by cheri on January 2, 2010
Happy New Year everyone. 2010 is here and I have lots planned for Adventures In The Kitchen this year.
It is the time of year where we set goals for the year. One of mine is to eat healthy more consistently and exercise 3 x’s a week. I am also planning to bring healthy lunches so that I don’t end up starving and buying something I really don’t want or need for lunch.
I joined the Ten in 10: Ten Weeks to Healthy in 2010 group of food bloggers who have set goals for the first 10 weeks in 2010. The Ten in 10 challenge is from Lori of Recipe Girl. You can read more about it here. Each person is setting there own goals for the challenge. Each week I will post one recipe that ties into low fat or healthy eating. We can encourage each other.
In the spirit of healthy cooking I am sharing a salad I have made several times lately. It is loosely based on one of my favorite Los Angeles chefs, Suzanne Goin. She has several restaurants in LA and her first one was Lucques. Much of her food is influenced by the mediterranean. If you are ever here you should visit. It is on the more pricey side but on Sunday’s she has a pre-fixed that is more reasonable.
What are you food and health related goals for the year? Share them in the comments below so we can all root each other on this year. [click to continue…]
by cheri on December 30, 2009
The end of year always brings the endless stream of “best of lists”. Well, I had to create one of my own. I compiled my top 10 favorite posts of this last year. It wasn’t easy, as they are all close to my heart.
This year I had the opportunity to meet many other bloggers and had a blast learning more about food photography. I created new recipes and even have one being published in an upcoming publication. Lot’s of things that made me smile. I am planning and looking ahead to new recipes to share with you.
Thank you my faithful readers for your encouragement and patience when my work gobbles me up. I love forward to new Adventures In The Kitchen with you in 2010.
This Tortilla Soup was my first FoodGawker photo and from a great Food Styling Workshop with Food Fanatics and Matt of Matt Bites.
Thess Salt Roasted Pears were simply divine and looked pretty on the plate too!
This Roasted Corn with Chilies and Creme Fraiche was spicy and creamy. I love corn don’t you?
Italian is my favorite food and this was the perfect pasta dish – Bucatini All Amitriciana.
Sweet Molly’s Cookies were from a local bakery I went to in my college years. The fun part is the owner of the shop contacted me after reading the blog!
My Sloppy Joe Casserole was a huge hit with my niece and nephews.
Mixed Greens with Parmesan Balsamic Vinaigrette a great simple salad.
Because this was the year of roasted fruits for me…Roasted Peaches with Creme Fraiche.
I drank this Watermelon Limeade throughout the summer it was so refreshing!
This Grilled Chicken with Spicy Peach Glaze has just the right amount of heat.
This Raspberry Yogurt Tart is low fat but delicious.
This Apple Cider Panna Cotta with Spicy Ginger Cookies was my first panna cotta and seemed to say “fall” to me.
And this Filet of Beef with Gorgonzola Sauce continues to be my most popular post here at Adventures in the Kitchen and the most requested meal by friends and family. Not a great photo though! You just have to trust me on how delicious this is.
by admin on December 29, 2009
Last week I hosted a dinner for my dear friend Deanna and her husband. Twice a year, if we are lucky, we get to see them out here in California. I was reminded of how food brings people together. We share great conversations, our hopes and dreams around the table with people we love.
My hope is to do entertain more often in 2010. To learn to do it simpler and be less worried about all the details. To invite family and friends, cook up a meal and sit around. Because the meal is really the backdrop for the time spent with friends.
Here is a new little appetizer that you will love. I mixed part of recipe I saw in Farm Girls with a family cream cheese tart dough. It is one of many new cookbooks I was gifted with this season. I can’t wait to try and share new recipes with you in 2010.
If you are looking for more appetizers for your New Years Eve party try the Chicken and Beef skewers or the Tomato Goat Cheese Tartlets. The Bacon Wrapped Dates have been gobbled up at every party I brought them to.
This Herb Coated Goat Cheese is flavorful with tangy lemon zest and fresh herbs. [click to continue…]
by admin on December 26, 2009
My 2010 has already been zooming by. What about yours? While trying to focus on 10 in 2010 I have not been in the kitchen as much. Rest assured, that is changing and I have many new recipes to share in the coming days.
Here is one I made during the holidays but it is perfect year round – White Chocolate Lemon Biscotti. Biscotti is the perfect side to a cup of coffee. These also make a pretty gift to bring to a friend.
Lemon Almond Biscotti
adapted from a recipe by Giada de Laurentis
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons grated lemon zest (from about 3 to 4 lemons)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped whole almonds
18 ounces white chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.
In another large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs with an electric mixture until pale yellow, about 3 minutes. Mix in the lemon zest and then the flour, and beat until just blended. (The dough will be sticky). Stir in the almonds. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
Divide the dough evenly into 2 equal mounds and place on the prepared baking sheet. With moist hands, space the dough evenly apart and form into 2 (9 by-3-inch) logs. Bake for 35 minutes until lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick diagonal slices. Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the same baking sheet. Bake until the cookies are pale golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the pan does not touch the water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip the end of each biscotti in the chocolate. Transfer the dipped biscotti to a wire rack, set over a baking sheet, until the chocolate has hardened. Store in an airtight container.
by cheri on December 26, 2009
I hope all of you had wonderful holidays. We had a big Prime Rib dinner with all the trimmings. It was a great evening with family. In the morning my mom and I joined my brother and his family to watch the kids open presents. It was fun to watch their anticipation. We played Lego Rock Band and laughed a great deal.
There are so many recipes I tried out but never posted before the craziness of the holidays kicked in. I loved this granola. I eat it alone as a snack or with greek yogurt and fresh berries. It would make a great hostess gift.
I am enjoying a quiet in the aftermath of Christmas. This time of year always makes me reflective. How about you? What is on the top of your list for next year? [click to continue…]
by cheri on December 19, 2009
A little over a year ago, a great new Italian restaurant, Canaletto’s opened in Fashion Island. Fashion Island is that great outdoor shopping center in Newport Beach. The restaurant is modern, noisy and bustling.
It is part of the Il Fornaio organization. They have a great wait staff and every dish I have tried has been great. We had a birthday celebration in their private room off the back but I like sitting in the main area.
One of my favorite things to order is a risotto that has tomato, arugula and mozzarella in it. It is juicy from the tomatoes and has a creaminess from the cheese.
Last week I decided to make my own using some leftover Burrata Cheese. I added roasted tomatoes and a bit of garlic. I wish I could serve you a bite right now and let you taste it. The flavors burst in your mouth. [click to continue…]
by admin on December 19, 2009
In the midst of the Christmas craze I was craving a home cooked meal. Between work, Christmas programs and festivities I hit a wall and decided to hole up at home. I had noticed a chicken dish by Emeril on Good Morning America the week before and for once had everything I needed.
This dish was so simple yet such a great meal. The skin became the perfect crispy and yet the meat was tender and so juicy. It was perfection in 30 minutes.
Crispy Pan-Roasted Chicken with Garlic-Thyme Butter
From the Kitchen of Emeril Lagasse
Servings: 2-4
Ingredients
One 3 1/2- pound chicken, halved, with the breastbone, backbone
and first two digits (tips) of the wings removed
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Season the chicken halves on both sides with the salt and white
pepper. Set a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat, and when
it is hot, add the olive oil. Swirl the skillet to coat it
evenly, and then lay the seasoned chicken halves, skin side down,
in the skillet. Sear until golden, about 3 minutes.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the chicken is
nearly cooked through and the skin is crispy, about 17 minutes.
Turn the chicken over and continue to roast, skin side up, until
it is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
While the chicken is roasting, combine the butter with the garlic
and thyme in a small bowl, and stir well to blend.
As soon as the chicken is removed from the oven, spread the
garlic butter over the skin and serve immediately.
by cheri on December 15, 2009
I decided it was time to serve up some Christmas cookies here at Adventures In The Kitchen. Like every family we have our family favorites. Our Pecan Tootsies are at our family gatherings every year. Last year I discovered Orange Madeleines and Ginger Creme Sandwiches.
This year I tried the Chocolate Hazelnut BIscotti’s in one of GIada’s cookbook. She uses Nutella, which is one of my sister-in-law Joy’s favorite things. They are very crisp and nutty and are a perfect treat to serve with a warm, hot cup of coffee. [click to continue…]
by cheri on December 11, 2009
Today I give you foodie crack. I am warning you these are terribly addictive. You need to make extra because you will eat a few before they make the serving plate.
Last weekend I brought these to my good friend Carol’s annual Christmas party. One partygoer ate more than half of them. He commented on how additive they were asked what was inside. I thought I would die laughing when I said they were dates, he said oh, I hate dates. The empty plate told a different story.
Just remember I warned you.
As an extra I am including the Pecorino Crackers I served alongside. Super easy to make a have just a hint of heat halfway through the bite. [click to continue…]
by cheri on December 6, 2009
This is one of my new favorite tarts. I made this for Thanksgiving and feel in love with it, as did my family. It is a perfect holiday dessert.
The mixture of creamy, buttery caramel, the tartness of the cranberries and the crunch of the almonds is wonderful. The tart is pretty studded with the red of the cranberries.
I used the pastry dough from Nancy SIlverton but I confess I continue to struggle with my tart dough. I still have lots to learn in that arena. I do not always get the same consistency and am learning what makes the perfect dough. For now, I struggle, roll and learn the art of patching! [click to continue…]
