Sunday, June 1, 2014
Vermilion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes is a quick drive or bike ride from the town of Banff and has spectacular views of mountains. You're also likely to see some wildlife cruising around the lakes.
2014 Livin' The Dream in Canada
I used to think Canada was just America's hat, but I now know better. After spending six days in Banff and Jasper, I've become a huge fan of our neighbor to the north, especially Western Canada.
Here are some excellent things to do if you decide to go to Banff and Jasper. I highly recommend both, although a lot of the trails in Banff were still snowy the last week of May because winter lingered a little longer than typical.
Visit the Banff Gondola at the top of Sulphur Mountain. The views are spectacular. It was one of the first things I did after getting into town. You can see countless amazing mountains and have a bird's eye view of the town of Banff.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The First Triathlon
Registered! D-day is May 19th at Lake Welch - Harriman State Park, NY in Stony Point, NY. What distance is an Olympic (or "international distance" or "standard course") triathlon? It is a 1.5 km/0.93 mile swim, 40km/24.8 mile bike ride, and a 10km/6.2 mile run.
Honey-Lime Grilled Skirt Steak With Avocado-Tomato Relish
This recipe is probably the most gourmet I've tried since making my cooking resolution in 2012. It is fantastic, but there are several drawbacks. First of all, skirt steak is expensive. I think I paid north of $10/pound at my neighborhood Citarella. I couldn't find it at Trader Joe's and didn't feel like rolling the dice at Food Emporium. The second challenge is cooking the skirt steak if you don't have a grill. I opted to broil it in my oven, which probably would have been fine if I didn't run out of aluminum foil. As a result of the foil shortage, I severely burned the honey-lime marinade onto my cooking pan, which led to an intense amount of smoke (and a very smokey apartment). However, if you're looking to impress your friends with a fancy pants cook at home meal, this is it.
Recipe can be found here: http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-lime-grilled-skirt-steak-with-avocado-tomato-relish-468506
Turkey-Lentil Chili
In a previous post, I blogged about Boilermaker Tailgate Chili, which is fantastic for game day and extra meaty. For those looking for a healthier option that is still hearty, I recommend Turkey-Lentil Chili. The recipe can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-lentil-chili/
I opted for a slightly spicier version and used some extra Cholula hot sauce, as well as some jalapenos. The recipe makes a TON of chili - I froze some and have been eating it for a week. I also recommend replacing the low-fat yogurt on top with low-fat sour cream. Happy chili-ing!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Brussels Sprouts with...Bacon?
I would typically think the title of this recipe - Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots - would be a paradox. If you are eating brussels sprouts you're probably trying to be healthy. Then you add bacon, which is not necessarily a health food. However, I found the recipe in Cooking Light and it calls for two strips of bacon, which really make the recipe quite tasty. The recipe can be found here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-bacon-50400000116749
I enjoyed it, but warn fellow chefs to be careful not to burn the garlic when you're cooking it over medium high heat. I think I got distracted and it took me longer than expected to cut up the bacon strips.
I enjoyed it, but warn fellow chefs to be careful not to burn the garlic when you're cooking it over medium high heat. I think I got distracted and it took me longer than expected to cut up the bacon strips.
Game Day Recipes
It's that time of year - the weather has gotten too cold to spend much time outside and we're relegated to the couch, watching sports on the weekend. Not bad if you don't go stir crazy. Two days ago was a full - but disappointing - sports day for me. I watched the mighty Tar Heel basketball team fall to the FSU Seminoles, Drew Brees and the Saints lose to the 49ers, and the Pats topple the Broncos (I was rooting for that one).
Even though two of the three games didn't go my way, I was able to whip up some tasty food to comfort my friends and I during the Tar Heels loss. One recipe is quite simple; the other takes more time (and ingredients). Here they are:
Guacamole (from allrecipes.com). The recipe is: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/guacamole/detail.aspx Fresh and tasty (if you can find good avocados in winter) and to add a little extra spice, put in more than a dash of cayenne and maybe some jalapenos. I did both and it was still manageable.
The second recipe I think should be renamed "Extra Meaty Chili" because it calls for three pounds of meat and bacon bits. I didn't have bacon bits, so I cut up little pieces of bacon and added them after frying on the range. I also ran out of room in my slow cooker (which is meant to serve 4-6 people and this recipe feeds 12). As a result, I had to cut back on the 4 cans of beans it calls for, so my chili's meat to bean ratio was skewed toward the meat. The chili calls for two pounds of ground beef and a pound of sausage. The recipe is called Boilermaker Tailgate Chili and is found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boilermaker-tailgate-chili/detail.aspx
Happy cooking!
Even though two of the three games didn't go my way, I was able to whip up some tasty food to comfort my friends and I during the Tar Heels loss. One recipe is quite simple; the other takes more time (and ingredients). Here they are:
Guacamole (from allrecipes.com). The recipe is: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/guacamole/detail.aspx Fresh and tasty (if you can find good avocados in winter) and to add a little extra spice, put in more than a dash of cayenne and maybe some jalapenos. I did both and it was still manageable.
The second recipe I think should be renamed "Extra Meaty Chili" because it calls for three pounds of meat and bacon bits. I didn't have bacon bits, so I cut up little pieces of bacon and added them after frying on the range. I also ran out of room in my slow cooker (which is meant to serve 4-6 people and this recipe feeds 12). As a result, I had to cut back on the 4 cans of beans it calls for, so my chili's meat to bean ratio was skewed toward the meat. The chili calls for two pounds of ground beef and a pound of sausage. The recipe is called Boilermaker Tailgate Chili and is found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boilermaker-tailgate-chili/detail.aspx
Happy cooking!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
How to Save Money on NYE in NYC
Last night despite all odds, I found a way to have an awesome NYE in NYC without spending a ton of money. Impossible, you say. No, it's not. I went out to Brooklyn with some of my best college buddies to hang out and play poker. Despite getting all my money taken at poker on Thanksgiving, last night I was victorious. Further, I managed to pay for my cab home with some money left over. Much more economical than a typical NYE in NYC (and probably more fun, too). Suck it, Ryan Seacrest.
Making Broccoli Exciting
For those of you who don't love broccoli, I've discovered two recipes that make broccoli pretty tasty. The first is from Cooking Light. To make it, I recommend using Trader Joe's freshly shaved Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheese. It's called Lemon-Parmesan Broccoli. The recipe can be found here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-parmesan-broccoli-50400000115791/
The second recipe is Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews. It's also a tasty recipe but requires cashews, as the name implies, which are expensive. It also calls for the cashews to be chopped. Since it is a pain in the butt to chop nuts, I recommend putting them into a plastic bag and beating them up with a meat tenderizer. Worked for me. Also, when making this recipe, I put the cashews in the pan with the butter/garlic mix, which you are not supposed to do. My nuts got burned. I might have to re-make without burning the nuts to see if that makes a difference. However, even with burnt nuts, the broccoli is still pretty tasty. The recipe can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-with-garlic-butter-and-cashews/detail.aspx
The second recipe is Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews. It's also a tasty recipe but requires cashews, as the name implies, which are expensive. It also calls for the cashews to be chopped. Since it is a pain in the butt to chop nuts, I recommend putting them into a plastic bag and beating them up with a meat tenderizer. Worked for me. Also, when making this recipe, I put the cashews in the pan with the butter/garlic mix, which you are not supposed to do. My nuts got burned. I might have to re-make without burning the nuts to see if that makes a difference. However, even with burnt nuts, the broccoli is still pretty tasty. The recipe can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-with-garlic-butter-and-cashews/detail.aspx
Corn Spoon Bread
As a relatively easy and delicious side dish for the winter months, try some corn spoon bread. It's kind of a mix between corn bread and corn pudding, if such a thing exists. If you've made Paula Deen recipes before, you know that everything is better with eight ounces of cream cheese.
The recipe is here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/corn-spoon-bread/detail.aspx
Friday, December 30, 2011
2012
Although I haven't historically made New Year's resolutions, there are two things I'd like to do in 2012: become a better cook and also complete a triathlon. One requires a lot more work than the other, particularly because my awesome friend Jena bought me a slow cooker for Christmas. Over Christmas break, I made a new cookbook by cutting out recipes from the last six months of Cooking Light. My sister asserted that I wouldn't make any of these recipes, but rather that this was just a project to keep me busy over the holidays.
I am determined to prove to her that I will cook and also become a very talented cook. I've made about four things in the past two days and will lead off with what's been my favorite thus far, Guinness Lamb Stew. The recipe can be found here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/guinness-lamb-stew-50400000109599/
There are a couple things I've learned thus far in my new found cooking career. At first I was hopeful that I was going to save a bunch of money by cooking my own meals rather than ordering from Seamless and/or stopping on my way home for dinner every night. However, I've learned you have to be very careful to manage your input costs. The lamb in this stew is amazing. However, it also cost $12.99 a pound at Citarella, which means my cost for 7 servings of this stew, including all items, is about $35 (I used two pounds of lamb). That equates to about $5 per serving, which isn't horrible, but is also not too much cheaper than the $8-10 for daily lunch. Hmmm.
I've also learned some new ingredients. This lamb stew is the first time I purchased and consumed turnips, which are kind of similar to radishes. I had to go to several stores to find them. Further, I learned that Guinness is not only good for drinking, but can also be used to make a very flavorful stew. I'm proud to be executing one of my goals for 2012 and I still have a couple of days before the New Year's begins. Hooray!
I am determined to prove to her that I will cook and also become a very talented cook. I've made about four things in the past two days and will lead off with what's been my favorite thus far, Guinness Lamb Stew. The recipe can be found here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/guinness-lamb-stew-50400000109599/
There are a couple things I've learned thus far in my new found cooking career. At first I was hopeful that I was going to save a bunch of money by cooking my own meals rather than ordering from Seamless and/or stopping on my way home for dinner every night. However, I've learned you have to be very careful to manage your input costs. The lamb in this stew is amazing. However, it also cost $12.99 a pound at Citarella, which means my cost for 7 servings of this stew, including all items, is about $35 (I used two pounds of lamb). That equates to about $5 per serving, which isn't horrible, but is also not too much cheaper than the $8-10 for daily lunch. Hmmm.
I've also learned some new ingredients. This lamb stew is the first time I purchased and consumed turnips, which are kind of similar to radishes. I had to go to several stores to find them. Further, I learned that Guinness is not only good for drinking, but can also be used to make a very flavorful stew. I'm proud to be executing one of my goals for 2012 and I still have a couple of days before the New Year's begins. Hooray!
Iceland
In October, a friend and I visited Iceland for five days. It was beautiful, relaxing and we were one with nature, quite a change from New York City. Unfortunately someone stole my Nikon D90 on the trip, which was a total bummer for a number of reasons. I bought a replacement camera in Iceland, a simple point and shoot, which I'm sure was marked up at least 50% to what I could have got it for on Amazon.com
I would definitely recommend visiting Iceland, just do it before October and also don't leave any high end consumer electronics in your purse when you go out. Here's one of my favorite videos of us snowmobiling out on a glacier.
I would definitely recommend visiting Iceland, just do it before October and also don't leave any high end consumer electronics in your purse when you go out. Here's one of my favorite videos of us snowmobiling out on a glacier.
Reggie and the Old Spice Bear
Reggie, the best dog ever who is currently vacationing with my parents in Virginia while I live in the Big Apple, is not exactly one with nature. For some apparent reason, she was mortified of one of my father's Christmas presents, an Old Spice bear.
She was also mortified of one my mother's Christmas gifts, a pig that looks like a sweet potato. We can't be sure why these inanimate objects caused such a reaction from her, but we're glad she was able to keep us entertained over Christmas break. Love you, Reg!
She was also mortified of one my mother's Christmas gifts, a pig that looks like a sweet potato. We can't be sure why these inanimate objects caused such a reaction from her, but we're glad she was able to keep us entertained over Christmas break. Love you, Reg!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)