::books:de:books::

Well...I am back in CanadiaLand...but how I ridiculously miss home. Seriously. Walking the Oss-Man, going on shopping excursions, grocery shopping with Ma, the delicious and amazing dinners, the California weather, the comfy bed (!) the movie-athons...I haven't gone back home on my own like this and it was really nice and I am glad that my Mom convinced me to come on my own because I really needed it. 

I know that she is a little sad that I had to already leave and that the time went by so quickly! But I know now that there will be A LOT more California trips. 

My flight back to Toronto was pretty good and pretty fast - thankfully...and now I have some cleaning up to do around my apartment and my lovely boyfriend left me dishes to do and things here, there and everywhere to tidy up. :/ So that is the plan for today. 

Other then that, I am definitely hoping for a quiet & lazy weekend! So cleaning today and nothingness tomorrow and Sunday. 

I know Ma is reading this...I love you Mommy!!!

And of course the Pappafranz and Oss-Man...too bad my Dad had to work when I was there...and sick! Poor guy! He is feeling better though, so no worries people! :)) 

Hm....what shall I post about today? I have SO many recipes from California and even more amazing recipes/idea's from my Mom. The cooking there was soooo amazing! I can't even begin to describe it. So I will be sure to share that with you guys in the future as well. :) 

Ahh...I will post my new book wishlist. Some books that I found (through Amazon) that I heard about in magazine articles and such that look very interesting. And omg...some even more AMAZING news near the end - with regards to books. :) 

Let's begin! 

I believe I read about this book in Self Magazine. I have an obsession with fitness/health magazines lately...I barely buy fashion mags anymore since everything is pretty much online but I am always trying to figure out new ways to lead a healthier lifestyle and try and learn all about nutrition as well.

So, reading the description of this book it basically tries to teach you how to NOT diet and actually eat like a normal person and still lose weight. As it's said in the 'script - a 14 day plan can only create results for 14 days. This book is about a lifetime plan. Definitely something I'd want to read and learn on how I can have forever results and not just temporary.

"Go Undiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss" by Gloria Tsang.

Amazon Canada - $16.97. 

I have an obsession with food, food network and cookbooks...so this is definitely a change for me...because as much as it is about food, it isn't a cookbook! I found out about this book while watching Top Chef Texas Reunion while in California. There was a funny little montage with Gail Simmon's (author and person in the pic...obviously, lol) and I just want to know HOW Gail (an Ontario girl btw!) got into becoming a "professional eater"! I hear the book reads fabulously...as if you're talking to Gail yourself over some brie, crackers and a glass of red. Definitely interested in this book!

"Talking With My Mouth Full" by Gail Simmons.

Amazon Canada - $18.80.

I have recently taken up interest in Buddhism...so any books on it definitely strikes an attraction to learning as much as possible. I read about this book in on of my Mom's magazines. 

This book is about neuroscience and happiness. 

Who doesn't want to read a book like this and become more "fulfilled" in life? A definite must on everyone's wish list I think. 

"Buddha's Brain" by Rick Hanson with Richard Mendius.

Amazon Canada - $14.40.

There are a lot of people out there that deal with depression. Mental health is something that interests me an entire lot. Even though I don't have an issue with depression (just some S.A.D. and anxiety) I am still curious how one can deal with such a (at times) dibilitating disease. 

I also think that a lot of people, regardless, should practise mindfulness and to be honest a lot are advocating this method more so then ever. 

Mindfulness is a traditional application of Eastern meditation practice...so this sort of ties into Buddhism in a way. Another book that will definitely be an interesting read. 

"The Mindful Way Through Depression" by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Amazon Canada - $17.29.

I am definitely a massive control freak and just think this book would be perfect for me to read. This is another one about mindfulness but would be geared more towards me and my own personal change. 

I am also, definitely a perfectionist...so this book is a must. 

"Present Perfect" by Pavel Somov.

Amazon Canada - $13.68.

I have an obsession with Giada! I love her! What makes her that much more special to me though is the last week or two that I had Sky with me we watched a couple episodes a day...literally together. I love her cookbooks, her Italian-ness, the recipes and photo's. 

Certain books definitely evoke a certain passion...I seriously love to cook and love food beyond anything...my Mom thinks I am quite weird when I wake up in the morning and after saying "G'Morning!" I ask almost immediately "What's for dinner??". I definitely hold dinner sacred (not a breakfast person...or lunch for that matter). I think during dinner time you can become super creative, relax, have a glass of wine, socialize. It's the best of times for me and purchasing fantastic cookbooks that inspire you to do better in the kitchen is even better! :) 

Weeknights (dinner?) with Giada sounds like perfection to me!

"Weeknights with Giada" by Giada De Laurentiis.

Amazon Canada - $21.95.

Sophie Dahl is by far one of my most favourite chefs and cookbook writers. I am pretty sure she didn't go to a culinary school or anything - has been in and out of modelling for several years now...plus size to no size and such...I just love the fact that you don't have to eat everything in site or be a big girl (or big boy) to enjoy food. You can be healthy, have a great figure and enjoy rich foods! 

I really loved her other cookbook and seriously read it from cover to cover. Her books definitely read like actual novels...the pictures are ridiculously gorgeous and the recipes are deliciously fabulous. 

I have mentioned this book before - only being available in the UK. Then the other morning I woke up to an email from Amazon saying that this book is now available in Canada!!! Well, it will be on the third of April. I can't wait to get my hands on this book. 

"Very Fond of Food: A Year in Recipes" by Sophie Dahl. 

Amazon Canada - $21.32.

So...that big news thing was the two cookbooks. Lol. Giada and Sophie. Brand new cookbooks that recently came out! I really get ridiculously excited when I find out new books by some of my favourite chefs are coming out. Now I will wait for more...maybe by Tyler Florence...Roger Mooking or something... HINT HINT chefs. Get more books out! For serious. 

You inspire me and get your money at the same time. What couldn't be better?? 

Anyways...I gotta go clean. My lovely boyfriend left me "cleaning presents" behind...so...

Have a lovely Friday everyone!!!

-S.*

{Images from Google or Amazon.}

::chicken:&:capers::

So the other day my Mom and I went to Safeway and we picked up the recent issue of Everyday Food {I totally forgot to pick up last month's issue -- I hope it is still in Canada when I get back and that it just came out earlier here in California}. 

This issue is pretty great - it's "The How-To Issue" and it shows you some basics in terms of cooking and prep along with {obviously} great recipes. There are a tun of amazing recipes in these little magazine -- definitely a fave of mine and their cookbooks are just as great as well so I definitely recommend the Everyday Food mags/books. 

So...let's start off with some recipes for today - on this lazy Sunday. :)) 

Bon Appetit!

Sauteed Chicken With Capers

Serves: 4 ~ Active Time: 25 min ~ Total Time: 25 min

A thinly pounded breast works as well for sauteing as it does for grilling. It cooks quickly but stays moist. Dredging the chicken in flour before cooking gives it a golden exterior and leaves bits in the pan that make a great base for a simple sauce. 

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts {about 2 pounds total}

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

2 tablespoons champagne or white-wine vinegar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces 

2 tablespoons capers, plus 1 teaspoon brine

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally. Place each half between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness with a meat mallet or small skillet. Place flour on a plate. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then coat with flour, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. In batches, cook chicken until browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side {add remaining oil to pan, if necessary}. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil. 

2. Add vinegar to pan and cook, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, 1 minute. Add butter and capers and brine; cook, stirring, until butter is melted. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and top with parsley. 

{Per Serv: 401 cal; 24g fat {8g sat}; 41g protein; 4g carb; 0g fibre.}

Hmm..I am wondering why the calorie count is a little high...but then there is the flour...I'm not too sure. Either way...it looks delicious! And I will definitely try this recipe out for sure. Sort of reminds me of chicken piccata as well {which is technically the pic}. 

-S.*

{Source: Image from Google Images - This recipe can also be found in the April 2012 issue of Everyday Food on page 88.}

::crumble::

I am not a big dessert eater - I just don't like sweets; plain and simple. Hard to believe, eh? A lot of people can't believe it whenever I pass on dessert, birthday cake, ice cream and the like...to be honest, I would rather have another dollop of mashed potatoes or a second serving of spaghetti then Häagen-Dazs or a Snickers. But from time to time I will "indulge" a little bit and it is usually if and when my Mom makes desserts or if we go to a Polish bakery and get some pastries. 

I'll tell you one thing, my Mom makes a mean apple crumble. 

I love her baking/cooking and she usually made this crumble around Christmas time...where the entire house smelled like cinnamon and baked apples...ahh, it smelled so heavenly during that time! I should get the recipe from her and try it out myself sometime...

The other night I went over to my parent's neighbour's house to drop off some magazines and Tammy {my Mom's friend as well who is such a sweetheart} gave us a couple mags too. 

As I was going through the "Something Extra" magazine I stumbled across a crumble recipe that also has blackberry's in it - I love berries.

I decided to share the recipe with you guys and maybe my Mom will try this one out sometime as well. 

I have only posted a small handful of dessert recipes on this blog so enjoy this one. ;) 

Bon Appetit!

Apple Blackberry Crumble

Prep: 20 minutes :: Cook: 45 minutes :: Serves: 8

Ingredients

4 large green apples

1 cup frozen blackberries, thawed

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp. flour

{Topping}

1/2 cup rolled {old fashioned} oats

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

3 tbsp. organic butter or buttery spread, cut into pieces

Directions

1. Preheat over to 375F and spray an 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Peel, core and cube apples. Stir in blackberries, sugar and flour. Pour into prepared dish. 

3. Stir together all topping ingredients in a small bowl with a fork and sprinkle over fruit. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

{Nutrition per serving: 208 calories, 2 g protein, 5 g total fat, 41 g carbohydrate, 4 g fibre, 30 g sugar, 11 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium, 6 points.}

There ya go! And on top of that it sounds like a healthier version as well. 

I might make this for mine and my boyfriend's anniversary dinner when I get back to Canada. :)) 

-S.*

{Image from Google Images}

::potato:croquettes::

I haven't posted a recipe in quite a while so I think it's time to post one up for you guys. Recipe times is definitely one of my favourite things to blog about...I love food. I especially love blogging about food when I am hungry (lol, weird, I know). 

There is a great issue of the Food Network magazine out there that I would like to pick up at some point when I get back to the G.Dot and hoping it is still there. I also have had time to review some books while in California so there is definitely a fantastic list I have to share with you guys. 

I also got some pretty wicked gifts for some people back home {just a couple - don't get too excited, some of you, lol} and I will post that after I give the gifts to the people's. Can't ruin a surprise now can I?

The weather here has been pretty good. It was supposed to rain all day today but it has been sunny like crazy and quite warm to boot where it got to a point where we had to put the AC on in the car! 

But anyways...I hope everyone is having a great week so far...the weekend is finally here for you! Hope everyone has some fabulous plans. :) 

So the other night my Mom and I watched Bitchin Kitchen {she has never seen the show before and thorougly enjoyed it}. The first episode {since there are usually 2 new ones that air each week} was of all desserts and the second there was a delicious steak and potato croquette's recipe that my Mom immediately wanted the recipe for {particularly the croquettes} so I decided that I am going to share the recipe that was on the show with you. :))

Bon Appetit!

Nonna's Potato Croquettes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Russet potatoes {4, large}

Garlic {1 clove, degermed and minced}

Extra virgin olive-oil {1 teaspoon plus more for frying}

Parmigiano Reggiano {1/2 cup grated}

Fresh flat-leaf parsley {1/2 cup, minced}

Salt and pepper

3 eggs

Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

1. Slice potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot of salted water, boil about 15 minutes until fork-tender, and then drain.

2. In a frying pan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium heat. Add garlic clove and saute 2 minutes until golden. Set aside. 

3. In a big bowl combine the cooked potatoes with grated parmesan, the sauteed garlic and the oil from the pan, parsley, a small pinch of sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Roughly mash it all together and let cool in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

4. Once the mash has cooled, roll a bunch of croquettes into any shape you like. {Roll them up into 1/2-inch thick fingers.}

5. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Dip the croquettes in the eggs and then coat/roll them in the Italian-seasoned bread crumbs. 

6. In a large frying pan, heat 1/4-inch of olive oil over medium heat. Throw in a small pinch of bread crumbs to test the temperature. When the tester crumbs start sizzling fat, it's time to get cracking. 

7. Gently place the croquettes in the oil. Roll them around for a few seconds until the breadcrumbs are golden all over, and they're done. 

8. Place the fried croquettes on a paper towel to get rid of excess oil and shake off immediately until placated.

And there you have it. Finally a recipe from me, eh!? Lol. 

I got this from a blog {http://liliana-tommasini.suite101.com/bitchin-kitchen-cookbook-review-a101577} -- sorry for the long link. But you can also find this in Nadia G's cookbook {I am pretty sure it is in there...lol} or the cooking channel's website as well. 

Give this a try and let me know how you make out. :)) 

-S.*

::in:the:crescent::

A random picture...but I like random pictures. 

-S.*

::style:hits::

Here are some style hits!

-S.*

{Source: Images from People StyleWatch}

::good:kate:bad:kate::

Kate Moss by Steven Klein for W Magazine March 2012.

-S.*