2012 January | Life Tastes Like Food

Sushi, a 6-Hour Road Trip, and My Best Friend’s Birthday!

Cooking, Dinner, Food, Friendship, Life, Recipe, Relationships, Side Dishes, Travel 8 Responses »

Jan 292012

Sushi, a 6-Hour Road Trip, and My Best Friend's Birthday!

In first grade, she hated me and I didn’t even realize it. I’d walk by, smile, wave at her, and she’d never really wave back! I didn’t think much of it–you know how first graders are. But then, something happened in 5th grade and a best friendship was started. Perhaps it was when she invited me over to her house after school and we discovered our obsession love for folding printer paper in half, drawing our own grids, and playing endless games of Battleship all afternoon together (why we never actually bought the real game is beyond me). Or maybe it was our ability to order two Little Caesar’s $5 pizzas (one for each of us) on a Saturday afternoon and finish it all in the same day while watching movies and ya know, just hanging out. Oh, and there was also our shared interest in making up choreographed dances to 90s pop music. [Continue Reading...]

How to poach an egg and make a deliciously easy breakfast!

Breakfast, Cooking, Food, Health, Life, Recipe 11 Responses »

Jan 232012

How to poach an egg and make a deliciously easy breakfast!

It’s Monday–not always the most favorite day of the week. But here’s a REALLY quick and easy sandwich that will start your Mondays off right. I’m always in a rush before work but when I make this and take 5 minutes to inhale it, I am so satisfied and it really makes me a happier person. Trust me, my office appreciates when I come in a happier person. It’s incredibly simple too! Just an english muffin, some avocado, smoked salmon… like so… and a poached egg! “Poached egg?!” you say? Ahh, piece. of. cake. I will teach you. OK, confession: The first time I ever tried poaching an egg was two weeks ago! Gah! I’ve always want to try because 1) eggs benedict is one of my favoriteeee brunch dishes, 2) I love the runny yolk that a poached egg gives, and 3) it’s just pretty looking. But I’ve always been terrified of [Continue Reading...]

Angel Food Cupcakes with Whipped Cream

Baking, Dessert, Food, Life, Recipe 21 Responses »

Jan 212012

Cupcakes and whipped cream and sprinkles, OH MY! Monday is my Mom’s birthday!! She’s turning…errrr….29! (Right, Mom???) Anyway, I made her these cupcakes to celebrate. Funny story: even though she gave birth to me when she was in her late 20s, whenever we go to the store or out somewhere, people always think we’re sisters! Either she looks really young, or I look really…old? No, it can’t be the latter. It’s true, though, my mom does look really young for her age. Go, Mom! Now, these cupcakes are so much fun! Mom doesn’t like desserts that are too sweet (hence the whipped cream instead of buttercream frosting). The angel food cupcakes have just the right amount of sweetness that make it a light and tasty dessert without making you feel like you’ve developed 10 cavities from eating something too sugary. The trick that makes these little treats so fluffy, light, [Continue Reading...]

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Goat Cheese Pizza

Baking, Cooking, Dinner, Food, Health, Life, Lunch, Recipe 2 Responses »

Jan 172012

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Goat Cheese Pizza

Hi, friendsss! Where did the last 7 days go?! It’s been a busy one but I’ve drinken 1 cup of coffee and 4 cups of tea today (yerba mate, the good stuff) and am feeling back on track! Here is a simple and tasty pizza dish that you can whip up mid-week or on a weekend afternoon! Remember my pizza phase? Well, that miiiight be happening again. It’s a blessing and a curse. But I’m just going to embrace it (while using whole wheat crusts to make me feel healthier, of course). This pizza actually IS healthy! With the whole wheat crust, onions, and mushrooms…you’re good to go! Plus, there’s no sauce, so that makes it a little healthier too! Add a salad on the side and you’ll have yourself a very pleasant dinner or lunch, I promise! Caramelizing onions can take a while, but I assure you, they’re well worth the [Continue Reading...]

Spicy Chipotle Pesto

Cooking, Food, Life, Recipe, Side Dishes, Snacks 6 Responses »

Jan 092012

It’s the start of a new year. Let’s be bold. Let’s be adventous. Let’s show some spontaneity. Let’s be fierce. Let’s kick it up a notch. Because we just can. I’m game, are you? We can start by making some of this chipotle pesto–which I can’t stop eating, by the way. If you like a nice and spicy spread, this pesto is for you. Spread it on a baguette, top it off with some cheese, and toast it in the oven. Or mix it in with your pasta. OR spread it on your sandwich/panini…whatever you want really, the sky’s the limit with this delicious sauce. Also, it literally takes about 15 minutes to make. It’s so easy, garlicky, spicy, and delicious! Let’s do it! Chipotle Pesto (adapted from Food.com) 4-5 chipotle chilies (I used the ones in adobe sauce, cut them open and rinsed off the sauce and seeds) 1/3 cup cooking [Continue Reading...]

Bacon, Spinach, and Eggs Breakfast Pizza with a Polenta Crust

Baking, Breakfast, Food, Friendship, Life, Lunch, Recipe 8 Responses »

Jan 062012

Bacon, Spinach, and Eggs Breakfast Pizza with a Polenta Crust

One of my favorite meals of all time is brunch. For some reason, brunch just calls to me. Perhaps it’s because you’re free to eat breakfast well into the early afternoon, multiple variations of eggs benedict are abundant on the menu, or the fact that bloody marys and/or mimosas are encouraged during this meal. Oh yeah, let’s not forget that it’s also shared with family and friends and best to go when it’s sunny and warm outside so you can wear awesome sunglasses while you indulge in a huge stack of pancakes and a large side of potatoes and bacon. On occasion, I even deem it necessary to order a large strawberry milkshake with my meal too…which is totally appropriate at brunch. You can’t do that for breakfast. And you can’t eat scrambled eggs for dinner. Now do you see why I am head over heels for brunch?! It’s the [Continue Reading...]

The 2011 Holiday Project Round Up

Baking, Cooking, Dessert, Dinner, Food, Friendship, Guest post, Holiday, Life, Recipe 5 Responses »

Jan 032012

I had high hopes for this series, but what came out of it was even more amazing than what I had anticipated! The pictures, the stories, the creativity in the dishes…amazing. Simply amazing. I can’t thank everyone enough for participating in The Holiday Project. It made my holiday spirit burst at the seams! You guys rock. And to everyone that took time to read the guest posts, thank you for all of your sweet comments! Here’s a final round up of all the readers and bloggers who participated. Can’t wait to do this again next year! Bacon-Wrapped Abalone Poppers (By reader: Tammer from Oakland, California) Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake with Caramel Whipped Cream (By blogger: Rachel from Bakerita) Butternut Squash Soup (By reader: Lily from Brooklyn, New York) Whole Wheat Pomegranate Scones (By blogger: Laura from Family Spice) Piroghy Pie (By reader: Kristin from Elk Gove, California) Grain-Free Gingerbread Men (By blogger: Jenna from The Paleo Project) Beer Brewing, IPA Chicken [Continue Reading...]

Happy New Year!

Food, Friendship, Holiday, Life, Self-Exploration 3 Responses »

Jan 012012

New Year’s Day Last Year, January 2011 Tucked inside a cabin surrounded by snow, I snuck off into a room and secretly launched my very first blog post on this very day last year. It was exhilerating and scary all at the same time. And today, I’m in Tahoe again (this time with a lot less snow), and I can’t help but think of everything that has happened in 2011! Over the past couple of weeks, I have gone back to my very first post and re-read it multiple times. I really wanted to see where I started from and where I’ve gotten. I’ve discovered that this blog has changed from my original idea, and it’s amazing to see how things can shift and grow within a year. Life has gotten busier, I’ve moved cities, and my post styles have moved in a different direction. Every now and then they revert back [Continue Reading...]