Being in China for the two weeks before Chinese New Year is exhilarating, but so is being in Orange County for Lunar New Year celebrations. This week South Coast Plaza celebrates Chinese New Year with a grand reception on Wednesday, February 3rd for the Year of the Monkey which extends from February 8, 2016 to […]
Main Dish
Red Beans and Rice: A New Orleans Staple
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Red Beans and Rice For Fat Tuesday, February 9th this year, I’m sharing a lot of “let the good times roll” and a “healthified” vegetarian version of New Orleans’ grand dame Leah “Dooky” Chase’s Red Beans and Rice recipe. Hopefully, Dooky won’t mind that I had to forego the smoked meats that […]
A Green Chile Stew for the Denver Broncos
Straight from Denver’s TOCABE, an American Indian eatery, comes this authentic recipe for Green Chile Stew to spice up your Super Bowl party and cold winter nights. As a New England fan, we were crushed by the lackluster play action displayed by the Patriots yesterday as they battled the Broncos for the AFC championship. But, […]
Chefs Toys and a Vegetarian Asian Chopped Salad
Eating and cooking at home is essential for any fitness and weight loss plan. If you have ever looked at the nutritional information (required for restaurants with 20 or more locations) you know what I’m talking about. If the calories don’t blow your mind…or your waist line, the sodium content will. The perception that ordering […]
Foodie’s Guide to Fitness and Weight Loss – Meal Planning
Meal planning and prep is an integral part of a successful weight loss program. If your fridge and pantry are not stocked with healthy, nutritious, pre-prepped fruits, vegetables and proteins, you’re much more likely to give in to take-out or fast casual dining, and regretting it later. Being a food enthusiast, food lover or “foodie” […]
The Foodie’s Guide to Fitness and Weight Loss
1. Start Now. Of course it’s the new year and many people are motivated to make changes to improve their health. But if you’re reading this any other time of year – start now – even if you have 60 lbs. to lose, it can be done. For the first time in a very long […]
“Eat Your Bourbon” Pumpkin Risotto
Yes, you can have your bourbon and eat it too! Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville, Kentucky is making small-batch gourmet food products aged in American White Oak bourbon barrels, more specifically, Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels. Bourbon Barrel Foods’ Microbrewed Aged Soy Sauce Matt Jamie, founder and owner of Bourbon Barrel Foods, and his team have […]
Salmon Chilly Chili by Chef Rick Moonen and What You Missed at #NBWFF
See “Top Chef Masters” chef demonstrations by chefs Rick Bayless, Hubert Keller, and Rick Moonen; talk with executive chefs from Orange County’s best restaurants and savor tastes of their cuisine; meet Shirley Chung, Brian Huskey, Brooke Williamson, and Louis Maldonado, finalists from Bravo’s “Top Chef“; participate in a Home Chef “Top Chef” challenge; sip and learn […]
10 Easy Sweet Potato Ideas + Recipes
Fall is in the air and visions of mouthwatering dishes of apples, sweet potatoes and pumpkins are dancing in my head. Even if it’s only wishful thinking on my part (I’m over this hot, humid weather we’ve had in SoCal), my mind quickly filled with orange yearnings when I came across a playing card-sized calendar […]
Fig and Smoked Mozzarella Bison Burger for #BurgerMonth
Mmmm burgers! And summer is all about grilling and burgers, but woe is me, it’s difficult to create a low sodium burger, not to mention a lower fat burger for a heart healthy diet. It’s not the meat, but the bun and the cheese and the bacon that adds a ton of sodium to America’s […]