Sprout & Pea

Improvised meals with leftover ingredients in my refrigerator often wind up being the most fun to cook. I suppose it’s due to the element of surprise that comes from tossing ingredients together and hoping for the best. And when the dish comes out tasting delicious, it’s a rewarding reassurance that maybe I do know what I’m doing in the kitchen. So, with red chard leftover from my tacos, I rummaged through my kitchen and decided on a garlic and chard pasta. Continue reading “Red Chard & Garlic Quinoa Linguine” »

When I arrived at work on a recent Monday morning, my computer wouldn’t turn on so I took it as an opportunity to finally flip through the beautiful cookbook that I had scooped up at a recent book giveaway. It turned out to be a perfect way to start my morning. Recipe after recipe after beautiful photo, my mouth began to water and I grew inspired to play in my kitchen when I returned home that night. Continue reading “Red Chard, Onion & Goat Cheese Tacos” »

It’s always a treat to have my vegan friends join me for dinner because it presents an opportunity for me to get even more creative than usual in my kitchen. Of course there are a many quick, simple vegan dishes that I could have prepared when my friend came over last week, but the problem was that I was craving something warm, savory and creamy. I’m not a fan of fake cheese or meat so I was stumped for a moment. Then I came across quite possibly the most perfect solution- butter bean sage sauce. Continue reading “Quinoa Linguine With Vegan Butter Bean Sage Sauce” »

 You know those days where everything in your tiny little world seems to stand still for just long enough to take it all in? Those days where you just feel grateful for it all? Saturday was one of those days for me, and it was a simple day too. I woke up, met my cousin for brunch and we enjoyed some delicious poached eggs with herbs and cheese outside on a rare 60 degree day in Brooklyn. We caught up, walked around, did a little shopping, and explored neighborhoods by foot. On our walk, I received a phone call from one of my most favorite people- just to say hello and that he was thinking of me as he biked around where the wind took him on this unbelievably beautiful day. Continue reading “Fennel & Apple Salad With Shallots, Toasted Pecans & Pecorino” »

There’s no telling what is in store for 2012 and frankly I find that exciting. I do know that my last days of 2011 and first days of the new year were spent in sunshine with loved ones and good food, and if that’s any indication for the direction this year is headed, I’ll take it. I flew down to Miami to ring in the new year with my best friend Farah, her new hubby and their gorgeous new house. When Farah started talking about menu planning, I immediately took the reins and tossed out dishes that I was itching to contribute. She wanted to make an orzo pasta salad and I took that as an opportunity to give myself a little creative challenge. Continue reading “New Year’s Orzo Salad” »

It happened again. Another supper club left me with a plethora of goat cheese in my refrigerator. One would think that I would learn to stop overestimating by now, but I can’t help but always air on the side of safe rather than cheeseless. So I once again found myself staring at the ingredients in my kitchen, trying to come up with a meal to toss the rest of this tangy delicious fromage into. Continue reading “Quinoa Pasta With Roasted Red Beets, Shallots, Goat Cheese & Toasted Pine Nuts” »