Meta: Boozy Punch

I had a party and decided to throw together a nice punch because who doesn’t love punch? I saw this one on Smitten Kitchen and decided to go ahead and try. It’s fabulous! It was enough punch for the 14 of us the last the whole night. I worried there would be too much or too little but this was just right! Not a drop left.

Boozy Punch

1 1/4 cups cold water
1 1/4 cups limeaid
3 3/4 cups pineapple juice
1 3/4 cups Campari (or less, to taste)
1 bottle dark rum
1 bottle sparkling wine

Mix all chilled ingredients in a large punch bowl (this makes about 4 quarts so plan your bowl accordingly) and if desired, put a handful of garnishes like lemon or orange slices.

**If you’re not serving right away, do not add the wine until serving time so it stays cold and fizzy.

Adapted from: Smitten Kitchen

Menu: Hello New Year

It’s the New Year and counting up all the recipes I posted last year they totaled a whopping 56 recipes! I have plenty more lined up so hopefully this year can be similarly fruitful and depending on what happens in this year I might plan on making a new cookbook, though that does hinge on things like getting a proper camera and having time :p

Saturday
lunch: out for Mochi’s birthday
dinner: omelet + fruit

Sunday
lunch: pancakes
dinner: quasadilles (brie, brussel sprouts, onions)

Monday
lunch: slow cooker chicken and vegetable curry, rice
dinner: chicken couscous

Tuesday
lunch: butternut squash soup, salad
dinner: pasta with vegetables

Wednesday
lunch: slow cooker chicken and vegetable curry, rice
dinner: veggie rice bake

Thursday
lunch: butternut squash soup, salad
dinner: chicken couscous

Friday
lunch: veggie rice bake, carrots, hummus
dinner: leftovers

To Make on Prep Day

slow cooker chicken and vegetable curry
butternut squash and sausage soup
chicken couscous
quasadillas
veggie rice bake

Shopping List

salad
grapes
onions
bussel sprouts
potatoes
squash
tomatoes
chicken thighs
chicken sausage
salsa
coconut milk
pasta
cannellini beans
frozen peas
frozen mixed veg
eggs
milk
cereal
brie
air freshener
dishwashing stuff

safeway cafe bowl (free)
kraft recipe maker (free)
barilla GF pasta (free)
14 pack Orbitz (free)

Menu: Last of ’13

This is the last menu of 2013 and I’ve done a pretty good job of updating this blog

Saturday
lunch: leftovers (salsa chicken)
dinner: fish and chips

Sunday
lunch: pancakes
dinner: spicy shrimp wonton soup and rice

Monday
lunch: egg bake, fruit, yogurt
dinner: salmon, couscous, vegetables

Tuesday
lunch: bean burgers, carrots, hummus
dinner: homemade pizza

Wednesday
lunch: salad with feta, boiled egg, fruit
dinner: pasta with ricotta and spinach

Thursday
lunch: egg bake, fruit, yogurt
dinner: veggie fried rice

Friday
lunch: bean burgers, carrots, hummus
dinner: leftovers

To Make on Prep Day

Wonton Soup
Egg Bake
Black Bean Burgers

Shopping List

fish
french fries
salad
green pepper
onions
tomatoes
jalapenos
avacado
salmon
burger buns
couscous
rice
breadcrumbs
black beans
cheddar
crescent rolls
mushrooms
bok choy

wonton wrappers
furikake
chili oil

cardamom pods
cinnamon-orange tea

chili powder
garlic powder
chipotle peppers
oregano
paprika
cumin

Recipe: Pizza Bites

This is a great lunch recipe. It’s quick, easy to make, you can add anything you like in to it and you can even make a few different flavors for different people (if you have fussy people in your house). I make mine with onion, peppers, and mushroom but feel free to use any of your favorite pizza toppings even pineapples and ham just make sure any meat you used it cooked and that any toppings are cut in to small pieces.

Pizza Bites

Adapted from Little B Cooks

Menu: Xmas Edition

Wowie, it’s already Christmas-time which means it’s almost the end of the year. This is the first year I’ve been actually fairly good about uploading recipes, a couple bentos, AND menus on this blog. Maybe next year I’ll also start publishing my writing (would not hold my breath for that). The next menu will mostly be for next year – really just amazing stuff.

Saturday
lunch: mushroom ravioli
dinner: turkey helper, roasted squash

Sunday
lunch: galette + soup
dinner: chicken, mushroom, and spinach calzone

Monday
lunch: sandwiches, salad, boiled egg
dinner: chicken salsa casserole

Tuesday
lunch: calzone, salad
dinner: chicken tikka masala

Wednesday
lunch: pancakes and eggs
XMAS DINNER:
cornish hen, roasted vegetables, wild rice, chocolate-chili mousse

Thursday
lunch: chicken salsa casserole, fruit
dinner: chicken tikka masala

Friday
lunch: sandwiches, carrots and hummus
dinner: leftovers

To Make on Prep Day

Calzones
Chicken Salsa Casserole
Chicken Tikka Masala

Cornish Hen w/ Veggies
Chocolate Mousse

Shopping List

grapes
apples
mushrooms
salad
carrots
small potatoes
brussel sprouts
onions
ricotta
ground turkey
wild rice
cornish hens
semisweet chocolate
eggs
salsa
black beans
hummus
cream
yogurt

Recipe: Challah

Challah is a traditional egg bread made by Jewish families all over the world. For me it’s the most basic treat from Friday nights and holidays. This recipe makes a soft, fluffy loaf that expands to great heights and is sure to impress your friends and family. The taste and smell remind me of New York bakeries back home but out of the oven, eaten slightly warm, there’s nothing like it!

Challah Bread

Adapted from The Kitchn

Menu: Pre-Holiday Gaming

I’m doing all my cookie baking this weekend which is a pretty big undertaking it itself so I’m trying to keep meals extra simple so that I don’t get too overwhelmed on Sunday. We will be going out on Saturday to a party but of course that doesn’t really help for the rest of the week!

Saturday
lunch: out @ tea
dinner: out @ Black Bottle Postern (birthday party)

Sunday
lunch: vegetable curry w/ rice and salad
dinner: shrimp and pasta in a white sauce

Monday
lunch: couscous soup, biscuit, fruit
dinner: black bean enchiladas

Tuesday
lunch: galette, yogurt, salad
dinner: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veg

Wednesday
lunch: salad, boiled egg, fruit
dinner: couscous soup w/ biscuit

Thursday
lunch: galette, yogurt, salad
dinner: black bean enchiladas

Friday
lunch: leftovers
dinner: homemade pizzas

To Make on Prep Day

Slow Cooker Couscous Soup
Zucchini Galette
Black Bean Enchiladas
Shrimp + Pasta in White Sauce
Fluffy Biscuits
Tri Colored Cookies

Shopping List

fruit x 2
zucchini (2)
tomatoes (2)
pepper (2)
onions (4)
milk
stock (2)
pearl couscous
pasta
diced tomatoes with chilis
flour
red food coloring
mazipan (2)
apricot preserves
raspberry preserves
semi-sweet baking squares
black beans (2)
kidney beans (2)
butter (2)
cream cheese
cheddar
cereal
juice tabs
beef jerky

Menu: cold nights

Having a bit of a cold snap week all across the country so it’s time for some delicious, warm food!

Saturday
lunch: leftover pizza
dinner: out @ expo

Sunday
lunch: mushroom ravioli
dinner: turkey soup + matzo balls

Monday
lunch: lasanga cups, salad, fruit
dinner: chicken burritos with avocado-yogurt sauce

Tuesday
lunch: vegetable curry, rice
dinner: mac and cheese

Wednesday
lunch: pear and asparagus salad, hummus, carrots
dinner: vegetable curry

Thursday
lunch: lasagna cups, salad, fruit
dinner: shrimp and green beans with couscous

Friday
lunch: leftovers
dinner: vegetable pasta

To Make on Prep Day

Avocado Yogurt Sauce
Turkey Soup
Matzo Balls
Lasagna Cups
Crockpot Veggie Curry
Caramelized Pears and Asparagus

Shopping List

avocado
pepper
arugula
asparagus
green beans
grapes
oranges
chickpeas
frozen veg (cauliflower + broccoli)
stock
shrimp
wonton wrappers
mozzarella
milk
cereal
cider
hummus

Menu: December Coming

I managed to make it over the hurdle of Thanksgiving so it’s clear on to cookie season now! I won’t be making cooking for another two weeks but I can’t wait to start baking and sharing my cookies with everyone. Or keeping them all for myself, either way.

Saturday
lunch: eggs and toast
dinner: miso udon soup

Sunday
lunch: leftovers from Thanksgiving
dinner: black bean burgers, yogurt sauce

Monday
lunch: egg bake, fruit, yogurt
dinner: chicken korma

Tuesday
lunch: scotch eggs, salad, apple
dinner: veggie stir fry

Wednesday
lunch: chicken korma, rice, salad
dinner: pizza

Thursday
lunch: scotch eggs, chips, salsa
dinner: salmon, couscous, spinach

Friday
lunch: leftovers
dinner: out @ sushi

To Make on Prep Day

Black Bean Burgers
Yogurt Sauce
Chicken Korma
Scotch Eggs
Egg Bake

Shopping List

onions
cucumber
pepper
apples
salad
bananas
pasta
sauce
black beans
yogurt
burger buns
pizza
salmon
milk
cider
cereal