Italian

Game Day Ready: Recipes for Anxious Snackers

January 26, 2015 // Posted in Appetizers, Dips & Sauces, Entrées, Food I Made, Photo Journal, Recipes

January 26, 2015 | Posted in [post_category]

Gearing up your household for GameDay? This year’s Super Bowl XLIX featuring the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks is just around the corner, taking place on February 1st. If you’re not holding a get together at your home, but attending a party, try bringing one of these appetizers to help those anxious snackers as they root for their team. Not into football or sports in general? No problem! My recipes are still great for any party. No matter what party you plan on hosting: pity, pajama, dinner, for funsies, just ’cause, graduation, baby shower, etc you can’t possibly go wrong with some homemade salsa, guacamole, or cheesy corn. If you’re just an anxious snacker & need new snack ideas, avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, & hot dogs. Get your nerves relaxed with some chamomile tea & some whole grain chips dipped in any of my Game Day recipes. If you’re going to carelessly munch on food, it should at least benefit you right?

Additionally, I’d like to give a shout out to my brother. Today is a special day for Vinny because it’s his birthday! My father is terrible with remembering dates–which is why I made our WiFi’s password his wedding anniversary so he’ll never forget–but he is grateful that my mom coincidentally popped us out during holidays: Super Bowl Sunday (Vinny) & Memorial Day (me). Obviously these dates change every year, but he knows when those holidays come around, our birthdays probably will too. Vinny made some really excellent guacamole last time I bought an excessive amount of avocados, so my recipe of guacamole isn’t dedicated to him. Rather, I’m dedicating my Vegetarian Meatless Meatballs recipe to the guy whose favorite Subway sandwich was the meatball one. Vinny may be too lazy to make these meatballs, but I think he would enjoy them because they’re packed with umami. Ladle on some homemade marinara & hug them with some buns to get your own vegetarian meatball sub. These meatballs are perfect for Game Day for your vegetarian friends (meat lovers will enjoy them too)! Cook them in a pot with marinara (store bought is fine) & watch it get devoured!

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Hello, Boston!

September 7, 2014 // Posted in Food I Made, Photo Journal, Recipes, Soups, Travel

September 7, 2014 | Posted in [post_category]

One of the questions I like to frequently ask my culinary inclined friends is what their specialty dish is. Some say tacos, while others say nachos. That was obviously a semi-clever attempt to rhyme, but realistically, some say enchiladas, while others have said grilled steak–which I think is easier than making instant ramen so I press on for something more complex. So, what do I say when someone turns the question to me? Without skipping a beat, my reply is always, “noodles.” Whether the noodles are Asian, Italian, or Jewish, I have a natural love & knack for making great noodle-y dishes. Baked, raw, stir-fried, steamed, soaked, or freshly made, I can easily whip you up a bowl of delicious noodles whether you prefer them in soups, alone, or as a dipping tool. I suppose you’d like me to provide some troth of my noodle specialty, to which I say to you, NO PROBLEMO, AMIGO/A.

Here’s a real conversation I just had with Josh as I type this at 12:29 AM on the day after his birthday:

Me: Hey Josh, what would you say is my ultimate culinary specialty?
Josh: *swivels around from his computer chair to face me* Noodles & Asian fusion.

See, I can’t even make this up. Now that my boyfriend has totally verified my capabilities, let’s get on with this recipe I’ve just posted, which I previewed on Instagram last month. I bring you my Mediterranean inspired Hearty Alphabet Soup recipe. It’s vegetarian & vegan friendly too! It’s not exactly Asian fusion, but it does feature noodles & childhood nostalgia.

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Summertime Sadness

June 25, 2013 // Posted in Food I Ate, Gallery, Photo Journal

June 25, 2013 | Posted in [post_category]

L-R: Me, Alex, Bryan, Felix, & David

This summer might not be as fantastic as I initially thought it’d be, but I did have an entire week of play including trips to the San Diego Zoo with Josh, Little Italy, University of California, Riverside (UCR) for Bryan’s graduation, Costa Mesa for Allison’s Going Away Party, & other food adventures in SoCal. Now it’s back to the grind with summer classes, applications, & clinical research. However, that’s not to say that my Lana Del Rey inspired title is completely accurate as there will be much fun to be had when I’m not staring at my computer for school or research. For the sake of maintaining a positively themed photojournal–I mean, if I wanted to be depressing, I should just change my theme to black, amiright?–I’ll post some of my highlights from the past week.

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Italy, London, & Brighton

August 29, 2012 // Posted in Drinks I Drank, Food I Ate, Gallery, Photo Journal, Travel

August 29, 2012 | Posted in [post_category]

Venice!

My study abroad program in Brighton is sadly over, which means my adventures in Europe are over…for now. I’m vowing to return to Brighton to see the things some of my peers got to see–such as the countryside & Sussex castle–that I didn’t get to see. Although London was my favorite city to visit on the weekends, living in Brighton for 8 weeks felt like a home away from home. I never wanted to leave! Still in denial that I’m back in the States & that it’s all over *cries*.

Layout update no one cares about other than me: Extended the banner, added new pictures, extended the content area. Decided that pictures henceforth these albums shall be 780 by 517 pixels. Should’ve done this before I went to Europe though…oh well. Still have the originals for all the photos.