Since it is the year of dumplings here at the Josie Girl Blog, here is another recipe for another scrumptious dumpling from Kenny Lao’s dumpling book. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
delicious
Sweet Potato Pudding
Ever since January 6th, I have been trying to decrease my sugar intake. I must admit (pat on my back) that I have done a very good job for the most part, with only some small slips here and there. Recently, I developed a recipe for sweet potato pudding that I can’t stop making and eating. Warning: there is some maple syrup in it — so while sugar-cane free, there is still some (a very small amount) of sugar.
Yam / sweet potato. (Tomato / Tomat-oh)
Raw Brownies
Four years ago, I posted (yep, been writing this blog for over 4 years …. no major breakout new blogger award, but happy to still be posting, promoting Natori, and contributing to the world wide web) the recipe for Raw Brownies. Since many of you readers have not been reading since Day 1 (thank you to my parents and college girlfriends), I decided it was time to share this wonder of a recipe again! 4 ingredients, no refined sugar, super delicious, easy to make, no baking, holy ka-bomb done done done.
Rich, delicious, decadent and NO guilt!
Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup
Special Saturday post! This was supposed to go out yesterday (per the normal M/W/F schedule), but there is some exciting stuff going on in the Natori household/corporate world that got things sidetracked. More on that next week.. ANYWAY….
Brunch at Sadelle’s
One of our favorite Sunday family activities is to go downtown for early family brunch — no traffic, easy parking, and it makes us feel young, hip, and in the know (wishful thinking). Even with a 6 and 3 year old in tow -> #HipstersEatBrunchAt9. Yesterday, we drove down to Soho to Sadelle’s, a new hip restaurant/Jewish deli run by Major Food Group (the people behind Dirty French, Carbonne and Parm) and ate ourselves silly. Highly recommend — the food, experience, service, ambiance — 5 stars from this family!
Beautiful flowers sprinkled throughout the room. At night, there are lots of candles (says a good friend of mine).
Edamame Dumplings: Kenny Lao
Savory Zucchini Pancakes
Happy New Years! Happy 2016! I am currently in the process of coming up with my New Year’s Resolutions, and will post those on Monday. In between my deep thoughts; mad rush packing up west coast for east coast (sob!); savoring the last minutes, hugs, and kisses with my brother, his family, and my parents; and waking up at 3 am to catch a 5:15 am cross country flight (no joke), I have had little time to thoughtfully compose the resolutions. So stay tuned! Until then, here is a recipe for some zucchini savory pancakes — nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients:
Dimes Restaurant
Dimes has been on my list of places to eat for quite some time, not just because of its cool and hipster vibe, but also for its healthy (and colorful) menu. We recently ventured downtown (49 Canal Street) to this eclectic, health-concsious hippie dippy, hipster minimalist, holy cow delicious restaurant. I was in pig heaven — so many healthy choices to choose from!
Dimes.
NuttZo
Although I am not currently training for a marathon, I still indulge in nut butter like it is my job; a spoonful in the morning, a slather on toast mid-afternoon, and a cup for dessert. I just can’t get enough. Always on the lookout, I recently came across NuttZo, a nut butter made up of 7 nuts and seeds (a nut-allergy person’s nightmare!), and it instantly became a favorite.
Nutz about NuttZo.
Gwyneth Paltrow Candy Bars
Readers know that I love Gwyneth Paltrow as much as I love my kids (#joking #notjoking). So here is yet another recipe from her cookbook, “It’s All Good.” Candy Bars! Hellooooooo healthy-ish Halloween treats! (way better than M&Ms). They are gluten-free and refined-sugar-free… but heavy duty sweet. But still healthier than a typical candy bar…..so go for it!
THICK GOOEY AWESOME
Dumpling Love: Interview with Kenny Lao
I love my friends, and I love my friends’ friends! So it is no surprise that I now have a crush on chef / author / food expert / culinary entrepreneur, Kenny Lao, who I met through a mutual good friend, Lynn. I had the opportunity to interview Kenny, and hear more about his book Hey There, Dumpling! Take a look.
Confession: I was scared to buy this book as making dumplings seem a little “advanced” and “sophisticated,” But as soon as I opened the cookbook, I couldn’t put it down. Every page of the book was fascinating and interesting. RUN AND BUY IT. AND COOK THESE DUMPLINGS.
Flap Jacked Muffins
For someone who likes to push myself physically, I often get lazy with cooking breakfast. I have normal routines of smoothies, yogurt and granola, but I always crave more protein and less carbs. So, when I found the perfect protein packed muffin, I was instantly sold. Tastes like pure carbs (my favorite), but packed with protein (it makes you JACKED — get the name) and probiotics. CHA-CHING.
Mighty muffins by Flap Jacked.
Seaweed Sesame Seed Seasoning
Seaweed Sesame Seed Seasoning (Sally sold seashells at the seashore?) is my favorite touch to any dish. My freshman year in college, I was randomly placed in an all Asian hall (maybe the reason I ended up marrying Ken?) and therefore quickly learned many Asian customs and preferences (rice cookers, chopsticks, bowls for food, etc…). One of the best take-aways from that experience (definitely not my crazy roommate) was a Seaweed topping for rice. It simply is a small canister with seaweed and spices. Currently, my favorite variety of this seasoning is Seaweed Gomasio. And man oh man, is it good!
All of Eden Organic products are healthy, original, and delicious. ESPECIALLY, this seasoning!
Jar Bar NYC
As someone who loves almond milk, berries, nut butters, and oatmeal, I am officially hooked on Jar Bar NYC. What is it? It’s a jar of a healthy parfait / overnight oats and chia seeds made with healthy ingredients (read: no dairy) — the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert. This mom-and-pop-shop makes the goods at home and delivers them throughout NYC.
Box of goodies — ordered a pack of 5, and within five days, they were gone. Every last stinking spoonful of heaven.
Healthy Carrot Pineapple Muffins
Morning! Last night, my hubba hubba husband was on HSN (Home Shopping Network) again representing Natori and selling perfume. Check it out here. Bravo!!!! And now, to the post…..Gwyneth Paltrow wins again! Her recipe for carrot pineapple cake (or muffins) is a champion winner. Hot dog, she sure knows what she is doing. These refined sugar-free and gluten-free carrot pineapple muffins are incredible — perhaps my favorite dessert recipe to date! Do me a favor and make these tasty desserts (or breakfast) today!
Final product.
Parmesan Crisps / The New Potato
First of all, CHECK OUT THIS POST ON COOKING on The New Potato. Holy moly, it is an honor and a privilege to be featured side by side with my mother-in-law, my hubba husband, and my gorgeous little girl (who, if you asked me, stole the show)
How To: CSA Veggie Box
Wonder what to do with a weekly CSA veggie box? Take a peek inside our Wednesday box (my parents get a box twice a week in Oregon) and see the creations assembled and imagined by my wonderful Mama!
Fresh, crisp, local, organic veggies. My dream come true.
Healthy Banana Muffins
A GP lover, I was on a mission to make the Jumbo Banana Muffins from Goop over the weekend, and boy, did they turn out amazing. GP knows what she is doing (or her staff does). Healthy — refined sugar free and gluten free — these muffins will be a huge hit in your office / home / belly. These moist, gooey muffins have an almond butter filling — an extra special yummy surprise in the middle.
Hummus Kick
Not since 1997 have I been as into hummus as I currently am. Major mega hummus kick. Currently, here are my two favorite hummus (plural version?) to eat!
Edamame! Soybean heaven! So rich and good — can’t.stop.eating.it.addicted.oh.my.
The Forest Feast Peanut Butter Coconut Balls
One of the things I love most about spending my summers in Oregon with my parents is my mother’s cooking *AND* her collection of cookbooks. She literally could open up a cookbook library. This past week, I came across a cookbook, The Forest Feast, given last year to my mother by my bestie. This cookbook is not only beautiful, but the vegetarian recipes are healthy, easy, and simple. Here is my first find: peanut butter – coconut – no bake balls! SO DELICIOUS!
Kelp Salad
Recently, I have heard so many good things about kelp and its nutritional benefits. First and foremost, is kelp a noddle or a plant or a string? What is kelp??? Kelp noodles are a sea vegetable in the form of an easy to eat raw noodle. Made of only kelp (a sea vegetable), sodium alginate (sodium salt extracted from a brown seaweed), and water, Kelp Noodles are fat-free, gluten-free, and very low in carbohydrates and calories.
Kelp! (rhymes with help)
Lola Granola Bars
Currently on a granola bar kick (as witnessed a couple weeks ago here), here is my latest granola bar obsession: Lola Bars. Yes, I am on a roll with granola bars!
5 flavors. Taste the rainbow.
Quince Paste
Quince paste, known as membrillo in Spain, is phenomenal when paired with cheese (especially Manchego cheese). I first discovered this paste (more like a firm jelly) from my mom, who always has it in stock. It is sweet without being overly so, and truly is a great addition to a cheese plate.
Who knew? (My mom did).
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Sugar, dairy and fat heaven! Ice Cream Sandwich Cake! Oh my, worth every single bite. Based off of the following recipes from: Mommy’s Kitchen, All Recipes, and A Free Recipe. This is truly the easiest homemade dessert, perfect for parties and summer BBQs. (Also, be sure to read through the whole post for info on a special promotion!)
Ice cream cakes!
Raw Tortillas
Last December when visiting my brother in Seattle, I discovered raw tortillas while rummaging through his fridge. In a matter of seconds, I became a fan. These authentic and fresh tortillas are made from simple ingredients (only 5 of them!) and no preservatives. Sold in many stores on the West Coast (Safeway, Albertsons, Costco), it was a little harder to pin them down on the East Coast. Thanks to my sister who lives in New Jersey, we got some… from Wal-mart! And they are amazing.
