4/11/16 4/11/16

Cuban Ropa Veija Recipe (served over white rice)

When I think "comfort food" I think Cuban food. It's what I grew up eating, most of my favorite dishes are Cuban and with two little boys home from school requesting comfort food I knew exactly the dish to make them. Ropa Vieja is Spanish for "old clothes". It is a simple dish that is quite delectable.I use a pressure cooker to make this recipe and have always done so. I imagine you could make this in a crock pot or on the stove but you'd have to make allowances for time. If you do, try this recipe in a crock pot or on the stove please come back and let me know how it all turned out for you.Ingredients:

2 lbs Flank Steak
Water
1 whole medium onion peeled- I like the yellow or "sweet" variety.
3 bay leafs
Salt 1 pinch
Red wine suitable for drinking 2 tablespoons
1/4 - 1/2 of a red or green pepper chopped
2-3 T olive oil
3 cloves chopped garlic
1 can tomato sauce
1 tsp cocktail sauce
Spanish olives
2 T Sazon completa* (store bought or make your own - recipe to follow.)

Optional additions:

1 potato
1 carrot

Step one:

Fill your pressure cooker with water half way to the top.
Place the Flank steak in the water with the whole onion on top. To easily peel the onion cut off both ends and remove first or second layer of skin.
Add a pinch of salt to the water along with the bay leaf and wine. Cover the pan and cook over medium/low heat for about one hour to an hour and a half.
Remove from heat and allow pressure to return to normal.
Open lit and remove onion and set aside.
Place steak on a large plate and set aside
Reserve liquid in separate container
"shred" meat by separating it with fork. I basically take a fork in each hand and separate the meat.

Step two: Prepare the "sofrito"

Cut up onion (careful it will be hot) you can also place into a food processor
Add oil to the pressure cooker. Turn heat on to low.
Add in onion, chopped garlic, and pepper
Add meat and brown for a few moments.
Add in tomato sauce and cocktail sauce and olives and simmer until warm.

Serve over white rice.Easy white rice recipe in rice cooker

2 cups rice
2 3/4 cups water
pinch of salt
2 Tbs olive oil

Sazon Completa recipe: Makes 1 1/4 cup.

4 T of kosher salt
6 T of granulated garlic
2 T oregano
4 T onion powder
2 T cumin
2 T black pepper
3 T dried lime zest
2 T dried parsley

Ropa Vieja Recipe

4/15/15 4/15/15

Chocolate Espresso Brownies

Often times here in Italy when you order a caffè you get a lovely shot of espresso. I usually order a caffè doppio (double shot) and always enjoy the piece of dark chocolate that is sometimes accompanied with the coffee. This recipe combines the two to create a brownie any dark chocolate lover would enjoy.Ingredients:3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan1/2 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled1/4 cup natural cocoa powder1 teaspoon fine salt1/2 teaspoon baking powder3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped1 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar3 large eggs2 tablespoons brewed espresso or extra-strong brewed coffee, at room temperature1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, choppedDirections:Heat oven to 350° F.Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with 2 crisscrossed pieces of parchment, buttering in between the pieces to help them stick and leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter the top of the parchment.Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.Combine the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. Let cool slightly.Whisk in the sugars, eggs, espresso, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the bittersweet chocolate. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.Let cool completely in the pan.Holding the paper overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares. Recipe via Real Simple Magazine, September 2014

10/25/14 10/25/14

Dulce de Leche Spicy Mulled Apple Cider

This afternoon I was craving something hot and sweet that had autumn written all over it. I checked my refrigerator, pantry, and cupboards and managed to concoct a fabulous apple cider recipe, I think I'll be serving to my guests this Thanksgiving.I'd made some homemade dulce de leche for my boys the night before (for ice cream sundaes) so I knew it would go perfect in a hot apple cider too.If you've never had dulce de leche it's a most divine thing (basically caramelized milk.) There are a lot of recipes out there, but I prepare mine by pouring one can of sweetened condensed milk into the top of double-boiler pan, I don't actually own a double-boiler pan so I make "un baño María" by placing a heat proof deep bowl into a larger pot, add hot water and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about an hour to an hour and a half, or until the milk becomes thick and caramel-colored. Remove from heat and stir briskly until smooth.You will find recipes that tell you to boil the can in the water, you can do this if you want, I certainly know plenty of Abuelas who have and do. I really can't imagine how boiling an aluminum can, could be beneficial to your health, especially if it's not absolutely necessary.Now on to the cider!Ingredients:

Apple Cider (I used the bottled store bought kind)
Dulce de Leche (or caramel sauce would work too)
Mulling spices: I used what I had on hand:
Ground ginger
Cinnamon
All Spice
Whole Nutmeg
Cayenne Pepper
Dark Rum (optional)

In a pot simmer the apple cider, dulce de leche, and spices until the cider is imbued with the spices. Add rum if you so desire. Strain the cider as you pour into mugs.You can rim your mugs with a bit of the dulce de leche as I've done.Enjoy!

7/12/14 7/12/14

Let's Talk Tea! My favorite Supermarket Teas

I love tea. LOVE tea. Over the last year or so, I've really gotten into loose teas. This afternoon as I was having a "fancy" tea with my boys, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite teas, nothing too pricey as most of these you can find at your local grocer or supermarket.*Some of these teas, I only had in tea bag form, so I had to open them up. I'll specify which ones those were, as I'm sure they'll appear less appealing than the whole loose tea.Twinings, Christmas Tea* - I discovered this tea this past Christmas season at my commissary. Initially I found it in tea bags and I love the aroma, for this photo, I had to pop open a Keurig version as that is all I've got left (I bought 5 boxes when I found some after the holiday season sitting alone on a shelf.) It is a black tea infused with what I like to call, "Christmas scent", Twinings USA calls it "spiced flavours of cinnamon and cloves." I like to enjoy it black or with milk and sugar. This is also a favorite of my boys, who usually steel my cup, when-ever I made some.Twinings, Earl Grey - You can't get any more classic than this tea with it's iconic blend of black tea and Bergamot. I like to make this tea with milk and vanilla syrup to transform it into a "London Fog Latte". Yum. Yum.Twinings, Lady Grey - Is my favorite tea. I love it's soft citrusy goodness that comes from orange and lemon peel. I often have this in the afternoon, or in the evening curled up with a book.Taylors of Harrogate, Green Tea with Lemon*- When my husband returned from his six month deployment to the UK, he brought me back things he knew I'd love, like tea cups, and a model of a those adorable double decker red buses in you seen in London and about 6 boxes of teas for me to try. Among them were a few boxes (in tea bag form) of Taylors of Harrogate teas. This Green Tea with Lemon, is absolutely lovely and refreshing.Harney & Sons,Yellow & Blue- This lavender and chamomile blend of tea is what my boys get when the ask for tea just before bed. Inside each tea bag is a perfect blend of whole leaf teas packed with chamomile buds and lavender....If I had one wish for this tea, it would be more lavender flavor.Teapigs Peppermint Leaves Tea -This was another gift brought back by my husband from England. Each nylon bag is filled with whole leaf tea. This peppermint tea is absolutely perfect. It's minty with out slapping you in the face. I'm sort of in love with this brand of tea for it's great quality and eco-concious biodegradable packaging. I was very happy to learn one can find it on Amazon! Yay!Bigelow, Green Tea with Lemon- After my husband brought home the Taylors Green Tea with Lemon, I was worried I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else, locally (here in Italy and at my commissary) so when I spied the Bigelow I figured I 'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because it's pretty good and a pretty close match quality wise to the Taylors version. These boxes of tea bags are easy to find your local supermarket and I think Bigleow is definitely one of the best supermarket teas out there.Taylors of Harrogate, Scottish Breakfast Tea - When I first tried this tea I was worried it would get bitter, like the Earl Grey can tend to do, but I found there to be no bitterness when over brewed. Win! Win! This is perfect for the morning! (I'm sure the whole tea version of this one is quite pretty too.)Bigelow, Constant Comment - This black tea is great for a hot cup either with or without milk (I'm also not apposed to using cream.) or with lemon and honey. You can also make a great iced tea with Constant Comment, or even get creative and add fruit or syrups for extra flavor, I'd try peach or raspberry! Just follow the directions for seeping your own brew or iced or hot tea.Taylors of Harrogate teas can be purchased in the US on Amazon or at Whole Foods.Tea Pigs can be found online at www.teapigs.com and Amazon.Twinings & Bigelow can be found practically anywhere.

3/6/14 3/6/14

Blood Orange Mimosa

Last week I told you about buying some blood oranges from the market. They were amazing! Over the the weekend I was slicing some up for my son when I got to thinking that a blood orange mimosa would be perfect for an Easter brunch or when ever really. So I made myself one…But these oranges were so pretty, I couldn't stop photographing the fruit. Gosh, I'm so weird.To prepare a blood orange mimosa you'll need

Prosecco or other sparkling white wine (or champagne) well chilled.Juice from fresh blood oranges. I like mine with the pulp but if you don't then use a strainer.Sugar. If your oranges are on the tart side mix in a bit of sugar to taste. (optional)Orange liquer (optional)

Combine fresh blood orange juice with sugar and orange liqueur if you're using these ingredients. in a large measuring cup and stir to combine. To serve, pour the blood orange juice into the bottom of Champagne glasses until about half full, top off with Prosecco.

Enjoy!

11/3/13 11/3/13

NaNoWriMo, An "Illuminata" Prayer & Earl Grey "London Fog Latte" Recipe

Whew! The last two weeks of October feel like a daze! My husband was tasked for a surprise deployment and so he's off doing Air Force things and I was swamped with volunteer obligations, and making my boys Halloween costumes. I also had to help my younger son transform a cardboard box into a Police Car for his Kindergarten's Transportation parade that conveniently took place on Halloween. Last night my boys actually got to celebrate Halloween and show off their Minecraft costumes. They had a great time and their costumes garnered a lot of attention from kids and grownups a like so I was happy they were happy.I can not believe we're already three days into November and I've not written a single word for NaNoWriMo! My friend Michelle challenged me to write the 50,000 word goal in five days, yes it's absolutely insane but apparently there are a lot of us who are keen for the challenge, all you need do is Google, Five Day Novel (#50K5DAYS). I'm going to start that on Tuesday or Wednesday, but today I will be jumping into NaNoWriMo today! Yay!I cleared off my desk of all the crafting stuff that had accumulated and tidied up my office and I'm ready to go! I made myself a homemade London Fog Latte ( at Starbucks ask for the London Fog Latte, if you get a blank stare from your barista, simply ask for an Earl Grey Latte with a shot of vanilla syrup.) I've got my playlist cued and just recited this prayer I love by Marianne Williamson who in my opinion is a profound writer of prayers, via her book Illuminata: A Return to Prayer. This prayer speaks to me and I like to recite it before I begin writing as I've found it helps me relax and clear my mind of all the clutter. I thought I'd share it with you just in case you were feeling stressed out over the 50K word count goal!This prayer is listed as a "deliverance" prayer in Illuminata if you've got a copy and want to look it up for yourself.It reads:

Dear God,

Deliver me to my passion.Deliver me to my brilliance. Deliver me to my intelligence. Deliver me to my depth. Deliver me to my nobility. Deliver me to my beauty. Deliver me to my power to heal.Deliver me to You. Amen.

~Marriane Williamson

Happy Writing!

11/3/13 11/3/13

NaNoWriMo, An "Illuminata" Prayer & Earl Grey "London Fog Latte" Recipe

Dear God,

~Marriane Williamson

Happy Writing!