Stuffed Veggies: Unleash your creativity

This isn't so much about a recipe as it's about inspiration...kitchen inspiration that is.

You can stuff any veg...peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, zuchinni, etc.

I used some leftover kimchi fried rice to stuff a pepper for mike, topped with an egg (which was actually a bit tricky...) And stuffed a tomato for myself with spinach and cheese and again an egg (still tricky).

Regardless, it was a quick and tasty dinner...Stuff Things - it's what all the 'cool kids' are doing ^-^

Grilled Hummus and Veggie Wraps and Sauted Spinach Salad

Neither of these recipes takes a rocket scientist. If anything, you need a fridge full of veggies, some tortillas and a food processor is beneficial as well.

If you need to prepare hummus - throw one or two cups of Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans into a food processor with olive oil, 2-3 cloves Garlic and 1-2 Tbsp. Tahini and let 'em have it.

I have a thing for roasted veggies, so I threw some eggplant, zuchinni and Onions into our oven while I spread the humus and chopped a tomato. Piece it all together as you would a wrap/burrito. If you have some Feta lying around - I'd TOTALLY throw that into the mix. Enjoy once it's a bit crispy on the outside, you'll feel joyful!

As for the Spinach Salad...I had some left over veggies from a pasta dish that had been 'marinating' in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, I ate the 5 pasta noodle left and wanted to toss the veggies with the spinach...but didn't want the veg sinking to the bottom of the salad. Hence, sauteing...throwing the veg and the spinach into a skillet allowed the spinach to share the dressing and 'grab onto' those veggies a little better than if the Spinach weren't sauted. 

Kimchi Fried Rice

We were runnin' the budget ragged this month with Cirque Du Soleil and other big spending events so, it was time to think of cheaper-than-normal meals. I figure...when in 'Rome'...right? Hence, Kimchi Bokkeumbap (Fried Rice). Cheap to eat out, equally cheap to eat at home, especially when you've received a BUCKET of home-made kimchi!

Ingredients/Directions:

You will need about 2 cups of prepared rice (best if prepared a day ahead...so I've heard). In a skillet heat a tablespoon of sesame oil and saute an Onion, chopped, 2-3 Garlic Cloves, minced and 1/2 a Carrot, diced. Add to the skillet as much kimchi as suits your taste buds chopped as finely or not finely as you like. Add rice, season with a bit of soy and gojuchang (?) -- Korean Red Pepper Paste, as much or little as you like. Make space between the rice for an egg or three, crack them on to the pan, let cook mix it up and serve. Can also serve the rice with a fried egg on top if you prefer, but with the rice prevents you from having to wash one more pan ^_^

Re-Visited: Baba-ganoush Hummus Pasta

I RAVED about this dish just over a year ago.

I was THRILLED to realize that my fridge and cupboards were all happily storing the ingredients needed to make this dish for our friends Kolt and Holly the other night.

I REALLY love chickpeas.

Brie and Avocado Sandwich

One of my primary motivations in traveling is dining on local eats and discovering new, stellar combinations.

After having just arrived in Cape Town after a few days in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Mike and I found ourselves sitting at a French cafe with our friends Abram and Mallory. The menu showcased a number of delectable treats - but for the hubs and I, one stood out above the rest: Bacon, Brie and Avocado on Ciabata.

It was one of the most amazing things to ever grace these taste buds.

So, I re-create it. Even when Brie and Avocados are extremely costly. I've been skipping bacon and still find I'm extremely satisfied.

You will not regret this sandwich choice. If you have a chance to make your own bread, that'll make the experience even more grand.

Bon Appetit!

Sun-dried Tomato and Rosemary Butter Spread

I meant to throw some sun-dried tomatoes and fresh rosemary into a loaf of bread I was baking.

Needless to say, I forgot.

Fortunately, a food processor, a stick of butter and those same tomatoes and rosemary work well together to create a DELICIOUS spread for that 'plain' loaf of bread I'd made.

Cheesy Hot Dog Spaghetti

Saw this idea a while back and LOVED it! Immediately, I was reminded of my childhood love for Macaroni and Cheese with chunks of hot dogs thrown in the mix. So it was, I found myself piercing hot dogs (that tasted like Polish sausage) with dry spaghetti noodles before tossing them all in a pot of boiling water and topping with Cheese Sauce.

So easy! And when I have children...rest assured, they will see this on their dinner plates ^^