Hi – So I have been slacking when it comes to my blog but I think that is because I hadn’t quite decided where I was going. I THINK I have figured that out. I am still making new recipes, even carb-y ones, but I am re-working them, where necessary, to make them low carb because of my dietary changes. There are far too many wonderful recipes out there and I like the challenge. I am going to share what we eat, including the cheat days, eating out, etc. and I will also have links to the original recipes but notes on what changes I made. We’ll see how this works out!

I’m going to start with a bit of a catch up:

• The top picture is a great example of a Sunday Roast with the family. A Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil with shrimps, Andouille sausage, and a few potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and roasted lemons. While there are some carbs, this is a high protein meal packed with flavor and cooking it all on sheet pans (it took two for my family) made it super easy. My notes: I used less potatoes and corn (we are all watching our carbs), lots more Old Bay (we’re fans!), more shrimps (2 lbs. to compensate for less carbs), and I added the cut lemons to the pan to roast them and then squeezed over before serving. If you’ve never roasted lemons… try it… Oh So Good! This Sunday Roast was a huge hit!

• One of my favorite meals is Eggs Benedict, especially with smoked salmon (AKA Eggs Royale), but it is fairly carb-y thanks to the English muffins (41g of carbs – I’m allowed @30 in a MEAL!). Now I’ve been making it lower carb by serving on either asparagus or  spinach.

My notes: My Heart did not have to change his diet but he’s pretty much eating what I am making, he’s a good guy that way. The good thing – he is also fairly honest so if a dish doesn’t work, he tells me. The smoked salmon Benedict is a good example – it is a favorite, even with the veggie base.

• We ate tacos or some type of “Mexican” dish on a regular basis but tortillas are very carb-y (23g carbs in two – not bad but not really worth it). I have found that Taco salads are just as satisfying. The good part? I can also cook up some tortillas so my Heart can have tacos his way, if he wants. We also can have some variety thanks to the proteins including ground beef, ground turkey, shrimps, and fish, etc.

• I made this One Pan Roasted Lemon Pepper Salmon and Garlic Parmesan Asparagus for a weeknight dinner. A wonderful low-carb meal, my only tweaks to the original recipe was a little more lemon and mustard… otherwise I did the recipe exactly as written. This recipe proves you can have lots of flavor and be very satisfied  without lots of carbs.

• On the cheat side of things, sometimes I want pizza but it has to be really good pizza to be worth the carbs. This pizza absolutely fits the bill. The Gyro pizza from our local family-run pizzeria is a favorite – shaved gyro meat, red onions, feta cheese, fresh lettuce, and a creamy dressing all on a super thin and crispy crust is perfect cheat food!

• Another cheat day, sometimes you just want Chick-fil-A. A 12-count package of nuggets is just 14g of carbs, which is in my range for a meal, but what about the sides? The traditional side is the ever popular waffle fries but, obviously, that’s not a great side for me. I found out, for just about $1.50, I could get a side salad. Look at the size of that salad and the packet of Garlic & Herb Ranch dressing is just 2g of carbs. That’s a cheat WIN!

• I am frequently thankful that I am focused on watching carbs but don’t have to worry about fat (although I can’t go wild!). This Sunday Roast was fantastic. Steak with sautéed mushrooms, a Greek yogurt based horseradish sauce, lightly dressed salad (if you put the greens in a big bowl and drizzle just a little dressing (1-2 Tbsp) and mix thoroughly with tongs… you use far less dressing. Then add in whatever else you are putting into the salad!), and a delicious Summer Squash Gratin made for a perfect summer dinner. My notes: The gratin is another wonderful low-carb recipe with wonderful flavor, although I will work on making the sauce thicker, it was a little watery. I used a mandolin on the squash so it was super thin, which meant it didn’t need additional cooking. I might try sprinkling the squash with some salt, rinse and squeeze out excess water to see if that helps. Also, add some freshly ground pepper and salt, to your taste. If you can find it, USE the smoked gouda… it adds a ton of flavor!

• Simple sautéed shrimp (6g of carbs in 7) paired with Spinach and Mushroom Zoodles makes for a perfect low carb meal – very satisfying. I have figured out the key to zoodles… don’t overcook them. They 1. get mushy very easily and 2. release a ton of liquid, making whatever you are serving very watery. I throw away the seedy strands, because they hold the most water. I literally get everything ready, sauce, etc. and then drop in the zoodles and just toss them until they are tender, think al dente pasta. It makes all the difference. My Notes: This is an example of a recipe re-worked to reduce the carbs. It still needs a little work because the sauce doesn’t stick to zoodles the way it would to pasta. I used more ricotta and exchanged heavy cream for the pasta water. I need to thicken the sauce a bit more before adding in the zoodles and spinach (remember the veg will add some moisture) and more lemon zest. The flavors were perfect though – definitely a make-again!

• One of my favorite meals I haven’t had in forever… I found smoked pork chops (low in carbs), which have always been a favorite, but being able to pair it with a perfect Cauliflower Mac & Cheese was a treat. The cauliflower dish, which is just called mac & cheese for imagery sake and doesn’t actually contain any macaroni, is a perfect side dish, I don’t miss real mac & cheese in the least and just adding a lightly dressed salad made the meal complete and totally satisfying. The Cauliflower Mac & Cheese will definitely be in rotation for many meals. My notes: I have made this recipe a few times. The 2nd time was not as successful – I tried to double the recipe but it didn’t turn out as thick and creamy. My note to myself… Don’t Rush the recipe – make it the way it is written. My one change win? I crush up some Parmesan crisps (0 carbs!!!) and sprinkle over the top before baking. Lots of people top their mac & cheese with bread crumbs for crunch – the crisps work perfectly. Also, the last time I made this, I did it in an oven safe dutch oven and put the whole thing into the oven to bake – ONE PAN for a Win!!

Hope you get some ideas for how to make your meals lower carb!

So – Obviously I’ve been struggling with my blog lately. Too many things going on is the excuse with the move to the house, two weddings in one year, travel to England (for one of said weddings), etc. etc. etc. One other thing that happened. I had to get a new doctor as mine left the practice and then get a newer doctor because they decided to close the office I have been going to for 25-years, that is another story.  The first new doctor looked through my chart on our first visit and said, “You don’t seem to be doing managing your Diabetes very well.” “Ummm, What Diabetes?” It seems my A1C was going higher and higher. But, that said, the only thing my previous doctor had said to me was “We won’t use the D word, you are doing pretty good but you need to work on your diet and exercise.” It would seem that wasn’t the case and the fact that he wrote Diabetes during my last visit but didn’t say anything to ME, much less put me on meds or anything was, to say the least, vexing. The new doctor said that she would be in touch once she got my test results. She called me at home at 10:30 at night to say my A1C was serious (8.6) and that she was putting in a prescription for me to start the next day and she was also putting in a referral to a Diabetes counselor and a dietician. Also, she commented that I would obviously not be able to “control my disease through diet”… I’m sorry, you JUST met me and told me I have Type 2 Diabetes… you don’t know what I can or can’t do. I was annoyed and that is probably an understatement.

Upon returning from England, in early July, I went to the Diabetes counselor and the dietician. I was told I would be testing my blood, the levels I was looking for, etc. I had already started a fairly low dosage of Metformin, the common first drug for Type 2 Diabetes. I had lots of questions for the dietician as I wasn’t sure exactly what I needed to change. It seems the big culprit is Carbs. She told me to limit my carbs in a meal to 30-45g and limit my snacks to 15-20g and to try to keep on the LOW side of the goals. Also, most EVERYTHING has carbs – the only foods that don’t have carbs are things “with a face”, i.e. proteins. Potatoes, grains, rice, legumes, sugar all equal carbs. Vegetables that grow under the ground are higher in carbs, meaning carrots, etc. I have to say I am pretty offended that healthy things like beans and many veggies are high in carbs – that really does some damage to a lot of things we eat. She told me not to worry about fat but not to go crazy. She also said not to GRAZE during the day. If I am eating a snack, do it in 15-minutes. Grazing was definitely something I did during the day, nibbling on healthy things like nuts and dried fruit, etc. Also, I drink hard ciders because of being gluten-free… no more – they are nothing but sugar. What doesn’t have carbs? Distilled liquor like whiskey, vodka, and tequila. Good to know! (big smile) The session with the counselor and the dietician was great and I learned a lot. Now to put things into action.

First thing was to look at my daily diet to see where I was going wrong. Next up, removing as many carbs from our diet as possible while not punishing my Heart. As a cook, I know that good food is all about the flavors and often the mouth-feel. A little richness can go a long way with simple healthy food. The easiest carbs to remove? Those side dishes of potatoes, pasta, and rice but how to replace them with something equally yummy and textured. Bring on the cauliflower rice, roasted veg, etc. Difficult meals? Veggie Thursdays have been our vegetarian dinners each week, frequently with beans, rice… carbs! The first few weeks we had eggs of some sort every Thursday but I think I’ve made the decision to stop Veggie Thursdays – as my Heart said, “We are eating a LOT more vegetables so it’s probably ok.” (smile) The biggest problem is there aren’t many vegetarian proteins that aren’t carb-heavy, i.e. beans, tofu, etc.

Also, I couldn’t do this overnight. How to adjust meals we love and how to find meals that did what I needed but were still appetizing for my Heart and my family. And sometimes you have to be able to “cheat” and have the things you love. For me that means Asian food, pizza, Mexican food… all of which are fairly carb-heavy. What are good options? What are good alternatives? We eat out often – I don’t want to be one of those people who can’t enjoy a fine meal without dissecting it into something that doesn’t resemble what the chef created.

Here is my journey so far…

One of my Heart’s favorite childhood dishes – Salmon with parsley sauce on mashed potatoes. It should be canned salmon but I frequently do fresh salmon, seared in a pan and the big adjustment was having it on sautéed asparagus or spinach v. mashed potatoes. It totally worked and my Heart loved it.

I Love Poké – This is traditionally served on rice. I tried it without rice and it was perfectly fine… so delicious and my Heart didn’t miss the rice either. Another option is cauliflower rice, which we both really like.

Thursday’s have been Veggie Thursdays for the past few years. Finding out beans are nothing but carbs have made the options a lot more difficult. Frittatas and other egg dishes are the best options but that can get old, another reason we aren’t doing Veggie Thursday every week. That said, we still do enjoy those egg dishes adding a lightly dressed salad or spinach or arugula make the meal much more filling and satisfying.

Another favorite is Étouffée – another dish that is supposed to be served with rice. I still have to perfect the cauliflower rice but it works. Good texture and all the flavor is in the sauce.

There were definitely baby steps in the beginning. I really wanted that chicken teriyaki burger but I did trade the fries for broccoli, totally worth the carbs in the burger and I didn’t miss the fries at all !!! This is the reality of this being a lifestyle change and not a “diet”. If I am eating this way the rest of my life, I better still be able to eat the things I LOVE or I won’t keep it up!

Another thing I figured out – not to worry about the quantity of the protein as much… I needed to feel FULL and not hungry in an hour. I generally serve about double that amount of shrimp now, depending on the size. I might not eat all of them and I definitely don’t feel like snacking an hour or two later.

There are some meals that are still worth the carbs, although I am getting used to less carbs so this is less tempting. I now skip the rice and go for the super cheesy refried beans!

As I am adjusting my own meals, I also have to figure out how to make family meals, like Sunday Roast, that still satisfy my family. This meal – Roasted pork tenderloin, super simple Greek salad, and sautéed asparagus – was a Hit and no complaints about the lack of carbs, especially as my son and daughter-in-law also adopt a lower carb lifestyle.

Cravings, crazy days, things go pear-shaped. In other words, $h!t happens. The easiest and quickest foods are often fast food, which are neither healthy nor carb friendly but, sometimes, it’s what you want or have time for. My Heart travels a lot during certain times of the year which means I am on my own. My own schedule can mean several late evening meetings a week, also not conducive to making “dinner” when I get home at 8:30pm or later. What to do? I LOVE fried chicken, one of my guilty pleasures, but this time I did chicken tenders (look at the size of those and they are actual chicken breasts, boneless & skinless) with a side salad (vs. the fries I might usually have). Quick and a little indulgent but not off the charts.

Another favorite is pizza, which has ALL the carbs. I don’t waste carbs on bad pizza but, once in a while, pizza from the local pizzeria we love is worth every carb. Their veggie pie rocks and I can wax poetic about the lamb gyro pizza.

This dish was proof that I could still eat all the deliciousness without the carbs. Flounder stuffed spinach, ricotta, and parmesan and roasted cauliflower? Yes Please. So much richness and flavor and lots of texture in the cauliflower meant we didn’t miss any carbs.

I am a fan of stir-fry but what do you usually put it on? Rice or noodles. This homemade sesame chicken is served up on a sautéed cabbage blend that includes cabbage, broccoli, carrots, etc. So there are lots of flavors and textures with far less carbs!

Again, living low carb but not losing flavor is often about textures and good ingredients. Roasted asparagus is delicious, add a squeeze of lemon juice and some parmesan can make it a standout side. A little parmesan, a small handful of panko crumbs, and herbs on top of roasted salmon adds texture and crunch and can make it feel like there is a carb-y side.

Take-away Chinese food just needs judicious ordering – Egg Foo Yung is just veggies, eggs, and meat or shrimp. The BBQ pork is sweet, so a little high in carbs but I’m not eating any rice and the chicken with broccoli is not breaded so that helps. I’ve never been a fan of heavily breaded dishes so I’m not struggling too much.

For homemade Chinese dishes, like my favorite Mabo Tofu, again serving it on sautéed cabbage works to keep the carbs lower and I don’t really miss the rice. Also, one of my favorite dishes with leftover Mabo Tofu is ramen but I’m working on perfecting Zamen (ramen made with zoodles – zucchini noodles) which, is surprisingly satisfying.

I am still on this journey but more than 35 lbs. later, it is working. The last time they did my blood work, my A1C was at 5.7, which is the bottom measurement for PRE-Diabetes. I am hoping to be completely out of the Diabetes range at my next visit. I’m currently at a plateau for my weight so I’m analyzing how to get this going down again… coming into the summer might help as we eat more grilled dishes and salads, not to mention dancing at our favorite vineyard every Saturday.

I’m not sure where I’m going with my blog, although posting my meals each week might be a start as I adjust old favorite recipes to accommodate the changes in diet. Whatever happens, thanks for following my journey!  Maumi

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This dish is super simple and very satisfying. Definitely a do again for a chilly fall or spring night. I love that there are more and more recipes for chicken thighs, my favorite because they pack so much more flavor than white meat! The inspiration recipe: One-Pot Paprika Chicken Thighs – I almost followed the recipe.

Veggies:

• 1 large onion, chopped. The original recipe calls for finely chopped but I like being able to see and taste the onions so I did more of a rough chop
• 2c mushrooms (I used baby bella), chopped
• 1 lb potatoes (I used white potatoes), scrubbed and cut into 1″ chunks with the skin on. The original recipe called for a mix of red and white potatoes and, since the skin is on, that would probably make the dish pretty.
• 2c baby carrots. I left the majority whole but if there were some big ones in the bag, I cut them in half. You want everything to be bite-sized.

Smoked Paprika gives the distinct flavor and beautiful color to the dish. In a Ziplock bag combine 2 Tbsp smoked paprika, a sprinkle of salt (to taste – We are not big salt users so I use it sparingly but that is up to you) and a hearty grind of black pepper. Drop in the chicken thighs (I used five skinless, boneless thighs – The original recipe calls for 3lbs.), without crowding the bag, and shake lightly to coat each thigh – this can be done in batches if you have really large thighs.

In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the coated chicken and brown on all sides, approximately 2-minutes for each side, remember not to crowed the pan – do in batches, if necessary. Set aside.

Add to the hot pan, chopped garlic (I used ready-to-use jarred garlic, so about 2 heaping teaspoons but we are garlic fans so it is up to you!) and the chopped onions, stirring for 2-minutes to just soften.

Add in the mushrooms and sauté for another 2-minutes.

Add in the carrots and potatoes and sauté another five minutes, tossing everything together to coat with the seasoning. The color developing is fantastic. Sprinkle in 1Tbsp dried thyme (the original recipe calls for fresh thyme that is added toward the end of the cooking and I would do that next time if I have some available but the dried thyme worked just fine).

Whisk 2 Tbsp of flour (I used gluten-free) into 3/4c dry white wine (I used a Boordy Vineyards Chardonnay – a favorite which means we also drank it with dinner). Remember – don’t buy “cooking wine” at the grocery store… it is just salt. Use wine you can / would DRINK. It doesn’t haven’t to be $20 a bottle but it also shouldn’t be the very cheapest.

Gradually pour the flour / wine mixture into the vegetables and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add in 1 1/4c chicken broth (I use non-fat, low sodium boxed chicken broth) and a little more freshly ground black pepper and combine.

Return the chicken to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover and bring the pan down to medium-low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, approximately 30-minutes.

It is a beautiful dish and the smell of the garlic, paprika, wine, thyme, and chicken fills the kitchen with anticipation.

I served this over white rice but I’m not sure the rice was really needed – it was pretty hearty and filling on its own. My Heart suggested a grainier rice for more texture, maybe a combination rice with barley and wild rice. It would also be an easy dish to double for a bigger family dinner or company.

So… I’ve been gone for a while and the above picture is why. We Bought A House. It is a funny little house known as a 4×4 here in Baltimore. The house is actually square with funny “square” rooms, lots of windows, and other peculiarities. It is 120 years old (built in 1896) and may be, according to the neighbors, one of the early Sears & Roebuck catalog houses. It has definitely needed some renovation, which started before we moved in and is still continuing. This really isn’t an excuse for not blogging and yet it is. Now… the good part is that we have had friends over and they have all commented on how it looks like we’ve been living here for “years” – that must mean we have done a good job settling in. Of course, there were also the holidays, ski season (brief thought it was), miscellaneous illness including pneumonia on my part, etc. AND… after you’ve been away for a while – how to you get started again?

Now, back to our new Home – Just as a reminder, THIS was our old kitchen in our apartment, which was less than 700-sq. ft. Tiny is an understatement and there were really only two counter tops, one of which was generally covered with things that had no other place to live in the kitchen.

I am not sure I can do justice to the amazingness that is my new kitchen. It is huge, OK… in comparison at least. Oodles of counter space, lots of storage and drawers, windows, and a usable dishwasher (I stored plastic containers in the apt dishwasher, which was literally 1/2 the size of a traditional dishwasher).

See the brick? That is actually original. We even have a coffee / tea station that is very convenient. We purchased an electric kettle, which means a kettle is not taking up space on the stove (remember my Heart is English, which means Lots of Tea during the cooler months), and there is a wooden holder for spoons (and also kitchen scissors and markers, so they are very convenient but not in the way), a sugar bowl, and a small mug tree. It is really the simple things in life that can bring joy.

Because of the shape and size of the kitchen, the fridge is special, rather tall and skinny, but still bigger than what we had in the apartment so no complaints

There is a side counter which has become a bit of a catch-all for mail, etc. but that keeps things off the rest of the counters and, with the cabinets below, will make a proper bar when we entertain as most of the adult beverages are stored there. There is even a drawer dedicated to wine openers, shakers, etc. (The wine is stored in the wine cellar – grin!) and a proper junk drawer with the necessary tape, glue, misc. tools, and whatever.

See… More Windows and a backdoor to the little deck (which will someday be a BIG deck, at least if my Heart can make his vision a reality) which also has a beautiful 4′ herb garden hanging off of it and easy access to the garage, making unloading in groceries very easy. I can’t express how exciting it is to have herbs literally right out the back door.

It is sort of a long kitchen so I was wishing for an island or something where people could sit when I am cooking – kitchens are often where people congregate. We started working on plans when my Heart found a good sized piece of marble in the basement (there were actually three – one large and two smaller… we have no idea why). He bought a small storage cabinet and mounted the marble on top and it is perfect. There is a single stool so someone can perch there, the storage unit gave me a great place for things like onions and potatoes and those weird things that you don’t necessarily want cluttering up key shelves and drawers, like napkins and dishtowels, and also odd shaped things, like a big colander, etc. The best thing, though, is that this is actual marble, which is perfect for rolling out dough. My Heart is the baker, although I am thinking about trying my hand now that I have a decent kitchen, and he is loving this little counter.

The other amazing thing my Heart did was put together this beautiful pantry including a motion-sensor light strip to illuminate everything perfectly. Few things make me happier than a well organized and stocked pantry and this one totally fits the bill.

I do have to show off the rest of the house, at least the first floor. The entryway is huge, we joke that our living room would be dramatically bigger if not for this room. The wardrobe was supposed to go in my closet / dressing room upstairs (there are closets in three of the rooms but they are small and odd and my Heart actually takes up ALL of them so I have the smaller room without a closet for my room) but… it wouldn’t go up the stairs. It turns out it is perfect in the entryway because there is no coat closet on the first floor so now we have somewhere for coats, shoes, gloves & scarves and such. And another wardrobe was bought and put together IN my dressing room, which is where it will stay since we can’t get it downstairs without deconstructing it.

The other side of the entryway and the stairwell leading up to the 2nd floor. The floors are original and are in wonderful shape. That open wall was perfect for the Christmas tree.

I love the pictures on the stairwell. Family pictures and we didn’t re-frame them so they also represent the time (era) they were taken. We have room to add to the wall as our kids marry and start having kids of their own!

This is the living room. We were very lucky with the existing paint – lots of soothing shades of green. Across from the couch is a TV. It isn’t a big room but is very cozy and works well. When we’ve had more people over than all fit on the couch, there is space to move in dining room chairs for sitting and there is a single chair in each of the open corners as well.

I have to admit that the dining room is one of my favorite rooms. I was concerned about melding my Heart’s “modern” style with the antiques I had in storage from my family’s home but everything went together quite well. His shelving unit fit absolutely perfectly in the nook area and has his stereo, record player, etc. and all of our records and CDs. My grandmother’s corner hutch was also a perfect fit. The cabinets hold a bit of my things and a bit of his things, many of which he never had on display before. The room also has pictures from both of our collections. It is such a wonderful blending of things we both love, it makes me happy every time I look in the room. We purchased a dining room set that can easily seat eight and we do eat dinner at the table every night, something we never did in the apartment.

The other thing I love is the location. We are conveniently close to the highway, only @15 minutes away from my work, and are walking distance from a grocery store, our new favorite Italian restaurant, a liquor store, gas station, Chinese takeaway… well, you get the picture but… THIS is the view out our back door. It truly feels like we live in the country and I know I will never tire of this view, during any season.

There are still lots of things that need tweaking and fixing and my Heart starts random projects, which makes him tremendously happy, but we are loving having space and the ability to entertain. We both feel very At Home!

Two things I Love – First, I Green Chili things. Chili Verde with pork is one of my favorite dishes ever. Also… enchiladas, especially homemade. You can literally put anything in enchiladas and they are good. They can be super creamy and deliciously rich, they can be light and healthy, they can have pork, chicken, seafood. The options are limitless – what’s not to love?

I do admit to using pre-made enchilada sauce, especially for a quick meal, but making my own is on the To DO list once I have an actual full-sized kitchen with more than one counter.

In the past, I have heated the enchilada sauce but have also found that it isn’t always necessary. The choice is up to you.

Lightly oil a casserole dish and pour in enough enchilada sauce to cover the bottom. Pre-heat your oven to 350-degrees F.

For these enchiladas I used store-made rotisserie chicken. Again, a simple step for a quick meal. Those rotisserie chickens can be used for innumerable dishes – not over expensive and so time-saving!

Add in 1/4-1/2c green salsa and, if you like your salsa hot, this Mrs. Renfro’s is hot hot hot.

2-cups of shredded Mexican mixture cheese. The amount of cheese and type of cheese is totally up to you. Pepper Jack works, as does sharp cheddar.

Combine thoroughly. At this point you could also add in some diced green chilies and even some diced raw onion and peppers, if you want some crunch and color.

I use corn tortillas because I try to eat gluten-free. Using corn tortillas can be very frustrating because they break up easily. The way around this? In a griddle pan, lightly toast the tortillas on each side, no oil is needed – this makes the tortillas much more pliable.

Put a heaping scoop of the chicken mixture in the middle of a toasted tortilla,

Carefully roll up and place in the casserole that already has some enchilada sauce in the bottom, seam side down.

Pour over the remaining enchilada sauce.

Sprinkle on another cup+ of shredded Mexican blend cheese. The amount is up to you – we like them cheesy !

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30-minutes, until lightly browned on the edges and bubbling. Let sit for 10-minutes to settle, that makes serving much easier.

Serve up! I’ve added a little of the salsa on top. Sometimes I’ve topped with some fresh pico de gallo or other types of salsa, or even a few slices of avocado and a squirt of lime juice, the choice is yours.

Enchiladas are a great, quick and easy meal that can use almost any leftovers you have on hand. Use your imagination!

I’ve been wanting to make Poké for a long time but you have to be able to get sushi-grade fish and that isn’t the easiest thing sometimes, as not all grocery stores carry it. Just a reminder – It MUST be Sushi-grade. This means that the fish is safe to eat raw. I only buy sushi-grade fish at our local Asian markets, although I would probably trust our local Wegmans as well. During my staycation last week, I had the perfect opportunity to have one of my favorite lunches, Haemul Sundubu Jjigae, at one of the local Asian markets and then pick up what I needed for the Poke Bowl. The inspirational recipe: Poké Bowl.

Sadly, they did not have tuna but the salmon looked perfect and I wasn’t feeling inclined to search the other Asian markets as it would mean leaving the raw fish in a hot car, some how that sounded like a bad plan.

This recipe is incredibly easy. Cube the raw fish,  I made the cubes fairly substantial but still small enough that we could also scoop up some rice and topping(s) into a single perfect bite.

As I was preparing the Poké, I also started the rice cooker with a combination of Asian short grain rice (1c) and a 15-grain rice mixture (1c) that my kids like to make. I didn’t really like this rice combo at first, it is more common in Korean cuisine, but it has really grown on me and my Heart loves the textures. It also makes the final rice a pretty purple color.

Poke is all about the fish but the fish is enhanced by the sauce. Finely chop three green onions including some of the green and sprinkle over the fish. The inspirational recipe only did two green onions but it also called for 1/4 Maui onion, my Heart isn’t a huge fan of raw onions so I skipped the onion (also, we can’t get Maui onions here but a Visalia onion would probably work). The inspirational recipe also included Fukui Nut (candlenut), which I couldn’t find, and toasted white and black sesame seeds, which I left out because one of the topping I was using contains both.

Combine: 1/3 c reduced sodium soy sauce (or Tamari, to make the dish gluten-free), 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar and pour over the fish and mix thoroughly.

Let the fish marinate in the sauce while the rice finishes cooking and you prep your choice of toppings. One thing I find very attractive about Poké is that each bowl can be very personal based on the toppings which just makes this fun.

The inspirational recipe recommended the following topping ideas:

Avocado, Edamame, cucumber, Masago (fish eggs), seaweed salad, shredded nori seaweed, Furikake, Gari (pickled sushi ginger), and Wasabi.

I used cucumber (peeled, seeded, and chopped), to add a lovely crunch and brightness, avocado (chopped), adding a buttery texture, and Furikake. The furikake that I used is a combination of white and black sesame seeds and shredded nori.

Scoop some of the cooked rice into the serving bowls (I used a relatively wide, low bowl so I could spread out the rice and the Poké) and let cool slightly then pile on the Poké and the toppings, per each person’s taste. I did add a little sriracha to my Poke because I love that bit of heat. I then tired everything together but my Heart composed each of his bites. This dish received a giant thumbs up – we’re definitely having this again very soon!

Notes:

• I will definitely try to get tuna and salmon next time – the presentation with the two fishes plus the texture / taste difference make it very appetizing.
• I will look more thoroughly for the candlenut but I don’t remember ever seeing it in our Asian markets so I am thinking that toasted slivered almonds might work, at least for texture.
• I meant to get some shelled Edamame, which I love and will add even more texture.
• I might also pick up some picked sushi ginger, adding color and texture plus… we really love it !

As I said in past posts, the problem with traveling is finding places you really love that are too far from home to visit often. The Cornucopia Café is definitely one of those. We come to Grantsville, MD once a year for our friend’s Cinderblocks event. Grantsville isn’t huge and it is a little in the middle of nowhere Maryland but they have some lovely little shops and restaurants. My Heart is always registers for the conference and I get to take the days to wander.

We left home very early (read Dawn!) so we arrived before check-in and decided to grab some breakfast and definitely needed some coffee. The Cornucopia Café is right next to the conference location so we thought we would check it out.

First – the coffee was delicious and the breakfast menu had some great options.

I settled on the egg, ham, and cheese (Thinly sliced ham, local farm egg and Swiss cheese on toasty ciabatta) with a side of cheese grits (I LOVE cheese grits).

My Heart went with the Breakfast Burrito (Scrambled local eggs, shredded Monterey Jack. sofrito black beans, green chiles, and avocado in a warm flour tortilla with a side of salsa), always his first choice. It was huge and super flavorful.

So one of the things that we really enjoyed about this restaurant, besides good food and coffee, was the service. Everyone was super friendly and helpful with great suggestions.  Also, it is adorable.

There is a rustic barn feel that doesn’t seem tacky or kitchy. Great detail with lots of open space and it backed up on basically a field so you feel very much in the country.

Once my Heart finished the day’s sessions, we had some time before the evening’s activities (which I was able to attend, as well) but we had a big country lunch (including fried chicken and fried fish) so we just wanted nibbles and some libations.

This visit was just the like morning visit – the service was outstanding, a very friendly waitress who gave us good advice on adult beverages and nibbles.

We started with the warm olives and nuts (olives tossed with olive oil, oregano, garlic, lemon juice and crushed red pepper, served with thyme roasted Marcona almonds). I don’t remember having warm olives before – they are Delicious! and I love marcona almonds.

Next up: Salmon Crostini (Lox and Boursin herbed cheese layered on five crispy crostini). Very simple but lovely and those were some significant pieces of salmon. Definitely something I will recreate.

And finally, my favorite, the Chicken Liver Paté (topped with local DeBerry Farms Pepper Jelly and served with crostini). And interesting combination that totally worked, the slightly spicy sweetness of the pepper jelly cuts a bit of the richness of the Paté in a perfect way. The Paté was delicious and we were close to licking the little container, it was so good. Now – to put this into perspective, my Heart makes his own Paté and it is delicious so we know good when we find it and this was excellent.  The other thing? These crostini were So Good!  Super crisp and buttery with a sprinkling of black pepper and herbs. I bought two bags to take home and, if this place was local, I would buy them weekly.

We will definitely be back to the Cornucopia Café and I know that there will be mornings when I wake up wishing we could grab breakfast there or evenings when some good beer / cider would be perfect with that Paté. If you are ever heading to western Maryland and are going past Grantsville – stop and check it out.

It is that time of year, that time when you have to use your vacation time or you risk losing the hours so I am using those hours for a couple Staycations in June. I figured out just a little bit ago that if I just hang out at home doing home stuff for the week it doesn’t actually give me relaxation – instead I start to hermit. During the last holiday break I made it a goal to get out every day to DO something… get some steps, go somewhere, treat myself to lunch, etc.and I found that I felt much more rested and ready to get back to work so I’ve made the same goals for these Staycations. Today’s adventure involved some steps and being outdoors with my camera, something I really enjoy.

The weather was perfect, sunny and in the low 70’s at 10am so I drove over to the Torrey C. Brown Trail, aka the NCR Trail, for a wander. It was absolutely beautiful.

I thought about bringing my headphones but I really like the peaceful noise of nature.

The wind blowing through the leaves, bird calls,  and the occasional sound of critters skittering through the undergrowth.

Sometimes I would come around a corner to a surprise.

Like a Lime Kiln from the 1800’s…

or a bridge crossing a small river flowing through the woods…

or a bench in memorial to someone who loved the trail.

There are historical markers on the trail also.

There was even a spot where I could walk down to the water.

There must be fish as there were baby fish in the sunbeams. (see that little black “shadow”)

The honeysuckle were everywhere – so beautiful and sweet smelling.

There were lots of bees partaking.

There were berries ripening as well – wild blackberries, strawberries, and others.

I came upon a bridge, too.

Sort of a pretty bridge.

My daughter, on her walks to and from work at the NIH (The National Institutes of Heath), often comments that she can’t believe people don’t stop to watch the bunnies and deer that are so common on the NIH grounds. I thought of her when I stopped to look around and saw this little squirrel tucked away. It was being very still and quiet and felt safe – it didn’t move and just waited for me to move on. I also love my camera because I was able to catch this shot without scaring it.

I kept trying to capture a shot of this butterfly but there was just too much pollen available for it to stay still for long. This was the best I could do.

As I wandered, I shared the trail with other walkers, and runners, and cyclists. All ages… people in shorts and t-shirts just cruising and enjoying the day… people in lycra and UnderArmour with ear buds, kicking up some dust… moms running with little ones in strollers… families sharing nature with kids… you name it. Some nodded as they passed me, some said “HI” or waved, and one little girl asked if I was having a nice walk, which was adorable.

It was a good start to my Staycation – I got 10,000+ steps, fresh air, and some quality nature time.

I love brunch and my Heart rocks the Yelp. This was our last morning in Salt Lake City before heading up to Park City for his conference and the rest of our visit. It was tempting to go back to one of the places we had already tried but we’re always up for a new adventure.

First – Pig and a Jelly Jar is adorable. It’s a little place, very cozy and very bright. The pigs around the room are very fun. There was outside seating as well.

A tiny spot so there was a wait but it was so worth it!!

The “jelly” in “Pig and a Jelly Jar” is actual jelly. The varieties for our visit were: Strawberry & Coconut and Blueberry Lavender. This means we had to have toast and jam. The strawberry was nice but the blueberry was amazing.The lavender wasn’t really a “taste” as much as it was sensation. Definitely my favorite!

And, life is short – might as well start with dessert. Not the best beignets ($5) I’ve ever had but still tasty and they came with that delicious blueberry jelly. I’m becoming a fan of dessert for a starter!

Next up – the Pig!

My Heart had the Pork Belly Cajun Benedict: braised pork belly, two poached eggs, sour dough rounds, beans, kale, spicy creole sauce ($12). The pork belly was tender, definitely not those fatty blobs of pork you sometimes get. There was great heat and flavor and, obviously, it was a plateful.

I was drawn to the Kitchen Sink Scramble: sausage, bacon, tomato, caramelized onions, peppers, kale, provolone, Bloody Mary salsa ($9) in part because of the sausage AND bacon but really… Bloody Mary salsa! Absolutely a breakfast I am re-creating at home.

This was another spot that I know I’ll wish we could go to for breakfast – which is always a problem when you travel… waking up at home and thinking, “I wish I could go to ___ for breakfast / lunch / dinner”.

BBQ – First a little background… My first husband was in the Navy which means we lived all over the country (and also in Japan for 3-years). Also, I grew up in California and spent lots of time in Nevada. I’ve driven cross country three times and never the same way – Once basically Route 66, across the center of the country, etc. That said… I Love BBQ and I’ve had it all over the country – Southern including Florida, the Carolinas, and Virginia, Texas, the midwest, west, etc. Frankly, they are all uniquely different and are also ALL wonderful. Sadly, there is nowhere “close by” that we love. Famous Dave’s is OK but it is a chain and we prefer small family places and there are a few places that people rave about but we just haven’t been wow’d and none are close enough to be worth the trip or their hours don’t mesh with ours, i.e. they aren’t open on Sundays or they close super early. Our favorite has been Chubby’s Barbecue, and it’s funny I haven’t done a review, and it definitely isn’t “close by” at about an hour away but the food is good and they have excellent sides. There was a BBQ place in Finksburg (15-minutes away) but the hours never quite worked with ours so we never tried it but we heard a NEW place opened in the same spot and our favorite bartender gave rave reviews so we had to give it a try. The meals reviewed are from three different visits to Pig ‘n a Poke.

Our first visit – our friend recommended trying the ribs but said to get them “dry” with sauce on the side – Good Call. The only real criticism we have is that they haven’t quite perfected their sauce.  There are two options, a red bbq sauce and a mustard-style bbq sauce. The sauces aren’t very thick and, while the flavors are pretty good, they  don’t wow (We love Chubby’s choices). Also, I would recommend combining both sauces for more depth of flavor.

But… the ribs were fantastic. The rub is tasty and the ribs were super meaty, moist, and tender. We order a full rack ($19) and shared… it was more than enough for the two of us with the additional sides. I had the green beans, which were cooked southern-style, with bacon and simmered to “nothing”. And my Heart had the baked beans, which had all the right amounts of sweet and heat. Fresh hand-cut fries finished out a good meal.

Our next visit – I had seen the sandwiches on our last trip and knew exactly what I wanted. Apparently the way that Maryland does pit barbecue is unique and pit beef, ham, pork, and turkey are a staple at Maryland BBQ joints. I had a craving for ham ($7.50) and wasn’t at all disappointed. The Pit Ham was flavorful and cooked perfectly and piled HIGH on the potato roll with the condiments of my choice. It was also nice to see new sides added to the menu, especially one of my favorites – Collard Greens. The greens were tender and had just a little vinegar tang, they were cooked the way I would make them at home. Also, the fact that I could choose the Maryland crab soup as one of my sides… fantastic. If you have never had Maryland crab soup, you should try it. A tomato based soup filled with vegetables and, hopefully, chunks of blue crab, and Old Bay plus enough heat to make your mouth tingle – this was a good version of a Maryland classic. Perfect lunch

My Heart went with the BBQ Burrito – his choice of BBQ meat (he did the BBQ pork) and sides which included baked beans, coleslaw, and, at the recommendation of the owner, mac & cheese – all wrapped up in a flour tortilla. He had the cole slaw and mac & cheese as his sides… not that he needed sides because the burrito was massive and delicious. Good call on the addition of mac & cheese.

Our next visit was with my kids, for my son’s birthday lunch. My son, his girlfriend, and my daughter All had the BBQ pork ($7.50)… another HUGE serving, this time of super tender pulled pork. We also ordered a 1/2 rack of ribs ($10) to share, so they could try them. They were very happy with their choices and the ribs.

I decided to try the Pit Beef ($7.50). I could choose the doneness of the beef, rare being my preference, and the condiments of my choice, including horseradish. The beef was tremendously tender, had great flavor, and was, obviously, piled high.

The seating is pretty basic with large picnic tables and benches that easily seat four to six. Everything is served up on metal trays with brown paper and plasticware. The place isn’t very big, with five tables in the front and a few tables in the rear. There are also a few tables outside, for summer dining. Pig ‘n a Poke won’t take the place of Chubby’s for us but it is certainly convenient and I know that we’ll be back and so will my kids