Cloudbreak!

So this is what I was talking about in my last post! Today is a beautiful day in Virginia. 72 degrees, sunny, and the trees are in their full glory. For all my Miami readers, here's a look at fall in the North. On days like today it is really stunning. So if you are in VA or the North and have similar weather, get outside! It's amazing.

This might even be a perfect day to grill out!

P.S. This is my 100th post! cool.

Finding fall in the kitchen

Here are some beauty shots (ok, I'm still working on my photography skills) of some Greek-style stuffed peppers I made with my family in Miami. I just love how the bright red, orange and yellow peppers contrast with my Mom's robin egg blue cast-iron pot, especially on these grey autumn days in Arlington. The peppers are stuffed with some grilled chicken, feta cheese, cherry tomatos, spinach, garlic, onions, salt and pepper. In true R-C style, we took no measurements so I can't pass on a recipe, but if I did, it would sound something like this: Heat up some olive oil in a skillet add chicken, feta cheese, tomatos, onions and garlic to taste. Stuff peppers, place in cast iron pot, top with more feta cheese and heat in a 425 degree oven until peppers are soft.


I think this recipe has a lot of potential, but it needs more work before it is blog ready. So the moral of this story is go out get some foods you like, throw them together and see what happens!

It's like having a sunny fall day all in one pot.

DIY Granola

This week I've been in Miami taking exams (I passed!) and hanging out with family and friends. It's been great to have an extended time at home to just chill and really enjoy quantity of time with my sisters and parents. The other great thing about being home is that you can enjoy the surprises that come with the daily rhythms of life. For example, every six weeks or so my mom's long time hairdresser and friend, Jan, comes to the house to freshen up Mom's do and this time, she brought a breakfast surprise along with her scissors and tints. Fresh homemade granola! Now, I'm typically not a huge granola fan. I like the crunch and the health benefits, but most of the pre-packaged stuff out there is just too sweet for me. Jan's granola, which she came to by way of another client, Nadine, has just the right amount of sweetness and crunch to make for guilt-free snacking and hearty breakfasts especially when paired with greek yogurt and fresh berries. We were so impressed that we headed out to Whole Foods to gather up the ingredients. Delicious and easy to make this granola also makes a great gifts for family and friends. Jan generously shared her recipe with us and I pass it on to you. Happy Crunching!

Granola Recipe
4 ½ cup Rolled Oats
1 cup Sunflower seeds
¼ cup white sesame seeds
1 ½ cup almonds
½ cup ground flaxseed
¾ cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
2 tbsp sunflower oil (or canola)
2/3 cup brown rice syrup
¼ clover honey
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups raisins or other dried fruit
Mix everything except the dried fruit in a very large mixing bowl. Spray some Pam on the baking sheets. Then spread out the granola on two baking sheets with edges. Bake in 300-325 degree oven for 40 minutes, turning once about halfway through. Take out of the oven, sprinkle with the dried fruit and let cool before placing in a air-tight container. The granola will keep for about a week

Hands-on notes: Depending on how your oven heats, you may need to leave the granola in there for a little longer or vary the temperature. You want the granola to be golden brown and crunchy. If the granola doesn't look dry enough when you first take it out of the oven don't worry, it will set up a bit more as it cools.

Serving suggestions: Mix with greek yogurt and fresh berries. Heat up some milk and pour it over the granola for those chilly winter days.

Gourmet Magazine folding

For starters, sorry for the crickets over here in my corner of the blog-o-sphere, I've been studying for exams like a crazy person and haven't had the mental energy to devote here. But I had to post a quick comment after reading that Gourmet Magazine is getting the ax from Conde Nast. I just subscribed to this magazine and am really sad to hear that it is going. They have great recipes that test your culinary chops and teach you a thing or two in the process. Any suggestions?