Dinner at Mine: Vegan Asian-Inspired Meal

I went to SF this weekend, but I'm still processing everything (hello, Folsom Street Fair, karaoke, and talks with a view), so that post will come later. However, I did have a chance to introduce Jaimie, Jeff, Sam, Grant and Elisa to each other when they came over to Evan's and mine for dinner.


I've been oh-so-bored with the same bloody food everyday so I wanted to challenge myself for this dinner party, without resorting to a 27-step French dish. It's been terrifyingly hot recently, so I thought a light, vegan meal that was actually filling would do the trick. I made Kung Pao Chickpeas, an Asian Cruciferous Vegetable Slaw (I really wanted to say cruciferous), and an Avocado Cucumber Salad. Thankfully, I managed to execute everything moderately well, but let's be real, we were all there for the great company (and the seven bottles of wine) anyway.

There are times when it hits me, and hits me hard, about how gracious, intelligent, and wonderful the people are in my life. I can often be frenetic and it distracts me from recognizing how very lucky I am to have people in my life that a) have the patience to deal with my neuroses and b) sacrifice time and effort to trek 50 miles to eat an extremely experimental meal and listen to me sing the new Beyonce song like 73 times.
And as you already know, my recipes are more like guidelines. It isn't hard to fuck up these recipes, unless you don't have tastebuds.

Kung Pao Chickpeas
Marinate three cans of (rinsed!) chickpeas with
- few tablespoons of rice wine vingar
- the same with soy sauced
- four cloves minced garlic (give or take)
- a splash of oil
- an inch or so of minced ginger
- the juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch as a thickener
Leave for about an hour, then add
- chili flakes
- sriracha - a couple of tablespoons to taste
- your favorite spicy szechwan or kung pao sauce (enough to coast the chickpeas)
- salt and pepper
Sautee all that for 8-12 minutes over medium heat
Then garnish with
- crushed roasted cashews
- sliced thai chilis
- cilantro

Avocado-Cucumber Salad
6 small ripe avos - diced
6 small persian cucumbers - diced
toasted sesame seeds - a tablespoon or less
a few sheets of nori - crumbled
lime juice - enough to coat
splash of - olive oil
salt and pepper
Combine


Asian Cruciferous Slaw 
- TJ's cruciferous salad mix (contains kale, shredded brussels and cabbage)
----> mix in the juice of a lemon and some rice wine vinegar and massage it to break it down
- shredded carrots (a 6oz package)
- sliced red onion (one small)
- one diced red bell pepper
Combine
Then mix this dressing*:
- three cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 inched minced ginger
- 1/4 c. low sodium soy sauce
- two tablespoons sesame oil
- two tablespoons olive oil
- one tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper
Dress salad and top with cilantro

*To be honest, when I mix dressings up, I just pour stuff in and taste it and adapt the recipe depending on my mood. These are just rough guidelines.

Overall, I was happy with the meal, although in retrospect, the chickpeas could be a little less spicy and the avocado salad could have a bit more lime, and I wish I had time to make dessert, but alas c'est la vie.

FOUR 30 Minute Meals and Some Pro-Tips

If my lack of posting on the blog is any indication, my life has changed dramatically since starting work at the firm. Machiko and I wake up around 5:30/6, go on a walk/hike with Sophie, make tea, smoothies and breakfasts, and I'm out the door at 7:10 to make it court. On non-court days, I get to take a longer hike with them and maybe catch a couple of minutes of my podcasts, before heading out. I work, come home, walk Sophie for another 45 minutes and start prepping dinner.

(Writing that, I've suddenly become acutely aware of how boring my life is.) The system Machiko and Evan and I have worked out is pretty great. Essentially, we split grocery shopping with Machiko picking up produce (potatoes - sweet and yukon, kale, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and anything on sale lol) and interesting protein options (i.e. beef bones, pork belly) and Evan getting the trader joes staples (cheeses, wines, sweets and dough) and me picking up the specialty items day-of when I figure out what I'm going to make us. We try to eat only organic and lean toward lighter meals, although the recipes below feature lots of protein :)

So I come home, make dinner and Machiko and Evan do the cleanup. Boom. This is all memorialized in my Instagram posts. Since we started this, quite a few people have asked how I come home and manage to cook dinner for the three of us, especially considering the time it takes to prep, cook and execute a meal. 

In reality, it takes about 20-30 mins to complete the following meals (not including cooking time). Part of this is that I've planned the menu ahead of time, my kitchen is clean and organized, I know how to slice and dice quickly, and I almost never follow recipes (they take too much time.) I have to thank my mom for the fooducation. We never ate processed foods growing up and rarely got take out, so cooking is just obvious to me. Like brushing my teeth or making coffee. 

You just learn along the way what flavors go together, how long to cook certain types of food, etc. Of course, one always has failures. For instance, last night I tried to make a guava serrano chile sauce for my tilapia. It was AWFUL. Like disgusting. Like Evan had to immediately throw away the barf-inducing contents. I'd never prepared guavas like that (softened with onion and garlic) and apparently, you cannot do that. But the rest of the meal consisted of easy staples - quinoa (cooked in organic chicken broth) and roasted sweet potatoes, Bar Ama style alongside the coconut crusted tilapia.

Although I usually post recipes separately, I thought I'd do a roundup of the best meals we've had in the last couple of weeks where there was a special something elevating the meal from basic to luxurious. 

MEAL 1: Coconut Crusted Tilapia with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Seasoned Quinoa.

Coconut Crusted Tilapia:

- Get fresh deboned tilapia fillets (We like the fish at Gelsons)

- Rinse and pat dry

- Prepare three flat plates with a lip.

- In the first, put in a 1/3 cup all purpose flour with a heavy dose of pepper and paprika

- In the second, whisk up two eggs

- In the last, mix 1/3 cup flour with a 1/3 unsweetened coconut flakes.

- Take a fillet, coat in flour, then dip in the egg, and then coat in the coconut mixture

- PRO-TIP: use tongs, bc it gets gummy; also just flip the fillets in the mixtures rather than spooning the mix on top.

- Do for all the fillets

- Heat up your choice of oil in a pan on medium (preferably one with a higher smoking point.)

- Once oil is hot, meaning you should hear a strong sizzle when you place the fillet in, place fillet in middle of the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, until each side is golden brown. 

- Fish should be flaky and butter

- Serve with a sprinkle of salt and cilantro and a wedge of lime.

MEAL 2:  Cast Iron Skillet Burrata Pizza with Balsamic Onion Jam, Fresh Basil, and Roma Tomatoes on a Garlic Herb Crust

Balsamic Onion Jam:
* I get tired of tomato sauce on my pizza, so I whipped up some really quick onion jam to use at the base sauce.
- Take one big white onion and thinly slice
- Sautee onion in olive oil on medium until wilted and translucent - around 5-7 minutes
- Pour in a couple of tablespoons of balsamic (we used one flavored with elderberry)
- Cover, lower heat, and let cook down for 20 minutes
- You may have uncover and let the liquid cook off so its more jammy and easy to spread on the crust
- Use this as a spread over the unbaked pizza crust and cover with toppings

Meal 3: Ribeye Steak with a Green Salad, Parmesean Mashed Potatoes and a Veggie mix of Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions

 Parmesan Mashed Potatoes:
*To be honest, I'm not a meat and potatoes girl, but I was craving comfort food and so I whipped this up.
- Take four big potatoes, peel and quarter
- Boil until you can poke them with a fork
- Drain and mash
- Add 1/2 cup grated parm, 1/4 cup heavy cream and olive oil and mix up. You can add more oil or cream to get the consistency you like
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- Chop up some italian parsley and mix in before serving.

MEAL 4: Honey Whisky Pork Ribs Served with an Avocado Green Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette and Roasted Beets and Sweet Potatoes 

Honey Whiskey Pork Ribs:
* This was a bit of a cheat. Generally I cook ribs for 3-4 hours in a dutch oven until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. But I'm in a time crunch in the evenings, so I stole my mom's Nuwave and whipped these up in less than 40 minutes (INCLUDING COOK TIME).
- Rinse and pat dry pork ribs (always do this with protein to freshen the taste).
- Rub in salt and pepper and family spice blend (cumin, cayenne, garlic, ginger, etc).
- Douse with your BBQ sauce (I used a generic honey whisky base sauce, then added soy sauce, (more) honey, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper since we had those things on hand and not much else).
- Place in NuWave, drop on a bit more sauce over top.
- On high heat, roast for 12 minutes
- Turn over and roast for another 12 minutes
- Serve with BBQ sauce
- PRO TIP: If you do have a NuWave, put chopped peeled beets and sweet potatoes in the drip pan so that the pork juices and sauce flavor the veg - two dishes in one!

Girls Night In - The Recipe Edition

In retrospect, yesterday was a great day. I attended a phenomenal symposium put on by the LA County Bar Association and heard from experts on everything from lactation accommodation to how to work with transgender clients. After, Jacy and Ellie came over for dinner. It has been forever since we've hung out together, just us,without any pressure to go out. So I decided to try some new (and old) flavor combinations for dins.

On the menu:
Beer-battered eggplant fries with honey-mustard dipping sauce
Bite-sized caprese salad
Quinoa salad with parmesean, sautéed brussels and balsamic glazed roasted carrots


Beer-battered eggplant fries with honey-mustard dipping sauce



(Ingredients: eggplant, flour, beer, thyme, dijon, honey, veggie oil, seasoning)

Take one eggplant, peeled, quartered and then sliced, and then sprinkle with a bit of salt to get the excess water out.

Heat a sauce pan with about half-inch of oil (we're shallow-frying)

Mix flour and beer in a bowl with whatever herbage, seasoning you like. I did thyme and pepper. Just add enough beer to make the batter like a pancake batter consistency, kind of thick.

Dip the eggplant in the batter and fry a few slices at a time. Make sure the oil is hot, bc the eggplant can absorb a lot of oil. I actually found the eggplant cooked incredibly fast - just cook until a darker caramelly brown. Drain on napkins

Mix equal parts dijon and honey in a dipping bowl.

Put on platter. Inhale.

*These were a hit. Apparently Jacy doesn't even like eggplant, but she loved these. They had a crunchy outside and a wonderful, light consistency on the inside.

Bite-sized caprese salad

(Ingredients: small heirloom tomatoes, baby mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, seasoning, lemon juice, toothpicks)

*This is a fun twist on a classic appetizer inspired by Anthony

Cut small heirloom tomatoes in half. Stick on toothpick.
Take a leaf or half leave of basil, fold up Stick on toothpick.
Cut mozzarella ball in half. Stick on fork,
Make a billion.
Drizzle with good olive oil, balsamic, and some lemon juice.
Pepper. Salt.

Quinoa salad with parmesean, sautéed brussels and balsamic glazed roasted carrots
(Ingredients: quinoa, carrots, balsamic, honey, chili flake, brussels, olive oil, dijon, seasoning, grated parm, shredded brussels).

Make the carrots: grab a handful of carrots, rinse, then quarter. You want evenly cut pieces. Put in bowl, then toss with a dressing made of balsamic, honey, chili flakes, salt, olive oil and pepper. Roast in oven at 425 degrees until soft (about 25 mins).

Make quinoa: I use red quinoa. Place 1 c. quinoa in pot with 1.75 c. water. Drizzle a bit of olive oil, pepper, salt, and any other seasonings you like (i.e cayenne, italian, etc.) Bring to a boil uncovered. Turn down, simmer with lid. Cook for 12-14 mins. Fluff with fork.

Make the brussels Sautee brussels (half-package) in pan with olive oil until golden brown. Throw in the quinoa.

Throw carrots in quinoa along with a handful of grated parm.

Put salad on plate, drizzle with the same dressing as you used for the carrots. Feel free to add a little mustard here or whatever other flavors you like.



After all of this, I promptly fell asleep on the couch and my phone was hijacked by these three lovely creatures. I then crawled into my comfy bed, warmed up by Sophie, and listened to the rain all night. A very satisfactory night.

Moving Shenanigans and Such

So I'm moving this weekend! Wooooo! More on those specifics later.

Currently, I am trying to find a super-duper roommate to replace me at the Fig House. I've been interviewing people all week (and still have six more tonight), so I'm inhaling a pizza and a spot of wine before the next batch roll in.

So far, we have had some great candidates. I want to be friends with most of the people. Also, I'm already getting nostalgic for the Fig House and I haven't even started packing yet.

Meanwhile, I have a huge project due for work tomorrow, plus another job and two lunch dates. Also, I'm going out tomorrow. Life is so hard for a 20-something, spoiled grad student.

I wasn't going to post today, but between house showings I've been browsing Pinterest.

I want to bake:
Baked Chocolate Coconut Chai Donuts



Flourless Chocolate Citrus Cookies

I want to drink:
Rose and Cardamom Egg Nog

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler

Grapefruit Jasmine Cocktail

I want to see:
The Golan Palace

Trabocco Punta Torre

Halaveli, Maldives

Hokkaido, Japan


 I want to make:
This leather wrap bracelet

These etched cutting boards

These gold mugs

Adventures in Baked Eggs

So I'm on this new kick. Hiking every morning with the pup and/or housemates/friends. Then I try to fit on a run or yoga 2-3x a week. (Today, I did a leg workout and now I can't move so that's great :) ).

In addition, I'm doing a clean eating thing. (Also, "doing" is a strong word - attempting, trying, aspiring, etc. would probably be better.) The rules are pretty simple. Monday through Friday, I don't eat meat, lactose, or gluten. I pack all my lunches and don't buy anything processed. I still have a weakness for two things though: 1) lattes (but with almond milk) and 2) wine but I'm allowed one glass if I go out during the week.

So this means a few things:

1. I save money - woooooo
2. I've had way more energy
3. I am eternally grateful for my housemate's Ninja blender thing (as is Sophie bc she usually gets a lick)
4. I've become more creative in my "cooking for one" meal plans.

So last week was full of quinoa salads, kale and tomato and homemade dressings.

This week, I've been on a autumn veg spree and have been making comfort food minus the butter. My new favorite thing for breakfast is a coffee and a baked egg dish that I've been mixing up. Then I'll have a smoothie for lunch and then soup or something for dinner. That may not sound like a lot but if you break it down, its way more.  Just in breakfast and lunch today, I've had a ton of protein, several servings of fruits, low sugar, no dairy (except the egg, but that's digestible), no meat and I feel great.

But back to the purpose of the post - easy baked eggs.

I've done two faves this week.

Brussels and Cauliflower Hash:

• handful of roasted brussels and cauliflower with olive oil, pepper, salt, cumin and some rosemary (I made this for dinner and had leftovers)
• Soy cheese
• egg
• balsamic glaze

preheat over to 375.
place a cup of roasted veg in a small bakeware thing (i.e. ramekin)
sprinkle a bit of balsamic vinegar or glaze (Thank you, Trader Joes!)
crack egg on top with a sprinkle of soy cheese
Bake for 12-15 mins
The egg will continue cooking as you take it out, so don't cook it for too long!

Sweet Potato, Basil Pesto and Kale Baked Egg:

• 1.5 tbsp chopped red onion
• 1 cup kale
• small roasted sweet potato (I do several at the beginning of the week to cook with/put salads/feed Sophie)
• egg
• soy cheese
• basil pesto (you can buy, though I've been trying to make as well)

preheat oven to 375.
sauté kale in a sprinkle of olive oil (this takes the longest to cook)
sprinkle in red onion and let cook
then add chopped roasted sweet potato to warm through and mix in
place in bakeware
crack egg, soy cheese on top. Place a small spoonful of pesto on top
Bake for 12-15 mins

Clearly, these are far too easy to make, but so delish. You could roast the veggies with pancetta or bacon, add other veggies (carrots, potatoes, peppers, etc). Great possibilities and super filling :)

Enjoy!

Making Me Happy

1. Catching up on my crime TV shows
2. This new video by The Neighborhood.

3. Having a lot of work to do (although trying to find the motivation is a bit difficult)
4. Seeing Wake Owl tomorrow 

5. My mom making pound cake in the kitchen right now.
6. Puppy cuddles - duh
7. Wine tasting in Malibu this weekend.
8.  Legit blog posts:

• Home Inspiration.
• I'm only wearing black from now on.
• Chocolate tart with shortbread crust.

9. Also Sumptown and Sprinkles are coming to DTLA. OMG I can't.
10. Pinningggg:

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Influenster on Pinterest

Source: the-streetstyle.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: nastygal.com via Amber on Pinterest

Chilling Out

So post-SF, I was in super student mode. I finished a couple of memos, a draft of my law review note, a presentation. I prepared for an interview, did some reconnaissance on summer job ops, and stayed in (gasp!). I relaxed at my mom, enjoyed the rain, recovered from some sniffles with homemade pho and also shrimp curry. Hit up Stories cafe, made pear spiced muffins and watched a lot of Criminal Minds. Last night, tried out Fusion Burger. Huffington Post and EaterLA have both mentioned it. Pretty toned-atmosphere, great service, no alcohol (wtf), and PHENOMENAL burgers. Well-prepared, fresh and so into their House Burger's Thousand Island dressing. Then went to the Hermosillo and tried out Sierra Nevada's Celebration 2012 Fresh Hop IPA and Citra Blue House Pale Ale. The IPA won of the two, although I wouldn't say its my fave IPA. Later, the Ellie, Jacy, Jefferson and I went to the Old Towne Pub to see Ryan's show. Totally random place the middle of Pasadena but legit music and crowd. Couldn't stay long because I had work this morning so took the Metro back (first/last time). Excited to see some shows at Bootleg in the next couple of weeks and drink a few lattes in preparation for finals.

Have a lot of work over the holiday but happy as a clam about it.

 I made truffle ravioli and a kale feta salad 

 Vanilla ice cream with nutella and cookie butter

 polka dots and chai

 Using up some pears

 Pear ginger crumble

 Wine post law review note drafting

 Pear Spice muffins with an oat streusel topping - pear kick #2

 House Burger at Fusion - amazing

 Alley to Old Towne Pub - its like a little secret

The Metro!

xoxo

Life Lately: Halloween Version

So this past week was crazy, but when is life not? :-)

Monday: Indian dinner with bffl Paige at Pradeeps on the westside (not spicy enough) and trivia with the housemates.

Tuesday: Local Natives show at the Satellite with Karly. I love LN - I knew these boys in college and on top of being talented musicians, they are lovely human beings.

Wednesday: Hocus Pocus + Dinner with Lorna and Haley with La Poubelle (amazing, amazing filet mignon, mussels, and gnocchi - great French food.) Plus, Sophie finally met Hudson, Lorna's adorable chocolate lab and they fell in love instantly.

Thursday: Class till late - sleep. But I made a delicious balsamic glazed brussel sprout and butternut squash flatbread and Sophie chewed my socks.

Friday: Christable's birthday at Onyx (Happy Birthday girl! love you!) and drinks with V at Varnish.

Saturday: Intense baking and preparing for the Halloween party - which was amazing - thank you to everyone who came out!

Sunday: major cleaning, reading, breakfast at Home with the housemates and dinner at Red Hill with Evan. Yum -> beignets, porkbelly flatbread and apple galette. Plus, at both restaurants, I can take Sophs and they are absolutely wonderful with her.

Now: SLEEP.

This week: a memo on sexting, a memo on ineffective assistance of counsel, a draft on transgender sex trafficking, 40 textbook solutions, source collection, and cite checking for Annenberg. Good night world.

(I'm doing fun stuff too - Tuesday is the Daughter show with Alexis, Wednesday is Halloween and Friday, I need a girls night out. wooooo. xoxox)