Keepin’ it low carb
Despite all of the fried, sweet, or cheesy recipes on this blog, we tend to eat healthy most of the time. How? Our 5-Day Grub Plan really helps to alleviate the guesswork involved in figuring out what to eat every day. But in addition to that, we have some tried and true, go-to foods that we almost-always incorporate into our daily diet. For example, I eat an apple every singe day. It’s like brushing my teeth first thing in the morning.
Spicy Rice with Mixed Veggies
“I don’t have time to cook everyday.”
This is a statement I hear all the time. And it’s true- most working people are so busy that they do not have time to cook everyday. So a typical lunch consists of something easy to get at a restaurant within a 2-block radius of work: pizza, a sandwich from Subway, Chinese lunch special, a couple of items from 7-eleven, a burrito or taco, a to-go carton filled with a variety of dishes from a 7.99/lb buffet, or a number 6 meal from Burger King. And if you have a little more money, you can be fancier, and actually go to a sit-down restaurant, but that takes time, and for many people, time during the work week is as precious as fine wine.
Have you ever had to decide on what to bring to a potluck? We were in this situation a few weeks ago. Even though we’re both avid cooks, we still went through what I’ll call a ‘Potluck Decision-Making Checklist‘: easy to make (because we were short on time), easy to carry (the NYC Subway system is not conducive for carrying delicate dishes, especially when dodging aggressive straphangers), easy to serve, does not have to be heated, won’t break the bank, and still tastes good?
In that decision-making moment, we had a ‘ah-ha’ moment: A Primavera Pasta Salad! How could you go wrong with pasta, flavorful pepperoni, fresh cheese, juicy tomatoes, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a herb infused oil based dressing? And it could not be easier to make, did not take long to prepare, could be carried through a crowded, rough, or jerky 45 minute subway ride, tastes best at room temperature, is wallet-friendly, and tastes delicious. We had a winner!
So, for your next potluck, don’t despair. We have a go-to recipe for you.
Chili is typically a dish that I’ll think about during the cold, winter months. When it’s snowy, cold, and all you can think about is getting inside a toasty place and eating warm, comfort food, you think about Chili.
But last week was the beginning of summer- it was hot, humid, and uncomfortable. I was sweating profusely and could feel the dampness of my shirt from the sweat. Any cool room felt like a taste of paradise. Yet, I still wanted Chili. Despite the heat and dense humidity, I was in the mood for one of my favorite comfort foods.
The spicy and zesty stew, filled with red beans, tomatoes, and tender ground turkey, was a perfect choice for my healthy eating plan as well. Continue reading
Aaaah, Sunday afternoons. Perfect for reading, napping, brunching with friends and family, and, of course, creating new recipes!
On this particular Sunday summery afternoon, I had chicken breast and broccoli on hand, as well as a package of gnocchi I picked up the day before while grocery shopping at my favorite supermarket, Aldi’s. Side note: if you’ve never been to Aldi’s, you need to find the closest one and make a trip over there! They have rock-bottom prices for excellent quality.
Flaky Roti and Flavorful Chickpeas
I absolutely love roti, my favorite kind being the Southeast Asian variety (such as Malaysian roti canai). According to Wikipedia,”Many different variations of flat breads are found in many cultures across the globe, from South Asia to the Americas. The traditional flat bread originating from the South Asia is known as roti; pronounced “rho tee”. It is normally eaten with cooked vegetables or curries; it can be called a carrier for curries or cooked vegetables.”
One sunny afternoon, after finishing lunch at a Malaysian restaurant on 8th Ave in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn (also known as Brooklyn’s Chinatown), and of course having roti canai as an appetizer, I decided that I had to find an easy way to make roti myself at home! I had tried a package of frozen roti several years ago that was absolutely amazing, so I was on a hunt to find it again. And what better place to look for it than in Brooklyn’s Chinatown.
eatersrendezvous 