Stuffed Portobella

Now, I am very aware that this photo is not very appetizing. It was hard to capture this creation of mine on camera but it was really yummy so I wanted to share the idea. Besides the best way to cook is to rummage through ideas then experiment in the kitchen. Plus I was especially creative with making this because I used leftover bruschetta from another recipe.

Recipe
1/3 C quinoa
1/2 C bruschetta
1 portobella mushroom

Rub balsamic vinegar and a bit of olive oil on the portabella after washing it scrapping off the inside ribbing. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook the quinoa, 1/3 C quinoa to 2/3 C water, bring to a boil then let simmer on low until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. While steaming hot add the bruschetta to the quinoa and mix well. Stuff the portabella full and put back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes.

Wallah, a beautiful stuffed mushroom. This was obviously a night I was cooking for just me but make two or three and serve as appetizers or sides to a wonderful dinner!

Enjoy,
<3 Dani

Asian Sauteed Tempeh

Here is the tempeh recipe I had promised to share with you once I could upload the pictures. Looking at these pictures is making me very hungry and disappointed that I don't have any tempeh in my fridge! Hope you enjoy!

Recipe

Tempeh, small cubes

2 T tamari

1 clove of garlic minced

1'' cube of ginger, peeled and minced

half a lemon, squeezed

 

Cut tempeh in to small cubes. In a saucepan add tamrai, garlic, ginger and lemon. If you prefer them crispier you can add a bit of oil, preferably coconut or grapeseed as though can withstand the high heating. Saute for 5-7 minutes of until steaming hot. Toss on a salad!

Blessings,

<3 Dani

Sojourners and Wine Tasting

 The two sisters were shortly reunited just after I moved back to Santa Barbara. Bianca came to visit only a week later and we were determined to do something really fun. Having wanted to go wine tasting together for months now we figured that was a good place to start with ideas. We got online and found the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, a map of eleven wine tasting rooms downtown Santa Barbara. But we decided to make it especially adventurous and bike all the way there from Isla Vista, a whopping 13 mile ride! So we combined our efforts and called it the "Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail on bike"!

We hit up three different Wine Tasting Rooms, Kalyra Winery, Oreana Winery, and the Santa Barbara Winery, all of which we thoroughly enjoyed. All three had very different environments making each it's own unique experience. Each room cost $5-10 and served 6-10 tastings, we tried 25 different wines in all! Our favorite: a dessert wine from Oreana Winery called The Eliminator. I know, hilarious name.

 Before all the wine though, we filled up on a delicious lunch at Sojourners Cafe, a sort of health foods restaurant off of State Street. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara. I enjoyed a salad with hummus, pesto, tabbouleh, eggplant and bell peppers and Bianca had the Mediterranean nut burger. Delicious, if you haven't been here you must go soon! They serve a wide variety of desserts some gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, egg-free, etc. The prices are very reasonable and I love the homey environment. As you can see with the wonderful weather we had we sat outside.

Now, we're both back in our separate locations missing each other but as our dear friend Annalisa reminded us, we both know we're where we're supposed to be.

Plenty of posts to come now that I am back in Santa Barbara and settled! I also will have tons to share as I am learning so much at Bauman College!

Blessings,
<3 Dani