Stir it up

More recently the kitchen has been more or less a test kitchen. I have a dinner party tomorrow. Besides my How to Make Gnocchi like an Italian Grandmother cheat sheet from Heidi Swanson (101 Cookbooks) it's just me and my apron. Cooking with fresh ingredients and a little this and that has shot my little black book of recipes in the right direction. The plant based whole foods diet definitely made an impression on not only the grocery list but my How To in the kitchen as well. Dinner on Friday is food worth sharing...

This stir fry is great because you can pick and choose what vegetables you'd like!



Grocery List:

Snap Peas, Bok Choy, Asparagus, Jalapeños, Green Onion, Red onion, Orange, Dried Chiles, Tumeric, Cumin, Toasted sesame seed oil, Soy sauce, Chili oil, Black beans, Tahini, Cilantro, Blood oranges or Kumquats, Quinoa, Basil, Mint, Lime, Thai seasoning (optional, for flavor)

Prepare, chop all the vegetables and set aside. Cook the quinoa. While the quinoa is cooking start the sauce. In a food processor combine 2 dried chiles, bunch cilantro, one jalapeño, black beans, soy sauce, chile oil, orange zest and orange juice. In a Wok or large saucepan, heat sesame oil. Add all the vegetables until vibrant with color then combine with quinoa. The sauce may come out a bit thick but once you add it into the Wok with the heat it should coat the quinoa and vegetables. Season with tumeric, cumin, ribbons of basil, mint and lime.

As a side dish you can caramelize blood oranges or thin slices of kumquats

Rocky Road

Disposable cameras seem to capture those moments perfectly.

We have discovered a new trail head up yonder. A 3 mile loop has you sweating but certainly not regretting your decision to take a hike. The picture above is precious, I know. That's my dog Scout. She went through Rattlesnake training and failed to blink while I nearly dove off a cliff at the sound of a Mohave Rattlesnake. Keep prancing, Scout. Life is too short to worry about protecting your family.

 

Scotch & Soda

Scotch & Soda is a store I ran into twice in one day during my SoHo vist. It took me half way around the store and my second stop to realize I was shopping for men. Although I did love the delicate yet harsh style of blouse for women I think I found a new favorite drink rummaging through the men's parkas.

More from Scotch & Soda...



Pictures property of Scotch & Soda 2011

http://www.scotch-soda.com/

Rooftop

My last night in NYC we spent on the town at a have-to-go-back-when-of-age old school lounge bar. On the roof of the Peninsula hotel lies faded oriental rugs, glasses of red and a view like no other. I could have sat with friends for hours in December! I can't imagine what a good time summer spot this is. One day I'll be saying "I'll have the usual."



The rooftop warmed us up for a killer meal at Milo's, a native restaurant to Montreal. I happily moved my wine glass to the side, making room for their famous Greek inspired salad; marinated tomatoes & cucumbers followed by grilled zucchini, eggplant with a yogurt dip I am determined to master in my own kitchen (by Christmas).



 

 

Keep 'em Coming

Good night from the city!  Back to the west coast tomorrow to buckle down for exams (and share some more NYC photographs).

The Weekend in NYC

New York City

Landing in Joisey had us under the tunnel in no time and in New York City by 4:00. The timing could not have been more perfect as the sun went down on the city that never ceases to find me head over heels in pasta. The last time I was in NYC I was 16, walking in a fog. I was ignorant of my surroundings, the piles of trash on the corner between Madison and 63rd, Sal working tonight and every night at the Italian joint on the upper east side, the city that has you going going going and suddenly.I stop for just a second as I shake my head. I am in New York City and despite my humorous attempt at suave and effortless beauty above I have something worth weight to say. I'm going to fall asleep tonight with integrity, knowing truth and accepting it with fire in my soul to be brave and do what I can to make the ground I stand on a better place for us and our children.

I am in the same city, same hotel room and only three years older: still trying to navigate my way around the city and getting terribly lost. My sense of direction certainly has yet to change from when I was 16. However, I see things differently. I answer the wake up calls New York dials around every corner. I see the sorrow, defeat in dull stares. Awareness puts a different perspective on things. Ignorance is bliss to a 16 year old but at 19 I can feel vulnerable and powerless when what I was once blinded to is all so relevant in New York City. Wealth, poverty, trash, waste, beauty and consumerism. New York has it all. I don't feel sorry, uncomfortable or lose faith. It gets us no where and only invites more to a pitiful party. Awareness is power. I want to make a difference as everyone should, as small as it may be, but I think it is important to step back. Tune into what you find inspiring, motivating, essential, exciting and key in maintaining happiness for you and everyone. Whether you provide jobs, donate books to charter schools or support local farms,  your choice in giving people a chance to succeed, earn an education or provide future generations with green grass is admirable.

I am grateful for and hold tight the life I have, my friends, the opportunities given to me, my family, knowledge gained and hope for my future; our countries future.

On a lighter note: I made a very special exception tonight in regards to my plant based-whole foods lifestyle. I honestly don't even want to to get into it and as you can see there are no pictures from the lovely wine & dine. It's that good. I enjoyed the night with friends and family, bottles of Cabernet.  Everyone should experience Campagnola for themselves. You know it's good when you never saw a menu because you don't need one. Pictures won't do it justice.

More pictures coming your way!