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,
Vegetarian
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:
Zucchini and Olive Enchiladas
It happened to me on the day I met my daughter… My water broke in the morning. I was in the middle of my contractions, scared but excited of becoming a mother for the first time. Suddenly, I realized that I was dying for some good old Mexican food. Yep, that is me – thinking
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
Marinated Cauliflower Salad
My name is Cucee Sprouts and I am addicted to Cauliflower. There are many chocoholics, carboholics, sushiholics out there. Well, I am a Cauliholic. I have all the signs of being an addict: I cannot go for more than a week without a cauliflower dish I cannot be trusted around cauliflower – I can finish
Vareniki (Вареники)
Le Shana Tova Happy New Year to all my Jewish friends. May this year bring peace and a world filled with happiness, laughter and love. Leshana tova tekatev v’techatem. Tonight, for Rosh Hashana, I am serving Vareniki (варе́ники.) Vareniki is the ultimate comfort food for me. Both my husband and I grew up on these
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
Cheesy Zucchini Polenta Cakes with Mushroom Duxelles
I’m always curious about what people in my group-ex classes think while doing their round kicks, pushups, or bicycle crunches. I usually exercise after work and my mind is often busy with possible dinner ideas. This past Friday, instead of following the kick-boxing instructor, I found myself inventing a new polenta recipe in my head. What do
Cucee is Cooking
On the way towards their recipes, these cooking experiments stopped for the photo op. Red Lentil Dahl, Eggplant and Spinach Stack with Raita Sweet Potato Soup
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
Moroccan Red Lentil-Bean Stew
Last weekend, I took my friends on a culinary journey to Morocco. No suitcase required. Only a plate and a wine glass. Napkins and utensils — optional. My husband and I experienced Moroccan food on our last vacation. The number of exotic delicacies that we came across was a bit shocking (even a little intimidating).
Julia’s Heirloom Red and Green Tomato Gazpacho
I feel lucky to know people who are passionate about food and cooking, just like me. Recently, my friends Julia and Yuri, true aficionados of fine cuisine, had us over for company. Julia’s elaborate multi-course dinners, complemented with her husband’s well researched wine pairings, always make me look forward to evenings at their house. The theme
Butternut Squash Tagine with Buttered Chile Couscous
I love snooping around my refrigerator the day after a dinner party. All the delicious leftovers and a break from cooking! Leftover dinner of the day: comforting and satisfying Squash Tagine with Buttered Couscous. Like all stews, this sweet and hearty slow-cooked squash definitely tastes better the second day. Hey, kids, wash your hands, it’s a leftovers
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,
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