Bloody Mary Meatballs

I was situating myself with my Kindle in seat 32C (classic “easy out” aisle seat) on my recent trip to Berlin, when the flight assistant unveiled behind the curtains the path-to-the-bathroom-blocking drink cart.
As I was spying from behind my ebook, I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of people ordered tomato juice/Bloody Mary (including myself).
The old lady seated in front of me, a mom and her teenage daughter, even the hipster dude with handlebar moustache sitting next to me.
I never drink tomato juice/Bloody Mary at home, restaurants or bars. But when the flight assistant asks “What would you like to drink?”, rest assured there’s tomato juice to be had.

Creamy Tomato Soup + Cauliflower Crust Grilled Cheese

Eating soup in the summer is an act of defiance — especially during a heatwave.
I’m not talking about eating cold soups such as gazpacho or vichyssoise. I’ve never been a fan of gazpacho. It makes me wish I had tortilla chips while at the same wondering why I am eating salsa with a spoon.
I’m talking about hot soups what warm you from the inside out. Soups you crave when the wind is howling outside, snow is falling, and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket and a warming bowl of homemade soup.
But when outside it’s 95º and humid, with not even a hint of breeze, and clouds of mosquitoes hum looking for breakfast, eating hot soup means disobedience.
That’s the kind of rebel I am.

Wandering in Berlin

There are a lot of reasons why I fell in love with Berlin.
It’s a vibrant city, with an eclectic mix of culture, urban life and history, a legendary nightlife, a culinary scene that rivals NYC, and always something new interesting happening.
Berlin literally has it all: vibe, art, music, food, fun, endless possibilities.

Sesame-Soy Salmon with Ginger Honey Glaze

Today we have a new entry in the much-overlooked seafood category on this blog.
I know this didn’t get past most of you: That I personally don’t love fish (I mean, I’ve confessed it here and here). Still I won’t consider myself a fish-averse person, but normally I would never choose fish over steak. Never.
Sure, I’ve come around shrimp, tuna (but almost only canned, please; I have limitations) and I’ve been known to make some limited advances in the areas of sea bass, sole, and octopus.
But for the most part, my fish appreciation remains modest.
I’m not proud of it. Actually, it feels more like a failure. It irks me to not be able to rave about sushi like the rest of the world does. I fight it. I often succumb.

(Paleo) Very Berry Ice Cream

I wrote the last post while sitting in a café in Berlin, this time around I’m in the lounge in Munich airport waiting to board.
Like many, I have a love/hate relationship with airports. Now, I know many people have a hate/hate relationship, but I definitely can see more the benefits.
Take Munich airport for instance. It’s gorgeous. Most glass and an open design, there are stores and restaurants a plenty. There’s free unlimited Wi-Fi with a powerful signal (JFK when will you ever learn?) It also offers travellers armrest-free seating and quiet rest areas with reclining seats. Super comfy. What possibly could you want more?

Soy-Lime Chicken Bowls with Cilantro Lime Dressing

I’m typing this post while sitting in a café in Berlin.
It’s sunny outside and there’s even a light breeze. Though it's supposed to get very warm today (temperatures will rise to near 100 degrees), I'm enjoying the cool morning.
There are so many things I want to tell you about this wonderful city but I feel like it’s too early.
I’ll have a post dedicated to this vibrant city next week. Be patient.

Homemade (Paleo) Enchilada Sauce

Every time I make my primal enchilada casserole, I’m always amazed by how delish the sauce is.
Actually, it’s not really clear to me whether I make enchiladas only as an excuse to make the sauce (and eat it by the spoonful) or because I do enjoy enchiladas.
Which I do, I’m not denying that. But now that I’m thinking about it, what I really dig about enchiladas is the sauce.

Summer In Books

I like to read year round but quieter summer days mean I have few more spare moments to catch on my reading.
You can usually find me reading novels, but every now and again I try to spice in a little non fiction. I've noticed that when I do it's usually food related. Shocking right?
Anyways, I thought it might be fun to share a few books I've read recently, all of which will keep you happy and none of which will embarrass you if someone asks, “What’re you reading?”
All are available for Kindle, tablet, and should be out in paperback by now. They are in no particular order beyond the way I found them on my Kindle.

Raspberry Cocoa Smoothie

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people have strong opinions about the combination of fruit and chocolate.
I don’t judge, I mean, I have strong opinions about pretty much everything, such as the combination of chocolate and cayenne pepper (sometimes), whitefish salad sandwich (no thanks), pillow fight in Union Square (once is more than enough), and how many rounds of Candy Crush it is acceptable to play back-to-back (non-stop, what kind of question is that?)
What I’m saying here, is that pretty much the only thing I don’t have uncompromising views on is the combo of fruit and chocolate.

Cranberry Pistachio Light Chicken Salad

One of the many things that make my life worthwhile is shelling pistachios.
Seriously. It’s totally therapeutic for me.
Especially when I encounter one of those pesky ones that have only opened a tiny bit.
It’s like a challenge for me: ‘Stubborn pistachio’ v ‘Mike’.