Lobster Challenge

January 4 – February 28, 2012

$25.95

Who will win? Chef Pascal Olhats has challenged his chefs at Brasserie Pascal, Savannah Chophouse, and French 75 to prepare their best lobster dish. PICK UP YOUR PASSPORT AND BEGIN! You be the judge!! Patty Mitchell and I accepted the challenge  just so we could give you a peek at each chef’s dish:

First up,  Brasserie Pascal’s Lobster Bouillabaisse:

Next, Savannah Chophouse’s Boiled Lobster with Cappelini and Lemon Buerre Blanc Sauce:

Third and final stop on our lobster journey, French 75′s Lobster Duo: Lobster Thermidor with Crispy Lobster Ravioli:

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Pick up a Passport to Maine at your first restaurant and get stamped for each Challenge dish you try. When you have two stamps, you are eligible to vote for your favorite and enter to win our Voter Prize– a two night stay at the Retreat in Laguna, plus dinner for two at one of our three restaurants.

If you choose to go to the final restaurant, you will receive a complimentary wine pairing with your third Lobster Challenge dinner, and a second entry into our voter prize drawing. When your passport is complete, vote, then turn it in and you’re entered to win.

♥ So join us in the Lobster Challenge and make February the month of Love and Lobster! ♥

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Are you ready to RUMBLE!!! I’m sure you know the Super Bowl is this weekend – I mean, it’s only the biggest sports event of the year. There are people who could care less (really), but millions of diehard fans, as well as those who really don’t care but tag along for a good time, will be partying their booties off whether their favorite football team is playing or not. Ours happens to be playing – GOOO PATRIOTS!

So in honor of football, the New England Patriots, and the biggest TV event of the year (always in Nielsen’s Top 10, last year’s Super Bowl XLV made history as the most-watched episode of television EVER), I gathered a few Guilt-less appetizer ideas for you. Quit your moaning! My thinking is this: since a major amount of calories are consumed in liquid form on this day, my preference are appetizers that are big on taste, but lower in calories than traditional football food – not that there’s anything wrong with deep fried Buffalo wings, nachos with a blanket of gooey cheese, or chili with all the fixins! You can serve those too, but this is America – we like choices

Some of these delectable bites I gleaned from Pinterest – the newest social circuit experience on the web - Warning! it’s super addicting. You better get on there and see what all the talk is about – and, while you’re at it, follow me

First, NO Super Bowl party is complete without the #1 Dip, GAUCAMOLE:

You can not go wrong with pizzettas, crostini, bruschetta:

Roasted Grapes with Thyme, Ricotta and Grilled Bread from Alexandra’s Kitchen

Warm Tomato and Olive Salad on Polenta from My Man’s Belly

Carnitas Tacos with Mango-Avocado Salsa from Lemons and Anchovies

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Truffle Oil from Authentic Suburban Gourmet

Vegetarian Football Pizzas from BevCooks

More great dips to break free of the spinach/artichoke or melted cheese dip:

Mahummara Dip from Nancy at A Communal Table

Zucchini and goat cheese dip

Hoppin’ John Salsa

Crunchy snacks besides chips:

Baked Asparagus Fries from The Ardent Epicure

Masala Roasted Chickpeas from US Masala

Sugar and Spice Popcorn from Creative Culinary

And, for those touchdown moments!

Caramel Apple Jello Shots from That’s So Michelle

ENJOY!

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Not only are you invited to the Huntington Harbor Yacht Club’s 2nd Annual Wine Knot tasting event on Saturday, February 11, 2012, but you can WIN two tickets to attend this gala benefit event!

Last year more than 100 wine and food lovers joined in the fun and raised over $1,000 for the Huntington Beach Sailing Foundation – and, with two additional wine partners this year, there’s more fabulous wine to taste and more excitement to be had!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by treating your sweetie to a romantic evening on the waterfront with wine and decadent chocolate! You’ll be tasting great wines from the Sonoma Valley to Paso Robles while enjoying fabulous food, live music, gondola rides and have the opportunity to win some amazing silent auction items.

Featured Partners:
* Pear Valley (Paso Robles)
* ONEHOPE Wine
* The Other Guys (Sonoma Valley)
* Taft Street Winery (Sonoma Valley)
* Thompkin Cellars (Santa Barbara County)
* SeaLegs Wine Bar (Coming Soon to Huntington Beach)
* BRIX (Sunset Beach)
* Brew Bakers (Huntington Beach)

Cost:
By Jan. 27th: $40 per person.
After Jan. 27th: $50 per person.
Your passport gets you three (3) complimentary tastings at each of our partner stations, heavy appetizers, live music, a special gift and memories you can’t put a price on!!!

Here’s how you can get your passport to tasting:
* In person at Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, 3821 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649
* Call (562) 592-2186 to reserve your passport to tasting and mail in a check to 3821 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 (write “WINE KNOT” in note on check)
* Call (562) 592-2186 to reserve your passport to tasting and pay via credit card over the phone
* Pay via credit card by PayPal at www.hhyc.org (you will need to complete event form prior to paying via PayPal)

OR, enter to win 2 passports!  All you have to do is:

1. LIKE She’s Cookin|from the heart on FaceBook, AND

2. Leave a comment below letting us know that you did (Like the page) and, while you’re at it, tell us what’s your favorite wine varietal – to name a few: Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or do you prefer the whites – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chenin Blanc.

A winner will be selected using Random.org on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:00 p.m.

The winner will be notified via email – so make sure you include a working email address when leave your comment.

Winner will have until 10:00 p.m., Sunday, February 5, 2012 to respond or another winner will be selected.

CHEERS and GOOD LUCK

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Yes, I know, to be linguistically correct the title should read Pâté, but after experiencing a whole lotta headache when I put the [ ü ] in Grüner Veltliner in the post title for my Wiener Schnitzel redux, ironically another 5 Star Makeover Challenge, I’m not willing to chance phonetic symbols in titles again.

After a two month break for the holidays, 5 Star Makeover Challenge, hosted by the lovely and talented Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and the infamous Lazaro of Lazaro Cooks, is back! This month’s challenge was to put the gourmet into that universally popular comfort food: meatballs.

My idea came to me while reading David Lebovitz‘s book The Sweet Life in Paris. Apparently, reading a book is something I can only accomplish on airplanes. Traveling cross country to NYC this month with a side trip to NW Arkansas, I actually read two books! The first one I absolutely could not put down and finished on the flight to LGA was Huraki Murakami‘s novel, South of the Border, West of the Sun. The second was The Sweet Life in Paris. Two totally different books and, for the record, I disagree with most of the reviews I’ve read about Murakami.

Anyway, as the back cover says, “David’s book is a deliciously funny, offbeat, and irreverent look at the City of Light, cheese, chocolate…” and each chapter contains humorous insights into urban France as told by an American living in Paris. When I came across David’s recipe for Chicken and Apple Spread, the light went off! With Don’s strict low sodium requirements, the foods that we miss the most are CHEESE, sausage, and other cured meats. But, I thought, here is a lower calorie, lower fat version of pâté that could ease our Francophile craving for cheese and accoutrements. Reading David’s intro to the recipe made me laugh, so I’m sharing this, as well as the recipe, which I followed exactly (except for the salt) and then truffle-ized it to make Pâté Meatballs, if you will.

“The word pâté doesn’t mean “terribly difficult, snooty French food”. It can refer to any meat-rich spread, which is everyday fare in France and not meant to be reserved for special occasions. You can easily make and enjoy pâté no matter where you live, and this recipe takes less than a half an hour to put together, so there’s no excuse not to give it a go. Especially true since I’ve replaced the slablike baratte of butter traditionally used in pâté with cooked apples, in case you’re concerned about how you’re going to look in, or out, of next summer’s swimsuit.”

Although pâté is rich in flavor, it really isn’t all that attractive to look at. The apples in this recipe actually add a fresh note to what is essentially ground chicken livers and butter (only 3 tablespoons here versus 1 cup or 8 tablespoons) and my idea to make Pâté truffles came to me as I was contemplating how to shoot the Pâté Meatballs and what to serve alongside. Toasted baguette slices and a fruit such as apples or pears were a given, but it needed something else. That something else I always desire is CRUNCH – and I achieved that and a dash of heat, as well as a more appealing texture, with the chopped pistachio and chile coating. If you’re a pâté lover (there’s not much middle ground with pâté), I think you’ll love it as much as we did

Serve with toasted baguettes and crisp slice pears, Asian pears or apples to bring out the flavor of the apples in the spread. Pair with a refreshing rosé as David suggests or a Brut champagne, dry Riesling, or Gewürztraminer also complements the creamy, richness of pâte.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, but don’t feel like you have to save pâté for a special occasion. Any day is a good day to imagine yourself in Paris languishing at a small cafe with your l’amour♥

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The gift of Banh Chung during the New Year has become the most important tradition of Vietnamese culture and was passed down from one generation to the next. Always curious about the foods that play such an important role in cultural traditions, I attended a cooking demonstration by Chef Haley Nguyen of Xanh Bistro in Fountain Valley, CA and learned about the legend behind Banh Chung, how the rice cakes are made, and how it became a symbol of Tet.

A traditional food gift for the Lunar New Year, Chef Haley Nguyen demonstrated the fine art of wrapping the square cakes of rice, mung bean and pork in banana leaves and then boiling them. In front of a small, but avid group of Vietnamese food and culture lovers, she shared a bit of the legend behind banh chung: rice is the staff of life for the people and the banana leaves signify the love of parents who would always protect their children; and the difference between square and round shapes (square cakes represent life on earth and is the tradition in northern Vietnam and the round shape stands for heaven above and is from the south).

Preparations for Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year, Tet Festival, and Spring Festival) and welcoming the Year of the Dragon on January 23rd, have been underway for weeks in Asian households around the world. Although the Lunar New Year is observed in all of East Asia influenced by Chinese civilization, each country celebrates it in a way unique to that country. For the Vietnamese and Chinese people, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon (it doesn’t always coincide with the Chinese animal). Being born in the Year of the Dragon is considered most desirable, especially for boys, as the Dragon has been the  symbol of royalty for thousands of years and is believed to bring luck, strength, royalty, wisdom, and a promising future.

New years banner greets shoppers at the fruit market.

Each year when celebrations for the Lunar New Year begin, I’m reminded of the cultural tour I took with my friend Monique to learn about the many symbols and customs associated with Tet and this most important of all Asian holidays. We met at the ABC Supermarket shopping center at Bolsa and Brookhurst in what’s known as Little Saigon in Westminster.

Only 10:30 a.m. and traffic was backed up on Brookhurst and the parking lot was swarming with erratic drivers looking for a spot. I parked way in the back.

The marketplace is humming with activity.

Flowers are an important part of decorating a home for Chinese New Year. Plum blossom and water narcissus are the two flowers most associated with the New Year.

A vendor shows us her plum blossoms.

Water narcissus

In the midst of the crush of shoppers and staccato sounds of a foreign language, were two monks walking, eyes cast downward, moving silently amongst the crowd carrying a bamboo container tucked under their robes, discreetly revealed only when a passer-by offers a few dollars.

show deep respect

Tangerines, oranges and pomelos are frequently displayed in homes and stores. Tangerines are symbolic of good luck and oranges are symbolic of wealth. The first store we entered had a tangerine tree decorated with lai-see envelopes (also called hong-bao). Money is placed inside the red envelopes and given to children and young adults as gifts.

kumquat tree decorated with red envelopes

Traditional gifts given to families are rice cakes called banh chung made from white rice, marinated strips of pork and yellow mung beans. I had wanted to photograph Monique making a traditional New Years food but she said that everyone buys these in stores now because they are too labor intensive to make at home. I read a very touching article by Ky-Phong Tran in the Orange County Register recalling memories of his grandfather making the rice cakes every New Year – the only thing he ever made – and how this tradition was his father’s way of reaching back 35 years and 8,000 miles to his childhood in the homeland.

Banh chung is a traditional gift

Piled high were colorful containers of candies and nuts that are given as gifts also.

Colorful candies and sweets for gifts

From here we went to the fruit market where Monique identified the exotic fruits for me and described their taste and how they’re eaten. There was dragon fruit, an exotic lemon that looks like it has “fingers”, gigantic jack fruit whose seeds are boiled and taste like chestnuts, prickly durian that’s called “stinky fruit” and has a custardy filling. I bought a package of mangostine which are cracked open and has white fruit segments similar to an orange.

exotic fruit and traditional Vietnamese desserts

Monique purchased some traditional Vietnamese desserts, made from rice and similar to what we know as tapioca or rice pudding, and bought plum blossoms for her home from a familiar vendor with a better price than the ones we priced earlier.

Monique with her plum blossoms

More commotion erupted when the police and zoning people arrived and vendors were told that they couldn’t be spilling over into the fire lane and some were sent packing because they had no sellers license.

Eastern spirituality meets Western reality

The week ahead brings the parades and pageantry of Tet Festival followed by 10 days of celebrating the Year of the Tiger with family and friends.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

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The grand finale to our three-day weekend in New York City was experiencing the gastronomical creations of Chef Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park, recently crowned with three Michelin stars to add to their impressive list of accolades including multiple James Beard Foundation awards.

Since my former superior organizational skills and ability to plan in advance have seemingly vacated my frontal cortex, I was on Eleven Madison Park’s wait list for Monday evening and was thrilled when the restaurant called on Saturday afternoon with an 8:00 p.m. opening. EMP is located in the stunning former MetLife building on Madison Avenue in the Flatiron district so I was psyched about landing a coveted reservation, but also because I just happened to be in the area to meet Victoria of Mission: Food for lunch at Boqueria Tapas Bar and Restaurant and could walk by to snap some photos afterward.

We loved the lively atmosphere and the Iberian tapas and sangria at Boqueria and afterwards took a stroll around the Flatiron District and meandered by Madison Square Park, marveled at all the culinary delights found in the enormous market Eataly, checked out the line at the famous Shake Shack and took advantage of the beautiful, crisp day to get a few clicks of the Flatiron Building and Eleven Madison Park.

Shown here are the sangria, Spanish omelet and Tortilla Española, Cojonudo – Fried quail eggs and chorizo on toast and Quesos y Embutidos – Spanish artisanal cured meats and cheese with pain con tomate. If you’re craving more pics and information, please visit Mission: Food for Victoria’s complete review.

But let’s get back to Eleven Madison Park and the recipe for their amazing granola shall we?

Defined by exemplary service and pure market-driven cuisine that is superbly artistic and complex, there is no shortage of gushing reviews of Eleven Madison Park and, especially since the menu changes from season to season, I see no reason to outline every indulgent dish and amuse bouche that was presented to us, plus, the romantic lighting of the spectacular art deco dining room resulted in images that certainly don’t do the food justice.

The star treatment begins when you’re greeted by name as you enter the grandiose doors and ends hours later when you’re given an elegant Ball jar of their extraordinary granola. Yes, a Ball jar has an air of elegance when delivered with a flourish as you come away from a dinner you’re not soon to forget – and, it’s the gift that keeps on giving because I’m sharing the recipe here with you! With coconut, pistachios, and dried cherries (no common raisins here) I was sold with the first bite. It takes 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients and you’ll thank yourself every morning as you munch on the best granola ever

Shake Shack at Madison Square Park

Flatiron Building

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Dim sum, private dining, banquet seating, and traditional Chinese specialties to please even the most discerning palate, Capital Seafood has it all. Now, with two restaurants in Irvine; one at Diamond Jamboree and the newest in Irvine Spectrum, Orange County lovers of dim sum and Chinese cuisine are very happy to have Capital Seafood right in their backyard.

As Capital’s website says, Chinese people love to eat and they love to eat in large groups with an abundance of food. This is especially true during the two week Chinese New Year celebrations.  The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival, is next Monday, January 23, 2012. This is the 4710th lunar year and the Year of the Dragon, festivities begin on January 22nd, the eve of the new year, and culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 6th.

Striking artwork, vibrant touches of modernist lighting and nods to traditional Asian motifs create a lively ambiance at Capital Seafood with casual dining inside or outdoor patio seating beneath swaying red lanterns as well as flex space to accommodate private dining and banquets for  special occasions. Recently, a group of us were hosted by James Tea of Capital Seafood, with the help of Marian Bacol-Uba, for a banquet style tasting event featuring 11 of their most popular specialty dishes.

Our meal began with Whole Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood impressively presented and served from the steamed whole winter melon. The flavorful broth contained an abundance of crab meat, shrimp, scallops and squid so every spoonful brought pleasures of the sea with the mild, sweet taste of soft melon.  I learned that Winter Melon Soup is often featured at Asian banquets, and I can totally see why.

Tender Filet Mignon Satay Skewers brushed with a sweet sauce bearing hints of lemongrass and the Assorted Dim Sum Platter of fried vegetable eggrolls, crab wontons,  shrimp with sugar cane, butterfly shrimp, along with steamed sui mai and chicken potstickers followed. Platters of finger foods are always a great way to satisfy your appetite while sipping a cocktail or chilled glass of wine or beer leading up to the main attractions and both these selections are very kid-friendly.

The Roasted Peking Duck was just as it should be:  bites of savory, moist meat with a delightful crunch of crispy skin enveloped in plump, doughy bao (buns) topped with scallions and a swath of smoky hoisin sauce. I prefer a lighter bun, but really I just enjoyed having Peking Duck – there are many dishes that are meant to be shared and since I rarely dine with this many people at a Chinese restaurant I don’t have the opportunity to order them.

You don’t want to miss the House Special Lobster with E-Mein Noodles. As you can see, chock full of lobster in a rich, garlicky brown sauce  with scallions and a bit of heat from  jalapenos. Rather than noodles, I think the richness of the sauce calls for a bowl of steamed rice to soak up all that unctuous flavor.

Capital’s Filet Mignon Cubes in a buttery, garlic sauce – again, give me a bowl of rice, a few filet cubes topped with a juicy red tomato wedge and call it dinner! Did I mention that there were 15 of us sharing this feast?

The ubiquitous Honey Glazed Walnut Shrimp is a mainstream favorite – the sweet crunchy walnuts are always good and  the honeydew and cantaloupe melon balls served alongside worked well to balance the mayo based sauce – kind of like Asian style ambrosia.

And, of course, House String Beans. By this time I was really craving a vegetable, and another bowl of rice But seriously, who doesn’t like the blistered-skin Chinese style green beans coated with garlic sauce and a touch of spicy heat? No dinner is complete without them.

The Pan Seared Seabass was the absolute highlight of the evening. Striking in its simplicity, I appreciated the light sweet soy sauce and simple steamed broccoli after all the rich dishes that preceded it. I would definitely order this again, and I’m sure it would be just as delicious using a more sustainable fish.

But wait, there’s more. Here’s the bowl of rice that I needed, except this is the Chef’s Fried Rice filled with shrimp, scallops, squid, crabmeat, eggwhites, dried scallops, and garnished with carrots and nori flakes (Japanese seaweed).

Beautiful to behold and not too sweet, the Almond Cream Souffle is the perfect grand finale to your Chinese New Year celebratory dinner. My friend Anita who hails from Hong Kong shared with me that this lovely dessert is an almond “tea” usually served as a sweet soup at the end of the meal. Capital Seafood’s rendition is an almond soup with ginko nut and diced water chestnuts and adorned with a cap of puff pastry.

For the vegetarians and health conscious among us, I returned to Capital Seafood for lunch one day to try some heart healthy and vegetarian options – guilt-free, delicious and satisfying on their own or as a complement or lighter alternative to any of the dishes above.

♥ Green Papaya Shrimp Salad ♥

crunchy and refreshing with a bright acidity that cleanses the palate

♥ Emperor’s Garden – Fried Silken Tofu with Three Mushrooms ♥

tofu with a crispy exterior and silken centers reminiscent of flan with three varieties of mushrooms

Happy New Year (新年快樂)

Capital Seafood

at Irvine Spectrum

85 Fortune Drive, #320

Irvine, CA  92618

(949) 788-9218

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After a whirlwind weekend in New York City, Don jetted off to Paris – on business, really – and I to Arkansas for a visit with my mom. His being in Paris reminded me of Le Sâotico , a charming brasserie, practically next door to his office on the rue de Richelieu, that has to be one of the best dining values in all of Paris. AND, if you are vegetarian or have gluten free, dairy free, low sodium or any other dietary restrictions, it’s a phenomenal find!

Our first experience at Le Sâotico was a business dinner with several French clients. Arranged by Muriel who orchestrates all international operations and leaves no detail, including Don’s dietary needs, unattended; owners Anne Surcouf and Chef Hugues  Gournay were keenly aware of Don’s low sodium requirements and his dishes were as meticulously prepared and executed as the selections described on the blackboard menu.

Their changing blackboard menu offers a fine selection of classic French dishes and Anne patiently translated into English and explained and described each one. Don and I both chose the salmon quenelles; creamy and superbly fresh with a dash of bright citrus and crisp butter lettuce offering a contrast to the soft richness of the salmon.

Another guest ordered the escargot with mushrooms and a light cream sauce(above). Not your usual presentation, he was somewhat surprised and may have preferred the more classic escargot served with a butter and garlic sauce, but I was smitten with their interpretation and found myself wishing I had ordered the snails!

As the evening progressed, I became increasingly impressed with their fresh, modern interpretations of classic French fare. Take the Duck l’Orange with potatoes gratin for instance:

Anne suggested magrets de canard (duck breast) for Don and Chef Hugues fashioned the crisp, roasted duck breast with vivid, flavorful orange segments (a la duck l’orange) and boiled new potatoes.

Of course I was the last to order and finally decided on the scallops. Paired with a delicate, perfectly al dente leek risotto and a delightful light cream sauce, nearly as frothy as a foam and certainly unlike (better than) any Coquille St. Jacques I’ve ever had.

There were 10 of us and it was a business dinner, so I was low key with the food paparazzi, but after chatting about the merits of Sancerre with the young man across from me I felt comfortable asking to photograph his Duck Confit:

Mental note to self: order the duck confit the next time I’m at Le Saotico, which will be in June when blustery winter temps won’t deter me from exploring. I wonder what Don is having tonight?

Located on Rue Richelieu in the financial district (2nd arr) and surrounded by banks and other financial companies, Le Saotico has a healthy lunch business. Hugues and Anne feel that dining should be a total experience of the senses, jazzy or Latin beats caress your ears and no matter where you’re seated (downstairs in the bar or bistro area or upstairs dining room), artwork, artifacts and homey touches adorn the walls and catch your eye. The cozy bar area boasts a full bar of spirits, an extensive, reasonably-priced wine list and wines by the glass offering, it’s ideal for a business or casual lunch or after hours cocktails.

Intrigued by this engaging English-speaking French couple with their extensive knowledge of special diets, I asked if I could come back the next day and interview them during the quieter hours before dinner. Turns out that Anne and Hugues owned and operated Le Reminet, a well known and popular little restaurant in the Latin Quarter. They sold Le Reminet to focus on their family life but after a few years Hugues couldn’t resist the insistent urge to cook and create that dwells in the heart of culinary artists.  For their second restaurant, they chose the name Le Sâotico which recalls the tiny gray shrimp found in the waters off the coast of their native Normandy.

Le Sâotico was born out of Anne’s gluten and dairy allergies and their disappointment and frustration with the lack of options available to them when they went out to restaurants. Hugues culinary training also included a designation for nutrition which, from what Anne told me, is similar to a Registered Dietician in the U.S. People with dietary restrictions know full well that it becomes easier to cook and eat at home and once you find a restaurant that is able to cater to your needs and your discerning palate, you dine there exclusively. That is exactly what Le Sâotico is to us when we are in Paris, food allergies or not, I highly recommend the experience to you as well.

Le Sâotico

96 rue Richelieu, 2nd

Tel. 33 (0) 1-42-96-03-20

Metro: Bourse or Richelieu-Drouot

Other reviews you might find of interest:

Zagat

Hungry for Paris

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Eating Hoppin’ John with blackeyed peas is a Southern New Year’s tradition to bring good luck and, with the addition of greens, which represent money, prosperity in the new year.  Some suggest that the origin of this “good luck” tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General Sherman, typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroyed whatever they couldn’t carry away. At that time, Northerners considered “field peas” and field corn suitable only for animal fodder, and didn’t steal or destroy these humble foods.

I enjoy changing it up, but every new year is ushered in with a slightly different version of Hoppin’ John. This year it was a perfectly soft poached egg on a bed of crispy kale and Hoppin’ John popping with vibrant red pepper, sweet corn, and a dash of heat.  Posting a Hoppin’ John recipe as my first recipe of  2012 seemed like an excellent idea; not only are blackeyed peas inexpensive, fitting right in with a recession budget and inflated credit card bills from holiday shopping, but they also fit right in with any good intentions you may have to eat healthier in 2012.  Did you know that  black eyed peas are really beans not peas and beans, whether dried or canned, are packed full of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.  (If you’d like more specific information on the health benefits of beans and legumes visit the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.)

Plus, January is an exciting month for NFL football fans, especially if the team you rally behind has made it to the playoffs.  We happen to have an avid New England Patriot‘s fan living in our midst and the past few years have seen me skillfully substituting lower fat, more nutritious fare masquerading as the best football food you’ve ever had. Hoppin’ John Nachos have become a signature crowd-pleaser during weekend marathons; universally appealing to pizza-loving sports fans and the more health and body conscious.  The Bowl games may be over, but there’s plenty of football to come. If you’d like to slip a bit of good stuff in with the standard football fare without raising any eyebrows, bookmark or print this easy recipe. Munch away with a clear conscious during the NFL playoffs or Super Bowl which, FYI, is on Sunday, February 5th this year.

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While I didn’t get around to posting my Top 10, or 11, or even 5 popular recipes for 2011 – I will join the wave of resolutions, goals, and/or good intentions for eating healthier, exercising more, accentuating the positive, etc. that happens at this time of year. For some, a healthy mindset may last just long enough to detox from the holidays; for me – I remind myself throughout the year, and when it comes to healthy eating – well, that’s what I emphasize year round! I fall off the wagon now and then (french fries are my nemesis) and love my wine and cocktails, but indulgences are balanced out with clean eating, such as the Crispy Kale and Hoppin’ John above which, in true southern tradition, ushered in the new year at our house.

2012 is already shaping up to be a watershed year, punctuated with milestones and travel adventures: Don and I will become grandparents for the first time, we’ll continue our escapades in Paris and, after one cancelled trip, will be traveling to Hong Kong in April, College girl was accepted for a study abroad program and will be living in Japan for 6 months, and who knows what else the future holds! All we have to do is stay healthy to be able to enjoy it all – you don’t realize what you’ve got until it’s gone and that is especially true when it comes to one’s health.

A few months ago, I was contacted by an associate of Long Island Heart Associates in Long Island, NY about writing a guest post for my website.  I’m thrilled that someone clear across the country noticed my emphasis on heart healthy recipes! Just another example of how 2012 is going to be FABULOUS! Today’s post is courtesy of Ashley from Long Island Heart who offers 5 easy to implement Heart Healthy Resolutions:

Each year, the list of most common New Year’s resolutions is topped by losing weight and getting fit. All too often, people pursue these resolutions by banishing all indulgences to the back of the pantry in hopes of removing food from their psyche altogether. If you’ve tried this method before (“If I don’t see the brownie mix hiding in the cabinet, I won’t crave it, right?!”) you’ll know it works. Or, at least it does until about the third week in January. Some lucky people with rock-solid willpower might even make it through the Super Bowl or beyond without touching junk food and other associated evils. Instead of buying into the traditional all-or-nothing hype, why not try something new this year? Rather than serving up an extra serving of guilt with each meal, make a resolution to celebrate food in 2012!

Resolution 1: Try one new food each week
Make a resolution to seek out something new and different for your plate each week. It’s easy to stop appreciating food when you fall into a rut of eating the same bland ingredients every week. Not only does experimenting with a variety of foods expand your skills in the kitchen, but it also promotes better overall health by providing a wider range of nutrients. If you have been shopping at the same grocer or market for years, a change of venue might be enough to inspire you to grab some unfamiliar produce. Whether you venture to the Chinatown markets of New York or one of Orange County’s many farmers’ markets, there are bound to be flavor palates you have not yet experienced. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:

Kohlrabi

Mangosteen

 Rambutan

Resolution 2: Make a family meal schedule and stick to it
Study after study has extolled the benefits of eating dinner as a family on a regular basis. While longing parents might envision a Norman Rockwell gathering or a meal hand-prepared by June Cleaver, being realistic is the key to making family dinners work. Coming together around the table each night has been shown to improve health and school/work performances.

With one or multiple family members involved in extra-curricular activities, starting with 2-3 dinners per week can help get everyone into the routine amid busy schedules. If you don’t already have one, start a family calendar with daily or weekly family dinners clearly marked. Communicate to your family that dinners are a priority, and stick to the posted schedule. Kids not enjoying family time? Encourage youngsters to invite friends over to share in a family meal and suggest upcoming menu items. Even the busiest moms and dads can pull off family dinner by following these rules:

• Keep it simple! Stick to crock pot recipes and things that can be easily assembled
• Get everyone involved in planning, prep and cooking
• Don’t be ashamed to designate a “Take-Out Night” once a month. Just be sure to order extra veggies with your lo mein

Slow-cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Resolution 3: Stop to enjoy the food you are eating
It’s no secret that the “secret” to most French foods is hearty helpings of butter. So why is it that people in the land of croissants and clarified butter are able to remain long and lean unlike their American counterparts? Researchers have attributed the French physique to the nation’s attitudes towards food, weight and pleasure. Instead of leaving the office for 20 minutes to grab whatever lunch options are found at the deli, the French (and Europeans as a whole) enjoy long, leisurely meals. Incorporate all your senses, savor and pause to appreciate food on a plate, as opposed to eating on the run, in your car or at your desk, you may find yourself feeling full before the plate is empty. People who eat more slowly tend to enjoy their food more and choose healthier options. By putting this theory into practice, you can decide to eat any food you crave, regardless of calorie count. But when the urge for a brownie sundae hits, make sure you pause between each bite of fudgy goodness to appreciate the flavors gracing your taste buds. You may be surprised that just a few bites will satisfy your sweet tooth instead of the entire bowl.

Raised Bed Garden

Resolution 4: Grow your own food
For those lucky enough to live in Southern California, a modest backyard vegetable garden can produce enough veggies to liven up dinner plates almost year-round. Home-grown vegetables provide a cheap and sustainable form of nutrition for families and also have the potential to get youngsters more interested in what they are eating.

Having a hard time getting your family to finish their greens? Elementary-aged and even younger kids have shown to be more interested in trying new foods when they’ve had a hand in planting and tending them. While planting and growing a backyard garden can especially engage kids, the benefits of extra vegetables are enjoyed by the whole family. Home-grown green beans, carrots, lettuce and cucumbers are all easy-to-grow plants that pack an added nutrient punch. Eating your daily 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables is key to protecting against heart disease and cancer.

Backyard Garden

Resolution 5: Spoil yourself with fine food
Between work, commuting, school, homework, and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to think of meals as just another agenda item to be checked off the list. Thinking this way prioritizes efficiency over all else at the expense of quality and pleasure. Rather than making a resolution to give up junk and fast food, re-frame your thinking and make a resolution to spoil yourself with culinary delights. Insist on eating a complete, wholesome meal instead of settling for greasy drive-through options, because you know your body deserves the best. If you truly believe in your own self-worth, why would you nourish your body with anything less than what it needs?

This doesn’t mean each meal has to be a gourmet, three-course affair complete with candle light and white linens. What it does mean, however, is that each meal should be deliberate and considered. Instead of reaching (or driving) for whatever is closest in proximity to you, stop to consider what your body really needs at that moment and make a conscious decision to fulfill that  need. Though it may sound difficult, a little practice (and these few tips) can help you stay on track: keep nutritious snacks on hand to ward off hunger until you can sit down for a complete meal and learn to take cues from your body. Do you really want Doritos, or is your brain asking for some lean protein?

Salmon, Citrus, and Sage

This guest post was written by Ashley from Long Island Heart Associates. Photos and recipes for featured dishes by She’s Cookin’.

For questions about maintaining a heart healthy diet, contact a cardiologist in your area today:

Long Island Heart Institute, Long Island, NY

Hoag Heart Institute, in Orange County, CA

American Heart Association

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