Farmers Market Goddess Salad

July 18, 2017Leave a comment

Summer is in full swing the moment you start to see peaches. Last year we suffered a bit over here in NYC. There were some Jersey peaches but New York State did not get blessed with the juiciness of peaches. It almost felt like it wasn’t quite summer but I didn’t really notice, I was in the midst of wedding planning. This summer I’m giddy and just full blown ecstatic about the arrival of peaches, plums and nectarines. And my friends, they are juicy and ready for your salads and salsas.

I haven’t really gotten creative in the kitchen lately. I’ve been fine with making similar things over and over – if it can be made into a taco I’m going to have it (Siete foods has an amazing Almond Flour tortilla, gluten free AND vegan). But the emergence of peaches inspires me to experiment a bit I’m trying to push the envelope with food combos.

Peach and corn are an awesome combo, same with peach and blueberry, peach and tomato even, but I really haven’t gone beyond until this amazing salad.

I kid you not my husband Matt practically inhaled this salad- I even got the happy grumble in between each bite (if that’s what we’re calling it). I’d call that WINNING!

This salad has everything the farmers market has to offer in the summer: heirloom tomatoes, blueberries, micro greens, fresh peaches, cucumbers, fresh sheeps milk feta. I, of course, add in a few extra things to make it a filling, nourishing salad.

So, what are you waiting for? Get off your butt, go to the farmers market and eat this salad for days and feel awesome!

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Cauliflower Couscous {a party in your mouth}

March 22, 2017March 22, 2017Leave a comment

The Awesome Autumn Cleanse

Recipe wizardry (as I like to call it) is an art. You want food to actually taste good, look good but be easy enough that the amateur home cook can think to his or herself, “Oh hell yea, I can make that and it sounds delicious.” I’ve always had that intention when it comes to my recipes, my cookbook (and long long long project of cookbook number 2- it’s a tough one guys and gals, it’s really freakin’ tough) and the classes I teach. I want everyone to feel like nourishing, healthy food is not just some luxury. It should come naturally almost like a symphony of ingredients perfectly coexisting in a foodgasmic harmony.

Can’t a girl dream?

Over the last month or so I’ve hosted a few cooking workshops (GiMix it Up) and really gave people the opportunity to get into a real NYC kitchen. I do not create my food in a commercial kitchen, I have minimal counter space and I make due with the space I have. I LOVE my apartment and my kitchen. It was one of the first things that stood out to me. I at least have cabinets and I get to create yummy things as a result. I think having people in my kitchen to see what I work with gives them a little relief. Like, hello, I’m a real person, this is real life and I’m not going to magically pull out an already made version of a dish we are putting together. That’s not how it works.

One of the awesome menus I put together, legit, took no time at all. People were amazed at how easy this meal came together, how delicious and how the flavors developed with minimal ingredients. I’m all about that life.

A messy prep shows how much fun this is 🙂

Braised greens

Delicata squash

Perfecting knife skills with some parsnip

This menu included: easy braised greens, roasted veggies AND the piece de resistance: cauliflower “couscous” with tart cherries, pepitas and a tangy, light honey lemon sauce.

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The Best Vegan Coquito

December 23, 2015December 4, 201711 Comments

Tempeh Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sammies (1)

Guys and gals, Christmas is upon us (like 2 days away OMG). And do you know what that means?! Egg nog! Okay maybe not exactly. Not in my fiance’s family. His Puerto Rican side of the family is lively, loving and HUGE and one of my favorite things I look forward to each year has to be the coquito. And last year we had a coquito tasting contest (best believe I was judging and enjoying every bit of it-vegan or not).

What in the heck is that?!

It’s a eggnog-like drink made with rum, coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, egg yolks, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

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Quit Blaming Others For Your Stuff

November 21, 20143 Comments

Have you ever noticed that when you feel some type or way or have a reaction towards something or someone, it’s automatically that person or that situation’s fault for making you feel that way? Okay, I know that sounded like a mouthful. But let’s think about it for a second. How freaking often do we blame others for how we feel or the reactions we have? ALL THE TIME. Why? Because it’s so easy to blame someone or attribute your feelings to someone else or something else instead of realizing that HELLO you are the one who feels these things because um…duh you are human and you FEEL THINGS.

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