Archive for the ‘Vegetarian’ Category

Squash and Zucchini Tart

Posted by Candace on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

The other day, I really felt like cooking. We’ve been so busy lately, that I haven’t even had time to feel like cooking, much less actually cook something. Thank god I live in Ft Lauderdale and am surrounded by really great restaurants or we would have starved!

I found this recipe in the Tribecca Grill Cookbook. Of course, I changed most of it… lol!  What I like most about the recipe, other than it being very healthy and low fat is the simple preparation, but totally fancy presentation.  Just up my alley.

I also used this opportunity to use my new knife from New West Knife Works.  I’m in love with this knife… not only is it gorgeous with the multicolored wooden handle, but boy is it sharp.  Just a great knife.
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August 4th, 2010 by Candace / Filed under Healthy Eating, Vegetarian / 3 Critiques

Bedtime for Gar-Bonzos

Posted by Candace on Monday, April 5th, 2010

If there is one thing I always have on hand is garbanzo beans (aka chick peas.) With garbanzo beans I often make hummus, soups, salads and have even been known to add garbanzo beans to chili. Yes, I’m a daring one, eh? I’ll admit, in the past, I would buy can o’beans and use that, but I’ve recently started cooking dry beans, and it is SO MUCH BETTER! I wasn’t surprised.  But I always have an emergency can of garbanzos.  You just never know when you get a hankering for some.

Anyway, onto the salad… I’ve had a few tasty garbanzo bean salads recently, one from The Kosher Kingdom (where we did a photo shoot of their amazing store and YUMMY prepared foods) and another one at a day after brunch for a wedding we photographed.  Although the two salads were as different as they could be… they both starred the garbanzo.  I made my own version with what I had on hand, including peppers and herbs from my garden.  This recipe surely can be added to your very tasty AND healthy list.
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April 5th, 2010 by Candace / Filed under Healthy Eating, Vegetarian / 5 Critiques

Healthy Eating Commences Now

Posted by Candace on Thursday, October 15th, 2009

I’ve set a goal. I know I’m never going to be back to my perfect size. Never gonna happen. But I’d like to get close to that size… or around the corner from it. Or just in the neighborhood. I’d like to lose 10 (really 15) pounds. I’ve been eating more fruits and vegetables, and trying to avoid the bad (or really, really good!) stuff.  I’ve even been using my pool for laps every morning. We’ll see how long that lasts!

This salad is an attempt to recreate a lentil salad I had while on a friend’s sailboat recently.  It was so good that I kept eating it.  And eating it. And eating it.  You get the point, right?  The best part is that the salad was definitely healthy.  All I remembered were lentils, caramelized onions and herbs.  I’ve made something similar, but I’m pretty sure it’s totally different.  Either way… its yummy and great for my new healthy eating regime!

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October 15th, 2009 by Candace / Filed under Healthy Eating, Salad, Vegetarian / 2 Critiques

I Pita the Fool

Posted by Candace on Thursday, June 11th, 2009

I’ll admit it, I’m a fan of Mr. T.  I used to watch the A-Team as a kid… anyone else?  Hmmm… I think I just showed my age.  For a short time used I even used the “Mr. T” voice on my GPS.  However, I got tired of him calling me a fool if I missed a turn. Its all fun and games until you really start to feel like one!  lol!

Anyway, I had some free time last week and decided I was in the mood the bake.  After thumbing through my cookbooks,  came across this recipe for pita bread.  Since I had all of the ingredients on hand, pita it was!  This was my first time making it, and I even impressed myself.  Who know pitas were so easy to make and yet SO complicated looking!  It really is fascinating how you can put a thin,  flat piece of dough on a hot surface and it will balloon and turn into a beautiful pita.  The best part is the dough is good in the fridge for up to a week.  This means you can have fresh pita at your whimsy… Now THAT is good stuff, my friends!
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June 11th, 2009 by Candace / Filed under Bakery, Vegetarian / 22 Critiques

Making Curds and Whey

Posted by Candace on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

I’ve always been a lover of cheese… every kind of cheese.  From the stinky stuff in French restaurants to the most mild mozzarella.  I found this recipe recently to make cheese at home and knew I had to try it.  I didn’t even know you could make cheese at home with such simple ingredients.  All you need for this recipe is buttermilk, milk and salt, no chemicals, rennet or anything else.  I used organic whole milk, but you can also make it with 1% or 2%.  So easy and amazingly delicious.  To fancy it up, I browned the cheese in a dry non-stick pan and it made a perfect appetizer.  It is also just as yummy eaten plain.

The recipe said salt was an optional item , but I think it is really necessary.  I only added a generous pinch of fleur de sel and it was extremely bland before brining.  It was fine after brining, but the exterior is definitely saltier than the interior when you brine.  The texture is similar to Queso Blanco.  It has a nice bite and mild flavor.  Next time I’m going to experiment with some smoked sea salt and maybe even herbs.  It was so easy, I see myself making fresh cheese at home on a regular basis.

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April 23rd, 2009 by Candace / Filed under Vegetarian / 9 Critiques
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