Arugula Peach Salad

I can't help making my everyday meal with peaches. Texas peaches are sooo sweet, juicy and smells just fabulous. Of course, peaches aren't available all year around, so I'm enjoying it as much as I can.

Classic Cornbread

 

 

Rainy Sunday, wake up slowly brunch: Classic Cornbread.

Cantaloupe Kale Quinoa Salad

 

I'm feeling fancy today. Meet my lunch date: Cantaloupe Kale Quinoa Salad. Can this ingredient combo sound any more hipster?

 

Dill Cucumber Pickles

I love Mason Jars. So retro fancy! Hipster mainstream indeed. Weekend project: Dill Cucumber Pickles.

Citrus Shrimp Salad

Three different citruses + Arugula + Shrimp + Agave mustard + Feta cheese = My lunch date.

Mediterranean Tartine

 

Dinner tonight: Mediterranean Tartine.

Israeli Couscous Salad

My lunch date: Israeli Couscous Salad.

Spinach Vegetarian Enchilada

 

I think everyone would agree that Tex-Mex is the easiest everyday meal. It's affordable, delicious, nutritious, easy to mix and match, easy to freeze, and it could be my life saver during lazy school nights. (Caution: contains many AWESOME photos)

Skillet Garlic Green Beans with Cranberries

Another classic and traditional Thanksgiving side dish: Skillet Garlic Green Beans with Cranberries.

Roasted Garlic Brussel Sprouts

One classic and easy traditional side dish: Roasted garlic brussel sprouts. 

Cannellini Hummus with Avocado and Pear Crostini

Here it is, super duper exquisite and gorgeous finger food and my lunch date: Cannellini Hummus with Avocado and Pear Crostini.

Shrimp and Arugula Crostini

I just adore finger foods. How can you not be in a good mood just looking at it?

 

Black Eyed Pea Dip

Hot hot hot!

"Don't forget it was your decision to move South", said hubs, with no facial expressions whatsoever.
"Ugh.... really dawg?" I swallowed all my cuss words. Happily and painfully I enjoy the heat. :)

Tofu Crustless Quiche

 

I've been called the "Quiche Queen", pies, tarts made with eggs, milk and cheese are my sinful guilty pleasures. Predictably these treats come at a high cost which must be paid at the gym. Hmm.... not worth it. Loosing 2lbs means burning 7700 calories, yup, you hear me right, 7700 calories (an average 50 minute hardcore cardio workout burns 400-450 calories), you do the math.

How to transform the classic quiche into something special and completely guilt free? Shout outs to all of you who want to stay healthy and fit. First, get rid of your Lean Cuisine and go workout, the trick you must learn, is low calories, low fat (basically no fat), and low cholesterol.

Zucchini Veggie Roll

 

Cruise control, one of the world's greatest inventions, a close second, DST.  My heart dances as I walk out from the gym at 7pm with it still bright outside. This yummy, healthy, light and colorful delight is my formal invitation to summer.

Homemade Rosemary Garlic Pita Chips

Garlic, fresh rosemary, olive oil, all the good stuff in one bowl. (and soon in my belly)

Pineapple Salsa

 

We lived in Thailand years ago and one of my favorite things was to buy fresh pineapple from street vendors. They are grown natively and you can get an entire fruit pealed and chopped for about $.50. Dry or unripened pineapple is an impossibility and unheard of. They are juicy, sweet ripe and readily available year round.

Where I come from (Taiwan, not China or Korea), pineapple has never been considered a sophisticated fruit. Perhaps it looks unattractive and challenging to prepare, or that with mass production and easy accessibility, the value of exclusivity immediately vanishes. The chase game is over.

In North America, pineapple = Hawaii = Mai Tai = Beach Vacay = Canned with HFC. Regardless I'm a sucker for pineapple.

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

Number one pantry must have - Red Lentils, the hottest trendy food at the moment, often appear on the cover of the earthy hip magazines. It's commonly seen in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian restaurants. This traditional Turkish dish was completely alien to me, my first introduction came when we were living in Thailand many years ago, I became an instant fan.

Jamaican Baked Fries and Roasted Sage Sweet Potato

Today, I'm practicing simplicity. 

I can't recall when was the last time I drove thru for fast food. It hurts my brain to think of deep fry oils they use in restaurants, what goes in it and how many times it's been reused, the high calories and trans fat, gross. Of course there's a smarter and healthier way to make fries, um.. make your own.

Couscous Cranberry Salad

I needed to make something quick and light right before my yoga class, which by the way has become one of the best experiences I have had in years. There was some asparagus in the fridge and dried cranberries that I stored for making muffins. Fantastic! They are the perfect match for light and fluffy couscous. Exactly what I was looking for.