Corn Tortillas

Like I have said, it is difficult to find good corn tortillas in NYC.  I decided to take them on for Sunday night dinner. They are so easy to make, there are just three ingredients required.  This recipe is really as easy as one, two, three.

Ingredients: Masa Harina(it is the baking section of your local grocery store), warm water, and a 1/4 tsp of baking soda.

Directions: mix all the ingredients together until the mixture becomes a moist dough. Break the dough into small dough balls.  IF you have a tortilla press you can place the dough in the press then cook for thirty seconds on a cast iron skillet. So easy, so fast, and so delicious!!!

                                                                            Carinos,

                                                                                  M

  

Salsa de Arbol

Every Mexican restaurant has a version of "red salsa".  It is amazing on chips and tacos.  I have my own version, which we happen to love.  

Ingredients: 16 oz of crushed tomatoes, small can of tomato paste, half a white onion, Mexican oregano, salt, vegetable oil, jalapeño, chile de arbor,and garlic.


Directions: Roast the jalapeño with a bit of olive oil in the oven at 350 for about 15 to 20 minutes. Sautee your onions until browned then add the tomatoes, paste, four tbs of oregano, 1/2 a tsp of salt, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. When the jalapeños are roasted I toss them in a food processor with the garlic.  When the mixture is made into a puree add the mix to the salsa.  Bring the mixture to a boil then let it cool. The salsa is best the next day, refrigerate and let it cool. 


                                                      Give it a GO!!!


                                                               M

Go To

Our go to side is a fantastic little dish, Jaime Olivers', potato salad.  We have been dishing this easy recipe for three years, in that time of course you make the recipe yours.  Which recipes have you tweaked?

Ingredients: mixed colored petite potatoes, a dash of olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, handful of cilantro(all me), and the juice of half a lemon.  

Directions: boil the potatoes and during this time mix all the ingredients together.  When the potatoes are boiled to your liking drain them and toss them in the mixture. I did not add measurements because you ought to season it to your taste.  I make my mixture on the lighter side and than season to taste.  This recipe is very simple.Once everything is mixed mash the potatoes to absorb the flavors.  It is important not to let the potatoes cool, when they are warm they absorb the flavors.    

Last week we decided to change things up. I made the potato salad as normal than added it as a smear in our roast chicken sandwiches. It was so tasty and the children loved them. 

Sandwich Combo: potato salad smear on peasant bread by Bread Alone, with roasted chicken breast, and avocado.  This was a great combo, Jake added a bit of tapatio because he always does. 

Give it a GO!!!

M

Confession

I have loads of recipes to upload and tell you all about. Your going to love them. I did not get to any of them today because I have PILES all around the house!!! Do you??

I have sewing projects, laundry, & lots of kids books to put away and organize!

xoxo

Mel

Sopa de Ajo

Sopa de Ajo is easy and delicious. It literally takes no time at all to make and is so savory.  A couple weeks ago our friend Lonnie came over to cook some up. It was amazing and the last detail he added brought the dish from average to elegant, a poached egg will do that every time. 

Ingredients: 

Bread Alone Peasant Bread(I love that they name the bread peasant when it costs 4.99, it is worth it, i just think the name is funny).


One head of Garlic(Ajo)


Four cups of chicken broth


Chili powder


One Egg per bowl


Directions: sauté the bread in a bit of oil, add the garlic cloves cleaned and separated, then add your broth. Add the chili powder to taste and a bit of salt. When the soup is seasoned to taste your ready to serve. 


Bowl water in another pot and break your eggs in.  Using a spotted spoon remove your eggs and serve individually. Depending on how runny you like your poached egg to be will determine the amount of time you leave them in the boil. 


                                  Add a salad to this meal and it is complete!! Just give it a go!!!


                                                                                 xoxo
    
                                                                                   M

Popcorn Monday

I was Fisher Eddy's buying Mason jars for a charity event. While shopping I happened upon old fashion corn on the cob popcorn, I thought this is going to surely entertain H & S.  

       
                                                                                Success!!!
                                              
                                     This turned out to be a healthy and fun snack all in one.




                                                                                  Carinos,
  
                                                                                        M

Serve it up Friday

Three cheers for Anthropologie and all their beautiful cooking, serving, and just home life items.  Here are my picks!!

stove top and bake ready
by anthro

our favorite cereal bowls

Regal Eating

HERS

HIS

just for FUN

show stopper

this inspires me to organize my recipes

good looking

Anything you buy in the home department from Anthropologie is bound to be a crowd pleaser. 

Happy Friday,

M

Two Bites

What we love about New York is there are so many food choices. It is hard to decide what to do if we are out and about. I can tell you that Sophia will always choose salchichas(hot dogs) or ice cream.  I can see how enticing this truck is.

Sometimes we follow Jake's love for soup dumplings. I will say that Chinese restaurants in the city are usually very accommodating when it comes to kids and our kids love the adventure and fun sizes of the dumpling. Give it go!

Joe Shanghai, best dumplings in NYC

Pura Vida,

M

More Please.....

So, for many of us a quick and easy meal can be a happy meal, ramon, or mac n cheese.  This is our guilt free go to for quick and easy. I am telling you it takes 20 minutes and the children are happy, which means you will be too without the guilt. 

Happy H

Miss. S

                                       What is not to love: Sushi Rice, Beans, and Avocado

BEANS: Now, I do want to share with you some tricks of mine in regard to the beans.  You can either prepare them in a crock pot over the day or on the stove top, but if your in a hurry just buy an organic can of pinto beans and heat them up. I like to doctor up my beans with SEA SIDE cheddar or a bit of fresh parm, these types of cheeses are salty and add a bit of flavor to the mix rather than using just any ordinary "yellow" cheese.  I do like to add a bit of whole milk and a few springs of cilantro. If you want to do it exactly like me I add a touch of lime to my individual serving of beans with a splash of tapatio salsa. The children do not love the lime or salsa at this point. 

Since this meal is a great go to or snack I make enough to use throughout the week. They love it because it is tasty and satisfying.   Give it a go!!!

                                                                              Carinos,

                                                                                   M

Good Looking

I say if it is good looking they are more likely to eat it. Sophia loves the look of these carrots and just eats them up. It is really is amazing to see how much aesthetics play in our everyday lives and details.  I am not complaining as long as she continues to eat these beautiful carrots. 

EVIDENCE

Menu: carne de res, sushi rice, avocado, and beautifully trimmed baby carrots

Eat Well,

M

Sushi Girl

So, last week I was running around like a crazy person between the launch of Sunday school, doc appointments, work, and Sophia's first day of school;  NOT to mention, the LAUNDRY is beating me!!!  It was no surprise, that when Monday arrived there was not much in terms of lunch and since peanut butter is a NO no I was forced to turn to Whole Foods at 8AM Monday morning, which of course Sophia was pleased to see. 

Sophia Loves sushi and now her teachers call her sushi girl, which she loves.  Don/t you love how compact and delicious sushi is, the bar was set high the first day, poor girl, it is down hill from Monday!! 

Pura Vida,

M

Comida Mexicana

More Mexican recipes.   This last week was Mexico's independence day.  Jake and I celebrated with food, friends, and Margaritas.  We had a great time. Here is a little on what was served.  

children fighting for tortillas

We made Carnitas de Res (cubed steak), I think it was a success, plus we had fresh made tortillas, nothing beats that.  


Uno: now I am saying if you can invest in a Le Creuset do it, they heat quickly and evenly.  Now, splash in a bit of olive oil and three garlic cloves, once they are browned and the sarten is hot you can then toss in your beef.


Beef ought to be seasoned with fresh ground pepper and fresh sea salt


I give the beef three minutes on each side then I lowered the temperature to its very lowest degree. 


Dos:  Once the beef is browned I toss in one chopped head of cilantro, green onion, one jalapeño, and two finely chopped organic vine tomatoes. 


Tres: allow all of these wonderful flavors to simmer together for ten more minutes then serve. 


WARNING: you do not want to over cook the beef, be very cautious with you steak.  


I serve this main course with tortillas or rice. 




                                                                         Pura Vida
                           
                                                                               M