Green Bean “Fries” and Asian Veggie Burgers with Star Fruit Relish
Posted: February 19, 2012 Filed under: Contests, Food, Recipes | Tags: adzuki beans, american, asian, beans, brown sugar, cayenne, cooking, eggs, flour, foodblog, fries, garlic, green beans, greenbeans, marx foods, millet, mochi rice, mushrooms, onion, orange, recipe, relish, rice, rice vinegar, scallions, sesame oil, soy sauce, star fruit, sticky rice, string beans, veggie burger, zucchini 29 Comments »
Is there anything more quintessentially American than a burger and fries?
Think about it. I bet you can’t name one thing.
Ok, well maybe life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and all that jazz…. Oh yeah, and jazz. And baseball. Definitely baseball.
Let me rephrase.
Is there any meal more quintessentially American than a burger and fries?
Nope. Nothing. I’m glad we agree.
So when it came time for me to come up with a meal for the Marx Foods East Meets Delicious Recipe Contest, it only seemed fitting to embrace the “east meets west” theme by incorporating the markedly Asian ingredients into the ultimate American meal.
My mission, if I chose to accept it: create two original recipes using at least four of the samples provided by Marx Foods (samples included adzuki beans, maitake mushrooms, mochi rice, dried star fruit, organic millet, hijiki.). The recipes must be for one appetizer and one main course.
Tortilla Soup
Posted: January 30, 2012 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: avocado, cheese, chicken, chicken broth, cooking, corn, cumin, dinner, easy, ethnic, foodblog, jalapeno, lime juice, mexican, paprika, pepper, recipe, rice, salsa, soup, spicy, tomato, tortilla, vegetables, zucchini 19 Comments »
I, for one, was thrilled that the temperature was well above freezing this weekend.
And not just because I hate the winter. But because it precluded any chance of snow. And for that I was thankful.
You see, last weekend we had snow. The first snowfall of the season, in fact. Unless, of course, you include Halloween weekend as part of the “season.” I don’t. So in my book, it was the first.
And unlike most people, who are excited about the first snowfall and celebrate by building snowmen, making hot chocolate, and cuddling by the fireplace, I did none of those things.
Instead, I took the opportunity to carry my friend on my back, slip on the slush, fall, rip my tights, skin my knees, and bruise both knees and a shin.
I blame the snow.
So when I learned that this weekend would be snow free, I celebrated in a more responsible manner: I made soup.
Yes, delicious Tortilla Soup. Much less dangerous. Much more tasty. I’d say it was a good decision all around.
Moroccan Chicken and Couscous Soup
Posted: January 25, 2011 Filed under: BSI, Food, Recipes | Tags: cayenne pepper, chicken, chicken broth, cooking, couscous, cumin, dinner, easy, ethnic, foodblog, moroccan, onion, parsley, recipe, soup, spicy, sweet potato, tomato, vegetables, zucchini 27 Comments »
After the very first bite of this soup, I knew I had to share it with you. Not doing so would have been doing a disservice to you, to this blog, and to the very spirit of food blogging. If you are a food blogger, and you make something SO easy and delicious, you must share.
And so that’s what I’m doing today. Sharing. Like the good food blogger that I am.
Just know, that this was not an easy process. I mean, the soup itself? Easy as pie. Seriously, it’s like the easiest soup ever. Just cut up a few things throw them in the pot, sauté and boil. No pureeing. No extra pots to clean. No problem.
But the process? It was…. a process.
You see, I made this soup on a Wednesday night. And night time is just not a good time for pictures. So I figured I would take pictures of the leftovers the next day. But I work during the day. And by the time I got home on Thursday, it was dark again. And I was hungry. So I ate the rest.
Luckily, Jake said this soup was so good that he could eat it every day. Figure of speech? Maybe. But I took him literally. And made another a double batch on Sunday.
Bibimbap (Korean Mixed Rice)
Posted: September 26, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: bean sprouts, carrot, chili flakes, egg, ethnic, garlic, honey, kochujaang, Korean, mushroom, pepper sauce, project food blog, rice, sesame oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, spicy, spinach, zucchini 48 Comments »
The results are in… and I made it to round 2 of Project Food Blog! A big THANK YOU to everyone that voted for me! I guess all of my bribery talent paid off ;)
For this challenge, my instructions were to create “an ethnic classic that is outside your comfort zone or are not as familiar with.” Sounds easy enough. Just pick a cuisine from any place on the map that you’re not as familiar with, do a little research, and get cooking. Can’t narrow it down? Too many places to choose from? Just spin the globe! The world’s your oyster! Right?
Wrong. That may work for some people. In fact, that may even work for most people. But for me, the very definition of a mutt, picking a cuisine that I was unfamiliar with was not as easy as it sounds. I have family from all over the globe. And let me tell you, this family can eat. Food = love, and we have a lot of love to give. Which means that I am well versed in cuisines from SO MANY cultures.
I know what you’re thinking. You think I’m being dramatic. That I’m overreacting. I guess I’ve earned that. But seriously…. Just look at this list of cuisines! Read the rest of this entry »
Spicy Zucchini Soup
Posted: September 7, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: basil, bread, cheese, chicken broth, dinner, garlic, jalapeno, lemon juice, lunch, onion, parmesan, pepper, soup, spicy, zucchini 26 Comments »I’ve been hearing a lot of people complaining about how it’s still so hot outside. They are asking for the cooler weather. They are wishing summer would just end already. They are ready for the fall.
If you are one of those people, listen up, because I’m only going to ask nicely this one time: Please stop. (See? Wasn’t that nice? I even said please. Next time I won’t be so polite.)
If you are one of those crazy people wishing for the fall, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Because even I, someone who is such a summer loving person, can see why wishing for fall might seem tempting. The temperature is a little less extreme, the leaves turn beautiful colors, and pumpkin pie is abundant. Sounds good so far.
The problem is that you’re being shortsighted. (Sorry, I don’t usually like to call names, but this is an extreme situation.) You see a season filled with football, Halloween candy, and apple picking. But you know what you’re forgetting? Fall leads to winter.
Tomato and Grilled Zucchini Salad
Posted: August 6, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic, balsamic vinegar, cheese, dill, dinner, feta, grill, oregano, parsley, salad, side dish, thyme, tomato, zucchini 13 Comments »
I have a confession to make: Before this week, I had never grilled anything on the barbecue by myself. I know, I know. It’s pathetic. But, in my defense, I have always been intimately involved in the grilling process. I always plan what we’re eating, get everything prepared, marinate and season the meat, cut the veggies, etc. I just don’t actually do the grilling.
Not to worry; I am also always sure to tell the person grilling the right way to grill. Raise the flame. Lower the heat. Check on the meat. Stop opening the lid. You’re letting all the heat out. Leave it on a little longer. I think it’s done. I’m like a backseat griller. It’s endearing. Just ask Jake.
Sesame Zucchini Bread
Posted: June 3, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: baking, bread, challenge, dinner, raisins, sesame seeds, vanilla, vegetables, zucchini 1 Comment »
A few weeks ago, Steff from Steff Says opened up her Five Ingredient Challenge to her readers. Always up for a culinary project, I emailed Steff to get involved. She assigned me five mystery ingredients, and I immediately started thinking about what I would be making for the challenge. My five mystery ingredients were (drumroll, please……)
- chicken breast
- raisins
- basmati rice
- sesame seeds
- canned pumpkin puree
In a few weeks, I will be featured as guest on Steff Says (don’t worry… when the time comes, I’ll remind you), but in the meantime, I wanted to share what I made with all of you!
