Saturday, September 8, 2012

Grilled T's and Red Cabbage Slaw

I was able to get home a bit earlier than I usually do from work one day last week. I dawdled a bit in my kitchen and peered into my refrigerator, hoping something would stand out as a good side dish. I was feeling inventive and wanted to try some new sides to go along with the beautiful Bone-In Steaks I knew would be cooking on the grill within the hour. I managed to easily pull together the following two sides. And oh, they were tasty!

Grilled Tomatoes


1. On a large plate, rub on some olive oil and sprinkle with your favorite seasonings. I used:

- Garlic powder
- Pepper
- Touch of salt
- Oregano
- Dash of cayanne pepper

2. Cut the tomatoes into large, 1/2 inch slices and place on the seasoned plate.

3. Give the top side of the tomatoes the same treatment as the plate.

4. Splash on a bit of red wine vinegar and let the tomatoes sit for a few minutes.

5. Grill until tender and grill marks are present :)

* * * 

And now, I must make a shout out to my culinary inspiration,  Regina Rea. I have whippped up so many of her recipes in my kitchen and have never been disappointed. This (what I call) Red Cabbage Slaw (because of the ingredients I had on hand) is phenomenal and shockingly healthy compared to your typical mayonnaise-dripping "slaws".     *shutter*      This slaw is light, tangy, crunchy and makes the perfect side or salad topper.

(Addapted from Regina's Knock Out Tangy Slaw Recipe!)



Red Cabbage Slaw


Ingredients

1/2 a head of Red Cabbage, chopped up small
1/2 of a small white or red onion, diced small
1/2 of a ripe avocado, diced
Handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1 clove of garlic, minced
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice (this flavor comes through very well, so taste as you go so its not too tangy for you)

Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted pecans

Directions

1. Mix up the dressing in a big bowl by combining the 1//4 cup of greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil and minced garlic. Stir together until well mixed.

2. In the same bowl, dump in the chopped cabbage, onions, and basil.

3. Stir together until cabbage is well coated.

4. Fold in the toasted pecans and top salad with diced avocado. It's the avocado that gives the salad its "creaminess", so add more avocado if you want!


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Smoky Kitchen, Left vs. Right, and TARMLS


Spur of the moment dinner with a good friend lead to talks of politics, house hunting, and a delicious, flavor-packed dinner. 



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Veggie Salads!

I've been watching a lot of Master Chef recently (Gordon Ramsey you tell 'em what's up!) and spending way too much time on foodgawker. Recipes are constantly floating in my head. Cooking and creating new and tasty dishes for myself and those that come into my kitchen is perhaps my top hobby. (Can you call it a hobby?) 

I usually have some basic protein on the plate (grilled chicken or grilled salmon), but it looks so lonely all by itself. Right?! A fresh vegetable salad makes a wonderful partner for any main dish. I like to make my salads as colorful as possible and always bursting with tons of flavor! 

My most recent favorite vegetable sides are a Garbanzo Bean and Basil Tomato salad and a Marinated Veggie Medley salad adapted from lemons & lavender.


Garbanzo Bean and Basil Tomato Salad 


Ingredients 

1 can of garbanzo beans, drained
2-3 fresh tomatoes, diced
A handful of basil, chopped
1/4 red onion, diced 

for the dressing

1 tsp garlic powder  (or 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 



Marinated Veggie Medley Salad


Ingredients

1 large zucchini, sliced thinly
1 big carrot, sliced thinly
1 bell pepper (red, yellow, orange or green)
A handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
A few long chives, chopped
2-3 cloves are garlic, minced   (or more if you're not kissing anyone anytime soon) ;)  
1/3 of a red onion, chopped

for the dressing

4 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp mustard  
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper and salt

1. Chop up all of the veggies and dump them in a bowl that has a lid.
2. Put the dressing ingredients in a small jar, close the jar, shake it all up real good! 
3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and close the lid. 
4. Shake the bowl to coat the veggies. Shake it out shake it out!
5. Let it marinate in the fridge for a couple hours before serving. Or heck, just eat it right away! 




Tuesday, July 10, 2012

100 Degrees and Holding

Celebrating summertime with fresh salad, perfectly grilled chicken, and sweet red wine. 


And an outdoor light canopy in the front patio... 


 For when the sun goes down... 



Sunday, July 1, 2012

Quarter Century Awesomeness

You only get to be a quarter of the way to 100 years old once. And I'd say I certainly lived it to the fullest. My friends and family made sure it was nothing less than special for me. Looking back on the whirlwind month, June couldn't have been more filled with celebrations and unexpected amazing surprises I will never forget... 


A cedar plank salmon birthday dinner 



Celebrate celebration celebrations





And a surprise stay-cation celebration that blew my socks off. 








Sunday, June 3, 2012

Summer Things

The sunlight breaking through the olive tree outside my bedroom window makes the 5am mornings so pleasant. Thank you early summer sunrise. 



The hundred-degree temperatures can be endured by sipping on some cold red raspberry green tea on the back porch....



And no summer kitchen is complete without the fresh veggies that can, with their powers combined, make some delicious minestrone soup! 



Lastly, it wouldn't be the summer without a picnic dinner with some good friends listening to an outdoor concert in the park. 



Happy Summer :)


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Is it March or May?

The perfect recipe for Sunday Afternoon Reading:

 - 86 degree weather (believe it)
 - A cool breeze
 - An iced coffee
 - Comfy couch