Side Dishes | Life Tastes Like Food

Energy Bites and Balance

Food, Health, Life, Recipe, Self-Exploration, Snacks 13 Responses »

Feb 022012

Energy bites. Because we deserve to keep our bodies healthy. Because we deserve to divulge in something sweet. Because they’re delicious. Because they’re cute and small and look like they should be a truffle or something. Because they’re kind of awesome. Because we’re rock stars. I’m not very good at exercising. Period. When it comes to will power, I can think of anything under the sun as an excuse not to work out. Like shopping. I like to justify shopping as a workout–I mean, I power walk for like 3 hours straight hitting sales and as many stores as possible. Sometimes I’ll even lift my shopping bags like they’re weights while I walk to the next store. Plus, when I get a pair of shoes or an awesome new sweater as my post-work out reward, what’s not to love?! Seeee how I have too many excuses? It’s sad. But every [Continue Reading...]

Spicy Chipotle Pesto

Cooking, Food, Life, Recipe, Side Dishes, Snacks 8 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...]

Marinated Cheese and Olives

Food, Guest post, Holiday, Life, Recipe, Side Dishes, Uncategorized 4 Responses »

Dec 132011

Today’s Blogger Guest Post for The Holiday Project: Carrie from Our Life In Food [I've been reading Our Life In Food for a while now, and I just love Carrie's great recipes! This dish would make a great antipasto for any event! Thanks, Carrie!] ********************************************************************** Many of the best memories over the course of my life involve sharing good food and drinks with the people that I love. And when it comes to the holidays, there’s just nothing quite as heartwarming as un-bundling from the cold and settling in with family over a great cheese tray and a nice bottle of red wine. We talk, we laugh, we tell jokes, and we make great memories together over appetizers and snacks. And so for me, holiday appetizer recipes might just be my favorite of all of the special foods that we make over the holiday season. They’re the little treats that [Continue Reading...]

Bacon-Wrapped Abalone Poppers

Cooking, Dinner, Food, Friendship, Guest post, Life, Recipe, Side Dishes 10 Responses »

Nov 152011

Today’s Reader Guest Post: Tammer from Oakland, California [Tammer is a close friend who is an amazing cook. On top of this recipe, he makes a ridiculously delicious abalone ceviche that is to die for! I am constantly in awe of the creative things he comes up with in the kitchen. Enjoy!] ************************************************************** Eaten abalone is not soon forgotten. It’s truth, and as an ab diver I never get tired of hearing people fondly recall an abalone feast from long ago. I’ve been diving for Red Abalone for a half-decade now and have had the pleasure of introducing many friends to this animal that was hunted for thousands of years by Native Americans along California’s coast. Today, the highly regulated take of abalone, along with the difficulty of free-diving to find these elusive sea snails, ensures that each meal is special for both the first timer and the avid diver [Continue Reading...]

Garlic Edamame

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

Nov 132011

I go through phases when I eat. Sometimes, they’re healthy. Most times, they’re the most disgusting addiction and unhealthy thing out there. Like SpaghettiOs. Man, do I love SpaghettiOs. My friend and I ate strictly SpaghettiOs for an entire week once. No joke. Disgusting, right? But oh. so. good. For some reason, when I crave a certain thing I can’t stop! And this leads me to my microwave popcorn phase. It was short lived because soon after it began, I decided that it was not ok. So, I bought bags of edamame instead and haven’t looked back since! Ok, I eat the occasional bag of microwave popcorn still…but who doesn’t?! This edamame is a craving in itself. It has some cooked garlic in every bite as well as some red pepper flakes for an added kick. The best part about it is that it’s healthy for you! It’s a great [Continue Reading...]