Coq Au Vin Kebabs

We are now entering Julia Child's territory. So please be polite. Watch your manners. Say "please and thank you." Keep your poise. No.Matter.What. Behave like a guest. Don't sit unless you've been offered a seat. Don't drink unless your host is drinking too. Sit up in your chair, don’t slouch your shoulders and watch your posture. Don't put your elbows on the table. Eat with your mouth closed, don’t chew your food loudly and don’t slurp your drink. Refrain from drumming your fingers, jiggling your knee, and keep your hands away from your hair. Only engage in appropriate conversation and remember that it’s rude to talk about money.
Oh, almost forgot, dress appropriately. (Hey Grandma! See? You’ve taught me well.)

Spanish Skillet Potatoes

Today's recipe is pretty epic, so I decided that for once I should let the pictures speak...

Suggested Reading: Harvest

Sometimes you find a book that pulls you right in from the beginning, you want to sit down and read in one sitting.
Harvest is that kind of book.
When I find a book like that, I want to share it.

I

Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds are insanely hip and you know it.
I just needed to put that out there.
Just think about it for a moment. For more than 30 years chia seeds have been part of our lives, they have never abandoned us and we will not abandon them now.
First, there were Chia pets.
Who needed a puppy, kitten, goldfish, or even a genuine pedigreed Pet Rock when you could have a Chia Pet?
You've got my point.
Now, there are Chia people.
Everyone and anyone who wants to be hip nowadays eats Chia seeds. Including myself.
Because I’m the kind of person that jumps on the bandwagon of every health fad I hear about.
Nah...just kidding.

Thai Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon

I was at Urban Outfitters the other day when I heard a song that went something like "I know there's nothing to say, Someone has taken my place. When times go bad. When times go rough..."
I asked the store clerk (a typical 20-something Brooklyn hipster) about it and he was like “Dude, this is Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac!”
He even rolled his eyes as if to say “Have you been living under a rock or something?”
Geeeeeez…what is your problem man? Why are you making such a big deal?
First off, there is so much noise in your stupid store I could barely hear the music.
Secondly, I haven’t heard that song in years.
Thirdly, I could have shazamed it, but my phone has no reception in the shop.
R-E-L-A-X.

Pizza Sweet Potato Skins

You guys know that sweet potatoes have been ranked as the #1 most nutritious vegetable?
The Center for Science in the Public Interest compared the nutritional value of sweet potatoes to other vegetables. Considering fibre content, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium,  sweet potato ranked highest in nutritional value.
Yes, you read it right. Sweet potato is numero uno!
The orange-skinned root vegetable got 184 point, spinach 76, kale 55 and broccoli just 52.
Talking about crushing the competition...

Very Cherry Recovery Smoothie

If you’re a runner, a triathlete, a cross-fitter or just a gym-goer, you know there’s no shortage of new supplements and other products that claim to promote faster recovery.
Most of us have learned to ignore them, we just don’t believe it.
Speed of recovery is subjective and hard to measure. On top of that, the evidence is often pretty weak and even when it’s there, I tend to be skeptical.
Plus, supplements have weird/funny names. Few have catchy ones, but some are…well questionable at best.
Have you ever heard of “Green Bulge”? It’s a supplement for enhancing strength and performance. I’m dead serious, it exists.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it could very well be a good product, but the first time I saw it, I thought it was an arousal supplement for the Hulk.
What about those Boost-Punch-Burn-KaBoom-XXXL supplements? If we were to judge a book by its cover/name, I would say that those are the kind of product with side effects that would include growing a few limbs, glowing skin or turning you into a mutant.
Supplements are expensive too. 50 bucks for a tub of chemical stuff? No thanks.

Spiced Raw Chocolate Mousse

I bought The Kinfolk Table almost a year ago and still pull it out whenever I’m lacking inspiration.
It’s a special book, because it is not your modern day cookbook.
The pages do not go between recipe and food photos.
There are people (chefs, musicians, writers, editors, bakers) sharing their stories, their houses, their food, their ideas.
The recipes are all personal, effortless and approachable.
The kind of food that goes through people’s kitchen routinely, not recipes written with the sole intention of writing recipes.
Recipes perfect for small gatherings (as the book’s title suggests), celebrating why it can be so good to sit down at a table and share a simple meal with others.

Nasi Goreng-Style Cauliflower Fried Rice

I have come to be very suspicious of the phrase “even better than the real thing” when used in the context of food.Take for instance Cheez Whiz, Cool Whip, or that “I Can’t Believe It’s Not” thing.
When I hear people claiming that those products are just as good – or even better – than real cheese, whipped cream or butter, I’m like “Have you ever made a side by side comparison? No? Do it, then we can talk.”
My 9-year nephew used to say that instant mashed potatoes were “Awesome!”
That was until I made him the real mashed potatoes: with Yukon gold, milk, butter and cheese.
The moment he tasted it, he gave me the biggest smile ever and adieu instant stuff, there’s only place for real mashed potatoes in his life now.

Shawarma Chicken Bowls with Basil-Lemon Vinaigrette

Can we talk about the song ‘Rude’ by Magic! for a sec?
I can’t stop blasting it. It’s been love/hate since I've first heard it on the radio - less and less love as time goes by, but still.
I enjoy the pop-reggae sound and I kinda dig the lyrics - a man asking a father for permission to marry his daughter, yet winds up getting soundly rejected. Pretty original.
There are a couple of things bugging me about it though.
First off, do we (i.e., guys) still ask the girl’s father for permission to marry her?
I know some do, of course. But is it still common?
Take for instance my friend Rob. Before he asked his now fiancee to marry him, he first discussed it with his parents, then he went over to his fiancee's house so that he could get the permission from her parents, and then asked her. Exhausting.
I honestly thought what he did was the exception rather than the rule.
The way I see it is: the guy pops the question to the girl first, and then tell the parents, hoping for their blessing.
Am I completely off-base?

Sichuan Pepper Chicken with Tomato-Chili Jam

This jam you guys. So good. All I can say is YUM.
And the chicken, juicy and OMG so flavorful.
Let me introduce you to my new obsession: dunking pieces of sichuan pepper chicken into tomato-chili jam. BAM! Just like that.
I don’t know why I haven’t been making this over and over before. For real.
Can you just imagine it in your mouth right now? It’s soy sauce salty, Sichuan peppercorn tarty, tomato sugary, and chili pepper fiery all in one bite. IT’S SO AMAZING.

Raspberry Hibiscus Popsicles

When my mum first bought a popsicle mold, I was about 8 years old.
I got super excited and filled it with gummy bears and Sprite.
The coolest popsicles of all time, if you ask me.
Next, I ventured into making milk and Nesquik popsicles.
I honestly thought I had cracked the recipe for making chocolate. After all, chocolate is cocoa in solid form, right?
Sadly, my dreams were crushed the following day, when I discovered I had just made frozen chocolate flavored milk. Bummer.
Growing up, I stuck to making popsicles by pouring pink lemonade (created with or without powder) in the molds, letting them freeze and eating them outside so we didn’t sticky up the kitchen floor.

Beet, Carrot, Ginger and Apple Juice (The Pre-Workout Boost)

This is the story of how I started loving beet juice.
A crazy and dimwitted love story.
It begins with my extreme hatred for beets.
Even as a kid, I always LOVED my veggies, but beets were something I have never acquired a taste for.
Seriously, how can you acquire a taste for something that tastes like…ehm, dirt?
I lived a happy, healthy and beet-less life, until a bunch of British lads from the University of Exeter discovered that beetroot juice - being a natural source of nitrate - gives athletes some extra oomph.
Nitrate has basically two physiological effects.
Firstly, it widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure and allowing more blood flow. Secondly, it affects muscle tissue, reducing the amount of oxygen needed by muscles during activity.
The combined effects have a significant impact on performing physical tasks, whether it involves low-intensity or high-intensity effort.
In other words, beets have a similar effects of those disgusting nitric oxide supplements.
Drinking something natural and healthy instead of synthetic stuff? Too good to be true.
That was it for me. I needed to start liking beets, NOW!

SoCal Guacamole Burgers on Portobello Mushroom Buns

Yesterday I saw the movie Boyhood.
This is going to really date this post for future readers, but worth it. Because I have to talk about how once-in-a-lifetime and one-of-a-kind movie it was.
If you’re not familiar, Boyhood is a movie filmed over 12 years (from 2002 to 2014) with the same cast.
It’s a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason - with divorced parents and an older sister named Samantha - who literally grows up on screen before our eyes.
Boyhood depicts the rough terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and dating to birthdays and graduations. It’s all there.
The nearly three hours seemed like no time at all and I did not want the film to end.
Whether one is old or young, with or without children, and at whatever stage, the film grabs one deeply by being so quintessentially human.
Boyhood is profound and rich without trying to be. That’s why I loved every minute of it.
The intimacy, the emotion, it never once feels forced or heavy-handed.
I saw it last night and let it wash over me. It is still filling my mind and thoughts today.
It’s so beautiful, I can’t recommend it enough.

Huevos Al Plato

When I was a kid I loved to make my mom breakfast in bed on weekends. I would sit with her while she ate it.
I was inspired after reading Calvin & Hobbes comic strip, in which Calvin considers doing it for his mom. I thought, perhaps, I should do the same.
Breakfast in bed is one of the ultimate ways to pamper someone, and you don't need to be a master chef to make something delicious meal.
Dudes, if you don’t know this yet, girls love breakfast in bed.
Like they REALLY love it.

Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles) with Marinara Sauce

Every time I use the spiralizer I feel like a hero.
Same happens when I use the flashlight function on my smartphone, when I do handstand push-ups against the wall, or when I run into the subway as the doors are about to close.
But the spiralizer...the spiralizer is like the Superman’s cape in kitchen gadget form.
The first time I’ve tried it, I was blown away by how easy it is to use. I became hypnotized by the curly noodles spirals of veggies that came out.
I ransacked the fridge and spiralized just about everything that was large enough to fit onto the mechanism - big carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, rutabaga, parsnips, and of course my fingers (friendly reminder: it’s important to use a spiralizer safely...these things are SHARP!)
Creating noodles with raw vegetables has to be one of the coolest thing ever and yet, I haven’t posted a single recipe that calls for the use of a spiralizer on TIY.
Frankly because I thought that the spiralizer was a fairly uncommon kitchen gadget. Like the jalapeno corer, the corn kerneler or the bear paw meat handler forks (seriously, who owns those things?)

Blueberry Muffins (Vegan and Paleo)

There are things I find myself doing over and over again when I travel.
One is to pretend to pass off as a local.
So no maps, I only use Google maps on my phone. I walk with confidence, somehow implying I know where I’m heading to — even when I’m completely lost.
Yes, I might have a back-pack on my shoulders, but that’s because I carry a laptop and a couple of books. I have stuff to do in this city, you know?
The Yankees baseball cap I’m wearing? It’s a fashion thing.
And I’m aiming a camera and taking a gazillion pictures of things that a gazillion other people have taken a gazillion photos of, because I’m a postcard photographer, alright?
I.Am.Not.A.Tourist. Don’t you dare call me that!

Chipotle Honey-Glazed Chicken with Avocado Cream Sauce

"My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like
and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while ringing their bell loudly,
the concept of avoiding people being foreign to them."
Terry Prachett

For those who have visited Amsterdam, one thing probably struck you, like it did me (though I had heard all this before, seeing it is a whole other thing). The Dutch love riding bicycles — called ‘fietsen’, pronounced FEETS-un.
They ride them everywhere and often, whether rain or shine.
The city is filled with bike lanes too, so cars, trams, buses AND bikes can all share the road together.
Except that cars and traffic are the ones who yield and show care to bikes.
It’s amazing to come to an intersection on your bike and have the cars let you go even if they have the traffic light.
A shrill ‘brrriiingg’ of the bell, and you will have people leaping out of your way as you buzz past.

Mini Gouda-Stuffed Meatballs in Marinara Sauce + Friesland

Friesland! What a place.
I spent three days exploring the splendor of this Northern region of The Netherlands and it has been a fantastic experience.
As you may remember, I stayed at my sister’s mother-in-law’s house.
I have to figure out how to explain that Gerbrich (i.e., my sister's mother-in-law) is just a part of my extended family at this point. I know it may sounds awkward because most people don't know their siblings' in-laws; but to me, Gerbrich feels like family.
Can I just say? What a doll.

Frittata with Grated Zucchini, Goat Cheese and Dill

Hey guys, I'm in Holland!
YAY!
How cool is that?
I haven’t took any photos yet because, well, I got in last night.
But don’t worry, I'll show you so many pictures, you'll ask me to stop.
Today we’ll drive north, to Frisland, where we’ll visit my sister’s in-laws for a couple of days.
She said it’s worth going because it’s a beautiful place rich with natural beauty.
Old windmills, typical farmhouses, a vast system of canals and waterways, woods, dunes, marshes, and acres and acres and acres of crop fields and pastures.
Frisland is also home to the frisland cattle, a black and white sturdy and stocky cattle.
The cattles graze on fresh green pastures daily during the growing season and are given hay in the winter months. That’s it, no junk.
It doesn’t get more grass-fed, pastured, organic, GMO-free, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, than that.
Amazing dairy products, juicy meat. Yum!

Cauliflower Crust Mortadella and Cheese Panini

My man Chris over at Shared Appetite, erupts with ideas like Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Pinatubo or the ever famous Mt. Eyjafjallajökull, erupt with lava and ash.
[Especially the latter to be honest. When I think of Chris bursting with ideas for some reason my mind travels to Mt. Eyjafjallajökull. Just like that.]
No but for real, Chris does a million things. He’s a teacher, a blogger, a cook and recently he even opened his very own photography studio (Ashe Photography Studio). He’s cool, that’s why he’s in my wolf pack.
About a month ago, he ran the idea of doing a Chopped Cooking Challenge (bloggers edition) by David at Spiced Blog, Sean at Snack Fixation and myself.
He even created a super cheesy cool graphic to convince us to participate.

Eggplant Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats

“Nice” is a treacherous word.
I actually can’t think of any other word that expresses contentment and acceptance while also harboring subterranean shades of doubt and pessimism.
Let’s make some examples.
Introduce a significant other to your family, and ask your parents afterward what they thought, if they respond “Oh, she is nice”, then they didn’t like her, at all. I talk from experience.
Nice is what you say when you’re skeptical and hesitant but you don’t want to offend.
Let’s take a different scenario.
Say your girlfriend bought a new dress that she is wearing to your date tonight. She spent the last hour or so in the bathroom getting ready — and by the way, women of the world: What’s going on in the bathroom? 60 minutes or more to get prepped? Really?
Anyway, she is really proud of the dress and she feels like a model. When she asks “How do I look?” you enthusiastically answer “You look nice!”
Ouch! You’d better run for your life buddy. You have just released the KRAKEN and you'll not get out of there alive. I want you to know that, I talk from experience (again!)

Boston Market Dill Potato Wedges with Rosemary Aioli

The internet is still a pretty new phenomenon. Many people did not grow up with it. We are still learning how it works and what it means.
It allows anyone with a keyboard and an internet connection the ability to share their views and opinions with a large number of people quickly and inexpensively. It allows people to connect quickly with others who share their opinions all over the world.
Take this blog for example; my intention is to share what's going on in my kitchen and sometimes what's in my head (um, because why wouldn't you want to know it?)
Since I consider myself a healthy individual - who eats right and exercises - I like to think that the food I cook is actually pretty healthy.
Still, I'm far from thinking I know what's the best way to do anything or that I have all the answers.
First off, because I know that what’s healthy for me might not be healthy or even possible for someone else. Furthermore, because I hate to pontificate, pronounce, proscribe and to be considered a food extremist.
I don’t feel the need to go around on forums, other blogs comment sections or social networks, trying to be the healthy-eating police. Telling people what and how they should eat, because I know better.
I do not fantasize that 100000s of people are spellbound by my every word and I can elevate myself to a world-class expert.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup

Generally, I’m a friendly guy, but I’ve been told I look angry when I’m at the gym (even though I swear, I'm the nicest person ever.)
Part of me likes getting grumpy at the gym because it fuels a better workout. But what really happens is that I just put my ipod in, blast my own music, tune out and on focus do what I have to do.
For real, I’m not mad. I’m just concentrating.
I might have music in my ears, but I’m just rocking a playlist, not creating an invisible shield that says “Don’t talk to me!”
If you ever smile at me and say “Hi”, I will smile and say “Hi” back. I promise.

Fudgy Cocoa Avocado Ice-Cream (Paleo and Vegan)

Can ice cream save the world?
I think so.
Here are some facts to prove it.
For starters, have you ever seen a angry person eating ice cream? Of course not — unless it’s bad ice-cream.
When you dig into a scoop of good ice-cream, it's just impossible to be angry.
Ice-cream means joy, pleasure and contentment.
Whining kids? Just plug in the home ice-cream maker and turn all squabbles into a hug fest. Just imagine what would happened if ice-cream was served during Congress hearings. No more contentious public battles; only bargain and compromise. Politicians for sure wouldn’t be able to talk so much with their mouths full of ice-cream.
No more filibusters. Just a needed break to run to bathroom to (try to) remove ice-cream stains from their power suits.
Perhaps ice-cream might be the solution to end all world problems.
OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a tad, but there’s really a lot of awesomeness in ice-cream.

Avocado Stuffed Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten-Free)

Guys, I’m trying to grow an avocado tree from a seed.
I’m super pumped about it.
The other day, I ate an avocado, washed the pit and suspended the broad end down over a water-filled glass - using toothpicks. Put in a warm place out of direct sunlight. As per instructions.
I’m now waiting for the roots and stem sprout.
There’s a problem though, I'm horrible with plants. Seriously challenged.
Outdoor plants, indoor plants, annuals, perennials. I kill them off in record time.

Zucchini Chip, Mint and Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Parsley Dressing

Happy 4th of July folks!
I hope you’re having a safe and wonderful weekend.
The weather pretty much sucks here today, but my thoughts go to the people affected by hurricane Arthur in North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and Maryland.
Having to deal with a hurricane on a national holiday is one of the worst things that can happen. Instead of having a cookout, going to the beach or shooting fireworks with your loved ones, one has to take cover. And God only knows what a hurricane leaves behind.
I mean, seriously Arthur?
Don’t you have better things to do than being royal a pain in the neck?

Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers with Roasted Tomato Tahini Sauce

My favorite Pandora station is going berserk.
“Hip like a donkey” (that’s how I’ve named it) is no longer what it used to be. Sad.
I’ve been nurturing this indie-folk station for years. I have upvoted and downvoted songs. Added variety — Pixies, Fleet Foxes, Deer Tick, Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Lumineers; they’re are all there.
I really put some effort and took care of it like it was my dog or baby.
But over the last month or so, “Hip like a donkey” has been slowly becoming more and more rigid.
It doesn’t play any new song and I keep hearing the same tracks over and over.
The worst part is that they’re not even from current indie/folk artists.
It plays The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals. Great bands (arguably some of the greatest bands of all time) but where’s my Mumford&Sons or my Deer Tick? Arghhh!

Green Chopped Salad with Balsamic-Grilled Cherry Tomato Skewers

You guys, it's the Fourth of July this Friday!
Which means a long holiday weekend, family reunions, fireworks, parades, barbecues and having a vaguely (okay pretty) idea of what this holiday is about — in case you don’t know, Independence Day is the birthday of the US as a free and independent nation (just saying...)
But let's focus on what really matters for all Americans: cookouts.
We take pride in our barbecues, and we’re not afraid to admit it. Oh, how we love all things grilled!
We’re all looking forward to all out BBQ faves — burgers, hot dogs, grilled corn on the cob, chicken kabobs and potato salad. Just to name a few.
If you're hosting a BBQ or a party this weekend, you have to remember that a good host knows how to make every single guest at home.
It’s your job to ask if anyone coming over has certain dietary restriction, allergies or preferences (e.g., vegan)
Ask ahead of time and do your research.
Remember, you’re inviting people over to eat, so it’s important to make sure that everyone can eat.

It Feels Good To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”

You’ve probably seen hundreds of inspirational quotes - such as the one above from Brian Tracy - encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone, take on new risks and challenge yourself.
It’s (supposedly) good for you and may even lead to something big.
But is this always true?
Change takes effort, time, and courage too.
After all, the comfort zone is a space where our activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk. We’re “at home”, happy and relaxed.
The comfort zone is neither a good or bad thing; it’s more like a safe zone that we all need.
However, sometimes, it’s good to step out of it.

Chocolate Covered Coconut Bites (Paleo & Vegan)

From the outside, this blog may look effortless; it certainly isn't. I have a long and checkered past in the culinary disasters department.
Most of them start with the word PALEO and end with DESSERT.
Because sometimes trying to make healthy and paleo-friendly ingredients act (and taste) like evil sugar, wheat flour, etc. just doesn’t work. At all.
Each culinary disaster is such an “event” of epic proportions, I should start taking pictures and give it its own name.
But when a disaster actually occurs, I get so frustrated I want to scream. And I end up dumping everything in the trash as quickly as possible, pretending it never happened.
Deny, deny, deny! That’s my motto.

Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken

When it comes to barbecued chicken, dry, flavorless and hard to chew chicken my Grandma used to make, comes to mind.
Now, I’m not hating my Grandma (or her grilling skills), but I always thought that while she could made the best oven-roasted chicken ever, her bbq’d chicken was not-so-legendary.
So I don't know about your Grandma, but I'm pretty sure this juicy Spice Lime Chicken would have not been appreciated by my Granny.
Because - among other things - she would have never used lime for cooking.
She thought limes were only good in cocktails or with tequila. And good luck changing her mind — she was stubborn as a mule.
As to spices, though she wasn’t against them in general, she would always say that the heat competes or drowns out the flavors. Basically, a no.
In other words, she would have not digged this recipe. At all.
She would have been much happier with her dry, flavorless, chewy bbq chicken. God bless her soul.
But you instead - just like me - are not afraid of bold flavors and spicing things up when it comes to food. So when I present you with an awesome fiery marinade...you’re totally digging it. Right?

Creamy Greek Zucchini Patties (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

Today I’m going to keep things short because I’m still recovering from being sick this past weekend.
Saturday I woke up to the worst allergy I’ve had in my life so far. I was sneezing non-stop, and also had watery eyes and a cough – the latter two being new for me.
As the day wore on, it pretty much got worse, and my appetite also disappeared.
I should’ve taken that as a sign that something was wrong beyond just allergies, but it didn’t occur to me. I just assumed it was a side effect of the never-ending sneezing.

Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)

I have days when I’m hard on myself.
You know those days, when you feel that every decision you've been making is kinda bad.
I didn’t work out enough or I forgot the one item at the grocery store that I needed to buy or I ate way too much.
I usually start blaming myself...but then I remember that I'm so good all the time.
I eat healthy, I train like a mad dog, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I seldom stay out late. And I've been like this for almost my whole adult life.
I definitely need to give myself credit for what I do. And when I have one of those bad days, I should be more like "Whatever man, let it go!"

Roasted Tomato, Zucchini and Smoked Cheese Casserole

I love smoked cheese.
Well, more like I love anything that is smoked.
Give me some smoked pork ribs or some of that Italian smoked prosciutto called “speck”, and I’m one happy camper.
But my heart lies with smoked cheese. Smoked cheddar, smoked gouda or queso idiazabal get my motor running.
In fact, I seldom buy them because they are just too tempting. Once I start, I can't stop eating them.
When I was a kid, my sis had to wrestle the knife out of my hand or I’d happily eat the whole slab of smoked cheddar, piece by piece.
Sometimes I would even hide the piece of cheese in the refrigerator - under a head of lettuce or something - and deny any knowledge of how it got there - if my mum would later discover it.

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)

Every now and then, I have to give myself a pep-talk about snacking.
I’m big on snacking. I can’t help myself.
It’s mostly healthy snacks — such as a greenish juice around mid-morning, maybe some fruit during the afternoon, a protein smoothie after working out, or nibbling on dried fruit while watching TV at night.
Still, I should cut it down a little. Snacking is okay if it’s done in response to true hunger, but should never amount to mindless eating.
When I experience long intervals between meals, such as more than five hours - adding a snack might help deal with hunger, and ultimately make better choices at the next meal.
Along the same lines, after a kick-ass workout, a nutrient dense smoothie can help replenish the body of lost fluids, minerals and get rid of the starvation sensation.
I mean, we’ve all been there: you sit down for a meal at a restaurant so completely light-headed and starving that you don’t even remember eating the entire bread basket.
Or you’re so famished, the waiter doesn’t have to ask if you want the pie, because you’ve already gone ahead, and already ordered before you even ordered your meal.
But snacking just for the sake of snacking is a no no.

Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)

Are you guys pumped for the World Cup?
I’m literally buzzing.
The Opening Ceremony in Sao Paolo is today at 2pm, and then the focus will fall on Brazil as they get the World Cup underway against Croatia.
Afterwards the two biggest heavyweight fights of the first round arrive in short order: Spain against the Netherlands on Friday - a rematch of the final played in South Africa 4 years ago - and England against Italy on Saturday.
On Monday, the United States plays its first match, against Ghana.
Hurray!
One thing though before we proceed any further, are we going to refer to it as the Soccer World Cup? or the Football World Cup?
Football is the original name and the official name picked by the Int Federation.
FIFA -> Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
In the majority of Europe and the world it is officially known and called Football. But in the US and Australia (and a couple of other places), it’s called soccer.
So for the sake of simplicity can we all agree for once and call it just the World Cup?

Thai-Flavored Honey Glazed Chicken (with Sriracha Mayo)

This recipe was instigated by a Bikram yoga class last night.
To be precise, it popped into my head while I was doing Full Locust Pose (also known as Pūrṇaśalabhāsana).
And I hate that pose. With all of my heart.
In Full Locust, you‘re basically laying down onto the belly, with the forehead on the floor and arms out to the side like airplane wings. From there you should (or at least try to) lift your body off the floor: head, neck, shoulder, feet, legs and hold the pose for the 10 seconds (that - trust me - feel like a lifetime!)
I suck badly at this pose. So bad, I often wuss out.
To be honest, I suck at Bikram yoga altogether. That's why I love it. It’s very humbling.
After 5 years of practice I have improved. Bikram is completely therapeutic and it helps with all my pain and aches that are a result of an intense athletic life.
But I still have a long way to go.

Chocolate-Walnut Avocado Brownies (Paleo & Vegan)

“I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh [2x]
I stretched my hands out to the sky
We danced with monsters through the night
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh [2x]”
Sometimes I hear song and it sounds so perfect rhythmically or the lyrics are so good that it bores into my head and it doesn’t let go. There, stuck.
I keep playing it on my iPod over and over again, and I keep hearing it in my head.
Take for instance “Best Of My Day My Life” by American Authors (FIY, lyrics above).
A good song, not a great one.
Certainly not as epic as “Here Comes Your Man” by The Pixies.
Still good, good enough that the other day it attacked me and stuck inside my head for the whole day.
I went for a 10 miles run and I swear, it was the only song I played on the iPod for the whole 1 hour and 5 minutes it took me to complete the run.
The song lasts 3:14, meaning that I’ve played it about 20 times...I know...

Zucchini with Basil, Mint & Lemon

Sometimes you need something simple.
Like that one time when at a friend’s bbq party you ate something like 8 ribs, a couple of burgers and 100 honey glazed chicken thighs. No wonder afterwards the dog was trying to bite your calf, he no longer saw you as a human being but rather as a walking sirloin steak. Not like that happened to me or anything lol.
Any-hoo, as I was saying, sometimes you need something simple and also light, fresh and nutritious. Something that will make you feel less guilty for all the meat you engorged.
Behold people: enters zucchini with basil, mint & lemon.
This is quite an unusual side dish to serve at a barbecue — where the potato salad reigns supreme.
But trust me, success is guaranteed.
It’s terribly simple to make, and it’s fantastic because it’s a nice little side dish that goes great with barbecued meat or fish, but also with other things like mozzarella, goat’s cheese or cured meats.
It’s light, green, fresh and so delicious.

5 Napkin Meatballs with Rosemary Aioli

The Original 5 Napkin Burger is one of the best burgers in town. Period.
You don’t agree with me? Then bring it on...there’s nothing I like more than discussing what’s the best burger in town.
With my friend Kelly we can argue for hours about it. We are opinionated people, and this is especially true on the subject of burgers.
We have researched long and hard to find the best burger in town.
Some we love, some we like and some we don’t care at all.
Burger Joint at Le Meridien, Corner Bistro, Dram Shop, Black Iron, Burger & Barrel, Bill’s Burger, Shake Shack, are some of our fave.
But year after year, the 5 Napkin Burger still holds a place in our hearts (and stomachs!)

Simple Kofta Burgers

Breaking News: The sky is blue, it’s warm outside, we’re wearing shorts (and flip-flops) and grilling season is officially on.
Two weeks ago it was still cold and miserable. Now it starting to look like it’s going to be summer after all.
Who knew?
Summer and barbecue have always gone together, well, like summer and barbecue.
And when you've got hot coals going, it is a natural instinct to grill up some burgers.
The two go hand in hand, just like summer and barbecue.
If we were to apply the transitive property of equality: if summer means barbecue and barbecue means burger ⇒ then summer means burgers.
In other words, burgers are summer. Let me rephrase that, burgers are the epitome of summer.
Another breaking news, people. As you may have noticed, today I’m all about pulling rabbits out of the hat.
Any-hoo...beef, buffalo, turkey, veggies, tofu or salmon, having a burger is never more satisfying than when you make it yourself.
So in the unlikely event that you haven't fired up your grill yet, these juicy, delicious and simple kofta burgers are the perfect motivation to do it.

Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta with Blueberry Sauce

What part of the newspaper do you read first?
Not surprisingly, I read the sports section first.
I enjoy sports. I love doing sports. Probably I have an unhealthy passion for sports.
Football, tennis, athletics, soccer, basketball - not to mention triathlon - I pretty much want to know all about ut. Who’s doing good. Who’s doing O.K. Who’s doing bad.
After the sport section I usually go to the comics. The comics always amuse and relax me.
Which is a good state of mind to have before getting into the heavy stuff like World news, business, op-ed and all that kind of Jazz.
Let's talk about comics for a minute. I love - more like worship - Calvin and Hobbes.
It’s been my fave comic since I was 10 (i.e., since I was able to read and understand wittiness and humor!)

Chicken Shawarma with Lime Avocado Mayo

To be honest, this recipe should actually be called Shawarma-style chicken.
The real shawarma (i.e., how they actually make it in the Middle East) is spice-marinated sliced cuts of meat, like chicken, beef, goat, lamb, and sometimes turkey stacked and cooked on a vertical spit.
As the shawarma turns, the meat is cooked by a heat source that is located behind the actual spit.
What’s amazing is that the meat is basted in fat and its own juices.
Marinade + fat = awesome flavors.
Afterwards, the cooked meat slowly falls off or is shaved with a large knife; and it is either eaten on its own or tucked inside a pita, with tahini, garlic sauce, veggies and sometimes even french fries.
Legit.

The Best Eggplant Patties

Today I want to be obnoxious and snobby.
So I labeled these patties as “the best”.
To be honest, I always think it’s very pretentious to name a recipe “the best” of anything.
Best means “of the most excellent or desirable type or quality”; so who can actually claim that something they’ve made is the best?
Unless you’re Daniel Boulud or Ferran Adrià, then you probably can. Running a bunch of Michelin starred restaurant grants some of sort of authority in that department.
But for the rest of us - commoner cooks - it’s better to take a more understated approach.
Something can be good, amazing, awesome, mouthwatering, but the best? That’s too much.
However, sometimes you make something and you just knock it outta of the park. Just like that.
And there’s no better way to describe what you’ve just made than “the best!”
This situation here is sort of the best eggplant patties I’ve ever had . Like, ever. So here we are with this super pretentious recipe title. Sorry folks.

(Paleo) Caramel Sauce

It’s caramel time people.
I know it may sound a bit equivocal, here I am, presenting you with supposedly healthy recipes and talking about nutrition and then throwing in your face a recipe for caramel sauce.
But you see there’s caramel sauce made with loads of sugar, butter and heavy cream and then there’s caramel sauce made with coconut milk, honey and coconut oil. And it is, to put it mildly, amazeballs!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming that this Paleo version of caramel will make you healthier or increase your lifespan, but of one thing I’m sure: it will improve your mood dramatically.
Let’s say you feel like the biggest loser on the face of the earth, and want to hang your head in shame; you take a spoonful of this caramel sauce and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo: rainbows, unicorns and puppies.
Seriously, it is a known fact that happiness is one of the biggest keys to longevity, and this Paleo caramel sauce is guaranteed to make you happier, and generally more amazing. Trust.
To be honest, it is probably healthier too. No refined sugars, no dairy, just coconut milk, coconut oil and honey (or maple syrup) some of the best ingredients Mother Nature has to offer.