another de-lish dish!

I know, I know, it is hard to tell exactly what this is! I've talked about my "photography" before. It is not nearly as good as my cooking. Phew! Thank goodness right?
This delicious dinner is roasted pork with a fig sauce (the sauce recipe is from Todd English Fig Cookbook). So yummy. Meat and dried fruit is always a perfect combination! I then cut brussels sprouts in half, tossed them with olive oil, S&P, and roasted them. To make a pretty dish, I simply roasted sweet potatoes. Easy, simple, and cozy!
As always if you would like the recipe for the fig sauce, just let me know!

Yummy!

As usual I was short on time. Yup , my turn to do dinner, which I love, because it's playtime for me.
Even though there was not that much time to prepare, it had to be healthy and quick. So here is what I did. I sauteed lots of fresh garlic, added chickpeas, then added fresh kale and let it saute until the kale was tender. I then cooked the pasta, drained it , drizzled really nice olive oil over it, tossed the kale and chickpeas over it , and sprinkled fresh parmesean over all. For a little heat, I added crushed red peppers to it .
Granted it was a no frills dinner, but it was quick, healthy and yummy!

No, this is not Paris!

O.K. As I told you about the Vita-Mix, we are having so much fun with it!
With just a few minutes before I head off to an appointment, I decided I would make a carrot, orange, ginger drink. It was so goooood!
Yet, one of my dearest friends, Jackie, let me know, that she is in Paris, eating french macaroons. Damn. It made my healthy quick lunch, seem oh so healthy and boring.
You better believe if I was in Paris, I would be eating the most buttery croissants that I could find! I would not be so rude to ask for a carrot juice infused with a bit of kale! How American would that be of me.... So here we are in lovely Asheville N.C. enjoying our very lovely new toy, the vita-mix!
Jackie, bring back some macaroons please!!!

A whole new love!

I've heard about the Vita-mix, but didn't quite "buy" it , no pun intended, until I saw it action! I am so very excited about it! You think a blender does the work, it is nothing compared to the vita-mix!
Our family went to see for the 3rd time a demonstration at whole foods market, because the guy showing us all the things you can so easily make in this machine is beyond amazing!
My husband made a shake today with grapes, pineapples, apples, kale (yes kale) and dates, add some ice and you have the most decedent drink! You don't even taste the kale. All raw, all organic, not to mention delicious!
I hate to admit this, but I am not a breakfast person, but a healthy shake , after my coffee of course, is sooooo de-lish.
It's worth checking it out. We are having fun playing with different recipes!

lamb tagine with chickpeas & apricots

This lamb dish was divine! A very cozy dish on a cold night. I will say, that this is just a bit more time intensive, but not so much so that one would avoid making it. One of the many things I loved about this dish was the dried apricots along with the moroccan spice blend made these beautiful flavors together simply melt in your mouth!
This recipe is from the Oct 2011 Bon Appetit magazine.
I just love comfort food, tis the time of year!

short on time?

I feel like it's o.k. to make a dish more than once, even more than twice! Short on time, busy schedules sometimes just makes it easier  to make your "go to" dishes. What I find easy is to do are lots of vegetables especially seasonal veggies. Along with those of course, a protein or whatever you like!
Here I have made Heidi Swansons wild rice casserole, baked butternut squash, and swiss chard. Simple!
 This wild rice casserole recipe can be found in her cookbook Super Natural Everyday. It's a lovely cookbook! Check her out!
This autumn weather is a time for food that warms your soul! Not to mention the scent of yummy homecooked food when you walk in the door , well for me , there is not a better scent!

Another reason for quick healthy food allows more time to do fun things for you!  Like fencing!!! Yes, I have taken up fencing! Time to do those things on my bucket list!

Yippee, another birthday!

Yes, it's my birthday! I LOVE birthdays! My sweet husband has me on a treasure hunt! Can't wait to get home for what I think is the final gift!

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal!     
                                                                Pamela Vault Starr