Weekday Lunches: The Cheese Plate

This is the lunch that gets the most attention.  It might be envy, because cheese.  It might be curiosity, because I typically eat it on Wednesday.  And it might be disgust, because my colleagues know I packed it at least 56 hours prior, at a minimum.  But the personally packed cheese plate has the best staying power, and is still delicious after a flight and two days in the fridge at the client site.  Here is my tried and true recipe.

Personally Packed Cheese Plate (To Go!)
3 wedges hard cheese (I like sharp cheddar, manchego, smoked gouda, pecorino romano, or parmegiano reggiano, to name a few), wrapped individually in plastic wrap
1 handful toasted pecans
1 handful dried apricots
Several large crackers or flatbreads (I love Dr. Kracker Klassic 3 Seed, even though I am personally opposed to intentional misspellings)
2 handfuls fresh fruit, uncut and unwashed

Pack the dry ingredients in one strong tupperware, and the wet (fruit) in another.  Line the fruit container with a napkin or paper towel, and do not wash fruit until ready to consume to avoid mold. Store in suitcase until you can refrigerate, enjoy within two business days of arriving on site.  

Brunch of Champions: Avocado Benedict on Corn Griddlecakes

Last week was my dear friend and fellow foodie's birthday. We both gravitate toward plant-based, locally-sourced, and especially-delicious foods.  She however lives a predominantly gluten-free lifestyle. I really think I would be better off if I did too, so I am always glad for her influence away from white starches. In honor of her bday, I remade the brunch classic that we shared on her last visit, based on a recipe I found on How Sweet Eats.

Cooking Therapy: Homemade Stocks

Sometimes I feel like cooking, but I don't feel like eating.  Or I feel like cooking, but I have already cooked for eating.  Does that make sense?  I think I just need cooking therapy, which is how I zone out and decompress, and make my mind go quiet and just think about whatever I am doing right at that very moment.  My mom makes jewelry for the same reason.  So when I feel like that, making homemade stocks is just the cooking therapy I need.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Green Garden Gazpacho

Tonight is one of those perfect stay-at-home nights.  I have no plans.  I have a clean house.  I had houseguests last weekend, traveled all week, will leave again Monday, and be out of town next weekend.  I have a bursting DVR.  I have a cute dog.  And I have a fridge full of random odds and ends that I was sure would add up to something.  I pulled out Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty cookbook for inspiration, and sure enough, it looks like I have everything for my very own adaptation of Green Garden Gazpacho, inspired by Ottolenghi's Green Gazpacho.

Weekend Celebrations: Homemade Coffee Ice Cream Cake

A few weeks ago, the boyfriend turned 34.  It was a big day.  Only the best cake would do.  And that meant best according to him, which is a coffee ice cream cake. Since it was a cake for one (no coffee for me, thanks), I used a square 8x8 pan, made three thick layers, and decorated with chocolate and blue buttercream.  It turned out pretty great, even for those who don't prefer coffee ice cream, and the square pan made it a little different, and a little easier to frost. Because time is of the essence when frosting an ice cream cake, using a square pan works out really well.

Home Detox: Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Fresh Herbs

In my constant quest to use up whatever fresh ingredients I have acquired over the weekend before I take off on Monday, I often make soup on Sunday.  I can enjoy it for a simple dinner, then freeze it and take it on the road for a weekday lunch as well, and save a portion to welcome me home again on Thursday.  This week, an excess of mini bell peppers meant roasted red pepper soup with fresh herbs from the garden.  The addition of half and half or cream in the soup makes the "detox" label a little dubious, but two tablespoons can't hurt anyone.  Right?

Room Service Trophy: Custom Cheese Plate

Last week, I took one for the team.  I was the only engagement member to stay over in Jersey on July 3rd.  Everyone else headed home to be with family or into the city to work from the Times Square office.  Someone had to be at the client site, just in case something came up, and this time I was that someone.  But that also meant I was all alone the evening before, setting my own schedule and dining alone.  I made the most of it by getting a manicure (shown above) and ordering a custom cheese plate (also shown above).

Delicious Drinks: Watermelon Cucumber Margarita with Mint

To close out the weekend with my sister, we made one last margarita that had all of the things in it.  The basic strategy for the last night of her visit was to use all the leftover fresh ingredients in some way so that they wouldn't go bad when she returned to VA and I headed to NJ for the week.  What to do with watermelon, cucumber, limes, and mint?  Mix them with tequila, of course!

Summer Spice: Watermelon Ginger Guacamole

After the success of the Guacamole with Strawberries and Habanero, we were inspired to keep pushing through Rick Bayless' Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks.  Next up, Watermelon Ginger Guacamole.  This recipe gets its heat from fresh ginger and its sweet from juicy summer watermelon. Truth be told, this recipe was even better than the first. But I love ginger, so I might be biased. (Frequent conversation after eating anything with ginger: Me: "I love ginger so much." Boyfriend: "I know." Maybe he's jealous.)

Summer Spice: Guacamole with Strawberries and Habanero

To pair with the Cilantro-Jalapeño Margarita, we got to work making some of the guacamoles in Rick Bayless' Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks.  First up, celebrating summer sweet and heat with Guacamole with Strawberries and Habanero.  The best thing about this recipe is the addition of citrus zest, in addition to the typical juice.  It really made the citrus flavor pop.  The cookbook version doesn't call for salt, but I have included it in the version below (because, come on).

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Egg Sandwich Two Ways

I have traveled for the past three weekends on top of regular weekday travel, so when I got home last Thursday night, the fridge was a sad and scary place.  Wilted vegetables, old potatoes, beans I made and forgot about...  In the midst of all that, I located a few slices of nice seven grain bread and some eggs.  Time for an open-faced hard boiled egg sandwich two ways.

Delicious Drinks: Cilantro-Jalapeño Margarita

The unofficial theme of my sister's recent visit here was margaritas and guacamole.  We worked our way through the summer section of Rick Bayless' Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks cookbook.  Yes, I own a cookbook dedicated to margaritas and guacamoles.  I actually kept it on my nightstand for a while, and read it before bed, trying to set myself up for sweet dreams.  Anyway, we kicked off the weekend with the Cilantro-Jalapeño Margarita, which turned out to be my most favorite of them all.

Delicious Destination: Austin, TX

The aforementioned perfect michelada was handcrafted for me during a weekend roadtrip to Austin. And we did Austin right.  The weight I gained was worth it in gold, because we ate like kings and queens.  The group was made up of a few longtime Austin residents, a few frequent visitors, and a couple of Austin novices, and we balanced BBQ, Tex-Mex, and home cooking for a completely delicious weekend. (Photo credit: my sister Erin)

Delicious Drinks: Michelada From Scratch

Micheladas and I have been on and off for a while.  Here is the thing about miches.  I have to make them at home.  If I order them out, I am almost always disappointed.  I like them so spicy they burn, so salty they satisfy, so citrusy they pucker, and so cold they quench.  I want them in a big glass (or better yet, Tervis tumbler) over ice, garnished with extra lime just in case.  And a couple of weeks ago in Austin, I got the perfect one.  My friend Denise made me the perfect michelada with her homemade mix, and I have been chasing that taste ever since.

Delicious Drinks: Good Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade

It's best if I don't drink sangria all day.  Better plan to start with lemonade.  There is really no better way to quench a summer thirst than with a pitcher of good old fashioned homemade lemonade. No mixes please. Only four ingredients necessary.  And two are water and ice.  So you've got them.  You just need to take the time.

Delicious Drinks: Sunny Day Summer Sangria

Summer is a thirsty time.  And I have been on a summer drinks kick.  I didn't drink a lot of sangria when I lived in Spain, but I certainly have made up for that since I've been home.  I actually think the Houston climate is much better suited for sangria than Barcelona for most of the year.  Perhaps I'll start a campaign.  First step, share the perfect recipe.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Avocado Toast

I guess toast is a thing now.  I was unsure when I heard the artisanal toast piece on This American Life, chagrined when I fell for The Kitchn's April Fools toast joke, and decidedly curious when I saw that The Queen and Beaver in Toronto had an entire menu section devoted to toast.  We selected the Aged Cheddar and Smoked Tomatoes toast, just FYI.

Home Detox: Tropical Fish Tacos

This hot weather makes me want to eat lighter.  And riding my bike in it makes me want to eat now. Like right now.  I am so hungry I need to eat now.  Fish tacos accomplish both goals - light and urgent. From idea to table, these take less than thirty minutes.

Home Detox: Summer Garden Gazpacho

Two signs that summer is here in Houston: my hair expands to twice its normal volume when I take Luna out for a walk in the morning, and the lines at the airport are twice as long.  And summer time means summer vegetables.  Finally, tomatoes that taste like tomatoes!  My current favorite detox after a week of eating out on the road is a spicy gazpacho.  I adapted the Barefoot Contessa's recipe to better suit my tastes (carrots yes, red peppers no thanks) and spice preferences (burn me, please).

Cooking Therapy: Pasta, Pasta!

In undergrad at UT, my favorite weekday lunch spot was called Pasta, Pasta!  Patrons lined up, selected their style of pasta, chose a sauce, pointed at any add-ins they wanted included, and then the custom mixture was heated in a skillet with olive oil and served piping hot.  The whole process took less than three minutes if there was no line.  And it was delicious!

Delicious Destinations: Toronto

Last weekend, we set out to see Niagara Falls. And see the falls we did.  They were magnificent!  Everyone should go!  Why did I wait so long?  And not only did we see the falls, but along the way, we ate some amazing food.  Toronto is truly a delicious place.

Cooking Class: Spicy Homemade Pickles

It's pickling season!  The time to start capturing all the best flavors of warm weather to enjoy when it's not warm anymore. I think in other parts of the country, that means preserving summer for when it gets cool.  In Houston, I think that canning might preserving the flavors of the warm season for when it is burning hot. 

Cooking Class: Homemade Ricotta

I read on The Kitchn that if you aren't already making your own ricotta, you should be.  And I suppose I agree, because it is just as easy as it as impressive. All is takes are the few ingredients pictured above: whole milk, white vinegar or lemon juice, and salt.  The only trick is cheesecloth, which you might not keep on hand, but it is cheap and small to store.  So go ahead and grab some extra!

Delicious Destinations: Kentucky Derby Favorites

My dad is a Kentuckian.  Does that mean I am a Kentuckian once removed?  I have never been to the Derby, but I like both wearing hats and drinking bourbon.  So in honor of the Kentucky Derby, I thought I would post my favorite Kentucky recipes.

Road Tested: Room Service Trophy

I eat a lot of room service.  I do not prefer it.  I know that is a champagne problem and things could be a lot worse.  But they could also be better!  But I have a new system that is making things a lot better.  It is very simple - order what I want to eat.  Ignore the menu.  Or use it for inspiration.  But there is no need to stick to it.

Home Detox: Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie

I am a Kimberly Snyder enthusiast.  I read The Beauty Detox Solution the last semester of grad school, and the timing could not have been better.  After two years of boozing, including a semester abroad, I was due for a detox, and really, for a lifestyle change.  I know she has her critics, and I certainly don't follow all of her tenants. But starting the day with hot lemon water followed by her Glowing Green Smoothie makes me feel so great. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Asparagus and Mushroom Tart

I'm flying home on Wednesday this week (very exciting!!) and based on my mental audit of my fridge's contents, I'm planning to recreate these Asparagus and Mushroom Tarts for dinner.  I made them for an Easter appetizer previously, and they are delicious and easy.  The only potential hold up is the puffed pastry being in the freezer, rather than the fridge.  I found some posts on how to quickly defrost puff pastry, but their definition of "quickly" might be different from mine.  I think if I can get the pastry unfolded in thirty minutes, I'll be good to go.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Cooking Class: Learning Tapas in Houston

A couple of weeks ago, I got a break from travel and worked from home for three weeks.  It just so happened to coincide with my mom's visit back to the States.  It was glorious!  We had such a nice visit together, and one of the best things we did was round up two friends and take a tapas cooking class at Sur La Table.  The four of us made up more than half the class, and I really think had more advanced skills than the class was designed for, but we had a ball nonetheless.  We made simple Blue Cheese and Almond Stuffed Dates, Steamed Mussels with Fennel, Manchego and Piquillo Pepper Tortilla, and Patatas Bravas.  The dates and mussels were so simple, we wouldn't need a recipe to recreate, but the tortilla and potatoes were more complicated, so I'll share the recipes here.

Home Detox: Peanut Butter Sriracha Toast

I read about Peanut Butter Sriracha Toast in Bon Appetit, and my immediate reaction was "Y-E-S."  This is the kicking peanut butter sandwich I have been waiting for.  Peanut butter and jelly is too boring.  Peanut butter and bananas is too squishy unless I can make it on really crispy toast and eat it immediately with honey.  And I want everything I eat burning hot anyway.

Home Detox: Smoked Salmon and Avocado Toast

I usually leave on Monday mornings, but this week I'm heading out on Sunday midday.  It's not my favorite.  I made this quick lunch before heading to EWR, making good use of some leftover salmon and a very ripe avocado.  If I have to leave on Sunday, at least I'm eating well!

Delicious Destination: New Orleans, LA

It's the first weekend of Jazz Fest, my sister's favorite holiday of the year. Neither of us are there this year.  I can hardly believe it!  To make up for it, I thought I would put together a post of my favorite NOLA treats to take me back.

Edible Events: Pasta Throwdown Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

What happens when three competitive business ladies discover they have the same pasta maker?  They plan a pasta challenge, obviously.  And in this case, two of them nominate their husbands as competitors. Then what happens when word gets out that a pasta throwdown is happening?  Fifteen hungry judges turn up.  And the pressure is on!  We ended up not having an actual competition, because the pasta was so good that it was clear everybody won, including the judges.  My worthy competitors made fettucine with pesto and fettucine alfredo, and I combined the three recipes below for ricotta ravioli with brown butter walnut sauce.  

Cooking Therapy: Shrimp with Fennel and Breadcrumbs

When my mom comes home from Africa, we have a system.  First things first, we eat Mexican food and catch up.  Next, we go to Central Market and Canino's and load up on everything that looks good and she doesn't have access to in Angola.  Then we cook, cook, cook.  And drink wine.  It's cooking therapy for two. 

Food Souvenirs: Shrub Drinks Drinking Vinegar

A few weeks ago, I reunited with dear friends in Austin for a girls weekend. We shopped South Congress, strolled Town Lake, hit the Austin Farmers Market, watched movies, and cooked and ate in. It was good for my soul.

Home Detox: Kale and Herb Salad

Flying is dehydrating.  Flying and drinking is double-dehydrating.  And don't get me started about eating airplane food while flying and drinking.  I think you know.  After traveling late on Thursday night, all I wanted for lunch on Friday was a giant glass of water and some fresh vegetables, and the last thing I wanted was to go to the store.  I headed out into the backyard with some scissors, grabbed what was growing in my garden box, mixed it with a few things I had in the fridge, and voila!  Friday detox lunch.

Weekday Lunches: Homemade Hummus and Crudite

Hummus is my friend.  We are very close and spend a lot of time together.  I like store-bought or restaurant-made hummus, but I love homemade hummus.  I prefer no garlic (which is hard to come by commercially), lots of lemon, and heavy on the tahini and spice.  Paired with fresh, crunchy crudite, this makes for a perfect lunch on the road, especially during the weeks when we are eating big team dinners out.

Travel Treats: LA's Infamous Cronut

A cronut is a cross between a croissant and a donut.  Like a liger is a cross between a lion and a tiger.  Both are rare, infrequently sighted, almost mythical.  The original cronut was born in Manhattan, but knockoffs abound.  Lucky for me, DK's Donuts in Santa Monica is making seemingly authentic cronuts at a discount price, with a line often stretching around the corner, but moving fast!

Food Souvenirs - Sally's Gingersnaps

Food souvenirs are my favorite.  I love bringing home a unique ingredient I learned about on a trip, or getting a taste of a friend's adventure through a local product.  The only problem with food souvenirs is they bring out my secret inner hoarder.  Sometimes I hold onto them for so long, waiting for a special moment, that I never wind up using them because I save them past their prime.  What foolishness!

Home Detox: Jalapina Juice

Sometimes after a long week of eating out, working late, and traveling hard, I just want to juice for a couple of meals to give myself a break and get my system back on track.  Lately, I've been making a juice inspired by Austin's Soup Peddler & Juice Box.  Their jalapina juice has the sweet side I crave, plus the tart zing of citrus, followed by the spicy burn of jalapeno that I crave.  And thank goodness for me, since I no longer live within sprinting distance of this wonderful place, I can recreate this vacation in a glass myself.

Weekday Lunches: Udon Utopia

My current favorite go-to lunch to pack on Sundays and enjoy during the week is Udon Utopia.  My recipe differs week to week based on what's on hand, in the garden, and sounds good, and after much experimentation, I think below is the perfect balance.  I can prep it as the weekend winds down, close it in tough plasticware, and enjoy it from the client site on Monday or Tuesday.  Usually Monday.  Because it's my current favorite.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Bucatini with Spicy Shrimp

After a week on the road, I am happy to get back home to my kitchen, and hungry to make dinner happen quickly.  Traveling via Newark means I land at 8:00PM and arrive home at 8:30PM, and want dinner on the plate by 9:00PM.  This time pressure means I need shelf-stable bases, quick thawing protein, and vegetables from the fridge or garden.  (Obviously no time to shop, unless its Hudson News in EWR Terminal C).  Spicy shrimp bucatini is one of my favorites.