Saturday, December 31, 2011

just pops into my head!

This shabbos was very nice, we had an unexpected visitor. My husbands friend came from Israel and we found out right before shabbos that he will eating with us. I had no fancy dessert prepared.. so I came up with a grt idea that I was very proud of! I took ice cream, scooped it into cute little bowls, drizzled chocolate syrup, and crumbled BAMBA on top of it! I added a delicious maraschino cherry on top and voila!  everyone loved it! I just LOVE thinking up new things!

Friday, December 30, 2011

elevation

I created this blog to show others how to elevate food to the next level and show how easy it can be.
As Jews, we do this everyday by making brachos (blessings) over our food and transcending it from a mere bite of food to a connection of thanks to our creator.  There is my D'var Torah for the day :)
Have a beautiful Shabbos!

The supper that took 10 minutes to make

all it is, is the plating! couscous- from the far east boxes, takes minutes.. seared cutlets in some kinda sauce.. I dont remember.. and green beans from a CAN mixed with olive oil, nuts, and spices.. ta daaaa!!!! This supper was made when my second child was 5 months old, and I desperately wanted to get back to my routine.. so I made a simple dinner and plated it like I worked hours over it.. anyone can do it! go ahead, try! lemme know how it comes out!

one of my best friends ( in the kitchen)


Basil leaf, or Bay leaf, is one ingredient I often rely on many times to add another dimension to my plates. ye, also ketchup squiggles.. lol.. plating french fried potatoes in a criss cross fashion is always a great idea. Makes the humble potato look really good..

The chicken is a pistachio crusted chicken.. smear mayo on cutlets, mix fried onions, basil cube (frozen) garlic cube, lemon juice and chopped pistachio with a few drops of lemon juice and smear over cutlets. bake. enjoy!

a tale of 3 pictures

 I know many of us would rather not eat food that resembles a spider. but trust me, this plate got eaten. every last drop! kids love these things and it takes just an extra 2 minutes!
 

 this is my kind of plate.. color, contrast, there is a lot goin on, and even tho I love simplicity on a plate, I love looking at this picture. this was crispy fried fish with tartar sauce, ( easy- mix majo, mustard, dill, garlic, some pickle juice) we also had mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and a simple green salad.





again, color, color, color! I take pics of everything with color!! I once got my fruit delivery and the colors were so gorgeous, I took pics! of my fruits and veg, in a brown box! life with color is so beautiful. I often wish I can implement color into my wardrobe as easily as I do with food.. but as u can tell.. I love food... which means I just look better in dark colors that are slenderizing.. know what I mean??! lol...

Thursday, December 29, 2011

crispy pastrami, onion stuffed burger with garlic mayo

cut pastrami in pieces, mix with bbq sauce, and fry till crispy.
3 frozen garlic cubes with around 5-6 TB mayo for the garlic mayo.
make a burger. assemble. enjoy :) 

I'm just a home cook ( with big dreams)

my suppers aren't fancy. I cook and bake like any Jewish housewife. I throw potatoes in the microwave (gasp) and you wouldn't know it because you see a finished picture of whipped potatoes with crispy shallots.. get where I'm going with this?? it doesn't take much to elevate something to another level! fried onions and garlic, in my opinion, are the epitome of making things taste waaay better than originally!! I am all about shortcuts and cheating.. but I don't sacrifice on taste.. and appeal.. yes, there are days when supper is served on a regular plastic plate, with a quarter of chicken, and rice on it.. I can't let my family get TOO spoiled!!

feta mushroom crunch salad

one day, I had leftover mozzarella sticks. * we will get to that recipe another time!* and I also had leftover breading from the sticks. I fried the panko with beaten egg till crispy, fried a box of fresh mushrooms, sliced, cut up the leftover mozzarella sticks, and made a soy sauce reduction, which is soy sauce, sugar, garlic, bubbled in a small sauce pan till thickened.. I added feta on top with salad greens, and voila, it was consumed heartily!!

Welcome!

I love to cook. I love beauty. I love combining both things!
Being a busy mom of 3, and a makeup artist,  leaves me little time to do it all the time, but I do try, because I love doing what makes me happy.


join me as I share with you secrets of taking a plate of food to the next level and eating not just with your mouth, but your eyes too!