Eggnog Smoothie

Eating new foods is always an experience; sometimes it goes really well, and other times – not so much. For example, after my friend from Columbia made me taste a couple of Chocolate Covered Ants (a delicacy in his country,) I had to excuse myself for a few minutes. But when I tried PB&J sandwich

Low-Carb Paleo Bread

My daughter spent 3 weeks at a sleep-away camp and came back home with lots of beautiful memories and one major stomach upset! After weeks of listening to her camp stories and trying to get her stomach issues under control, it was time for a more aggressive medical intervention. So, in a blink of an

Cultured Cream Feta

I love getting out of my bubble, traveling the world: learning new cultures, enjoying different experiences, feeling alive. My favorite part about traveling, though, is trying new cuisines and then bringing home ideas for future recipes. An idea for this post came out of the airport in Romania. My first time in the business class lounge,

Spicy Coconut Chips

I am all for trying new recipes that are high in good fats. Because when you do not eat carbs, you need to raise your fat intake. And coconut, being so low in polyunsaturated fat and high in antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, is really my most preferred source of that good-quality fat. That is

Oil-Free Paleo Pesto Zucchini Noodles

I’m the type of girl that shies away from trends. For example, way back when every girlfriend of mine was in love with Brad Pitt, I fancied Angelina Jolie. And when everyone was getting diamond earrings for their birthdays, I was psyched about my new shiny design books. So when the whole world went zoodle-crazy,

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup – My Way

In our house, I am defiantly the obsessive health advocate. The person who keeps her kids from spending their lives in front of a computer, with a bowl of something carby, greasy or processed. But the truth is that everyone, even those of us hell-bent on staying healthy, has at least one guilty pleasure. Mine

Lightest Hummus on Earth

I’ve been on a path to heal my achy gut this past year. I’ve tried many different approaches, but none have produced any good (or shall I say “gut”) results. The newest one is all about eliminating foods high in insoluble fiber, which is pretty challenging for someone who’s had a love affair with chia

Peruvian Quinoa Tortilla

I’m about to call it quits! It all started with my husband. He waited until our wedding to casually inform me that he eats kosher. That sent me for a spin, as I really liked my seafood and pepperoni pizza. Then my son was diagnosed with food allergies soon after he was born. So our

Soondubu Stew

When a health-conscious girl from Moldova makes Korean food in the States, it looks something like this: A BIG MESS. In other words, a Soondubu Stew. Soondubu, proper pronunciation not required, means “extra soft tofu”. My variation on the stew does not call for any tofu. Sorry. Inspired by both a Russian soup Solyanka and a Korean

Brussels Sprouts Chips

I once ordered a side of Brussels Sprouts chips in a little restaurant in Guerneville. They were fried, salty and so SO good! Definitely not something I would attempt to make at home! (I said to myself as I left the restaurant.) Definitely something I tried making minutes after I pulled into the driveway! And my

Chia Cheese Crisps

Now that the first Seder is just behind us and the Matza supply is on the verge of depletion, it is time to spice things up for the rest of the Passover! Lets start with Chia Cheese Crisps. 2 ingredients; endless possibilities. This is yet another one of those Cucee Originals, like the Grilled Cheese Egg and

Morning Coffee Bowl

I like cooking from recipes, I do! Find a recipe, buy all the ingredients, pour a glass of wine and cook away. However, being a mom of two curious children who want to be a part of every after-school activity imaginable, this way of cooking no longer seems to work for me (most of the time.) So I

Tarragon Lemon Summer Squash Soup

Everyone has at least ONE vegetable they CANNOT stand. For whichever reason that may be… For some, it’s that “healthy” vegetable they were force-fed as a child; for others, it is the one they’ve overdone on at some point in life! As for me – that evil cadevil is celery (don’t ask!) For my husband

Infusing Vodka

I spent the first half of my childhood in Moldova, a tiny republic of the former Soviet Union, rich with fruit, vegetables and wine. It is the Napa of the Eastern Europe! Life in Moldova was simple. Eat seasonally, drink year-round. During summertime, my mom would bring home mountains of produce and my dad would

Chocolate and Brie Panini

I am in love. And he is gorgeous! Long soft curly blonde locks. Kind eyes. Unwavering loyalty. He never speaks back. Always by my side. And never leaves his plate dirty. His name is Toby Gennadich Shpiler but you can simply call him Toby. I’ve only been around two pets when growing up, and for

Sweet Corn Ceviche

I get so excited when I stumble upon a new culinary discovery. I walk around feeling all proud, with a huge smile on my face and a strong urge to share! My latest discovery is corn. No, I’m not talking about having made a brand new grain discovery (that was done for me a long

Grilled Cheese Egg

Ah, the beauty of camping: simplicity, tranquility, nature. Having all the devices turned off, cookbooks stashed away. The smell of fresh summer air and grilled meat, fire-roasted potatoes, s’mores. No disturbances from the outside world, no interruptions, just you being one with nature. This is what I’ve known camping to be. My last camping trip was

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

My recent lack of motivation has forced me to take a break from cooking and Cuceeing. In the last few months, the only meals I have been putting on the dinner table were healthier-than-takeout, getting-rid-of-spoiling-ingredients, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink meals. But as the holiday season approached, my culinary ego went into an assertive state and forced my creative

Algerian Tomato Soup

I was blasting down a steep windy trail over the rock gardens and roots – rocks ricocheting off of my shiny, barely used Target “tricycle.” I was holding on for dear life, in fact so tight that my hands were starting to go numb and turn white from gripping the brakes too tightly. As I

Russian gazpacho Okroshka (окрошка)

Odessa, Ukraine. My husband and I are dressed to go out. Dinner, then a nightclub at a beach. A coral dress and blue heels for me. Hair down. A gray v-neck and faded jeans for the hubby. Leather wrap bracelets. It is Saturday night, the air is warm and smells of summer. It is

Crunchy Granola Cups

Is it very obvious that my family considers first meal of the day their favorite? Even with all of the breakfast recipes that I have up my sleeve (Almond Butter Smoothies, Pear Honey Pocket, Baked Oatmeal, Breakfast Polenta, Granola among many others) the demand for additional ideas simply refuses to taper off. So, every week or so, I keep coming up

Wild Rice Salad Bowl with Miso Dressing

Head over hills, forks over knives, miso over sugar — I am in love with this new salad. Is it a life-changing concept? Not really. A new food revelation? Maybe. A new salad recipe? For sure. A cool dressing idea? Bingo. I recently pinterested a recipe idea that mildly shocked my imagination. Miso in a

Swiss Chard and Potato Stew

After years of resistance, my husband and I have finally booked our next trip oversees. A trip that has been long overdue. A trip, frequently considered but always postponed until the next year. A trip too emotional to imagine or to plan. Vacation request forms have been submitted and approved; we are going back “home”!

Creamy Poblano Chile Soup With Corn and Chanterelle Mushrooms

Cucee loved to cook, Cucee lived to cook. Cooking was a creative outlet, a form of meditation and self expression. In a community, the aspiring chef was well known for amazing culinary abilities and an authentic desire to serve others. But no one ever suspected that even Cucee sometimes dreamt of being waited on, cooked

Caramelized Onions & Mushroom Bake

My 6-year-old son has been known to forget. No, he does not have ADD or ADHD, or any other abbreviated disorder. He is just a happy kid with a condition that I call “selective forgetfulness.” He clearly always remembers: to ask for a desert after dinner, e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e d-a-y to leave a trail of

Very Cherry Chocolaty Larabar Truffles

This post is about all the sweet things in life. It is about cherries and chocolate, figs and coconut, sugar, spice and all the things nice. If you have been following Cucee, then you probably know that I am not much of a “desert” person (see my healthiterian manifesto as a reminder.) Well, a while ago I

Three-Seed Cabbage Salad

The following are observations of a backpacking foodie: Sometimes…. Chicken comes prepackaged in a flashy vacuum-sealed plastic bag. Milk resembles powdered cocaine. It is OK to eat fish out of a can. Granola + cold river water make for an interesting breakfast. Instant coffee and bagged tea in the morning help to wake up… even

Nicoise salad

There has been a lot of excitement around the house in the last few weeks: our daughter was getting ready for her role of Molly in a Tom Sawyer theatrical production. Nervous and excited, she has been rehearsing daily and counting days, no, minutes to the big premiere. On the day of the show she

Quinoa “Mac and Cheese” with Spinach

Quinoa meets Mac ‘n’ Cheese.It is time for another Cucee confession: I love Mac and Cheese. An image of this warm comfort food on my plate takes me back to my childhood… I can just see myself on a chilly winter afternoon, coming home from school to a feel-good plate of creamy pasta and a

Jalapeño-Corn Chowder

I am a girl and I like ruffles, unexpected surprises and charming things. The things that touch my girly soul are: Polka dots and hair clips Sky reflection in the puddle of water on a rainy day Innocence in my boy’s eyes as he paints the sofa with a permanent marker Husband’s capacity to embrace the unconventional

Beet and Orange Soup

I love bold colors and I am not afraid to use them! We had our rooms painted deep orange, buttercup yellow, brick red and silver metallic long before colorful walls became chic in California. My pre-kids car was of a dazzlingly crimson hue and my husband’s yellow Z3 stood out in traffic jams. Peek into

Healthy Apricot Cake

Common culinary wisdom holds that you are either a baker or a cook. I hate to admit it but I am NOT a baker! Baking does not come naturally to me at all; nothing in baking makes sense. First time I ever made cookies, the directions called for “creaming butter.” I almost felt like Amelia

Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Salad

Comfort food comes in all textures and flavors. Comfort food is that special dish that your mom made you when you were sick. The dish that helped you get over a bad breakup. The dish that got you through your finals in college. It’s your grandma’s matzo-ball soup. Mom’s mac-and-cheese. Crispy grilled-cheese sandwich. Hearty bowl

Chile-Roasted Feta and Watermelon Slab

Re-think vegetarian cuisine! No more tofu masquerading as meat, pretending to be cheese or camouflaging as scrambled egg! Forget all the cliché vegetarian dishes, often published as an afterthought in cookbooks or listed as menu addendums in restaurants. Meet a vegetarian appetizer that is so original that it will amaze and surprise you. It will

Salmon Sashimi with Blue Cheese and White Miso Puree

The birthday season has officially been kicked off at our house. My hubby opened it with his yesterday and I will close it with mine in January. In our family, birthday parties are loud, with lots of friends, wine and food. But this year, the birthday boy was feeling melancholic and asked for a more private celebration. No loud toasts,

Fermentation Experimentation

Yep, I make my very own milk Kefir (Кефир.) An Eastern European-style yogurt, Kefir is loaded with lots and lots of tummy-friendly bacteria. Not to brag, but I also curdle farmers cheese (Творог): a creamier, smoother, and milder form of cottage cheese. Surprisingly, fermenting dairy products at home is super easy, fast and fun! A

Granny Smith Apple And Yam Soup with Glazed Slivered Almonds

Silky and warming with a hint of ginger and curry, this soup is perfect for a chilly fall night. Granny Smith Apple And Yam Soup with Glazed Slivered Almonds Adapted from A Beautiful Bowl of Soup by Paulette Mitchell Ingredients For the almonds Vegetable oil cooking spray 2 tablespoon agave nectar 1 cup (4 ounces) slivered

Almond Butter Pear Honey Pocket

If you were born and raised in the United States, you may find it hard to imagine that there are people out there who never had a PBJ sandwich. Here goes my epicurean Cucee Confession #3: until very recently, I had not tried the All-American Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly sandwich. (Confession #1: I am obsessed with anything-cauliflower, Confession #2:

Roasted Squash, Pear, and Ginger Soup

I’ve collected quite a few squash recipes over the years. This one is my new favorite. The soup is easy to make and only requires a few key ingredients that you are likely to have at home. Sweet and zesty, it satisfies my fall comfort food cravings. As an added bonus, the soup is low

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

I am Cucee Sprouts and I am proud to be a Sprouts. I come from a family of many distinguished vegetables and I can trace my roots all the way back to the early days of farming, to the time of Sprouts Senior. This is Sprouts Senior, named Brussels, the first member to be recorded

Almond Butter Kefir Breakfast Smoothie

From pancakes to waffles to power shakes, our weekend always starts with a special breakfast. What’s a special breakfast? Pretty much anything that is not cereal or oatmeal – we are easy to please… With my kids, the tradition of a special breakfast now spans more than one generation. When I was little, my mom

Caramelized Roasted Figs with Baby Greens and Honey Vinaigrette

This summer salad is a hit at every gathering. It’s one of my most requested recipes. Slightly tangy vinaigrette truly compliments the sweetness of the caramelized figs. Caramelized Roasted Figs with Baby Greens and Honey Vinaigrette Top 5 recipe on FoodBuzz Adapted from FoodNetwork.com Ingredients 4 small fresh black mission figs, stemmed Extra-virgin olive oil

Simple and Healthy Vegan Vanilla and Agave Nectar Cupcakes

Top five glimpses into the character of my 5-year-old son Jacob: At the dinner table. Jacob: “Mommy, this soup is spicy. Can I have some wine?” “Lizard of Oz,”said Jacob. My 7-year-old daughter Mika needed to measure 3 tablespoons of liquid for her science experiment. She asked Jacob for help. He returned with 3 table spoons.

A Healthiterian’s Mission Statement

I love food. I love pretty much everything about food — the taste and the smell, the process of preparation, serving it to people, evening meals with my family, going out to restaurants, and dinner parties with friends. For that reason, I would never deprive myself from the pleasure of eating. I would never skip

The Superhero Soup

I feel like I receive an extra reward sticker every time I successfully serve my family a nutritious meal that they all enjoy. That is why I am always on a lookout for a healthy recipe that appeals to all members of my family, including a self-proclaimed vegetarian daughter who does not really like vegetables,

Sesame Chicken of Our First Date

My husband, who has known me since I was in high school, is often amazed at how my memory works. I may not remember anything about a movie we watched a week ago but I can tell you in details what I ate on a particular date, a company holiday party, a vacation, or a rehearsal dinner. On our

Scallion Sweet Potatoes

My love affair with Mr. Sweet Potato (aka Sr. Yam) began not that long ago… It was love at first sight. We were introduced to each other at my friends’ house over one unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner. Served with beef kebab and a medley of root vegetables, Mr. Sweet Potato rested modestly by the rim of

Grilled Red Snapper Tacos

I tend to get pretty conservative when it comes to preparing fish. I have two favorite recipes, Asian Infused Sea Bass and Puff Pastry-Wrapped Salmon, which fly off the table the moment I serve them to my family and I so make them often. Craving something lighter and fresh-tasting, I decided to mix things up