Remove been before adding to recipe.

For all of you with a love of cupcakes this is a simple, fun and classic recipe.

Enjoy....

2009-06-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Summer Cooking Series

Hi All! Well it's here the first class of the summer.

Sunday, June 28th at 11 am. I am doing a summer brunch. The menu will include Stuffed Foccacia, Rustic Italian bread stuffed with eggs,spinach, proscuitto and cheese. A refreshing Sweet Summer Salad of mixed greens, strawberrys, goat cheese and pecans, with a poppey seed dressing. There will also be a no fail, easy to make breakfast treat!!

To wrap everything up, will make some fabulous Bellini's and Spiked Coffee to wash everything down!! The price is $50.00 and seating is limited. Email if interested!

2009-05-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air...

With that said along comes Easter, Baptisms, 1st Communion and Confirmations. I have been busy this past month with a flurry of cupcakes and cakes. As this month is coming to a close I look forward to the summer months. Cooking with fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. Stay tuned for Summer Cooking Classes and all the recipes posted on the blog. I will post a schedule and menu of the upcoming classes.

Herbed Pork Tenderloin

2009-03-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ok.... so here's the recipe you all have been asking for....

Kim's Birthday Pork Roast

2 lb pork tenderloin

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3 sprigs ea fresh rosemary, thyme and sage

to taste Salt & Pepper ( I use roughly a teaspoon of each)

Remove herbs from stems and chop in food processor by pulsing about 30 seconds. Add olive oil a little at a time until all combined. Add S & P and whirl one more time to mix.

Take mixture and rub all over tenderloin until completely coated. Cover and place in refrigerator to marinate a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.

Turn broiler on in oven and place oven rack on second setting in oven...5-6 inches from top of oven. Preheat while meat is coming to room temp.

Remove tenderloin from refrigerator at least 1/2 hour to 1 hour before cooking to bring to room temp for more even cooking.

Place tenderloin on a foil coated sheet pan and place in oven for 7 mins-turn and cook for 7 more mins. Repeat until desired tenderness achieved. Meat should be firm, but bounce back when pressed with finger... anywhere from 165-175 internal temp depending on your likeness. The meat will continue to cook for 5 mins after being removed from oven, so take this into consideration on how much pink you desire in middle. Start at lower temp for more rare and leave in oven for more med. I perfer mine with some pink in the middle...it is all a personal taste.

Rest for 10 mins covered out of oven.... slice and put on serving platter. Pour pan juices over the top. Add fresh herbs to platter if so desired.

Birthday girl surprise!!!

2009-03-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

So what do you do when you want to show a friend how great you think she is and how much you appreciate her???

You grab your favorite gal pals....plan a special night..... and surprise the heck out of her!!!

The evening was filled with laughter, good wine, good food and amazing women. The birthday girl Kim.... girly, but creative and very clean and simple! Pink and Brown fit the table and chocolate cupcakes filled with strawberries fit the girl!!!

The menu.... Wonderful starters.... chicken and lemon grass spring rolls, brie and carmelized onion tarts...just to name a few.

The main course....roasted pork tenderloin and wonderful sides.... like sauteed green beans and tomato and basil orzo. Everyone contributed to the wonderful evening with food, wine and lots and lots of laughter. What better way to tell a friend you love her!!!!

Welcome to my Blog......

2009-02-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

So here you are....on my new blog....please be patient as I am new to this whole blogging thing...

I would love to make this a place to show who I am...what I do..... things that interest me and places I want to go in my life.

Who am I?

a wife, a mother, a friend and last but not least a Foodie!!!

What I do?

I call myself a cook, a pastry girl, a teacher....my friends and family like to say I'm a chef... I save that title for those who I respect as a teacher and master of the arts and those I aspire to be like one day.

Things that interest me?

You name it, books, music, dance, history, travel....

I could go on for days...As I progress more with this blog....

I hope to continue to answer these questions and maybe yours

too. I am always open to helping out, in the kitchen, your home,

your kids or even just a shoulder

to vent on!!! or cry on!!! or laugh on for that matter!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you come back often, to

see what I'm up too

Where I want to go?

This is a double edged question for me.....

were I want to go spiritually and daily in my life...is to a place where I am comfortable and happy and where I can appreciate all that is good in my life. A place where family and friends support me and I support them....with all our faults, amazing qualities and silly quirks!!

were I want to go in the physical sense... is to travel Italy and all over Europe and explore history and food...and maybe live there for a little while one day.

Confessions of a crazed pastry girl!!!!

2009-02-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

So what happens when someone asks you to come up with a Birthday cake for their 11 year old girl's birthday. The only directions are something girlie, something pink...and oh..they are going to see a movie for the party!!

First, you find out what movie:

Confessions of a Shopoholic

Second, you grab your favorite gal pal...who just happens to be an amazing graphic designer (Thanks Kim) that's Kim Viernes of Zoom In Designs...you can catch her link at the bottom of the page.

So this is what we came up with...and thanks to Kim's great model work..I was able to create everything else out of frosting...bags, clothes, signs...

A scene straight out of the movie...with a name change for the birthday girl and a street sign for her age!!