tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501440806578692772024-12-18T22:29:47.046-05:00Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-43536943804277137162012-10-30T09:53:00.003-04:002012-10-30T09:54:44.751-04:00

I made this smoothie with frozen bananas after googling "what to do with frozen bananas?". It works out really nicely because the cold bananas make the smoothie thick and icy without having to use ice cubes. To freeze the bananas, I cut them up into about 1/2" pieces and then put them in a tupperware in the freezer. It came out really well - YUM! Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie INGREDIENTS 1

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-46503677700146514112012-10-14T17:52:00.002-04:002012-10-14T17:52:36.522-04:00

This is one of my favorite things I've made in a while! I've never made brisket before, but have been having a red meat craving for a month and thought I'd give it a try. It was exactly what I wanted - so so juicy and tender and full of flavor. The recipe I adapted was Emeril's (thanks Dania!), but I made it in a slow cooker instead of the oven and simplified some of the steps and ingredients.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-42295945136385058492012-07-27T19:49:00.000-04:002012-07-27T19:50:56.788-04:00

Here's one to add to the short list of dinners P.J. and I both like! This was so quick to make, very healthy, and it really doesn't even need the rice. Honey-Soy Salmon with Mango and Kiwi Adapted from Cooking Light INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 3/4 pound salmon, cut into two fillets Cooking spray 1/4 of a mango,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-30221698687089137332012-06-10T21:16:00.002-04:002012-10-30T10:04:35.558-04:00

This flavorful tofu dish was a nice update to my regular tofu-vegetable-rice stir fry. The combination of the sugary glaze with a lot of lime juice and bitterness from the collard greens was really delicious. The technique of "dry frying" the tofu (pressing out all the water and letting it sizzle away on a frying pan) makes the tofu much firmer. I think I will do this with tofu from now on.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-84821415216632262772012-05-19T07:52:00.000-04:002012-06-13T14:31:03.432-04:00

The chef at my school makes bok choy with with a soy/ginger sauce that I love so I decided to try it at home with salmon and rice. The meal comes together in about half an hour. P.J. says he would order it in a restaurant every time if someone made it. Salmon with Bok Choy Adapted from Cooking Light INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup white rice, rinsed 3 tablespoons soy sauce  2

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-43504007632242300802012-04-21T14:19:00.001-04:002012-04-21T14:27:24.256-04:00

I had eggs benedict caprese when I was in Denver last summer with my cousins and it was SO delicious so it's been in my mind as something I'd like to try ever since. I was reminded when I saw this eggs benedict caprese recipe on pinterest, but then I realized how not very healthy eggs benedict (and hollondaise sauce) is. I woke up this morning and already had the ingredients on hand for this

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-36043182913507820022012-04-20T21:33:00.001-04:002012-04-21T11:45:47.149-04:00

Pizza Margherita is so quick and easy. Since there is very little skill or work involved, the pizza is just as good as the ingredients you can find. The freshest and best quality mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and pizza dough will make a big difference.  Even with very good ingredients, this pizza is still only about $10 or less. The basic method is to roll out the dough and bake it

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-32479846908675823002012-04-17T20:21:00.000-04:002012-04-17T20:21:01.617-04:00

I mostly made this recipe because I knew P.J. would like it, but I ended up really liking it too. I already had most of the ingredients so it was an inexpensive dinner, and pretty good for you too. Roasted broccoli roasts in the oven for about the same amount of time it takes for the chicken to cook (about 20 minutes). I happened to buy gluten free pretzels and they were really good, so this

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-39521130080336800832012-04-14T23:44:00.002-04:002012-04-17T20:21:59.933-04:00

This simple black bean and rice recipe comes together in the time it takes to cook the rice (20 minutes). Tastes even better the next day. Add cilantro and chopped radishes for extra flavor and garnish or keep it simple for a quick fix dinner. Cubin Black Beans and Rice Adapted from realsimple.com INGREDIENTS: 1 cup long-grain white rice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-71411062676512518992012-04-12T10:51:00.001-04:002012-04-12T10:52:44.932-04:00

I'm suddenly addicted to pinterest, which is where I found this recipe (thanks Laura Candeloro), originally from epicurious.com. I made some changes, and the result looks almost nothing like the photo from epicurious, but it was still very good. It's a little bit of work; took me about an hour of leisurely cooking. The good news is that all the steps can be done using just one large pan and one

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-87408248315095975402012-03-27T21:55:00.000-04:002012-03-27T21:55:58.768-04:00

These meatballs are delicious as a main course served over rice (as pictured) or speared with a toothpick and served as appetizers. They are made with 94% lean turkey meat and are deceivingly low in calories and fat. After the first bite, PJ made the face he only makes when he really likes something. Success! INGREDIENTS: Meatballs: 1/4 cup chopped onion (1/2 of a very small onion) 1 pound 94%

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-883292437426433922012-03-26T19:57:00.003-04:002012-03-26T20:03:43.899-04:00

While in Albany this weekend for Dania and Daniel Dobosz's wedding (yay!), I found one of the first cookbooks I ever owned. I think it was a gift from my mom from a Pampered Chef party. It's called The Pampered Chef: It's good for you. The notes in the margins reminded me of some of the recipes I learned to cook from, including an amazing "good for you" cappuccino cheesecake. I remember being

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-57518651499631817882012-03-19T17:25:00.004-04:002012-03-26T19:59:13.474-04:00

Vegetarian tacos with spring vegetables were great for welcoming the warm weather last night. The chopping takes a little bit of time, but you could use frozen corn if in a hurry. Start with the corn, onion, and garlic ready to go and then you can chop the rest while those are cooking. INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 2 cups fresh white or yellow corn kernels (cut from

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-75383815125626910032012-03-16T12:01:00.003-04:002012-04-21T11:46:40.472-04:00

In my short stint as a baker at Sullivan St. Bakery, I couldn't get enough of this potato pizza. I've been craving it long enough that I finally (somewhat resentfully) caved in and bought Jim Lahey's cookbook. Let's face it, he can cook. I wasn't able to get it as crispy as he does on the top, most likely because I couldn't wait the hours of soaking time to eat it, but I'd suggest following his

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-86232456856302655562012-03-16T11:49:00.003-04:002012-03-26T19:59:40.525-04:00

This quick and healthy weeknight supper has few ingredients but is surprisingly tasty. The confetti cut strips of swiss chard and kale blend in well with the spaghetti to make it easy to get a good bite. Cut and wash the greens while the pasta is cooking and this dish will come together in about 20 minutes. Omit the cheese and add some extra salt for a vegan version. Spaghetti With Garlicky

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-17147084470799227792012-01-29T10:20:00.001-05:002012-04-21T11:47:16.802-04:00

This is a nice white pizza for a weekday meal since it comes together quickly, and PJ can eat it because it has no red sauce. I've always avoided making home-made pizza because I have trouble with pizza dough, so this time I used store-bought and it was so much easier. If you have the knack for it, feel free to make your own dough! Pizza with Ricotta, Fennel, and Arugula Adapted from The

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-71503624183586124972011-12-28T11:09:00.001-05:002012-01-29T09:54:07.027-05:00

My husband, P.J., had an idea one evening as we sat and ate our all American, Family Guy style, starch-protein-vegetable divided plates. He stacked his salmon on top of the potatoes, topped it with spinach, and we drizzled some of the pan sauce from the salmon over the top. It was immediately elevated from a boring I-couldn't-think-of-anything-better-to-make-for-dinner dish to an eye-catching

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-85233070113636384152011-12-28T09:57:00.001-05:002011-12-28T10:32:41.755-05:00

My grandma Judy brings this vegetable soup to Passover each year as a vegetarian option for the soup course. She says it is Monet's own recipe, taken from the cooking journals he kept at Giverny. I'm imagining that Monet was inspired to grow his own vegetables in the beautiful gardens at Giverny for this classical but inventive soup. The soup bursts with an addictive sort of salty-sweet flavor

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-90226554050717988672011-01-09T15:19:00.001-05:002011-01-09T15:24:15.024-05:00

Here is a recipe for a staple lentil soup that is clean and simple, courtesy of my friend Eleonore.  This and the Split Pea Soup posted recently are her two regular soup choices and both are great recipes.  Both are simple, inexpensive, light, vegan, easy on the stomach, and freeze well.  In this recipe, the fresh lemon juice brings out the flavor of the lentils really nicely and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-85868183022826973382010-12-19T19:13:00.003-05:002010-12-19T19:15:40.044-05:00

This is a great sugar cookie recipe for Christmas cookies or other sugar cookies.  Pictured here are assorted Christmas cookies, Easter cookies, and cookies used as wedding favors.  They are all the same recipe, which is really simple, but it does require an investment of some equipment.  You will need:A rolling pinA silpat mat to roll the dough onCookie cuttersA piping set (tips,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-73377649247541986982010-12-13T19:28:00.001-05:002010-12-13T19:29:37.782-05:00

This is a friend's split pea soup recipe.  She eats very, very healthily but says that this is a recipe that even "regular people" like.  She encouraged me to taste it, and now it is one of my favorite soups.  I admit it doesn't sound or look as good as it tastes, but it really is an excellent soup.  It is healthy, tasty, easy to make, inexpensive, and it freezes well. I've

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-9794893800090387002010-12-12T12:25:00.002-05:002012-03-27T16:26:54.888-04:00

This rigatoni has everything that I love about pasta with cheese sauce.  The thick and creamy sauce fills the pasta and bursts out when you bite into it.  It is inexpensive, comforting, and is ready quickly.  But unlike macaroni and cheese, it can be made completely dairy free and since the sauce is made mostly from pureed squash instead of cheese, it is a much more balanced,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-65612877314792471692010-09-20T20:21:00.000-04:002010-09-20T20:21:52.413-04:00

My mom's chicken soup with matzo balls is a recipe you'll want to hold onto.  She's served it every year at Passover and Rosh Hashanah for as long as I can remember, and the whole family looks forward to eating it. As my mom says, it's a chore, but it'll be worth it!  And it's not difficult to make, it just takes time.  On day one, veggies and chicken are simmered for three hours

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-18821798818257333272010-09-19T16:30:00.000-04:002010-09-19T16:30:35.795-04:00

A slice of this ratatouille tart accompanied by some simply dressed greens makes a great brunch.  The combination of tomatoes, cheese, and crust are delicious (think pizza) and are sure to please a crowd.  When I made this i had extra filling which was delicious in an omelet the next day.  Savory tarts are really good with homemade crust, so if you have extra time don't shy away

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144080657869277.post-35388486564386692272010-08-15T23:09:00.001-04:002010-08-16T15:27:06.383-04:00

I was in Albany for my sister's Pre-Wedding Celebration this weekend so I didn't cook, but I thought I'd share this fish recipe that I made and photographed a while ago and never posted. It was such a fun weekend with lots of friends and family, and I learned that many of them read this blog!  Thanks readers!  My mom made a salmon dish with peach chutney this weekend (Yum!), which

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009574433914716866noreply@blogger.com4