Mixed Fruit Corn Bread

One of my favorite comfort foods with fruit added. Something simple to enjoy during this beautiful time of the year, fall. Except in Southern California where it still feels like summer with a wind and fire twist.

Mixed Fruit Corn Bread

1 cup Vanilla-flavored milk, coconut milk, vanilla yogurt, or your choice

1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temp

2 eggs

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups Blackberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries (or any fruit you like)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a square or 8 x 12 baking dish.

2) Combine the yogurt, butter, eggs, and cornmeal.

3) Mix in the flour slowly; don't whip.

4) Fold in the fruit.

5) Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

Something easy to make and share with anyone. 

A new BBQ sauce

I have a huge love for BBQ and enjoy it with my usual BBQ sauces but lately I've been looking for something different outside of the norm. Although there are tons and tons of BBQ sauces out there and while they all have their own unique spins, they pretty much are all the same. You rarely see a different BBQ sauce being explored, both in restaurants and on the famous 'Food Network'. I want something different! A new change in my eats. More culture. More creativity in the works---from myself and from others. 

So one day....

I think I found my 'it' sauce. Or I know I found my 'it' sauce. How do I know I found it? Because I crave* it all the time now and that's enough to solve this new sauce dilemma! Or at least start my search for more.

*Growing up, my mom used to crack jokes all the time about my cravings and how they = to pregnant women cravings! Ugh! I can't help it! And that is one of the main reasons why I run, ;) besides the fact I actually do love running!

I got this recipe from an Egyptian friend. -I added a couple things to the mix to make it my own without changing its simplicity- At first, I didn't want to try it---WHAT?! The reason for this is because I asked what was in it and the main flavor you get from this sauce is---tahini. And to be honest, I wasn't too fond of it at the time. It's not a bad thing but in my opinion, too much of it is....too much. It's a strong flavor when used to the supreme. I know it's in one of my favorites--hummus, but I prefer it when it's used lightly. Now, things have changed and I appreciate it more. I've enjoyed experimenting with it now in both savory and sweet dishes.

So of course I tried it anyway and it was love from there. You get the hint of tahini but it really isn't overpowering at all. And it goes great with chicken. It's definitely not your typical 'BBQ Sauce' but I strongly urge you all to give it a go. Just once! Then tell me if you agree or disagree. I added the cayenne and garlic for that little hint of spice and I love love garlic so of course it made the cut. Sometimes I add the vinegar and sometimes I don't. Either way it's still a palate pleasing sauce.

Tahini BBQ Sauce Recipe:

1/3-1/2 cup Tahini
2 cups Plain Yogurt
1 Tbsp Vinegar, optional
Juice of 1/2-1 Lemon
Salt, to taste
1-2 tsp Paprika
1/4-1/2 tsp Cayenne
2 cloves of Crushed Garlic or 2 tsp Granulated Garlic Powder
Water, small amount just to achieve liquid consistency
Chopped Parsley

*Note: May need to experiment to your liking and double/triple/leave as is depending on the number of people enjoying this. Nothing is measured exactly when I make this. Some changes may or may not need to be made, depending on your liking.

1) Combine all ingredients and either use as a dip or pour over your meat of choice*.

*I've only had this with chicken. I haven't experimented yet with other meats.

It's time to appreciate the ingredients we have been given in each and every culture in this world.

Will you try this new BBQ sauce recipe?

Lobsterfest 2013

Every year around this time, tons and tons of Maine Lobsters are flown into Southern California for an event known as Lobsterfest. It's been at the same location: Port O' Call Village, Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro for years. And for the past 6 years, I've been attending this event where lobster lovers (and non-lobster lovers) unite together to eat and celebrate the beloved lobster.

Though it isn't as cheap as enjoying it in Maine, it is still worth it for us Southern Californians who can't get enough of lobster. And I'm definitely one of them!

I save and wait all year for this event because you know I won't be just buying one lobster! Gotta take advantage of the deals. One day I'll make it to the east coast to sample and love.

Here are some pictures from last night - taken on my friends phone! Sorry for the quality. I need to bust out my camera and utilize it!

Until next time, Lobsterfest!

My World Cup Update

No such luck for tickets yet. They haven't updated the individual matches. The qualifier games are going on right now so I'm hoping by October they'll update the matches. I still can't decide if I should wait for the individual matches or just select the teams I want to see. It'll be more expensive going through the selecting teams route. Good thing I have plenty of time to figure out what I want to do before the first random draw!

World Cup 2014

Two days until I send in an application that will hopefully bring me one step closer to one of my biggest dreams! Vive fútbol! ❤️⚽

Feel the love: World Cup 2014

Happy 4th!

To celebrate the fourth, I'm making my Blue Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Burgers. Mainly because I'm running everyday now for my current job and I have been CRAVING a good burger bad for days now. And normally, when it comes to my cravings, I have to give in because it just doesn't go away! And I would never deprive myself of eating good comfort food. :)

Once in a while, I'm all about simple and don't feel the need to add odd ingredients to everything I make, according to my friends. The faster it's put together, the quicker I get to eat!  It's only FOUR ingredients. No salt added and no salt needed. Satisfies the craving of a burger, who doesn't love bacon and blue cheese together, and my love of garlic. All put together to make an all around filling and craving-satisfied meal.

All you need is:

1 lb of ground beef (or chicken, lamb, your preference)
Garlic powder/Granulated Garlic
1/2 cup blue cheese
4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Combine cheese and bacon; set aside. Mix the meat and garlic together. Split meat into four sections and shape into rounds. Hollow out each ball and stuff in the cheese-bacon mixture. Close off and flatten with the palms of your hands. Heat skillet or get the grill going and cook burgers for 3-5 minutes on each side. Serve with avocado and keep it simple or add any of your favorite toppings on a hamburger bun.

My mouth is watering now.