Provence Party

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love an excuse to host a party.  So when my married friends and I started a monthly dinner group, you can imagine how excited I was when it was my turn to host!

I want to share this dinner party as an example of how simple it can be to host a fabulous supper in style and stilettos ah!
The key is to plan ahead and decide on a menu that can be prepped days before and requires little hands on time during your party... for example a cheese, fruit and nut platter for an appetizer and slow cooked meat for your main...

Happy Day 5... To A New You!

Remember how I said I ended up going out to dinner at 9:30pm with the Italians i met at MeetUp...? Well, I didn't mention that EACH one of them ordered their OWN pizza!
Anyway, it struck me that every single person sitting at the table was fit and definitely not over weight.
How is this possible?
And that's today's healthy living tip...
How to eat like an Italian and not get fat!
It's simple really and here's how:

Eggplant Cannelloni

ok, I get it, this is not really cannelloni.  The only true similarity between this and cannelloni is that tube shapes are stuffed and baked- plus lots of tomato sauce, parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Anyway, my version is healthier, vegetarian and gluten free! wooohooo!

Squeeze In One More Summer Lunch

Photo courtesy of Downtown Romantic

Packet of Provencal

 My favorite way to cook fish is provencal style:
capers, olives, tomatoes, rosemary in white wine is a heavenly combination!

Eggplant with Cinnamon, Pine Nut and Currant Pilaf

The funny thing about cooking all day for a living is that by the time you get home, the last thing you want to do is cook for yourself.  In an attempt to try and eat more well rounded meals (how long can I live off of Greek yogurt honey and walnuts) I thought a good place to start would be to make something that I can cook in advanced and reheat during the week.

Slow Cooked Lamb, Mastello

Mindee and I quickly became obsessed with Mastello, a specialty on Sifnos Island.
Mastello is lamb cooked in wine for hours and to the point of melt-in-your-mouth tenderness

Gorgonzola, Caramelized Onion and Apricot Chutney Flat Bread

Savory gorgonzola and sweet apricots make a heavenly combination

My friend Kate from Seattle (we met 3 years ago while living in Thailand) came to visit for a couple of days and on her last night here we had a Sex And The City, Wine and Flat Bread Marathon.
Kate is a great cook (enjoying healthy foods like me!) and so fun to be in the kitchen with.  We also made a Margarita with Eggplant (a specialty of hers) and a Pesto with Fresh Tomatoes (a specialty of my mom's).
Partially inspired by sipping wine while cooking, we'll credit our healthy appetites to the 3.5 mile run across Golden Gated Bridge earlier that day :o)

Green Curry

I am currently obsessed with Thai Curry!  What's better than a big bowl of warmth with a bit of a kick!?

Braised Chicken Marsala and Sage Polenta

Don't be intimidated, this is simple to make and

so mouth watering delicious

I first made this for clients, and now I just keep coming back to it when

I'm in a jam and need something fancy to whip up

Moroccan Tangine

This is a "winner recipe" for sure

served over quinoa and topped with Cowgirl Creamery Creme Fraiche

I've served this for many occasions: private dinner parties over quinoa for the vegetarian, clients I'm a personal chef for and my Kid's Summer Cooking Camp.

Today we went to North Africa... enjoying pita too.

Almond-Chive Crusted Salmon

Vary the herbs according to your preference; try dill, thyme or basil

Acorn Squash Risotto

I just read that It is possible to make risotto in a dutch oven! Wow, talk about much simpler and less hands on time.

Butternut Squash with Brown Butter, Crispy Sage, Pecan & Quinoa Pilaf...

...It's a mouth full- Literally!

'tis the season to eat SQUASH

breakfast, lunch, side dish or dinner...

bake, roast, steam, stuff or mash...

The possibilities are endless