Vegetarian Foodie

Lentil Meatballs and Lemon Basil Pesto

I saw this recipe recently on Sprouted Kitchen: Lentil Meatballs. These little balls of goodness are easy to make and quite delicious. They were a tad dry and the lemon basil dressing assists. I also think they could be amazing in a red sauce a la spaghetti and meatballs. 

I love the crunchy bits on the baked meatballs and the fennel is divine.

I also love a dish with very little cleanup.

Jalapeno Salsa

I needed a jalapeno recently and lucky for me, the husband was about to pop out to the shop for a 6 pack of our favorite local brew.

He returned with about 20 jalapenos.....just in case 1 wasn't enough. Remember the great garlic clove crisis of 2008? If you don't recall... that is when the husband thought a clove of garlic = a bulb of garlic and nearly made a sauce with 3 bulbs of garlic.

So, enter jalapeno salsa. 

So, I have researched and pondered the foamy salsa phenomena. I photographed this salsa right after it was made so I am dubious about the theory of the foam signifying breakdown/salsa going off. If anyone has a theory, let me know. 

Jalapeno Salsa recipe from All Recipes

• 10 fresh jalapeno peppers
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 white onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, or more to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place jalapenos in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Simmer until jalapenos soften and begin to lose their shine, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the jalapenos with a slotted spoon, chop off the stem, and place them in a blender. Add the tomatoes and boil for 2 to 3 minutes to loosen the skin. Peel the skin from the tomatoes and add tomatoes to the blender.
2. Place the onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper in the blender or food processor with the jalapenos and tomatoes. 

 

FlatBread

Flatbread ...Alice Waters

• 2 Cups WW Flr
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 3/4 Cup Lukewarm Water
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Mix dry ingredients ...stir in water and olive oil. Knead the dough until moist. Cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Heat cast iron skillet, roll out oval shaped flatbread pieces and cook without oil in skillet flipping as needed. Char over open flame (if you like). 

Above: Cute baby sneaking a taste of dough

Socca

Socca is a delicious crepe made with Chickpea Batter and cumin. Tradionally a Parisian street food snack we chose to make it a meal with kale and roasted cauliflower, red onion and green bell. I whipped up some magic sauce to drizzle and WOWSERS.... everyone loves Socca. 

Thanks David Lebovitz for the Socca recipe

 

How I love these nights filled with friends and food.

 

Y'all Lettin Us Down Paula Deen!

I don't own a tv. When we travel, I do love to click on the tv and watch Food Network with the kids. Cooking shows are a family past time when we are in a hotel. Paula Deen has always been one of our favorites to watch and imitate (although we rarely, if ever, make her food recipes).

I am so disappointed with how she has handled/reacted to her diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes... Paula Deen has apparently not addressed the issue of her weight, diet and lack of exercise but rather chosen to become the front person and spokeswoman for a drug called  Victoza^®.

As an important celebrity for middle America, her message of “Eat whatever you want, as long as you take your pill…” is incredibly irresponsible.  

More on this at one of my Favorite Blogs Food Politics.

You are what you eat, Ya'Hear?

Baked Tofu in BBQ Sauce

I have been eating a variety of soft foods in the last few days because I am still waiting for my mouth to heal fully from the tooth extraction. 

Aside from smoothies and miso broth.... Baked Tofu in BBQ sauce with mashed potatoes has been of the best meals. I baked a block of tofu drenched in BBQ sauce for about 45 minutes at 300 F. Delicious- you'd be surprised really. Even if your mouth is in top condition.

 

French Fries with Salt and Rosemary

This is such a crowd pleas-er.... it never fails. I served these fries as a side at Saturday brunch. I fry the fries right from freshly peeled and cut potatoes in grape seed oil. Then I douse the pile of fries with rosemary from the garden and some salt.

And by the way, the Spinach Quiche recipe is the best ever... I cannot wait to make this again. Note: You must adore spinach.

Australia Update

The last time I mentioned Australia we were confirmed in our decision to move and about to jump into the visa application waters. 

We have successfully navigated those waters and all five of us now hold 1 year visas! We have booked our tickets and will make our exit from the United States June 17th. Things are all coming together quite nicely. We have arranged the renters who will live in the red house while we are away. I could not ask for a better family to occupy this space and funny but one of them is from Australia originally.

We cannot talk about much else around here. We have been reading, watching, studying everything Australia. There are charts hanging over the art table with sketches of poisonous spiders and snakes... the kids are over the moon with the Australian series H2O: Just Add Water (on play instantly Netflix)....after Bill Bryson's audio book In A Sunburned Country  we are all ready to explore.

There are lists of to-do's around the house, ads on Craigslist to sell unwanted items and plenty to prepare for in the next few months. 

So now you know what the conversation theme is as we munch on posted foodie.

Saturday Brunch Menu

As I sit menu planning here I am nursing a hole in my mouth where a tooth once was.

While backpacking in India about 18 years ago a tooth of mine cracked. I ignored it... and ignored it and being the stubborn gal that I am... I have let it crack and chip away since. Well, finally I decided to take care of business (after a few days of bad bad toothaches). Goodbye troublesome tooth. I received an odd look when I asked the oral surgeon if I could photograph the broken and bloody bits of tooth (don't worry, I won't post it). 

While having a tooth removed is not half as scary or uncomfortable as I thought it might be....Pass me the vicodin.

Brunch Menu

Apple Orchard Punch -Coffee- Tea 

Roasted Tomatoes with Olives

Chopped Green Salad with Vinaigrette (Alice Waters- 1 part red wine vinegar, 2 parts olive oil, salt and pepper)

French Fries (Potatoes sliced and fried in grape seed oil never disappoint)

Leek Pie

Spinach Quiche (Thanks once again Smitten Kitchen)

Brownies  (Thanks once again Smitten Kitchen)

Homemade Soft Pretzels

I honestly never imagined pretzels right out of the oven to be so delicious. The pretzels are warm, soft, doughy and delicious. Dip in mustard and you have a superb snack. I used the recipe found on Food Network by Alton Brown

Here is a close up of the doughy deliciousness:

While we made enormous pretzels, next time I will try a variety of bite sized shapes.