When “C” does not stand for what to “Cook”?

So I haven’t updated this blog in a long time. I love the idea of keeping in touch with anyone in the entire world and building a great place to go for easy recipes, but my life is very different from the average bloggers. I’m up a little after 5 AM, I have a 3 hour commute each weekday to Beverly Hills and I’m trying and often failing to fit time in to exercise, play music, write and also just plain have fun with my family and friends. And as I’ve mentioned before, I don’t have the time to set-up, take and post the amazing photos that so many other food bloggers do although I certainly envy their talents and the time they must have available. I sound like I’m complaining , but far from it. You see, time matters to me. Now, more than ever.
 
 
Because, another reason I haven’t posted here lately, is that my husband went in for a regular eye exam, only to be told that he had eye cancer. Yes, the man who painted my toenails by candlelight, who has a large albeit sometimes hidden heart of gold and is the reason my boys open even car doors for women has something that has never affected anyone in his family. The fear was paralyzing at first – but then, we marched through it like soldiers probably have to do when they go to war  – suddenly seeing the cracks in our fragile lives – staying as strong and as hopeful as humanly possible because after all, we are just that – only human. 
 
 
Long story short, like an unwilling yet lucky Russian Roulette player, we may have dodged the bullet because after months of treatment and tests including a genetic test, the type of cancer he has in his eye has less than a 5% chance of spreading. If the genetic test had came back otherwise, that 95% chance would have meant not if, but when the cancer would have spread to his liver, brain or other organs and if that occurred, per the medical websites (that turn all of us into medical researchers who think we can self-diagnose), there (would have been) “no known treatment”. Three words I’m so relieved we most likely will never need to deal with.  
 
 
So, now, how do we feel? Picture the Russian Roulette scene in Deer Hunter – only this time Christopher Walken doesn’t take the gun up to his head one last time towards a tragic end  – but instead, he smiles, suddenly remembers how lucky he is to have Robert DeNiro’s character as a close, lifelong friend, and they both walk out from the dark dungeon into the bright, bustling streets to live life as they had planned all along – playfully, gratefully and joyfully to feel the sun’s rays on their faces, the damp cool sand between their toes, embracing the smell of cheap perfume and pine trees and the sound of their children’s laughter when they tease and joke and the funny whimpers of their furry little dog when it’s time to go for a walk, etc….etc….etc….Then, decades later, they both die a natural death together in their sleep. Yes, that is how we feel! That, and hungry at least three times a day. So, what’s for dinner? Other than the Cheese Platter Mammoth Mountainamazing array of dishes delivered from friends during the ordeal? Maybe just some good wine, cheese, God’s unprocessed fruits, olives and nuts – with good friends and family. Because right now, at least today, I am so happy we are all simply alive and don’t feel like cooking.    

Homemade Easy Ricotta Recipe

Ricotta and StrawberriesOne of the easiest traditional recipes around is homemade Ricotta. First, it is so soft and delicious and store-bought does not even come close to its fresh texture. Plus it can be expensive when it’s purchased at the store. Since its’ few ingredients are almost always in your kitchen it’s something you can whip up anytime. Homemade Ricotta is great just smeared on bread or crackers served with honey or fruit. It’s amazing in homemade lasagna or any ravioli.

 

  • 1/2 Gallon (2 quarts) Whole Milk (low-fat or non-fat really doesn’t work well).
  • 1/3 C Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

 

Heat milk in a pot until it’s foamy and almost boiling.

 

Remove from heat and immediately stir in lemon juice or vinegar.

 

Stir and then let stand for about 10 minutes.

 

Set up a colander with a cheesecloth in it (or use a coffee filter in a small colander).

 

Remove any large chunks that do not have to be drained with a slotted spoon and place in bowl.

 

Slowly pour the remaining mixture through the colander and let sit for as little as 15 minutes or as long as an hour depending upon how thick you’d like your cheese.

 

Seal and refrigerate.

 

Grilled Artichoke Hearts with Lemon Aioli

I rarely shop at Gelson’s market because it’s a little out of my budget. But sometimes, I splurge and swing by the one close to my Mom’s and buy some food to take to eat at her house when I visit. I am so impressed by their deli case. They have so many options and Grilled Artichoke Hearts with Lemon Aiolitheir side salad recipes are inspiring. Last time I was there, they had a huge platter of grilled artichokes in lemon aioli. I love that word, “aioli”. But let’s face it – basically it’s mayo. But “aioli” does sound so much more exotic. After tasting them, I realized it would be really easy to recreate the recipe – so I did. Now I make these frequently. Lately, I’ve been on a diet and artichoke hearts (as long as they aren’t stored in oil) are on my limited ‘free’ foods list – so I keep these in the fridge to snack on.  

 

Lemon Aioli Recipe:

  • 1/2 Cup Mayo
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey or Agave or Brown Sugar
  • (Optional) Fresh Thyme Leaves, chopped

Lemon Aioli Recipe

I use the canned artichokes in water from Trader Joe’s. Drain, grill, cool and mix with the aioli. Chill until ready to eat. 

Yogurt Parfait – my daughter’s favorite healthy snack or breakfast

A Seinfeld episode is what made me realize that we often give names to foods that make them sound better than they are (even if they are delicious). The example? (I’m paraphrasing). George says, “Crudités….they are just you know, like cut vegetables, right?!….”

 

 

Peaches are in season, but you can use berries.

Peaches are in season, but you can use berries.

Yogurt Parfait by any other name is layered yogurt and fruit. Oh well, maybe add some granola and honey. Doesn’t sound quite as enticing, does it? But I have to tell ya, when I pack the ingredients separately in a way that my daughter (and her friends if it’s after school) can layer together to make their own snack, and if I’m lucky, I happen to have some clean see-through glass options so there’s actually some sort of “presentation” going on….and I say, Hey, LOOK! It’s a Yogurt Parfait….it’s a winner!

 

 

  • Plain yogurt
  • Cut fruit (frozen or fresh Peaches or any type of berry, like fresh Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, MythicalBerries…..etc….)
  • Granola , or (simple oven toasted sugared oatmeal)
  • Honey 

 

 

Such an easy recipe, your kids can make it on their own after school.

Such an easy recipe, your kids can make it on their own after school.

Did you ever make sand castles as a kid? Or layer sand in a bottle or bucket? No different really. Just layer ingredients above in this order. So easy! Either make ahead of time for guests in crystal glasses with fancier ingredients (like crème fraîche) or, let your kids make their own in what appear to be crystal like wine glasses from either the Dollar Tree or 99 cents store (one dollar a piece, such a deal) or in a clear recyclable plastic cup that wants to grow up to be a bike some day and ridden on the strand.