Taste of Raleigh: Assaggio's

The ladies at Providence took me out to lunch - had fun getting to know them better. Right across the street was this little Italian place, cafe, good place for lunch. By the time we left it was pretty full.

I got the special which was under $6 and included a refillable drink, a HUGE slice of pizza with one topping, and a salad. Since we also had a large group, they brought us baskets of garlic knots.

The unsweet tea and garlic knots rocked. Little pieces of garlic were in the bottom of the basket - yummy. I had half of one - very good.

The salad was generic but good - refreshing before I put pizza in my mouth.

The pizza was good: not very cheesy, liked the thickness, liked the mushrooms, was almost cold by the time I got it (I blame it on the large group).

The company was wonderful. Refills and price were great. And the service was good and friendly.

The pizza and salad - not much to write home about. Maybe I'll go back for another meal and try something else.

Goodwill Find: The Moosewood Cookbook

So, a few months ago on my google reader came a list of cookbooks that were great to have. One on the list was the Moosewood Cookbook from a restaurant in Ithica, NY. This cookbook was published in 1977 (the year I was born) and I do believe is currently out of print. They do have many other cookbooks if you want to get one.
Some of the reasons this cookbook is worth so much is because of its hand-written recipes and pencil drawings. There are plenty of great vegetarian, whole food recipes. I am looking forward to trying many of them.
I was out shopping at my local Goodwill here in Raleigh the other night and came across this. It was AMAZING. I couldn't believe it. I picked it up and horded it so no one else would come steal it from me.
Now the question: what will I cook from it?
Sweet Potato Pancakes, Brazilian Black Bean Soup, Polenta Pizza, Minestrone, Salads, and some of their sauces
Second question, will I keep it or try to sell it?
Depends on if the recipes are any good...
What are your thoughts on valuable cookbooks - keep or sell?

Spring "Earth Day" Green Giveaway!

I love My Blog Spark. I get great things to try, coupons, cool, fun things to add to my kitchen - and they give me stuff to give to you, my readers, as well.

April holds the day known as "Earth Day". I am by no means a totally green girl - but I have started some things. My new roomie is about recycling, so I will do what I can. I try to remember those cloth grocery bags when I go to WF or other places to shop. I care more about what I do and put in/on my body than about thing things I use for exterior things.

But, Green Giant (ho ho ho greeeeeeeen giant) and My Blog Spark are offering you a prize package to grow your own herbs, add to your utensil collection, and get some free veggies. I love wooden (or bamboo) utensils so these three were a great addition in my new kitchen. And I have a porch now so I can't wait to grow my own little herb garden. You can get the same thing.

To enter: you can do one of two things:

1. Tell me what your easy way is to protect/sustain the earth?

2. Tell me what is your fave recipe using green giant frozen veggies?

Thanks! Happy playing. You have till Wednesday, April 7th to enter!

Menu Week: April 5

Wow - here we go! :)
I already love living in Raleigh - have eaten at Chipotle, Tripps, Whole Foods, and the Cheesecake Factory - good stuff! This week will be some leftovers, eating out, and over at a friend's home.
So, since I haven't sat down to plan out my daily menu - I'll just give you a run down of what I will be eating this week. Usually I will take Fridays to plan for the next week - sitting at Caribou - planning my work, home, exercise, and cooking schedule for the following week
Breakfasts will probably be fruit and banana pancakes.
Lunch: leftovers of cheesecake factory's chopped vegetable salad with chicken - at least 2 days; majudra leftovers - maybe topped on a salad.
Dinners: salad with egg whites - grits and egg white - and then whatever else I didn't eat for lunch.
Thursday I'm hanging out with Bonnie for dinner. Saturday for lunch will be BBQ in Morrisville with Janel. The recipe of the week will be Tuscan Bean Soup from BH&G 2/2008. I know it is getting warm, but I still find something so comforting in soups. I love things you can eat with a spoon! And it is really easy and full of vegetables! I'll probably go ahead and make this completely vegetarian by using veggie broth instead of chicken broth.

Majudra - Middle Eastern Peasant Food

Majudra, majadra - however you spell it - spell it my new fave comfort food. Cheap, warm, perfect as a salad topping, caramelized onions - can it get any better?

I had seen this as a recipe, and I have had the recipe, but I had not made it yet. Then, 2 weeks ago I went to The Grape Leaf in Louisville and ordered this. I LOVED IT. But, I knew the caramelized onions would have to be more prominent for me!

So, I had everything I needed in my pantry when I moved this week, so I decided to make this...

1 1/2 cup rice

3 cups water, boiling

2 cloves chopped garlic

olive oil

3/4 cup green lentils (no need to pre-soak)

2 cups water

1 tsp cumin

salt

2 onions, thinly sliced

olive oil

Heat olive oil and pour in rice - cooking till opaque - like you would risotto. Pour in water and garlic - simmer with lid on till done.

Cook lentils till done but not mushy - then add seasonings.

Sauted onions, stirring a few times - not a lot.

Bowl: rice, lentils, caramelized onions. Top with either melted butter or olive oil.

Next time: I'll make it with more cumin and brown rice, maybe switch out the all olive oil for half oil and butter on the onions.

SO GOOD!

Baked Grits - 2010.13

My Dad is from the South and he loves grits. So, when I knew he was staying for a few days to help me get settled here in Raleigh, I knew I wanted to make this recipe. I halved the recipe and glad I did because their serving sizes are huge! This was rich, creamy, nutty (due to Parm cheese). So good. Cooking Light has a winner here.

2 cups milk (I used skim, in a glass, from a local farm: delish)

2 cups water

pinch of salt

3/4 cup quick cooking grits (scant, I just like them thicker)

2 oz grated parm cheese (about 2/3 cup)

2 1/2 egg whites

pinch of black pepper

2 T chopped fresh chives

pinch of salt

Bring milk, water, and salt to boil. Stir in grits, turn down to simmer, cover and let cook, stirring occassionally, for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, grate cheese, seperate egg whites, chop chives.

Whisk egg whites to stiff peaks (don't over beat) with pinch of salt. Add chives, pepper, and salt to grits when they are done. Fold in the egg whites (don't deflate them). Pour in greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. Lightly browned, little wobbly in middle.

Enjoy. I cooked some eggs and decorate the plate with remaining chives.

About 200 calories - and worth it!

Roasted Orange Chive Salmon

Is oatmeal a meal? Good, I agree. Its not. Therefore, my first real meal I cooked was SO GOOD. I told my Dad while eating it - that it was the best salmon I have ever had second only to the time I was in Craig, Alaska and had it right off the boat.

zest of one mandarin orange

1 tsp chopped fresh chives

8 oz fresh atlantic salmon (w/skin, got it from Whole Foods)

evoo

s/p

425 degrees. Place aluminum foil on a small baking sheet. Spray with pam.

Pat dry salmon. Drizzle with evoo. Zest orange and chop the chives over the top. Bake for about 15 minutes, maybe a little more till the fish easily flakes.

Enjoy. I served mine with roasted asparagus and roasted new pototoes.

Taste of Chattanooga: Niko's Southside Grill

Perfect timing. On the way to Chattanooga on Thursday, my Mom called with news of her new Southern Living magazine. She said there was a right up of Chattanooga. Well, this might prove very helpful.

We chose to go to Niko's - which was featured in Southern Living.

We called and made reservations for Friday night at 5pm, but none was needed - it was really early on a Friday night so it was pretty quiet. I'm sure it was hopping by the end of the night.

Drew was our exceptional waiter - who even knew the greens that we had on our main course and recommended a great dessert. He was also friendly and very prompt.

The atmosphere was slightly trendy yet classic. Liked it. It was also quiet, but not pretentious.

To start: calamari: oh goodness yum and tender - we downed it all!

The bread came out then - light loaf with I think asiago on top which made it a bit salty - so I just took the top off. Even asiago bagels I don't like because of the saltiness of this particular cheese.

We order twin filets with brandy jus, greens (arugula and spinach) and roasted red potatoes. My steak was cooked perfectly medium and Aarica's was a little too done for her exceptional liking. But the greens made up for her medium well steak - they were outstanding. The brandy jus brought the sweetness out contrasted with the peppery bite of the arugula.

For dessert we shared the white chocolate torte with grilled pineapple - I loved the white chocolate torte, let Aarica have the pineapple after it also had a charcoal-y grill taste much like the steak.

Over all - price was decent - 44$ then tip. Atmosphere was good, food was good, and the service was exceptional.

Menu Week: March 29 - MOVE TO RALEIGH!

It is here. Its been coming since the middle of October. I am returning to North Carolina. Yes, to stay! I can't believe God has given me this amazing opportunity!
Monday: (still in Ville): Wild Eggs, North End (which I went to today, found out they are now open on Monday and am going back), and FABD at home (or temp apt)
Tuesday: Travel is dooley's bagel with pb, banana, pbj (note carbs and pb), sandwiches and apples for dinner once in Raleigh.
Wednesday: soaked oats for bfast with Dad, lunch somewhere, dinner is roasted salmon and veggies.
Thursday: Breakfast is baked grits casserole from Cooking Light - recipe of the week. Don't know about the rest of the day.
Friday: same bfast, lunch with Anne Basden, and dinner out somewhere with Dad before he heads back to FL.
Saturday: fruit before run, pbj and fruit salad with KC and Katelyn, and Rudino's with my roomie and her friends for dinner.
Sunday (EASTER): have no clue except that I will be making some eggs to dye and some spring sugar cookies for the first day of my new job! :)
Many new food adventures coming in Raleigh - and getting back on track - no more of this gaining weight!

Taste of Chattanooga: Chattanooga Cupcake

I love the downtown area of Chattanooga: stores, restaurants, theatres, the Tennessee River, the aquarium. I first learned of it a few years ago by sightseeing with a friend, but now I just love to explore.
Today I went there for lunch and dessert. Dessert was a no-brainer when we saw the sign "Chattanooga Cupcakes". (The wonderful pictures will come Sunday because I can't get them to load.)
The folks in there were so kind to let us take pictures of the cute decor, the beautiful cased cupcakes, and to gladly sell us to wonderfully delicious cupcakes.
I chose the Italian Creme cupcake - the frosting was out of this world - I think I literally said "this is better than Publix frosting" - never before said that.
Aarica had the lemon raspberry cupcake - which had raspberry cream cheees filling with lemon frosting and raspberry drizzle on top. The cupcake was so moist and scrumptious with the filling.
If you are ever in downtown Chatt - by the Aquarium - you MUST stop in - save some room for a cupcake - which is usually a necessity of life!

Lemon Bars (Gluten and Dairy Free) - SO YUMMY!

I love hanging out with other healthy foodies. I learn so much. My friends Jenny and Michelle and I hung out for lunch today. Michelle has a hard time with her diet - trying to figure out what her body will and won't "accept". She made these amazing bars! I loved how full of protein they were and how amazingly delicious they were, also.
My Papa would love them - never knowing they were healthy for him.
I will definitely be making these - so incredibly good to take on a picnic or somewhere during the summer because they are tangy and summer-y!

Chocolate Orange Pecan Brownies (2010.12)

Bon Appetit redeems itself with this week's recipe. And aren't I glad?!
There is a bakery/coffee shop/cafe in Montana that this recipe comes from (definitely would warrant a trip to Bozeman, MT), and these are delicious cake like on the top, fudgy in the middle, brownies with a hint of orange (I would like more).
These made 16 and the only thing I could say that I would like better is if they cut easier - they were kinda crumbly - but I did not wait till they were cool, so that may have been my problem.
Sorry - no pictures. It was this morning and I was in a hurry to get them done before work, and didn't have time to pick up the camera...

1/2 cup boiling water
6 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped pecans (I didn't toast mine)
2 eggs
10 T unsalted butter, melted, cooled
zest of one orange (I might do two next time)
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine water and cocoa powder, set aside. Melt butter, set aside to cool.
Mix sugar through pecans, set aside.
Whisk eggs, add butter, orange zest, and vanilla. Add in chocolate mixture. Add in dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
Pour into greased 9x9 pan, bake at 350 for about 27-30 minutes. I left mine in there for 28 and they were a little too done on the sides, but perfect in the middle.
Enjoy!

Menu Week: March 22

This is it. This is my last full week in the Ville. And not even that because I'll be heading to Chattanooga for a conference on Thursday - back late Saturday night. Then only here for 2 days. Wow! This week is baking and eating out mostly. Here we go:
Monday: oatmeal, Cafe LouLou with Sarah, homemade margarhita pizzas and salad with Liz for a movie night. Baking a simple granola.
Tuesday: oatmeal, leftover pizza and salad for lunch on SBTS grounds with Michelle and Jenny - two foodies here on campus I've gotten to know. Dinner is with Josh and Shana and Truett - I'm bringing fruit and yogurt parfaits for dessert.
Wednesday: Calistoga Cafe with Becca for our last book breakfast. Rayann gave me a BOGO coupon so that will definitely help. Lunch is at Grape Leaf with Aarica before we go get the rental car. Dinner is whatever I need to use up in my fridge before leaving for Chatt.
Thursday - breakfast for the wknd is thins with pb and fruit. Lunch will probably be some sandwiches after we set up for the conference. Dinner: so many great restaurants. I'll definitely shoot back on those later.
Friday: same as Thursday.
Saturday: same for bfast and lunch, then hiking with Tasya. On the way back we'll eat some sandwiches.
Sunday: early morning breakfast with the Joneses, lunch will be whatever will fuel me for a run with Sarah, then dinner is late with Rach when she gets in town of Lotsa Pasta pasta with a roasted tomato and pepper sauce - blackberries with yogurt and agave for dessert. Yum!
Baking this week: chocolate chip cookies and chocolate orange brownies. Hopefully both turn out better than last week's FAIL.
I'm already looking forward to this week and looking forward to my first week of cooking in a new apt/old city next week!

Wizenberg's Blueberry Oat Scones - (FAIL) 2010.11

I hate having failures. These weren't even worth their weight of flour I used!
I changed my mind from the lemon blueberry cheesecake bars to Molly Wizenberg's Blueberry Oat Scones in Bon Appetit..
These turned out more like blue pancakes. I used blackberries instead of blueberries but everything else I followed the recipe to a tea. They just had no flavor (and I used freshly picked then frozen blackberries, so it wasn't the fruit). Texture wasn't right for scones.
Oh, well. Everything can not be a success!
Next week is another chance for Bon Appetit to redeem themselves: chocolate orange brownies. We shall see.

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie

This was so yummy! :) Maybe my fave green smoothie to date!
At Whole Foods on Sunday, I bought a little packet of this stuff. I had tried it in there one day, didn't want to pay a TON for it, so then I saw this little packet - that's my style. Added good nutrients to my already good for me smoothie.
Also in the smoothie was 1/4 cup of this yummy stuff! More nutrients and added good smooth texture! Got it at Whole Foods too!
Also normal stuff: 1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries (from Huber's last year), 1/2 red pear, 16 oz water, 1/2 banana, 1 1/2 big handfulls of spinach.

This was so good. I drank half and will drink the other half for breakfast this morning. I anticipate being full until my lunch at Cheesecake Factory!

Spicy Maple Pecans

I come from a family of pecan growers. I love those little tasty nuts! :)
So does my Granny. She gave me plenty of them at Christmas time when I was down in FL for a visit. I heard that she liked spiced or sweet pecans. So, for her birthday in February I said I would make her some. Well, now it is about 3 weeks after that and I am just getting around to making/sending them. But, these are so good - so please get them out of your house quickly!

I found this recipe on Hannah's blog (I love her simple yet beautiful photography) and halved it:

1/2 lb pecan halves, unsalted
1 1/2 T unsalted butter, melted
2 T real maple syrup
1/2 T light brown sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 tsp cayenne pepper

375. Pan with shallow sides, spray pam. Mix all together to evenly coat. Bake for about 12 minutes, stirring frequently. I only burnt 2 so that is good!

Menu Week: March 15

2 more weeks to go - wow, its coming fast, but its really dragging!! My fridge is getting more bare - but I'm working better at my freezer!
Here we go:
Monday - can't eat anything early for breakfast because I'm having my cholesterol and sugar checked. Asahi for lunch with Kathy. Dinner will be balsamic roasted onions and chicken (WW recipe)
Tuesday - oatmeal with fresh fruit (cleaning out freezer), turkey salad on a arthurs thin, dinner will be a salad and egg white probably
Wednesday - Going to do a dreen smoothie in honor of St. Patty's Day! Cheesecake Factory's chopped veggie salad with chicken (390 cal, 6 fat) - an SIMPLY AMAZING - dinner is salad and pizza with the Weldys.
Thursday - Probably very much like Tuesday
Friday - Lunch at Havana Rumba with my professors as a send-off for me. I love the place and my last dish I'll try there is their signature dish - the grouper - oh, can't wait.
Saturday - lunch with going to be FABD bbq sandwiches and then a wonderful going away massage by my good friend Sarah.
Sunday - I'm heading to E-town to hand with the Nelsons for church and lunch (probably Mexican)
It'll be good - I gotta get some running in!
Recipe of the week: Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Berries

Me? A Beautiful Blogger Award Winner!

Thanks to Sarah at River City Fitness - I am now a Beautiful Blogger. Sarah - thank you for the award and the friendship we've come to have!

Here is how it works:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award. – Thanks Sarah!

2. Paste the award on your blog.

3. Link back to the person who gave you the award.

4. Share seven interesting things about yourself.

5. Nominate up to 7 more beautiful bloggers.

6. Link the bloggers you nominate.

Here’s 7 “interesting” things about myself.

1. I started cooking for my family in the 3rd grade - including grocery shopping at Publix

2. One of my fave meals is baked mac and cheese

3. I started running in January 2009

4. I actually am loving the single life right now!

5. I'm about to move to a beautiful state!

6. I love to enjoy fresh picked produce - like Florida Strawberries!

7. I have lost 55 lbs since April 2008. I've kept it off since August 2009 and still want to lose more!

Here are the 7 Beautiful Blogger awards I'm giving out!

1. Beth @ Bethabee

2. Brandi @ Bites

3. Elise @ Simply Recipes

4. Kevin @ Closet Cooking

5. Laura @ In Definition

6. Kari @ Fam

7. Hannah @ Honey & Jam

Thank you all for your inspiration! :)

Lumberjack Hash - 2010.10

I had everything I needed for this in my fridge/freezer - which is good because I'm trying to clean it out (it is slowly working, I promise)
This was good, I changed it a little bit - but it still needed more salt I think (I didn't put in extra in b/c of the saltiness of the ham). This is a Cooking Light recipe (best of 2004) and is 6 WW points as directed (mine probably evened out)

2 T evoo
1 medium onion, chopped
1 orange pepper, seeded and chopped
24 oz shredded hash brown potatoes, frozen
pepper to taste (salt if you want more)
2 2 oz ham steaks, chopped
1 cup 2% sharp cheddar

Saute onion for about 4 minutes, add pepper. Add in rest (not cheese). Cook until slightly browned and potatoes are done.
Smooth out in large frying pan - top with cheese. Let cheese melt. Divide by 4 and plate up. Becca brought some Plant City strawberries and a banana. And I have 2 servings leftover for Sunday and Tuesday!

Taste of Nashville: Pfunky Griddle

What a neat place in a very popular and cool city.

A new friend took me here and I loved it. Walked in the door, the iCarly co-star was there (I didn't know it was her till I asked), they invited me to just help myself to the coffee.

This place was very interactive. You got to make your own food! Now, most people would not want to pay to make their own food, but I thoroughly loved it.

They had an organic 5 grain and a homestyle white pancake batter, we got mashed potatoes (for fried cakes), and I got some bacon. Vermon syrup was on the table and I got crunchy peanut butter as my topping.

Let's just say Amy and I ate our fair share of pancakes and potatoes (and bacon).

If you are ever in the Nashville/Brentwood area - off 65 at exit 81 - you must go. Fabulous prices, vegetarian options for lunch, and great staff!