Caprese Chicken

Have you ever had one of those nights where you just are not sure what to make for dinner?  You don't feel like dining out or making an impromptu trip to the store.  You know you have things in the fridge that you used within the past week, are still good, but only have a few good days left.  You also have a wonderful side dish you pinned or saw somewhere that you are dying to try.  This was Monday for me!

I have been wanting to make balsamic roasted potatoes for a few weeks since seeing them on Pinterest.  I also knew there were a few chicken breasts in the freezer, some white wine, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella that needed to be used very soon.  Unfortunately, our basil plant did not like the cold last week and has seen better days.  I decided to lightly saute the chicken the let it cook in the white wine.  I diced up the tomatoes and tossed them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, an Italian herb blend, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.  This was served on top of the chicken with a slice of mozzarella.  Originally, if the basil looked better, I was going to do a caprese salad.  However, I had to improvise and this was the end result!

Here's how I made this:

1. Season chicken with sea salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herb blend
2. Saute in olive oil until both sides appear cooked.  Keep chicken in the pan.
3. Add the white wine and one clove of minced garlic.  I used about 1/4th of a bottle because that is what was leftover in the fridge.  Bring sauce almost to a boil and then let simmer until it is time to eat!
4. For the tomato salad on top: Dice tomatoes (I approximately 1 roma).  Toss with a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar to taste, sea salt, pepper, and herbs.  In the future, I plan to use fresh basil, but the dried Italian herbs I used on the chicken worked in a pinch.
5. Enjoy!!

Power Smoothie

I have always been a smoothie lover, particularly berry smoothies.  Lately, I have been pinning more smoothies and trying to incorporate one each day either for breakfast or post Insanity.  Yesterday, I finally came up with the perfect peanut butter banana protein smoothie.  In the past, I always could taste the protein powder or the texture was slightly off.  Here's what I did!

2/3 cup of skim milk
1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. peanut butter (I always use the natural or organic PB)
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
1 banana

It's as simple as blend and enjoy.  I used my hand blender, but any blender will work.

What is your favorite smoothie??

Meatless Mondays

Happy 2012!  I hope you all had a fun and enjoyable New Years filled with friends, family, food, and of course bubbly!  I mentioned in my 27 at 27 post, I am not the biggest New Year's resolution person.  Throughout the year, I am constantly setting goals and making lifestyle changes to become a better person and challenge myself.  However, my latest challenge/healthy lifestyle change just happens to coincide with a new calendar year.  I have decided to do "Meatless Mondays" in 2012.  (side note: while I hate making exceptions to things, I will be attending Dinner in the Dark on Monday January 16.  Therefore, January 17 will be Meatless Tuesday).  I am looking forward to trying new recipes and the potential challenges of dining at some of my favorite restaurants and having limited options.

image source

So I have to ask you, what are your food related New Year's resolutions?  Here's to a healthy, happy, and not so hungry 2012!

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**I am still raising money for the American Liver Foundation!  Donate here or purchase a cooking class from The Chubby Cook using the code ALF2012 and 40% of the cost of the class will be donated.  THANK YOU for your support**

Cooking for a Cause

Perhaps you are wondering what to give that cook/food lover in your life for Christmas.  There are the obvious choices of fun kitchen gadgets, restaurant gift cards, and foodie friendly gift baskets.  Have you ever considered a cooking class??

Maybe you are wondering how to incorporate raw foods or vegan dishes into your diet.  Or maybe you want to learn to cook some of your favorite steakhouse meals.  

So what am I getting at here?  Beginning in January, The Chubby Cook will be offering a variety of cooking classes ranging from raw foods to "Basics of Braising" to  "Learn to Bake with the Pie Lady".  There is something for everyone.  I just may take the pie one myself (who's joining me??).  Classes are $65 and can fit into anyone's schedule.  The complete schedule and how to sign up can be found here.  Also, The Chubby Cook has agreed to donate 40% of the cost of the cooking class to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal for any January class.  When you check out, enter the code: ALF2012 by "gift certificates and coupon codes".  Not only will you be giving a great gift to a loved one (or yourself) but you will be helping the over 30 million Americans and their families who are battling liver diseases.

From The Chubby Cook's facebook page

Please remember you can also donate here until January 31, 2012.

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

***Disclaimer:  I responded to a posting by The Chubby Cook in regards to fundraising with cooking classes.  I was invited to a media preview back in the spring to see what The Chubby Cook was all about.  I am participating in Liver Life Challenge by choice.  All opinions are 100% my own***

My Best Days Are Ahead of Me!

Loved this cake!  Wonder what will be on 27??

Once again, I am back from a blogging hiatus.  Alot has happened since I last posted, some good some bad.  One thing I have learned (yet again) is I must be more open about what is really going on inside.  I never really have been one for making New Year's resolutions but I do have an ever growing bucket list.  Sunday is my birthday which kicks off my favorite week of the year.  Seriously, my birthday, then Thanksgiving (ultimate food holiday), then Black Friday (biggest shopping day of the year).  I could not have been born during a more appropriate week.  I have read quite a few ___ at ____ "birthday resolution" lists lately which made me think, why not.   I realize some of these I already have been working on, some I have complete control over, and others I have to do my best and leave it up to God.  So here it is in no particular order, Steph's 27 at 27.  Enjoy!

1. Run 4 marathons.  Already signed up for Disney in January and Cleveland in May.
2. Take a fun, creative class. (cake decorating, creative writing, ballroom dancing...)
3. Ragnar with the #DirtyRunner team!!!!
4. Make more time for those I truly love and mean the world to me.
5. Find a new job
6. Road trip with the Tribe.  Every season I say I will go to an away game and never end up doing it.
7. Reach my $3400 Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal. (*hint*hint*cough*cough*nudge*)
8. Do the Warrior Dash
9. Do something every day to make me happy.  It can be as simple as going for a run, giving into ice cream, or buying a new pair of shoes.
10. Buy a house/condo
11. Get back into yoga
12. Finally get my passport
13. Get a puppy
14. Make Nana's chicken paprikash.  I have put off attempting this for way too long.
15. Finish the Tour de Bruell.  Yeah, this past year I only made it to one restaurant.
16. Actually finish books I started reading.
17. Be a better blogger
18. Be more responsible and everything that entails.
19. Continue to eat healthy while every now and then treating myself within moderation.
20. Watch the sunset over Lake Erie
21. Go to the Ohio Wineries.  As shameful as it is to admit, I have never been.
22. Volunteer more.
23. Find a softball team to play on this spring/summer.
24. Go to a Notre Dame football game.  It has been too long since I have been in Notre Dame Stadium.
25. Host a clambake.  Again, every fall I want to do it and never get around to it.
26. Go to the Southern Tier brewery.
27. Overall, be the best me I can be!  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Culinary Adventure #4: Teriyaki Bourbon Chicken

About a month or so ago, I was enjoying a relaxing night in watching Food Network.  On one show (I honestly don't remember which) an Asian inspired marinade was made for chicken wings.  As many readers may know, I often joke about having an excess of umami taste receptors.  Since the weather was gorgeous the next day, I knew we had to pull out the grill and test this marinade.  However, since I never follow a recipe (except for Nana's) I created my own based on what I saw on TV.  Here is the Hungry in Cleveland version of a Teriyaki Bourbon Marinade for chicken which can also be tried on pork, shrimp, or even veggies.

In a large ziplock bag (or if you have something reusable for marinading even better) combine 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup Wild Turkey American Honey (if you use a different whiskey or bourbon, add about a tablespoon or so of regular honey), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup soy sauce (I prefer reduced or low sodium), rosemary, 5 nice sized cloves of garlic minced, ginger, and a dry thai chili pepper for heat.  Mix everything together, then add the chicken (or whatever you are planning to marinade).  Refrigerate at least an hour and a half.  Then, throw on the grill and enjoy!  We also prepared asparagus with rosemary infused olive oil and a cheese plate.  The excess marinade was reduced down and served along with the chicken.  We toasted ciabatta bread to make a sandwich.  This is sure to become a go to grilling dish!  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Valentine's Day Part 1...a Couple's Culinary Adventure

Happy Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week!  Hope everyone made plans to enjoy the events planned around town from tastings, to $30 prix fixe dinners, or $15 prix fixe lunches.  Since last week, I have decided to split my Valentine's Day recap into two separate posts so I can do each one justice and since we had two separate celebrations.  Finally, an advantage to my boyfriend's crazy work schedule.  Last Monday, we stayed in a decided to cook dinner together.  Sunday night was spent making M&M chocolate chip cookies and putting together his gift.  Instead of the traditional box of chocolate, I took a more personal spin on it and went with a box of chocolate stout, which included Southern Tier Choklat and Mokah, a four pack of Brooklyn Chocolate Stout, and (for laughs) Stone Double Bastard.  

LaBella Cupcakes and
HIC cookies

Valentine's Caprese

Monday evening waiting for me, were two La Bella cupcakes, Cookies and Cream and Sealed with a Kiss.  we have ran past LaBella numerous times while training for half-marathons, and I have mentioned it on quite a few occasions.  I decided out menu would be Italian inspired since finding a Vodka Cream sauce recipe.  For starters, we did a simple caprese salad of tomato, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic and a touch of olive oil.  On the side, we made our own garlic infused butter to put over ciabatta bread, which we lightly toasted.  Now, on to the entree.  The sauce is very simple to make.  First, sauté 2 shallots and garlic both minced.  Once they are carmelized, add in basil and parsley along with fresh black pepper and sea salt.  If you want an extra kick of heat, add crushed red pepper.  Then, add the tomato paste and stir until all of your herbs and aromatics are incorporated.  Now add the vodka.  FYI, we used Three Olives, since it was we had in the liquor cabinet.  Much like cooking with wine, only use a vodka you will drink.  Finally, add heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer.  We served it over whole grain penne pasta.  For thicker, creamier sauces, I prefer pastas such as penne.      

Penne with Vodka Sauce

The whole meal came together perfectly.  The candles and Frank Sinatra playing in the background were  perfect additions to this romantic meal.  Now, on to the cupcakes.  My boyfriend bought for himself  cookies and cream complete with half of Oreo on the bottom.  My "Sealed with a Kiss" was a chocolate covered strawberry in cupcake form.  The cupcake itself was a very moist and flavorful chocolate cupcake.  The strawberry buttercream on top was the right balance of sweetness and strawberry.  Some buttercreams have tendency to be too sweet, not sweet enough, or too thick.  LaBella found the perfect balance of sweetness with a silky smooth texture I love in a buttercream.  Overall, a perfect night with the perfect Valentine...or so I thought until this past Friday.  Stay tuned for Part 2!!  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

I "Heart" Food

February is, appropriately, American Heart Month.  I'm sure you, dear readers, all know someone who has heart problems or even worse, died from a heart related complication.  According to The American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S.  Whether heart disease runs in your family, or is cause by lifestyle, we can all take preventative measures to keep the ol' ticker pumping.  One of the easiest ways is our diets.  The other day while browsing food and health articles on Yahoo, I came across this one, The 10 Best Foods for your Heart.  My only complaint is the use of the terms "good" and "bad" cholesterol.  (Goes back to metabolism class in college)  I also found the need to post this article on the HIC Facebook page.  Since tomorrow is GO RED for women's heart health day, I wanted to share and summarize this article with you.  While reading this, I could not help but notice the overlap with the seven Fuel Foods for female runners.

1: Oatmeal.  I am really trying to master making oatmeal.  Mr. Quaker helps lower LDL levels which leads to clear, unclogged arteries.

2: Salmon.  Next time you find yourself at your favorite Cleveland restaurant or browsing the West Side Market, consider this omega-3 rich fish.  Personally, it is one of my favorite seafoods.

3: Avocado.  Don't feel guilty ordering the guacamole at Momocho.  Avocado boost cholesterol metabolism, again lowering LDL and raising HDL.  Or, make your own by mashing up fresh avocado, and mixing in minced garlic, lime juice, fresh cilantro, and peppers (I love jalapeno since I love heat).  Its quick, easy, healthy, and DELICIOUS!!

4: Olive oil.  This one is probably the easiest to incorporate into your diet.  Use it in cooking.  Mix it with balsalmic vinegar and your favorite herbs and spices for a quick salad dressing.  Our body needs healthy fats and oils.

5: Nuts.  Omega-3's, fiber, healthy fats.  Carry walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts for a quick snack.  Also, it's just fun to say you are carrying around a sack of nuts.  (Pardon my attempt and humor)

6: Berries. I love mixed berried for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, anytime.  Anti-oxidant rich and ready to fight disease and inflammation in your body.

7: Legumes!  Such a fun word to say and I do love my legumes.  Mash up chickpeas for easy homemade hummus or adde extra beans to that chili.  Legumes are packed with omega-3's, calcium, and fiber.

8. Spinach.  Add it to a salad, wilt it for a garnish.  Spinach gives your heart lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.

9. Flaxseed.  Sprinkle it on your cereal or yogurt to add not only omega-3, but also omega-6.

10. Soy.  Great source of protein.  Don't be afraid to try that tofu dish or pick up the soy milk.

Check out what the Gret River Affiliates are doing around Cleveland to promote heart health.  We can all be hungry in Cleveland while also being Heart Healthy in Cleveland.

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger.

Culinary adventure #2...Crab Cakes

Happy New Year!!  Hopefully everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the end of 2010 and all that 2011 has in store.  While many of you headed out on New Year's Eve to restaurants, bars, and parties, I for once opted to stay in.   Yes, there were plenty of options in Cleveland we could have chosen from, but  my boyfriend and I decided we would ring in 2011 by doing one of our favorite activities, cooking together.  Maybe it was the fact that both of us have been very overwhelmed between working and the holidays that we needed a night in, just us two.  As I titled this blog, I also realized that I haven't been that great at including things I cook, and I apologize for that.  For our New Year's Eve dinner, we decided on crab cakes, with twice baked potatoes and roasted asparagus with rosemary infused olive oil.  I will take no credit for the asparagus either since all I did was eat and enjoy it.

For my crab cakes, I first caramelized onions with garlic, thyme, rosemary, and basil (all fresh).  Next, I took a pound and a half of lump crab meat and mixed in breadcrumbs, 1 large egg white, a dash of mayo, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and the onion and herb mixture.  After seasoning the mixture with cracked black pepper and sea salt,   I ended up forming 5 large and one baby crab cake.

I refrigerated them for about a half hour while the potatoes and asparagus were cooking.  Meanwhile, we found a recipe for a simple garlic aioli and put our own twist on it.  If I had the link, I would have included it, but since we are both addicted to our smart phones, it is not saved in my email or recipe file.  When the potatoes were fully baked, we halved them, scooped out the insides, mixed in sour cream and cheddar, and popped them back in the oven to twice bake while the crab cakes were cooking.  I cooked the crab cakes in olive oil over medium heat, three at a time.  The first three came out PERFECTLY and I think I jinxed myself there.  The last three all fell apart and ended up looking more like crab cake hash. Finally, with about four and a half hours remaining in 2010, we sat down to enjoy this delicious meal.  It paired really well with our homemade strawberry wine too.

Overall, it was a perfect New Year's Eve proving all you really need is great food, champagne, and someone to enjoy it with.  And since we did not dress up and go out for New Year's Eve, tonight we will be dining at Michaelangelo's in Little Italy.

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger.