I Never Wanna Leave This World, Without Saying I Love You

Dry Rubbed Pan-Fried Pork Chops with sauteed cabbage 

Again, a very simple meal, low on carbs but high on flavor.  Sauteed cabbage with onions and garlic is much better than I ever expect and I have it all the time.  Dressed with Asian flavors or apple and carrots or like this time, simply with salt and pepper and a splash of balsamic vinegar to finish.  Roasted, raw or sauteed, this over-looked but highly nutritious lady is a surprise giver.  And so far, still a very inexpensive bang for your buck.

I'm going out on a limb to say of all the boring, pale vegetables, I think I love cabbage the best.

I Just Came Back to Let You Know

Beef Tostadas 

This year's food theme highlights simple but perfect foods.  The tostada, for example, is a treasure in its simplicity.  It's a sin not to make them more often.  Toast a corn tortilla and top it with just about anything.  But put a party on top and it becomes a festive dinner, worthy of celebration.  Instead of refried beans as a base, I used guacamole this time for the glue that holds it all together.  

This is a very common version but try mashed black beans smeared up with sour cream and diced pickled jalapenos, some crunchy onion and cabbage on top, a little cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime.  This is a delight you have not experienced. Such a treat!   Meat is not needed to get your creative-genius on with this easy vessel.  Use the no-fail template of a soft smear on the toasted shell bottom (beans, guac, yogurt, sweet potato mash, etc) topped with something crispy cold or cheesy,meat and creamy.  

I am guilty as anyone of sticking to my beloved traditional pairings, but now is the time to step out of our comfort zones and make these work with whatever seasonal vegetables we need to use up and are available.

Lefty the cat making the most of lack of birds outside

I Guess You Wonder Where I've Been

Tortilla Pizza

My sister informed me of a TikTok trend that she currently loves. This is my first sloppy attempt of Tortilla Pizzas.  Pluses are that you can pick your tort size, therefore doing a small individual or larger to share.  This is great for thin crust pizza lovers or low-carb seekers.  Getting that tort super crispy is key but not as hard as I thought, even with loaded up toppings. 

And of course, making it is exactly as you would imagine but here is a helpful tutorial from James Beard award-winner, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. 

There was a period when I was putting pizza toppings on toast, thin bread, pita, and cauliflower slices.  So,  tortilla is not a stretch but it's a very good vessel and I'm surprised the idea had not come up sooner.  Let's all remember Taco Bells tortilla pizza from back in the day, one of my favorite specialty items.  Speaking of, you can double layer the tort in the same way, if you want to get extra cheesy and creative. 

We're Bustin' Out on Some Serious Funk

If there is something to learn in this life it might be the old adage, don't take anything too seriously.  That would include scary dishes like Pork Posole, where you slow roast and simmer away for hours. 

Lighten up and cut pork in small cubes, searing it first as you would a beef stew, rolled in flour and spices to thicken the broth.  Add your chili powder, cumin, garlic, put in peppers and onions, a good stock or water with bouillon before throwing in the oven for an hour at least. Take out and add two cans of hominy.  

Garnish with cilantro, onion, lime and cotija cheese

Let's Hear it for the Girl, She's From Around the Way

Thai take-out from Ma Brooklyn Thai-ger.  Friendly, local spot, very tasty, good portion sizes and sauce to vegetable/meat ratio.  But also enough to sauce a veggied-up brown rice for lunch the next day.  The vegetables had that perfectly steamed bite and freshness. That's the kind of lunch specials we're looking for these days. Way to go Ma Brooklyn!

Plus the spring rolls were hot and tight! 

Let's Smother Each Other in a Good Ole Strangle

A not so great photo but I call this Mexican Smothered Pork Chops

Pork Chops smothered in an enchilada sauce topped with cold cheese, lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Very satisfying quick low-carb meal. 

A big hawk appeared in a tree outside the kitchen window.  An unlikely visitor however, very welcome.  Especially since all the little birds have gone away for the winter. 

You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me

Taco Salads could very well turn up on my last meal list, if we were provided separate breakfast, lunch and dinner options, that is.  Its more impressive when simpler ingredients come together so awesomely, like iceberg lettuce, ground beef, cheddar cheese and corn chips.   

A well dressed tossed salad underneath with chunks of avocado is often better than anything you could come up with at that moment.  

On Such a Winter's Day

Sometimes birthdays are no big shakes.  A frozen pizza, tons of snacks at a local movie theater and a Whole Foods cake is all you need to celebrate another year on planet earth.

Winter birthdays are harder to bring your enthusiasm game. On the other hand, any little fun had in February is a good time comparatively. 

Bring Them Down Movie with Barry Koeghan, my favorite actor of the present.  Sick and Twisty, as you would expect from him. 

Birthday Cake, slightly whomper-jawed, like me.

Its a joke, but also a big love of George Jefferson

Save it For a Rainy Day

Isn't it nuts how different you can feel from one day to another?  Cloudy rainy days as opposed to clear skies.

Yesterday was breaded chicken cutlets but today, glazed spicy tenders did the trick.

One Way or Another, I Wanna Get Ya

Chicken Cutlets with Asian dipping sauce

Crispy baked lightly breaded chicken cutlets and a slew of roasted vegetables including this awesome crispy roasted Tofu that I was quite proud of and that prompted a tight dipping sauce with soy, sesame oil, garlic, pepper, Hoisin sauce, with a dash of fish sauce and cilantro.  So good! 

For dinner and work lunch boxes.  Or when your husband wants chicken and you want soup, it's nice to have pots of options.

Roasted cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts

Weighted down and thoroughly dried firm tofu cut into chunks was a delight! Tossed in all the fun spices as the vegetables before roasting, and then turning when crispy on the bottom.  How can something with so little flavor taste this good?!

The chicken took zero time and stayed very juicy.  I shit talk white chicken meat but when it's good, it's so clean tasting!