Yes You Kale!

Regarded as one of the healthiest vegetables, kale is the superstar of healthy foods.  Just one cup contains 206% of your daily vitamin A, 134% of your daily vitamin C and 684% of your daily vitamin K. Basically kale rocks. Why is everyone so afraid of it then? This fear I have deduced is from a lack of knowledge on preparation of the leafy green. This is where I can help. In this dinner I sautéed the kale with some chopped red onion, garlic, olive oil and red wine vinegar. After I topped it with parmesan cheese to bring a little more flavor to the relatively simple preparation. Using kale as my side for this meal, I then toasted two pieces of whole wheat bread, spread garlic hummus on each side, added some crumbled goat cheese, topped with some grilled chicken and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Yes, it sounds fancy and complicated, but when you know the flavors you want to incorporate into a dish it will start becoming second nature. 

When Thanksgiving Keeps on Giving...

If you have leftovers from this Thanksgiving but want to do something more with them then make the quintessential Thanksgiving sandwich, here is an idea you can try with the brussels sprout recipe I previously shared.  Add them to a bed of lettuce and make a refreshing salad with diced cucumbers and chopped tomatoes to take you out of the turkey comma you were in the previous day.  Sprinkle some sunflower seeds and dried cranberries on top and dress with a light balsamic vinaigrette.  

And that's how you make Thanksgiving tasty...

A Belated Thanksgiving...

Despite my lateness in this post, I will still share the two side dishes I contributed to the Thanksgiving dinner I had while in London this year.  First, I made a traditional sweet potatoes with a maple and brown sugar glaze.  Getting its sweetness mostly from the copious amounts of sugar added to this vegetable, it is a must have at any Thanksgiving feast.  Combining brown sugar, butter and maple syrup in a sauce pan over low heat I prepared the glaze to pour over the peeled cubed potatoes.  I laid the potatoes out in a pan and then drizzled the sticky goodness over them and let them cook for about an hour.  For the brussels sprouts I simply washed and halved them before coating them lightly in oil, salt and pepper.  I added some red onion slices as well before placing them on a pan and letting them roast for about 25 minutes in the oven.  These two very simply prepared sides complemented the turkey and other dishes we had around our table, making this Thanksgiving in London one that felt just like home.  

And that's how you make Thanksgiving tasty...

Borough Market Is a Must...

A food lovers paradise, Borough Market located in Southwark, London, boasts different ranges of foods sold for consumption.  Either to be eaten on the spot or taken home to incorporate with your own cooking, the food they sell is fresh and always local.  While there one Saturday I selected a lamb kebab sandwich that certainly did not disappoint.  Served on a fluffy bun, the juicy lamb was first laid on a bed of crunchy cabbage and then topped with cilantro yogurt and sweet chili sauces.  The bright bold flavors of the sauces added a refreshing contrast to the spicy and dense lamb, while the cabbage added a perfect crunch to the already heavenly combination.  

Packing Protein...

A mixture of green lentils, rotisserie chicken, chopped tomatoes, and diced red onion, the combination of these simple ingredients create a protein packed dinner.  Personally a huge fan of lentils, they have just 87 calories in an 80g serving and pack an impressive 7g of protein and 3g of fiber.  I find it easiest to cook a large amount ahead of time and leave a container of them in the fridge to add to salads and other dishes.  In this dish I also bought a precooked half rotisserie chicken to add to the ease of preparation.  Tomatoes and red onions added a burst of flavor and a quick drizzle of honey mustard dressing helped combine the ingredients into a quick dinner.  

And that's how you make London tasty...

Simple Salmon...

Ready to try cooking meat here, I selected salmon for its ability to taste good with little effort.  Adding dashes of salt and pepper to either side of the filet, I poured a small amount of oil into a heated pan before giving each side a simple sear.  In deciding what to complement my simple salmon with, I determined that pasta would be a good vehicle to hold some sauteed mushrooms and plum tomatoes I had waiting in my fridge for use.  In another pan I heated some oil and tossed in sliced mushrooms, letting them cook first before adding some crushed plum tomatoes to the pan.  To bring out the flavors in these ingredients I next added some red wine, salt and pepper.  After letting the sauce reduce, I added the gluten free pasta shells I had cooked and then plated it with the salmon.  

And that's how you make London tasty...

What a Waffle...

Late one night on my way home my friends and I decided to stop at a place that had tantalized us with the smells wafting from its doors.  This place, known as Wafflemeister, is a place that just sells delicious freshly cooked waffles.  There are a plethora of toppings one can choose from to complement their waffle.  On this night I decided to pair my waffle with a scope of cookie dough ice cream and a milk chocolate drizzle.  Other toppings include marshmallows, Oreo cookies, strawberries, nuts, and many more.  

To learn more about Wafflemeister you can visit their website at www.wafflemeister.com

Simple Soup and Salad...

This meal was relatively simple but I enjoyed the flavor combinations in my salad and therefore thought I would share it with you.  On top of a healthy dose of spinach leaves I added green beans, dried cranberries, toasted pecans and goat cheese.  I topped it with a simple balsamic vinaigrette and paired it with a already prepared lentil and roasted red pepper soup. 

And that's how you make London tasty. . .

Oh My Goddards...

One of the very first restaurants I tried while in London was during a day trip to Greenwich.  Here I was advised that Goddards was the best place to try traditional pie and mash.  I will definitely say that I was advised correctly.  Founded in 1890, this place knows how to make their pies right.  From the menu I selected a chicken and mushroom pie with mushy peas on the side and gravy on top.  On the very cold and rainy day I visited Greenwich it was the perfect meal to warm me up.  

If you want to learn more about Goddards here is a link to their website. www.goddardsatgreenwich.co.uk

London's Been Calling...

Even though it has been a very long time since I have posted, and I am sorry for that, I am determined to keep up with this blog.  I actually do have a legitimate excuse as to why I have not been posting however, and that is because this semester I have been studying abroad in London.  Yes, that's right no cafeteria food this semester, I am all on my own.  I can’t create dishes out of already prepared food, I have to make them fully by myself.  Originally I was a little scared of this and was afraid I would not have time to create delicious and healthy meals that I would enjoy, but I must say it has actually been a lot easier then I thought.  While yes, I do frequently resort to the already prepared soups sometimes when shopping at the grocery store here, however I have made a majority of my meals from scratch.  Also, I do treat myself every once in a while to a meal out.  I am therefore now ready to share with you some of the delicious meals I have prepared while in London, and indulge you in the foods I have tasted while out in London and other surrounding countries. 

Another Acknowledgement...

Make Me Tasty has been featured again! Check out this write up about my blog in Bostlnno.  9 Local Student Food Blogs to Keep You Salivating 

Bring Back the Beans...

At school I frequently topped my salads with beans and usually gravitated towards the bean soups offered, however I soon realized I barley eat beans while at home.  Missing out on these delicious little guys I decided to make a dinner for myself using beans!  I quickly found a can of cannelloni beans in my pantry and, because I still had some kale left over from the lentils I had previously made, decided to add that to the mix.  Finally I added some crushed tomatoes and topped with the some grated parmesan cheese. 

Sweet Smoothies...

Smoothies in the summer are one of my favorite things to have and as a result I have tried many combinations of fruits and flavors.  Some have worked better then others, but generally I combine a few different fruits with either greek yogurt or soymilk.  This is a combination of banana, soymilk and frozen blueberries. 

In this smoothie I combined one pear, frozen strawberries, frozen blackberries, and soymilk.  

For a creamier smoothie this time I used plain greek yogurt instead of soymilk and then added strawberries, banana, and peanut butter.  

Italian Inspiration...

I made this side salad with some inspiration from the fresh basil that we grow in our garden at home in the summer.  I took some fresh mozzarella I found in the fridge, prosciutto, some roasted peppers, and sliced tomatoes to make this classic Italian dish.  Finally I topped it with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil and then sprinkled it with salt and pepper.