Here's a protein packed breakfast bowl that's filled with flavor and ready in five minutes! If you have cooked quinoa in your fridge - as I usually do, you can make breakfast, lunch and dinners in a flash. Let me know what you love eating for breakfast so I can come up with a Hangry District spin on it.
Read MoreBest parts about working in an office setting full time? Lunch time and snacks, of course! A lot of DC employees tend to grab lunch on the go, or head to the closest fast food place for a break and some sustenance. I like to pack! Saves me money and calories. I love coming up with fun lunches that aren't just sandwiches and will give me a boost to get through the rest of the afternoon. Check out some of this month's favorites below.
Read MoreAs a cook and food obsessed maniac, I am often asked, "What's your signature dish?" or "What is your cooking style?" That question stumps me every time. I literally cook everything, I don't really have a particular style and I don't typically cook one dish repeatedly as my "signature dish." I consider myself a MacGuyver in the kitchen - that's my style. I create dishes based on the ingredients in my house and what's in season. However, I always have the makings for my Meeshballs. Keep reading to find out what's in a Meeshball!
Read MoreDo you have this song in your head now? I do. Hi friends! The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, so I've been coming up with simple week-night suppers that warm me up from the inside and allow me to enjoy the last rays of sunshine. Meatloaf has been a staple in my life since I was little. My mom made meatloaf a lot and I have taken her recipe and added my own twist and tips for you!
Read MoreIt's October! Time for trips to the pumpkin patch, haunted forests and most importantly - soups, squash and sweatpants! Summer in the swamp of DC was brutal, and I opted for dishes that required minimal heat. Since Fall is finally upon us, it's time to light a fire under my.....stove, and get cookin'! Last weekend I had a magical time in Disney World, where the Oktoberfest activities were in full swing. I wanted to keep the magic alive when I got home, so I created an Oktoberfest-style dinner complete with Bavaria Brass band playlist - nothing makes me hungrier than the sound of a tuba. Let the feeling of gemütlichkeit come over you by making this meal for yourself!
Read MoreIf you live in DC, then you've been experiencing quite the rainy week this week. There is nothing more relaxing or romantic to me than turning on some French music, pouring a glass of sparkling rosé and firing up the stove to cook a comforting meal, while listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on my windows. Rain is my favorite excuse to cook for hours. Keep reading to see what I came up with to warm us up and dry us off.
Read MoreOne of my favorite fellow foodies is Pamela Arriagada, a colleague of mine at the Carnegie Institution for Science. Despite being an astronomer on campus, our conversations always transition to food during the work day. Pamela is from Chile and has treated us more than once to traditional empanadas from her father's recipe. Since she is now embarking on a new adventure with her husband in Seattle, I asked her to come show me the ropes so I could keep the empanada tradition alive, and keep my hangry boyfriend happy :)
Read MoreThe very first appetizer I created at my debut catering gig in 2010 was bacon wrapped scallops -- my way. I stuck with classic Maryland-style flavor combinations, while allowing the delicate scallop to shine. Have I mentioned I was born and raised in Frederick, MD? Now you know. The best part is that these hors-d'oeuvres can be made in advance, so you can enjoy the party with your friends and pop these in the oven when your guests start to get hangry!
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Get ready for lots of fresh and easy tomato recipes. I'm a new homeowner (yay!), which means I'm also a new gardener! My first go at growing edibles was with three tomato seedlings that I was gifted and some herbs. It's been such a success so far! The tomato plants are thriving and producing so much fruit. I have three varieties: Brown Berry cherry tomatoes, Artisan Blush Tiger tomatoes and XXXXX. It's been fun coming up with different ways to use them all. Keep reading for my new favorite salad and a bonus appetizer.
Read MoreSunday's are my favorite day of the week for cooking! I can take my time, use fresh ingredients from the weekend Farmer's Market haul, sip on a few glasses of wine, and enjoy the smells and sizzles coming from the kitchen. This week I was inspired by Julia Child and decided on roast pork with ratatouille, check it out below.
Read MoreI love any excuse to host a dinner party, and that includes weeknights! Since I have a full-time job, weeknight dinner parties require simple and flavorful dishes, that I can whip up in two hours or less. I also need to have a very organized and well thought-out plan for the evening. Check out how I crafted a four-dish menu that was ready to be devoured by 7:30pm on a Wednesday!
Read MoreIt's the most wonderful week of the year - SHARK WEEK! I like to celebrate not only because I find sharks fascinating, but because I want to get people excited about sharks. Millions of sharks are killed every year and it's a race against extinction. So stop being afraid OF sharks and be afraid FOR sharks.
Now, spread the word and get festive by making these delicious and FINtastic shark cupcakes!
Read MoreSalmon is such a wonderful fish. It can stand up to bold flavors, it's flaky, but still delicate, you can grill it or bake it or sear it -- I just love it. I get really excited when it's on sale (the fresh stuff, not the frozen stuff), so I like to treat it with love and respect when it makes an appearance in my kitchen. Since my trip to China, I've been under the influence of Asian flavors and this recipe was a big hit at my house. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Read MoreI LOVE the Fourth of July!! Any occasion to wear American flags and red, white and blue is my kinda party! I am also a huge fan of making patriotic food -- hence these Patriot Pops! Super simple and a great way to start your holiday weekend mornings. All you need is yogurt, blueberries and strawberries. Keep reading to make some for yourself!
Read MoreI like to describe my style of cooking as MacGyver cooking. I typically lay a bunch of ingredients out that I need or want to use and come up with a creation. The inspiration for this chicken salad were the beautiful spring green onions I got from a CSA share and the fact that I had no mayo. Check out my take on a summer slam dunk with this savory chicken salad.
Read MoreThis one pot supper is packed with flavor and perfect for a week night. While the chicken braises, you can watch Jeopardy (an addiction of mine), throw in a load of laundry or make yourself a cocktail to unwind from the work day.
I tend to start a braised dish like this as soon as I get home from work. That way, it has plenty of time to develop flavor and it's ready by the time my man friend gets home.* :)
Read MoreI LOVE burgers. My favorite burger in DC is definitely from Shake Shack. Everything is perfect. When I can't make it out, I make my own and I use this recipe every time. It's simple but heavenly and you must pay attention to your toppings! What takes it over the top for me is the crunch from the salt & vinegar chips that I add as the final topping. Share your favorite toppings in the comments below!
Read MoreThis summer salad takes me back to weekends at the beach, backyard barbecues and great times with my friends and family. I encourage you to make this for your next summer shindig!
Read MoreFarro salad is something I've become known for amongst my friends. It's so versatile and can be made with whatever ingredients are in season, served hot or cold, and can be made in advance!
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