I was making tilapia for the kids the other day and I realized that the method I was using is not one I have seen here. I learned it from my sister-in-law in Spain.
It's very simple - - - flour and then egg.
Cut the fish - tilapia, snapper, whatever boneless fish - - and make it thin. You know how a double piece of tilapia has one side thin and the other thick? I take a big knife and open the thick one so it's 2 thin ones.
once you do this what was not too much fish seems like a lot more.
Now cut them into pieces around 3-4". Not bite-size exactly, bigger than that, but also not a whole big piece.
have one dish with a beaten egg and another with flour.
put salt on the fish first.
heat oil in a pan - any oil you want, really.
then put the fist first in the flour on both sides, then the egg then directly into the hot oil. should cook quickly.
I like to use chopsticks to flip the pieces of fish (trick from dad - works great) - -
when the pieces are looking good on both sides put on paper towel for a few minutes and serve.
Guaranteed people will like it. It's like breaded but not so bread-y. And relatively low-carb except the flour. Nobody's perfect : )
try it - you'll like it.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Paella Sunday
We have decided in my home to introduce "Paella Sunday" - not every Sunday but, well, often. As most of you know, my husband is from Spain where it is common to have paella for the big meal on Sundays. This past weekend my parents joined us and my dad, who grew up in Cuba, said that in Havana the popular Sunday lunch was arroz con pollo - a paellaesque dish. Good stuff.
Paella 1 and 2 have been successful. First one we did was seafood paella. I'll admit that I was superexcited once I bought all of the fun ingredients at the seafood market. I debated the Florida lobster tail ($14.79) and ended up going for it. My husband could't believe I bought such an expensive ingredient, saying that in Spain they don't put lobster and that it doesn't add anything. To each his own but it was awesome!!
This past Sunday my husband was the cook. He made the paella on the charcoal bbq.
Now on to the chicken paella, something I suggest you all try out. It's not expensive and it's fun to make and eat. Few ingredients:
******************************
one chicken - cut up small (the guy at the market said he cut it up as he would for a curry)
one onion - cut up
frozen cut up pole beans (this ingredient is from my brother-in-law's recipe. He makes a mean paella). you can substitute string beans.
one red pepper - cut up
short grain valencia-style rice (the star of the show)
chicken broth or water
small amount of tomato sauce - like the kind from a can - - very plain
saffron or 'bijol'-type color
salt
that's it.
and olive oil of course.
**********************************
You'll need either a paella pan or a big heavy sautee pan.
Heat the oil and sautee the onion, red pepper and pole beans till soft.
Add the chicken and salt - - - - cook for a while until the chicken is almost all cooked.
Now the tricky part - - - for one chicken, we used a big paella pan and 2 14-ounce bags of rice. For some reason my brother-in-law puts the rice in a vertical line in the pan. Don't ask my why.
Let the rice hang out and get a little bit toasted in the yummy oil.
Then add the liquid - more that 2x the amount of rice.
Also add the bijol or saffron and the tomato sauce.
Let it go for at least 20 minutes. at this point the cook is standing by the paella, hopefully with a fun bevvy in hand, chatting with hungry guests who are oohing and aahing.
You'll know it's done when the liquid is basically gone and the rice is done.
Once it's done, cover with foil or a kitchen towel for a few minutes and serve.
Our Sunday paella fed 4 hungry people with plenty to spare. Could definitely feed six, and for about $10. Served with baguettes, salad and sangria.
Next I'm going to try vegetable paella - artichokes essential for that one - will keep you posted.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Food in today's economic climate --- and turkey meatballs
some Philosophy...
In today's economic climate, I see food as interrelated with finances, stress and overall happiness. I guess this is the case always, but particularly when we are really watching our expenses. I know I am not alone in going through some tough times, and I have realized that being in control of well-selected, economical menu choices for me and my family gives me a sense of calm and of empowerment. Generally I have found that the more natural the ingredients are, the better and more economical the meal will be.
During the past year I have found myself in the position of stay-at-home (unemployed)-mom. And as much as I enjoy cooking I am not a great housekeeper and the constant disarray in the house is a huge source of stress for me and something I am trying to control. Of course making a major dinner also makes a major mess. It's funny - the other day I told my 7-year-old that the only time I really clean the kitchen is when I'm about to cook and make it all messy again. I am making an effort to try to do the bulk of the cooking for midweek dinners during the day since I'm home anyway with a napping baby. Worked out well last night.
Some food....
Last night's menu is a good example of yummy and inexpensive - - - classic turkey meatballs, pasta and homemade pizza. I use all ground turkey thigh for the meatballs since it's moister and way cheaper. Also in my household we don't eat a lot of red meat - I don't eat any and therefore don't cook any. Once in a while my husband will make steak for him and the boys, but that's maybe once a month.
Instead of the usual bread crumbs in the meatballs I used a combo of oatmeal and matzah meal (leftover box from passover). Grated onion, grated garlic, ketchup, egg & salt. That's pretty much it for me. I do small-ish meatballs and cook them in a mixture of olive oil, tomato sauce and water in my big oval rachel ray pan. The sauce cooks down and the whole thing is great.
So yesterday I did all that in the afternoon and put it in a glass dish with a cover in the fridge, washed the rest of the stuff and was done with it. Even made the pasta early and had it in a tupperware.
As for the pizza, I bought pizza dough at the supermarket bakery section. Totally fun and the kids had a great time rolling it and putting the sauce and cheese. We made one plain one and one fun one (which meant adding meatballs and ricotta cheese).
All in all a great crowd-pleasing meal. Today I will freeze the leftover meatballs which will make for an even easier dinner for the kids one day in the future.
I know everyone out there has their secrets with meatballs and also maybe some tips on how to manage the stress - - - please comment and share!
In today's economic climate, I see food as interrelated with finances, stress and overall happiness. I guess this is the case always, but particularly when we are really watching our expenses. I know I am not alone in going through some tough times, and I have realized that being in control of well-selected, economical menu choices for me and my family gives me a sense of calm and of empowerment. Generally I have found that the more natural the ingredients are, the better and more economical the meal will be.
During the past year I have found myself in the position of stay-at-home (unemployed)-mom. And as much as I enjoy cooking I am not a great housekeeper and the constant disarray in the house is a huge source of stress for me and something I am trying to control. Of course making a major dinner also makes a major mess. It's funny - the other day I told my 7-year-old that the only time I really clean the kitchen is when I'm about to cook and make it all messy again. I am making an effort to try to do the bulk of the cooking for midweek dinners during the day since I'm home anyway with a napping baby. Worked out well last night.
Some food....
Last night's menu is a good example of yummy and inexpensive - - - classic turkey meatballs, pasta and homemade pizza. I use all ground turkey thigh for the meatballs since it's moister and way cheaper. Also in my household we don't eat a lot of red meat - I don't eat any and therefore don't cook any. Once in a while my husband will make steak for him and the boys, but that's maybe once a month.
Instead of the usual bread crumbs in the meatballs I used a combo of oatmeal and matzah meal (leftover box from passover). Grated onion, grated garlic, ketchup, egg & salt. That's pretty much it for me. I do small-ish meatballs and cook them in a mixture of olive oil, tomato sauce and water in my big oval rachel ray pan. The sauce cooks down and the whole thing is great.
So yesterday I did all that in the afternoon and put it in a glass dish with a cover in the fridge, washed the rest of the stuff and was done with it. Even made the pasta early and had it in a tupperware.
As for the pizza, I bought pizza dough at the supermarket bakery section. Totally fun and the kids had a great time rolling it and putting the sauce and cheese. We made one plain one and one fun one (which meant adding meatballs and ricotta cheese).
All in all a great crowd-pleasing meal. Today I will freeze the leftover meatballs which will make for an even easier dinner for the kids one day in the future.
I know everyone out there has their secrets with meatballs and also maybe some tips on how to manage the stress - - - please comment and share!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
recipe - - - string beans with tofu and tomato
My first recipe on this blog is something I came up with while eating low carb in an attempt to rid myself of pregnancy weight at some point after one of the 3 pregnancies. Turns out it's really delicious and healthy. It has become a regular dish in our home.
I have experimented with different kinds of protein (fish, egg and chicken) but tofu is by far the best one. If you don't like tofu, well, don't use it. Omit it or try something else.
You will need:
****************************
Extra firm tofu
Whole stringbeans - about a big bag - maybe a pound or pound and a half? washed and trimmed.
One onion - yellow or white
One small can of fire-roasted diced tomato. (if it's not fire-roasted it's fine. we'll all survive)
mozzarella or smoked mozzarella - for melting on top - optional
**************************
NOW
Firstly press the tofu. What does this mean? Take the block and cut it into thirds that are each a third of the depth of the original (got it?). Then figure out a system to press and let the water come out - what I do is put a wood cutting board at an angle going into the sink - I put something small under the far end - - then I take the tofu and put it in a piece of foil folded. On top of the tofu-filled foil I put a plate and heavy stuff - cans of tomatoes, beans, cast-iron pans, whatever, and leave it for about 15 minutes.
Ideally after this step the tofu is frozen in these bricks and then defrosted in the microwave prior to use.
Why do all of this? To extract the moisture.
I still have yet to get tofu the way I really want it but this is the closest so far.
SO on to the recipe, right?
Aha - first step is actually to put a pot of water to boil and overcook the stringbeans. Boil for about 10 minutes. Trust me.
You can actually use frozen if you want, but in that case don't boil for 10 minutes, just defrost but make sure they are whole ones.
Now cut the tofu into about 1 inch squares - bite size pieces.
While the stringbeans are boiling, heat oil in an ovenproof sautee pan hot and put the tofu in there. Let it get a sear on it and flip it. When it looks nice and crispy, take it out and reserve.
In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and sautee the onion cut into thin semi-circles. Cook the onions for a few minutes until they get soft but not caramelized.
Now the fun part - - - add the (drained) stringbeans, the tofu and a can of fire-roasted tomatoes. Raise the heat a bit and it will bubble. Lower the heat and let it hang out until it doesn't look so watery. (very scientific, right?)
Now - - - this part is optional. If you are vegan skip it. If you don't want cheese skip it. If you don't have cheese in the house skip it.
Cover the whole thing with shredded or thinly-sliced mozarella and put it under the broiler for a minute. WATCH IT. IT WILL BURN.
Voila!
Guarantee you will like this dish.
Unless of course you do not like stringbeans or tofu or tomatoes : )
Delicious with brown rice or pasta as an entree or as a side with protein (last night we ate it with tilapia)
Time-saver: do the stringbean part in advance and have them waiting, boiled already, in the fridge.
Alone it is virtually carb-free, right?
If somebody tries this please let me know if you like it.
I have experimented with different kinds of protein (fish, egg and chicken) but tofu is by far the best one. If you don't like tofu, well, don't use it. Omit it or try something else.
You will need:
****************************
Extra firm tofu
Whole stringbeans - about a big bag - maybe a pound or pound and a half? washed and trimmed.
One onion - yellow or white
One small can of fire-roasted diced tomato. (if it's not fire-roasted it's fine. we'll all survive)
mozzarella or smoked mozzarella - for melting on top - optional
**************************
NOW
Firstly press the tofu. What does this mean? Take the block and cut it into thirds that are each a third of the depth of the original (got it?). Then figure out a system to press and let the water come out - what I do is put a wood cutting board at an angle going into the sink - I put something small under the far end - - then I take the tofu and put it in a piece of foil folded. On top of the tofu-filled foil I put a plate and heavy stuff - cans of tomatoes, beans, cast-iron pans, whatever, and leave it for about 15 minutes.
Ideally after this step the tofu is frozen in these bricks and then defrosted in the microwave prior to use.
Why do all of this? To extract the moisture.
I still have yet to get tofu the way I really want it but this is the closest so far.
SO on to the recipe, right?
Aha - first step is actually to put a pot of water to boil and overcook the stringbeans. Boil for about 10 minutes. Trust me.
You can actually use frozen if you want, but in that case don't boil for 10 minutes, just defrost but make sure they are whole ones.
Now cut the tofu into about 1 inch squares - bite size pieces.
While the stringbeans are boiling, heat oil in an ovenproof sautee pan hot and put the tofu in there. Let it get a sear on it and flip it. When it looks nice and crispy, take it out and reserve.
In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and sautee the onion cut into thin semi-circles. Cook the onions for a few minutes until they get soft but not caramelized.
Now the fun part - - - add the (drained) stringbeans, the tofu and a can of fire-roasted tomatoes. Raise the heat a bit and it will bubble. Lower the heat and let it hang out until it doesn't look so watery. (very scientific, right?)
Now - - - this part is optional. If you are vegan skip it. If you don't want cheese skip it. If you don't have cheese in the house skip it.
Cover the whole thing with shredded or thinly-sliced mozarella and put it under the broiler for a minute. WATCH IT. IT WILL BURN.
Voila!
Guarantee you will like this dish.
Unless of course you do not like stringbeans or tofu or tomatoes : )
Delicious with brown rice or pasta as an entree or as a side with protein (last night we ate it with tilapia)
Time-saver: do the stringbean part in advance and have them waiting, boiled already, in the fridge.
Alone it is virtually carb-free, right?
If somebody tries this please let me know if you like it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
let's talk food: a couple of shout-outs to Fresh from Florida Kids and Jamie Oliver
I would like to mention two websites that I have found to be inspirational, one on the state level and the other national.
First for all you Florida residents there is a state-run program called "Fresh from Florida Kids". I don't remember where I heard of it since it was not mentioned to me at the hospital when I had my daughter last year nor at the pediatrician ever since. That being said, if you have small children you can register and they send you a fun box with tons of fun things related to healthy eating, from recipes to a small food mill. The website also has some good information.
Without further ado here is the link to register:
www.freshfromfloridakids.com/participate.htm
Now onto bigger stuff, I have been a fan of Jamie Oliver for about 10 years now. If you are reading this blog you probably know enough about food issues in the U.S. to know that he is trying to start a "Food Revolution" in this country and has a reality show documenting his efforts in West Virginia. Now he just rocks in general and his revolution starts with the issue of how we feed our kids. I will have many posts about such issues including public schools, advertising and restaurant kids' menus.
But back to Jamie Oliver. His website has an online petition. He is planning on going to the U.S. government in an effort to make some changes.
Here is the link to his petition:
www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition
Watch the show.
Sign the petition.
Till next time...
First for all you Florida residents there is a state-run program called "Fresh from Florida Kids". I don't remember where I heard of it since it was not mentioned to me at the hospital when I had my daughter last year nor at the pediatrician ever since. That being said, if you have small children you can register and they send you a fun box with tons of fun things related to healthy eating, from recipes to a small food mill. The website also has some good information.
Without further ado here is the link to register:
www.freshfromfloridakids.com/participate.htm
Now onto bigger stuff, I have been a fan of Jamie Oliver for about 10 years now. If you are reading this blog you probably know enough about food issues in the U.S. to know that he is trying to start a "Food Revolution" in this country and has a reality show documenting his efforts in West Virginia. Now he just rocks in general and his revolution starts with the issue of how we feed our kids. I will have many posts about such issues including public schools, advertising and restaurant kids' menus.
But back to Jamie Oliver. His website has an online petition. He is planning on going to the U.S. government in an effort to make some changes.
Here is the link to his petition:
www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition
Watch the show.
Sign the petition.
Till next time...
More of the story...
ok post #2 - - - day after post #1 - - -
More of why I am blogging.
By nature, I am an extroverted person who tends to, as many friends and family have pointed out over the years, "think too much". Since this shows no signs of changing, I figured may as well share my thoughts with whoever will listen or, in this case, read.
Still there? Cool.
Oh, and there's one more detail about my life that merits sharing. For the past 14 months I have been - - - deep breath - - - just say it - - UNEMPLOYED. Like so many others in our fair country, I thought I had it made in the shade. A part-time, interesting, relatively-well-paid job with a huge company. Flexible hours, occasional travel, it was really a great gig for anyone, especially someone with small children. Nanny came every day, I could still breastfeed, check on the baby, have lunch with a friend, and be paid to pretty much know what was happening in the world. Then it happened - - the first inkling I had was a short conversation with a senior manager I knew well. "I wish I had beter news". WHAT!?!? It took a few months for them to really tell me but my awesome gig was coming to an end. There I was, 8 months pregnant, Christmas around the corner, the economy in a slump like nobody has seen for a long time and I have no more job. No more feeling like I can do it all. I had always been top of the class, honors, scholarships, grants, never really criticized at work, it was just over.
This past weekend I watched the movie 'up in the air' with George Clooney. I thought, wow, when this happened to me they didn't even have the courtesy of a video conference firing. Just phone. Imagine.
Well, let's fast-forward 14 months to today April 13th, 2010.
When I reflect on the last 14 months I hear myself saying what I have heard others in my situation say - "I can't believe it's been over a year. I can't believe I'm not working still." It's true. Oh, I look for work. I go on linkedin, I sent emails to all my former colleagues to "keep me in mind", etc. We consider relocating to the D.C. area - there's interesting work there both for me in international affairs and for my brilliant scientist husband. But the reality is that now we are here, in Florida. We moved from Barcelona to be close to my family. We have 3 children now and we are near family which is nice. And we owe a lot more on our home than it is worth. So here we are for now.
I have enjoyed the time with the kids this past year of course but also had moments of impatience and extreme frustration. With no income from me there is no housekeeper, no preschool, no fancy fun mommy-and-me classes, no summer camp, few-and-far-between lunches out. I feel guilty for wanting to work. Feel surrounded by moms in the suburbs who seem fulfilled just by mommying and for me it's not enough.
One thing I have done is "delved into food". I've always been into cooking, eating, etc but I have realized that when I am cooking or planning the food for the next few days I get in a zone and feel centered.
When I think outside the box about employment, I wonder if I could make a living with something related to food. Restauranteur? Personal chef? Cookbook author? Local or national politician making a difference? My mom seems to think I could make a career out of food but she's my mom (thanks mom). I would need a lot more than that to make it a reality. I guess this blog is a baby step on this, the day my daughter took her first real little baby steps.
Hopefully I will find work soon and hopefully I will still find time to blog.
So --- a little window into my soul and life and why I am blogging.
More of why I am blogging.
By nature, I am an extroverted person who tends to, as many friends and family have pointed out over the years, "think too much". Since this shows no signs of changing, I figured may as well share my thoughts with whoever will listen or, in this case, read.
Still there? Cool.
Oh, and there's one more detail about my life that merits sharing. For the past 14 months I have been - - - deep breath - - - just say it - - UNEMPLOYED. Like so many others in our fair country, I thought I had it made in the shade. A part-time, interesting, relatively-well-paid job with a huge company. Flexible hours, occasional travel, it was really a great gig for anyone, especially someone with small children. Nanny came every day, I could still breastfeed, check on the baby, have lunch with a friend, and be paid to pretty much know what was happening in the world. Then it happened - - the first inkling I had was a short conversation with a senior manager I knew well. "I wish I had beter news". WHAT!?!? It took a few months for them to really tell me but my awesome gig was coming to an end. There I was, 8 months pregnant, Christmas around the corner, the economy in a slump like nobody has seen for a long time and I have no more job. No more feeling like I can do it all. I had always been top of the class, honors, scholarships, grants, never really criticized at work, it was just over.
This past weekend I watched the movie 'up in the air' with George Clooney. I thought, wow, when this happened to me they didn't even have the courtesy of a video conference firing. Just phone. Imagine.
Well, let's fast-forward 14 months to today April 13th, 2010.
When I reflect on the last 14 months I hear myself saying what I have heard others in my situation say - "I can't believe it's been over a year. I can't believe I'm not working still." It's true. Oh, I look for work. I go on linkedin, I sent emails to all my former colleagues to "keep me in mind", etc. We consider relocating to the D.C. area - there's interesting work there both for me in international affairs and for my brilliant scientist husband. But the reality is that now we are here, in Florida. We moved from Barcelona to be close to my family. We have 3 children now and we are near family which is nice. And we owe a lot more on our home than it is worth. So here we are for now.
I have enjoyed the time with the kids this past year of course but also had moments of impatience and extreme frustration. With no income from me there is no housekeeper, no preschool, no fancy fun mommy-and-me classes, no summer camp, few-and-far-between lunches out. I feel guilty for wanting to work. Feel surrounded by moms in the suburbs who seem fulfilled just by mommying and for me it's not enough.
One thing I have done is "delved into food". I've always been into cooking, eating, etc but I have realized that when I am cooking or planning the food for the next few days I get in a zone and feel centered.
When I think outside the box about employment, I wonder if I could make a living with something related to food. Restauranteur? Personal chef? Cookbook author? Local or national politician making a difference? My mom seems to think I could make a career out of food but she's my mom (thanks mom). I would need a lot more than that to make it a reality. I guess this blog is a baby step on this, the day my daughter took her first real little baby steps.
Hopefully I will find work soon and hopefully I will still find time to blog.
So --- a little window into my soul and life and why I am blogging.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Let's "Delve into Food!" first post - Introduction
This is the first post to my first blog and may be a bit stream-of-consciousness so please bear with me.
Who am I and why have I decided to blog about food?
I am a mother of 3 small children - 14 months, 3 years and 7 years old. I am married and live, albiet not my ideal setting, in a suburb in South Florida. Food, preparation of food, planning meals and food-related issues have become a sort of focal point for me, and this focus has been taking more shape as the years go on.
Part of the impetus for me to blog about food is frustration with the attitude in the United States, or at least the sliver of the United States that I see. We have lost touch with the essence of what it is that feeds us, makes us healthy, helps our children grow. Also food is a central part of a peaceful life in my opinion. The planning, preparation and socialization associated with meals whether they be at a daycare, a family mid-week dinner or a weekend celebration, is being lost as people are wrapped up in their work, their blackberry or just apathy or laziness.
Another reason for me to blog is simply to share and hopefully connect with fellow foodies out there.
I have a particular interest in our society's attitude about food when it comes to small children since I have three of them. However it is a problem that affects all ages and many facets of the U.S. today.
My hope with this blog is to share thoughts, recipes and ideas for how to better incorporate healthy eating into our lives. In addition I plan on 'delving' into food-related legislation, cultural norms, trends and facts as they relate to me and my life and hopefully to you and yours.
In addition to food and cooking in general, if you read my blog with any regularity you will probably come to see that I have also done a good amount of travelling, both for work and for fun. This is an aspect of life that to me is intertwined with food and that I hope to explore simultaneously.
Thanks for reading - - much more to come.
Let's Delve into Food!
Who am I and why have I decided to blog about food?
I am a mother of 3 small children - 14 months, 3 years and 7 years old. I am married and live, albiet not my ideal setting, in a suburb in South Florida. Food, preparation of food, planning meals and food-related issues have become a sort of focal point for me, and this focus has been taking more shape as the years go on.
Part of the impetus for me to blog about food is frustration with the attitude in the United States, or at least the sliver of the United States that I see. We have lost touch with the essence of what it is that feeds us, makes us healthy, helps our children grow. Also food is a central part of a peaceful life in my opinion. The planning, preparation and socialization associated with meals whether they be at a daycare, a family mid-week dinner or a weekend celebration, is being lost as people are wrapped up in their work, their blackberry or just apathy or laziness.
Another reason for me to blog is simply to share and hopefully connect with fellow foodies out there.
I have a particular interest in our society's attitude about food when it comes to small children since I have three of them. However it is a problem that affects all ages and many facets of the U.S. today.
My hope with this blog is to share thoughts, recipes and ideas for how to better incorporate healthy eating into our lives. In addition I plan on 'delving' into food-related legislation, cultural norms, trends and facts as they relate to me and my life and hopefully to you and yours.
In addition to food and cooking in general, if you read my blog with any regularity you will probably come to see that I have also done a good amount of travelling, both for work and for fun. This is an aspect of life that to me is intertwined with food and that I hope to explore simultaneously.
Thanks for reading - - much more to come.
Let's Delve into Food!
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