I felt a random surge of culinary creativity today while being on a 5 dollar budget.  Amazingly enough I was able to get enough materials to buy the perfect ingredients to feed my boyfriend, 18-year-old brother and cousin as well as myself.

I get random cravings for spanish cuisine and today I felt motivated to cook something but of course realized I was down on cash.  I went to the nearest Key Food and bought a can of Goya pink beans, Goya Sofrito and a box of Vitarroz Yellow Rice (pre seasoned, just cook according to the box and you are good to go), this cost me just $4.  I also bought 2 potatoes and a zucchini for a nice garlic roasted vegetable accompaniment to the rice which cost me $1.  Easy right?

The best part of this easy meal was how good it tasted at the end.  I love the taste of a meal that was budget friendly and appetizing.  YUM!

My best friend says I am Latina at heart.  I love my Indian and Irish background but I know I have the appreciation for a good Spanish meal.  My next conquest, Platanos!

But for now readers peace, love & no beef!

Guramrit

On a lazy summer day nothing is easier than popping a frozen entrée into the microwave, waiting 5 to 6 minutes and chowing down without any effort.

Today I tried a frozen meal from Amy’s Kitchen.  My mom likes to buy these organic frozen foods that I usually detest because they mostly taste weird and look appetizing on the box but are rather unappetizing once cooked.  Surprisingly this frozen entrée was pretty good.  I had Amy’s Kitchen’s Cheese Enchilada Whole Meal which comes with one cheese enchilada, a side of seasoned corn and beans.

After a few minutes heating it up in the microwave I was ready to eat.  It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory.  The only thing it really lacked was the spice.  I had to add my own hot sauce to it but I was still satisfied.  The best part about this easy frozen dinner was high protein, low calories and low-fat.

Next time you come across Amy’s Kitchen, be sure to pick up a couple of their Enchilada meals.  They are pretty yummy and make your tummy happy.

Compliments of Amy’s Kitchen Website

Peace, love & no beef.

Guramrit

Sinful. Delectable. Mouth watering. Veggie Pizza. Yes, I said it, Pizza.

Pizza can probably be one of the most delicious foods ever created.  When I am away from home I crave the gooey cheesy greasy-ness that is pizza.  I remember the first time I had pizza at Acropolis on Marshall Street and I ordered one slice in order to be disappointed by the scrawny midget sized slice.  I immediately asked where the rest of the slice was.  The server said “Lemme guess, you’re from NYC.”  I replied “Yea, I am. So let me get another slice.”  Although the dough, crust, sauce and cheese are pretty good at Acropolis, nothing compares to my NYC slice. Or so I thought.

Today my family and I took a random trip to Pizza Palace in Connecticut.  The dreadful two-hour ride was worth it once we arrived to this true palace of pizza.  We ordered the Vegetarian pie.  It was spectacular.  It was unlike any pizza I ever tasted.

There were mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, onions and green bell peppers all perfectly scattered on oozing hot mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.  The crust was crispy and delectable.  I loved the crunch of it.  Although sometimes it was a little annoying to bite into.  I am not a big fan of small shrimpy looking slices but I enjoyed being able to eat 3 of these veggie delights.

The pizza wasn’t even the best part.  The most phenomenal part of this two-hour trip was their house dessert.  It was the perfect combo of a graham cracker walnut crust, thick whipped cream, chocolate pudding and chocolate syrup.  Layered delicately and presented elegantly, my mouth couldn’t stop watering from the moment the waitress placed the plate in front of me.  It was immediately devoured within minutes.

If you are looking for a reasonably priced vegetarian dinner where you get your veggies and a sweet tooth satisfied, Pizza Palace is the way to go.

I’ll keep you updated on my foodie adventures through out my summer.

But for now

Peace, love and NO BEEF!

Guramrit

Hello world! Today I actually put time aside to cook. As you already know I adore pasta and enjoy finding different ways of making it.

Sometimes the typical pasta and pasta sauce combination gets a little boring and redundant.  I wanted to give extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes and basil (as a replacement for regular pasta sauce) with three cheese tortellini (instead of spaghetti).  Next time you want something light but flavorful try this recipe.

What you need:

Tortellini Pasta (3 cheese or spinach & ricotta- whatever you prefer and  make as much pasta as you want)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

Vine Ripe Tomato, diced

Basil, julienned

Salt

Pepper

How you make it:

1. Boil 4 quarts of water. Add salt to boiled water and as much pasta as you would like. Let the pasta cook until al dente.  Once fully cooked, drain and set aside but put back in the pan.

2. Toss the pasta with the olive oil, tomatoes and basil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add as much parmesan as you would like and serve.

Now that was easy! Talk about an easy dinner on a busy night.

Next time you need something delectable to feast on try some cheesey peasy pasta.

That’s all folks!

Peace, love & no beef,

GK

Hello world! My apologies for being MIA. School has gotten the best of me but of course I refuse to forget my passion, this blog.

For those of you who enjoy mexican food but are looking for a vegetarian alternative, here is something you should try.  I make homemade guacamole, buy salsa, taco shells, canned beans and pre shredded cheese and dinner/lunch is ready within a matter of moments.  I hope you’ll give my recipe a try next time for dinner.

Here it goes:

Guacamole Gigi’s Way (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 medium/large avocado, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 lime

1 large shalot, diced

1 vine ripe tomato, cubed

1 clove of garlic, diced finely

1 jalapeno, chopped (keep seeds if you prefer it spicy)

Salt & Pepper to taste

How you do it:

1. Take the avocado and slice around the peel and twist to open revealing the pit.  Remove the pit and discard.  You will now have two halves of avocado.  While still in the peel, cut into little cubes with your knife (gently) then scoop out into a bowl. Mash slightly leaving the avocado a little chunky.

2. Add the diced tomato, garlic, shalot and jalapeno.  Stir until mixed.

3. Add the juice of one lime. Stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. For better flavor let the ingredients absorb all the flavors in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Then enjoy with some chips or tacos!

Taco’s Gigi’s Way

Ingredients:

1 box of hard/soft tacos

1 can of refried organic vegetarian black/pinto beans

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 bag of pre shredded cheese

1 or 2 vine ripe tomatoes, diced

1 or 2 cups of shredded lettuce

1 jar of your favorite salsa

How you do it:

1. In an oven heated to 350 degrees, place the tacos on a cookie sheet and let them warm up for at least 10 minutes.

2. In a saucepan, add the canned beans.  On medium-low heat, stir until the beans soften a little.  Slowly add the taco seasoning (add as much as you like but be warned it can be a little salty).  Stir until fully incorporated.  Turn the heat off and let the beans sit.

3. Remove tacos from oven.  Place tomatoes, cheese and lettuce in little bowls, making it easy for people to grab and add their own ingredients.

4. Voila! Create your own taco with an assortment of ingredients.

5. Top tacos with salsa and homemade guac! Enjoy!

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures for you but the next time I feel inclined to create some delicious guac I will enlighten you all with pictures.

Don’t forget!

Peace, love & No BEEF

GK