Butternut Squash Flan with Pecan Crust
November 19th, 2009
Butternut Squash Flan
Fearless Creativity. Funny, I definitely don’t think of myself as fearless, but I will say that when it comes to cooking and baking, I get the closest to this sense of fearlessness. Maybe that is why I love cooking. Usually when I am feeling overwhelmed and stuck, I retreat to the kitchen to lighten my heart and work on releasing what binds me…
This week, I have been in serious need of some fearlessness, so I have been adding creativity here and there between the kitchen and my studio. I guess here is where I can fearlessly plug my newest jewelry designs which you can see in my etsy shop and get a preview of at the bottom of the page…
But back to the kitchen… This recipe was super easy, and I hope you will try it out! It was a total experiment and I will surely tweak it for next time, but after rave reviews last night (from my mother) I know it is ready for the world to taste!
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Tags: butternut squash, eggs, pecans, rice milk, rosemary
Posted in alternative grain, dairy free, entree, gluten-free, indulgent, vegetarian, wheat-free 2 Comments »
Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
November 16th, 2009
Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Stress has gotten the better of me. Big changes are coming, the unknown is all around me, and overwhelm seems to be a common term in my vocabulary these days.
I find in situations like these, when my emotions get the better of me, my cravings for all sorts of foods come alive. Isn’t it convenient that when we are stressed and overwhelmed, we often do not have the time to cook healthy meals and provide balanced nourishment for ourselves?
Well I have been quite aware of my cravings lately and successfully resisted bringing home a pint of ice cream last night, but I did get some supplies from Trader Joe’s and the local health food store so that I would be able to make some yummy gluten-free cookies for myself. If I am going to indulge, I prefer to indulge knowing that my treats were made with quality ingredients and love.
I decided to take my Key West Cookie Creation recipe and try a new spin. I love these cookies and vary the recipe often, but this time I was inspired to try ground pecans as the flour! Wow! They were great. I don’t think they are going to last long, which is good because I look forward to making them again to fine-tune the recipe. They need a little more grip, but otherwise are absolutely delicious. If you try out the recipe, be sure to let me know what you think.
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Tags: agave, almond butter, apple sauce, chocolate, oats, pecans
Posted in cookies, dessert, egg-free, gluten-free, indulgent, vegetarian, wheat-free 5 Comments »
La Fierucola a Firenze
October 5th, 2009
La Fierucola
One of my favorite “foodie” pastimes in Florence is the Fierucola. This is the organic market that comes to Florence 2 times a month in different parts of the city displaying the splendors of the Tuscan hillsides. It features both artisan crafts, as well as organic produce, oils, jams, wines, and baked goods, and is a feast for all of the senses. I fortunately timed my travels perfectly so that I could visit the market twice while I am here!
This weekend it is located in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, and features a giant collection of local ceramic artist in addition to the organic food and produce. Oh, it was good to be back. Knowing that I will be able to visit more than once, I knew I could take my time, linger and return for more treats before I leave. I did of course return to my favorite baker for “torta al kamut e frutta” which was a kamut cake with fresh figs and preserved cherries. Very nice.
After soaking up the love of the market, I made my way back into the city, and was happily surprised to find another organic market in Piazza della Reppublica. This featured even more olive oils, jams, honey, wine, bread, cheese and my favorite biscotti in Florence. As you will see from the photos, it was a delicious morning in Florence. If you ever visit, be sure to find the markets!
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La Raccolta
October 3rd, 2009
A few years after I moved to Florence, I was lucky enough to discover a new store/restaurant that opened in the area of town that I lived. La Raccolta is a natural foods store, and vegetarian restaurant that brings me back again and again. The people that work there are the nicest people you will find in the city, and the food selection both in the store and the restaurant is fabulous! I was so excited to return for a post-birthday lunch the other day.
Somewhat to my surprise, all of the same people work there, even after 4 years. To me this is a testament to what a great place it is, maintaining happy customers and staff. I sat down for my meal and everything looked delicious! Farro con cavolo nero e carote, ceci stufati al salvia, velutata di zucca gialla…the list went on. One of the best parts of the menu is that you don’t have to choose just one thing…they have a mixed dish option so that you can taste a little of everything. So, of course, that is just what I did. Everything was delicious, and I look forward to returning a few times before I leave.
Piatto Misto Completo
If you ever make it to Florence, be sure to make the trip over to Piazza Beccaria and find La Raccolta. The restaurant is only open at lunch time and the store is open throughout the day. Buon appetito!
Tags: florence, italy, vegetarian restaurant
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Istanbul Recommendation
September 30th, 2009
As an avid traveler I am definitely one to encourage testing out the local foods and in Istanbul I enjoyed many. I was able to find a vegetarian option everywhere I went, and even found a few that were so good I hope to find the recipe and start making them when I get home. I would definitely recommend the Choban Salad – tomato cucumber salad, Gozleme – almost like a Turkish version of a crepe, and Corbasi – a delicious lentil soup.
Once you have tasted the local specialties in Istanbul I do encourage you to try a more modern Istanbul café because it is too good to be missed. The House Café can be found in a few different locations in modern Istanbul and I was fortunate enough to eat there more than once. Their inventive menu could keep you busy for days trying out their creations and you can tell that quality is high on their list of priorities.
On my second visit I was sure to take photos of my beautiful meal. I tried the grilled vegetable salad with pan-seared haloumi cheese and a mango-hazelnut lassi. Everything was delicious, and I have to especially mention the quality of the lassi which was perfectly balanced in flavor and subtle sweetness!
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Istanbul Street Markets
September 28th, 2009
So many delicious treats can be purchased on the streets of Istanbul. Fresh nuts of all kinds, fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, local breads, and even fresh squeezed pomegranate juice. It all adds to the colors and vibrancy of the magical city of Istanbul.
Posted in travel 2 Comments »
Istanbul Spice Bazaar
September 26th, 2009
As some of you know, I have been traveling for the past 2 weeks. I have been missing my kitchen adventures, but have definitely reaped the benefits of trying new foods abroad! Istanbul was by far a foodie feast, and the whole time I was there I was looking forward to sharing some of the visual treats with you.
The Spice Bazaar was one of my highlights. If I hadn’t been with I group I think I could have spent half a day there, and probably a lot of money too, but I was able to maintain some composure, and just gathered a few special treats and some beautiful photos. I apologize for not having a recipe to share at the moment, but I hope you enjoy the photo tour.
The market was bustling with activity and excitement.
Teas for every occasion and the smells...ahh.
Posted in travel 4 Comments »
Nectarine Upside-Down Cake
September 2nd, 2009
C. loves this recipe and I am sure she is going to be quite surprised that I made it with nectarines, and have created a gluten-free version too! In Key West we would make this every so often with fresh mangoes which we were fortunate to have occasional access to on the island. The original recipe was another discovery when I was going through my Vegetarian Times Magazine phase. This time in making it, I decided to be adventurous and try out alternative sweets, oils and flours for the open-minded chef. Be sure to try this out…it was sooooo good!
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Tags: agave, buckwheat flour, coconut oil, nectarine, oat flour, yogurt
Posted in alternative grain, dessert, fruit, gluten-free, indulgent, vegetarian, wheat-free 7 Comments »
Gingered Rice Stuffed Peppers
August 30th, 2009
Color, flavor, crunch…these peppers have it all.
I have been making this gingered rice recipe from Vegetarian Times Magazine for a few years now. In my first few years in Key West I would purchase these magazines religiously. Always looking for new ideas on great vegetarian meals I definitely found my share. I have bookmarked numerous pages, and my collection of magazines has followed me from Key West to Boulder and now to Cape Cod. Who knows where I will take them next… I will keep you updated on where my next home will be, but in the meantime enjoy this fun summer rice dish.
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Tags: bell pepper, corn, ginger, orange juice, rice
Posted in dairy free, egg-free, entree, gluten-free, grain side, vegan, vegetable side, vegetarian, wheat-free 1 Comment »
Involtini di Melanzane (Eggplant Rolls)
August 9th, 2009
My first homegrown eggplant!
Having a garden this summer has been really exciting! I am so grateful to my neighbors for sharing a little space in their sun-kissed yard with me. It has been fun to pretend that I know what I am doing, and just start planting, watering and harvesting. Every so often I get a tip from someone, or realize that I am doing something completely wrong, but for the most part I planted things and they are growing! What more do you want? It is a very rewarding practice and I am glad that I have finally had the opportunity to try it. I definitely hope that I will get the chance for even more next time the gardening season rolls around.
For now, I have some lovely tatsoi, some (swiss cheese) bok choy, some beautiful collard greens, cucumbers which were a big surprise because I was told they would be zucchini, and eggplant! As you can see from the above photo, my eggplant are looking pretty cute. I have lots of butterflies and bees buzzing around the eggplant flowers, and the new eggplants are shining beautifully. In honor of my little eggplants (and in anticipation of them growing to plumpness) I share this lovely recipe for Involtini di Melanzane which I have been enjoying for the past few years. This recipe also comes from Cucina Natuale and is really quite simple, and is great as an appetizer.
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Tags: basil, eggplant, mint
Posted in egg-free, gluten-free, vegetable side, vegetarian, wheat-free 2 Comments »
