Kale, Mushroom, and Cranberry Tart

This is one of my absolute favorite recipes, but unfortunately, I can't really take credit for it. It's a delicious kale, mushroom, and cranberry tart with a honey-sweetened Gorgonzola cheese spread. It may sound weird, but I promise you, it tastes amazing, and it's a great way to pile on the veggies and nutrients. I saw it on the Food Network and then put my own spin on it. A lot of people always ask me for the recipe, so here it is.

What you will need:
1 package of Baby Bella mushrooms
2 - 8 inch Boboli pizza crusts (or whatever brand you can find)
Kale (can either be fresh or frozen. I opt for fresh)
1 medium shallot
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons of garlic oil (or olive oil)
White wine
Salt and pepper to taste

4oz. of light cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
1/4 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (softened at room temperature)
Honey

Before you start, turn your oven to broil on the low setting. Put your pizza crusts in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. You want them slightly crisp but not hard. Remove them to let them cool.

Pour a tiny bit of olive oil in a skillet. I use garlic oil which you can buy near the olive oil in any grocery store. You don't NEED to have it, but I just love the flavor. Olive oil works perfectly. Mince a medium sized shallot and 1 clove of garlic. Sautee them together over medium low heat so you don't burn the garlic, and the flavors will infuse themselves in the oil. The shallot will become nice and soft. I use a shallot because I love the mild onion flavor, and I feel as if a regular onion has a flavor that is too strong for this dish. While those are cooking, chop up 1 container of Baby Bella mushrooms. Again, make sure to chop them small because they will top our crust later. If you like the pieces bigger, by all means. Cook down the mushrooms with the garlic and onion mixture. Right before it looks like the mushrooms are done, add a splash of white wine. It can be cooking wine or any white wine you have on hand. It adds such a depth of flavor. When I say "splash", I mean splash. You don't need more than 1/4 cup.

Next, be sure and chop up your kale if it's not already in pieces. Kale is a lot easier to eat if you chop it into smaller pieces, and it works well for this recipe. Sautee the kale in the pan with the mushrooms, garlic, and shallot. It will take a while for the kale to cook down if it's fresh. It may look like a lot, but it will wilt into a lot less. (I'm a huge fan of kale, so I will buy a large bunch and cook the whole bunch down.) Season the kale with salt & pepper as it cooks. I always flavor in layers to be sure that every element has flavor.

The last thing you want to do before the veggies are done is to add 1/4 cup of dried cranberries. You may think this sounds weird, but it's absolutely delicious with the kale and mushrooms. Stir the cranberries into the veggies and give them a few minutes to soften. As the mixture continues to cook, the cranberries will reconstitute slightly. After about 5 minutes you can take the veggies off of the heat and allow them to cool off.

While the vegetable mixture is cooling you're going to make the Gorgonzola cheese spread for the tart. In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, Gorgonzola cheese, sour cream, and honey. (I know this sounds like a strange combo, but trust me...Gorgonzola cheese and honey...YUM!!) Using electric beaters, or a mixer, cream the ingredients together. The consistency should be smooth but slightly thick. Remember, if your cheeses are at room temperature that will lend to a smoother cheese spread. Spread this mixture onto your pizza crusts.

Spoon the room temperature veggies on top of the cheese spread. This is where you can have fun because you can add as much of the vegetable mixture that you'd like. (Hint: add a lot!)

And you're done! I use a pizza cutter and slice it into 4 pieces. I only end up eating half of it, but I definitely have been known to eat the whole thing. ;-) Experiment with it, try it a few times, and let me know what you think of it. It's a favorite of mine when I need lots of nutrients. Happy eating!

TAO NYC

TAO  was such an amazing and delicious experience. These are the things you do on special occasions, and with people you love, and in my opinion, they create the best memories.

My husband and I started off our day in the city seeing a matinee performance of The Phantom of the Opera. This was my wedding present to him. I know what you're thinking, "Wow! That's quite a present!" Let me clarify by saying he gave me something just as spectacular. My phone was dying and he treated me to an iPhone upgrade. Not too shabby! I'm a lucky girl. :-) I'm getting off topic here. Anyways, we had 10th row orchestra seats for Phantom, and like I said, it was even more spectacular than I remember. I had seen Phantom for the first time in either 7th or 8th grade. Not remembering a lot of it, and I'm sure not appreciating it at 12 years old, I fell in love with it all over again. The music was so hauntingly beautiful. I also found myself crying by the end of the show because the story was just so moving and so heart-wrenching at times. It was nice to appreciate it more than ever when seeing it 20 years later. I was humming "Music of the Night" for the rest of the evening into this morning.

It's hard to go to TAO and not want to order everything on the menu. We started with an appetizer of lobster wontons with shitake mushrooms in a ginger soy sauce with scallions. This appetizer had one of the best sauces I have ever had. Sadly, we ate them so fast that I forgot to photograph them! Ha! Oh well. I apologize.

Tao-hito (their version of a Mojito with Bacardi Limon) So refreshing on a hot day!

I'm really not much of a drinker, but this Mojito hit the spot. Complete with fresh mint muddled in the bottom of the glass, fresh mint garnished on top, and a fresh piece of sugar cane...this drink was a wonderful precursor to our meal. It was so nice to sip this frosty drink because it wasn't loaded with strong flavors. The flavors were all clean and refreshing.

Coconut shrimp with spicy Thai peanut curry sauce and white rice on the side

This dish was my main meal. I'm a big shrimp lover, and I also love anything you can put a coconut curry sauce on. The rest of the food is just a catalyst to get the food into my mouth. Just kidding. ;-)  The shrimp on the plate was gigantic, and I found myself cutting each one into several pieces so I could eat it. It also made it a lot easier to swirl around in the sauce. Mix a piece of shrimp with some sauce and sticky rice...YUM!! It really didn't take much convincing for me to finish my plate. Of course I had to leave room for dessert. Do you not know me by now??  :-)

Banana pudding with a fortune cookie crumble & 2 fried bananas

I stress that we ordered 2 desserts STRICTLY so I could sample flavors and take pictures for this blog. Sooooo...what you see here is the absolute best banana pudding dessert I have ever had. This bowl is insanely deceiving because you don't understand how deep it is. (But seriously, I wasn't complaining.) The crunchy topping paired so perfectly with the smooth and creamy pudding. It had such an intense banana flavor. This is not your mom's Jell-o pudding she made for you when you were a little kid. As I ate further into the center of the bowl, I was pulling out pieces of chopped banana. The bottom was a lightly moistened crust just like on top. Heaven. I'm not even sure I have words for it. One thing I will say, I didn't finish it all so clearly I took the rest home. As I write this, I finished the last bite.

Lemongrass Creme Brulee with Macadamia nut cookies

As I've said in other posts, Creme Brulee is my favorite dessert, and I need to order it whenever I see it on the menu. This was no exception. Did I mention we shared the dessert and I didn't stuff my face with both? Ok, good. Just checking. The lemongrass flavor with this dessert was exceptional. It was a light hint, so it didn't take away from the cream custard and crunchy sugar topping. I let my husband eat most of this while I concentrated on the banana pudding, but I would've probably taken that home as well. Needless to say, there was no leftovers from that confection!!

I hope you get to Tao one day. It's definitely an experience if you love Japanese culture like I do, love Asian food, and are willing to try a great mix of Asian fusion dishes. Branch out and order a meal with flavors that pique your interest. Until then, happy eating! :-)

My Terrapin Experience

Ginger, Leek, and Tofu Potstickers appetizer

If you ever have a free weekend, or just want to try something different, head North to Terrapin Restaurant in Rhinebeck, NY. Terrapin sits towards the end of the bustling Rhinebeck area, but in my opinion it's worth whatever you need to do to get there.


Let me backtrack and say that this dinner was a surprise birthday present from my husband. I had been to the restaurant once before but this time it had a special meaning. I was celebrating with my husband, not my boyfriend or fiancee anymore, and this was one of many more to come.


Seen above are the ginger, leek, and tofu potstickers. Full of flavor in chewy little pockets. Dip them into the sauce and get a sweet and salty mixture of...I honestly don't even know what the sauce was made of. It was delicious. When you bite into the potsticker you can see all the fresh vegetables, and you know for a fact that nothing is processed or previously frozen. Score! :-)

Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese Wontons

The goat cheese wontons on this arugula salad were the best part. Not that the salad wasn't delicious, because it was, but the wontons...I have no words! Or do I? I do! I noticed at the end of our meal that a lot of foods on the menu came as tapas. The goat cheese wontons were one of them. Hmmmmm...a meal full of tapas and a salad next time? I'd say that's what I would do, but the menu is just too amazing. When you go there you'll see.

This was my meal. Orecchiette pasta with English peas, big chunks of buttery-tasting lobster, and herbs & spices in a Pernod cream sauce. I didn't know what Pernod sauce was when I ordered it, but it sounded way too good to pass up. Pernod is apparently a liquor tasting of anise seed or fennel. That would explain why the dish has a bit of a sweet taste to it. My mouth waters just looking at the picture time after time.

And last, but not least, the best Tahitian vanilla Creme Brulee. I have really had a taste for Creme Brulee ever since I went on my honeymoon. We were served a delicious dessert of the creamy concoction one night at a restaurant on the beach. (This restaurant also served us the most enormous Antiguan lobster tail I have ever seen in my life, but those stories are for another blog.) :-)  I did the right thing with dessert by ordering a tapas size, and it was just right. If you've never had Creme Brulee, it is a thick dessert which can be heavy, so small portions are just right. The best part of eating this dessert is when it's first presented to you. They use a torch to solidify the sugar on top. You take your spoon and poke the top crust so it breaks. I don't know what it is, but it's an amazing sound when you break through the sugary topping. I love the whole darn dessert, but there's something about the topping. Maybe one day I'll have the nerve to attempt to make this dessert. Any guinea pigs out there?? :-)

I Hope You Like Mac & Cheese!

                                                             Grown-Up Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese made with Gnocchi pasta, truffle oil (YES, more things with truffle oil!!), topped with toasted breadcrumbs, and crispy bacon. Thank god this was only an appetizer!! Shared this today at lunch with my mother. Beacon Falls Cafe  I have no other words.

I also had a tasty tuna sandwich that had apples, cranberries, celery, and other crunchy things involved. But honestly, I felt the sandwich paled in comparison to the mac and cheese. I'm always on the search for the perfect mac & cheese. Share locations if you have them! In the meantime, check out the Beacon Falls Cafe! :-)

Don Tommaso's Bistro Italiano

No, these aren't ordinary french fries. This is an amazing appetizer at my friend Tommy's restaurant, Don Tommaso's Bistro Italiano  Crispy french fries with a Gorgonzola truffle oil dipping sauce. YES, let me say that again...Gorgonzola truffle oil dipping sauce! It's definitely not very figure friendly, but I eat at this restaurant once a year on my birthday. This year I told myself I will be going back more often. The food is so good and the atmosphere is so relaxing. I really could have eaten every french fry myself, but...I shared. :-) If you want delicious tasting, homemade Italian food, you need to try Don Tommaso's. It's all fresh and REALLY tasty.

I ate here with my parents last Thursday. We sat outside on the patio, and it was the most gorgeous evening. Warm breeze, cold drinks, delicious food, and good company. Unfortunately for me, I forgot to take a photo of the one delicious reason I look forward to this restaurant each year. The Garganelli Ai Funghi! It's a quill-shaped pasta with spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, mascarpone cheese, and truffle oil. (Can you tell how much I like truffle oil yet?!) It is hands down one of the best dishes I have ever had. I would travel for this dish. Lucky for me this restaurant isn't too far from me. :-)

By Popular Demand. :-)

As most of you know, I read anything about food I can get my hands on. I read cookbooks and cooking magazines in bed...don't judge me! ;-) Sifting through my mail one day, I found an offer for Cooking Light magazine.Cooking Light magazine  I had heard of it before, and I was deep into Weight Watchers at that point, so I was looking for some new healthy recipes. Needless to say, the offer of a subscription for $10 caught my eye. I guess I'm like my grandmother in this sense where a good offer or something from "As Seen on TV" seems like a great deal to me. (Does anyone else out there watch infomercials?? Anyone?)

You're probably thinking, what's the point. I do have one. When I signed up for the magazine, I started receiving recipes in my email each day from them. Some of them I love, and others not so much. This picture is dinner from the other night. Roasted eggplant and sweet red peppers, arugula tossed with olive oil and salt & pepper, goat cheese, and a pesto mayo on Ciabatta bread. It was absolute heaven! The combination was what I expected, but even better! Now, what the recipe really suggested was to just put pesto right on the sandwich. I took the liberty of changing the recipe a bit and making a pesto mayonnaise. It was insanely delicious. This is what I do. I use the recipe as a guide, but I usually switch some of it to make it my own. When the recipe suggested I broil the eggplant and peppers, I actually roasted them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. They became nice and soft, and they were perfect for this sandwich. The soft veggies paired well with the soft bread and the crunchy arugula. Use ingredients that you really love. Fortunately for my husband and I, we love all the vegetables in this dish, and we especially love the arugula. Make sure your produce is nice and fresh, and be sure to buy and use the bread that very day.

Since so many people have inquired about this sandwich, here is the link to the recipe. I wish I could take credit for creating this simple, yet incredibly delicious sandwich. If you decide to make your own, let me know how it turns out! Here's to your next delicious bite. :-)
Eggplant, red pepper, goat cheese sandwich

In addition...

You're probably saying, what does this have to do with food? I don't even SEE any food. And you know what, you're right! But allow me to tell you about this magnificent little gem. I also went to this place on the same weekend I was celebrating my sister's wedding shower. It is called Upstairs on the Square, and it's also located in Cambridge, MA.http://www.upstairsonthesquare.com/ The reason I'm posting this picture is because I had the absolute BEST Reuben I have ever tasted while sitting in this room. I know when I say "BEST" it's probably not really registering with you. I'll describe it for you. (And no, I don't have a picture. I think upon seeing the masterpiece I just forgot about photos and just started drooling.)


It was a Duck Confit Reuben. It had Fontina cheese that was slightly melted from the heat of the duck, apricot jam, and a fennel-pomegranate slaw on toasty bread. I have had duck on a few occasions but never like this. People tend to believe duck can be oily, and you're right, it can be. I didn't care at this particular moment. The crunchy bread with the soft duck and the sweetness of the jam...it makes me want to drive back to Cambridge right now! The crunchy fennel slaw that I thought would taste like licorice, but it tasted sweet. I didn't mind that everyone else was having eggs for brunch, and I chose to have duck. 
Best. Decision. Ever. :-)

You Have to Start Somewhere!

Welcome to my blog, and thanks for checking it out! Since you've come this far, you might as well stick around. :-) Food is not my main job or source of income, but it is a passion of mine. From eating it, to cooking it, I eat, sleep, and breathe food. When I'm not working, I like to explore new restaurants, different cultures of food, read cookbooks and cooking magazines, watch cooking shows, and I basically travel around to try new food. Follow me as I move to all different restaurants and cafes, and hopefully I will inspire you to expand your culinary palettes. 

So, in honor of my first post, I give to you one of my favorites, and also one of my favorite memories. This delectable dessert which you see above is from Finale Desserterie & Bakery in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. http://www.finaledesserts.com/  This was a little Key Lime Meringue Tart with BIG flavor! The crust looks like you would need to slice through it, but it was flaky and buttery. The filling was smooth and tart...just the way a Key Lime filling should taste. Of course the meringue, my favorite part, was gooey and slightly smoky from the torch. (I'd like to imagine they use some sort of culinary blowtorch to crust the top of my dessert. Doesn't that sound a lot more exciting than baking it in the stove??) :-)

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in Cambridge, and I was there with my 2 sisters and her 2 best friends. We had just come from the spa because we were celebrating my older sister's bachelorette/shower weekend. Looking for a place to relax and snack, we came across Finale as we walked around Harvard Square. As the rain continued to fall, we ate such amazing desserts as we sipped on coffee, cappucino, and Cafe Au Lait. The 5 of us sat around talking and laughing and enjoying each others company. The rain continued to fall. No dessert or coffee ever tasted so good. When are we going back??

I promise I will get better with my photography. This was taken on an iPhone. Pretty good for the iPhone, huh? Thanks for stopping by!