Ever since I graduated from college and moved out on my own, Trader Joe’s has been there. Like an old friend, there are so many items I’ve been buying for as long as I can remember. However, one of the best things about Trader Joe’s is that they are always coming out with new items. I know some people are confused by Trader Joe’s. It is definitely different than your…
Cookbook Challenge: Best Ever Swedish Pancakes
So this week’s recipe for Swedish Pancakes is from a cookbook that my mom actually compiled called “Cabin Cooking”. Its not available online and was made as a fundraiser. The good news is that I’m sharing this recipe with you. Its seriously the most amazing version of Swedish Pancakes that I’ve ever had and my kids are crazy about them. Also, they are quick and easy to make and you…
Cookbook Challenge: Ranchero Beef Stew
Ranchero Beef Stew is the recipe of the week this week! I can’t believe its already week four of my “52 Week Cookbook Challenge.” If you have been following along, you’ll know I started this challenge to force myself to actually cook out of my extensive cookbook collection instead of just look at them. For the full list of recipes with links click here. Given that we have finally gotten…
Cookbook Challenge: “Ottolenghi” – Turkey and sweetcorn meatballs with roasted pepper sauce
Sorry (not sorry) that my blog is becoming more of a cooking/ food blog than a travel blog. But we have been stationary the last month and a half. Its been a nice break from airplanes and hotels. But in the meantime, I’ve been cooking a lot of great food, which is my other passion besides trekking around the world. But this week I get to share with you an…
Cookbook Challenge: “The Best of Gourmet” – Lentils and Sausage
Cookbook Challenge: Week 2 — “The Best of Gourmet” – Lentils and Sausage For this week’s challenge (part of the 52 week cookbook challenge you can read about here) I’m doing recipe featuring sausage, lentils and a red wine vinaigrette from an old but fun cookbook from Gourmet called: The Best of Gourmet: Sixty-five Years, Sixty-five Favorite Recipes. Unfortunately I can’t link the cookbook it for you, it appears to…
Six Tips for Encouraging Your Kids to Eat More Adventurously
This post is all about tips for making your child a more adventurous eater. My kids are like most kids. If you give them a choice, dinner is most definitely, “dad’s hamburgers” (which are delicious) and fries. They love their sweets and salty snacks (we call my 8 yr. old son the “Chip monster”) and they don’t always eat their vegetables without some prodding. However, on the whole my kids…
52 Week Cookbook Challenge: Roasted Artichokes from Michael Chiarello’s “Casual Cooking”
Welcome to Week 1 of my 52 Week Cookbook Challenge. To read about this challenge and why I’m doing it, read this post first. So first week’s challenge! I picked this one because a) I have had this cookbook for YEARs and I’ve never used it. B) I had a bag of four giant artichokes in the fridge I needed to use. I was attracted to this recipe because my…
52 Week Cookbook Challenge
Hi I’m Sarah and I’m a cookbook addict. No really, I can flip through a cookbook and look at recipes for hours. In fact, many nights before bed I’ll pull out one of my cookbooks and read it before drifting off to sleep, dreaming of profiteroles, roasted chicken with zoug, chanterelles and stews. One of the problems I often have however is actually MAKING the food from the cookbooks. So,…
Urban Wineries — Winemaking in the City
If you love wine this post is for you. Today I’m writing about a new trend popping up in cities — Urban Wineries. Living in California, I’ve been fortunate to visit most of the state’s wine growing regions. I love visiting vineyards nestled among hills of green grape vines. But getting to these locations requires planning and sometimes some significant travel. For those of us who are not near a…
Roasted Carrots and Avocado with Lime, Za’atar and Mint
This roasted carrot and avocado salad with za’atar is one of my favorite things to make for my family. Sweet roasted carrots combined with creamy avocado, the zesty flavor of lime and the unique Middle Eastern spice mix called “Za’atar” is a winning combination. This recipe is amazing, quick, easy and beautiful not to mention delicious. I recently got into cooking more with Middle Eastern flavors after reading and using the book Jerusalem:…