What I Ate This Week

No, no, fear not, this is not like in the tabloids where celebrities share that they ate a (brown) rice cake and half a grapefruit.  I am sharing what we ate for dinner because this week we went gluten free.  

Why gluten free?  That is a good question... In part because there are some murmurs that a gluten free diet can be beneficial to your health and also because by changing up the diet for one week forced me to be more conscientious about what I was eating, and how.

Here is what I ate and also some tips to survive...

Monday: Roasted Carrots + Potatoes and Lean Beef (from Mark's mom)  It is always great to be able to start the week with some pre-prepared meals and roasted carrots and potatoes are a low-prep item that allows you to take care of other things while they bake.

Tuesday: Ham + Eggs Omelet and Asparagus.  An omelet with a slice of ham folded inside adds a lot of flavor and extra protein when I was making a dinner for one.  Quickly blanched asparagus is a healthy and fast way to get some greens.

Wednesday: Quinoa + Collard Greens with Balsamic Grilled Chicken.  This is a favorite new way to prepare chicken: skinless breasts, pounded thin and then covered first with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and then 1/2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  Cooked for 5-6 minutes on each side in a large pan. 

Thursday: Curried Coconut Carrot Soup with Mary's Gone Crackers Herb Crackers + Quinoa with Artichoke and Spinach.  Quinoa is the fastest way to get that starchy, filling feeling on a gluten free diet and that is why late on a Thursday night I made this again, instead of risotto as originally planned.  This soup was a huge, HUGE hit.  Recipe is below.

Adapated from Chow.com

Ingredients: 1 onion, 1 cup of chopped celery (about 4-5 stalks), 1 box of chicken or vegetable stock (4 cups), 1 can of light coconut milk, 1 cup water, 10 large carrots (peeled and chopped), 2 tsps of curry powder, 1/4 tsp tumeric, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 cumin, 1/2 tsp cinnamon.  

Drizzle a bit of olive oil.  Saute onions, celery until softened.  

Add the chicken stock and coconut milk and water.  

Add the carrots, boil covered until carrots are softened.

Blend.  Serve.  So simple - beyond, beyond, beyond good!

Image from Chow.com

Friday: Baked Salmon + Polenta + Grilled Eggplant  - Success is pending, but this is an old faithful recipe, so I am pretty confident.

What I learned: not being able to grab a piece a bread while I cook, or a handful of cereal, (or cookies!) made me slow down to think about what I was eating, how I was cooking and what I really wanted.  I worried it would be difficult, but it was fun and a worthwhile mental exercise and cooking challenge.

Ultimately there was nothing that I made that was outside of my repertoire but there was also no hitting the easy button with a box of pasta, or pizza.  Did I miss cookies?  Yes, sometimes, but I also loved the fresh oranges, apple slices, grapes and dates that very healthily filled that void.

This was a great challenge and I would be open to trying more food challenges in the future.

Are there any foods that you could not give up?

Pre-Game Snacks

I really do love football, but this weekend's "big game" is not really luring me in.  I am not into the teams, and I'm not into the location being a snowy Dallas...

In any case, I am into making food for the "big game".  Did you know that only NFL and the network broadcasting the game are allowed to use the term Super Bowl in a marketing context... little known fact!

If I was having a party for the Big Game I would serve up some of these healthy favorites!

Candied Pecans!

Stuffed Mushrooms!

Sweet Potato Chips and Spicy Arugula Pesto

For more inspiration and to honor the teams playing, The Greenbay Packers and The Pittsburgh Steelers, how about these recipes:

• Creamy Cheddar Soup in honor of the Cheeseheads
• Kielbasa "Hogs in a Sleeping Bag" for Pittsburgh
• Or, get some hot dog inspiration - who knew there were 31 Ways to top a Dog!?
• And score a touchdown with an out of the world, over the top dessert: S'more Brownies!

It's Not About Politics, It's About Food

Map Highlighting the Access of Food in DC

I live in DC.  I love it here.  In the 7 years that I have lived in the DC Metro Area I have lived in Northwest DC, near American University and Arlington, and now more recently a neighborhood in Ward 5. 

In my old neighborhood I lived 3 blocks from Harris Teeter, a few hundred feet from 3 convenience stores and 1.5 miles from a Whole Foods.  The part of Arlington I lived in has a "walkability" score of 97/100, and where I currently live has a walkability score of 77/100.  77 is still good, but not as good, and the access to food is considerably different.  There are several micro markets, two small groceries, Timor Market and Windows Market and a Harris Teeter and Whole Foods about 1.5 miles away that are reachable by crossing major roads along the way.  

However, the highlight of this neighborhood is the Farmer's Market.  I walk with friends to the market on the corner of Rhode Island and 1st Street.  We meet our neighbors there, and are delighted with the overwhelming number of puppies and babies that we normally don't see on the busy Monday - Friday schedules.  But more than the puppies and babies, I get to see fresh baked bread, a diverse variety of cheese that would make the most selective wine bar jealous, and fruits and vegetables that literally make your eyes grow wide.  The Bloomingdale Farmer's Market, every Sunday  is the only consistent source of fresh and plentiful produce in the "neighborhood".  

It cannot be underestimated the value that fresh fruit and vegetables provide to people of all ages.  In my experience the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market, helmed by Robin Shuster, makes the extra effort to highlight sales, and provide recipes and ideas for using all of the different options that show up week to week.  

I have shopped at other Farmer's Markets before, and of course some people are turned off because they are deemed too expensive.  The vendors that appear every Sunday in Bloomingdale are the same as at the Dupont Market, but luckily the prices are not.  The vegetables that I buy from some vendors total out to be considerably less expensive than the same items I would buy at Trader Joe's or any other supermarket. 

So, what's the big deal?  Why all the talk about the Farmer's Market?  Tonight there is a meeting to discuss continuing the Bloomingdale's Farmers' Market.  There is concern about the lack of parking and too much noise.  My concern is about lack of the most succulent and juicy peaches in July, ripened tomatoes in Augusts and apples in September.

If you want to support the Farmer's Market please join the community Dec 20th at 7pm to discuss the future of the Bloomingdale Farmers` Market as well as parking issues related to local churches and the Big Bear Cafe.

The meeting will be at 7pm at the Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion Church at 1st and North Capitol, NW, and the meeting is open for all to attend. 

Speech, now done.

Halfway Around the World, and Back

Last week there were no new posts.  Why?  Because, Mark and I went to India.  

A few months ago, before we found a house, before we moved, before the start of this blog, Mark got an email about an 8-day trip to India for a once-in-a-lifetime price (www.gate1travel.com).  In true Mark fashion he told me about it and then the next day when I was getting a pedicure with my mom I got a text message that said, "We're going to India - and there will be an elephant ride!"

So, we went to India, and yes, there was an elephant ride!

India is unlike anywhere I have ever been, and the experience is very powerful, delightful, and intense.  The sounds, foods, smells, sights overwhelm all of your senses, and I am still digesting everything we experienced. 

But, for now, to borrow from our new Indian friends, I'll leave you with "Namaste".

Jaipur

Jaipur, Elephant Ride

Jaipur, Pink City

Jaipur, Maharajah Temple

Hindu Women on Way to Festival for the god Ganesh

Jaipur, Spice Market

Agra, Taj Mahal

Pizza Party

The weekend is usually a great time for a pizza party, this week in our house a Tuesday was also a great time for such an event.  Our friends were coming over and we wanted to have a dinner that was fun to put together, easy to prepare in advance and a favorite for everyone.  Pizza was the winner.

I have made pizza with my mother-in-law, but mainly the sauce and into the oven stage, never the dough stage.  She is currently in Italy, had she been in town I would have used her recipe, but I made to with what was called the "Best Pizza Dough Ever" Recipe by Peter Reinhardt.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, chilled
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups water, ice cold
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting 

The ingredients are simple, and what is easy more simple is how to do it.

Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, salt, yeast) in one bowl and then add the olive oil and water, and get to mixing with a large chilled metal spoon.

I could have used my stand mixer for this recipe, and so can you, but I figured for the first time I wanted to know what it felt like.  After about 5-7 minutes of turning the bowl and working the dough it should be "tacky" not "sticky" and able to peeled from the sides of the bowl, but not so much the bottom.  If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water, if it's too sticky add a little more flour - but this is something you can just judge by your eye.

Pour some flour out onto the counter top and just gently work the dough is a soft, smooth ball, and then divide into six just about even chunks.

Mist the dough balls with olive oil, or like me put oil on your hands and then drizzle onto the dough.  The original recipe calls for putting the dough on parchment paper, which I don't have, misting the parchment paper, and then wrapping it with a food safe bag. I put some semolina flour on the pan and covered it with a tea towel - I think our results were the same.

Two days later...

Time to get cooking on a Tuesday night!  The dough has grown and now the question is how to top it.

I have a pizza stone in the oven preheating to 450 degrees for 45 minutes.

Our toppings included:

Grilled peppers

Grilled chicken sausage

Sauteed mushrooms

Oven dried tomatoes

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Truffle Salt

Fresh Basil

Parmigiano Reggiano

Mozzarella

I rolled out the dough to about 1/4 of an inch in an uneven pattern - no need to strive for perfection here.

And then I kept the toppings simple, the thin dough doesn't really want to be weighted down with a lot of heavy toppings.  And then, we ate - and it was delicious!

Enjoying the Bounty

For the past few days my home Internet has been down - which means I haven't been able to share pictures I have taken, or any new recipes.  I'm overflowing with sweets and savories!

As an appe-teaser, enjoy some of the bounty from our trip to the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market.

Parsley, Sage and Basil from our Friend's Backyard Garden

25 Pounds of Sauce Tomatoes - lots of chopping for lots of delicious homemade sauces.

Beets and Radishes that were used for Sunday's Lunch

Shots of Espresso to end the day

The table is set for a Sunday feast - recipes to follow!

DC's real Top Chefs

I have lived in DC since 2003 and I am happy to say my culinary experiences have grow over the years.  

In college my best girlfriends and I were our happiest just eating at any restaurant.  This isn't to say we didn't fully enjoy the dining hall at American University - hard to beat  Macaroni and Cheese Wednesdays or the Herhsey's Moose Tracks Ice Cream, but going off campus was truly decadent.  Many birthdays and Valentine's day were celebrated over shared spinach dips/salads/cheesecakes at the Cheesecake Factory, "homestyle" Italian food at Mama Lucia's and margaritas/chips and salsa at Guapo's.

Post college new restaurants have risen to the top of my list: Cava, Ardeo Bardeo, Belga Cafe, Zaytinya, Bangkok 54 (technically Virginia - but amazing!)

I'll share with you reviews and favorites at each, but first up: 

Cava - with locations in Capitol Hill and Rockville, and a new restaurant soon to be opening in Clardenon, VA.  We went to the Capitol Hill location, and were blown away.  Cava says they serve unique Greek-inspired dishes, skillfully crafted by talented Chef Dimitri Moshovitis. All dishes are served mezze style—in small plates, but with portions large enough to share.    

We first discovered Cava at our Whole Foods - the harissa, was hot enough to make Mark who grew up in the Middle East go back for seconds, thirds, fourths... and hot enough to make me tear up...

 Harissa that knocks your socks off - promise!

 Feta and Honey will make you wonder why you haven't always been eating this combination

A classic spanakopita

 

Fresh and tender grilled octopus

 

All images by Stacy Zarin via Cava's Facebook Page

What they should say is that each dish is prepared with an attention to detail and flavoring and that the atmosphere is engaging.  If you go, try to order as much as possible, and share - you won't want to miss a thing, especially not these: the Roasted Beet Salad, Lamb Chops - see deliciousness below, Lollipop Chicken (seriously, I could eat the whole plate by myself, that good!) and save room for the honey sweet loukoumades.

More DC Top Chefs coming soon!

A belated 4th...

We moved on the weekend of July 4th.

No matter what anyone tells you, moving is exhausting.

The three day weekend proved to be a the perfect time to pack, haul and move across town.

So that Monday off was critical! And on Sunday we were able to finally sit back and enjoy our independence from moving trucks, packing tape, and boxes and celebrate our nation's independence too!
Our very good friends, and now new neighbors, invited us over for 4th of July BBQ. In full disclosure it is probably the first time I have ever gone to someone's house for a meal/party/celebration without bringing something, but with the exception of ice cubes, and some beerwe were saving for later, I had nothing to share. Not to worry - we were well fed and imbibed. Yum! Real coconut pina coladas. I'm not a fan of coconut, like at all, and these were pretty damn good!


BBQ'd sliders with a toppings bar? Uhm, hello Summer! I am officially in food heaven. These were delicious and we all enjoyed eating them, a lot!


That's me in the background - can you tell how happy I am over the bacon/swiss/sliders? Glee!


After dinner we managed to climb up, feeling very full, to our roof for the most spectacular fireworks show I can remember ever seeing. The neighborhood effort definitely rivaled the National show. It was like a welcome party just for us!

Our friends taking in the view!



We can't wait to celebrate more!