tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19401403905036150842024-11-08T09:32:27.789-06:00a pescetarian's journey into exploring, tasting, and cooking for herself, family and friends. a culinary venture to making food that's healthier but also satisfies different palates.LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-1172942193255449042012-02-18T09:39:00.002-06:002012-02-18T09:39:13.338-06:00

i've been craving a lot of carbs lately and noticed this week that the bananas on the counter were becoming really ripe:  you know it's ready for pitching in the rubbish bin or baking when the skins get really, errr, black.  it's the best when bananas are this way, not necessarily for eating alone, but for baking or cooking.  i knew i would be baking something with

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-38636017627684870802012-02-14T14:01:00.001-06:002012-02-14T14:01:24.412-06:00

     hello cooking world!  i haven't been doing much cooking or baking (aside from my latest rendition of couscous on saturday for Dad's birthday lunch) while i've been out here in CaLi visiting family, so i apologize if the blog posts have been left wanting.  to remedy the situation (and send a hearty thank-you to bro D and in honor of valentine's day), i decided to

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-13226392167414524742012-02-11T11:46:00.001-06:002012-02-11T11:47:16.972-06:00

  in the recent past, i've grown quite fond of couscous, so i made some for Dad's birthday/Sabbath lunch today in Calif.  i used the recipe (vegetarian Couscous) i used last week for our 'paper potluck', except i made a few additions and subtractions to it: i added more mint and parsley to flavor it up i did not add the red pepper (because i had none) i used a mixture of craisins,

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-53563129319639003182012-02-07T22:27:00.000-06:002012-02-07T22:27:34.317-06:00

     craving a hearty meal for lunch, i wanted to make something quite filling.  instead of reaching for the typical bottle of Prego sauce that i'm quite fond of, i thought i'd go rogue: make my own marinara sauce.  from scratch.  this would be my first time and following more of my instincts (and what i've had left in the fridge) than a said recipe.  to

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-39245651210429599092012-02-07T21:36:00.002-06:002012-02-07T21:36:26.840-06:00

i know that i've posted some 'heavy' breakfasts in the past, but not all my breakfasts are that 'fanciful.'  sometimes it's better to make the 'best meal of the day' an easy and unpretentious affair.  this morning was just that:  whole grain waffles, almond butter, slices of a granny smith apple and cafe bustelo espresso with 1 tbs. of half & half.  quick to make, healthy

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-4038157896036996632012-02-06T15:32:00.000-06:002012-02-06T15:55:22.945-06:00

 one of the first things Mom ever taught me (besides how to say my prayers and try to not fight with my brothers) when i was at the tender age of 4, was to wrap lumpia, a Filipino appetizer, what most Americans call eggrolls.  for more than a quarter of a century, i've been making lumpia (or eggrolls).  as a family, we've made thousands

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-10010776837752607092012-02-06T12:37:00.002-06:002012-02-06T12:37:49.089-06:00

     this past weekend, my husband + i decided to throw our first potluck (see event happenings on 'PaPer Year' Potluck) held at our STL home to celebrate our first anniversary.  in lieu of gifts, we asked each of our guests to bring the recipe of their dish/dessert they would be contributing to the potluck; but some friends still brought cards and

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-27267499908320340952012-01-30T19:05:00.000-06:002012-01-30T19:06:41.327-06:00

i have a dirty love affair with quiche.  it's 'dirty' because i'd have quiche more often if i could...as long as it wouldn't add a few more pounds around my waistline or clog my arteries.  i'm a big fan of spinach and love mushrooms even more, so i was determined to create a recipe that would combine my love for vegetables and this pastry dish.  my vegetarian spinach mushroom

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-23866954927215857302012-01-30T07:59:00.000-06:002012-01-30T08:00:24.677-06:00

 starting the day with an early morning walk with the dogs and a healthy breakfast will prepare you for any busy day.  mondays are never my favorite since i always have errands, appointments or research for school to do.  so today, i thought i'd start out on the right foot with a favorite subject: food.  this morning, 'breaky' consisted of a veggie/fruit smoothie (

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-19477433777858564692012-01-27T08:35:00.002-06:002012-01-27T08:35:07.849-06:00

'father winter' has finally set into my bones.  the cold weather makes me want to stay home and cuddle-up with my loved ones...and, of course, bake + cook.  this past week, i set-out to find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe.  looking through my cookbooks, i found the EXACT one i was craving, in the Better Homes & Garden cookbook.  the same recipe can be found online

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-21266935036484619392012-01-25T09:30:00.000-06:002012-01-25T09:30:17.682-06:00

my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, hands-done.  i think it stems from childhood: Mom always made a big deal about making sure we kids had breakfast, regardless of what we were going to do that day; and she'd go big.  i mean, BIG.  a typical breakfast in our family that was a big treat growing-up was the fried eggs, rice, and ketchup.  or else, we'd have to 'settle' for

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-14982148128412343492012-01-23T15:23:00.000-06:002012-01-23T15:23:41.624-06:00

it's the start of another year and that means another round of new year's resolutions.  let's be honest:  these promises to society, work, our family, friends and ourselves can either be far-reaching dreams or tasks that we just don't seem to keep to beyond valentine's day.  i have a few of such resolutions of my own, but most are related to food.  figures. resolutions:

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-72486271088986496232012-01-23T00:03:00.000-06:002012-01-23T00:06:48.238-06:00

these are just a collection of pictures of projects + food from holidays past.  all were learning experiences and i cannot take credit for all projects (especially the gingerbread house) because M helped with the design and decorating. GingerBreaD HouSe ProJecT, Christmas 2010 don't worry:  didn't use that tube of glue pictured here as a newly engaged couple, M + i wanted to

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1940140390503615084.post-37439746837304529352012-01-22T22:29:00.000-06:002012-01-22T22:29:48.917-06:00

a typical lunch:  flash-fried cheese ravioli (store-bought), jicama + cucumber slices; spring salad mix, craisins, feta + poppy seed dressing   i love food.  but taste is paramount.  period.  being a pescetarian (a lacto-ovo vegetarian who eats fish) is not a 'palate handicap,' some might say.  i'm a firm believer that if it doesn't taste right, i

LizziE Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07304529988182951186noreply@blogger.com0