So this recipe began as an experiment and has become one of our family’s all-time favorite meals. We first served it as part of a big Tex-Mex spread for John’s birthday back in December. And it was a hit! Since then, we’ve made it several times for weeknight meals or weekend get-togethers. One of the […]
Archive | Healthy RSS feed for this section
Lebanese Rolled Grape Leaves (Dolmas)
Do you remember the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula tells her Aunt that her new man doesn’t eat meat? The Aunt replies: “What do you mean he don’t eat no meat?” [The whole room becomes silent.] Then the Aunt says: “Oh, that’s okay. I make lamb.” That scene reminds me so much of John’s […]
White Bean and Chicken Chili
Did you hear George Saunders‘s advice to graduates? His 2013 convocation speech is available here. You should read it. (Daily, really.) Saunders’s theory is that your life is a “gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving.” Knowing this, he recommends that we: “Hurry up. Speed it along.” Specifically, he says to: “Start right now. […]
Cheesy Puréed Cauliflower
John and I agree on a lot. But not everything. Cauliflower, for one. I love it, he doesn’t. I won’t give up that easily, though. So the other day I made this Cheesy Puréed Cauliflower to go with our Crock-Pot Barbacoa. I thought if I served it just like mashed potatoes, maybe John would think that it […]
Are You a Morning Person? Here’s My Secret…
Are you a morning person? I am. I love mornings. Although, I think John might disagree with me on this. And to his credit, I guess there is a minor caveat: I love quiet peaceful mornings. Of course, since having kids, not many mornings at the Saba household could really be described as either of those […]
In Search of a Fig Tree
Okay, peeps. It’s decided. I want a fig tree. In my yard. Does anyone know how to grow a fig tree in central Texas? . . . If so, I would love to hear from you! In the meantime, I’ll share a recipe for a simple, summery way to use your figs. It’s more of […]
Ground Bison Crispy Tacos
Do certain smells make you feel nostalgic? They do me. Especially, the smell of beach air, sawdust, and fried corn tortillas. Beach air, because we have been going to Port Aransas since I was a kid. Every year, when we’re about 30 minutes away from the ferry, the air starts to feel heavier. Thicker. And I can smell […]
Recipe Roundup: Food Ideas for the Fourth
You know why I love the Fourth of July? Because I get to break out these bad boys. And these bad boys. And then hang out at a picnic all day. Really though. I do love the Fourth. And not just because it’s like a 24-hour tailgate. I love it because — for just one […]
Secrets to a Successful Summer Picnic!
Back in January, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to: “Play outside more with the kids.” Well guess what earlier-version-of-myself, I’ll see your “play outside” and raise you an “eat outside more with the kids.” Picnics. They’re my new favorite thing. Poolside picnics, to be precise. From a logistical standpoint, are picnics intimidating to you? […]
Dinner on the Cheap: Chalupas Compuestas
After five years of marriage and two kids, John and I like to joke that we are “business partners in a nonprofit.” Which is only funny because it’s sort of true. As unromantic as that may sound, it is actually quite sweet. Because love during courtship is easy. But love during the chaos of parenthood? […]
On the Mediterranean Diet: Tabbouleh Salad
John’s grandparents are originally from Lebanon, so we eat a lot of Mediterranean food at our house. (For a funny little post about learning recipes from his family, click here.) I love to make a big spread of Lebanese food with the usual suspects (hummus, baba ganoush, rolled grape leaves) and this tabbouleh salad. Tabbouleh is very […]
Caldo De Res: Authentic Mexican Beef and Vegetable Soup
I love how food, like yarn, can sew together generations. I never met my mother’s mother, Maria (she died before I was born), but I think of her often. I think of her at times, like last week, when after a long day all I wanted was a mug of tea and hot bath, and […]
Side for Steaks: Build-Your-Own Wedge Salad
If there’s one consistently reliable source for advice about life, it’s bumper stickers. Okay maybe not, but there is one bumper sticker that I keep thinking about. It’s in the shape of a paw print, and inside, it says: “Who rescued who?” Who rescued who. It reminds me of what my mom always says about raising children: […]
Salmon Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Sauce
As I’ve mentioned before, if there’s anything I love more than cooking, it’s not cooking (especially when it’s really hot or I’m really hungry). In other words, although I do love to be in the kitchen, very often I just want to enjoy some good food without a lot of fuss. Which is the way Jack […]
Salt, Lime and Happiness: A Recipe for Ceviche
Well, we made it through another SXSW. That’s South-By-Southwest. Or “South-By” as we locals call it. John’s good friend Charlie (they’re basically brothers) came to stay with us during the main music weekend. Charlie lives in the midwest, so I wanted to serve him something very “Austin, Texas” for dinner on Friday night. To me, […]
Soup When You’re Sick (or Not): Lime Soup With a Thai Twist
Belize is my kind of place: White sand, blue water, rum punch, lime soup. Have you been? I went with my best friend Elissa and our mutual friend Rob back in 2007. We left a few days after Christmas and stayed through the New Year. This was back when John and I had just started […]
On the Mediterranean Diet: A Recipe for Lentils
Did you hear the news? A recent study confirmed what many suspected: A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, lean protein, fruits and vegetables can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. By a lot. As was reported in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago: The magnitude of the […]
Quinoa with Butter, Almonds and Cranberries
Okay, so I am officially becoming my dad. I am usually in bed before 9 p.m. I have a Japanese car (with light-colored seats!) that gets good gas mileage. I’m an over buyer, especially as to milk and paper towels. I use my blinker like a Driver’s-Ed instructor. I can’t stand loud restaurants. And my […]
Easy and Elegant Recipe for Pork Tenderloin
Isn’t in funny how times change. A decade ago, it was perfectly acceptable for Martha Stewart to provide a recipe that took multiple days to prepare. Whereas, these days, Rachael Ray doesn’t even waste time on extraneous syllables! (EVOO, veg, sammy, delish.) I think I’m somewhere in the middle: I love a recipe that looks […]
The BEST Recipe for Crab Cakes
I made crab cakes last night for dinner. Jack ate two and John ate SEVEN. That’s why John and I are such a good match. As his dad likes to say: “Well isn’t funny that a guy who loves to EAT finds a girl who loves to COOK!” Here’s what you need to know about […]
Follow Cocina Marie
