Tuscan White Bean Soup with Crispy Bacon and Fried Sage
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.”
Gandhi was one bad ass dude.
Crockpot Chili
It’s a gloomy week here in SoCal.
Cold, drizzly weather always makes me want my slippers, fireplace and a steaming bowl of some kind of delicious stick-to-your-bones kind of dish. We are having a chili cook-off with some friends in a few weeks and I’m super excited to bust this baby out.
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash & Cucumber Salad
A few years ago I auditioned for Master Chef. What a complete adrenaline rush… I mean seriously…Holy Hell! Every emotion and feeling you can imagine explode inside you all at once. I went back to my roots and created a traditional recipe from Hungary. It is a favorite in our house and probably the most comforting and delicious dish you can imagine. It is best served along with a cucumber salad. Enjoy!
Sriracha Ramen Soup
Sriracha. It’s just so delicious! Often referred to as yuppy ketchup – I really don’t care! It gives that spicy bite to Vietnamese Pho, some extra kick to grilled salmon and makes a damn good aioli.
Crock-Pot Roast
OHMYGODIMADEIT!!!!
Forty-Eight glorious minutes until the kids are off for NINE DAYS!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for these precious lazy mornings, a much needed/deserved break, and quality time to spend together.
Pad Thai
When the hubby and I first started dating, we were broke. I had just come home from a three month backpacking trip to Europe where I spent my life savings (as much of a life savings as one has at 21) and was barely waiting tables at the infamous Miyagi’s in Hollywood. My car had died so we shared his 1994 Saturn and we barely had enough money to fill the gas tank. Groceries were a JOKE. My budget for groceries in those days was about $40 a week. We all know our college pal, Top Ramen. I got pretty darn creative with this $.05 wonder. Pasta salad, chicken soup, stir fry and…. Pad Thai. Some of our best memories are of eating this meal on a blanket with candles (to conserve energy since we could barely afford the bill!) in the living room with a delicious bottle of $2 buck chuck (seriously, it’s delicious if it is all you can afford).
Now I make this recipe with fresh rice noodles that I get from Trader Joe’s. It might taste better with all of the fresh ingredients but the memories of this dish will always remind me of one of the best times of our lives
INGREDIENTS
1 package flat rice noodles cooked according to package instructions (I love the fresh Trader Joe’s rice noodles)
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ½ inch thickness and chopped into bite-sized pieces + salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
4 eggs
3/4 cup sliced green onions
3/4 cup sliced white onion
2/3 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
optional: peanuts, chopped
Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons fish sauce (found in the Asian section at most grocery stores)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons peanut butter
juice of 1 lime
1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
1/4 cup soy sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Cook chicken in a large wok or pan over medium heat, stirring throughout until cooked through (about 6-8 minutes), transfer chicken to a bowl and set aside.
Whisk together all sauce ingredients and set aside. Crack eggs over preheated pan (where you cooked the chicken) and allow to fry for about a minute, then break it up with a spoon and add the onions. Add chicken and sauce. Add noodles and toss to coat the noodles in the sauce. Stir in green onions and cilantro. Garnish with peanuts if desired.
NOTES
*adapted from Creme de la Crumb
Brick Sandwich
There are so many great activities for free in summer. We personally love the concerts in the park. Some fabulous cover band pouring their heart and soul into the 80’s, Chicago and Bon Jovi. Add in the fact that you can pack your own dinner and a couple bottles of wine; what more do you need in life!
Cubanos Sandwiches with Summer Slaw
Friday night. Date night. Words that haven’t been used in our house for weeks now. We have been loving summer. I love our lazy mornings followed by playing with friends or swimming, gymnastics camp and art camp, fabulous camping weekends, late night game nights and movie nights. It’s everything I wanted it to be.
Farro and Arugula Salad
I keep doing this. I fall off the face of the planet and then I come back apologizing for being gone for so long. But here’s the deal: My life; my kids, husband, and commitments surrounding them are what comes first. It’s not that I don’t love sharing my recipes and writing for Mommy Bistro. It’s that I was busy playing an epic game of hide-n-go-seek or teaching our daughters how to tie their shoes. It’s that I’ve been busy volunteering for their two schools or taking them to gymnastics and art class.