tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79586678551637751792024-03-05T05:36:06.364-05:00RD'liteI am a Registered Dietitian who is learning to cook. Join me on my adventures in the kitchen and around the world.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-748589879194724322013-12-09T15:15:00.000-05:002013-12-09T15:15:51.494-05:00Fueling For FinalsI recently took the opportunity to switch divisions within my company to work in higher education. While I often miss the hustle and bustle of the medical center, I really enjoy being back on a school schedule and working with healthy young individuals who have a thirst for knowledge. <div>
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While many things have changed since I was in college, the importance of eating healthfully and nutritionally remain the same. </div>
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This week I am having an event at lunch time in the dining hall to explain the importance of good nutrition while studying for finals. I remembered my very neglected blog and decided to share the info with any patient followers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hZjLhJWclJQWpJ56JpgwOYygZpGVb4smfpXL5R3fxFYsMWXw6mjc_hpzIlBhcE7ZGXDvBe50rop1O1ZdFXopCJx_V63FC3w9kRNkkMMKikvIcG-Mvy1h4Wqc-9zo-2G9Q0XiGoHFHvIM/s1600/food+&+finals+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hZjLhJWclJQWpJ56JpgwOYygZpGVb4smfpXL5R3fxFYsMWXw6mjc_hpzIlBhcE7ZGXDvBe50rop1O1ZdFXopCJx_V63FC3w9kRNkkMMKikvIcG-Mvy1h4Wqc-9zo-2G9Q0XiGoHFHvIM/s400/food+&+finals+.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you are taking finals this winter - Make good nutrition part of your study plan to help you ace those exams. The better the fuel your brain gets, the better you'll study and perform! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Try these foods to boost your brain function and memory</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Eat your veggies:</b> Getting adequate vegetables, especially cruciferous ones like broccoli, cabbage, and dark leafy greens. may help improve memory. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Try: raw kale salad or broccoli stir fry</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5E49LT3_SvuUubUYKrAnUmHdI2nOicazZir5E2Acrvo3PFr5idMsbMdxOqado5tJKJBtXvP5mAC8yeNXOZt8nuY-7tDt78D5Djtk4F_RFDlOm5NG7mMbFzkuXepyGwLczqAyyt5OgfhJ/s1600/berries.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5E49LT3_SvuUubUYKrAnUmHdI2nOicazZir5E2Acrvo3PFr5idMsbMdxOqado5tJKJBtXvP5mAC8yeNXOZt8nuY-7tDt78D5Djtk4F_RFDlOm5NG7mMbFzkuXepyGwLczqAyyt5OgfhJ/s200/berries.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #38761d;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Stay sweet with berries and cherries: </b>Berries- especially dark ones (blackberries, blueberries, and cherries) are a rich source of anthocyanins and other flavonoids that may boost memory function. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>Try: frozen or fresh berries for a snack or baked in to an anti-oxidant rich dessert</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The good fat:</b> Essential for good brain health, Omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) specifically, may help improve memory in health healthy young adults. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain. If you have higher levels of DHA in the blood, then the brain will operate more efficiently. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i>Try: seafood, algae, and fatty fish like salmon</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VJxTHhH1Z5NsOUMzA_zcxJcuq0Mt-8aB9-66U1JyvNWrxaNXuvFRyPw97FaGZLikne3cYnNsPMdJM7IKWEvh_JWm5pEEU0W1zHF7FsQnoedhetNK5XYuR4ATEGYKvAa5aWluoNszWEQM/s1600/walnuts.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VJxTHhH1Z5NsOUMzA_zcxJcuq0Mt-8aB9-66U1JyvNWrxaNXuvFRyPw97FaGZLikne3cYnNsPMdJM7IKWEvh_JWm5pEEU0W1zHF7FsQnoedhetNK5XYuR4ATEGYKvAa5aWluoNszWEQM/s200/walnuts.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Work in walnuts:</b> Well known for a positive impact on heart health, walnuts may also improve working memory. They also help to satisfy your hunger!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>Try: snacking on a handful of walnuts to add them to oatmeal or a salad. </i></span></div>
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As always, remember to stay balanced. Aim for fruits, veggies, dairy, protein, and whole grains in very meal. During this stressful time good nutrition is as important as ever. </div>
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Good luck, good hunting, and bring home the bacon! Happy Studying :) </div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-14792216071254298832013-03-08T12:56:00.000-05:002013-03-08T13:39:26.290-05:00Nemo Found Us <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you now know, we moved back to <a href="http://rdlite.blogspot.com/2012/07/and-im-back.html" target="_blank">Boston </a>. Our first winter of 2011 - 2012 was a breeze... very little snow and mild tempatures, we made it through unscathed. As 2012-2013 winter started, everything seemed to be the same as last year... until February!!! </div>
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The news said we were getting a superstorm named Nemo. What a storm it was!! I think we got 2 feet of snow in less than 24 hours.</div>
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The snow started to fall Friday morning...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9j7S5O9TKworyA6zLRaibsLimcK4zv5kPbzwZ65mIrSZdlbGwzjl53O4d97ezKE-tjdxd812gHBHMg28xXN_UljK7Zkrg34z3IvCQz6zI5K6R2yZQeIAKQ0O0r0X9YZPE74flzyrfvzX/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9j7S5O9TKworyA6zLRaibsLimcK4zv5kPbzwZ65mIrSZdlbGwzjl53O4d97ezKE-tjdxd812gHBHMg28xXN_UljK7Zkrg34z3IvCQz6zI5K6R2yZQeIAKQ0O0r0X9YZPE74flzyrfvzX/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...and continued to fall. Here's a picture of the same street the next morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCHuvIRhE5zyIV3D8EA8ARg7oChlTsTr8O13IuonMe298UrZgGmyzp99zxuX3hlGboFbOgZ1_gvZPDAUaEhg8qVBDAGnGZDglUjstoXfsiqzKvUlY3FnxXd-AXqAepk2Dqqddt83x4pG/s1600/IMG_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCHuvIRhE5zyIV3D8EA8ARg7oChlTsTr8O13IuonMe298UrZgGmyzp99zxuX3hlGboFbOgZ1_gvZPDAUaEhg8qVBDAGnGZDglUjstoXfsiqzKvUlY3FnxXd-AXqAepk2Dqqddt83x4pG/s320/IMG_0666.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
For many lucky Bostonians, Nemo brough a slew of snow days. I remember having 1 snow day from BU back in the winter of 2005 and am a believer that snow days are the best gift ever! <br />
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Lucky (not so much) for me, hospitals don't get snow days. We had 400 patients to feed in addition to all of the staff. We had a lot of work to do! <br />
There was a city wide ban on driving due to the road conditions and fast accumulation of snow. Public transportation was also stopped. Being an essential employee, I was exempt form the driving ban and figured I would just hop in my car (in the covered garage) to drive myself to work. This was the view from inside my garage.. I wasn't driving anywhere!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfw9crhYcVXQ17M9HYpcaFtZCph-IpizjKL14IYnSGpXVHVBrJa-klkvpqmaduzR60EK-rC8v36gI1ZNIYcjYWa6WNRVc1HhFMxizBQQLQ5Dvod1LKqgV46BLqlxTpTfKGZC4AfOOS5e4/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfw9crhYcVXQ17M9HYpcaFtZCph-IpizjKL14IYnSGpXVHVBrJa-klkvpqmaduzR60EK-rC8v36gI1ZNIYcjYWa6WNRVc1HhFMxizBQQLQ5Dvod1LKqgV46BLqlxTpTfKGZC4AfOOS5e4/s400/New+Image.JPG" uea="true" width="400" /></a></div>
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I needed to find an alternate way to get to work. I slapped on my 'snow trax' that my mother had sent as a gag gift and started my journey by foot in to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzTJfmwN8E9rGaIvadc2PJYU-5kP203GMXT4ZwtwZlpqU56lRVgH9xVskUbEwaQJGSirSMznn-K3hpHZ9AyFPzinMYZ3PdAq61gLlPt_eOU8J-U8zcx1V3g1WtsgcObUAxDdX7x8S8Y8B/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzTJfmwN8E9rGaIvadc2PJYU-5kP203GMXT4ZwtwZlpqU56lRVgH9xVskUbEwaQJGSirSMznn-K3hpHZ9AyFPzinMYZ3PdAq61gLlPt_eOU8J-U8zcx1V3g1WtsgcObUAxDdX7x8S8Y8B/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1yvAp3uQ0Ruo6fWNUVn5FfLsd8OLjxBvEqhS2uQiAgsFCOpOghaEM6N4QFBSilLEsNDizagKqThSJCxWa_aAEOo7pe_lOnz50lvronzwzYvX4OJCUdnYu-4yH7QuSMmkmRtI5FowqseF/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1yvAp3uQ0Ruo6fWNUVn5FfLsd8OLjxBvEqhS2uQiAgsFCOpOghaEM6N4QFBSilLEsNDizagKqThSJCxWa_aAEOo7pe_lOnz50lvronzwzYvX4OJCUdnYu-4yH7QuSMmkmRtI5FowqseF/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The city streets were so peaceful and beautiful in the blanket of white, fluffy snow. There were some people out and about enjoying the snow on sled, cross country skiis, and snow shoes. It was as if Harvard Avenue was turned into a beautiful skii resort. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQzVNnGK5Ga90y80jfmheq4PubzxI1l2A0CSsAZKDEIanJGXCVKn1bi1axP0xvrOhh6yswPS79ATZy4aAPynDZ4-ekY06M3t4_wz-QDAeuSymt9v15j_vNzR0RSK9IJG0udXmTe5Pb1Hi/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQzVNnGK5Ga90y80jfmheq4PubzxI1l2A0CSsAZKDEIanJGXCVKn1bi1axP0xvrOhh6yswPS79ATZy4aAPynDZ4-ekY06M3t4_wz-QDAeuSymt9v15j_vNzR0RSK9IJG0udXmTe5Pb1Hi/s400/IMG_0671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCsvTr5KNVcYaXqnWG5Y8B_fMUxjGFGmYolIpHEYIFtCvfZtEnNXoFEvXQcbiNYjotpLg-vRdNd1-R9VPPweuq3xf0ZEersQF-y7xbM0fUDcR2IO0YwT5qEbnbWnqYtcMuTQu_l1VbyUc/s1600/IMG_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCsvTr5KNVcYaXqnWG5Y8B_fMUxjGFGmYolIpHEYIFtCvfZtEnNXoFEvXQcbiNYjotpLg-vRdNd1-R9VPPweuq3xf0ZEersQF-y7xbM0fUDcR2IO0YwT5qEbnbWnqYtcMuTQu_l1VbyUc/s400/IMG_0668.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhnRVc53cCLNREJI1sv1ZxgHyFWQJIGA2uE22JO0cSylqFCQa-p5PCFX-QaF9h4CjLgGh3UsvXBBAuS_RUmaaKLOkp4i7_DtRa4qAZco-vmOSbzljOonFdfgLzZ5F7cDuhnupoqGqB_1H/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhnRVc53cCLNREJI1sv1ZxgHyFWQJIGA2uE22JO0cSylqFCQa-p5PCFX-QaF9h4CjLgGh3UsvXBBAuS_RUmaaKLOkp4i7_DtRa4qAZco-vmOSbzljOonFdfgLzZ5F7cDuhnupoqGqB_1H/s400/IMG_0676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was no place open to buy food or coffee. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLEZz9J07aaxew9khoN35wiD9XgOxjYlLWa-cFAJEX7JUTSCU-zbd67Aa8zSnGdfx51up4CpnpJaRlPE29KPAT6T_iMdMeyWVp_unDX-2BEt-msm5iHWeVO2MUj31MUGOdPyr9JlAiYEh/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLEZz9J07aaxew9khoN35wiD9XgOxjYlLWa-cFAJEX7JUTSCU-zbd67Aa8zSnGdfx51up4CpnpJaRlPE29KPAT6T_iMdMeyWVp_unDX-2BEt-msm5iHWeVO2MUj31MUGOdPyr9JlAiYEh/s400/IMG_0672.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Or to get gas.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53JSraVC3PW8BsqiZpwUu3aEg45vo3PvCTg4aUga7FfMSf84QU68lEMQek_mYW2Yz6-TpIK78W8ldt79wQNtmm4ZEQYpfyzhhc_s4gQc-J8GputABVoASd0cOS9QS4ERwGzpkRAXsuJo-/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53JSraVC3PW8BsqiZpwUu3aEg45vo3PvCTg4aUga7FfMSf84QU68lEMQek_mYW2Yz6-TpIK78W8ldt79wQNtmm4ZEQYpfyzhhc_s4gQc-J8GputABVoASd0cOS9QS4ERwGzpkRAXsuJo-/s400/IMG_0673.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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It took me about an hour (usually a 30 minute walk), but I made it to work. Our team successfully fed all of the patients and staff in the hospital. Not a relaxing weekend to enjoy the snow for this girl. Ahhh the joys of living on the east coast! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the streets outside of the medical center</td></tr>
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As I post this, we are in the midst of another snow storm. Yes, it IS March 8th... I thought Punxsutawney Phil said we would be having an early spring this year. Boy, was he wrong! We've gotten over a foot of snow in the past 24 hours. </div>
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I'm heading out to do some sledding and play in the snow... such a big kid at heart. I think I'm just making up for not having snow days as a child; they really are the best! I'm hoping spring really is right around the corner, but until then I'll continue to throw my snow boots on and enjoy the winter wonderland that surrounds me. </div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-66512876677561259032013-02-28T11:33:00.000-05:002013-03-08T13:38:39.375-05:00Israel 2012In November I got to take another trip to Israel. This time I went with my Mother, Aunt, and Grandmother on a<a href="http://ggti5sensestour.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> non-denominational trip for women</a>. After my experience during my <a href="http://rdlite.blogspot.com/2010/01/halvah-rugelach-and-everything-else.html" target="_blank">birthright trip</a> in 2010, I could not wait to visit the country I love again. I must say, it was not the same without the Jew Crew from birthright, but every trip to Israel has something different to offer. I left for this trip with the goal of exploring the cuisine and sights that I didn't get to during my last trip.<br />
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We began our trip in Jerusalem and headed down to the dead sea... way below sea level. Ran into a nice bedouin and his camel on our way, and then stopped at the Ein Gedi for a quick hike through the paradise. <br />
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We finished our day with dinner at a kibbuz over looking the dead sea. <br />
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One of my favorite parts of this trip was seeing the dome of the rock in the Muslin quarter of Jerusalem. It was so eye opening to discover all of Jerusalem during this trip and learn about why Muslims, Christians, and Jews all claim it as their holy land. <br />
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After we finished at The Dome, we explored the Arab markets..another new site for me. </div>
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One evening while we were in Jerusalem we visited the 9/11 Memorial that's in the JNF. I was very surprised to learn that this is the only 9/11 memorial outside of the US. It's a beautiful site with the flag sculpture, part of the twin tower, and all of the names of those who we lost engraved around the edge. It's truly a breath-taking site at sundown with the whole city of Jerusalem in the background. </div>
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Another breath-taking site was this Greek Orthodox mosque in the middle of the desert that's built into the mountain. <br />
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Every morning in Israel, no matter what part of the country or where you are staying, salad is offered for breakfast. As a dietitian I know that I should be thrilled to see fresh vegetables any time of day, but I really cannot get down with salad first thing in the morning. Lunch or dinner - absolutely, fill up my plate! I still really prefer something sweet or eggs with my coffee when I wake up. </div>
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After the breakfast salad, we headed out for more exploring. This is still one of my favorite pictures from Israel. This sign really gives you a sense for where you are sanding in the world. All of the 'scary' countries they talk about on the news are listed, yet the 2 times I have stood here, I have not been scared... just thankful that I get to enjoy such a beautiful view. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMyrnIZY6z_sXGBJRUhk5OT3UOE_0u7EqG7ZnCH3Q5ArHf2xdJIjxvzMJha67aGEZH9N_7K02wrJerEvqOdIENjpKs9ffXr9WhLd-euljoxUdU9_6V2p_SM4KSOhVa7jbbJfvICEBebAA/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMyrnIZY6z_sXGBJRUhk5OT3UOE_0u7EqG7ZnCH3Q5ArHf2xdJIjxvzMJha67aGEZH9N_7K02wrJerEvqOdIENjpKs9ffXr9WhLd-euljoxUdU9_6V2p_SM4KSOhVa7jbbJfvICEBebAA/s400/IMG_2919.JPG" width="400" /></a>We visited the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_HaNikra_grottoes" target="_blank">Rosh HaNikra grottoes</a> on the coast of Israel at the Jordan border. Beautiful sights that are rich in history.<br />
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The best meal I had during this trip was at the Druze village. The Druze people practice a secret religion that they must be born into, you cannot convert to become Druze. The Druze were some of the nicest, most hospitable people and their food is delicious!!! This platter of food fed about 6 women, and they continued to replenish items as soon as we finished them. The flavors were so fresh and well balanced. I could go on for the rest of this post, but I think you get the idea... it was DELICIOUS! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFqxGCRrr48hTOqQE96NtoWqFI7RCX5vk_u_GyeTk0apn0KfipneoNsjz2U3FE_O788h6LcCg97nad7v6p5pwT2hfODJ7AfFcBhseRFtEJ-kRDNBlQdpXp0fCzZgJHmwNgVa26UngBnZ2/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFqxGCRrr48hTOqQE96NtoWqFI7RCX5vk_u_GyeTk0apn0KfipneoNsjz2U3FE_O788h6LcCg97nad7v6p5pwT2hfODJ7AfFcBhseRFtEJ-kRDNBlQdpXp0fCzZgJHmwNgVa26UngBnZ2/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="320" /></a>We finished out trip in Tel Aviv, which is my second favorite city in the world (behind Tokyo). Tel Aviv is a major city right on the Mediterranean Sea. The markets and the night life are second to none. These pictures are from the Carmel Market.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYQZ-hnzshuQ1eY81DO2-mLZ0_fBmZw-PVq1wovfA06b0lS1knrwfBkh47Vkafjdaltl6oElGXYmOOXFaaP38HSxJu0_ESIS3NZ6xp6hJ2OhNJ9vFEjiuiQzmFYuKtnPpuY8mBjk1aKy-/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYQZ-hnzshuQ1eY81DO2-mLZ0_fBmZw-PVq1wovfA06b0lS1knrwfBkh47Vkafjdaltl6oElGXYmOOXFaaP38HSxJu0_ESIS3NZ6xp6hJ2OhNJ9vFEjiuiQzmFYuKtnPpuY8mBjk1aKy-/s400/IMG_2978.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBmuFv2bolawezYfxKLwlz-VdIO86WEytT4VEBy3CFHWyx2nr1jv79s0qlgtAQCRf8I3kXdEgJmbfd6HwfzZl4vZiXc3t3z39BEJEPytnILnnAPORcyawyQG-QUzm_e55rYr-V9dNJR_u/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBmuFv2bolawezYfxKLwlz-VdIO86WEytT4VEBy3CFHWyx2nr1jv79s0qlgtAQCRf8I3kXdEgJmbfd6HwfzZl4vZiXc3t3z39BEJEPytnILnnAPORcyawyQG-QUzm_e55rYr-V9dNJR_u/s400/IMG_2980.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: right;">This is my idea of a fruit cup! Wish the fruit in Boston looked like this year round</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xtURjycfPvOdb1mIZNCkVV628yeYWBIdVRnCDncJrscsZwKUu5EUBqOvKGep2dZIdY2D9ZwQJqPoiB9YMqYJQK4begiEkaIm0FbCGu9VkW05olKJJxhRkBAkkF6XFM8VWPQ9VcRmn_5W/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xtURjycfPvOdb1mIZNCkVV628yeYWBIdVRnCDncJrscsZwKUu5EUBqOvKGep2dZIdY2D9ZwQJqPoiB9YMqYJQK4begiEkaIm0FbCGu9VkW05olKJJxhRkBAkkF6XFM8VWPQ9VcRmn_5W/s400/IMG_2990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz5c8JOuSq77kuhfvj9XzlqfW8lRor8tK0vqqp1Ps9g3ILm3eCpcB6oz1Jp3OjmoiIn8wjy38IszQC3zpWKFUWHtRctCE31kvq3kKdyMvapJB9wm34Ow07FZex0hNWlAsJIlFeTSM0tPc/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz5c8JOuSq77kuhfvj9XzlqfW8lRor8tK0vqqp1Ps9g3ILm3eCpcB6oz1Jp3OjmoiIn8wjy38IszQC3zpWKFUWHtRctCE31kvq3kKdyMvapJB9wm34Ow07FZex0hNWlAsJIlFeTSM0tPc/s400/IMG_2987.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took some spices home with me. Sounded like a great idea at the time... until I got home and my suitcase and everything in it smelled like middle eastern spices! </td></tr>
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My third favorite part of Tel Aviv is the outdoor gyms. They can be found along the beach boardwalk and scattered throughout the city. What a way to promote healthy lifestyles. It's no wonder Israelis are so beautiful! </div>
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Mark my words... I am going to live in this apartment building on the beach of the Mediterranean one day. How cool is this building??<br />
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I encourage every person to visit Israel. It doesn't matter what religion, nationality, or background you come from. Israel is a country for everyone... I can't wait to go back! <br />
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Ahava: nothing but love for Israel. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCOlQSe60v4Q0qqAznSRNiP7bVK9QiSQIVzU8sT_9JedntDRzx0H77mIPv5D8BuCqSXFE0Np5b_XHs18EbP8QJCIasS1lC_a1cWlLtDU1RoXTsy8mhoMMPS8hGaXS8OTSo8qvvICMTz2B/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCOlQSe60v4Q0qqAznSRNiP7bVK9QiSQIVzU8sT_9JedntDRzx0H77mIPv5D8BuCqSXFE0Np5b_XHs18EbP8QJCIasS1lC_a1cWlLtDU1RoXTsy8mhoMMPS8hGaXS8OTSo8qvvICMTz2B/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ahava or 'love' sculpture at the Jerusalem Museum<br />
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-1843141196970557242012-11-27T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-28T09:22:34.936-05:00Ayurvedic Spices & Super Grains <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made these handouts for a project at work and thought I would share. Our chefs were in a cooking competition and wanted to exhibit the health benefits of the ingredients used. I was amazed at the medical healing properties of the spices - it's no wonder the are incorporated into so many cultural foods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp39LTvpAY70Pwi1CgzTmrbCfDQ9aR2QMvkmWG757DMnFKdzCj7QhP-NTnOtp2F3TxU9iNNtztEY-Ux7-MUcm5u_qX9TvJcJit44_4ILzs9BYBvzcRMFJkPTnQsTKst21kP0u0NPZEHjl/s1600/Cooking+Competition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp39LTvpAY70Pwi1CgzTmrbCfDQ9aR2QMvkmWG757DMnFKdzCj7QhP-NTnOtp2F3TxU9iNNtztEY-Ux7-MUcm5u_qX9TvJcJit44_4ILzs9BYBvzcRMFJkPTnQsTKst21kP0u0NPZEHjl/s640/Cooking+Competition.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-89436539553651587582012-10-16T20:17:00.000-04:002012-10-16T20:18:18.469-04:00It's FallThere is a chill in the air and the leaves are changing color - It's Fall in New England! I really don't know how I lived without one of the best seasons for 20 years of my life. Fall brings pumpkin coffee, comfy sweaters, boots, pumpkin cream cheese, apple cider, and apple picking!<br />
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The girls and I wandered out to Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA for a day of picking apples, enjoying apple cider, and devouring apple cider donuts - YUM! My favorite part was eating apples right off of the tree. There is seriously nothing better than a fresh picked apple - so juicy and crunchy. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFtxyYHJ32jmpAMRTyEb2N6GfMmN315V3S6K0Fdc9BYBlZcFP4dUNIaQffcHsXsCSSLLfg3k5Dt_FaoaOUm14RwqiVujP-3TcF6EYRUnvKtBeWtB-LKoXUYothcNXAHPUta7Z6WytVKB_/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFtxyYHJ32jmpAMRTyEb2N6GfMmN315V3S6K0Fdc9BYBlZcFP4dUNIaQffcHsXsCSSLLfg3k5Dt_FaoaOUm14RwqiVujP-3TcF6EYRUnvKtBeWtB-LKoXUYothcNXAHPUta7Z6WytVKB_/s320/IMG_2658.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvz3q-AvfsYip_bKg7e2FS-8GsDa5Fq7JM1kEpPJSAieju5IeXYToxHQaBKHIzGfEXTh53ebhjB82yD8rsw7qPjC17IyzqGOH-FHCPA6Ncnwf8FagKlQesnSn_Go2A_G-hwat_HolBhyB/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvz3q-AvfsYip_bKg7e2FS-8GsDa5Fq7JM1kEpPJSAieju5IeXYToxHQaBKHIzGfEXTh53ebhjB82yD8rsw7qPjC17IyzqGOH-FHCPA6Ncnwf8FagKlQesnSn_Go2A_G-hwat_HolBhyB/s320/IMG_2666.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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We left the orchard with almost 30 pounds of apples... Time to cook and bake! </div>
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I originally planned to bake an apple cake as well as homemade applesauce, but I was enjoying the fresh apples for snacks so often that I was left with only enough apples to make applesauce. <br />
Boyfriend loves this applesauce and does a little happy dance every time he eats it - it must be good if Boyfriend likes it!<br />
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Here's my recipe for baked applesauce:<br />
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<b>INGREDIENTS:</b><br />
5 tablespoons water<br />
1/4cup packed brown sugar<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1 tablespoon fresh NH maple syrup (for a sweet New England twist!)<br />
4 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and halved<br />
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<b>METHODS:</b><br />
Preheat oven to 375*<br />
Combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven; toss to coat. Cover and bake for 1 hour, or until apples are tender, stirring once after 45 minutes.<br />
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<b>Happy Fall! </b></div>
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Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-78302739387607491092012-08-02T11:51:00.000-04:002012-08-02T11:51:24.261-04:00A Berry Fun Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite summer activities in New England is berry picking. Six years ago boyfriend and I picked 10 pounds of blueberries at a farm in New Hampshire. When we got home he stated that he did not have to go back berry picking for 10 years - 1 year for each pond we picked... only 4 more years until he will accompany me again. </div>
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Thank goodness for girlfriends! Pen Pal and I ventured up north to Turkey Hill Farm in Haverhill, MA. The farm is owned and operated by Dave. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Dave worked in the insurance industry for his entire career. He always had a passion for fresh fruit and vegetables, and began growing blueberries as a hobby. A few years ago, Dave retired and decided to make growing berries his full time gig. He spends his days roaming the fields with customers, sharing picking techniques, and educating them about the plants' country of origin. His passion for farming is evident in the large smile that is permanently plastered on his face. Pen Pal and I were so inspired by his story that we vowed to always follow our passions and dreams. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">There are golden raspberries, red raspberries, blueberries, and fresh flowers grown on the farm. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pen Pal and I left the farm with 5 pounds of blueberries and 3 cartons of raspberries. We had every intention of picking four full baskets, but those darn thorns made the raspberries a literal pain to pick.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">After the picking, comes the fun part - cooking with the berries. </span><br />
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Pen Pal and I made a delicious berry infused lime margarita. We blended the berries with sparkling limeade, lime rind, and a splash of 100% cranberry juice. Added some patron tequila for a tasty, refreshing afternoon beverage. YUM! The whole fruit in the cocktail was an added bonus. </div>
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After consuming the majority of the fresh berries, I decided it was time to bake with them. I made a summer berry tart. See recipe below. </div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Summer Berry Tart:</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">2 cups blueberries</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1 cup raspberries</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1 cup golden raspberries</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">2 cups strawberries</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1 cup oats</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1/4 cup brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1/4 cup flour</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1/4 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">1 stick of butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Methods</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Preheat oven to 350* </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Mix the berries and pour them into a sprayed pyrex pan</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Mix dry ingredients together and cut butter into the mixture</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Spread the butter and dry mixture evenly over the berries</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Bake at 350* for one hour, or until berries are bubbling and oats are browned</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Serving suggestion: My favorite way to enjoy any fruit crisp is to add it to Greek yogurt for breakfast. I mixed this summer berry crisp with nonfat blueberry Greek yogurt - 5 stars!</span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-58800975741861045232012-07-19T20:37:00.001-04:002012-07-19T20:54:01.332-04:00And I'm back...Once upon a time I blogged about the food I prepared and enjoyed. Then life got a bit crazy, and the time I had to blog disappeared.<br />
Well, I am happy to announce that I am back and ready to blog! A lot has changed over the past 18 months... Boyfriend and I moved across the country, started new jobs, reconnected with old friends, and have had absolutely no time to cook or bake. So don't worry - you have not missed anything!<br />
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Life in Northern California made it easy to cook... there was always a local farmer's market with fresh produce, a close grocery store with a parking lot, and 8 hour work days that left me plenty of time for hobbies when I got home. <br />
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Life in Boston - not so much.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I now live in the middle of a bustling city with all 4 seasons, work at least 10 hours a day, and use my feet or bicycle as primary modes of transportation. Needless to say, my </span><span style="background-color: white;">endeavor</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to teach myself to cook has been halted. The lack of home made cooking as turned me into quite a restaurant expert though. </span></div>
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Professionally, my life with food has changed also. I have the same job responsibilities and duties, but on a much bigger scale. I am now working at one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country and am continuously making improvements to the patient experience and 'hospital food' for over 600 patients a day. Hence the reason I don't have the time or energy to cook when I get home. Yet, I still love my job!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">My passion for food, nutrition, and cooking remain strong, yet the setting in which I enjoy them has changed. Who knows, maybe I'll find a little time to cook something just so I can blog about it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I cannot wait to share my experiences with food both professionally and socially from the 'right' coast... Stay tuned - I promise not to wait another 18 months to post again. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-12145097652386914062011-02-08T16:32:00.000-05:002011-02-08T16:32:01.019-05:00Copy Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week my friends <a href="http://kitchen-em.blogspot.com/">Kitchen M</a>, <a href="http://www.myfoodlife-cal.blogspot.com/">CAL</a>, and I went to Mustard's for dinner. Since we all work in Napa we like to take the opportunity once a month or so to discover new restaurants in wine country. The fact that all 3 of us are dietitians, foodies, and food bloggers, makes for a photo-filled, nutritious, and giggly meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG3k_SRKD549cwHFTavNMRo3M3LSiKfZzqWkUN_GmsbUQxgyoghZctLAR1XfvCJMaSe8uAwB431fakSFlAHj1h2ES7o3NFDs4FzwAnaZEIdLj_yox8U3rIsFOo5UdZG207991Y8qDXmzJ/s1600/DSCN1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG3k_SRKD549cwHFTavNMRo3M3LSiKfZzqWkUN_GmsbUQxgyoghZctLAR1XfvCJMaSe8uAwB431fakSFlAHj1h2ES7o3NFDs4FzwAnaZEIdLj_yox8U3rIsFOo5UdZG207991Y8qDXmzJ/s400/DSCN1672.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a mishap at 'Go Fish', the three of us decided to dine at a restaurant that did not smell fishy - literally! We figured we couldn't go wrong with a restaurant that's known for their 'Honest American Fare' - <a href="http://www.mustardsgrill.com/">Mustards Grill</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid26F-724N_lWHDrl89Wbj2fZfEjLKQTeRHk3Hy1kTiDXl1j2isJ1DBp8wUQ1x4IZ0ILGuAjYFG6FSpDioYfse7FYPfNJfZKFYpBw6sLE4Xyt-mVQSJQ6HbIYAS60UwUHLnqDRCes5fbHS/s1600/DSCN1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid26F-724N_lWHDrl89Wbj2fZfEjLKQTeRHk3Hy1kTiDXl1j2isJ1DBp8wUQ1x4IZ0ILGuAjYFG6FSpDioYfse7FYPfNJfZKFYpBw6sLE4Xyt-mVQSJQ6HbIYAS60UwUHLnqDRCes5fbHS/s400/DSCN1670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Per our usual dining experience, the three of us chose a bunch of appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts that we MUST try. One appetizer especially caught my eye as it included two of my all time favorite ingredients: garlic and goat cheese! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH_JELushYiulXgJXCoshfEwkwTwPhhXgJlcDnGOAYQwZdaw5FFZDfxEPZTZlURQ5CpnYqX_eKOD0lPz0Wz4arMZj0o-2CAFY5HCaHzH2KS6ZBE6mCBBPpxH3ZOdwm3cvE3I_nABXYwB-/s1600/DSCN1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH_JELushYiulXgJXCoshfEwkwTwPhhXgJlcDnGOAYQwZdaw5FFZDfxEPZTZlURQ5CpnYqX_eKOD0lPz0Wz4arMZj0o-2CAFY5HCaHzH2KS6ZBE6mCBBPpxH3ZOdwm3cvE3I_nABXYwB-/s640/DSCN1665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Warm Cabecou Goat Cheese, sundried tomato relish, roasted garlic, grilled bread</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid26F-724N_lWHDrl89Wbj2fZfEjLKQTeRHk3Hy1kTiDXl1j2isJ1DBp8wUQ1x4IZ0ILGuAjYFG6FSpDioYfse7FYPfNJfZKFYpBw6sLE4Xyt-mVQSJQ6HbIYAS60UwUHLnqDRCes5fbHS/s1600/DSCN1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The combination of these ingredients was fab. I don't particularly like sundried tomatoes...although this dish may make me a convert. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been oddly warm here for February, but it has made for some beautiful sunsets. Such a beautiful night for dinner with wonderful friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div>As every football - loving American is aware, Sunday was the superbowl. As you can see from many of my previous posts, I will do just about anything (even cook) to avoid watching football on a Sunday afternoon. Well, this super Sunday was no different - It was time to cook. <br />
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I could not get the delicious appetizer from Mustard's off my mind, so during my 35 mile, 2.5 hour bike ride on Sunday morning I plotted how I could run to the store to collect the necessary ingredients to make the yummy appetizer before kickoff.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
2 heads of garlic<br />
goat cheese<br />
sundried tomatoes<br />
1 loaf of bread (I prefer seedy bread)<br />
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Method:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPFsvvd55IaWVzYGX_ZTg5IgcCMNKKHxWscDS3I3ivBadws58Lc9iVEsTWQIAYAXMk_Vzb8or8pdRlHCp_muD9VUYk1JxQysNr7WP0RvrlcKBYISn4Hski7DDlhyphenhyphenq9dHSx52L-6n7d4ba/s1600/DSCN1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPFsvvd55IaWVzYGX_ZTg5IgcCMNKKHxWscDS3I3ivBadws58Lc9iVEsTWQIAYAXMk_Vzb8or8pdRlHCp_muD9VUYk1JxQysNr7WP0RvrlcKBYISn4Hski7DDlhyphenhyphenq9dHSx52L-6n7d4ba/s640/DSCN1680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Cut off the tops of each head of garlic to expose all garlic gloves<br />
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Wrap the garlic in foil and bake at 400* for 45 minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYQ2lNJ39gkr-Y3owFe0LGvs_UXdcWiIsP0WG-lmzKuEEGWEqUE0Ag2XPeHKxd4b0Vj4McYFkksayn-GgUkrf9wdtuRioSQGDMHAguOECuOeCy69ftYR8JESDyqLPrr2EPmYEiagAoR9j/s1600/DSCN1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYQ2lNJ39gkr-Y3owFe0LGvs_UXdcWiIsP0WG-lmzKuEEGWEqUE0Ag2XPeHKxd4b0Vj4McYFkksayn-GgUkrf9wdtuRioSQGDMHAguOECuOeCy69ftYR8JESDyqLPrr2EPmYEiagAoR9j/s640/DSCN1683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Cut the loaf, plate the sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, and roasted garlic<br />
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Assemble and Enjoy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUjaN4FYl0vZjjWfHTDyfDx0cLmqskXqTCBx3IJEuYEsb17mNL3mx3GhGXgnsivj9z1Pn9McHuVXv00eywXwTgWvbECYkSiNL3H7wzs-Gkm_dqb-XgHBVcExmQmB6VQhZoq2MzdYuFXMD/s1600/DSCN1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUjaN4FYl0vZjjWfHTDyfDx0cLmqskXqTCBx3IJEuYEsb17mNL3mx3GhGXgnsivj9z1Pn9McHuVXv00eywXwTgWvbECYkSiNL3H7wzs-Gkm_dqb-XgHBVcExmQmB6VQhZoq2MzdYuFXMD/s640/DSCN1690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This appetizer is SO easy to make and SO SO SO delicious. The roasted garlic disappeared within minutes. Next time I may have to purchase 3 heads! I think I'm enjoying sundried tomatoes more and more each time... or maybe I just like them with garlic and goat cheese, who knows.<br />
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The unfortunate part of this dish being so easy and quick to make was that I still had plenty of time to watch football... Thank goodness it was the Super Bowl. No more football till next year!! WOO HOORachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-85514571180436225502011-02-02T00:34:00.000-05:002011-02-02T00:34:21.693-05:00Work For Food / Food For Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* CAL - This post is for you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realize I have many posts about food I <s>try to</s> cook and food I enjoy at restaurants, but food is also a major part of my life from 8 - 5 Monday through Friday also. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I currently work as a Patient Services Manager at an acute care hospital in Napa, CA. Yes, I know what you are thinking... "What is a Patient Services Manager?" and "I thought she was an RD". Yes, don't fret- I am a Registered Dietitian! Rather than having a traditional clinical job, I work in foodservice management. It's my responsibility to manage all of the people and processes that are required to get the food from the pot it's made in to the patient in the bed, and then ensure that patients are satisfied with their dining experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now i REALLY know what you are thinking, "Blech! Hospital food is gross!" Well, think again my friend. I am fortunate enough to work for an amazing company (yay Sodexo!) that makes my job quite a joy. I am armed with a multitude of fresh ingredients, recipes, and talented chefs that make feeding ~120 patients 3 meals a day a sinch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is quite a diverse group who work in our kitchen, which makes food that much more fun. Below is an example of some of the fun we get to have. Those are tongue tacos (they call them la lingue) with onions & cilantro and traditional matzo ball soup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know how there's Asian fusion food? Well, this is our version - Jewish Mexican fusion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I LOVE MY JOB! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1329V_ZmWGqW02yNoGsmipYH2OMr6qBZHYIrE5vfubWSDadfuvSY0y5RUUWn4Gz3ADDcubGM1-g3gGL2yvFxuAtOugB-OogmX3R0NXgxVRydvwxtouiOLeNTf8icjulp44wG_piBAnyDA/s1600/DSCN1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1329V_ZmWGqW02yNoGsmipYH2OMr6qBZHYIrE5vfubWSDadfuvSY0y5RUUWn4Gz3ADDcubGM1-g3gGL2yvFxuAtOugB-OogmX3R0NXgxVRydvwxtouiOLeNTf8icjulp44wG_piBAnyDA/s640/DSCN1539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-41068098595078544352011-01-31T12:35:00.000-05:002011-01-31T13:05:27.249-05:00Happy Birthday Boyfriend 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After my <a href="http://rdlite.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-birthday-boyfriend-banana-fosters.html">failed attempt</a> at baking banana cheesecake last year, I decided to switch it up for his 27th birthday and skip baking all together. I know, I know... practice makes perfect, but simply thinking about the smell of the cake from last year made me ill. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our weekend was packed full of celebrating, so there was very little time for baking anyway. This year I stuck with a recipe that's tried and true and purchased the cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pictures courtesy of my iPhone - Sorry for the poor quality!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevDcbvVZEMgOqbdWcrPUHhWV23SETJSEkU5fptjWJgyeR-aC3cU_hTbXo2_OGlQ5kz78tVEB7LUmAO5gBPgu84kmSOjriIo3otQel2d4xMW3U8umb2uvlX7nrKF7SuBObOdcX8xd0RF-D/s1600/cheesecake+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevDcbvVZEMgOqbdWcrPUHhWV23SETJSEkU5fptjWJgyeR-aC3cU_hTbXo2_OGlQ5kz78tVEB7LUmAO5gBPgu84kmSOjriIo3otQel2d4xMW3U8umb2uvlX7nrKF7SuBObOdcX8xd0RF-D/s320/cheesecake+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake: banana cream cheesecake topped with Bavarian cream and fresh sliced bananas. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh9GacvxwJ73Ex92Xx32gqLZJq-7-L23j4I-Uu1p_5wcRSxguoFQxe_nech9Eoh1678ouBFAcWXEvsjPhsG0l00S4S3iX6cWQBpKceLnrvbAR7eqE3uvU2CK15l9cHvx_oPgjU3yOBtaJ/s1600/Cheesecake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh9GacvxwJ73Ex92Xx32gqLZJq-7-L23j4I-Uu1p_5wcRSxguoFQxe_nech9Eoh1678ouBFAcWXEvsjPhsG0l00S4S3iX6cWQBpKceLnrvbAR7eqE3uvU2CK15l9cHvx_oPgjU3yOBtaJ/s400/Cheesecake+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
When boyfriend asked why I did not bake him a cake - I told him to take a bite. He had no more questions! Maybe I'll try baking again for his 28th... or 30th...<br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYFRIEND!!!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-16037385733201239912010-12-15T23:15:00.000-05:002010-12-15T23:58:22.786-05:00Going Green: Holiday Card 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every year my mother composes a beautiful, informative holiday card. This year, I opened MY big mouth and offered to help her make an e-card to save the trees. I forgot that I have NO experience with making slide shows - let alone movies! I think I'm going to stick with learning to cook because there is no way I could tell you how I arrived at this final product...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please press play to enjoy the movie. To view it larger, press the button with the arrows in the lower right hand corner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjBwYsmghhmVwt_hdJF3vS5UZtNf9ljuhf2koKLFW6auidv6EtASyWghyNxnz9WDi4Kz4_5dKbX8L25jDEdg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-52068539842318149842010-11-15T21:58:00.000-05:002010-11-15T22:00:41.109-05:00Mamma's Turkey ChiliIt's the middle of November and it's still 70 degrees out - where is fall? The leaves are changing color and falling to the ground, but the air is still so warm. I need to move back east STAT!<br />
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Boyfriend loves football - I guess most men do, but his Sundays consist of sitting on our couch watching every single game on television. Me being the girl I am, cannot stand to watch football ALL day, so I have vowed to cook something on Sundays to take up some time and keep me entertained while the boy is glued to the television.<br />
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This Sunday boyfriend put in a request for chili. I reminded him that it's still sunny and 70 degrees outside, but he insisted it was time for chili and rice (one of his favorite meals). Boyfriend and I both love the mother goose's chili, so I did my due diligence and emailed Mother Goose for her recipe:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Ingredients</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2 pounds ground turkey </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 large green pepper, diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 large onion, diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 large garlic glove, minced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1/3 cup chili powder </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3 cans red kidney beans </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3 14-oz. can tomatoes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 6-oz. can tomato paste</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3/4 cup water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 1/2 teaspoons salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 teaspoon sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1 bay leaf</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Method</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1. On saucepan over high heat, cook ground turkey, green pepper, onion, and garlic, stirring frequently, until all pan juices evaporate and beef is well browned (about 15 minutes). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2. Stir in chili powder; cook 1 minute. Drain liquid from kidney beans into meat mixture; reserve beans. Stir in tomatoes with their liquid, tomato paste, water, salt, sugar, and bay leaf; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3. Stir in reserved kidney beans. Cover and simmer 15 minutes longer to blend flavors. Discard bay leaf</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">4. Serve with brown rice & cheese</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVcUqZ1iZO4uXA6HMt4kR-vXCvW_Vd_Eng9shmz-On6_FcUdaRJS4qpcK7Hh81prGWn5srXXRT7_rn7KwzOvryOi6XwisB2TGp_XOHrS0YVDh9rZmnoge8gmmS9d6l2LXpNmGi3pbtu0I/s1600/DSCN1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVcUqZ1iZO4uXA6HMt4kR-vXCvW_Vd_Eng9shmz-On6_FcUdaRJS4qpcK7Hh81prGWn5srXXRT7_rn7KwzOvryOi6XwisB2TGp_XOHrS0YVDh9rZmnoge8gmmS9d6l2LXpNmGi3pbtu0I/s400/DSCN1497.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browning beef with pepper, onion, and garlic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0-ZSNjg-EPQkrr3a9jDMt2xK6pLQh35UlOfBqc5JCCZ3M0yQfVZyWKn6JBzIDtF0rPn_E2OIcAHElMuxpHe8NasYQafaysNOFgASJEEG2e4ZqGA17gqhsMwFORbg-Cp91KZ3SXzs07AD/s1600/DSCN1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0-ZSNjg-EPQkrr3a9jDMt2xK6pLQh35UlOfBqc5JCCZ3M0yQfVZyWKn6JBzIDtF0rPn_E2OIcAHElMuxpHe8NasYQafaysNOFgASJEEG2e4ZqGA17gqhsMwFORbg-Cp91KZ3SXzs07AD/s400/DSCN1501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir in tomatoes with their liquid, tomato paste, water, salt, sugar, and bay leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7So5S0C7Wx0LNXE0-KxB7Z8ufogQKDoT4vxShBxTDM6l9va3sS2YHj2GaRCS5iXzIru_qeI3JQGUIi4ji3Ud_No4efGyW5EMwezTyyz6qFChaI-XVtq5EeRqO_nr6nl8HvXLHRlh4Xy/s1600/DSCN1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7So5S0C7Wx0LNXE0-KxB7Z8ufogQKDoT4vxShBxTDM6l9va3sS2YHj2GaRCS5iXzIru_qeI3JQGUIi4ji3Ud_No4efGyW5EMwezTyyz6qFChaI-XVtq5EeRqO_nr6nl8HvXLHRlh4Xy/s400/DSCN1502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kidney beans reserved for later</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDUAEDcD9UXknhWkjoGux1iNbTROJb9SZrKP6JMacXM4_qyNms2Z8HpcvTQIZqAZ_KOOOtwjg4IkfYdDDJ2-h35zADQ8uSGHb9lgIRAmu1hmmthz39mziTzhGFv9VuyHSiikE47vtgbXn/s1600/DSCN1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDUAEDcD9UXknhWkjoGux1iNbTROJb9SZrKP6JMacXM4_qyNms2Z8HpcvTQIZqAZ_KOOOtwjg4IkfYdDDJ2-h35zADQ8uSGHb9lgIRAmu1hmmthz39mziTzhGFv9VuyHSiikE47vtgbXn/s400/DSCN1505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole mixture before boiling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mCkkB9KZto-N9OCeSaZrmzqArPLw5-rudKtaUK7GN_wbPO5w47xJ6Qju1rOa9lmInKJBLHlfhfiDUPwfCMbg71MOQBA1-rdR703bWORc8xhPCTdTUd06Ps2kOVOfB07Vf2vLY8FGSfZd/s1600/DSCN1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mCkkB9KZto-N9OCeSaZrmzqArPLw5-rudKtaUK7GN_wbPO5w47xJ6Qju1rOa9lmInKJBLHlfhfiDUPwfCMbg71MOQBA1-rdR703bWORc8xhPCTdTUd06Ps2kOVOfB07Vf2vLY8FGSfZd/s400/DSCN1506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the kidney beans </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Boyfriend has a very specific way of putting the chili in the bowl....<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* Not sure why these pictures turned out so yellow though. ugh</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4_cKULfOYf4v5MOAm0yJxRXuSN5jNIVKg_-8TeDJBbhT42EDdafSmZtAxEK_E1caNwxJuF0WtWYVGdxeVp2gwG-PM1yXv937ZpNXI0AdFYvDq9X_3w3wdvZuOIDJeiog4bCB1-45Uu1a/s1600/DSCN1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4_cKULfOYf4v5MOAm0yJxRXuSN5jNIVKg_-8TeDJBbhT42EDdafSmZtAxEK_E1caNwxJuF0WtWYVGdxeVp2gwG-PM1yXv937ZpNXI0AdFYvDq9X_3w3wdvZuOIDJeiog4bCB1-45Uu1a/s400/DSCN1515.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First comes the brown rice </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXKZ8WEksKHUJ_ftoedZv7u8wMcphjkUVbSQ4i3JbaduHXbIq8_VOueMs5D_EVHIQm5AEtgfv557zUEODRJVllEyfiB_thVhxPvZ5XLRXsUROWfny4XAVVcmysOcEmXwUXGYOqWku9yj6/s1600/DSCN1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXKZ8WEksKHUJ_ftoedZv7u8wMcphjkUVbSQ4i3JbaduHXbIq8_VOueMs5D_EVHIQm5AEtgfv557zUEODRJVllEyfiB_thVhxPvZ5XLRXsUROWfny4XAVVcmysOcEmXwUXGYOqWku9yj6/s400/DSCN1516.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then the cheese </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3aZSJOmQUyBeRLwBVc5DoywWP26QdIlKMnBLbyt_0_6Mlrk7kLv4_689HEYG41PL3pRpV3CX8u05qTpyryT2H0-RdUFPVw5XOnpWb6kV5Ltf-PljF3cT7c81FQS5iGTRjqksgUgGVcQA/s1600/DSCN1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3aZSJOmQUyBeRLwBVc5DoywWP26QdIlKMnBLbyt_0_6Mlrk7kLv4_689HEYG41PL3pRpV3CX8u05qTpyryT2H0-RdUFPVw5XOnpWb6kV5Ltf-PljF3cT7c81FQS5iGTRjqksgUgGVcQA/s400/DSCN1517.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then finally add the chili on top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKohXC1ZtHAeKs4ky8-sKE4KgIzypIf796n-PbL_WSsHao8RW0ysCyVHLpXny38dNTJdr_GmIERuwrnGT6VfQZ_lwrVRbCRQhlzycYIF9QlDBly5kDJ2GcGYX6lDGBXlywZdKeT7SJmbr/s1600/DSCN1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKohXC1ZtHAeKs4ky8-sKE4KgIzypIf796n-PbL_WSsHao8RW0ysCyVHLpXny38dNTJdr_GmIERuwrnGT6VfQZ_lwrVRbCRQhlzycYIF9QlDBly5kDJ2GcGYX6lDGBXlywZdKeT7SJmbr/s640/DSCN1519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix it all up and ENJOY!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boyfriend attempted to make this recipe one time when we lived in Boston, but he somehow switched the chili pepper and cayenne pepper. Yep, he added 1/3 cup cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder... To say that chili was spicy is an understatement!!! We added a bunch of sugar to the chili because it's supposed to balance out the spicy, but it was still pretty hot. Luckily one of our friends really likes spicy food, so he had enough dinner to last him a week.<br />
<br />
This batch had the right amount of ingredients added and it was scrumptious, even if it does still feel like spring! I'm just happy to have something to keep me busy while football Sunday continues. Until next week...Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-80844357232273749312010-11-02T20:06:00.000-04:002010-11-02T20:06:49.066-04:00Fresh in The City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weekends ago, I had an out of town guest visit me & San Francisco for the FIRST time. No pressure to show her a good time.... So we took the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7lgCDBkt9QihLL_N0JL4gaVW38Dyidb1hN0SC2lcPRb7OIPtM77ObnC3J9cSq2yKxnx9FREXWjgt3CfiRd3n3CYfC7Rx2rocHSHUprGAtAVsdCnQVX_KTrqOqgqFfrVDtxxj6cxnhmBv/s1600/DSCN1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7lgCDBkt9QihLL_N0JL4gaVW38Dyidb1hN0SC2lcPRb7OIPtM77ObnC3J9cSq2yKxnx9FREXWjgt3CfiRd3n3CYfC7Rx2rocHSHUprGAtAVsdCnQVX_KTrqOqgqFfrVDtxxj6cxnhmBv/s640/DSCN1437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The picture above was not changed in any way... this is REALLY what Alcatraz looked like from the ferry!<br />
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When we got to the ferry building, we went to the extravagant farmer's market. First Stop: bakery <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5JGq1WxjUfa7h8l7f-X0191YVK8bcI1vFvYFXpgAcg1sdV0ybmD3S6t5JlRPX5B-lLWG0ABKqyCSQJ8s2p8CdDPZCLT7K4lKm7IG5h5IQe-lAcx_ZFBst99jlfHtNd4azZeItrq91nVR/s1600/DSCN1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5JGq1WxjUfa7h8l7f-X0191YVK8bcI1vFvYFXpgAcg1sdV0ybmD3S6t5JlRPX5B-lLWG0ABKqyCSQJ8s2p8CdDPZCLT7K4lKm7IG5h5IQe-lAcx_ZFBst99jlfHtNd4azZeItrq91nVR/s320/DSCN1438.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Check out the colors of these veggies - amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD2gQU1NOjzy9MQB4bNIVUASOKi8rgUEQ3H0iR6p421o4iuN6Sm-uKqkSmZxTKGg7TGczTYm0fvVT_dTMOMZIHTJtj3BPx8DX3gKpNttchnURZDoG5TacqERXtAwbBYrodO7L_YT2otGN/s1600/DSCN1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD2gQU1NOjzy9MQB4bNIVUASOKi8rgUEQ3H0iR6p421o4iuN6Sm-uKqkSmZxTKGg7TGczTYm0fvVT_dTMOMZIHTJtj3BPx8DX3gKpNttchnURZDoG5TacqERXtAwbBYrodO7L_YT2otGN/s400/DSCN1439.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBtXzB2LD2GF2sw4RcgqpxydxDyvuTYbTM5eaOFpxqILD6fgCqVsYW5TkmBzheRIS6Ex9EMq81uaYouK5dWIulyAmA7ElGZxx3yrp7UJ8naYbxaj1xUTkVxg1Jrh7tWZV2GaLhnZfEYrR/s1600/DSCN1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBtXzB2LD2GF2sw4RcgqpxydxDyvuTYbTM5eaOFpxqILD6fgCqVsYW5TkmBzheRIS6Ex9EMq81uaYouK5dWIulyAmA7ElGZxx3yrp7UJ8naYbxaj1xUTkVxg1Jrh7tWZV2GaLhnZfEYrR/s640/DSCN1440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhBEIgXzr_41-ODKz5V1OTvxH8SVT3fndFCPHH_UIjEQNupCr5YWVXFcVa0P3sRuUUDxWBGSLAFuPjW-2rNzlHWSyJOvw4OsETA8M2krR2l429xuv90HkrPSsSHGnqZjNEefUYiQLDLvD/s1600/DSCN1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhBEIgXzr_41-ODKz5V1OTvxH8SVT3fndFCPHH_UIjEQNupCr5YWVXFcVa0P3sRuUUDxWBGSLAFuPjW-2rNzlHWSyJOvw4OsETA8M2krR2l429xuv90HkrPSsSHGnqZjNEefUYiQLDLvD/s320/DSCN1441.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some organic dried fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I tasted these pears... they were delicious!<br />
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This picture actually got taken by accident, but didn't it turn out cool?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtw-NEwjcjHm6eRIUu-1KnY4Gc8RvnCxrmf6lnqf5iB1F_ITZbZ0a00ctycpIU9Cc_XLOXN-tlT6Ft-TAFKKyPMy3TBzAuTmRcu8aVX-xSyliD18KWOjI4oX8TYUNZvGD0BSuqHFklgxN/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtw-NEwjcjHm6eRIUu-1KnY4Gc8RvnCxrmf6lnqf5iB1F_ITZbZ0a00ctycpIU9Cc_XLOXN-tlT6Ft-TAFKKyPMy3TBzAuTmRcu8aVX-xSyliD18KWOjI4oX8TYUNZvGD0BSuqHFklgxN/s320/DSCN1443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFFy_FQMQpaWU7ou94TZcb-0i9YTlShrtZW2RlMCc99NzvX2BtmFOLqc2WQJyyxgx1X3zCY_rWRkTjnxeOadkDduH1jZXuGKLMYc1EPMeaLRDRwybXy5BosQhxvBahB31JeZ64N-xJzQx/s1600/DSCN1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFFy_FQMQpaWU7ou94TZcb-0i9YTlShrtZW2RlMCc99NzvX2BtmFOLqc2WQJyyxgx1X3zCY_rWRkTjnxeOadkDduH1jZXuGKLMYc1EPMeaLRDRwybXy5BosQhxvBahB31JeZ64N-xJzQx/s400/DSCN1444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weighing the fruit </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2attGwygUOeheFUFu7pP0VwWs_lzbKan2rBEbz-HPWuuclgyaBY7v9ggCfWp19wE2FeG4mfmgepK-hPq28gWhSAnwbc9oxDiSMagz4Lztlye9N1WVqaAkj_aN2khzDOHXj1f1EMdzQGo/s1600/DSCN1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2attGwygUOeheFUFu7pP0VwWs_lzbKan2rBEbz-HPWuuclgyaBY7v9ggCfWp19wE2FeG4mfmgepK-hPq28gWhSAnwbc9oxDiSMagz4Lztlye9N1WVqaAkj_aN2khzDOHXj1f1EMdzQGo/s400/DSCN1445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you feel like a nut... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUK4_RsGzPLxFSW-hnViXP0ehS-nDY6djSSMSqnAYktuyMKTGZiggbs6YdRVk8lO3OIwgEVMWQwSfuxb-Uz_a3bfvI2ofiqdWIA-FGIItHg5B5dDIMWxXXnEp_MVhby1MCkqS5EJeYoOa/s1600/DSCN1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUK4_RsGzPLxFSW-hnViXP0ehS-nDY6djSSMSqnAYktuyMKTGZiggbs6YdRVk8lO3OIwgEVMWQwSfuxb-Uz_a3bfvI2ofiqdWIA-FGIItHg5B5dDIMWxXXnEp_MVhby1MCkqS5EJeYoOa/s640/DSCN1446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love the way these squash look</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8NNrINpDfJ1t5eNspkAlgI-uwNcNxKWOM7T3etHWIrZ76SO5j3pipccoJN-ukrq6Tmssn88h8Lh1tWy5i_zn7Cj3tiz8Dn8hF9yuWIl4uNDmTthLInIzRxijR91vyNzRWsb1PmmQ2deJ/s1600/DSCN1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8NNrINpDfJ1t5eNspkAlgI-uwNcNxKWOM7T3etHWIrZ76SO5j3pipccoJN-ukrq6Tmssn88h8Lh1tWy5i_zn7Cj3tiz8Dn8hF9yuWIl4uNDmTthLInIzRxijR91vyNzRWsb1PmmQ2deJ/s400/DSCN1447.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually really hate the way this lettuce tastes, but it looks cool </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQE3WpzGxYivhrcWPGXSDhDPYS0qMsShXnjYykXID8HeXJZcWUqNM2s9Ou3eTP4DS70MK7-pbfnJbDE3Q7VX0-Q1-Xm9B55PnXlACvllkV5PHXHM780IUt4_qXs2R2rgpq2YIaM4sSg63/s1600/DSCN1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQE3WpzGxYivhrcWPGXSDhDPYS0qMsShXnjYykXID8HeXJZcWUqNM2s9Ou3eTP4DS70MK7-pbfnJbDE3Q7VX0-Q1-Xm9B55PnXlACvllkV5PHXHM780IUt4_qXs2R2rgpq2YIaM4sSg63/s320/DSCN1448.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3tADyU3QdDjtoGYxZcHbbeWQ8GUG9S713xn59OTh2clGPd-5gRglSqoQ2P3EezHZlnGNNA-tHoXiLgPKiA2wEFDuhXqzXu047A1XmMQnNEhJaJK_6MnYJJ-SwgP6B_I6MDfAffsepYGB/s1600/DSCN1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3tADyU3QdDjtoGYxZcHbbeWQ8GUG9S713xn59OTh2clGPd-5gRglSqoQ2P3EezHZlnGNNA-tHoXiLgPKiA2wEFDuhXqzXu047A1XmMQnNEhJaJK_6MnYJJ-SwgP6B_I6MDfAffsepYGB/s640/DSCN1449.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for fall </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRodthKcuVE6aXgFtWA2C0zXPxwmRVofDbJ_6ScnWMrutm8KWFpbHOf7UUTr6uR_5nrSXadOhiJbpMHmG-hYhRome5Vyk1CAVhfsj2kVW3LHbqPUuubtLxGQnBV3YQKjfUMwPoZ77yikau/s1600/DSCN1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRodthKcuVE6aXgFtWA2C0zXPxwmRVofDbJ_6ScnWMrutm8KWFpbHOf7UUTr6uR_5nrSXadOhiJbpMHmG-hYhRome5Vyk1CAVhfsj2kVW3LHbqPUuubtLxGQnBV3YQKjfUMwPoZ77yikau/s320/DSCN1450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJni716xvy01Xf-E4Q1RvHoAyWkIi7wmN5arHlhrYxfI8uoEfIdbAl1Puyrt0grLrS2M4bJmDwC_H6fv6jZhg-AudHCxzcaJyubseCpyCimqv4OhWBcOO-606iTYeo-l4ZWXFy92gCMQf/s1600/DSCN1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJni716xvy01Xf-E4Q1RvHoAyWkIi7wmN5arHlhrYxfI8uoEfIdbAl1Puyrt0grLrS2M4bJmDwC_H6fv6jZhg-AudHCxzcaJyubseCpyCimqv4OhWBcOO-606iTYeo-l4ZWXFy92gCMQf/s320/DSCN1451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
More baked goods - I just cannot resist<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPtIrPAusom2JtrC00xkCDhckVRPczKwyHF5IYdyjYdmMARXitFLVuQ-RaYsl40iwzE96yRvG06goAHGg4dWOfvVPsKfkncY7mtjUwJO3KQOhROcJlF6oSwwl4kvlg4QIfLZNWhCO04K/s1600/DSCN1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPtIrPAusom2JtrC00xkCDhckVRPczKwyHF5IYdyjYdmMARXitFLVuQ-RaYsl40iwzE96yRvG06goAHGg4dWOfvVPsKfkncY7mtjUwJO3KQOhROcJlF6oSwwl4kvlg4QIfLZNWhCO04K/s400/DSCN1452.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPvz2erh-R9TaIFrPzFl-_EDJyoecjlMoSrJl-muvYiDMtMhUmyiRMqLwmFOKMdqdiIfjBZywAsxwG-s_EQbAJ2-sMCXFY8cpfoK0DEZwnxOPMRHq7TzSonZWCkWgKzdqgcSQRieN_LoF/s1600/DSCN1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPvz2erh-R9TaIFrPzFl-_EDJyoecjlMoSrJl-muvYiDMtMhUmyiRMqLwmFOKMdqdiIfjBZywAsxwG-s_EQbAJ2-sMCXFY8cpfoK0DEZwnxOPMRHq7TzSonZWCkWgKzdqgcSQRieN_LoF/s320/DSCN1454.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9aYDyoFofI7065T_-msBk9FcnpexUZt3KBejdBBQyLz2LRe_sL3tn052mAaXYbeZZb10TFr6xVuPyO1j-dhiodnHA3DcKVeYz2v4vLxhkL0G0SXnqxTizOJnTlPNqSk-DI8rkuB9aO2S/s1600/DSCN1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9aYDyoFofI7065T_-msBk9FcnpexUZt3KBejdBBQyLz2LRe_sL3tn052mAaXYbeZZb10TFr6xVuPyO1j-dhiodnHA3DcKVeYz2v4vLxhkL0G0SXnqxTizOJnTlPNqSk-DI8rkuB9aO2S/s400/DSCN1456.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These sandwiches caught my eye - my favorite! lox & cream cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeTtR-3SBHvCiXgltZWnM7qX1qxf1a7NLhddYRzuhq4QcraMonhjCGuWEJ47HB-xesQNDfKu3kAgUG45V_A-PNhEO2VkLgtNlq7M8mF0utZwAxkXhEyN0_4c_3Dsq6sFF5e8tdtqsCm0y/s1600/DSCN1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeTtR-3SBHvCiXgltZWnM7qX1qxf1a7NLhddYRzuhq4QcraMonhjCGuWEJ47HB-xesQNDfKu3kAgUG45V_A-PNhEO2VkLgtNlq7M8mF0utZwAxkXhEyN0_4c_3Dsq6sFF5e8tdtqsCm0y/s640/DSCN1459.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC2WomeP2F5qtZYjfG2qZFTnsZr8AvUQxx5vxiLs9FtxkArHk07sxWzojWxrawOg4uLtSR9iaT9dyLZsyDDBPM1UFfUiONnmoSjqrTaJJPlOIDXI3ZijroITW65CHPZeKF6xYuZB7gQYs/s1600/DSCN1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC2WomeP2F5qtZYjfG2qZFTnsZr8AvUQxx5vxiLs9FtxkArHk07sxWzojWxrawOg4uLtSR9iaT9dyLZsyDDBPM1UFfUiONnmoSjqrTaJJPlOIDXI3ZijroITW65CHPZeKF6xYuZB7gQYs/s400/DSCN1460.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyfriend's favorite: artichoke & brussel sprouts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Who knew this is actually how brussel sprouts grow? so cool<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfuN9_0pk97pG3q5wTVANg9zX0ZNps3_zw7EDiPYK_jCsCr-FBFrJ1Hh3WBLlLT3A17S7SVckU7x42wmF56xrFuCfDu-_Xd1Fv3RbiDH88wtTRMWcmdrwKJlZYXO6Js7_tcJHWRouLkpz/s1600/DSCN1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfuN9_0pk97pG3q5wTVANg9zX0ZNps3_zw7EDiPYK_jCsCr-FBFrJ1Hh3WBLlLT3A17S7SVckU7x42wmF56xrFuCfDu-_Xd1Fv3RbiDH88wtTRMWcmdrwKJlZYXO6Js7_tcJHWRouLkpz/s400/DSCN1463.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5DHd23Fqp1-dy8qu6_iZOrm9jDWLWDVVsRYtYbpzqeMPmXi_v15rtCG4r3z1-Of3iF-Ic2F034sQMlKDZ3OyiMpfj5t_bUINOaV8xEOL5skpYnJnFgnvlwU_6fASSgKXn6Buuy4QLtqM/s1600/DSCN1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5DHd23Fqp1-dy8qu6_iZOrm9jDWLWDVVsRYtYbpzqeMPmXi_v15rtCG4r3z1-Of3iF-Ic2F034sQMlKDZ3OyiMpfj5t_bUINOaV8xEOL5skpYnJnFgnvlwU_6fASSgKXn6Buuy4QLtqM/s320/DSCN1464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pumpkins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIF28uqNt9_INAhxyPTyBhjvNTGxFbm1drWgeRYfcG61RvCjvEn9Hm3pAmyuBdC7eRZvRD9YYkWoBTaoYfLJ5ur2Ky3Bi9sxTja2rRO8qayLC1jaWgwQHUukdFTIzUBuZBDhONymdzLgF/s1600/DSCN1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIF28uqNt9_INAhxyPTyBhjvNTGxFbm1drWgeRYfcG61RvCjvEn9Hm3pAmyuBdC7eRZvRD9YYkWoBTaoYfLJ5ur2Ky3Bi9sxTja2rRO8qayLC1jaWgwQHUukdFTIzUBuZBDhONymdzLgF/s400/DSCN1465.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger settles your stomach :) YUMM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekmhfMw1PbKQv2qUXFy_OnEGkzSC3z13p2-WXHNQ6q_mHc81EAnGQ1WVT0AjVIrdrjWj8M-afygUMTuuy0SHyYO8ArEUtLVydzq1m27KeF3-JsN4eHPfFyc3OVLQGxT4S5-DVsc-egQFN/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekmhfMw1PbKQv2qUXFy_OnEGkzSC3z13p2-WXHNQ6q_mHc81EAnGQ1WVT0AjVIrdrjWj8M-afygUMTuuy0SHyYO8ArEUtLVydzq1m27KeF3-JsN4eHPfFyc3OVLQGxT4S5-DVsc-egQFN/s640/DSCN1466.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pretty Ferry Building. but check out how grey that sky is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZkXpjKSOfXUe1AVqMDIB-ovW1Bv7OTCWZdVsVope6AuQPsyvT_Df6U5au9ft4hbBR7Wjt1JNWYDX3DVsbuvzQCP3wk6YcQn08WEVLdKbOMWzEUBp0q9dcv2Okd6DZc7ExiKd7r8G2wPj/s1600/DSCN1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZkXpjKSOfXUe1AVqMDIB-ovW1Bv7OTCWZdVsVope6AuQPsyvT_Df6U5au9ft4hbBR7Wjt1JNWYDX3DVsbuvzQCP3wk6YcQn08WEVLdKbOMWzEUBp0q9dcv2Okd6DZc7ExiKd7r8G2wPj/s400/DSCN1467.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edible Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGZEmX7CwjhInICDr7-booBdX5X8UzON6i4lrsTRiKoET9zqJGZMlPoeo6SNqSRbi_PwPMNNjXQyLFcqOLQtEQelH2PoXRe0m0HbWpyPagyg-WX6bTcfm4Z0scd9TR8kYu-2fxk8DMxmv/s1600/DSCN1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGZEmX7CwjhInICDr7-booBdX5X8UzON6i4lrsTRiKoET9zqJGZMlPoeo6SNqSRbi_PwPMNNjXQyLFcqOLQtEQelH2PoXRe0m0HbWpyPagyg-WX6bTcfm4Z0scd9TR8kYu-2fxk8DMxmv/s400/DSCN1468.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPD-eR3r2tOEXQnsWjLN4HQTL0ucg4tOweomeHL8ZfcsyYH0jQlxqfJhV3GI6KDOMaty6b2PqqWv9fTOi3yGbwVVfHFe1orBEomHT1hTJaKciE3-H1Yc_iuZXUFnBsC8NxLj-ND2uUat7/s1600/DSCN1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPD-eR3r2tOEXQnsWjLN4HQTL0ucg4tOweomeHL8ZfcsyYH0jQlxqfJhV3GI6KDOMaty6b2PqqWv9fTOi3yGbwVVfHFe1orBEomHT1hTJaKciE3-H1Yc_iuZXUFnBsC8NxLj-ND2uUat7/s640/DSCN1469.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell it's fall yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I call these edible weeds...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3xNSGE2sq4ESqOacaf4uR8IdXTVO5aLbyYfEpfF30g5zlu8opLC7qtE9YHUVIjPZFpktlC_YVQKtPGMQH9a4CVG87nSFbW2VKGGbm8357uFm_X7mlSJEzIXu4-y5IhsI2zE1XDn3JzNM/s1600/DSCN1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3xNSGE2sq4ESqOacaf4uR8IdXTVO5aLbyYfEpfF30g5zlu8opLC7qtE9YHUVIjPZFpktlC_YVQKtPGMQH9a4CVG87nSFbW2VKGGbm8357uFm_X7mlSJEzIXu4-y5IhsI2zE1XDn3JzNM/s400/DSCN1470.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9-eXLybzkC-4Fz1-J50mon6aIIYm-Kp-zJnOW26Ai-M_rGGLVHQ-OINwve8MrxGmjcScW1Y-LTQO3JOxe_AWckCA_8uceyZFoFY_olVN3WLzumFK_0bU_W7PfBTdcoIG-U7addYHCHVv/s1600/DSCN1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9-eXLybzkC-4Fz1-J50mon6aIIYm-Kp-zJnOW26Ai-M_rGGLVHQ-OINwve8MrxGmjcScW1Y-LTQO3JOxe_AWckCA_8uceyZFoFY_olVN3WLzumFK_0bU_W7PfBTdcoIG-U7addYHCHVv/s400/DSCN1471.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
For some reason, I love taking pictures of pomegranates.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu-GsIimFJe-Sn_4asP2fRSRLG8S-0skdv_f-OqgiK_AjXlkWioJu0eOM5euKLwu_ClY9jrfUt_0Ehm1xB2BWSsqK2O1yXwHgyo-Me-QpLqfVcS0FiEjkUqSIryhlHigP1spCUDsbcLPH/s1600/DSCN1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu-GsIimFJe-Sn_4asP2fRSRLG8S-0skdv_f-OqgiK_AjXlkWioJu0eOM5euKLwu_ClY9jrfUt_0Ehm1xB2BWSsqK2O1yXwHgyo-Me-QpLqfVcS0FiEjkUqSIryhlHigP1spCUDsbcLPH/s640/DSCN1472.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HwOTB0dd-4X5Aj8ipdAoRkqKqtBfk5wn3E_rq5ZExz5z_CfKMUNLq9DSXxKIVk7iHOItOBOUSP_jlZU-mflqatysPCxUU0eLgUaaFqgoUHx7IT7gn9lF1jpanPJQTKW8uD0TYH22oLhP/s1600/DSCN1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HwOTB0dd-4X5Aj8ipdAoRkqKqtBfk5wn3E_rq5ZExz5z_CfKMUNLq9DSXxKIVk7iHOItOBOUSP_jlZU-mflqatysPCxUU0eLgUaaFqgoUHx7IT7gn9lF1jpanPJQTKW8uD0TYH22oLhP/s400/DSCN1473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89VYt0lSYjsi-nmhNUp49G7v4BqrycRb_O7-XeMU87uieo6xt0TT91Pg1BAcUKdxXO0d_-C99ioKvuPgtn3nesXSQU9QRZ9BnBl9knpG5bg8QNwyssrZF0QK6LAhnA5KBqVEyuQ-_pT23/s1600/DSCN1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89VYt0lSYjsi-nmhNUp49G7v4BqrycRb_O7-XeMU87uieo6xt0TT91Pg1BAcUKdxXO0d_-C99ioKvuPgtn3nesXSQU9QRZ9BnBl9knpG5bg8QNwyssrZF0QK6LAhnA5KBqVEyuQ-_pT23/s320/DSCN1474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXf-_W7FBeTNsXIeE8o9cEND4BbeW7jzcCuSV1YuSeZJ8lnlbokc1KeVHp6fpl6udR-mrNYvJGlXwE-SUErcmXV0P0WtQ8LWe-TuVG5mIuzACdmz2a5LMItMRPQaNJynz7qdeAfPP2nE5/s1600/DSCN1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXf-_W7FBeTNsXIeE8o9cEND4BbeW7jzcCuSV1YuSeZJ8lnlbokc1KeVHp6fpl6udR-mrNYvJGlXwE-SUErcmXV0P0WtQ8LWe-TuVG5mIuzACdmz2a5LMItMRPQaNJynz7qdeAfPP2nE5/s400/DSCN1475.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy looking persimmons </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyGiFinopSBpVEIs2AbyB6hiSQQ2PjRTEZ8rDNGLXWOjhd2qWv_lvHYRkH0_mU2iDJBKKNCY5RhWvWjh98ojqPCWaALwTRVb3e28EGim6rTa0WcNwuBQs3BhT6BGCYA66VVHTEyo0M3rW/s1600/DSCN1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyGiFinopSBpVEIs2AbyB6hiSQQ2PjRTEZ8rDNGLXWOjhd2qWv_lvHYRkH0_mU2iDJBKKNCY5RhWvWjh98ojqPCWaALwTRVb3e28EGim6rTa0WcNwuBQs3BhT6BGCYA66VVHTEyo0M3rW/s400/DSCN1477.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite smell - lavender </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Circled back to buy a lox & cream cheese sandwich. SO DELICIOUS!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQp8kMZmTRhKIRTinkUVZJG6Rt4E1zsdsf0HaZ2VvJa9jesE8MVxDrJ7kHW-a3yfIyMNK2KZTgxu1gqbEJJInWufmNnKlysTcFVM6TaCNJzT2iVcguUMjg5q3WqYMDDF017lUg_2z6UQl/s1600/DSCN1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQp8kMZmTRhKIRTinkUVZJG6Rt4E1zsdsf0HaZ2VvJa9jesE8MVxDrJ7kHW-a3yfIyMNK2KZTgxu1gqbEJJInWufmNnKlysTcFVM6TaCNJzT2iVcguUMjg5q3WqYMDDF017lUg_2z6UQl/s320/DSCN1478.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Lox, cream cheese, onion, capers, & heirloom tomato on a slice of sourdough - DELICIOUS <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD1fFisFqli2-EJQ_YWy-sMUKFpx9c8LlU61Luuhgz7s2I7B4p28aFBcCg_p4RmMMA4m-UZ9h4CUUQ8lfYPDxMkoIVirKtt5T8F-Ffyv7RmajTNk_RpMbqUcwA9YVchUS0LYwfp1U911T/s1600/DSCN1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD1fFisFqli2-EJQ_YWy-sMUKFpx9c8LlU61Luuhgz7s2I7B4p28aFBcCg_p4RmMMA4m-UZ9h4CUUQ8lfYPDxMkoIVirKtt5T8F-Ffyv7RmajTNk_RpMbqUcwA9YVchUS0LYwfp1U911T/s320/DSCN1479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We ventured into the ferry building and visited Blue Bottle Coffee. As you can see, each cup is prepared individually so it takes a while, but it is SO worth it!!!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCr7C8gdlDwCRA7lFdBq3EhzdIAo_7TL5EqwQzTYNmJjkYg_cUN42eu_CkwCeF0U_j7fboHqDtXGXavKo3lMF-AF73oCQ5lnUyJh0RqqcDP5CNboHxWTR0KJicf7rFTX7Ynl-CcYSINKc/s1600/DSCN1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCr7C8gdlDwCRA7lFdBq3EhzdIAo_7TL5EqwQzTYNmJjkYg_cUN42eu_CkwCeF0U_j7fboHqDtXGXavKo3lMF-AF73oCQ5lnUyJh0RqqcDP5CNboHxWTR0KJicf7rFTX7Ynl-CcYSINKc/s320/DSCN1480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The one in the middle is mine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69quftVTHtS6_YsfOAVHKp7opjXwf9MofEv0WoLtJBPOX7_ZkyNSCQoy2pW7B513jb73tod5FmcApKl9pwpKtPpQ3gXw3BrrOa6FFZCHcQfpkHsPSVL29vDhPeaNFo0t_Inu3lyk97By6/s1600/DSCN1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69quftVTHtS6_YsfOAVHKp7opjXwf9MofEv0WoLtJBPOX7_ZkyNSCQoy2pW7B513jb73tod5FmcApKl9pwpKtPpQ3gXw3BrrOa6FFZCHcQfpkHsPSVL29vDhPeaNFo0t_Inu3lyk97By6/s320/DSCN1482.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all the tasting at the farmer's market and the delicious sandwich, it was time to move our butts up to Union Square to do some shopping before taking the ferry back to Marin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just another wonderful fall day shopping & eating around the city with good friends. What else could a girl ask for?</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-87645592764924784712010-10-26T17:29:00.000-04:002010-10-26T17:29:08.933-04:00Lasagna<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite lasagna comes from New Hampshire. It's made in a cozy kitchen in New London by an amazing lady. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cold weather has spurred an early craving for her delicious, cheesy lasagna. Due to the fact that I now live on the "wrong" coast, I had to try my skills to re-create boyfriend's mother's specialty. For the purpose of this blog, lets call the lasagna master "D". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I can make pasta and sauce NO problem, in fact, I think I could even call it my specialty. So I figured lasagna would be no problem. Right? Wrong!! I e-mailed D for her recipe. She sent back instructions like I knew what I was doing... Also WRONG! In fact, because the e-mail didn't say so, I didn't know I needed to cook the noodles before I layered and baked them. After a little insight from boyfriend, I headed out to the grocery to pick up the necessary supplies. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom made home-made sauce with tomatoes from dad's garden (not something readily available in NH). I defrosted the sauce and browned turkey. I combined the meat into the sauce to make an easy meat sauce. Check!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0vf1fvTFzhpxQnAacXJgNrmxQsJhg6TCshdxYSjVEt1E28uiurqBXq-0iteDduMQakYWU0tlYSst4QBTT4v4W-y3nS2ShTsd49ICqSDxjqip6nGz7QYa7eLBPJQuf8vKoKfV-G_bzmid/s1600/DSCN1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0vf1fvTFzhpxQnAacXJgNrmxQsJhg6TCshdxYSjVEt1E28uiurqBXq-0iteDduMQakYWU0tlYSst4QBTT4v4W-y3nS2ShTsd49ICqSDxjqip6nGz7QYa7eLBPJQuf8vKoKfV-G_bzmid/s400/DSCN1412.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D's e mail said to mix the ricotta cheese with an egg. I was a little put off by this, so I looked it up. Turns out everyone mixes an egg with ricotta cheese to make it easier to spread.... okkkk. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj1kg-vhP-K417Xbd1BVP6ei1MGqD3Jl2ggRhrGG5YXV8gWDneWfNnN7uB-3DKc8_NwWKlnDXZIm_v3zHWzWJTASFbCVELa-UZVFZPliapmV7pOKms8usQWRTovuaLOCOJijXogPZ_ujE/s1600/DSCN1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj1kg-vhP-K417Xbd1BVP6ei1MGqD3Jl2ggRhrGG5YXV8gWDneWfNnN7uB-3DKc8_NwWKlnDXZIm_v3zHWzWJTASFbCVELa-UZVFZPliapmV7pOKms8usQWRTovuaLOCOJijXogPZ_ujE/s400/DSCN1415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought fresh mozzarella and sliced it up. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxy5r-8KLdzQq77hlALLQ1EQy9uAJiDHtI_4yg9Hv3e66eNW95fdOjHNIvbhbcfEoKbbryAKoNq2JnvnXRgynSsRm-SkypsBafNKhBrEHocqTX4iYl10Gk53j9EATnwrw8_UmK4MyXbdf/s1600/DSCN1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxy5r-8KLdzQq77hlALLQ1EQy9uAJiDHtI_4yg9Hv3e66eNW95fdOjHNIvbhbcfEoKbbryAKoNq2JnvnXRgynSsRm-SkypsBafNKhBrEHocqTX4iYl10Gk53j9EATnwrw8_UmK4MyXbdf/s400/DSCN1416.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then put down the first layer of tomato sauce</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q9ake_rK0kBPYYQpTRU0ZIpKYuJqY-H8S3pYOTIu5DIqqR6iZxXNi4XL2Xf2ww6fsh4UcUuSNBcQGdbNWY3Dy8R05M7tNvUoPrYaGLWzUGAbE66Pa-BS3VyeiEYxP0RDBO4rLZijpm7g/s1600/DSCN1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q9ake_rK0kBPYYQpTRU0ZIpKYuJqY-H8S3pYOTIu5DIqqR6iZxXNi4XL2Xf2ww6fsh4UcUuSNBcQGdbNWY3Dy8R05M7tNvUoPrYaGLWzUGAbE66Pa-BS3VyeiEYxP0RDBO4rLZijpm7g/s400/DSCN1420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step #2: the noodles </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q9ake_rK0kBPYYQpTRU0ZIpKYuJqY-H8S3pYOTIu5DIqqR6iZxXNi4XL2Xf2ww6fsh4UcUuSNBcQGdbNWY3Dy8R05M7tNvUoPrYaGLWzUGAbE66Pa-BS3VyeiEYxP0RDBO4rLZijpm7g/s1600/DSCN1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsquUJtDhJAGKqVS8OUOhyJVzQqTTRILvMDWGX4VnsCFhFvZlODuy2q8VwV74ClBaJdQsucpej2x3a8ToDFrzIpjDLUeJkUn5rGJo-9SWmVtq8KFGPEmFe3hBJ94otpC-SET_7D_jhS3Y/s1600/DSCN1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsquUJtDhJAGKqVS8OUOhyJVzQqTTRILvMDWGX4VnsCFhFvZlODuy2q8VwV74ClBaJdQsucpej2x3a8ToDFrzIpjDLUeJkUn5rGJo-9SWmVtq8KFGPEmFe3hBJ94otpC-SET_7D_jhS3Y/s400/DSCN1421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> stuck a dollop of ricotta cheese on each side of the noodles </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86_9Rr7h8LuPr7L9ox5AILoh7gSd5MVeNuK3hFIuIU1zKFuDemmJoAdpfeO0anx09RSQlGqJ1G6DbvUYsa331ge_sg0zW8tKgjPioGb18GS82ma_NDb2dct4RROMPAwt2xaRvrmhMJump/s1600/DSCN1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86_9Rr7h8LuPr7L9ox5AILoh7gSd5MVeNuK3hFIuIU1zKFuDemmJoAdpfeO0anx09RSQlGqJ1G6DbvUYsa331ge_sg0zW8tKgjPioGb18GS82ma_NDb2dct4RROMPAwt2xaRvrmhMJump/s400/DSCN1422.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and added a bit of sauce to spread the ricotta cheese out evenly. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, as if laying bricks, I filled in the cracks with mozzarella.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-YgLxVYTvaKLPXAnBxuar4XzqJ2ikld9rnwcSGBSDGmRUMJXPavus30L9vri0VKow1E83EKBZ8aG05uZYh9mdgCqy7aEcmH6AHu0t4FWXU4G8xz5ot3WWIMA7p4SuGrAl5PY_aGTi3E2/s1600/DSCN1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-YgLxVYTvaKLPXAnBxuar4XzqJ2ikld9rnwcSGBSDGmRUMJXPavus30L9vri0VKow1E83EKBZ8aG05uZYh9mdgCqy7aEcmH6AHu0t4FWXU4G8xz5ot3WWIMA7p4SuGrAl5PY_aGTi3E2/s1600/DSCN1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNCE9q4TC-duK5ftvzKqhcq4KsupRFxwJMNURjOKkubbNzph6YWmyn1jbGnykllMHEFl-3W_ENe5pIO7JLYidXx8wbr5fkfNkzRtP30qsB4SF0Cpo8eI5hFh4LtAq4DJnl0VhCNJNUfiS/s1600/DSCN1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNCE9q4TC-duK5ftvzKqhcq4KsupRFxwJMNURjOKkubbNzph6YWmyn1jbGnykllMHEFl-3W_ENe5pIO7JLYidXx8wbr5fkfNkzRtP30qsB4SF0Cpo8eI5hFh4LtAq4DJnl0VhCNJNUfiS/s400/DSCN1424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I repeated the layering process until I reached the top of the pan and then added the remaining mozzarella to the top. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8JZfURHtcWRxca8AZdMUoQVyDYDMTVjJnneYKn3mxCADYT6Ntx3JR8WBZimYBm5m3JeHaJ2ol2-xkhPRxXuzZR6gniKdoKvFMEqUhQPpGKi0E742cjyrSoLSVUuBo5N6-R3Lzs2Hrlxy/s1600/DSCN1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8JZfURHtcWRxca8AZdMUoQVyDYDMTVjJnneYKn3mxCADYT6Ntx3JR8WBZimYBm5m3JeHaJ2ol2-xkhPRxXuzZR6gniKdoKvFMEqUhQPpGKi0E742cjyrSoLSVUuBo5N6-R3Lzs2Hrlxy/s400/DSCN1425.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put the lasagna in the oven to bake for about an hour</span>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV51xuD0xQxxyxi8uoqRr4_pDxyNHS8fGGIpnekg4B755tKmXRpiLIAX66rafPeG5SluR3vJbwvoUu69cp-mhtXt7k33LbfpAporePuMC0dpuLb3p2XJ7rq-3haYrwiwbmMAhI8m9re4c/s1600/DSCN1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV51xuD0xQxxyxi8uoqRr4_pDxyNHS8fGGIpnekg4B755tKmXRpiLIAX66rafPeG5SluR3vJbwvoUu69cp-mhtXt7k33LbfpAporePuMC0dpuLb3p2XJ7rq-3haYrwiwbmMAhI8m9re4c/s400/DSCN1426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boyfriend came home from basketball a VERY hungry boy. He was so anxious to try the lasagna, he refused to let it finish baking, and removed it from the oven after about 45 minutes. Since everything was cooked before it went into the oven, I didn't see any food safety issues with taking it out early. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJWCzFLijaG1OEZGLFh1P8k6qcYOxBtEKiI7H0OAkw45F1ix3uatVXF3ivIarymVJ_EBULqmZp81v0phjYbDYKNLdq5kbl_Kfo3MnXkkKh7fbXg6n7vrBO-6nAEeUWSnCNSzHURgqnzpt/s1600/DSCN1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJWCzFLijaG1OEZGLFh1P8k6qcYOxBtEKiI7H0OAkw45F1ix3uatVXF3ivIarymVJ_EBULqmZp81v0phjYbDYKNLdq5kbl_Kfo3MnXkkKh7fbXg6n7vrBO-6nAEeUWSnCNSzHURgqnzpt/s400/DSCN1429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I personally like my lasagna a little crunchier on top and at the edges. Since this one didn't get to bake the full time, it was a waterier and more runny that I would have liked. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84O1LIJ-AS3t-bhI08IR2ZtHmKv7Rv6H8yGgmMC5Eu7Jh7ZsvRkelJ2-XEyu8Ks8HTD57C8ObWA3ri98snE-tR8eo4I6LB0hqMIYt6iIyJvmU-054IbEUBZgJC9sbaHHmNlYjBiCQqsgu/s1600/DSCN1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84O1LIJ-AS3t-bhI08IR2ZtHmKv7Rv6H8yGgmMC5Eu7Jh7ZsvRkelJ2-XEyu8Ks8HTD57C8ObWA3ri98snE-tR8eo4I6LB0hqMIYt6iIyJvmU-054IbEUBZgJC9sbaHHmNlYjBiCQqsgu/s400/DSCN1430.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see in the picture above, the whole thing was kind of watery. I'm unsure if it's because of the short baking time or because I used home-made sauce from fresh tomatoes. I will have to try again the next time I want lasagna. OR I will hop on an airplane to New Hampshire and have the REAL thing with some REALLY great company! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boyfriend and I have to plan our trip back east soon... I definitely cannot make it through winter without lasagna! </span></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-91135703516775969262010-09-21T17:34:00.000-04:002010-09-21T17:34:16.200-04:00Some of my My Favorite Foods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a recent outing with my mother, she took me to one of her favorite resautants in Sonoma, <a href="http://www.theredgrape.com/">The Red Grape. </a> After odering a nice cold glass of wine, I opened the menu and this entree immediately caught my eye. Once I read all of the ingredients, I could not tear my attention away to even glance at the other menu options. So I guess I decided what I wanted for lunch pretty quickly... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_S21jkj26Qo5WlHbmMKnjxHn5Y6JrAOYU3FiVJAcMmjrLe97r0DanDLGkcc4_wYBpPLW5FOeooBBLmOt8bodePTf9AYut3uh0TBhyphenhyphene0UGl5B7C8J-ker14_9oj3OOFNplOu5pTXHITDu/s1600/Pizza+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_S21jkj26Qo5WlHbmMKnjxHn5Y6JrAOYU3FiVJAcMmjrLe97r0DanDLGkcc4_wYBpPLW5FOeooBBLmOt8bodePTf9AYut3uh0TBhyphenhyphene0UGl5B7C8J-ker14_9oj3OOFNplOu5pTXHITDu/s400/Pizza+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>YES! The Farmer's Market white pizza!! It's a pecorino romano base with roasted red beets, grilled corn and goat cheese, topped with fresh avocado slices. <br />
For those of you who don't know me well, goat cheese, beets, avocado, and corn are four of my all time favorite foods. I cannot even begin to explain how excited I was when I realized that all of these foods came TOGETHER on a PIZZA!! And all this time I thought I was weird for eating avocado, beets, and goat cheese on an English muffin - seems like whoever created this pizza has the same taste buds. So exciting. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJo3O4_RsdKoT_6a-Uudlhu6vpjv9GGWnkeexFLSLuVjTUymq0PQIB2znfIdacZP3KAnSrZasUXAFvrVK86twRdpEGFLUMk8voM5JNgSUV65CacV0KO4XqI11J0h5quSMLsMMJsq8dhxM/s1600/Pizza+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJo3O4_RsdKoT_6a-Uudlhu6vpjv9GGWnkeexFLSLuVjTUymq0PQIB2znfIdacZP3KAnSrZasUXAFvrVK86twRdpEGFLUMk8voM5JNgSUV65CacV0KO4XqI11J0h5quSMLsMMJsq8dhxM/s640/Pizza+2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
The best part is that the restaurant had whole wheat dough as a substitution. It made the RD in me smile even more. The crust was pretty thin and light which made for a totally satisfying, yet not too filling lunch. I wasn't able to finish the whole thing at lunch and took the rest to go. This wonderful pizza was just as tasty - if not even better - the next day, cold, for lunch! I'm not sure what it is about these flavors that makes them blend so beautifully, but I was in heaven the entire time I was eating this pizza. <br />
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I cannot wait to visit the Red Grape and enjoy this pizza again. I may even have to try something new (doubt it though!)Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-80695837142833044032010-07-28T20:21:00.000-04:002010-07-30T00:33:38.918-04:00My Adventures Eating Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started a new job at the beginning of June with has left me with <strike>little</strike> no time to blog <strong>or</strong> cook. Due to my new time crunch, I have found myself eating out more and more - great food... bad for my waist line! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">► My good friend Kitchen M invited me to be her guest at the Cookbook Release Party at <a href="http://www.chandon.com/">Domaine Chandon</a> in Yountville, CA to taste some of the cook book recipes paired with delicious wines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FLTZmIhfuBrLblovOOFIssGTM5LDRky2Z3DZIZUJrXQWqmaQzEZN8ywDE5_x58kNh67-gBWTgIJQCz7Db3XNxIDT0vODyLXDoWje6dNu-CR__p91866uvFBkoRZg1yvrW-lAnxkgItE1/s1600/IMG00020-20100721-1814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FLTZmIhfuBrLblovOOFIssGTM5LDRky2Z3DZIZUJrXQWqmaQzEZN8ywDE5_x58kNh67-gBWTgIJQCz7Db3XNxIDT0vODyLXDoWje6dNu-CR__p91866uvFBkoRZg1yvrW-lAnxkgItE1/s400/IMG00020-20100721-1814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The vineyards are beautiful and the grapes are growing big in preparation to be picked in the fall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsA7N1OEtVqZAMXY5SHA6-b-57sH6UdpP0NQtuAN5uJGpCyUqvjrO4RamKYjBSsrTkOUCED8sAwFrSyJBngUg-AAtjSx3IH0Wc-Tz5mipZ9Idd70FSVIFEineTB-XJtKXMcnIFDQ78a2Z/s1600/IMG00021-20100721-1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsA7N1OEtVqZAMXY5SHA6-b-57sH6UdpP0NQtuAN5uJGpCyUqvjrO4RamKYjBSsrTkOUCED8sAwFrSyJBngUg-AAtjSx3IH0Wc-Tz5mipZ9Idd70FSVIFEineTB-XJtKXMcnIFDQ78a2Z/s320/IMG00021-20100721-1819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Domaine Chandon is known for their sparkling wines, so they had mostly green grapes in these vineyards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh6_aQqc-HMSfGWXpc75-zOKPFZu1pNDO78hCM829zOU5pz9aynmqj_o6LMXzrmmtBVwhwEZZGzWYI57dCxbmpN_pY-53NT63q6jvVTMgM_ujdspmxIcH-aJ_p7G7kUtLZWm-L0MMJ9kS/s1600/IMG00023-20100721-1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh6_aQqc-HMSfGWXpc75-zOKPFZu1pNDO78hCM829zOU5pz9aynmqj_o6LMXzrmmtBVwhwEZZGzWYI57dCxbmpN_pY-53NT63q6jvVTMgM_ujdspmxIcH-aJ_p7G7kUtLZWm-L0MMJ9kS/s640/IMG00023-20100721-1820.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The event was spectacular and the food and wine pairings were delicious. Every bite I took sent a rush of tastes to my mouth - I could not get enough! The best (most unexpected) part of the evening was that I got to take a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Domaine-Chandon-Cookbook-Recipes-Restaurant/dp/0811871576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280464131&sr=8-1">cookbook</a> home signed by the head chef of Etoile and the author of the cookbook! I doubt my culinary skills allow me to actually cook any of the fabulous recipes, but the pictures in the book are very pretty!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokwbIetXA-QNgIF8wt__lv9zw5HLeFtStpik_C12CNhq-7ZgeWil3TlszUia1GGnE1vHCSz2vYk8aZAX9vGp_ey3cmPevLX-JMRz2M7LUh_aElOa4Xe2poDqUhB6MnM4CWDvAODrqkHQi/s1600/IMG00032-20100721-1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokwbIetXA-QNgIF8wt__lv9zw5HLeFtStpik_C12CNhq-7ZgeWil3TlszUia1GGnE1vHCSz2vYk8aZAX9vGp_ey3cmPevLX-JMRz2M7LUh_aElOa4Xe2poDqUhB6MnM4CWDvAODrqkHQi/s400/IMG00032-20100721-1932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite dish of the night - Braised pork with beans and couscous</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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► In the same week, my friend '<a href="http://www.myfoodlife-cal.blogspot.com/">CAL</a>' and I decided to try out the new <a href="http://morimotonapa.com/">Morimoto</a> restaurant in Napa. The service was absolutely terrible and their excuse was that they "just opened" - <strong>not impressed</strong>! The food was pretty <em>BLAH </em>overall, but we did have a great appetizer and drink (and company!). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UW5DsE34KULMzqpuDA7ozdaNPCp24DfR3giyvfJt0h9pev_HbAQ0Sxk-5NeNyd-mgGK1HETi84RwZoKzrrQjPlyaUO0Z8tGy6-73Fv5bxnbhEFQuNYTH9RgQ9-Ek-hIP4HbU7nC5jz0m/s1600/IMG00045-20100722-1801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UW5DsE34KULMzqpuDA7ozdaNPCp24DfR3giyvfJt0h9pev_HbAQ0Sxk-5NeNyd-mgGK1HETi84RwZoKzrrQjPlyaUO0Z8tGy6-73Fv5bxnbhEFQuNYTH9RgQ9-Ek-hIP4HbU7nC5jz0m/s400/IMG00045-20100722-1801.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamachi Tartare appetizer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2cQb-lsFC2RkJvLAnn0PZu85vBX7ksYqMbrRozOT0iT0ZFqJ5Q6x_p0NJeb6J3xEuP4CuRW4Fpi0w-aGwtQN-LSxp4k0mBkIlTUGGdVnMEoY0pLZvrj8tsh5FzbC634W5mPFf9iAb_LD/s1600/IMG00042-20100722-1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2cQb-lsFC2RkJvLAnn0PZu85vBX7ksYqMbrRozOT0iT0ZFqJ5Q6x_p0NJeb6J3xEuP4CuRW4Fpi0w-aGwtQN-LSxp4k0mBkIlTUGGdVnMEoY0pLZvrj8tsh5FzbC634W5mPFf9iAb_LD/s320/IMG00042-20100722-1748.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White lily - shirayuri: shochu, calpico, yuzu juice and lemon juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>These two items were noteworthy, but the sushi we ordered was nothing special, and definitely not worth the higher price of eating a Morimoto's restaurant. Unfortunately I do not think I will be visiting this restaurant again any time soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
► In search of some good sushi, 'CAL' and I visited <a href="http://www.massake.com/index_flash.html">Mas Sake</a> in San Francisco. We began our meal with some edamame and a delicious cocktail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoKgT8ybULtp5KKsKruuJ2yUEavasnYmdjI6KxJIt-rtdrS1NPke6MPDCKcZ3f33lsaiWOH5TQCmdEi0yJ7PMpXIRXCQmqECM4knFjupz93YbOBtZ1EzG_GRmMWMNwBwzihdK4jwBFoI-/s1600/DSCN1242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoKgT8ybULtp5KKsKruuJ2yUEavasnYmdjI6KxJIt-rtdrS1NPke6MPDCKcZ3f33lsaiWOH5TQCmdEi0yJ7PMpXIRXCQmqECM4knFjupz93YbOBtZ1EzG_GRmMWMNwBwzihdK4jwBFoI-/s400/DSCN1242.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mas Tini: Nigori, peach schnapps, pomegranate juice, and fresh lime juice.. YUM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We then enjoyed an appetizer and some sushi rolls. The combination was simply divine and every bite was just as delicious as the first... definitely got our sushi fix from this restaurant. I will absolutely be visiting this sushi restaurant again!!! No words to describe how much I enjoyed the ecstasy roll. I think I could eat it for dinner every single night from now on! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuP0x2a7EpGuDVggOi1y5nAPwindCxZOX0VpMyAIcqEa8VgTV8Q0iw7lv0ez7kfxrTnzDByJCFuOr2UdpXYCHYqZaVrV9nN7DObRonXC-DPvJjhoMdamHXHr5falpqZacmpS7jsY9e69M/s1600/DSCN1248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuP0x2a7EpGuDVggOi1y5nAPwindCxZOX0VpMyAIcqEa8VgTV8Q0iw7lv0ez7kfxrTnzDByJCFuOr2UdpXYCHYqZaVrV9nN7DObRonXC-DPvJjhoMdamHXHr5falpqZacmpS7jsY9e69M/s320/DSCN1248.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi cupcakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVf9N8Q6UXDZ9u9RxnTuKjSgRatLFpxLrTL_lQlIMbUaZDohKpeJZVK7hSE7kT90aaFcQfYtF0AKMkRYNgd7PbcaxnO0xeDNGcFdCg6vecEmlEKwNFGpy73FhyphenhyphenzircEkrg9k-GX_lzzMl/s1600/DSCN1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVf9N8Q6UXDZ9u9RxnTuKjSgRatLFpxLrTL_lQlIMbUaZDohKpeJZVK7hSE7kT90aaFcQfYtF0AKMkRYNgd7PbcaxnO0xeDNGcFdCg6vecEmlEKwNFGpy73FhyphenhyphenzircEkrg9k-GX_lzzMl/s400/DSCN1243.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: shana roll, ecstasy roll, and three amigos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaC6bbmk06Au6LeEmyDWTrCo3QSaD1LtsNMl_IUUY1erPSBsAD9cMBUnjUG0et6lN1_1CzbqH2rAR-ifENRo0XlUg8Mgw1jf98xiItzqmDX3JWWJJZ79tBIR2x8SQBmcRb2McAhnPK73K/s1600/DSCN1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaC6bbmk06Au6LeEmyDWTrCo3QSaD1LtsNMl_IUUY1erPSBsAD9cMBUnjUG0et6lN1_1CzbqH2rAR-ifENRo0XlUg8Mgw1jf98xiItzqmDX3JWWJJZ79tBIR2x8SQBmcRb2McAhnPK73K/s320/DSCN1246.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the ecstasy roll - no rice! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-21601810872244934352010-05-31T12:08:00.000-04:002010-06-02T22:14:40.967-04:00Pizza, Pasta, and more Carbohydrates - Rome<div>First, I must apologize for the lack of posts by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RD'lite</span>. I have not been doing much cooking at home and have not been inspired to cook or blog - until I got an opportunity to travel! </div><div><br /></div>I was lucky enough to visit Italy for 10 days in May. In typical RD fashion, I took pictures of (almost) everything I ate. There are way too many pictures and meals for just one blog post, so I have decided to blog the major cities separately. This first picture is not of food, but of the coliseum which was one of my favorite sights in Rome. I didn't know until I got home, but It's one of the seven (and I think now 8) wonders of the world - Thank you Boyfriend!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA9qjr0BNKnRUYlqnYMkhyeWT2fBsWeWoh92j6iVagwcRmRu-oZnhgi74Vm3nvOCnqgGLhkWj_jG5V38plZZbXXD5BucaCN5EwV2xYGCp_GMro4SA8tkT0PxlD-eSST4AKMQRL6AE_55T/s1600/DSCN1046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA9qjr0BNKnRUYlqnYMkhyeWT2fBsWeWoh92j6iVagwcRmRu-oZnhgi74Vm3nvOCnqgGLhkWj_jG5V38plZZbXXD5BucaCN5EwV2xYGCp_GMro4SA8tkT0PxlD-eSST4AKMQRL6AE_55T/s320/DSCN1046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477468131773781682" /></a>Now on to the food... In Italy they begin dinner with an appetizer - usually antipasti, followed by a small pasta dish, and then a main entree (usually meat and potatoes). The salad comes after the main course and then dessert to finish. There is always bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on the table, and the bread basket is rarely empty. Yes, you read that correctly, that's a whole lot of carbohydrates! Pasta, potatoes, and bread in one meal - I have no idea how the Italians are so skinny. During the entire meal, they serve copious amounts of delicious wine which is also super cheap (<><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bruschetta</span> is one of my favorite appetizers and who knew it could get even better?! I didn't know that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bruschetta</span> came with anything other than tomatoes, and maybe some cheese. Artichokes were in season during my visit, and the Italians sure cooked them every which way. They even put it on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bruschetta</span> - so delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6JT-ATFZJV1ryvVklrQvli0cRYAOkBP-SSHYZ_RWRcg5SOWbqmzMq_UjzPOnh64rJ6yi5IYVGt0_QYEiH_2iB7KKUjDgf3d4JzwWmUBptixK76p3c4P3aH6HO_cBCGdJyACgN9T04JR1/s1600/DSCN1062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6JT-ATFZJV1ryvVklrQvli0cRYAOkBP-SSHYZ_RWRcg5SOWbqmzMq_UjzPOnh64rJ6yi5IYVGt0_QYEiH_2iB7KKUjDgf3d4JzwWmUBptixK76p3c4P3aH6HO_cBCGdJyACgN9T04JR1/s320/DSCN1062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477468103595432162" /></a>For the second course I had the most wonderful gnocchi I have ever tasted. It was so light and not too filling. Just absolutely perfect with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bolognese</span> sauce! Unfortunately, Italian food is not as photogenic as it is tasty. I was so full after my appetizer and pasta dish that I couldn't order a main course also. Come to think of it, I don't think I got past the pasta part at any meal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iGAw5fNvAzPj_5bVIlqK3B7kRfDbDo58Qh7AiTa3s-K5Rz7BwIbmx3rKTIfGf7DQ487VzoH5eFfDQL8ld4ro5RrdW_HGDZq341zV-UHNWVYK96Z-0ATWvVcn9cnWVynX4iAwKqw5b9A_/s1600/DSCN1063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iGAw5fNvAzPj_5bVIlqK3B7kRfDbDo58Qh7AiTa3s-K5Rz7BwIbmx3rKTIfGf7DQ487VzoH5eFfDQL8ld4ro5RrdW_HGDZq341zV-UHNWVYK96Z-0ATWvVcn9cnWVynX4iAwKqw5b9A_/s320/DSCN1063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467971895362434" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">AHHH</span> probably one of my favorite parts of being in Italy - the WINE! This bottle is only half of a liter of the house wine. They literally poor the wine out of the barrel upon ordering it - so cool. I also found it funny that in America, we have special glasses for different types of wine. In Italy, they pour the wine into water glasses. They also give you a glass that's really used for water, but it's much smaller than the one that's meant for wine.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9gwYZHM6h8Yb8C1K55s2tfEmlNUszLRVsOEr8OQx8LtF-QmQeC8_lSeXSXcKslmDwOVmqcUg-CizSGvb9xt5CgVY6VCRMxLgB8FcW7rqeM7QNQBOiAkwk_dkCOQxCqTvaEeK_OMbzqnQ/s1600/DSCN1065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9gwYZHM6h8Yb8C1K55s2tfEmlNUszLRVsOEr8OQx8LtF-QmQeC8_lSeXSXcKslmDwOVmqcUg-CizSGvb9xt5CgVY6VCRMxLgB8FcW7rqeM7QNQBOiAkwk_dkCOQxCqTvaEeK_OMbzqnQ/s320/DSCN1065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467964760353378" /></a>During my trip, a typical brunch for me was a salami and cheese sandwich or slice of pizza. They had these delicious sandwiches all over the streets in little snack cafes for about 3.50 euros. The pizza I speak of is not your typical slice of NYC pizza, but more like a little personal pizza - so cute.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxJw5wToxBEwcDeqoKTyeHUbWIV8mSzl0oc3SW6moBC-bOV_tps6sAvjv4vKm4gmQ_uRTzpxMSGJ_hH3L8zLt0bZdFGkqP4FD-UY1PDpiG1x1L_OAkPW9ieyqSzmTdAqZvSREYpHjs-a0/s1600/DSCN1096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxJw5wToxBEwcDeqoKTyeHUbWIV8mSzl0oc3SW6moBC-bOV_tps6sAvjv4vKm4gmQ_uRTzpxMSGJ_hH3L8zLt0bZdFGkqP4FD-UY1PDpiG1x1L_OAkPW9ieyqSzmTdAqZvSREYpHjs-a0/s320/DSCN1096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467950600198690" /></a>I visited an outdoor market in the middle of Rome that looked much like the farmer's markets in the US. The market was bustling with both locals and tourists, and there were only a few foods I didn't recognize.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_qUNEL26HHlYU6rPjHgJynmmyeK3HMAzLrpQx9nOmLviWSp7dXVPxaakrZ4klypl-pmWs2xnuPF-88vopkzFOgi0BgnfEbgpYUtYABXVVAbtjalZCteN4u193jk4O7w6i8E0mmZGzOJD/s1600/DSCN1106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_qUNEL26HHlYU6rPjHgJynmmyeK3HMAzLrpQx9nOmLviWSp7dXVPxaakrZ4klypl-pmWs2xnuPF-88vopkzFOgi0BgnfEbgpYUtYABXVVAbtjalZCteN4u193jk4O7w6i8E0mmZGzOJD/s320/DSCN1106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467940373657250" /></a>These tiny artichokes were in season, and I have never seen such small artichokes before. Restaurants fry the whole thing and it can be eaten with a fork and knife rather than each leaf individually. A much more civilized way of eating artichokes if you ask me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSrZy-t5HK9C2tpmZOoCrg6OIRYTmxqUC6oEHTy1PiWqZxVSnhF9kYKcjJuqYAmjX3cevSdlca3vRvjXIO_mjpnUSKLggEPPYPK-qxfOGbI6iVtWfyDKwBJ3H98UukGI4tmrkwKKxQrps/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSrZy-t5HK9C2tpmZOoCrg6OIRYTmxqUC6oEHTy1PiWqZxVSnhF9kYKcjJuqYAmjX3cevSdlca3vRvjXIO_mjpnUSKLggEPPYPK-qxfOGbI6iVtWfyDKwBJ3H98UukGI4tmrkwKKxQrps/s320/DSCN1107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467357448061122" /></a>Still not sure what these red and white pods are... if anyone knows, please let me know! They look so cool though. I have to assume they are some type of bean though.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbQM7ojFEG4HYJtyZmznVfuv0vv8POdJbPmGOTArJo-7fv-eE7YQ7sFv_Y6G-XHhRvKQAl-oTY3uo2z23qCky_b79BNVpFD829PbcUbHi7Q_b5U1_NC7LsTX1hvO5Odzn7R8h78KnD4_u/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbQM7ojFEG4HYJtyZmznVfuv0vv8POdJbPmGOTArJo-7fv-eE7YQ7sFv_Y6G-XHhRvKQAl-oTY3uo2z23qCky_b79BNVpFD829PbcUbHi7Q_b5U1_NC7LsTX1hvO5Odzn7R8h78KnD4_u/s320/DSCN1108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467346903016066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdEM_zGqnevCbzV4yvLg5ifiGmFYFyfIKqm1hxSyla7DlX3WNDF3pIcIAtrgoKJfNKKAL90iFhdiJaAJclq4hC1Es3OxAsThxynHsH7HBVeH2DOK_s22HNktqXySff9iSUOTcvCxncr6k/s1600/DSCN1109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdEM_zGqnevCbzV4yvLg5ifiGmFYFyfIKqm1hxSyla7DlX3WNDF3pIcIAtrgoKJfNKKAL90iFhdiJaAJclq4hC1Es3OxAsThxynHsH7HBVeH2DOK_s22HNktqXySff9iSUOTcvCxncr6k/s320/DSCN1109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467334348875058" /></a>These were the biggest beets I have ever seen! Don't they look delicious?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZXfxGrIJwGLlaf_xsagiiSZSYYosXsNduepAmjyxsJtL7m4UkG9SkzQ_eXx91qUghZYLJJ78lsMaxj1-aXTiBHInIkKMhiOBcZKrt0yKRHHR1Mq8XErKZYCCiCtmE8YgL8a83o8p0hyS/s1600/DSCN1110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZXfxGrIJwGLlaf_xsagiiSZSYYosXsNduepAmjyxsJtL7m4UkG9SkzQ_eXx91qUghZYLJJ78lsMaxj1-aXTiBHInIkKMhiOBcZKrt0yKRHHR1Mq8XErKZYCCiCtmE8YgL8a83o8p0hyS/s320/DSCN1110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467327709235186" /></a>More artichokes - never seen them on stems in Safeway...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkfTVsdypnCHQHSxSF5pcXlwYoglqCAqShP4xFeEaYdjdB3ruhMw_g1wivzTQ7fV3XGNhxad5u7U9U36BoHS2sRtLBqsPU8LzW2qZ6YxEvLKdhkNYtiRcLswJBuEpi30Qy7Ac7F5CyHT4/s1600/DSCN1111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkfTVsdypnCHQHSxSF5pcXlwYoglqCAqShP4xFeEaYdjdB3ruhMw_g1wivzTQ7fV3XGNhxad5u7U9U36BoHS2sRtLBqsPU8LzW2qZ6YxEvLKdhkNYtiRcLswJBuEpi30Qy7Ac7F5CyHT4/s320/DSCN1111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477467319893877506" /></a>This last picture of fruits and veggies in a store front was taken in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Siena</span>. A very cute hill town. This picture is such a dietitian's dream - check out all those colorful fruits. I was very surprised how available fresh fruits and vegetables are on the streets and in markets, yet how uncommon they are as part of a meal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR6tJevv7NDStrEmJpitFTzNArrPNQDMjY4sGe_1AvJHUqz56mzfxkKyQY2BLCP3-y11rF70SVBTKDSFZjzo7dQvuY8XDCasm8ja71-z9aPurRMRRH8yzSGLjK9kr8GTkiORDBE7BVvX9/s1600/DSCN1118.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR6tJevv7NDStrEmJpitFTzNArrPNQDMjY4sGe_1AvJHUqz56mzfxkKyQY2BLCP3-y11rF70SVBTKDSFZjzo7dQvuY8XDCasm8ja71-z9aPurRMRRH8yzSGLjK9kr8GTkiORDBE7BVvX9/s320/DSCN1118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466982560429106" /></a></div><div>Much more revelations about Italians, Italian food, and pictures to come in my post about Florence - Stay tuned! </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-19657219896619276612010-05-31T11:44:00.000-04:002010-07-01T19:03:48.149-04:00Florence FavoritesAt last I have a minute to sit down and write about the food in Florence. It has been so long now that I hope I have not forgotten all the details.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This first picture is a delicious bread and tomato soup. I was expecting something more like an onion soup with a piece of bread in it, but what I got was quite different. The soup is mostly tomatoes and olive oil with what tasted like the inside of a french roll soaking up all of the yummy juices. The taste was wonderful, and I loved the consistency, but I have a feeling soggy bread is not a consistency that most people enjoy.<br /><br /><br />Like all other meals in Italy, this one too was filled with carbohydrates.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKY_WyhyphenhyphenLqSau2oqWoz9IN7KXaT-6Vdnjv_T5Pymj1_qcbLLryaz_1H9slhqBqaUIBcw4zf6QJv1DuriKT3uNGgwIlZsL_y0G4aMrJf9LXcvDolO8k2-DwTpMYC2fQnGfVz5aqyMr81Iqg/s1600/DSCN1129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466648581541554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKY_WyhyphenhyphenLqSau2oqWoz9IN7KXaT-6Vdnjv_T5Pymj1_qcbLLryaz_1H9slhqBqaUIBcw4zf6QJv1DuriKT3uNGgwIlZsL_y0G4aMrJf9LXcvDolO8k2-DwTpMYC2fQnGfVz5aqyMr81Iqg/s320/DSCN1129.JPG" border="0" /></a> The next course was a beef and asparagus roll (much like a meatball with asparagus in it) accompanied by potatoes and of course a marinara sauce. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzJ1k8Ig6kCEj5nrL37592aDfSnvUcHG2SsLgWHuOXDG5xxsqcYbx_jXi_QUT-D0wS-Zs-hEZgyRV79F31DRw5xFrJC8iH5BhmCjlbyQEIUAvm2UKM85Tmq8uGBQY31wk2H67kGxmFhLk/s1600/DSCN1130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466642169379090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzJ1k8Ig6kCEj5nrL37592aDfSnvUcHG2SsLgWHuOXDG5xxsqcYbx_jXi_QUT-D0wS-Zs-hEZgyRV79F31DRw5xFrJC8iH5BhmCjlbyQEIUAvm2UKM85Tmq8uGBQY31wk2H67kGxmFhLk/s320/DSCN1130.JPG" border="0" /></a> My brother and his friend ordered a ginormous steak that had to be shared. The thing must have been like 2 lbs. The funniest part was that the waiter brought out the steak to the table raw so the boys could check the quality. Like they would have known what they were looking at one way or another! There were tables of people all over the restaurants sharing these huge steaks and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">literally</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gnawing</span> on the bones to make sure they got every since bite of meat... gross!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hUuNLO5-sBuWI2zJqNb4sxGmJalU14gAmtgCM0TOXUlRR2CqXunmcsqr1mNrvmB-RRetWla1XhdKRAHoT0ubn6HQmafVsFRXiw59iz8wzxWtvUCKQ7WPHKRN9-VVXWKfqyGsU1J8CiE/s1600/DSCN1131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466633324344498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hUuNLO5-sBuWI2zJqNb4sxGmJalU14gAmtgCM0TOXUlRR2CqXunmcsqr1mNrvmB-RRetWla1XhdKRAHoT0ubn6HQmafVsFRXiw59iz8wzxWtvUCKQ7WPHKRN9-VVXWKfqyGsU1J8CiE/s320/DSCN1131.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brother and I visited Pisa for the day so I could bravely climb the leaning tower. During the 2 hour wait before I could go up, we enjoyed some pizza on a side street. My pizza had olives, onions, and artichoke hearts. I ordered a 'personal size' pizza, but it was still way too much for me to eat in one sitting. Not the prettiest pizza I have ever seen, but very tasty. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZWfuQOiUdIEa3ALRRInW5cO6FfKjnyVqhqb3leN8P3n95aXlZIATYRJ46cZWJ7pW06oqyoaz0_n6je02L88oImDZioHTm0FIT7X5ZBI5p5_jdnqawy2w0-nnLUKsZJNCkhUaus5y-rmT/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466622763089058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZWfuQOiUdIEa3ALRRInW5cO6FfKjnyVqhqb3leN8P3n95aXlZIATYRJ46cZWJ7pW06oqyoaz0_n6je02L88oImDZioHTm0FIT7X5ZBI5p5_jdnqawy2w0-nnLUKsZJNCkhUaus5y-rmT/s320/DSCN1159.JPG" border="0" /></a> Of course, I found the food market in the middle of the city and had a field day taking pictures of all the crazy foods I discovered. While Italian food is based on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">carbs</span>, they also incorporate some wacky parts of animals...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0To-b2YUDw8sLnVEJuAbaXXD9Su3X08UP58dw_TjzzObnszD1xpvTlZY4WA_PaQjbztdlBzbmBNVYyI_5Le9k8RCQGgBQniohCi708UJXcK-_riqU9xQjyRZLtk9h8ZtKWof58DxC5qm/s1600/DSCN1176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466038977161410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0To-b2YUDw8sLnVEJuAbaXXD9Su3X08UP58dw_TjzzObnszD1xpvTlZY4WA_PaQjbztdlBzbmBNVYyI_5Le9k8RCQGgBQniohCi708UJXcK-_riqU9xQjyRZLtk9h8ZtKWof58DxC5qm/s320/DSCN1176.JPG" border="0" /></a> The picture above is of what I assumed to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cripe</span>... Since I don't know Italian, it was very difficult for me to decipher what they were actually selling. The stuff (I can't even call it food) looked like that I imagine the adipose tissue under human skin to look like - YUCK! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">I guess</span> it's lining of stomach or intestines or something. Whatever it is, it does not look appetizing to me!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJh3r26vOnXGWmvAMRcZ6ez-AvbTkQ7ZirNZlY4zMXSS31z_JUC8sf3EJ9DvrojeJB27yChwZ5CqYtkR1NF0gbRvtUddCDd8pbmLCzvP_YDuzArLORfBe9z1tcLG-SWP2NNNaSPWEBsF-/s1600/DSCN1177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466031919004562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJh3r26vOnXGWmvAMRcZ6ez-AvbTkQ7ZirNZlY4zMXSS31z_JUC8sf3EJ9DvrojeJB27yChwZ5CqYtkR1NF0gbRvtUddCDd8pbmLCzvP_YDuzArLORfBe9z1tcLG-SWP2NNNaSPWEBsF-/s320/DSCN1177.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sun dried</span> tomatoes - not my favorite food, and I always pick them out of whatever I eat because I just don't like the consistency, but they do add great taste to almost any dish!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCt6Qp1_2FGnMPJx92Np5HFgKSoB3zVsPWpI_BfrHj_O_wJf2Jd1nYjCFGq6d1CMCcwY1ykhSal-_bIMSJ4SVojezSGayt8A_ubAWGUoIubkr5cSvNgTq9xs9aa2bP7-03AnBoETNGZ3j/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466023595812162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCt6Qp1_2FGnMPJx92Np5HFgKSoB3zVsPWpI_BfrHj_O_wJf2Jd1nYjCFGq6d1CMCcwY1ykhSal-_bIMSJ4SVojezSGayt8A_ubAWGUoIubkr5cSvNgTq9xs9aa2bP7-03AnBoETNGZ3j/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" border="0" /></a> Check out all of those fresh lettuces. I don't think I would even know where to begin making a salad with all of those options! </p><br /><br /><p>This next picture depicts my favorite part of the market - watching them make pasta!<br /></p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxC7rCpSG3_SJyAYbKOO2YpELkJJI36vr8udJIO8UK-EZmORIxLYmucV8GIS1xumixuBcFmIpx3MBble14EFUsU6RU_J0RCZ-75O5fiXnf6x9737EMtSqBzUYCAtziRSYo-0PzFvSQZ5W/s1600/DSCN1179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466012608117250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxC7rCpSG3_SJyAYbKOO2YpELkJJI36vr8udJIO8UK-EZmORIxLYmucV8GIS1xumixuBcFmIpx3MBble14EFUsU6RU_J0RCZ-75O5fiXnf6x9737EMtSqBzUYCAtziRSYo-0PzFvSQZ5W/s320/DSCN1179.JPG" border="0" /></a> The machines they use look exactly like the ones I had as a child to 'make pasta' out of play dough. Too funny. Spaghetti anyone?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Us0VuCK8bjpxklYGREeCIoChoSKK7yqU4A03fSxx8sO78yWM2BexZ_OZ_f-afZr2p-0zn3JqHWsx1pgK5Wq7dZPmDqBOYTeKCvkU3rB7BNtWk5u35MD2F30uoybv7aX569JXmv2S3cgj/s1600/DSCN1182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477466006626182210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Us0VuCK8bjpxklYGREeCIoChoSKK7yqU4A03fSxx8sO78yWM2BexZ_OZ_f-afZr2p-0zn3JqHWsx1pgK5Wq7dZPmDqBOYTeKCvkU3rB7BNtWk5u35MD2F30uoybv7aX569JXmv2S3cgj/s320/DSCN1182.JPG" border="0" /></a> WARNING: these next pictures depict items I would NEVER consider to be food and you could not pay me all the money in the world to eat them. Again, due to my lack of Italian skills, I'm not totally sure what they are, but I did take human anatomy so I can take a guess...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtp6ZkQ-w_bWlCTA0TDih-aQhyphenhyphen_3JXVylSkBWJVFIHDPYbKTS942-diWa4uX1a9GneppfWvveF3L6kCgeD81ECh0syNYKaqpx7rHqIDolh_MGF4l2agIJ1iqp3VHLgEn2U7g6OFlp1_FP/s1600/DSCN1184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465636314663298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtp6ZkQ-w_bWlCTA0TDih-aQhyphenhyphen_3JXVylSkBWJVFIHDPYbKTS942-diWa4uX1a9GneppfWvveF3L6kCgeD81ECh0syNYKaqpx7rHqIDolh_MGF4l2agIJ1iqp3VHLgEn2U7g6OFlp1_FP/s320/DSCN1184.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hooves, or brain?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtl_yHntq5vVepNuvczufrIiOw3DkWehhregICKWuNg0HshmziNn_tanvwD_09nKY4uC8nu58TbIXT6pKxs0lK1n4EGT47gh0bc0kCOMYE_Fy56yzgGApPfHKVNgb0EVRkD54d3fBGWf0y/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465628617839826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtl_yHntq5vVepNuvczufrIiOw3DkWehhregICKWuNg0HshmziNn_tanvwD_09nKY4uC8nu58TbIXT6pKxs0lK1n4EGT47gh0bc0kCOMYE_Fy56yzgGApPfHKVNgb0EVRkD54d3fBGWf0y/s320/DSCN1185.JPG" border="0" /></a> Tongue and more minced meat?</p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQw9LlfpKno0yfgDvdMtBvVK6rn125LC3ypk4TRKeRBv5m6dTwz4xr0zaJN6uQCyCvoH2r0sPZdCifru9ysoumANvQdz3trgqVWLXe0s7OfJA8qE2LFf-TEoc9EMGPOVEOUL22XYHjsmp/s1600/DSCN1187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465614463120578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQw9LlfpKno0yfgDvdMtBvVK6rn125LC3ypk4TRKeRBv5m6dTwz4xr0zaJN6uQCyCvoH2r0sPZdCifru9ysoumANvQdz3trgqVWLXe0s7OfJA8qE2LFf-TEoc9EMGPOVEOUL22XYHjsmp/s320/DSCN1187.JPG" border="0" /></a> Definitely some liver, and not sure what else... But it doesn't look very appetizing to me.</p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNpciSlyA1rtdZ6TBsu3niLmXErdRqnvTBpZzzu18EgIfOWcS8apygCArX8FTUBAdOnb41gwFvWO5d7qLHSVW-gC3t47EvdRpVnWQQDOmofK6YoXA4ao9JCd0FYm3hmqVln8j-14axnf/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465604908017378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNpciSlyA1rtdZ6TBsu3niLmXErdRqnvTBpZzzu18EgIfOWcS8apygCArX8FTUBAdOnb41gwFvWO5d7qLHSVW-gC3t47EvdRpVnWQQDOmofK6YoXA4ao9JCd0FYm3hmqVln8j-14axnf/s320/DSCN1188.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ahhhhh</span>. Much better, back to the carbohydrates! PASTA!!! How amazing does the fresh spaghetti and ravioli look? This was at the store front of the previous pictures where they were making it. Looks very different than the packaged crap we get in our grocery stores.<br /></p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYBpZktBXuBLv5kOG42ofefzOVoxOYi0B8AWBUrVzLZOhMKh3S2td0RJINtltIsrhfTCns8TGPk8kqA-F2R_Z03DH9MfhgZ8jW6mYDhxtqmKXPjl3ZBsfVM4UCEIIRHeZT5xa4UCD05p8/s1600/DSCN1189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465595072168210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYBpZktBXuBLv5kOG42ofefzOVoxOYi0B8AWBUrVzLZOhMKh3S2td0RJINtltIsrhfTCns8TGPk8kqA-F2R_Z03DH9MfhgZ8jW6mYDhxtqmKXPjl3ZBsfVM4UCEIIRHeZT5xa4UCD05p8/s320/DSCN1189.JPG" border="0" /></a> Since Italians have such great pasta and bread, it's no wonder they also have delicious pastries! All sorts of cookies with jelly, chocolate, and nuts. I could have eaten these all day!<br /></p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnLx2XRfLT57DErVzhKRgBrdltVeHIy4Kd_mBwFoyRe7-bOVNn9leYHSxVkniRChPU009xnzbRhlerNuW2GqZDtaqXSjEQduq-J3gHdgOu75cbLzJzj0c3CACceIYFv8IyrwJqJibqS7a/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465250002252258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnLx2XRfLT57DErVzhKRgBrdltVeHIy4Kd_mBwFoyRe7-bOVNn9leYHSxVkniRChPU009xnzbRhlerNuW2GqZDtaqXSjEQduq-J3gHdgOu75cbLzJzj0c3CACceIYFv8IyrwJqJibqS7a/s320/DSCN1191.JPG" border="0" /></a> More cookies - YUM</p><br /><br /><p>And just in case you were enjoying the pasta and cookie pictures too much and getting hungry... back to the meat!<br /></p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv03SO3PUVKqQbu4sbm0dYDbNFVbViQXyORfNcjTtc3R3GoVaFp3z1D_ffEVRSOW7rf-Anq5xXHDUxbiPqKdzJC6LT6VK3cM_1y6JVbNaRkifrf90m2mbjzaM6XbmbVle-Z1P2dc98Q4id/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465241624042050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv03SO3PUVKqQbu4sbm0dYDbNFVbViQXyORfNcjTtc3R3GoVaFp3z1D_ffEVRSOW7rf-Anq5xXHDUxbiPqKdzJC6LT6VK3cM_1y6JVbNaRkifrf90m2mbjzaM6XbmbVle-Z1P2dc98Q4id/s320/DSCN1192.JPG" border="0" /></a> I guess you can tell that the chicken is fresh since it still has its head, feathers, and legs. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477464003942901602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEZGE2JTBeYj88K4WptKNRXWu9kyVUbct9jAyeIg9UOBJiW_oFmo2gxjB4NUEDCRZAqecKgelW_O3y9L9RA128m72RFCYgBmjRl5WnP5qIG3NfxjlYc4-HUvANaKUFjpPAiB3ym_7JKyH/s320/DSCN1196.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463563538296146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMslvF_ixR7zXMrXuwCjrNEoJxZOVPg97ZU43GP1hUNuMzOfCPnySA8cTbTK9rfjhCLw52J_yyYCZGCKwhYfJkL2l1vdnLKpvyGTUVUD-AEX44tzl8011XOdcjpKW6N-Zyw7V9jxrZoj_/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" border="0" />And for the LAST meat picture... hanging, drying meat. As much as I love salami, I'm not a fan of the thought of meat hanging to try out for ages... But hey, who does like aged, dried meats?</p><br /><br /><p>The produce in the market looked fabulous - so fresh and plump.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtlx3fRoEri2phFF7bWPLax19C_Ub8uoCp8qDOwQvLTzTCYkAofyPFiQrmE11aEaL05_vwBopd_tzaXXl1NqQaZQaDxH5aIQ8DdqqFUgY_41FBAaSB3NiIQZFE8wG89FcGj9X04eZsX1C/s1600/DSCN1193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465186937377090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtlx3fRoEri2phFF7bWPLax19C_Ub8uoCp8qDOwQvLTzTCYkAofyPFiQrmE11aEaL05_vwBopd_tzaXXl1NqQaZQaDxH5aIQ8DdqqFUgY_41FBAaSB3NiIQZFE8wG89FcGj9X04eZsX1C/s320/DSCN1193.JPG" border="0" /></a> There were also large stands of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dried</span> fruits and nuts. It's like the bin candy stores we have here, but will fiber filled naturally sweetened fruit rather than high-fructose corn syrup filled candy! I got a big bag to take with me for my long day of adventures around the city.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BYDLDBCkRefAGSxp0p6gIK61fO7ChgYxobQE_GILhGbzldzN5OsNZiJW7QiwOcAuOWzv6YL7FI3-XNQ1ID3mmq4VRBhMaBeaOJgLwKnb75pVf3vjeGbeRMuQsP-0siZYRap-s4iEt7of/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465176104791618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BYDLDBCkRefAGSxp0p6gIK61fO7ChgYxobQE_GILhGbzldzN5OsNZiJW7QiwOcAuOWzv6YL7FI3-XNQ1ID3mmq4VRBhMaBeaOJgLwKnb75pVf3vjeGbeRMuQsP-0siZYRap-s4iEt7of/s320/DSCN1194.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463977162717010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBs9QPP2C_NJBnxTemc5pbDLJrbsGEw-6R-rywjPel39Ng4MYpboc-6cAXyyzwief2R9NFdejLYw9NsNomuUZwd0r6BNfbGLYNuJS9TsjrcBrzFI65i-H-6l_hqVxsy8vWLPriNulOuJ2/s320/DSCN1199.JPG" border="0" /> I think this is a jelly dried fruit salad. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463996501183730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazUCfXAwwwLsI1oVhJJyLd7D3ztBBePj7G4J9ThMShcsXvrjpmXAJmNmulYFHB4VGBRgRhwIlUFXcEdRXkF-pnmUzhhEJdMO1JEweyanVA1iLmHfot4EDhVc_reQ3PRGDxNaFw9Zel_zA/s320/DSCN1197.JPG" border="0" />And of course, Italian wine - so good and so cheap!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijHgC9UmtPaWuDpzdF-yYeCwuIYRb3S9dEn5yFstUisB66vRRZJoH75ocZOgN1926uOVXJ1kShoyVkS0kNSQMvf1_kewhhgFZ_CaNBgh3mJvi5hF0aBDwKnLIb-fv1kpPDuLwv7o4S4ee/s1600/DSCN1195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477465164019357826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijHgC9UmtPaWuDpzdF-yYeCwuIYRb3S9dEn5yFstUisB66vRRZJoH75ocZOgN1926uOVXJ1kShoyVkS0kNSQMvf1_kewhhgFZ_CaNBgh3mJvi5hF0aBDwKnLIb-fv1kpPDuLwv7o4S4ee/s320/DSCN1195.JPG" border="0" /></a> Like every market I've been to anywhere in the world, this one had beautiful flowers!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKONIKEqtZNoBPZltKWgXxDv7jQp5ioHaXfdb-usoQcB7-pGWnJ1gUIZk6Dgis9j6KK2ue64vQNO5t17_oi_QzNynKVP0-9fB7HIPgitCawbAeaNZQXaZuPPCozNI2eew2phx3w1NOTHu/s1600/DSCN1198.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463984409451698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKONIKEqtZNoBPZltKWgXxDv7jQp5ioHaXfdb-usoQcB7-pGWnJ1gUIZk6Dgis9j6KK2ue64vQNO5t17_oi_QzNynKVP0-9fB7HIPgitCawbAeaNZQXaZuPPCozNI2eew2phx3w1NOTHu/s320/DSCN1198.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I loved the coffee in Florence. You literally walk up to a bar and order your coffee. The only thing I knew how to get was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cappuccino</span>- and I had no idea how to order non fat milk - so I was drinking regular <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">cappuccinos</span> daily. They were small, wonderful, and only 1 Euro. People stand at the bar, drink their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">coffee</span> / <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">cappuccino</span> quickly and then leave - very different than the Starbucks we have here. Come to think of it, I did not see one Starbucks in Italy - their coffee must not be good enough for Italians...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajkJEO5DkxBvlW-Slhel7Q4LZ3akebaHQ1B3Bfzg1NZ1PcS9gf9x4SSca5Wnyl08jla1OwzfXf30CUgn24p8Ue3ddRGtJk32VkmyA_Klld0hBqk9omoibADMaO0daqmBMNrBKl7oFIGg4/s1600/DSCN1202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463967862868114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajkJEO5DkxBvlW-Slhel7Q4LZ3akebaHQ1B3Bfzg1NZ1PcS9gf9x4SSca5Wnyl08jla1OwzfXf30CUgn24p8Ue3ddRGtJk32VkmyA_Klld0hBqk9omoibADMaO0daqmBMNrBKl7oFIGg4/s320/DSCN1202.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bags of nuts and grains looks so healthy and much more appetizing to me than the meats and 'other' parts of animals.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiOTx2x4leknn4n3b-skTkoCCEgITf30vmmfLE0szFp-az1MXLiNmwcyQ2FXbM5v1mC8gGJf0YPRwgKO2lJy81VaPXk8VRTUeB8OPSMy3wwXMURGLL4wnO-P6KLUVL49PFrn3AHhN8pXY/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463572603156914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiOTx2x4leknn4n3b-skTkoCCEgITf30vmmfLE0szFp-az1MXLiNmwcyQ2FXbM5v1mC8gGJf0YPRwgKO2lJy81VaPXk8VRTUeB8OPSMy3wwXMURGLL4wnO-P6KLUVL49PFrn3AHhN8pXY/s320/DSCN1203.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ahhhh</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">gelato</span>. I discovered pink grapefruit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">gelato</span> and I think I died and went to heaven. It has to be the most wonderful and refreshing sweet I have ever tasted. I mixed it with the yogurt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">flavor</span> and I just could not get enough. It was too hot while I was in Italy to have any type of chocolate or nutty flavored <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">gelato</span>, so I just stuck to my yogurt & grapefruit. I did try <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">tiramisu</span> one time and it was equally wonderful, just not as refreshing as my concoction! I ate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">gelato</span> at least once and sometimes twice every day I was there - It's amazing I didn't come back 15lbs heavier!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNXZNbnBNvOibRTd7agy9z6CTunPlqlc1JIc7wWe-UYNfXgnlP_1nU8cHCxJS6mniV3TpRmB15jvbcKiAdQ523zy0rgkhpu1RfW3Wlwrv7ZP7gj_yB9zxN1-xx6Hlf43_wCBsB9lVIJAL/s1600/DSCN1210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463554354814178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNXZNbnBNvOibRTd7agy9z6CTunPlqlc1JIc7wWe-UYNfXgnlP_1nU8cHCxJS6mniV3TpRmB15jvbcKiAdQ523zy0rgkhpu1RfW3Wlwrv7ZP7gj_yB9zxN1-xx6Hlf43_wCBsB9lVIJAL/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" border="0" /></a> More cookies! These butter cookies were dipped in chocolate, or filled with apricot jam (my favorite) and super crunchy - cheap too! I got all of these for less than $0.50 US.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UeaL1yGHGUSj9h8-4Da7K62PimVOkW2toe26GVWjmOA6pH4Q27ysbLh0OteFGq32AsVET7ypFLRUVLRdjQDMr8cQAgy8T_HGI9LSNPi1Hl84SB90Ziy6r2V5Ehuz41qcyhxHnmUvOrCO/s1600/DSCN1219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477463543317460258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UeaL1yGHGUSj9h8-4Da7K62PimVOkW2toe26GVWjmOA6pH4Q27ysbLh0OteFGq32AsVET7ypFLRUVLRdjQDMr8cQAgy8T_HGI9LSNPi1Hl84SB90Ziy6r2V5Ehuz41qcyhxHnmUvOrCO/s320/DSCN1219.JPG" border="0" /></a> Last but not least - my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">risotto</span>. All other nights I enjoyed pizza or pasta, so on my last day in Florence I insisted on finding some risotto. This is risotto with mushrooms. I was surprised that Italians don't make risotto with tons of cheese like we do in America. I actually don't think it had any cheese - mother goose approved! I enjoyed every bite and it was a fabulous way to end my food adventures in Italy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH4hp6SjRWPxlsU3EV1S1Tz9QiABbF8zYQQLOMJ6YmxXCPrGIw6XsacElHBzsH3zYe8BnWj6hGvX_toka_cKWIOhvty-fxNjtlb_NO3EDnhstwtK4b_bz9sHz2IJEsos4Mus0iM8DYJsw/s1600/DSCN1224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477461062766099506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH4hp6SjRWPxlsU3EV1S1Tz9QiABbF8zYQQLOMJ6YmxXCPrGIw6XsacElHBzsH3zYe8BnWj6hGvX_toka_cKWIOhvty-fxNjtlb_NO3EDnhstwtK4b_bz9sHz2IJEsos4Mus0iM8DYJsw/s320/DSCN1224.JPG" border="0" /></a> I loved all of the food in Italy and plan to visit again for more eating and wine drinking! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Ciao</span>! </p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-84502343638692104482010-04-11T03:25:00.000-04:002010-04-13T01:23:28.193-04:00Mamma's Matzo Ball SoupWe all have those childhood favorite foods that remind us of holidays and special occasions. Well, for me it's my mother's Matzo ball soup. Everyone makes matzo ball soup differently (and equally delicious), but nothing says passover and the beginning of spring to me like mamma's matzo ball soup. Since we didn't have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sedar</span> at my parents' this year, she didn't make her soup. (Insert sad face here)<br />Missing it terribly, I decided to attempt the feat of re-creating the wonderfulness. I jotted down a few notes while she explained to me how she makes her soup. I had a VERY difficult time getting past the cleaning and cutting of a WHOLE CHICKEN! For those of you who know me well, you understand how difficult this is for me. I cannot handle the texture of raw meat, especially meat that actually looks like the live animal... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eeeek</span>.<br /><br /><br />So after many deep breaths, I bought the whole chicken...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38CwXNJwXfw6mZQ0U991UbYvuuFkO25yzYt3qQxC1cd2k16AAZhi_MvvauZhE8de9i7yI_oWX8MJQWuzPfH_1o4tBHVznyA0DUXoykY4JzGuoTfKsKQjkglyrMMqda8TEHWvr3AZ50rjn/s1600/DSCN0986.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318431094517234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38CwXNJwXfw6mZQ0U991UbYvuuFkO25yzYt3qQxC1cd2k16AAZhi_MvvauZhE8de9i7yI_oWX8MJQWuzPfH_1o4tBHVznyA0DUXoykY4JzGuoTfKsKQjkglyrMMqda8TEHWvr3AZ50rjn/s400/DSCN0986.JPG" border="0" /></a>I cannot imagine having to actually touch the raw meat on bones, so while I was in Safeway I asked the innocent, sweet looking butcher for some disposable gloves. When I explained that I needed them in order to make this chicken he stated, "You are kidding me, right?" Well no Mr. butcher man, I am not. But thanks for the gloves, I could not have gotten past this step without them!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoshxQewOUQk09e8xQU3B0EnQ0paoxyfFbJlmF8P9TKUdfSpCYRg1wD6M06wR6E3mXoX_xeoWs9qg78H45f_DbwTfsTivmZMyevFnmtU4IZsH3gie5UXX7W0_fNN_0qdKZS-Xutqx1QS8e/s1600/DSCN0987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318418441054002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoshxQewOUQk09e8xQU3B0EnQ0paoxyfFbJlmF8P9TKUdfSpCYRg1wD6M06wR6E3mXoX_xeoWs9qg78H45f_DbwTfsTivmZMyevFnmtU4IZsH3gie5UXX7W0_fNN_0qdKZS-Xutqx1QS8e/s400/DSCN0987.JPG" border="0" /></a>I tried to take more pictures of me holding the raw meat, but I was so grossed out dealing with a whole chicken that it took 110% of my attention. After all of the torture, my matzo ball soup came out great!! and better yet, BOYFRIEND LIKES IT!!!! Food #3 that he will eat. Must be a winner!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjccOGJ0Apkp4mjqWD6uF_9KwXkkdTH2RqgIB4jnnZFVWfuTf2P8qOa0tIOPSSybZU4owgPy2szWQb56cK77XF2BykJvxdAGyERLnXUOblSAZ-Q8JvA_N1pI1LBy3CHMEF0Mz29e3fOdXQ/s1600/DSCN0995.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318410911811874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjccOGJ0Apkp4mjqWD6uF_9KwXkkdTH2RqgIB4jnnZFVWfuTf2P8qOa0tIOPSSybZU4owgPy2szWQb56cK77XF2BykJvxdAGyERLnXUOblSAZ-Q8JvA_N1pI1LBy3CHMEF0Mz29e3fOdXQ/s400/DSCN0995.JPG" border="0" /></a>Since my mom makes this soup from scratch and she gave me verbal instructions about how to make it, I tried to create some kind of recipe. This is what I have come up with so far:<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mamma</span>’s Matzo Ball Soup</b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 1.</span></span>Place a whole chicken without skin or legs or wings, </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; ">WITH giblets into pot with water and bring to boil</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 2.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Skim the ‘<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">skum</span>’ off the top</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 3. </span></span>Lower the heat to a gentle boil</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 4.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Add: 1 tsp chicken bullion and black pepper</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 5.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Add: veggies- carrot (12), parsnip (2-3), parsley bunch, boiling onions (4), parsley (head)</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 6. <span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Lower heat to simmer for at least 45 min – 1 hour. <span style="font-size:+0;"></span>Longer = better</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 7.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Take out giblets and chicken and pull off the bone – put chicken meat back in</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 8.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Make matzo balls according to directions in a separate pot</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; "><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> 9.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span>Add <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mazto</span> balls to soup 10 minutes before serving<br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;text-indent: -0.25in; " align="center">I hope that everyone had a wonderful Passover. Next year in Jerusalem! </p>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-63369105356650053482010-04-04T12:20:00.001-04:002010-04-04T15:25:02.149-04:00Passover Friendly Foods<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Passover is a Jewish holiday that lasts for 8 days when we remember the exodus from Egypt. The most significant observance related to Passover involves the removal of chametz (leaven) from our homes. This commemorates the fact that the Jews</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing the "puffiness" (arrogance, pride) from our souls. For more details and explanations about <a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm">Passover</a> please visit the website. I'm pooped from educating my co-workers all week! So on to the good part: FOOD! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">My good friend Gayle sent me an awesome Mandel Bread recipe that's kosher for passover:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><b>Ingredients:</b> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">3 eggs</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">¾ cup sugar</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">½ cup oil</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">1 ½ cup matzo cake meal</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">1 tablespoon potato starch</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><b> Methods:</b></span></span></p><ol start="1" type="1" style="margin-top: 0in; "><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Beat eggs and sugar until thick and lemony looking.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Stir in oil</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Fold in cake meal and potato starch</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Add chocolate chips</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Form 2 long loaves on greased cookie sheet</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Bake at 350 forf 30 minutes</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; ">Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar when taken out of oven-slice it and put back for 10 more minutes-if want crispy pieces</span></span></li><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></ol></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzxjWwRhNurj1giN4eGCnb-8-ViBc1PmLENLSEo71XJ5e65g2i2CzY-uHLjiNl1tWFGo5ybJHVgK-P-HCV4qhmLajJShbuMANexBSFAgwhqKGZbW8MyvdSb5CNnhVjA1fWheq_lZK6mT/s1600/DSCN0953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzxjWwRhNurj1giN4eGCnb-8-ViBc1PmLENLSEo71XJ5e65g2i2CzY-uHLjiNl1tWFGo5ybJHVgK-P-HCV4qhmLajJShbuMANexBSFAgwhqKGZbW8MyvdSb5CNnhVjA1fWheq_lZK6mT/s400/DSCN0953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319704267372194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT322gGidIyXdMOhlmmPuACjkj5ERnukk4nCr_mqxNjbzWHkT0SXIHVR5nZn6Kqh88-LrCYlWN9nt4zKW6FFSOZA4_aC24dXpO0WaHiO2dWS8MBTaABS6yxZIIP6-Fd7NSf7RQ6HfEFyrW/s1600/DSCN0956.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT322gGidIyXdMOhlmmPuACjkj5ERnukk4nCr_mqxNjbzWHkT0SXIHVR5nZn6Kqh88-LrCYlWN9nt4zKW6FFSOZA4_aC24dXpO0WaHiO2dWS8MBTaABS6yxZIIP6-Fd7NSf7RQ6HfEFyrW/s400/DSCN0956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319681122801778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcELdBtp_3hkbIQWAbcbNBzQrfIyGvdC07CTCpmRPrjvs0nHU4lR8pvGNjptrMXhNDtopPFPikne5hwqHkLaGuzvMh77BO6CfjdJcPUGVek8oikvqsTvv_renIlHMOK41P-W2UmmfBZht/s1600/DSCN0962.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcELdBtp_3hkbIQWAbcbNBzQrfIyGvdC07CTCpmRPrjvs0nHU4lR8pvGNjptrMXhNDtopPFPikne5hwqHkLaGuzvMh77BO6CfjdJcPUGVek8oikvqsTvv_renIlHMOK41P-W2UmmfBZht/s400/DSCN0962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319675307383314" /></a>The Mandel bread recipe is super easy to make and so delicious too! <div><br /></div><div>This year, we went to our dear friends' home for Passover Sedar. Here is a picture of the beautiful sedar plate:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dqOLvwx840F0bXWxSmAxalXMtFU22W3z3HZw3QYevUhPhcnuck_NJ9TOfwdnPDUsOE783sFZbebJClkt22P_3FeexCSFnZTDvZRs2_2fiB1gBTk1cs6EXixevs3wcMC2eZX_28O0okFw/s1600/DSCN0963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dqOLvwx840F0bXWxSmAxalXMtFU22W3z3HZw3QYevUhPhcnuck_NJ9TOfwdnPDUsOE783sFZbebJClkt22P_3FeexCSFnZTDvZRs2_2fiB1gBTk1cs6EXixevs3wcMC2eZX_28O0okFw/s400/DSCN0963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319661753191186" /></a>...and the parsley and salt water to symbolize all those tears<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zpA6sKfXgbyF4K5HjGE9DAbi3DFDg2WxAPoOdwUPwDVQTYZlKQ1953uzO08WCGrYLyXhprDv4SoIaKguTVmOfDn1K4-iX6Riyl7KL_1NT4nykO4Dr0WElcwudm4DMtRWFiLYfvrYVi4E/s1600/DSCN0964.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zpA6sKfXgbyF4K5HjGE9DAbi3DFDg2WxAPoOdwUPwDVQTYZlKQ1953uzO08WCGrYLyXhprDv4SoIaKguTVmOfDn1K4-iX6Riyl7KL_1NT4nykO4Dr0WElcwudm4DMtRWFiLYfvrYVi4E/s400/DSCN0964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319257483226354" /></a>What's passover without matzo?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0o3e8fgm6WEKCDkYH6c3r6-eyHOCdy4T1E47MWJf1-XFkOfzpDqlFAPslZdpSKIfNR2IYwWai5znAULhBMz7z8MmLapaqnt30u6GRpMDFqGl6XTYxcK4HdeiKWjD2Ca6ns0x55Vmmu-H/s1600/DSCN0966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0o3e8fgm6WEKCDkYH6c3r6-eyHOCdy4T1E47MWJf1-XFkOfzpDqlFAPslZdpSKIfNR2IYwWai5znAULhBMz7z8MmLapaqnt30u6GRpMDFqGl6XTYxcK4HdeiKWjD2Ca6ns0x55Vmmu-H/s400/DSCN0966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319248364302658" /></a>My absolute favorite passover treat: Charoset. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnWu76sNVvCbSB5vkbbfVHhUE0709dCxhOV9Sv-VCsTPblK04297KHSvhKVFzNrfrLU-EWzr4MOWmtGk_JBBN20MgPbUoCEwyiG_MU8TfsZCZlyUzjDYHtWFExS7ohNbkr0_ygbUQwxkc/s1600/DSCN0968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnWu76sNVvCbSB5vkbbfVHhUE0709dCxhOV9Sv-VCsTPblK04297KHSvhKVFzNrfrLU-EWzr4MOWmtGk_JBBN20MgPbUoCEwyiG_MU8TfsZCZlyUzjDYHtWFExS7ohNbkr0_ygbUQwxkc/s400/DSCN0968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319236158035058" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><p><table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><h3><a name="Charoses" style="white-space: nowrap; ">Recipe for Charoset</a></h3></td><td align="right"><img src="http://www.jewfaq.org/hebrew/crvst.gif" width="66" height="25" alt="Charoset (in Hebrew)" /></td></tr></tbody></table>This fruit, nut and wine mix is eaten during the seder. It is meant to remind us of the mortar used by the Jews to build during the period of slavery. It should have a coarse texture. The ingredient quantities listed here are at best a rough estimate; I usually just eye-ball it. The recipe below makes a very large quantity, but we usually wind up making more before the holiday is over. Other fruits or nuts can be used.</p><ul><li>4 medium apples, 2 tart and 2 sweet</li><li>1/2 cup finely chopped almonds</li><li>1/4 cup sweet wine</li><li>1/4 cup dry wine</li><li>1 Tbs. cinnamon</li></ul><p>Shred the apples. Add all other ingredients. Allow to sit for 3-6 hours, until the wine is absorbed by the other ingredients. Serve on matzah. Goes very well with horseradish. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; ">Courtesy of Judaism 101</span></p></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Matzo ball soup<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj156r4jsAtsRMJ4mITg4TSu-LrH6n62KAZby7rGXlVS1sx-w59wVp-4jz2XK7xdIoUh_Zy0nuD2jLIFfkFnnqvBwKyDpM4ZLsKCqa9WBjq8mGkPgjqwPGpvK0pSsVCJ6ZAGN_Bp51FgGXb/s1600/DSCN0969.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj156r4jsAtsRMJ4mITg4TSu-LrH6n62KAZby7rGXlVS1sx-w59wVp-4jz2XK7xdIoUh_Zy0nuD2jLIFfkFnnqvBwKyDpM4ZLsKCqa9WBjq8mGkPgjqwPGpvK0pSsVCJ6ZAGN_Bp51FgGXb/s400/DSCN0969.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456319227684738498" /></a>The infamous <a href="http://www.jewishrecipes.org/jewish-foods/gefilte-fish.html">gefilte fish</a> - GROSS. This year I was able to get through the first bite.. but the second one induced my gag reflex!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymJ48n9HA391MkLZy13ycZchxJ4RQqC5G089nGmVcKsk47vt_tJE8UBZeFoQULtUzZVQOMHgXuikwHT9mYaSn0UchBiUR4FfOXpb3bYsFLzhBut3v8sKYdhMYHRQKV8AuiATQnN2GIyR8/s1600/DSCN0970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymJ48n9HA391MkLZy13ycZchxJ4RQqC5G089nGmVcKsk47vt_tJE8UBZeFoQULtUzZVQOMHgXuikwHT9mYaSn0UchBiUR4FfOXpb3bYsFLzhBut3v8sKYdhMYHRQKV8AuiATQnN2GIyR8/s400/DSCN0970.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318766329445682" /></a>Must have many many glasses of red wine at the sedar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AIBeK__7OO00HTgiw1cGrL9mSJL8Egnbcu8Ir9LoSrJuHjKa1KrTCpQ6oUkQcvfV5ZE4O-lZ3QRoYdqLUH_wPbwhyphenhyphenqCWwBLj6eIcyBUV9xfIO7e2RqsimThU0sx_NUie9V2UMBPlEOrt/s1600/DSCN0972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AIBeK__7OO00HTgiw1cGrL9mSJL8Egnbcu8Ir9LoSrJuHjKa1KrTCpQ6oUkQcvfV5ZE4O-lZ3QRoYdqLUH_wPbwhyphenhyphenqCWwBLj6eIcyBUV9xfIO7e2RqsimThU0sx_NUie9V2UMBPlEOrt/s400/DSCN0972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318756316904194" /></a>Ronnie's famous Macaroons. Simply the BEST!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4i-nd7u_Et7_WvsJPUwobrpRJ05LlX1_PXZyz8TEbRzfS8gMYfs64scQaRaNeYY8mnwrES9TJpgmjgcZbJ2yvkMnuEcko58nJ5WN_-NabwK3f5H4hNnci-gNq-WAjeTkeYe89XxihRE1/s1600/DSCN0977.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4i-nd7u_Et7_WvsJPUwobrpRJ05LlX1_PXZyz8TEbRzfS8gMYfs64scQaRaNeYY8mnwrES9TJpgmjgcZbJ2yvkMnuEcko58nJ5WN_-NabwK3f5H4hNnci-gNq-WAjeTkeYe89XxihRE1/s400/DSCN0977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318746689964882" /></a>Her almond apricot cookies - these are good too, but it's hard to compare anything to those macaroons.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVNEXF2JjajgL7Os3a5VdFsQ_ametzD0wWwVLr2gNDPUuDqlgTnkf7cEFi2MNf9uYia9ptGnf376Yc2DsOYM4LhO8-HWgrKDq_Ct6uN2yGIN6yYc7DEged_Yfqn8S4JAkbG6Dikrs3hme/s1600/DSCN0978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVNEXF2JjajgL7Os3a5VdFsQ_ametzD0wWwVLr2gNDPUuDqlgTnkf7cEFi2MNf9uYia9ptGnf376Yc2DsOYM4LhO8-HWgrKDq_Ct6uN2yGIN6yYc7DEged_Yfqn8S4JAkbG6Dikrs3hme/s400/DSCN0978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456318734860408450" /></a>Happy Passover! And thank you to the C's for another great sedar together! </div><div> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-78307734415817511662010-03-20T22:58:00.000-04:002010-03-21T14:05:33.311-04:00Fun at the Farmer's Market<div>I recently watched the documentary <a href="http://www.foodincmovie.com/">Food, Inc. </a> and just as the website claims, I will probably never look at food the same way. Although I found the movie very informative, I am still at a loss about where to find grass fed chicken and beef- If anyone knows of a good, reasonable place, PLEASE let me know! Immediately following the movie I decided that I was going to be a vegetarian. Watching chicken and cows be slaughtered will do that to you... Of course the next day I went out for sushi and I couldn't resist the fish, so I decided to become a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pescatarian"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pescatarian</span></a>. And after about 4 days of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, I began to crave meat again. So here I am back at square 1. I did however, vow that from now on I will buy local and organic whenever possible. </div><div>Every Sunday there's a fabulous farmer's market at the Mountain View train station. As we approach spring, I find it irresistible to be outside enjoying the sunny weather. Last weekend I bought some beets, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">broccolini</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bok</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">choy</span> - some of my faves. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Ax3o_OF93DmAMf3rb4SW3hiqOAbpif8kreKbCIqEkgdDFt3UCK5RByQ0j-pda9z4MooXWnQB07e96q0MxcPTeoWAHv_HdDds-eFcVUB1oMC-DL2DKH9WkF9N4MgytQ_vvk0EuEhT34Q/s1600-h/DSCN0918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Ax3o_OF93DmAMf3rb4SW3hiqOAbpif8kreKbCIqEkgdDFt3UCK5RByQ0j-pda9z4MooXWnQB07e96q0MxcPTeoWAHv_HdDds-eFcVUB1oMC-DL2DKH9WkF9N4MgytQ_vvk0EuEhT34Q/s400/DSCN0918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450917359860109394" /></a>I absolutely LOVE beets. They are super easy to <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4525754_cook-fresh-beets.html">make </a>too! I must enter the disclaimer here: be forewarned that #1 and #2 will be a little pink... no you do not have bloody stools. But I always wonder how many people show up in the ER complaining of bloody stools a day or two after enjoying this wonderful vegetable. Please do share your stories!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdwKNPwaUGb_HjUYF0KU2GU__c0bD_9w0qunaIV_edzAHlCtqyQAjmgWzC5MRhGNOxLKAIPaM79nzHGLLwCf4GxE1mbbuZGzvSxNHjKOygecyDXyTf_Y8mFHRjMkhyMVyn7kxHxxvxUUy/s1600-h/DSCN0919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdwKNPwaUGb_HjUYF0KU2GU__c0bD_9w0qunaIV_edzAHlCtqyQAjmgWzC5MRhGNOxLKAIPaM79nzHGLLwCf4GxE1mbbuZGzvSxNHjKOygecyDXyTf_Y8mFHRjMkhyMVyn7kxHxxvxUUy/s400/DSCN0919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450917253740515186" /></a>RD tip: Beets are super healthy! They contain powerful nutrients that help protect against heart disease, birth defects, and cancers - especially colon cancer. Beets are high in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">folate</span>, manganese, potassium, and fiber. For more nutrition info about beets check out this <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49">site</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq5ROEV1Evs0r5e00xKH3FcVpAFocBZ2p6J9w3CPoavb9fd1Z8Xfl4gRHgSMC5gdRy5MrgmvTbU1FKDilG7-nWKzeAm9K2i87XB7QGST99z1KR0k33vBE3KKQ27dWWVe-go2llT7G1frL/s1600-h/DSCN0921.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq5ROEV1Evs0r5e00xKH3FcVpAFocBZ2p6J9w3CPoavb9fd1Z8Xfl4gRHgSMC5gdRy5MrgmvTbU1FKDilG7-nWKzeAm9K2i87XB7QGST99z1KR0k33vBE3KKQ27dWWVe-go2llT7G1frL/s400/DSCN0921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450917143248302018" /></a>My Asian friends at work: Em, N, L, and C always have the coolest vegetables. The biggest problem is my friends only usually know the Chinese or Japanese names of the vegetables and a lot of them are not even found in regular grocery stores. While at the farmer's market I spotted one of the vegetables my Chinese friends usually have. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Broccolini</span> is super easy to <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Broccolini-with-Garlic-230982">make</a> by sauteing it with some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">EVOO</span>, garlic, and soy sauce. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68GDxl5lrRGhPcuI_y8fC7JX9cHcEpZDsH2Pidj_AJe4CnG5R0k2oAyw1tmzMYSSDR4Q0nFtGFonSBYf5FHTeQXHrHj-Sn4rHSPNNnZBS-dmMMzYefDOhWLoIhgdfB3IZS_eiH6Ghj40l/s1600-h/DSCN0924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68GDxl5lrRGhPcuI_y8fC7JX9cHcEpZDsH2Pidj_AJe4CnG5R0k2oAyw1tmzMYSSDR4Q0nFtGFonSBYf5FHTeQXHrHj-Sn4rHSPNNnZBS-dmMMzYefDOhWLoIhgdfB3IZS_eiH6Ghj40l/s400/DSCN0924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450917019679673250" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bok</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">choy</span> is another one of my favorite Asian vegetables. I haven't make this quite yet, but I will most likely saute it the same way as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">broccolini</span>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzTpZxzktwagT9iXrULZxjXTn8KJYkh_YuGctfWZNJgwKgwjhfr8H1UscT1N-E-FNsDzpK2GI8AN8tKE_B57s0V4K0jM1tmRmJYSF00lc9ZqbzJ1Zd2Sg732eHPPh_So-KmDgZGhAa1F1/s1600-h/DSCN0925.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzTpZxzktwagT9iXrULZxjXTn8KJYkh_YuGctfWZNJgwKgwjhfr8H1UscT1N-E-FNsDzpK2GI8AN8tKE_B57s0V4K0jM1tmRmJYSF00lc9ZqbzJ1Zd2Sg732eHPPh_So-KmDgZGhAa1F1/s400/DSCN0925.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450916934523793890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlghA104cajBH_DciF32exr-0drNmE8fYvsIddpgSH2KwP8CLY96Yj_URpmzTokbLt6s1NJtw-PLEQQOCzqdsrtfuOYusrLndQTNIcS6mrUvgAPD5Pvgweuw0KcfDxu4tuYzLzFQdOxTW9/s1600-h/DSCN0926.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlghA104cajBH_DciF32exr-0drNmE8fYvsIddpgSH2KwP8CLY96Yj_URpmzTokbLt6s1NJtw-PLEQQOCzqdsrtfuOYusrLndQTNIcS6mrUvgAPD5Pvgweuw0KcfDxu4tuYzLzFQdOxTW9/s400/DSCN0926.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450916798120652834" /></a>For dinner I had the beets, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">broccolini</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">quinoa</span>. DELICIOUS! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUqCC2AiTDh5U4K3azDSghgh2jAZp_S2PO9xvf9f_1kEKMMBJY668rwNJ405LhoTOYmns1bVVylE7r9oUE3sjweLCSs8DBiyD07EFeWS2DfGWnqS7QTJm6m-nFWkosS0pTJ0H55N-RzpA/s1600-h/DSCN0936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUqCC2AiTDh5U4K3azDSghgh2jAZp_S2PO9xvf9f_1kEKMMBJY668rwNJ405LhoTOYmns1bVVylE7r9oUE3sjweLCSs8DBiyD07EFeWS2DfGWnqS7QTJm6m-nFWkosS0pTJ0H55N-RzpA/s400/DSCN0936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450916683892040658" /></a>I cannot wait to see what I will find at the farmer's market this week. Happy Sunday!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-69639681721929685442010-03-04T22:32:00.001-05:002010-03-04T22:52:31.122-05:00Mediterranean Tuna Salad<div>I am beginning to realize that my blog is turning into a baking blog, so for this month's RD meeting / pot luck I had to make a conscious effort to make something NOT sweet or baked and blog about it... I attended an awesome nutrition seminar at the CIA in St. Helena where I received some delicious olive oil as a 'party gift' and it got me thinking - of olive oil pound cake! haha</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUZYcAXYeAI_MuhJ5m7QZQ8MQjT6PermfI1pP8EVNGP_jWxeSHcl8OeFFWwsScPzoP_b89gt1aKn8kckPNTnvSgRBKp2-ot2v_ARtq2SF9ucAZUp94xlfdj9xCE7zrDLJBHPSGRxuqLQy/s1600-h/DSCN0831.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUZYcAXYeAI_MuhJ5m7QZQ8MQjT6PermfI1pP8EVNGP_jWxeSHcl8OeFFWwsScPzoP_b89gt1aKn8kckPNTnvSgRBKp2-ot2v_ARtq2SF9ucAZUp94xlfdj9xCE7zrDLJBHPSGRxuqLQy/s400/DSCN0831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444988209627047394" /></a>Of course when you rule something out, it's the ONLY think you can think about. Naturally, I could think of a million items I would like to bake, but no 'real food'. I called my cooking go-to-gal (Ronnie) and asked her for suggestions. A few weeks ago, I remembered Ronnie going on a small rant about how terrible it is when people put "weird stuff" in tuna salad - like relish... Ronnie came up with a great idea of making mini tuna sandwiches, but "without anything weird in it". She e-mailed me this great recipe that incorporates my new olive oil!<div><br /></div><div><b>INGREDIENTS:</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 tsp olive oil</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">2tsp balsamic vinegar</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1/4 tsp oregano</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">3 oz. tuna fish, water-packed low sodium</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">5 cherry tomatoes</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1/2 cucumber</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 serving of bread of choice</span></b></div><div><b>METHOD:</b></div><div>Rinse and pat dry vegetables. Cut cucumber and tomatoes into bite size pieces, and mix with drained and flaked tuna in a bowl. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, and oregano, and toss with tuna-vegetable mixture. Serve with toasted bread or crackers. </div><div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wjh3zIPMNWZEvdVyvtKDuSuaOr3D8oX4SfZIVZkRcooQDPawabDfdB2UO9TEY5rSeaDJbaivGC6eco_a4fQy8zq8cyk2WdeY7BOfeFmxHK_5kaAjbz-NeGhAMT6Uah7P0czMYVhqD96r/s1600-h/DSCN0827.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wjh3zIPMNWZEvdVyvtKDuSuaOr3D8oX4SfZIVZkRcooQDPawabDfdB2UO9TEY5rSeaDJbaivGC6eco_a4fQy8zq8cyk2WdeY7BOfeFmxHK_5kaAjbz-NeGhAMT6Uah7P0czMYVhqD96r/s400/DSCN0827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444988077393613554" /></a>I used carrots and cucumbers instead of tomatoes - I personally don't like the seeds, texture, and juiciness of tomatoes in this type of dish. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUZdHH2J8ne2C6b6IfqL03J8wAhMZF5ile3hG07i-_Z8PK47NTPtnGqNtYti_M3zIjNDytlrSUkPwq3x_s3_QC4FMCKcKObzHSc1J5uH_HT0koX3I5IlONWZYT80fb9Aodl8lKrOv27q7/s1600-h/DSCN0829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUZdHH2J8ne2C6b6IfqL03J8wAhMZF5ile3hG07i-_Z8PK47NTPtnGqNtYti_M3zIjNDytlrSUkPwq3x_s3_QC4FMCKcKObzHSc1J5uH_HT0koX3I5IlONWZYT80fb9Aodl8lKrOv27q7/s400/DSCN0829.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444987946735036162" /></a>The oil and vinegar actually held the tuna together better than I expected it would!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sIBe0oW6hBnRv22QzPyFPVhno8ytWmKmqnF8RxXz7iD1JbNCJ5i_SicJI-cfaJbeRp5EnfOQhV4-qiX4AmRXpZlR1PloDHaJJk-5Tj1bKgk36wK3R7MnjS-qvt3eeO4VDhbDPPaTYstX/s1600-h/DSCN0834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sIBe0oW6hBnRv22QzPyFPVhno8ytWmKmqnF8RxXz7iD1JbNCJ5i_SicJI-cfaJbeRp5EnfOQhV4-qiX4AmRXpZlR1PloDHaJJk-5Tj1bKgk36wK3R7MnjS-qvt3eeO4VDhbDPPaTYstX/s400/DSCN0834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444987819884617714" /></a>I served the tuna on croissants cut in half (so I would have enough) and sealed the deal with a cute umbrella toothpick. The mini sandwiches were such a hit at work that my boss stashed some away for dinner and lunch the next day! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfwopwh2vU_UPTCzMpyo1KJSwY9_51wmPOHX-_FFs5hyl2jihoMoBW4Dfk-c2H4Towz0FQiT5Ag-lyW4G3-mJhVIAmY1bt2AwN856F9HBUQBfikGfkncZFWONxpxuPJZRZvUUQAil4LCh/s1600-h/DSCN0835.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfwopwh2vU_UPTCzMpyo1KJSwY9_51wmPOHX-_FFs5hyl2jihoMoBW4Dfk-c2H4Towz0FQiT5Ag-lyW4G3-mJhVIAmY1bt2AwN856F9HBUQBfikGfkncZFWONxpxuPJZRZvUUQAil4LCh/s400/DSCN0835.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444987656727613522" /></a><br /></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-71547308077230936572010-02-18T22:52:00.001-05:002010-02-19T18:22:16.235-05:00Olive Oil Pound Cake<div><b>RD Tip:</b> Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat (a healthy fat). Per the American Dietetic Association's position paper about <a href="http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=8443">Functional Foods</a>, there is some evidence that eating about 2 tbsp (or 23g) of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fats. To achieve the benefit of olive oil, it should replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total amount of daily energy intake. This pound cake is a perfect example. Rather than using a 'pound' of butter (a saturated fat), this recipe substitutes the bad fat with a healthier monounsaturated fat - olive oil. </div><div><br /></div><div>In August my friend, Kitchen M , made some olive oil pound cake and brought it into work for us all to enjoy. Like everything Em makes, it was absolutely to die for! </div><div>During my trip to Israel we visited the <i><a href="http://www.golanoliveoil.com/Inside_market.asp">Golan Olive Oil Mill.</a></i> The store was not much different than what you see in Napa Valley, but the owner was such an amazing salesman, that I just HAD to buy something. Although they had a bunch of foofy olive products for skin, hair, face, etc., I decided to go for good 'ol olive oil. </div><div>I bought the bottle that is in Hebrew because I thought it looked cool and that it would be a great souvenir. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6ZmJzNiTGxRq3pDPLRBeP1-Xed5aLotJrDvCkDBlJQ9cJ8OeAkobkLP4dOfxaBkxx-0Izvm1SRfTWaWslf8KEXN1A1qa4VemUAKYqySoZUGULJ0axHuKAm0_jBwc4vCUqFQGwuHTlTF3/s400/DSCN0780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439797968139834930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>Since the bottle is in Hebrew, I had to take a picture of the English one so I could translate it.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5t_BIZEV-epdeoFbeJZjo-FbnajfPLl1oIHkkgvX3do8Z4NRWsIP9F4B0VfLey93NJ3y6CZhmBio5SvUPVWsaFiVjDr_IcZcKkadnolVd4FiHZkFcwigMsRnDf5V1NhjzqTjVLqZVpOp/s1600-h/DSCN0568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5t_BIZEV-epdeoFbeJZjo-FbnajfPLl1oIHkkgvX3do8Z4NRWsIP9F4B0VfLey93NJ3y6CZhmBio5SvUPVWsaFiVjDr_IcZcKkadnolVd4FiHZkFcwigMsRnDf5V1NhjzqTjVLqZVpOp/s400/DSCN0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439798441403591426" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">This is the <i>Gold Label</i> Olive Oil called <i>Tabha</i>. It is the first cold press Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This olive oil is unique because it is extracted without the pit. It is clear, delicate & light and an exclusive product of the "Golan Olive Oil Mill"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>This olive oil was quite a pain to get home. Since I am a chronic over-packer, my suitcase was a little heavy on the flight back to the US. I made it from Ben Gurion airport to LAX alright, but I knew there was NO way they would let me travel back to SFO with such a heavy suitcase. My good friend Shelby was nice enough to keep my olive oil in LA and mail it to me. When she came to visit San Francisco last weekend I was sure to have some fresh baked olive oil pound cake for her to thank her for her kindness. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I searched online for an olive oil pound cake recipe, but couldn't find any. I remembered <a href="http://kitchen-em.blogspot.com/2009/08/olive-oil-pound-cake.html">Kitchen M</a>'s post about her bread, so I immediately checked her blog for the recipe. Since Kitchen M didn't post the recipe on her blog, I don't think I can post it on mine either. She was nice enough to share her yummy recipe with me, and if any of you would like it, I would be more than happy to e mail it to you also. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYLDDSspu5VGwQFvlF0RiE8Lm3cIYu-DaNZa1uxpaGvrsEziokKfmtu18KXf-Xqq5sJNEmQ4QQHc4b_VcqkNY0-twBNXamLRx-2YjY_ABjm-YHs7Fl2oCM9tpDOa4Y1UaUI68jHw_yil0/s1600-h/DSCN0776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYLDDSspu5VGwQFvlF0RiE8Lm3cIYu-DaNZa1uxpaGvrsEziokKfmtu18KXf-Xqq5sJNEmQ4QQHc4b_VcqkNY0-twBNXamLRx-2YjY_ABjm-YHs7Fl2oCM9tpDOa4Y1UaUI68jHw_yil0/s400/DSCN0776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439798201021689986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklTbBwvXSK01_xtJN7AOkoZCMf4YObkjJEp3ODpUp971-8cwwbo-yuQphyphenhyphen1IlTqrIUZPpqlw_-IB_jUIYwvv5aRFmWYlvq7zJJjldytzUcv7J8JCI6eOF9j9NpEkCqwW4rOVks1RNujLE/s1600-h/DSCN0777.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklTbBwvXSK01_xtJN7AOkoZCMf4YObkjJEp3ODpUp971-8cwwbo-yuQphyphenhyphen1IlTqrIUZPpqlw_-IB_jUIYwvv5aRFmWYlvq7zJJjldytzUcv7J8JCI6eOF9j9NpEkCqwW4rOVks1RNujLE/s400/DSCN0777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439798094127422034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6ZmJzNiTGxRq3pDPLRBeP1-Xed5aLotJrDvCkDBlJQ9cJ8OeAkobkLP4dOfxaBkxx-0Izvm1SRfTWaWslf8KEXN1A1qa4VemUAKYqySoZUGULJ0axHuKAm0_jBwc4vCUqFQGwuHTlTF3/s1600-h/DSCN0780.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG4Kokq54PQHQeF1QngUmXotwDcsvuDKfMQxkGRAHqmAd9kSOQ4syT6LJVbjiRJB62mMSvWaRPCYspXc3zShmaOwehwTdObwxb02tsBDcoNx-UjIu9rRltmJB69SVpGC9533KhZtHWupQ/s1600-h/DSCN0781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG4Kokq54PQHQeF1QngUmXotwDcsvuDKfMQxkGRAHqmAd9kSOQ4syT6LJVbjiRJB62mMSvWaRPCYspXc3zShmaOwehwTdObwxb02tsBDcoNx-UjIu9rRltmJB69SVpGC9533KhZtHWupQ/s400/DSCN0781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439797869443075586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggePHEmnJgcsvVgITn8jH8BXTEI3Oa7SLlwV-35D0C2mvAqL93q6DPeuTDOaFU_M-avgSMv-6TWhgGrVKCPRb65lE4EA0YxXIOCGU1NoCYjBkoGmtHd8dhXkSYlyFhBsF3abm9nZf1adYJ/s1600-h/DSCN0783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggePHEmnJgcsvVgITn8jH8BXTEI3Oa7SLlwV-35D0C2mvAqL93q6DPeuTDOaFU_M-avgSMv-6TWhgGrVKCPRb65lE4EA0YxXIOCGU1NoCYjBkoGmtHd8dhXkSYlyFhBsF3abm9nZf1adYJ/s400/DSCN0783.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439797757881398450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mwl8KmGgq_SV-ZCKrOOU4ladSIqpsgNPegeFVR7wOXfK989s4N1LFC2kV_jaM2JT_QOhvar8d6JX4W5hnCNRR9_uKmVS5iRbqNx9KWcRtHlIZxCpm4E1_TzW3wH9JQrtVVLOVW2aIwb_/s1600-h/DSCN0786.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mwl8KmGgq_SV-ZCKrOOU4ladSIqpsgNPegeFVR7wOXfK989s4N1LFC2kV_jaM2JT_QOhvar8d6JX4W5hnCNRR9_uKmVS5iRbqNx9KWcRtHlIZxCpm4E1_TzW3wH9JQrtVVLOVW2aIwb_/s400/DSCN0786.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439797608822547602" /></a>I made the cake at home for boyfriend to try and BOYFRIEND LIKES IT! It's a miracle! I took half of the cake to work the next day and everyone there loved it also. The mixture of orange zest, olive oil, and sherry wine create a sweet, yet light citrus flavor that's so addictingly wonderful. <div>My mom has an annual Valentine's day party which she spends days baking for. Since I have a new found love of baking, I decided to help her this year. I made two of my olive oil pound cakes for her party and it disappeared! This recipe is <b>absolutely</b> a keeper! </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-84743724061125515852010-02-03T00:13:00.000-05:002010-02-06T15:17:53.827-05:00Happy Birthday Boyfriend - Banana Fosters Cheesecake<div>Last weekend was my boyfriend's birthday. He is not a chocolate cake kind of person like I am, but he LOVES the banana cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. As a loving girlfriend, I figured I would try to make a banana cheesecake for him even though the thought is not appetizing to me whatsoever. </div><div>For some odd reason I chose a recipe that calls for the cake to be baked in a bath. This one was a lot tougher to bake than the flour-less chocolate cake because it called for some odd baking instructions. I tried my best...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>INGREDIENTS:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Crust:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 cup all purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 cup finely chopped pecans</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 tablespoons sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Filling:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 2-oz packages reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/4 cups sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tablespoons cornstarch</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 large eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups pureed bananas (from 4 bananas)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup low-fat sour cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div><div style="text-align: center;">pinch of salt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Topping:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup low-fat sour cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 17oz jar carmel sauce</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tablespoons dark rum</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 bananas, peeled, sliced </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Preparation</b></div><div><b>For crust:</b></div><div>position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350*F. Wrap outside of 9-inch diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides with heavy-duty foil. (I had to finely chop the nuts in the food processor)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlqYB5cQ6zdA-nU6l5bWbKVu-AG_sG4Dl7JUw2P9y31bR8DUPeNsc9KtrTOeuzOLOzZjA2uAiBPW7_XRmeXNjjmdhTM2wY1SEBAirtpOTmrUklgcvPITzlaAQXmNRoojBu3t_0MH3XHs/s1600-h/DSCN0756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlqYB5cQ6zdA-nU6l5bWbKVu-AG_sG4Dl7JUw2P9y31bR8DUPeNsc9KtrTOeuzOLOzZjA2uAiBPW7_XRmeXNjjmdhTM2wY1SEBAirtpOTmrUklgcvPITzlaAQXmNRoojBu3t_0MH3XHs/s400/DSCN0756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433881647200236850" /></a>Combine flour, pecans, butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix well. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxfROwp5n8GIyQCdDTGMsa3d9-iaipr-GtQ14AiYu0BRfTu89Sk8ZamAF3PA7oxAmJRjR7m9dAu2sGHXwd2lth3flN2V8913HKV-quk9AoDD-hkbpCDiR3fV1FW2bTDwFu8XtZZJ3yvie/s1600-h/DSCN0757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxfROwp5n8GIyQCdDTGMsa3d9-iaipr-GtQ14AiYu0BRfTu89Sk8ZamAF3PA7oxAmJRjR7m9dAu2sGHXwd2lth3flN2V8913HKV-quk9AoDD-hkbpCDiR3fV1FW2bTDwFu8XtZZJ3yvie/s400/DSCN0757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433881634410372306" /></a>Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqtpCJJIzByYCtC_TC3wMvzaN1iTk5777ROnDT7V6dgQQYH6xdzzWH9O91C8C4pqhtujQemPJ1IsehfUgldHLPe6u6K8lpfh5bHNUKiA0Y0H-y3UDRmtaHXu8E3JthYX4Vcu7Fn2qkiKK/s1600-h/DSCN0758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqtpCJJIzByYCtC_TC3wMvzaN1iTk5777ROnDT7V6dgQQYH6xdzzWH9O91C8C4pqhtujQemPJ1IsehfUgldHLPe6u6K8lpfh5bHNUKiA0Y0H-y3UDRmtaHXu8E3JthYX4Vcu7Fn2qkiKK/s400/DSCN0758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433881627325152258" /></a><b>For filling:</b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Using electric mixer, beat cream in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in cornstarch. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until just blended after each addition. Add pureed banana, sour cream, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Beat until just combined. </span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Transfer filling to crust-lined pan. Place pan in large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come up 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake until center of cake is just set, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove cake from oven. Maintain oven temperature. </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Meanwhile, prepare topping:</b></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Mix together sour cream, sugar, and vanilla in small bowl until well blended. Spread topping over cheesecake<br /></span></b></span></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNuoCYW21xET_2n6Nxe75hXiHYRxOikMGhMPDOTzgCnj_g-WI74sPk9ufV2xdApqT4F_iRHuxV2a3TI2gZbD_7p8rf2K1JLRH-KFy4XLPJVHY5-IPZjrR7MnfbV8DUuUDJcxR-ONm7lup/s1600-h/DSCN0761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNuoCYW21xET_2n6Nxe75hXiHYRxOikMGhMPDOTzgCnj_g-WI74sPk9ufV2xdApqT4F_iRHuxV2a3TI2gZbD_7p8rf2K1JLRH-KFy4XLPJVHY5-IPZjrR7MnfbV8DUuUDJcxR-ONm7lup/s400/DSCN0761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433881618867063602" /></a>Bake until topping is set, about 10 minutes. Turn off oven. Let cake stand in oven until cooled to room temperature, about 2 hours. Refrigerate cake until well chilled. Cover and refrigerate overnight. </div><div>Cut around cake to loosen; remove pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Warm carmel sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Mix in rum. Drizzle some sauce decoratively over cake. Arrange bananas top cake and Enjoy</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJflRjlp5l9JYuDjzv6lwzF64eUOar7bmRRGd0Bm8KPXplS1wLDZYK0WXSIlegl9iU9cTwAv_ZAo9NljuDkg7NS8NFPu-SJWoq3y5-IBwhl59a4vnqO9RsAcp6zIPWj0RKeWLR2ct0ZYBD/s1600-h/DSCN0765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJflRjlp5l9JYuDjzv6lwzF64eUOar7bmRRGd0Bm8KPXplS1wLDZYK0WXSIlegl9iU9cTwAv_ZAo9NljuDkg7NS8NFPu-SJWoq3y5-IBwhl59a4vnqO9RsAcp6zIPWj0RKeWLR2ct0ZYBD/s400/DSCN0765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433881609492416514" /></a>Overall, I think this cake came out pretty mediocre. It took FOREVER to bake and cool. I had to make it 5 days before his actually birthday just to ensure it would be done on time. The taste was decent, but boyfriend said it was not "banana enough". Next time he wants banana cheesecake I may just go out and buy it from Cheesecake Factory... I will have to find a new cake for next year! </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Birthday Boyfriend! </div><div><br /></div><div>*If anyone has a better banana cheesecake recipe I should try, PLEASE share! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe courtesy of<i> epicurious: July 1996</i></span></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958667855163775179.post-23690000734462720562010-01-25T22:39:00.000-05:002010-01-25T23:16:21.613-05:00La Bete Noire - "The Black Beast"<div>This take on a flour-less chocolate cake definitely lives up to its translation: The Black Beast</div><div>**DISCLAIMER** While this cake is incredibly rich, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chocolatey</span>, and delicious, as an RD, I do not recommend consuming more than a tiny wedge. Note the nutrition facts are not included for a reason...</div><div>This cake is gluten-free and a great dessert choice for those with a gluten intolerance. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div><b>Cake</b></div><div>1 cup water</div><div>3/4 cup sugar</div><div>9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, diced</div><div>18 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ounces</span> (2 1/4 cups) bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped</div><div>6 large eggs</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ganache</span></b></div><div>1 cup heavy whipping cream</div><div>8 ounces (1 cup) bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped</div><div><br /></div><div>lightly sweetened whopped cream</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Preparation</span></b></div><div><b>For cake:</b></div><div>Preheat oven to 350*F. Butter 10-inch-diameter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">springform</span> pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment round; butter parchment (I used cooking spray). Wrap 3 layers of heavy-duty foil around outside of pan, bringing foil to top of rim. </div><div><br /></div><div>Combine 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY_vFNiYWtx-jqci71o0gsdmG9tXsjkmyEOgvM7xgYKSDx_XMPb3PR4-zImnHky2z9RqRTlu3CZkqM8rFun1w9NSCfec2DcbZhTZiI0eV-f-l7b2i8xbb-yCQf-MPmGeTfAtLjsAlO7dS/s1600-h/DSCN0734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY_vFNiYWtx-jqci71o0gsdmG9tXsjkmyEOgvM7xgYKSDx_XMPb3PR4-zImnHky2z9RqRTlu3CZkqM8rFun1w9NSCfec2DcbZhTZiI0eV-f-l7b2i8xbb-yCQf-MPmGeTfAtLjsAlO7dS/s400/DSCN0734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430890200961311026" /></a>Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk sugar syrup into chocolate; cool slightly. <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GsYy8SaMzDN4eDTJl3ANznHvb9ahD5dFcZjBsDOp3iUafsWgheb-eJkbrTs3AUxwAkIUhQUIzOA6hZOVGeB7uHEE31Ed3VvHbYImdhplxpQKYigEmRDPF2OEtwwG4cNchOL5XUqbje7G/s400/DSCN0732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430890332266096930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span>Add eggs to chocolate mixture and whisk until well blended. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOimy_Ve0hsoviSC4lzro93kSvNFch92WTqCDICxqnjWlfuGClOIGtuimVhsk8_osT1Jlp_iHG_J-2_9A5KlFTBZAr8SEYK1h6j4xzsY4vEbyE7XAk2bR8iIlDOm9JDlWWFDNvUaOyGQa/s1600-h/DSCN0737.JPG"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKx9Qb4Z8ahcL-v93ztUTstB2bgsBceZTtxIpPPU95iDHfG8ecmrw4lNFKMWCYC9IpHE1WrUI6UUSxQDHZZA01nhxkAGy9q8n9CPlcP5_SBXO0NzZSWmPV24u8Gfa_qRCVU7CsackRNvA/s400/DSCN0740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889942975588514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>Pour batter into prepared pan.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiam1u4q6Z1mDqh3gCq9si6ZC2sCbuSxGT-E9VLETdjdV4Ynrzyo0Kb-myWD6duv0j2PGOlnkpJgzbh2Ahlf_BKQocz4IVPiphv2-xjC_tfJP5p30LWEK9QekGZl4ARBy0FtPs8oUWl_82/s400/DSCN0742.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889725300696850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Place cake pan in large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of cake pan. Bake until center no longer moves when pan is gently shaken, about 50 minutes. Remove from water bath; transfer to rack. cool completely in pan. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkadglF4iTKEkdLysnK5-7pwYRrXOk9qXMCA_UqssTOBjMSWNlhS1PqRSktdrzcb7TVVQINybys6377WJ-m1m_yLO3gOwdjo8fafZj_N54s7uAbM215Lu1EwLX4cySeGirodvy2ZouIiA/s400/DSCN0741.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889736512324290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>For <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ganache</span>:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bring whipping cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. </span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOimy_Ve0hsoviSC4lzro93kSvNFch92WTqCDICxqnjWlfuGClOIGtuimVhsk8_osT1Jlp_iHG_J-2_9A5KlFTBZAr8SEYK1h6j4xzsY4vEbyE7XAk2bR8iIlDOm9JDlWWFDNvUaOyGQa/s1600-h/DSCN0737.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOimy_Ve0hsoviSC4lzro93kSvNFch92WTqCDICxqnjWlfuGClOIGtuimVhsk8_osT1Jlp_iHG_J-2_9A5KlFTBZAr8SEYK1h6j4xzsY4vEbyE7XAk2bR8iIlDOm9JDlWWFDNvUaOyGQa/s400/DSCN0737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430890191452123826" /></a>Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Pour over top of cake still in pan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K3tHB6c_nzzitY0gk-VDR4YOvroRVIMCbEBhZmRCgA5COAYHCdbEQWsfWE2-6bWV-WullGSHKxk20F0UAz_GtT-dV5SH1lPGfg_F1CmVUkc3D5k9dv2h_UTttWYlOz0LoDmjLRSKWGTu/s1600-h/DSCN0739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K3tHB6c_nzzitY0gk-VDR4YOvroRVIMCbEBhZmRCgA5COAYHCdbEQWsfWE2-6bWV-WullGSHKxk20F0UAz_GtT-dV5SH1lPGfg_F1CmVUkc3D5k9dv2h_UTttWYlOz0LoDmjLRSKWGTu/s400/DSCN0739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889952108103042" /></a>Gently shake pan to distribute <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ganache</span> evenly over top of cake. Refrigerate in pan until <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ganache</span> is set, about 2 hours. Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake; release sides. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiam1u4q6Z1mDqh3gCq9si6ZC2sCbuSxGT-E9VLETdjdV4Ynrzyo0Kb-myWD6duv0j2PGOlnkpJgzbh2Ahlf_BKQocz4IVPiphv2-xjC_tfJP5p30LWEK9QekGZl4ARBy0FtPs8oUWl_82/s1600-h/DSCN0742.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJme1eBaOTWLWFDhRKHCthy2De2d4gtJI05HuwnH3zSKqXx4iqL4nn9gXlkFLdpMuXzKhMb3vuEpg3PIhQpCsuw1iFl9Jc1mTMKb-SwjDUhcUMDEG6a1EUs0c5nTALYlKCylDEXq9i3OEg/s1600-h/DSCN0743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJme1eBaOTWLWFDhRKHCthy2De2d4gtJI05HuwnH3zSKqXx4iqL4nn9gXlkFLdpMuXzKhMb3vuEpg3PIhQpCsuw1iFl9Jc1mTMKb-SwjDUhcUMDEG6a1EUs0c5nTALYlKCylDEXq9i3OEg/s400/DSCN0743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889541143959506" /></a>Whip cream and add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkuie-J5xjlfsP_v7vQufBgGJf-212hqqnzP3UT7B3XphkHPnL1OsGL5C-1TXfPxmUHuHGghF8b-PDFI2iaPWojo8KMuTC538ZGWNQQ97ORyHLYj8xeOlHfmD9kMN5luO3uIntcImnIe0/s1600-h/DSCN0744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkuie-J5xjlfsP_v7vQufBgGJf-212hqqnzP3UT7B3XphkHPnL1OsGL5C-1TXfPxmUHuHGghF8b-PDFI2iaPWojo8KMuTC538ZGWNQQ97ORyHLYj8xeOlHfmD9kMN5luO3uIntcImnIe0/s400/DSCN0744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889433210612754" /></a>Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake; release sides. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKGgRcATUXg2SXmEkz_cVT7thWwVZlxsGKcwp_W3Hi6MGbOnX7ebHzOZ8g5L-GFfyVbRxrkoCH4Yd9WHM0zlO32tGrZFgC_bFlW77BkfnAmLruNKThsjKZHUvetEBvqS6UvvpaVGMCDwG/s400/DSCN0754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889196820965186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>Cut cake into wedges and serve with whipped cream<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6No_oI6kb8Y9eqO1vJJk-rlpHACPUdCCz4Z5s7T3KeFa9du_okwwC9nHhNTbAra9cWFiTsr0xx_674aVtx7metzlWaVZr1RrrflcGLzte7lREodB_cyeB6MBrnpnfgH_pd84k3KELYKz/s1600-h/DSCN0750.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6No_oI6kb8Y9eqO1vJJk-rlpHACPUdCCz4Z5s7T3KeFa9du_okwwC9nHhNTbAra9cWFiTsr0xx_674aVtx7metzlWaVZr1RrrflcGLzte7lREodB_cyeB6MBrnpnfgH_pd84k3KELYKz/s400/DSCN0750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430889309285895682" /></a>This cake is mouthwatering, rich, and delicious! It is best served cold and if you leave it out of the fridge for too long it can get mushy. It is so satisfying for chocolate lovers and is perfectly paired with cold, skim milk. This is a great dessert for entertaining or even as a weeknight indulgence, but may not be the best choice for those watching their waistline... check out those ingredients again! But then again, those ingredients are what make it taste so wonderful. Always remember: portion control!</div><div><br /></div><div>ENJOY!! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>Recipe courtesy of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">epicurious</span>: September 2006</i></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKGgRcATUXg2SXmEkz_cVT7thWwVZlxsGKcwp_W3Hi6MGbOnX7ebHzOZ8g5L-GFfyVbRxrkoCH4Yd9WHM0zlO32tGrZFgC_bFlW77BkfnAmLruNKThsjKZHUvetEBvqS6UvvpaVGMCDwG/s1600-h/DSCN0754.JPG"></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224759293732890175noreply@blogger.com3