Guest Star Brew Bar at What? Cafe – Friday, Jan, 23rd 8am-11am

journeyman coffee

This Friday, we will be hand brewing coffees inside the What? Cafe (1940 N. Monroe #76 – In the  shopping center near the corner of MLK and Tharpe.) 8am-11am. This is the first time we have done a “pop-up” cafe in a while. (A Pop-up is a temporary business or event which appears for a limited time in a unexpected location, often inside or just outside another business.) We are doing this for a few reasons.

First, we always want the chance to serve you some great coffee.

Second, we are hoping to bring a little attention to the What? Cafe. We love this space, and feel like more people should know about it. It’s a little hard to find, but actually convenient once you find it (and lots of parking). It’s got a cool, community vibe, and hosts varied social and educational events.

Hope to see you there!

View original post

Italian Cobb Salad

 

I have been craving salads and I have been craving Italian summer food. This is the time I usually get to work and live in Europe for 6 months, but this year I can’t because I have a real job:)

So I thought I would bring some Italian food into my American world. This is a simple salad with a bunch of goodies from my organic garden.

Rocket: A Handful of rocket. This is similar to arugula, but I like it better. It grows very well and quickly.

Mozzarella di Bufala: You can buy it at Publix. One will do. It is expensive but it is amazing.

Sliced Turkey: 2 slices.

Half raw zucchini sliced really thin.

One spoon of tapenade olive spread paste

Prosciutto crudo (2 slices) or coppa

one tomato (sliced)

Olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper.

Sliced all the ingredients and places them in glass container or tray. I brought it to work so I put it in a glass container. You can alter one slice of tomato with one slice of mozzarella, place all your zucchini in the middle and your meat on a side. Sprinkle with tapenade and olive oil and you are done.

 

 

 

quiche with bacon and ricotta cheese

Happy Easter! We made a simple menu` with this quiche, dinner rolls, ham, grated potatoes, bacon with pecans, and a giant cheesecake.

The cheesecake and this quiche can be made the day before.

Quiche: one pastry puff layer found in the frozen section of your supermarket; one cup of ricotta (fresh if possible); one cup to 2 cups of swiss cheese grated or any strong flavored cheese; one cup and half of heavy cream; 6 eggs well beaten; 3 strips of bacon, salt and pepper; a glass pyrex.

How to make it:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the eggs beaten, heavy cream, cheese grated, ricotta, and pieces of bacon pre-cooked in the oven (crunchy), salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk very well until all ingredients are mixed and smooth. Pour the mixture in the bottom of the pastry puff of the pyrex. You need to mold the pastry so it fits on the bottom of the pyrex. Leave some on the edge to flip on top once you pour the mixture in.

Pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the egg mixture is set. Serve hot or cold.

 

 

Tilapia with herbs

I have been on a protein 2 weeks diet trying to increase body mass and be stronger. My problem has always been that of feeling fatigue and tired. I am never able to increase stamina, not matter how often I work out or do the same exercise. Well I am also not consistent but I am moderately active, doing some physical activity at least 4, 5 days a week. I decided to learn a little bit about nutrition through my friends who are athletes, books and websites. I must admit I am doing a drastic change which is never optimal, but I am one of these people – I go all the way – sometimes I fail, sometimes I don’t.

What I am doing is that I cut all cheese, milk, yogurt, etc, carbs (rice, pasta, fruit), starch, processed food, sugar etc. I focused on lean protein, whey powder, nuts and green veggies. I am not perfect, meaning that today I had a coconut soup. I think the point, at least for me is to learn new recipes, a new way of cooking.

I am surprised that I have been inspired with the creation of new recipes – all good. I get to experiment with more vegetables and herbs, which I already loved. Today I felt like having some fish so I bought two tilapia filet. Below the recipe:

For 2 people:

2 tilapia filet; lemon zest (one teaspoon and grated), one stem of medium size celery chopped finely, parsley (1/3 cup finely chopped), lemon juice (half lemon), one clove of finely chopped garlic, salt and pepper, olive oil.

1. Chopped all ingredients, place them in a large bowl, squeeze the lemon, add some olive oil and stir.

2. Place the fish in the bowl and cover with the mixture. You might want to rub the mixture on the fish.

3. You can use the outside grill or the grill pan for indoor. I used the indoor grill pan which I sprinkle with olive oil so the fish did not stick. When it is hot, place the fish, cover the top with the mixture and let it cook (only on one side) for 5-8 minutes. You need to check based on the size of your fish. Turn off the stove. Flip the fish (make sure you save the mixture when you serve the fish).

Really delicious and simple and cheap.

Let me know what you think,

Gin

Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes

 

Pasta with artichokes

My friend had made this pasta and posted on #instagram. It looks so easy and yummy that I asked her if I could use it for my blog. This is how she made it.

What you need: one small shallot; one or two big fresh artichokes or 4 already prefaced and ready to use. 4 slices of prosciutto crudo or ham. Parmigiano cheese.

If  you don’t know how to clean artichokes watch this video. Otherwise, clean your artichokes and slice them very thin. In a skillet with extra virgin olive brown the shallot and when transparent add the artichokes. Cook until soft and gold, but not dry. Add the ham chopped in small dices and let cook for other few minutes.

Cook the pasta according to the directions, drain and place in the skillet with the sauce. Add parmigiano reggiano cheese, salt and pepper and serve.

 

 

Protein dinner chicken

Ok so this is something always yummy and full of protein and good green veggies. If you are on a low carb diet it is perfect. Might want to replace the sausage with an extra piece of chicken.

On a grill place a chicken breast to cook. Prior to cooking salt and pepper the meat. Add a mixture of herbs (oregano, garlic, paprika). Just be creative. These spices will add flavor so you don’t need butter or dressing later!!!

Cook the meat until crispy on each side (20 minutes total depending on your grill). You can cook sausages the same way, just make a long cut before cooking.

Buy some asparagus, wash them, trim the ends and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on the grill for 5 minutes or less. You want them crunchy.

You can make this recipe on a grilled skillet for your kitchen. If you like lemon sprinkle all over the meal.

Easy right?

Gin

Omelette with avocado

A very easy and surprising good recipe.

omelette with avocado

3 eggs
Salt and pepper
Half avocado sliced longwise
Olive oil
Some mozzarella cheese (optional)

Beat 3 eggs in a container. Add salt and pepper. Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet and pour the eggs. Cook on low heat. Adjust the omelette so it cooks evenly. When it looks almost dry add some cheese on the center and flip the omelette. First flip the right side, then the left side.
Place the omelette on a plate with on the side the avocado sliced topped with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Involtini Di pollo chicken wrapped in prosciutto

Now I have to remember how I made this recipe for supper last night.

Involtini Di pollo or stuffed chicken
3 flat breast
Dry or fresh herbs (rosemary, oregano, basil)
4 slices of prosciutto crudo
Slices of Swiss or any cheese you like
3 fresh leaves of sage
One box of fresh white and sliced mushrooms
One cup of black olives (optional)
Olive oil, garlic, onion salt and pepper
how to prepare

In a skillet place the olive oil ( one table spoon) and cook the chopped onion and garlic (one cup). When transparent add the mushrooms and herbs. Stir and cooked for 5 minutes or until semi-soft. Add the olives.

Prepare the chicken. You must beat up the meat to make it thin. So cover the meat with clear plastic wrap and use one of those meat tenderizers until the chicken is thin. Then remove the plastic and place on top of the meat a slice of prosciutto, cheese, and sage. Wrap like a burrito or a sushi roll and use toothpicks to secure.

Do it for all of the three pieces. Place in the skillet and cover with lid. Cook for 15 minutes. You might want to check and roll the sides after 6 minutes.

Serve the meat with the mushrooms. So delicious.

Fresh tomato sauce on wheat penne pasta

For this recipe I used heirloom tomatoes and whatever other tomatoes you had in the house, preferably medium round size.

I finally learned how to make a good tomato sauce for wheat pasta.

Chopped very well 3 tomatoes. Place in a skillet or even better pressure cooker olive oil 3 garlic clovers chopped, half onions, a couple of fresh basil leaves and cook until transparent. Add the tomatoes cover with a lid (if you use the pressure cooker follow the specific directions) and cook at high-medium heat for 10 minutes. At this point if it is too liquid keep cooking, otherwise grab your hand mixer and smooth the big chunks of tomatoes. Keep cooking on low heat until all juice is absorbed.

If you want more flavor add cappers or pancetta when cooking the onions.

Cook the wheat pasta penne according to package direction. When drained add to the skillet with the sauce and stir. Add olive oil and grates parmigiano cheese for each plate-

Blueberries

A very simple way to prepare fresh blueberries and have them ready for breakfast or a snack.

Rinse them out. Place them in a bowl with half lemon or one lime. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar. Add some orange juice if desire and some fresh mint.

You are ready to use them on Greek yogurt, ice cream or just like that.