Homemade holiday cocktails 2014 ed.

Happy Holidays, happy Monday and happy soon-to-be bellies! Let me start off by letting you know that I am not a lush, I simply enjoy adult beverages on occasion especially when they taste like heaven in your mouth and during the holidays! If there is a better time to make yummy cocktails than the now, please let me know, because I sure can't think of a single better time of year. ---
To start off, on Thanksgiving we made Spiced Cider Margaritas which were inspired by the Whole Foods Market instagram. Oh boy, these were fantastic and just what the doctor ordered. I definitely recommend making these before the holidays are over, or, well, anytime of year for that matter! (p.s. check out my super professional looking photo! wow!)

My mom and I decided to make some homemade egg nog. This is the first time I have made it myself and I must say that it is lip licking good and I may not buy store bought again! It is super easy and so tasty! Thanks you Kelly for the inspiration! 

And on Friday night I had a fun girls night in and we decided, after much deliberation, to make Spiced Buttered Rum. This was definitely a new one for me, I have never had it before and when I saw the recipe I thought that it was straight out of a Harry Potter flick (weird, yes I know, and I have no idea where that came from! Maybe it's that I spent my days under the weather rewatching all of the Harry Potter movies...or maybe it was something else?) I digress.... On a serious note, this drink is fantastic. I don't know how I have never had it before but what I do know is that it will become a holiday staple, I even made it on Saturday night too! I added a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top. mmmhmmm good!

Please enjoy these cocktails! I promise they will not disappoint! Cheers!

#RawWeek2013

Source: Uploaded by user via LaTache on Pinterest

I am teaming up with Stephanie from BEAUtiful Mess for #RawWeek2013

One day down, six more to go!

I have been contemplating doing some sort of a cleanse for a while now, especially after the fun spring break we had where we ate and drank our way through. I consulted my great friend Melissa, with RNL, and she even guest posted for me about cleansing and detoxing at home. This guest post got me really thinking thinking about it. At the beginning of last week, Rich was out of town so I figured I would eat mainly raw meals since I knew he wouldn't be totally on board with it, and salads are a great one person meal. It was a lot easier than I thought. I just made big garden salads and added lots of yummy toppings: carrots, snap peas, beans, radishes etc - all kinds of good stuff!

So when I saw that Stephanie was doing and entire week of Raw, I figured, what the heck?! 

So here it goes!

On Sunday, I meal planned for the week. I decided what both Rich and I would like. This can be a challenge because when it comes to food we aren't too picky, but the things I don't like he likes and vice versa. (And no, I am not making separate meals for him...He can make his own breakfast and lunch and what we have for dinner will be what I make and it will be Raw :-) ) I also wanted to chose meal items that we either (a) had already, (b) wouldn't be too hard to find or (c) wouldn't cost us an arm and a leg to buy and we could use again.

Oh and we don't have a juicer or a dehydrator which crossed out quite a few options!

After I planned the meals, thank you pinterest (my raw board), I headed to the grocery store and bought the food that we would have for the first part of the week. Our complex offers fruit and veggie boxes that are grown and prepared locally for $17! Which is a total steal - with the boxes containing enough to feed 2 families for a week! Ahhmazing!

After the grocery store, I prepped and stored our dinners for Monday and Tuesday. I, honestly, was shocked at how quick and easy the entire process was - thankfully!

Honestly, I accepted this challenge and was a bit worried that it was going to be really tough to complete. I know it is only Monday night, so I can't say too much, but I am pleasantly surprised at how easy this has been!

However, let me be honest....I accidentally cheated...if you can call it cheating...I ate nuts and seeds that had been roasted and I had beans in my lunch salad today, and I didn't realize that it wasn't 'raw' until after I consumed it, thought about it for a minute and googled it. But I will not let this get me down...I will just make sure not to do it for the rest of the week!

Check out what I ate on Monday here!

Join us!
#RawWeek2013

SPD: Italian Garlic Bread with Gorgonzola

This is my first time linking up with Saw it. Pinned it. Did it.

I was hanging out and perusing pinterest and found this recipe.

Source: daydreamkitchen.com via LaTache on Pinterest

My mouth instantly began to water.

I knew I had to make it.

It too me a while to put this together.

Its kind of hard to do!

Anyway, this was a total hit!

We ate this bread along with some wine.

Rich said that it could be served at a restaurant, it was that good!

I added all of the herbs in the recipe(and all dried): parsley, oregano and basil.

It is cheesy and perfect!

Veggie Menu (Week 11)

 Monday: Hot & Sour Soup

I wasn't feeling all that great, so my sweet hubster went down to get me some yummy soup!

I am so lucky!

Tuesday: Grilled Vegetarian Paella with Basil-Tomato Slaw

This was really tasty! 

It definitely took a long time though...

Of this recipe, I didn't use fennel, but I used all of the rest of the veggies listed and for the "slaw" I didn't have Chinese Black Vinegar. (I did add about a teaspoon of soy sauce, though.)

I only used 2 cups of rice and there was a ton leftover! 

Wednesday: Leftover night...

Leftover Polenta from last week, Hot & Sour soup and Veg Paella!

We ate a lot...

This was a short week...
More recipes to come next week!

Veggie Menu (Week 10)

Lunches: Quinoa Veggie Burgers

These are tasty! 

I didn't have any zucchini or cornstarch...and they still turned out tasty!

Monday: Black Bean Burrito Bake 

I liked these, but probably wouldn't make them again.

Rich isn't a big fan of corn...
And instead of just corn, I used the corn and chili salsa from TJ.
Tasty and add more flavor!

Tuesday: Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pasta

Pasta

2 cloves of garlic

1 Shallot

1/2 cup of chopped sun dried tomatoes

1/2 cup of chopped artichoke hearts

1 red bell pepper

Red Wine Vinegar & EVOO - enough to make a light sauce

Salt & Pepper & Red Chili Flakes to taste

Boil the pasta according to the package and mix everything together and serve!

This would be really tasty with some feta cheese on top!

We had to make/use what we had in the fridge, so I through everything together and created a pasta dish

It was tasty and light

Definitely good for a warm summer night!

Wednesday: Tuna and Chickpea Salad With Pesto

This was pretty tasty. 

We didn't add any olives.

Another light, summer meal.

I sliced a few pieces of bread, drizzled it with EVOO added a dash of salt and pepper and toasted them - definitely delicious with this salad.

Thursday: Fontal Polenta with Mushroom Sauté
I made this at the beginning of our meatless menu.
The polenta is delicious!!

Friday:  Kale Avocado Wraps w/ Spicy Miso-Dipped Tempeh.

I had to go into a Japanese Market to find the While Miso.
Everything was in Japanese and I still found it!
I am quite proud of myself!
We really liked this!
It is hearty but not heavy.
The Miso dressing is tasty!
And we used the Chile & Onion Tortillas from TJ. Next time I may get a different wrap.
They were good!
(We had to eat them like tacos...)

Saturday: We went out to dinner
Swate Night :-)
(Sweeter Date Night)
Milo Olive
Delicious pizza and you must get the garlic knot!
We are going to make this on our own...I'll let you know how it goes!

Sunday:  Barley and Sweet Potato Pilaf
 Sadly, I had to use chicken broth.
And we topped it with Parmesan Cheese.
I found that I had to add a lot more liquid than what was listed in the recipe.
Keep an eye on it and add water if it starts to stick to the bottom.
Stir occasionally.

Also, I used Sweet Potatoes...not yams...
I am going to do some research on the difference because it is one of my pet peeves when I make something that calls for sweet potatoes, so I get sweet potatoes and then you look at the pictures and they are using yams!
EEEK! ;-)
(Yes, this is my issue now and YES I do feel blessed!;-))

Cheers!

Veggie Menu (Week 9)

Monday: Tofu Tostadas

How I made them:

I used the Trader Joe's Chile & Onion tortillas, popped them in the toaster oven and toasted them.

We grated extra sharp cheddar cheese and put black beans (that we re hydrated), red bell peppers, spinach and avocado. I then made a little dressing to put on top - some salsa, red wine vinegar salt and pepper - and I drizzled that on top!

It was tasty!

Tuesday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread & Salad

I used the sauce from this recipe

We had our friends over for dinner and they have 3 small children. I figured that you can't go wrong with garlic bread, salad and spaghetti in a marinara sauce.
I was wrong...ha!
It was hit among the adults, but too spicy for the kiddos...oops!
They ended up eating noodles with butter, EVOO, salt & pepper
They LOVED the garlic bread, though!

Wednesday: We had leftover pasta from Tuesday

Thursday: Gratinéed Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi
This was really tasty!
We actually made the gnocchi on Wednesday and put it all together on Thursday.
I think if I was to make it again, I would add garlic to it, it seemed to be 'missing' something.

Friday: I was in Denver for work.
I ate at the hotel restaurant Zink
The food here was delicious!
This was the first time I had ever eaten at a restaurant by myself.
It was glorious!
I didn't have to entertain anyone buy myself and I didn't have to keep conversation with anyone.

My international ginger ale...

Lemon Drop and Caesar Salad

Champagne and Dessert 

Red Wine & Spaghetti

Saturday: Gemelli Salad with Green Beans, Pistachios, and Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette
This was also very tasty!
We, sadly, did not have any parmesan cheese..Oh well, it was tasty non the less!

Sunday: We were at Disneyland (Post about that later this week)

Veggie Menu (Week 8)

Tuesday: Lasagna Rolls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

This was delicious! 

1st thing...Don't use your microwave...

(Tune in tomorrow for the reasons!)

#2...IF you do, don't ever, ever, ever, ever! cover your food in plastic wrap!

Anyway, the sauce was delicious! And the 'stuffing' was delicious as well! 

I boiled 8 lasagna noodles and I had 1 extra because I ran out of the stuffing. Maybe I over stuffed them or I didn't make enough?

We each ate two and it was delicious! Rich definitely enjoyed dinner!

Wednesday: Four Cheese White Pizza

This was delicious! I added some tomatoes and onions (because we had it left over in the fridge) to half of the pizza. Rich liked that half better than the plain half. What I put on it is from this recipe and I added some balsamic to the mix as well.

Thursday: We had raviolis....We ended up going to a YWCA event and needed something quick.

Friday: We went to the Fresh Corn Grill and then out for drinks.
Fresh Corn Grill was delicious! So fresh and tasty!

Rich got a beer and I got a Lemon Drop...yes this is the least fancy Lemon Drop ever made...ha!

Saturday: Wokcano - Santa Monica
I was less than impressed..I wouldn't recommend this place...

Sunday: Brown Butter Gnocchi with Spinach and Pine Nuts
This was very tasty!
How I made it...
I used basil gnocchi from Cost Plus and instead of using pine nuts (because those are pricey!) we used walnuts. And we also added some Black Truffle Oil.
We ate this without the Truffle Oil and then decided to add it about half way in and it was tasty without the oil, and even better with it! YUM!

Veggie Menu (Week 7)

Love this quote!

Monday: Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

This was good, kinda boring.

I accidentally deleted the pictures off of my phone ;-(

I would probably add garlic and maybe veggies to this dish to liven it up!

Tuesday: Vegetable Enchiladas

These were very tasty!

I used the Trader Joe's Enchilada sauce - delicious!

I don't like Olives and Rich isn't a big fan of corn...so we substituted for Tofu instead ;-)

The spinach mixture was delicious! I think I didn't use enough. If we make this again, I would ad a ton of spinach!

Wednesday: Creamy Avocado Pasta Sauce Recipe

Honestly, I didn't really like this.

It was essentially guacamole on noodles. While the noodles were cooking we actually after the "sauce" with tortilla chips...ha!

And I didn't really like the tomatoes. (I told you I don't like tomatoes, right? Well I am still learning...)

Rich didn't mind it! And it sure looked pretty!

Thursday: Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

We made this delicious dish again! Yum!! Sooo tasty!

Friday:  Leftovers!
Whatever we didn't eat, got tossed since we were gone for the long weekend.

Saturday: Salmon (made by my lovely Mother in Law!)

Sunday: Salmon...again...(Made by my beautiful Mother!)

Monday: Fish Tacos (Made by my beautiful Mother!)

Veggie Menu (Week 6)

Monday we ate leftovers :-)

Tuesday: Was Rich's big event downtown! I am so proud of him! We got home very late, so we just had raviolis from costco. We added zucchini and made a yummy sauce of ricotta cheese and balsamic vinegar to go on it, it was very tasty!

Wednesday: We went out in West Hollywood at Dan Tana's Italian Restaurant! We went out to celebrate the end of Rich's summer contracting job!

Thursday: Ricotta Stuffed Spinach and Broccoli Pizza Pie

This was amazing!

So, as you may notice, I get the recipe and then alter it to what we have in the fridge as well as to what our taste buds like!

We had some basil that needed to be eaten, so I chopped up some basil with the spinach and sauteed it. 

Soo delicious with the basil! Yum!

And I added some red onions to the insides as well!

We used the herb pizza dough from Trader Joe's - best things ever!

I didn't bake it in the pie pan because, well, I didn't read the directions and had already started using the pizza stone (And I hate doing dishes, so I wasn't about to dirty the pizza stone for no reason! HA!)

This was delicious! I would absolutely recommend making this!

Friday: Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

This was also amazing!

It was so light and perfect for summer! 

I didn't add the olives, because I don't like olives...ha!

And we used an herb goat cheese from Trader Joe's -- yummm!

Saturday: Spiced Black Bean, Grilled Avocado, and Goat Cheese Tacos
The grilled avocado were amazing! Definitely recommend making these!
The tacos....not my favorite.
They were tasty and the spices were great. It was hard to get them ground fine enough to not have kernels...so if you already have the spices ground, use that!
I think they would have tasted much better in corn tortillas, but we used the chile & onion ones from Trader Joes - if you haven't had these, you haven't lived...

Sunday: Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella
This wasn't my favorite dish either...
I did however, forget the most important ingredient...basil! WHAT?! Oops!
I felt like this was too hard to eat - you couldn't get it all on your fork in one bite!
In the marinating, I also added the balsamic reductions, about a teaspoon - which was very tasty!

This whole "eating more veggies" thing is making our menu so much more interesting!

We love it! 

Veggie Menu (Week 5)

Tuesday: Rebecca Miller's Pasta With Ricotta and Heirloom Tomatoes

This was very tasty! I don't really like tomatoes (I am teaching myself to like them!) 

These heirloom tomatoes were delicious! Sweet and tasty! 

Soo good!

This was light and filling, definitely recommend this!

The best part about this meal?

Rich made it for me!

How lucky am I?!

Wednesday: Italian Vegetable Quinoa Bowls

This was sooo tasty and really easy!

The flavors are great!

Thursday: Vegan Quinoa & Sweet Potato Chili

I loved this!

We used chicken broth, because that is what we had :-)

And we used yams, not sweet potatoes (did you know they are different!? A pet peeve of mine when people say sweet potato when they mean yam! ha!)

We just added some avocado and cheese to this!

It was sooo good!

The sweet from the yams were sooo tasty! 

I think that I would add more spicy to it, it wasn't as spicy as we would have liked.

Friday night we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather so we went down to Santa Monica to get some bread and cheese from Bay Cities (the best Italian Deli around!) 

We then headed down to the beach and watched the sun set! 

What a beautiful sunset!

Saturday night we went out to dinner with our friends in Newport Beach to Sol Cocina

We were there for happy hour, so we got some yummy drinks and delicious food with awesome friends!

I had the Tacones - Chipotle Shrimp

Oh.My.Gosh. Ahhhhhhmazing!

Another beautiful SoCal sunset!

Sunday: Double Bean Burgers with Avocado Basil Cream

These burgers were very tasty!

And I made the avocado spread without sour cream and with Ricotta Cheese.

This was delicious, and honestly, didn't need any other condiments on it.

I think if I was to make this again, I would make it with basil, in the burgers, instead of cilantro. I think it would have really complimented the avocado spread!

 Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!

Veggie Menu (Week 4)

So Monday night, it Yoga night. 

We ate leftovers from Saturday - I told you there was a lot of leftovers!

Have you ever eaten at Daphne's? 

Greek Food? 

Good Stuff! 

(I think it may be a CA chain)

Tuesday and Wednesday it was just me, Rich was gone for work, so again, I ate leftovers ;-)

On Wednesday, I made a yummy treat because we had a ton of zucchini and summer squash in the fridge that needed to be eaten. And since it was just me, I ended up making brownies with them!

Our food processor has a feature to grate things. I have always knows this but had never used it.
And my, oh my! It was amazing!
So easy!
I'm sad I have been afraid to use it before!!

Thursday: Quinoa Black Bean Burrito Bowls 
Our own version...of course!
The quinoa=ahhhhmazing!
Make this and just eat it plain!
I cooked it with half chicken broth and half water
So tasty!
We used pinto beans, because that is what we had
(I think this is pretty much the story of our cooking lives)
I also cut up some roma tomatoes and sauteed them in with the onions and the garlic.
We grated some cheddar cheese and cut up an avocado (half per bowl - we like our avocados!)
Voila! Dinner is served!
And SOOO good!
(Yes, caps were necessary!)

I also made a snack.
As you saw before, we had a lot of squash and zucchini so I made Zucchini Patties that also had summer squash.
We snacked on them and then ate them for breakfast!
To eat them for breakfast, we just put them in the toaster oven for a few minutes, until fragrant!
They were amazing!
We used just the egg whites.
So cheesy!
I used the 4 Cheese Blend from Trader Joes - soo yummy!

Friday: Leftovers!

The best about having leftovers and only eating for 1 for most of the week, no trips to the grocery store!

Woohoo!

Saturday: We went out to dinner to http://www.nonnaofitaly.com/

We found a Travel Zoo coupon for this place! It was amazing!!

The restaurant was deliciousWe decided that the place was soo tasty, but a little expensive, so we wouldn't go there without a coupon.

We double date-nighted! With our super awesome friends!

Totally love this girl!

Sunday: We watched our neighbors 9 month old son and the family wined and dined us!