Happy Birthday!!

It is tradition at my workplace to supply delectable treats for a birthday.  It was my turn for a co-worker so I searched the Moosewood cookbook for something suitable.  I came up with the Orange Cake.  This cake was very easy to make and the aroma of the orange was heavenly.  Even though it contained almost 2 cups of sugar, it wasn't overly sweet.  The orange glaze soaks right into the cake making it not only scrumptious but very moist.  It was very pleasing to eye and a big hit!!  Definitely a keeper....

Day 3: Entree

I was very anxious to try an entree.  I love Chinese food but I have never been able to duplicate it.  I went right for the vegetable stir fry.  I followed the recipe to the letter making the long grain rice first.  Then the sauce.  Word of warning here...don't skimp on the ginger!  That's very important.  I warmed up my wok and started adding all the veggies.  This recipe is loaded with everything but the kitchen sink!  Right up my alley!!  After all the veggies were added and I poured on the sauce, something wonderful happened...all the flavors began to meld and it was sensational!  I poured this magnificent concoction over the rice and I was in heaven!  I sometimes like to "doctor up" a recipe to give it more flavor or add flavors I like.  But with this one, I wouldn't change a thing!  Its perfect!

Day 2: Sauces

I don't think there is anything better to make a dish great other than the sauce.  I found this section very intriguing and decided to try the "Tahini-Lemon Sauce" since it was described as one to make on a regular basis.  I just happened to have some Tahini left over from a batch of hummus I made for a dip to take to a party.  I was excited to find something to make with it as it was not exactly cheap to buy.  I whipped up a batch and then was asking myself, "ok, now what?".  

Leafing through a few pages, I came across the recipe for "Felafel" or Fried Hummus.  I love hummus!  And because it is "almost always topped with Tahini-Lemon Sauce", that was it!  I made the Felafel and fell in love with this sauce and dip combination! 

Day 1: Healthy Resolutions!

It is now January 2012 and time for new resolutions!  My last resolution for last year was to reduce/remove sugar from my diet.  Do you know how hard it is to NOT eat sugar?   OK, removing cookies and junk food was the easy part.   But everything you pick up at the grocery store has sugar in it!  I became totally aware the carbohydrate addict I have become!  

I started using honey and then moved on to agave as sweeteners when I needed one.  This move slowly progressed into buying more organic foods in order to stay away from the sugar.  Even the organic cereals have it!  I'm doomed!  For breakfast, I now resort to either eggs or oatmeal.  It has taken me a full year to come to terms with my sugar reduction.  But it can be done! 

I am now in phase 2 of my diet makeover:  Vegetables!   I love vegetables!  Is there anything better than eating them right from the garden?   It's like heaven on earth.   My sister told me about the "Moosewood Cookbook".   Its a vegetarian cookbook with very healthy recipies!  Perfect!  I've decided to incorporate these recipes in my new 2012 resolution. 

I started day 1 with Asparagus soup.  I went to our local Earthfare market to find the most tender Asparagus I could find.  The recipe was easy and simple.  It didn't have any wild ingredients...basically asparagus, onions, and dill.   It was the fresh dill that made this recipe yummie.  I love a thick soup.  And this one is not only thick and delicious...but healthy too!