Joy | Life Tastes Like Food

Brown Sugar Kitchen’s Chicken and Waffles

Friendship, Life, Lunch, Restuarants 3 Responses »

Mar 122012

Brown Sugar Kitchen's Chicken and Waffles

Please excuse the low-quality iPhone 3 camera pictures but this place was just so good I HAD to share it with you all! (Plus, I just got an new phone so no more low-quality phone pictures after this! Can a get a woot woot?!) Tucked away in an industrial part of West Oakland, there lies a diamond in the ruff. Brown Sugar Kitchen is an amazing place for soul food! I went last weekend with my cousin, and we had such a great time. We arrived around 1:30 for a late lunch and was told that there was about a 45 minute wait. It was a really sunny and beatiful day so we didn’t mind hanging out outside for a bit. Plus, the restaurant closes at 3pm on Sundays so we knew we couldn’t come back later in the day. The. wait. was. totally. WORTH. IT. We were seated at [Continue Reading...]

Cheddar Vegetable Chowder

Cooking, Dinner, Food, Health, Life, Recipe 15 Responses »

Feb 162012

Good morninggg, friends! Hope everyone’s day is off to a good start. I don’t know about you guys, but it’s been really chilly in San Francisco lately. Nice and sunny but really cold! There were a couple days when it has rained, but other than that I’d say this winter has been pretty weird. Nonetheless, I have been craving soup like it’s about to go out of style. Any kind, really. Tomato, cream of broccoli, beef stew, chicken noodle, and the list goes on. I started looking up soups on Pinterest. [Side bar--GAH, Pinterest. I'm addicted. Are you guys on it? If so, follow me or leave your link in the comments and I will follow you!] Anyway, so I decided to make this veggie chowder, and it is SO GOOD! And healthy! Unlike other creamy soups, there’s no cream, half and half, or sour cream at all in this [Continue Reading...]

Lemon, Kalamata Olive, and Parsley Quinoa Patties

Breakfast, Cooking, Dinner, Food, Health, Life, Lunch, Recipe, Side Dishes 6 Responses »

Feb 062012

Lemon, Kalamata Olive, and Parsley Quinoa Patties

It’s Monday! How’d everyone’s Super Bowl weekend go? Were you guys happy or depressed that the Giants won? Here’s an even better question–what’d you guys think of Madonna?! Incredible, right? Um, can she teach me how to dance and sing like that at age 53??? WOW. She rocks. So usually, I despise Mondays, but this Monday is a little different for me. Whether you hate Mondays or love them (who really loves Mondays anyway…anyone?!) these little quinoa patties will be a great start to the week! I found the recipe on Joy the Baker’s blog (she’s the BEST!) and modified it slightly. This recipe’s a keeper, folks! Packed full of nutrients and protein, these taste amazing with a poached egg or scrambled eggs (especially if you cut up the patties and put them in a breakfast burrito!). They have a slight kick from the olives and bright bursts of fresh lemon [Continue Reading...]

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

Breakfast, Cooking, Food, Health, Life, Recipe 16 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 27 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...]