{à table: stuffed mushrooms}

I said that I would post on this little side dish HERE, and so...before the weeks pass too long, I thought I should make good with my promise.  Often times, I put so much effort into a main dish, that the side dishes get neglected.  Well, not this night!!  I was craving mushrooms (as usual) and when I came across the below recipe, there was no question what we'd be having for dinner.  And get this...these satisfying, figure friendly, stuffed mushrooms don't even use butter!!

Serves 4 - Calories 63

What you need...

1 box (10 oz) white mushrooms, cleaned

4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 tbsp panko bread crumbs (I used garlic + herb flavored) 

1 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2. Pop the stems off the mushrooms and chop; arrange the mushroom caps in a single layer on the prepared pan.  Reserve 2 tbsp of the scallions for garnish.  Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the scallions and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chopped mushroom stems, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and cool slightly.

3. Divide the mushroom stem mixture amoung the mushroom caps.  Combine the panko and Parmesan and press the crumbs gentl into the mushroom stem mixture.  Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Garnish with the reserved scallions and serve.

Happy Foodie Friday!!!  Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to pay a little attention to your side dishes. :)

Xx,

Naphtali

{recipe via CYT}

{à table: spaghetti squash spaghetti}

It's Food Friday again!! How has this week passed so quickly?!

One of Mister's love languages is service (though I believe that must be a common one between most men, and of course, moms).  Either way, I knew that he'd be in the field and training so long, that I wanted to make a special dinner.  One of his favorites is spaghetti, but as I'm trying to cut my calorie intake, I wanted to find a solution that would satisfy both of us.  Thankfully I happened upon a fantastic recipe.  The solution....

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

Taking out the pasta cuts our normal meal from about 550 calories (if not more) to just 300 calories (if not less)...depending on your portion control!

What you need:
1 Large spaghetti squash
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Garlic Clove, peeled and finely chopped
2 Cups prepared marinara sauce
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop and discard all seeds.  Rub the squash inside and out with 1 Tbsp of oil and season the inside with salt and pepper.  Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foi.  Place in the oven and cook for 45 minutes, or until the rind is slightly soft and gives with a little pressure.

3. With a fork, scrape the flesh out into an oven proof bowl, creating the thin strands of "spaghetti".  Cover and keep warm in a very low oven.  this can be done ahead and rewarmed in a low oven or microwave.

4. **Meanwhile, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the garlic.  Stir until the garlic is lightly golden, about 30 seconds, then add the marinara sauce and simmer until warm.


5.  Place the squash strands in 4 pasta bowls, top with the sauce and sprinkle with the cheese.  Serve immediately. 

**I made a "chunkier" version of my homemade spaghetti sauce...as to fully satisfy Mister, but either way - the squash is delicious with sauce.  I didn't miss the pasta one bit!!!






{You may notice the stuffed mushrooms in the picture too.  Don't fret - I'll be sharing that recipe very soon!!}



xx,

Happy Friday and wonderful weekend to all of you fantastic people!!







{recipe courtesy CYT}

{à table: chicken à la tomato sauce}

For this week's Foodie Friday, I have a super simple dinner for you!  I actually didn't plan on posting this, but the other night when I served up dinner...Mister was so happy with it, that he said I had share.

You know those days...when you don't want to fuss over the stove; think about a satisfying dish for everyone; don't have time to go to the store? Well, that's what I was feeling.  I raided my pantry, freezer  and fridge and had a vague remembrance of a dish that I had tasted years prior.  I knew what I was going to serve!  Chicken à la tomato sauce ~

Like I said, I raided my rations, so you can do the same.  There are a ton of different variations to this, and actually there's probably a proper recipe out there.  But, I just figured out something with what I had on hand...

*Chicken Breast(s) - I used three. Leftovers are a blessing (even if you do like to cook!!!)

*1 large can crushed tomatoes

*1 small can tomato sauce - or crushed tomatoes (whatever you have/want)

*Magi Sauce (I always have this on hand, but you could equally use Worcestershire sauce.)

* 1-2 Tbsp Sour Cream (Or creme fraiche or even plain yogurt!)

*Fresh basil

*Parmesan cheese

*1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil

*Garlic Powder (of course, you can use fresh garlic...I just didn't have any)

*Salt + Pepper

1) Season both sides of chicken (Salt, Pepper, Garlic powder)

2) In a deep pot, medium heat, add the olive oil and sear both sides of the chicken (until a good "crust"/browning has occurred). 

3) Cover seared chicken with tomato sauce, splash in sauce magi (or whatever you're using). 

4) Add lid on pot and reduce heat to a simmer.  Simmer for 45 min - 1hr (depending on thickness of Chicken).  Stir every so often.

5) Stir in a bit of fresh basil.  (I added some about 10 minutes before serving.  You could do it earlier or at very end.) 

6) When chicken is cooked through, turn off heat and stir in sour cream

7) Serve over rice (which I had).  I originally would have suggested pasta, but honestly the rice was so yummy with the sauce...so, I'll probably do this again.  

8) Top with fresh basil and Parmesan Cheese. 

As I said...a hundred variations.  I might try a few new things next time, but then again, Mister was so happy with it - so, maybe I won't!

Happy Friday, weekend, kitchen times...and (of course) à table !

xx,

{The picture was an afterthought....as I said, I didn't plan on posting this!}

{à table: angle food cake - lemon glaze}

It wouldn't be Friday without a little recipe or food inspiration from me!  As long I can remember, I've had Angel Food Cake for my birthday.  It's by far my favorite! So, what's more appropriate than a simple and sweet dessert for this week?

{The key to this below photo is to not look too hard.  My camera phone doesn't do the taste justice.}

To dress up the cake, I made a lemon glaze and topped it with some strawberries we had in the fridge. Mister was a bit worried that it wouldn't "satisfy"; however, after taking the first bite, he was convinced and after taking the last bite, he was happy that he didn't feel like he indulged too much.  Because let's be honest...cake isn't that friendly to a diet. 

This dessert was light, refreshing and delish!  A perfect idea for Mother's Day.  And, if you don't have time to bake a cake from scratch - just follow in Mister's footsteps.  Buy the cake and make a glaze.

Glaze -
1 C confectioner's sugar
4 Tbl fresh lemon juice
*mix together with a whisk until smooth

Drizzle glaze over cake and top with your favorite fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries...)

{You can make any variation to the glaze by substituting organge juice, lime juice...and then adding fruit that would compliment!}

à table !



*In case you missed these food inspirations click on any of the following: mexican, fish, crepes, breakfast....happy kitchen time!

{à table: pancake party}

A few years ago, while planning my wedding, I came across a beautiful invitation stating a morning wedding time.  Since then, I've been in love with the idea of a morning wedding.  Morning sunlight, bird's chirping, breakfast served....all together dreamy.  I've brought this idea up to Mister (even recently) and he constantly can only think of how early everyone would have to get up in order to get ready. He has a point, but then again....after scouring the blogosphere this past week, my eyes happened upon a glorious scene...And, since I am married and won't be having another wedding, perhaps I should take a cue from these dreamy pics and plan a mid-morning pancake party. 

So....what do you think? Do you want to join me this weekend for a party?

à table and happy weekend!!

{photos from Daisy Pink Cupcake via Once Wed}

{à table: à la mexican}

I didn't do much cooking this past week.  Mister was gone and really, what I was to do with all the food? But when he walked in the door late Friday, he was glad that I was ready to start creating! Saturday I had fun trying a bunch of new recipes and variations on some faves.  It was dinner à la mexican.  I knew that Mister would be happy as it's his favorite food to eat. 

We love tacos.  Sometimes I make them "American-style" with lettuce and all the trimmings, but lately have been inspired by what we find here in "almost-Mexico".  We didn't have any carne asada (Mister's favorite), but the ground beef was perfectly dressed with grilled onions, tomatoes, fresh avocado and of course cilantro.  Add some fresh radishes on the side, and the meal is satisfying!  As I was in the mood to create, I made up some homemade stuffed jalapenos (a recipe that I learned a few weeks ago when visiting friends for Easter) and a vegan bean dip.  YUM!

à table !

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  We are taking ours quite easy as poor Mister walked over 40 miles in less than a three day period just before coming home.  He's stuffing his belly and resting up for the week ahead.  Even though we're pretty much house-bound, it's been an awesome couple of days. 

Do you have anything going on this weekend?!

Enjoy today, Lovelies!!

{à table: granola}

As I mentioned HERE, I have started a series, à table. 

For this week....I wanted to share this amazing granola recipe! The source is from Alicia's Silverstone's book, The Kind Diet.  {Which is also linked on the right, as one of my current reads.} Don't get me started on her book.  It's fantastic!  I loooove the recipes, and even more than that, I'm further convinced about certain foods.  If you read it, be warned that it's pro-vegan, but you'll love the recipes throughout! And...there are plenty vegetarian options that would compliment any meal. 

Though I'm a self-proclaimed slacking pescetarian, and in all honesty could be easily convinced to full vegetarian status, this blog is not meant to push specific eating habits on you, but rather inspire you to make yummy food, right in your own kitchen!  And with that, I segue into this yumminess....{dressed with Almond Milk} :)

Mom's Granola - Makes 2 Quarts

6C quick-cooking oats
1/2 C maple sugar
3/4 wheat germ
1/2C shredded coconut
1/2C sesame or sunflower seeds
1C chopped nuts or raisins (*I did 1/2 and 1/2)
1/2 C safflower oil
1/3 C maple syrup (sweetest version) or brown rice syrup (slighly milder)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

*Spread the oats on a rimmed baking pan, and bake for 10 minutes.  Transfer the oats to a large mixing bowl, and add the sugar, wheat germ, coconut, seeds, and nuts or raisins. Stir to mix well, then add the oil, syrup, and vanilla extract.  Mix until everything is moistened.

*Spread half of the mixutre on each of the 2 rimmed baking sheets (or bake in 2 batches), and bake for 10 minutes.  Stir after 5 minutes to brown evenly.

*Let the baked granola cool, then transfer it to a bowl and sitr until crumbly.  Store in an airtight container.

à table and bon appétit !

{Seriously - this is a fantastic, yummy granola that even the husband and kids will love.  And, it makes a bunch!!  So, no need to pay $4 - $5 for a small box of store bought granola that's full of refined sugar and other no-need ingredients!}

{à table}

à table = a French term used to signify dinner time. It literally means "at [the] table".

I have many memories growing up when dinner would be ready and I'd hear my mom say (in her convincing French accent) "à table". Here I am years later, and though I don't have little children piling around the dinner table, my Mister has become quite familiar with the phrase. Since this term is so prominent in my life and since I love to express art through food, and since admittedly I get asked "what I'm making" several times a week, I've decided to start documenting certain dinners/recipes on my blog. I'm not a professional by ANY means, but I have fun exploring my way around the kitchen. If you're interested in me trying out anything in particular - let me know!

As for last night....?

Salmon, roasted potatoes and broccoli


Marinade:
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger
1/2 tsp Asian sesame oil
1/4 cup dry sherry
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp chopped green onion
2 medium cloves minced garlic

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer slowly for 5 minutes. Strain liquid and chill. Place Salmon (or another fish of choice - I've used halibut and talapia) in a non-reactive pan and cover with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Remove fish and cook! I barbecued the salmon in the above photo, but generally bake it. Yum!

Potatoes:

Quarter potatoes and dress with:
Olive Oil
Garlic
Chopped parsley
Kosher Sea Salt
Crushed black pepper
Bake on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.


à table and bon appétit !