Re.: Hurricane Sandy

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!

Greek-Inspired Chicken Cutlets

I made this meal yesterday, but didn't have time to post about it!  Everything turned out really delicious, if I may say so myself...lol

Greek-Inspired Cutlets served with Spinach sauteed with
Garlic and Olive Oil

Bread and lightly pan-fry chicken cutlets as you usually would, but don't cook them all the way through.  They will continue to cook in the oven with the topping.

Below is a photo of the topping, consisting of the following ingredients mixed together:
Diced tomato, scallion, black olives, parsley, feta cheese, oregano, fresh-ground black pepper, and olive oil.

Place the slightly pan-fried cutlets in a baking pan and spoon the topping over each one.  Bake at 450 for approximately 20 minutes until the feta cheese looks gooey and melty!

I also made Spinach sauteed with chopped garlic and olive oil, and also a side of Roasted Potatoes with Roasted Red Pepper!  

Roasted Potatoes with Roasted Red Pepper!

For more detailed explanations of any of these recipes, please feel free to e-mail me!  Happy Eating!

Do You Want to Volunteer?

I just wanted to pass this on for New Yorkers who are interested in volunteering with Citymeals-on-Wheels and helping out home-bound seniors.  This is their link so you can learn all about their volunteer opportunities... http://www.citymeals.org/ 

Besides helping to deliver hot meals to seniors all around the City, there are also volunteer opportunities such as, writing letters to seniors to cheer them up, visiting seniors at their homes, telephoning seniors and chatting with them, and also card-making for all different holidays throughout the year.  I have been a part of the letter writing program and also the card-making program for several years now.

Below is a Holiday card I put together today...sort of a colorful collage.  Now I have to reproduce it by making color copies of it, and then make them sturdy by gluing construction paper on the backs of each one! 

I love doing these projects and find it a relaxing and fulfilling experience! 
So if you'd like to brighten a senior's day, and have a few extra hours per month to spare, please look into it!  Thanks!

Turkey and Black Bean Chili with Corn Cakes

I decided today was a good day to make Chili...Turkey Chili, using ground turkey breast and Black Beans.  Ooh LaLa.  LOL

Shredded cheese added on top, starting to melt...Yum,
with Corn Cake on the side...Double Yum!

The first step was to saute the ground turkey in a bit of olive oil.  When the turkey seems cooked through and just slightly brown, I added the following ingredients, diced up...yellow bell pepper, Vidalia onion, scallions, tomato and cilantro.  I mixed everything thoroughly and then added fresh-ground black pepper, red pepper flakes and some garlic powder.  

I took some help from a small packet of McCormick Chili seasoning (1.25 oz.), which I added to the above and let simmer for about 20 minutes with a bit of water added also.  I like to use this ready made seasoning packet because it's basically all the spices you need for Chili, and McCormick doesn't add msg or any artificial flavorings.

While everything was simmering, I added half a can of rinsed black beans.

All the ingredients simmering together nicely...

For the Corn Cakes, I used PAN Brand yellow Corn Meal.  It's finely ground and imported from Colombia.  They are famous for their corn cakes, which are called "Arepas".  
Please e-mail me if you want the recipe for the corn cakes.  As you can see by the finished product, below, I made one giant corn cake and then cut it up into smaller portions.  They are really delicious and go nicely with the Chili! 

Happy Chili making!   

My Dunedin, FL Journey!

A Painting by my Cousin, Andrea

Sorry I've been remiss on posting to my blog, readers!  

Last weekend I flew down to Tampa, Florida, with my son, Angelo.  We went so I could finally meet my Aunt Josephine and my Cousin, Andrea, who live in Dunedin, Florida.  (Angelo's great-aunt and second cousin)...Aunt Josephine is a sister of my mom's, and since she moved from the lower east side (New York City) probably before I was even born, we lost contact over the years.

Arrived in Dunedin, FL

The time just flew by!  Not only the weekend spent in Florida, but even the days this week after I came back.  Exactly this time, last Saturday, I was in the plane, all excited and getting ready to land...now it's Saturday again and I'm wishing I was back in Florida spending some more time with my cousin and aunt.  We had a blast and it was so much fun to reminisce about the old days.

Saturday night, after we landed and rested up a while, we all went out for dinner at Bon Appetite in Dunedin.  The food was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered.  After dinner we took a walk along the docks, talked, took some photos and shared laughs.  Then we all went back to my cousin and aunt's house for Key Lime Pie, fresh fruit and coffee...Yum!  Everything was delicious.  We looked at old photos and talked about the old days.  My aunt and I laughed and laughed as we both shared stories about our squawking Cockatiels...LOL

Aunt Jo, Me, Cousin Andrea

My cousin Andrea works at a V.A. Hospital with our injured soldiers, helping them to recover from awful injuries.  She is an amazing person to do this.  Andrea is also an artist and her home is filled with her beautiful paintings.  I finally got to meet their adorable cats, Picasso and Muse.  They were quite shy to approach, but did pop in and out and show themselves.    

Sunday morning we went to a New York-like Greek Diner for breakfast.  Then it was off to Tarpon Springs to visit the Sponge Docks!  We ventured into several Sea Sponge gift shops and even watched a short film about the history of sea sponges at:  Spongeorama.  The weather was good and warm and I enjoyed spending this time with my aunt, cousin and my son.    We took a break after walking and shopping and went for Greek food for lunch.  I loved the Saganaki, which was presented to the table aflame.  Before heading back for a rest, we stopped at the beautiful beach at Honeymoon Island State Park.  

We all loved it there!  We saw flying Pelicans, picked up shells, and tested the water, which was quite warm and very clean!

Sea Sponges for Sale

The Sponge Docks at Tarpon Springs

Seagulls on the Beach

Sunday night, our last night, we all went out for great pasta at Macaroni Grill.  
Angelo and I flew back to New York Monday morning.  I miss my Cousin, Andrea and my Aunt Jo and I'm already contemplating the next trip to see them!    

Love You Aunt Jo and Cousin Andrea!

Noodle Soup with Ginger and Mandarin Orange

I'm having some wonderful Noodle Soup tonight which I made, along with Nori (store-bought) and plain steamed broccoli.  Yum!

I added ginger, dried mandarin orange bits, and just a tiny bit of red pepper flakes to the broth and noodles.  Afterwards, I sprinkled some sesame seeds on top.  I love Noodle Soups!

Pretty bowl - made in Korea

Keep On Slurping!