Making Friends with Herbs

Healthy Food Trends 2016,  Meet “Adaptogens”  !! superherbs that help your body adapt to specific needs. Headaches, leg cramps, stress-relief, getting to know your herbs and which foods to pair them with.
  
Use the heal of your knife to chop fresh herbs. This recipe is 2Bean Salad, full recipe is under Salads.

    

Here is a list of our favorite Herbs;
Oregano  ” joy of the mountain ”
Potent Taste & Aroma
Bold
Use on salads, veggies, soups
Rosemary  ” dew of the sea ”
Aromatic & Pungent
Strong
Use on lamb, garlic, potatoes
Parsley  ” work horse of the herbs ”
Grassy & Sweet
Mellow
Use in butters, cream sauces, fish, lemon
Mint
Sweet or Savory dishes, Drinks, fruit…hello mint juleps!
Thyme
plays well with other herbs!  duck, turkey, eggs…look out omelets!
Dill
Vitality, protects from negativity, Sharp flavor…dill pickles!

Storing Tips:
Rinse with cold water. When completely dry place in zip lock bags. Freeze.
Chop, place in ice cube tray. Freeze, Remove cubes as needed.

 

Hawaiian Meatballs Healthy Trends

 

Healthy Lunch & Such

Get your healthy fix with this quick and easy recipe. A good way to disguise those leftovers, a nifty way to get those veggies into your day. So versatile – this dish, breakfast, lunch, afterschool snack and power packed with vitamins!
Many moons ago, I was on a trip in Europe. A mission actually to find a statue of St. George. It didn’t begin as a mission, I was in a town where some pretty famous artist made these life size statues, and pieces of art that took your breathe away. I was standing at the foot of David, knowing a little history, I decided to go to the original Gates of this town to track down the statue honoring it’s protector – St. George.
Thinking I was prepared, comfy shoes, a bottle of water and a whole afternoon to adventure, I set off. The summer heat was intense, so periodically I would pop into a little church along the way. The fresco’s only heightened my enthusiasm to find this sculpture of the mighty Saint. Being a walled city, the gates were at the top of the ‘mountain’ so up, up, up, the hill I trudged on.
By now, my water is finished, I have to go the bathroom, and it is feeling like all those kind-hearted villagers I met along the way, were perhaps sending this American on a wild goose chase! Aah, just then I see the towering gates, my heart renewed with accomplishment and joy. That is soon to change, as I stand at the gigantic doors and there is the sculpture, more like a plaque, all 5′ x 3′ of it set into the door like a framed photo over your fireplace.
My long trek back gave me plenty of time to reflect on things, expectations at the top of the list. Right up there with food! I sat at a café, I think it may have been the neighborhood hang, as the locals seemed to be stopping on their way home from work. They filled me with stories, songs, and laughter. Oh and a dish similar to this recipe.
May you create it for your family, and sit about giggling and filling your soul with joy.
Veggie Twist Sandwich recipe is under Side Dishes

 

Koosa, Stuffed Zucchini

The Autumn bounty has many flavors! A warm, hearty dish with lamb & rice to fill your soul. Easy to assemble, and pop in the oven, let your kitchen fill the senses.
These are very similar to stuffed peppers, here’s the twist; a spice called Syrian Pepper which is comprised of allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of chopped lamb meat, 1 cup of rice, and a tablespoon of Syrian Pepper. Scoop out the seeds from zucchini, fill with rice mixture, place in baking dish. Cover with tomato paste & beef broth. Let bake 40 mins.

Sit. Enjoy. Feed your soul.

 

Tabooley

Power packed with flavor, nutrition, and easy to assemble. It is a side dish, a main course, a happy lunch, or an afternoon pick-me up.

 

A few simple steps, chop, wash, stir up the flavor.

This recipe is under Side Dishes. Go on permission to play with your food.

Cheerleaders Cooking Cupcakes

 

A Kitchen full of lovely young ladies, stirring up some fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Cupcake Challenge for the 17 cheerleaders that baked their little hearts out! Then, the presentation, and the judges table.

 

 

 

All winners to me!

 

Oh La La Crepes

 

Love at first Taste! I was all of about 17 years old, living in London, England and experiencing all sorts of new things. Auntie Mary had taken me to Piccadilly Circle and we sat at a cafe. She ordered her crepes filled with asparagus, tomato, and a lovely cheese sauce. Mine were filled with ice cream and a raspberry cassis.
In that moment, at the first bite, I knew I was going to live my life being a gypsy!
Many times I tried to recreate these crepes, years of trying I have finally come up with a simple, fool proof recipe. The trick is to let it rest, use real butter, and patience.

The recipe is under Desserts, go on…stir up the gypsy in your soul.