Crab cakes are a popular appetizer on the West Coast. Not only do they make great appetizers, but they can be topped on a salad or even replacing poached eggs on eggs benedict, thus making an excellent crab cake Benedict. I like that this mustard crab cake recipe makes about 8 patties, so I can…
Keep Readingbucatini + clams with loads of sauce
Bucatini + clams with loads of sauce is one of my favorite dinners to cook my family, because it contains simple ingredients, is so easy to make, beyond delicious, plus my family loves it.
Keep Readinggluten- and sugar-free banana bread sandwiches
A much healthier banana bread . Not only gluten-free but sugar-free too. Banana’s are not only gluten-free but a great healthy food to include in your recipes and diet to keep you looking and feeling your best. Being the foodie that I am, I took it a step further and made banana bread sandwiches out…
Keep Readingitalian chopped salad + creamy dressing
For those of us who live and/or dine in Malibu, Guido’s Italian Restaurant will always be missed.
Keep Readinghealthy pasta salad caprese
Not that I mind the warm weather – it’s just that it makes seasonal cooking a bit more complex. Pumpkin and butternut squash just aren’t appetizing on these warm winter days. As soon as I know it is going to be another summer like day, I make this pasta salad. You can’t beat it for…
Keep Readingchia seed + banana muffins
Now that I’m a temporary real housewife, or a “domestic technician” as my hubby calls it, is a busy job, but since I’m no longer working 10-hour days and commuting, I do have more time to exercise. So far, my days have been consisting of 2 daily dog walks – we live in a hilly…
Keep Readingpeanut butter + chocolate energy bars
Most mornings, I’m quickly heading out the door either to go to work, walk the dogs, or bike ride. Normally, I never know what kind of busy morning awaits me. For those busy mornings, I love to grab something that is all ready made, for a quick and easy breakfast to go. These Peanut Butter…
Keep Readingitalian minestrone
I make this soup when one of my family members are sick, or for a light but comforting dinner. Use leftover chicken with carcass intact, or do what I do….purchase a whole roasted chicken from the market. The rind from the Parmesan cheese cooks into the soup, adding a slightly sharp nutty flavor, and your…
Keep Readingcurried turkey + israeli couscous salad
It’s only 6:30 am on a Saturday morning, my day to sleep in, but instead, I woke up dreaming of preparing a Thanksgiving turkey, and now I’m using the time to write this blog post. A blog post for a curried turkey + Israeli couscous salad recipe…how ironic is that? Yes, I just found out that…
Keep Readingchicken pot stickers + sweet soy dipping sauce
From him, I developed a passion for Chinese food. My Step dad loved to cook. He would make us, specialties such as char sui pork, steamed lobster, shrimp or pork shumai, pot-stickers, fried won tons, egg rolls, and the best tasting taquitos ever! Not Chinese, but to this day, those taquitos were the most amazing taquitos I have…
Keep Readingroasted butternut, pear + curry soup [vegan + clean eating]
Now, I must put away my flip-flops and bring out my fuzzy warm buggs. So ready for the changing season that I have begun cooking up some fall dishes. Such as, this velvety slightly sweet with a hint of spice roasted butternut squash soup. The sexy hourglass shaped fruit, known as the butternut squash, is…
Keep Readingtriple berry crisp [vegan]
Will you penalize me for not following the rule of posting only seasonal recipes on food blogs? In my defense, I do work 9 1/2 hour days, plus commute 1 hour home, only to come home to care for 3 dogs, and prepare my family dinner. Yes, you have heard this all before in my…
Keep Readingeasiest posole
Summer is coming to a close and now it’s time to start cooking warm and comforting meals, such as this quick and easy posole. Posole is a Mexican stew normally made with pork. However, this posole does not contain any meat, perfect for vegetarians, making it more of a soup rather than a stew. Use…
Keep ReadingSlow-Cooker Salsa chicken tacos, cilantro pesto + pico de gallo
For me, this means more traffic during my 1 to 1-1/2 hour commute home, not to mention that it starts getting darker earlier, and everyone is starving for dinner by the time I finally arrive home. That would be around 7PM. And yes, I still come home and cook my family dinner…on most nights. To…
Keep Readinggazpacho + cilantro pesto
Our 16 year old and I love to go to this little pet store in the Valley that specializes in tea-cup breeds, and provides an area where customers can sit and play with a puppy of choice. Anyway, there was the cutest black and white fur ball of a puppy. He was the one that we…
Keep Readingahi tuna poke+ sea-salt and pepper wonton crisps
The other weekend, we attended the Hula Hog Luau, which the beach club we belong to holds annually. Prior to the Luau, we invited a few of our close friends over for appetizers and cocktails. I served Thai food appetizers from our local Thai restaurant, but the biggest hit was this Ahi Tuna Poke +…
Keep Readingskinny jeans baked feta spinach dip
Opting for my comfy flared jeans instead. It’s time to get back into my skinny jeans, so I need to get back on the program of eating healthier and lighter. I prefer to chop and pre-measure all of my ingredients prior to starting the cooking process. I find that it saves time and I’m less…
Keep Readingcurried chicken salad skinnywich
Earlier this Sunday morning, I went shopping at the Farmers Market in Pacific Palisades. I start my shopping experience by first stopping by Robek’s for a a large Tropi-Kale Smoothie to go– my favorite! Then I walk across the street, being sure to look at all the cute rescue dogs that are available for adoption,…
Keep Readingbanana + strawberry acai bowl
This banana + strawberry acai bowl is one of my family’s favorite breakfast. My hubby and daughters love to eat this for breakfast after returning from a morning surf. What family wouldn’t love having sorbet for breakfast? If you have not tried an acai bowl, you’re probably asking, “So, what is an acai bowl?” To understand…
Keep Readingsimply divine chicken lettuce cups
Villa Blanca is owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, star Lisa Vanderpump. Lisa also owns SUR in West Hollywood. Speaking of SUR, like me, did you happen to get sucked into watching Vanderpump Rules? It is another reality show that focuses on Lisa’s waitresses and bartenders from SUR. Loved that show! Anyway, back to Villa…
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