It is traditional on Good Friday for Italians to eat a simple meatless dish. Some people make fish, others a vegetarian pasta dish made with walnuts, breadcrumbs and olive oil... and some folks make this olive oil based pasta dish which is flavored with anchovy and red pepper flakes.
28.3.13
Good Friday Pasta: Anchovy & Broccoli Rabe #Foodie Friday
It is traditional on Good Friday for Italians to eat a simple meatless dish. Some people make fish, others a vegetarian pasta dish made with walnuts, breadcrumbs and olive oil... and some folks make this olive oil based pasta dish which is flavored with anchovy and red pepper flakes.
Labels:
Fish Recipes,
Foodie Friday,
Seasonal Eating
Lemon Steamed Spinach: French Fridays with Dorie
Lemon Steamed Spinach |
I used this Lemon Steamed Spinach for the first time months ago. It was mentioned on a side bar of the Chicken, Apples, & Cream a la Normande dish. My family enjoyed it, and it goes with everything. I have made this spinach on numerous occasions and guests just love the addition of the lemon zest to the spinach. It just seems to make sauted spinach into a special dish.
I am a little busy getting ready to host Easter with my family, so I wish you all of you who are celebrating this week: Happy Passover and Happy Easter.
Au Revoir,
and off to the grocery store.
Click here for a Lemon Steamed Spinach recipe.
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
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27.3.13
Spring Cleaning: Touch Your Stuff: Simple Living Idea
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My Stuff |
It is Passover and around most Jewish holidays I find myself reflecting about the time I taught middle school English in a Yeshiva.
When I started working at the school I was aware that Jews were supposed to remove all fermented bread products from their house before Passover, but I was not aware to the extent of the cleaning that some observant Jewish perform.
My classroom was next door to Rabbi Slotkin who taught Torah Studies. He told me that in preparation for Passover he and his family would not only clean their house but ritually touch all of their belongings.
What a way to make you conscious of all you own.
What a way to make you realize how much you don't need.
What a way to make you appreciate what you have.
So try it.
When you Spring clean this season really try to touch and acknowledge everything you have. I think we too often become immune... not even semi-aware of all the things we have in our possession.
Then make a conscious choice to keep or let go of your stuff.
Happy Spring,
Diane
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25.3.13
Join Food Bloggers Against Hunger: Healthy Eating/Weekly Menu Plan
1 in 6 people in America face hunger.
Food insecurity exists in every county in America.
50.1 million American's struggle to put food on the table.
In response to the release of the documentary: A Place at the Table bloggers are dedicating their April 8th posts towards the awareness of hunger in America.
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Watch the Movie |
If food is at all part of your blog please join us in posting an inexpensive recipe along with asking yourself and your reader's this question:
What would you do if you were hungry?
Register at: Food Bloggers Against Hunger
Weekly Menu Plan:
Sunday: Seafood Risotto & Roasted Asparagus
Monday: Zucchini Quiche & Beet Salad
Tuesday: Dinner at a Scandinavian Restaurant
Wednesday: Roast Pepper Goat Cheese Sausage Raviolis with a Green Salad
Thursday: Chicken Diable with Pan Roasted Turnips
Good Friday: Garlic Anchovy Pasta with Escarole
Saturday: Sushi out
Monday Food:
Meal Plan Monday Organizing Junkie
Menu Monday @ Erin Branscom
Menu Plan Linky @ Susie Q
Mix it Up Monday @ Flour Me With Love's
This post is shared on the following link parties:
Frugal:
Meal Plan Monday Organizing Junkie
Menu Monday @ Erin Branscom
Menu Plan Linky @ Susie Q
Mix it Up Monday @ Flour Me With Love's
On the Menu Monday @ Stone Gable
Manic Monday Linky Party @ Serendipity & Spice
The Bulletin Board @ Mrs Happy Homemaker
Marvelous Mondays @ This Gal Cooks
Recipe Sharing Monday @ Jam Hands
Mealtime Monday @ Couponing & Cooking
Manic Monday Linky Party @ Serendipity & Spice
The Bulletin Board @ Mrs Happy Homemaker
Marvelous Mondays @ This Gal Cooks
Recipe Sharing Monday @ Jam Hands
Mealtime Monday @ Couponing & Cooking
Tuesday Food:
Hearth & Soul Blog Hop @ Premeditated Leftovers
Tempt my Tummy @Blessed with Grace
Trick or Treat Tuesday @ Bru Crew Life
Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box
Tasteful Tuesday Party @ Nap Time Creations
Traditional Tuesdays @ Cooking Traditional Foods
Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays @ SS& GS
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home
Tasty Tuesday @ 33 Shades of Green
Tuesday Talent Show @ Chef in Training
Hand Made Tuesday @ Ladybug Blessings
Share it Link Party @ Winthrop Chronicles
In & Out of the Kitchen @ Feeding Big & More
Wednesday Food:
What's Cooking Wednesday @ Confessions of Overworked Mom
Wholesome Foods Wednesday @ This Chick Can Cook
Cast Party Wednesday @ Lady Behind the Curtain
Wednesday Whatsit @White Lights on Wednesday
Recipe Box @ Bizzy Bakes
Fresh Foods Wednesdays @ Gastronomical Sovereignty
Show and Share @ Semi Homemade Mom
Wonderful Food Wednesdays at @ All She Cooks
Seasonal Celebration @ Natural Mother's Network
Wednesday Extravaganza @ Hunger Little Girl
Thursday Food:
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Link it Up Thursday @ Seven Alive
Creative Thursday @ Michelle's Tasty Creations
Fantastic Thursday @ Three Little Chiefs
Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity
Tasty Thursdays @ The Mandatory Mooch
Friday Food:
Foodie Friday @ Home Maid Simple
Friday Favorite (DYI too) @ Simple Sweet Home
Foodie Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Friday Favorite Finds @ Finding Joy in my Kitchen
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm
Friday Food Fight @ Run DMT
Weekend Wonders @ The Thriftiness Miss
Friday Food Frenzy @ Mostly Food and Crafts
Weekend Potluck @ Sunflower Supper Club
Friday Linky Party @ The Pin Junkie
Hearth & Soul Blog Hop @ Premeditated Leftovers
Tempt my Tummy @Blessed with Grace
Trick or Treat Tuesday @ Bru Crew Life
Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box
Tasteful Tuesday Party @ Nap Time Creations
Traditional Tuesdays @ Cooking Traditional Foods
Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays @ SS& GS
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home
Tasty Tuesday @ 33 Shades of Green
Tuesday Talent Show @ Chef in Training
Hand Made Tuesday @ Ladybug Blessings
Share it Link Party @ Winthrop Chronicles
In & Out of the Kitchen @ Feeding Big & More
Wednesday Food:
What's Cooking Wednesday @ Confessions of Overworked Mom
Wholesome Foods Wednesday @ This Chick Can Cook
Cast Party Wednesday @ Lady Behind the Curtain
Wednesday Whatsit @White Lights on Wednesday
Recipe Box @ Bizzy Bakes
Fresh Foods Wednesdays @ Gastronomical Sovereignty
Show and Share @ Semi Homemade Mom
Wonderful Food Wednesdays at @ All She Cooks
Seasonal Celebration @ Natural Mother's Network
Wednesday Extravaganza @ Hunger Little Girl
Thursday Food:
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Link it Up Thursday @ Seven Alive
Creative Thursday @ Michelle's Tasty Creations
Fantastic Thursday @ Three Little Chiefs
Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity
Tasty Thursdays @ The Mandatory Mooch
Thursday's Treasures @ Chocolate, Chocolate & more
Pin it Thursday @ Sweet Bella Roos
Freedom Friday @ My Turn
Thursday Blog Hop @ The Busy Bee's
Pin it Thursday @ Sweet Bella Roos
Freedom Friday @ My Turn
Thursday Blog Hop @ The Busy Bee's
Foodie Friday @ Home Maid Simple
Friday Favorite (DYI too) @ Simple Sweet Home
Foodie Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Friday Favorite Finds @ Finding Joy in my Kitchen
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm
Friday Food Fight @ Run DMT
Weekend Wonders @ The Thriftiness Miss
Friday Food Frenzy @ Mostly Food and Crafts
Weekend Potluck @ Sunflower Supper Club
Friday Linky Party @ The Pin Junkie
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21.3.13
Italian Easter Rice Pie: Foodie Friday
Ok, wasn't it just St. Patrick's Day... now Easter is next week. Isn't there usually a little more time between these two holidays?
Labels:
Dessert,
Foodie Friday,
Gluten-Free Recipe,
Seasonal Eating
Ispahan Loaf: French Fridays with Dorie
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This is NOT an Ispahan Loaf. |
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This IS my Ispahan Loaf. |
Ah, but the execution, that's a good word to describe what I did to this loaf... I murdered it. First by forgetting to put regular flour in it, and secondly, by seriously undercooking it. A lava cake was not my intention.
The Don Quixote that I am...undaunted by my umpteenth failure at baking; I made another loaf. This time I forgot the almond flour. Having been raised Catholic, I feel obligated to confess to you. I think I know why I failed so miserably at making this cake. First: I DON'T LIKE TO BAKE. You have to follow the recipe when you bake. I just can't do that... Baking is measured and precise... I am well, the opposite of that....
also, I kinda made a little cocktail out of the Rose syrup. It was delicious... maybe too delicious.
I did get a sense from nibbling at the cooked parts of the cake what the taste of a Ispahan loaf is... and honestly... I like rose syrup more in a cocktail. The great thing about rose is the smell. Baked the smell gets flattened out. It's not aromatic anymore.
Que, sera, sera...
Cheers,
Diane
PS: The cocktail is good too without vodka.
A recipe (not THE recipe) for Ispahan Cake
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Rose Lime Cocktail |
Rose Lime Cocktail
by Diane Balch
simplelivingandeating.com
Ingredients:
3/4 ounce of vodka
3/4 ounce of Rose syrup
12 ounces of seltzer water
1 lime wedge
Directions:
1) pour vodka and Rose syrup into a tall glass.
2) Add seltzer
3) Squeeze in lime juice, stir and garnish with lime peel.
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
This post will be shared with:
Meatless Monday:
Labels:
Dessert,
French Fridays with Dorie
20.3.13
Metta Prayer Day: Simple Living Thought
Happy First Day of Spring. Today is Metta Prayer Day. I was introduced to these prayers from friends in Newtown, Ct. The message of Metta Prayers have appeal to people of all different faiths.
Say this prayer today.
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I realize that to choose to "Live Simply" is a luxury. That many people simply live without:
food, clean water, medical care, sanitation, education...
Take a moment from your first Spring day and say this pray. It is only by holding a vision for change... that change will happen.
Please share this message:
Blessings to you and Happy Spring!
Diane
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18.3.13
New Study Overwhelming: Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Disease: Simple Living Thought
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Mediterranean Diet |
When you walked into the courtyard behind my house you left Connecticut and entered Italy. A group of elderly Italians, most of who I was related to in some way, sat outside most of the day. Playing pinochle, eating grapes, dates, and nuts. Laughing and chatting about their grandchildren and their gardens.
Once Michela who was 90 years old slipped on her stairs and hurt her leg. When my mom, a nurse, came to help her she asked. "What is the name of your doctor, so I can call him?" "Michela replied, "Doctor? No doctor, I'ma no sick. I drink my wine everyday. I have no pain."
Michela probably didn't feel any pain or had any chronic alignments. She like the rest of these agile (they walked everywhere), mentally sharp, native Italians ate the Mediterranean diet. Rich in nuts, olive oil, vegetables; low in meat and dairy. This diet has again been affirmed in a new study just published in the New England Journal of Medicine that it reduces a persons chance of developing heart disease.
So please think about making fruits and vegetables along with whole grains be the centerpiece of your meal. Use meat and dairy as a condiment. Try a few of my recipes. Check out my weekly menu plan. Look at the site Oldways which is a nonprofit organization that gives out excellent information on how to eat a Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean cooking is simple, healthy, but very satisfying.
You can also check out Dr Stephen Gullo's website. There you will find array of articles and recipes that connect the Mediterranean Diet to weight loss.
Buon Appetito,
Diane
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Mediterranean food pyramid |
Weekly Meal Plan:
Sunday: Raviolis and green salad
Meatless Monday: Escarole and Beans
Tuesday: Rosemary Chicken, with Spinach & Quinoa
Wednesday: Snapper with Cajun Spices, Okra, Tomatoes & Onions over Roasted Potatoes
Thursday: Pasta Fagoili
Friday: Sausage & Farro Stuffed Peppers
Saturday: Chicken Stir-Fry with Brown Rice
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Labels:
Healthy Eating,
Weekly Menu Plan
14.3.13
Irish Crabcakes & Colcannon: Foodie Friday
I used to be in a book group with a woman from Ireland and when it was her night to host I was always so impressed by her Irish dishes, whether it was salmon or lamb stew. She made me realize that I really didn't know much about traditional Irish cooking.
I decided to do a little research for my St. Patrick's Day recipe and I came upon this wonderful cookbook called, "The New Irish Table" by Margaret Johnson. This book is filled with updated versions of traditional Irish fare that you will find outstanding. I followed her crabcake recipe exactly... it has surprises likes bits of apple and a roasted pepper sauce... wonderful bursting flavors that even my kids enjoyed.
The colcannon I created was a result of looking at many recipes for mixing mashed potatoes with greens. My kids figured this dish was invented by an Irish mom who was trying to get her kids to eat their greens, so she mixed them up with the mashed potatoes that they love.
I hope you enjoy both of the recipes and have a wonderful and lucky St. Patrick's Day.
Click on for recipe:
Kale Colcannon
by Diane Balch
simplelivingeating.com
preparation time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 - 6
Ingredients:
8 Russet potatoes peeled and chopped into quarters
4 tablespoons of butter
1 head of Kale or other green chopped.
6 scallions chopped
1/2 can of beer
1 cup of milk
1 dash of nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1) Bring potatoes to a boil in a well salted sauce pan of water. When the water is boiling time for 10 minutes. Check that a fork can go through the potatoes. Drain and rice or mash.
2) While the potatoes are cooking. Sauté the kale and scallions in a large skillet in 1 tablespoon of butter for about 1 minute. Then add the beer and cover for about 2 minutes or until the kale is well wilted.
3) Add 3 tablespoons of butter, salt, pepper, nutmeg and milk to the potatoes and mix with a fork to keep the potatoes fluffy.
4) Mix kale with potatoes check salt and pepper and serve.
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Hosted by Home Maid Simple and Simple Living and Eating |
Remember to visit and follow my co-host Adelina at Home Maid Simple she has different features and a wealth of information about family and home care.
Foodie Friday Features:
From: Poor & Gluten Free
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Winter Salad w/ Local Spinach & Sweet Potatoes |
Danielle gives such an interesting explanation of about frost sweetened spinach along with this interesting flavor combination salad.
From: Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Spicy Orange Chicken |
Yes, Miz Helen has outdone herself... this is a gorgeous bird. Oh my and the flavors: orange, rosemary, cinnamon... just the right recipe to clear away the rainy day blues.
From: Latitude Adjustment
Cranberry White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies |
Ok, cranberry and white chocolate sound like a pretty interesting combo add pistachio pudding and WOW... what a punch of flavor in these cookies.
This post is shared on the following wonderful food/craft parties. Be sure to check them out:
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Labels:
Foodie Friday,
Seasonal Eating,
Vegetarian Recipes
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