Spicy Lentil Soup

To say I thought this recipe was delicious, would be the understatement the decade. Well, at least of the week. A good friend who lives around the corner got a recent rainy day visit from me and my little ladies (we were on an earthworm hunt- those little buggers come squiggling out in the rain). It was 10 in the morning when we knocked on her door to find a delicious smell waft out into the drizzle. She quickly ladled this gorgeous orange soup into a jar, complete with "on the side" containers of cherries and cilantro, and sent us on our way. 

Around lunch I gave it a try. First taste: spicy, smooth (she did a full puree) and delicious. I tossed in some cherries and cilantro and the flavors exploded. The tart of the cherries with the cooling cilantro and spicy soup was off the charts. I almost called and asked for more, but instead I opted for the recipe:

*Side note, I tried a brown lentil substitution because they didn't have red ones at our local market. My soup was liquid-y where hers was a fairly firm puree- as in, the cherries didn't sink- not to mention mine was brown. I missed the delicious texture and color of my rainy day delicacy. Granted, my pal has mad skills in the kitchen, but I'm not exactly a tool puttering around stove (a step above that). We chatted post soups and think the lentil sub was the culprit. You can also adjust spiciness based on the curry powder you choose.

Festive 4th of July Sangria

We love this fresh, patriotic summer cocktail for 4th of July gatherings. Try it out -
Ingredients:
Sliced strawberries
Blueberries
Pineapple cut into star shapes
2 bottles dry white wine
1 cup Triple Sec
1/2 cup berry-flavored vodka
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
Combine in pitcher, chill for 4 hours. Stir and enjoy!

Cucumber Cocktails

We came across a great cocktail recipe that's perfect for chilling out and sipping poolside. It's so tasty, the phrase "cool as a cucumber" just might have been invented because of it - Enjoy!

1 cup cucumber vodka
1 cup tonic water
1/2 cup cucumber juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup simple syrup
handful fresh mint leaves

Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, pour over ice and viola!

Memorial Day Treat

Happy Memorial Day! 

We have the cutest and easiest recipe for a festive treat: Red, White and Blue Strawberries! They are the perfect patriotic party munchie for this weekend's family gatherings. Here's all you need:

1 12oz bag of white chocolate chips
1 tbsp of shortening
18 strawberries (with tops left on)
1 bottle blue decorative sprinkles

Melt the white chocolate and shortening in medium pan. Dip strawberries 3/4 deep in chocolate. Immediately dip the tips in blue sprinkles. Place on wax paper to cool. Enjoy!

Coconut Kale Smoothie Recipe

Ever wonder how to make something delicious using kale? Despite throwing it in the occasional salad, its a tough veggie to figure out. However it is one of those important leafy greens, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, and therefore worthy of the challenge. We found a healthy idea from Naturewell, a popular organic food shop in Silverlake. This recipe clearly demonstrates some serious culinary creativity, but here goes:

Combine in a blender:
1 large frozen banana
2 to 3 kale leaves
1 cup of coconut water or coconut milk
6 ice cubes
2 pinches of cinnamon
Blend well and sweeten with a drop of agave if needed.

Spring Cocktail

One delicious cocktail to enjoy while the kids hunt for eggs:

Chocolate Caramel Easter Egg

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Baileys Caramel
• 1 1/2 oz crème de cacao
• 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
• Mini creme egg

Preparation
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well then strain into a chilled martini glass. Drop a chocolate mini creme egg into the drink.

DIY Easter Treat

Here's a quick recipe for a homemade Easter treat that is so cute and really easy...like 15 minutes easy.
What you'll need:
5 oz chow mein noodles
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp oil
jelly beans or jordan almonds

Mix chocolate chips and oil, melt and allow to cool slightly. Mix in chow mein.  Drop spoonfulls on a non-stick cookie sheet and shape with slight indentations to make nests. Refrigerate to harden, then garnish with a few jelly beans or jordan almonds (whichever you prefer). Enjoy!

Cheers

It's the time of year that days get a tad longer, the sun shines a little warmer and we all get the itch of spring fever. What better way to relax and enjoy the gorgeous weather than to get some friends together and have a cocktail? We found the perfect fruity and refreshing drink recipe that works great for brunch or a patio happy hour. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 part kiwi flavored vodka

5 parts mango juice or nectar

8 mint leaves

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with ice

Add mint leaves and vodka

Top with mango juice

Stir well

Care For Some Fancy Breakfast?

What to do while we wait for the new year? How about experiment a little in the kitchen with this fancy breakfast? 

Stuffed Portobellos

2 portobello mushrooms, stems cut

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Fresh dill, rosemary and basil

Salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle olive oil on portobellos and season

Place them on a greased baking sheet

Sprinkle herbs on top

Crack open eggs and carefully put one inside each mushroom

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 300 degrees

Enjoy! 

Care for some Mulled Wine?

Ingredients:


1 bottle dry red wine

2 lemons, sliced into wheels


1 orange, sliced into half-wheels


1-2 cinnamon sticks


2 star anise pods


1.5 cups sugar


1.5 cups water


2 teaspoons vanilla extract


1 teaspoon ground allspice


1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


1/2 teaspoon ground ginger


1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground pepper


3 ounces orange liqueuer (optional, I used Grand Marnier)



Directions:
1. Prepare the spiced syrup (can be done the night before) by bringing the water to a simmer, then add the sugar, vanilla extract & the ground allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper - stir until sugar is dissolved.


2. Turn on a six-quart slow cooker to the HIGH setting, and combine the spiced syrup with the bottle of red wine, citrus slices, cinnamon sticks & star anise pods. Give it a quick stir, then cover it and let it sit for about an hour (or when it starts to simmer.)


3. Bring the slow cooker down to a LOW or WARM setting, add the orange liqueur and the mulled wine is ready to serve! (Also, the wine-soaked fruit is absolutely tasty to nibble on!)

And for all those designated drivers and others who'd rather not get spirited away -- I'd imagine this formula to be delightful for a spiced cider too. Just use 25 ounces apple juice or cider in lieu of the red wine -- and of course, no liqueur. Cheers!

Let’s Get Warm: Home Made Apple Cider

Ingredients

            10 apples, quartered

            3/4 cup white sugar

            1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

            1 tablespoon ground allspice

Directions

Place apples in a large stockpot and add enough water cover by at least 2 inches.

Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours.

Strain apple mixture though a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids.

Drain cider again though a cheesecloth lined sieve. Refrigerate until cold.