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January 4, 2012

Kale Slaw with Red Cabbage & Carrots

kale slaw

I’ve spent the past 48 hours feeling like I’ve been rocking back and forth (spending 7 days on a cruise ship can do that to you!). Everything right now is a bit off kilter because in the past week, time zones were crossed, climates changed, calendar days were disregarded, and I did something I never thought was possible- I spent a whole week without using my cellphone (OMG!). Instead of tackling the laundry, emptying suitcases and sorting through the mail when we got home Monday, I immediately went grocery shopping to get provisions for the week.  I figured the only way to feel like normal again at home was to get back to work in my kitchen and binge on kale.

kale slaw

When I was eating lifeless romaine salad with extremely unripe yet mushy tomatoes on the boat (not all the food was dreadful!), I daydreamed of crispy kale salads with toasted coconut. Spending a week without kale was absolute torture and when I was standing in my kitchen swaying from side to side chopping kale, I vowed never to let that many days go by without my leafy green security blanket.

kale slaw

The crispy crunchy kale & cabbage shreds tasted amazing with the roasted cashew pieces and hemp seeds. The apple added a nice sweetness too!  What you have here is a gigantic plate of HEALTH! I think the slaw could have potentially erased all of those chocolate dipped mickey mouse ice cream bars I ate. Who am I kidding? What I actually need is some serious Mousercise. For reals.

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January 2, 2012

365-Week 52!!

I DID IT!! It’s OVER! 365 DAYS OF FOOD!!!

Here’s the last week:

365/365 Gin & ginger ale on the deck.

12.31.11

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December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!

fish in the sky

Friends!
I’m currently taking a little blog break and enjoying the holidays with my family. I hope you’re doing the same! Wishing you the happiest New Year!

More soon!

Tracy

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December 28, 2011

Apricots w/ Basil Goat Cheese & Almonds

A long time ago I told my mom that I’d like to be a caterer and she immediately talked me out of it. I thought that my love for making food in assembly lines, piping things with pastry bags and my passion for all things filo dough & puff pastry would be enough. Then she reminded me of how I’d have to stand on my feet for 8+hours and then someone else told me how much packing up and moving was involved in the life of a caterer. Dang. Maybe I just want to be a catering company’s quality assurance tester? Yeah! I’d be really good at it.

This recipe has been on my radar forever. I had a Christmas party to attend and whipped up these beauties in absolutely NO time. They’re fun, colorful, bite sized and uber fancy. Don’t you just love the sight of little appetizers lined up on a tray? I sure do…

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December 26, 2011

French 75

Champagne! Never been a fan (blasphemy, right?!). I’m not sure why. I guess I always end up inhaling bubbles and then they spew out my nose. Truth!

Did you know that I married into a champagne loving family? A good portion of my in-laws take their champagne drinking to a whole new level. It’s as if they’re athletes and champagne is their Gatorade. You think I’m kidding?

Today is the last Monday of 2011 and chances are you’re looking for a signature cocktail for New Years Eve. Champagne lovers, listen up! The French 75 is slightly herbal with the gin, it’s tart with the lemon juice and slightly sweet with that cute little sugar cube floating on the bottom. A word of caution-These cocktails are a bit STRONG. Two of these French 75s may or may not have caused my husband to fall asleep on the couch at 8pm the other night…

There are many variations of this classic cocktail. Some recipes call for cognac instead of gin. Others may add Cointreau or brown sugar and it’s often served in a collins glass. I think the champagne flute makes it a little more festive. Enjoy!
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December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!!

Friends!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas & Happy Hanukkah, filled with good food, laughter & quality time with the ones you love!

xoxox

The Benjamins

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December 24, 2011

365- Week 51

A food related photo everyday until 2012. Here’s Week 50:

357/365 Game hen, kabocha squash & fried sage at Cotagna.

12.23.11

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