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Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Ritual Weekend Pancakes
Lately, I've been treating myself to Chocolate Chip Pancakes once per weekend. It's become a lovely little ritual and I really enjoy it.
Some would say that eating chocolate chip pancakes once a week, every week is not healthy. To those people, I say, "You've obviously not had a good chocolate chip pancake because when they are this good, it doesn't matter."
And, can I just add, emotional health is just as important as physical health. This has become a relaxing, peaceful ritual and it helps me destress. I enjoy the act of whipping up batter and creating new flavors based on the type of chocolate laying around. Most of the time it's semi-sweet chocolate chips, but sometimes I will have stopped of at Whole Foods and picked up a fancy chocolate bar (of the dark chocolate variety) and I'll chop some of that up and throw it in.
It's fun, and I love it.
This past weekend, I escaped to my Mom's house with my laundry, and Sunday morning woke up to find:
NO PANCAKE MIX!
NO BISQUICK!
ONLY AN UNAPPETIZING BUTTERMILK MIX (Mom, toss that mix. Please.)!
I was desperate. So I turned to trusty google, and found the following recipe:
1.5 cups flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar*
1 + 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 tbsp butter, melted**
and, of course, chocolate!
*It's standard practice in my household to add a touch of extra sugar and a splash and a half of vanilla extract.
**I'd cut down the butter amount. It was quite strong and I had to add extra ingredients to tone down the butter flavor. I want pancake flavored pancakes, not butter flavored pancakes.
This is a fantastic recipe, and I see it becoming my go-to. It was easy to throw together, the batter was a great consistency, and I loved the coloring of the pancakes. I topped with maple syrup this time; I tend to vary in my toppings from week to week.
Do you have any weekend rituals?
Some would say that eating chocolate chip pancakes once a week, every week is not healthy. To those people, I say, "You've obviously not had a good chocolate chip pancake because when they are this good, it doesn't matter."
And, can I just add, emotional health is just as important as physical health. This has become a relaxing, peaceful ritual and it helps me destress. I enjoy the act of whipping up batter and creating new flavors based on the type of chocolate laying around. Most of the time it's semi-sweet chocolate chips, but sometimes I will have stopped of at Whole Foods and picked up a fancy chocolate bar (of the dark chocolate variety) and I'll chop some of that up and throw it in.
It's fun, and I love it.
This past weekend, I escaped to my Mom's house with my laundry, and Sunday morning woke up to find:
NO PANCAKE MIX!
NO BISQUICK!
ONLY AN UNAPPETIZING BUTTERMILK MIX (Mom, toss that mix. Please.)!
I was desperate. So I turned to trusty google, and found the following recipe:
1.5 cups flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar*
1 + 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 tbsp butter, melted**
and, of course, chocolate!
*It's standard practice in my household to add a touch of extra sugar and a splash and a half of vanilla extract.
**I'd cut down the butter amount. It was quite strong and I had to add extra ingredients to tone down the butter flavor. I want pancake flavored pancakes, not butter flavored pancakes.
This is a fantastic recipe, and I see it becoming my go-to. It was easy to throw together, the batter was a great consistency, and I loved the coloring of the pancakes. I topped with maple syrup this time; I tend to vary in my toppings from week to week.
Do you have any weekend rituals?
Monday, April 29, 2013
Holy. Smokes.
That's what I said out loud after my first bite of dinner tonight.
I've truly outdone myself.
Grilled Chicken
Seasoned with Lemon Pepper, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder, thrown onto a piping hot George Foreman.
Garlic and Olive Oil Organic Brown Rice Couscous
Stolen from Mom's pantry. Mom, buy this again.
Sautéed Green Beans
Butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. Because sea salt is amazing. Why did I wait so long to buy it??
This is absolutely, positively on the dinner rotation FOR LIFE.
The textures perfectly melded, and the flavors complemented one another beautifully. The dry couscous with the wet green beans, and salty, moist chicken.
I... I'm speechless.
I've truly outdone myself.
Grilled Chicken
Seasoned with Lemon Pepper, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder, thrown onto a piping hot George Foreman.
Garlic and Olive Oil Organic Brown Rice Couscous
Stolen from Mom's pantry. Mom, buy this again.
Sautéed Green Beans
Butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. Because sea salt is amazing. Why did I wait so long to buy it??
This is absolutely, positively on the dinner rotation FOR LIFE.
The textures perfectly melded, and the flavors complemented one another beautifully. The dry couscous with the wet green beans, and salty, moist chicken.
I... I'm speechless.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Spicy Lemon Chicken Wraps
a la Rosie over at The Londoner. (aka girl crush.)
Can I just say, I dropped $75 at the store this morning picking up food for the week. Okay, for more than the week- a lot of it is cooking accessories (hot sauce, sea salt, cocoa powder... etc), but still. And, okay, I got 8 avocados because, hey, I'm cooking with avocados a lot this week. I need a grocery store scholarship. Or sponsor. To be repaid in delicious foods. I really am a good cook.
Words to the wise:
Can I just say, I dropped $75 at the store this morning picking up food for the week. Okay, for more than the week- a lot of it is cooking accessories (hot sauce, sea salt, cocoa powder... etc), but still. And, okay, I got 8 avocados because, hey, I'm cooking with avocados a lot this week. I need a grocery store scholarship. Or sponsor. To be repaid in delicious foods. I really am a good cook.
Words to the wise:
- Lemon juice stings cuts.
- 80's Pop Pandora station is probably the greatest "radio" station around.
- Hot sauce stings too.
Okay! On with things.
I invite you to check out Rosie's post of the recipe as I am too lazy she has already taken the time to make a lovely post. But here's a general idea:
The taste is unlike anything I've had before... You certainly taste the honey, something I'll go easier on next time. I was definitely concerned it would be too spicy- but it wasn't! There were moments of heat, but I loved it. Now the lemon was the cool part. It was only after I was done eating that I noticed the hint of citrus hanging around in my mouth. And I do believe it was the best part.
These are your marinate ingredients + olive oil.
The taste is unlike anything I've had before... You certainly taste the honey, something I'll go easier on next time. I was definitely concerned it would be too spicy- but it wasn't! There were moments of heat, but I loved it. Now the lemon was the cool part. It was only after I was done eating that I noticed the hint of citrus hanging around in my mouth. And I do believe it was the best part.
These are your marinate ingredients + olive oil.
Cut chicken into strips + Marinade ingredients + Mix & Cover and place in fridge for a few hours.
Have these bad boys out on the counter. They're going to wait until tonight when it's time to make the guacamole.
......
Hello again!
It's hours later and I'm halfway through dinner.
Um, YUM.
Guac got made, per Mom's recipe.
Assembled on a large tortilla, sour cream on the bottom, guac, chicken, and romaine lettuce.
Wrap and enjoy.
Quick, easy, light, FILLING dinner. Apart from the morning prep (which I feel could easily be done the night before if the timing is better for you), it's incredibly simple to throw together. I can see this dish becoming a regular around these parts!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Midtown Taqueria
On a little corner in East Sacramento sits the best Mexican food in the city.
Well.. that might be a little ambitious to say as I've only had food from Midtown and Tres Hermanas, but Midtown completely trumps Tres. Completely.
My first time at Midtown I had a Carne Asada burrito. I've never had Carne Asada before, but this was GOOD. Buttery and meaty, but not fatty or chewy. Packed into a perfectly steamed tortilla.
Last night, I gave it the real test thought. Chicken Burrito. It's how I test every Mexican food restaurant- if you have a good chicken burrito, you're pretty much a winner in my book. Yes, it's a simple, somewhat plain dish, but that's why I love it. It's easy and when it's good- it's good.
I took my little bag of chips and my enormous burrito home, cracked open the Lost Coast Tangerine that I had in the fridge, and watched some TV.
It was the most wonderful evening.
Well.. that might be a little ambitious to say as I've only had food from Midtown and Tres Hermanas, but Midtown completely trumps Tres. Completely.
My first time at Midtown I had a Carne Asada burrito. I've never had Carne Asada before, but this was GOOD. Buttery and meaty, but not fatty or chewy. Packed into a perfectly steamed tortilla.
Last night, I gave it the real test thought. Chicken Burrito. It's how I test every Mexican food restaurant- if you have a good chicken burrito, you're pretty much a winner in my book. Yes, it's a simple, somewhat plain dish, but that's why I love it. It's easy and when it's good- it's good.
I took my little bag of chips and my enormous burrito home, cracked open the Lost Coast Tangerine that I had in the fridge, and watched some TV.
It was the most wonderful evening.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Thursday Night
I'm indulging in a little date night with myself this evening.
I've been feeling a little.... (off? down? sad? stressed?) all of the above lately, and am taking the evening to reconnect with myself.
On the menu:
I've been feeling a little.... (off? down? sad? stressed?) all of the above lately, and am taking the evening to reconnect with myself.
On the menu:
A litle vino,
and a chocolate sando.
(Dark Chocolate and french bread. Trust me, and try it. Immediately.)
Cheap wine and a chocolate sandwich. Two of my most favorite things.
It's getting all kinds of romantic up in here.
;)
Friday, April 12, 2013
The Friday Grumpies
Which, I am pleased to say, I have successfully cured.
What is my secret to curing the Friday Grumpies?
What is my secret to curing the Friday Grumpies?
Chocolate Chip pancakes, preferably the size of your face with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
I'm off to run errands and study (or at least attempt to do these things...)
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