Mediterranean Roasted Sweat Potatoes

This is a humble and quick meal bursting with flavors. Better yet it's vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free! This meal can be assembled in only 30 minutes, and is extremely filling. No need to follow the recipe exactly, just whatever you have on hand will be delicious!

Mediterranean Roasted Sweat Potatoes

Adapted from: Minimalist Baker’s Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes

Potatoes

4 medium sweet potatoes

1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

½ Tbsp. olive oil

½ tsp. cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika

Pinch of sea salt or squeeze of lemon juice

Garlic Herb Sauce

¼ cup hummus

Juice of ½ lemon

1tsp-dried dill

2 cloves of garlic minced

1 tbsp. water

Toppings

¼ cup cherry tomatoes, diced

¼ cup cucumber, diced

2 cups of greens (arugula or whatever you have on hand)

¼ cup fresh parsley, minced

2 tbsp. lemon juice

To Make:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with foil.

Rinse and scrub potatoes and cut in half length-wise. Toss rinsed and drained chickpeas with olive oil and spices and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Rub the sweet potatoes with a bit of olive oil and place face down on the same baking sheet (or another baking sheet depending on size).

While the sweet potatoes and chickpeas are roasting, prepare your sauce by adding all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisking to combine, only adding enough water to thin so it’s pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more garlic for more zing, salt for savoriness, lemon juice for freshness, and dill for a more intense herb flavor. I found mine didn’t need anything else.

Also prepare the toppings by tossing tomato, cumber and parsley with lemon juice and setting aside to marinate. Leave the greens by themselves

Once sweet potatoes are fork tender and the chickpeas are golden brown - roughly 25 minutes - remove from oven.

To Plate:

For serving, put a bed of greens down and flip potatoes flesh-side up and smash down the insides a little bit. Then top with chickpeas, sauce and garnish with toppings. Serve immediately.

Simple Curried Lentils with Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas

I have been working like crazy lately so I haven’t had very much time to properly plan and shop for my meals.  Instead I dream up delicious things to make while at work, rush home to try to throw it together with what I have before I am off to my next job. It is that hour and half in-between that allows me to create what I want without any rules, and reap the rewards at the end, walking away with a full belly and a happy heart. So for most of my dishes, the ingredients are easily substituted to your taste and to what you have in your pantry. There is no exact science to it, just a lot of tasting along the way. 

Simple Curried lentils with Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas

Yields 5-6 side-dish servings and 3-4 main dish servings

Inspiration:

Smitten’s Kitchen curried lentils and sweet potatoes

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated (or 1tsp. of ground ginger)

1 tsp. garam masala

1 tsp. curry powder

4 cups vegetable broth

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup dried lentils

1 15-ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed

½ tsp. black paper

1 sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped

3 cups of greens (arugula, or preferred green)

To Make: In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, and curry powder. Stir for minute.

Add 4 cups of broth, sweet potatoes, and lentils. Increase heat to high and bring to boil; reduce heat to medium, partially cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Adding broth if the lentils seem dry. After 25 minutes, start tasting, add in chickpeas, black pepper and rosemary, and add any extra seasonings that you find necessary. Keep cooking until lentils are tender (5-10 minutes).

To plate: put down a bed of greens on each plate, add a heaping scoop of curry and garnish with fresh rosemary. Then enjoy!

Guinness Chocolate Cake

My first experience with the lovely dark Guinness beer was at the Guinness Storehouse in Ireland. I probably should have done a bit more prep work, but after learning all about the process of brewing this unique beer I was quickly thrown into learning the art of pouring the perfect pint. It’s all about the angles and giving it enough time to rise. From the very first sip I loved it. It was like a dessert in beer form! Ever since the first taste in Ireland, Guinness has had a very special place in my heart. During the holiday season while reuniting with the family and the kitchen, I set out to capture the essence of Guinness in cake form. I would personally recommend drinking Guinness right along side the cake but a cool glass of milk will do just fine too.

Guinness Chocolate Cake

*Adapted from Bon Appétit Chocolate Stout Layer Cake With Chocolate Frosting

serves 12

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Gâteau

I have been visiting the library a lot recently, trying to get my hands on all books food related. My new obsession with library books began because a few weeks ago I finished probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. The memoir, titled Blood, Bones, and Butter, recounts chef Gabrielle Hamilton’s memories from childhood up through the birth of her restaurant Prune and her rise to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in New York City. I can’t help but be inspired from Gabrielle’s stories and from other cookbooks that I can’t seem to get my nose out of. Last Wednesday, I crafted an idea for a cake far too lavish to create in a dorm kitchen, but with the company of a few friends, I was able to create this beauty that far exceeded my expectations. Whipped cream, chocolate, and raspberries is a combination no one can deny, and the cake combines all three into an absolutely delicious three-tiered piece of perfection. The vanilla sponge dotted with chocolate and raspberries is moist and soft but dense enough to hold layers of chocolate ganache, roasted hazelnuts, and fluffy whipped cream. The cake, topped with handfuls of raspberries, a drizzle of ganache, and delicate chocolate shavings stays together beautifully even after cutting out the first slice.  

Raspberry Chocolate Swirl Gâteau with Chantilly cream

Espresso Burnt Sugar Shortbread

I always get inspired and want to write a blog post whenever I have breakfast at this wonderful little cafe/restaurant called the Mud House. I don’t know why the place feels so special to me--maybe it’s the cozy atmosphere and good coffee. Maybe it’s the fact that I always have eggs there and eggs are just one of the best things ever.  Perhaps the food reminds me of food I would make myself at home. Anyway, this morning I had pork confit and chorizo hash with chickpeas, cauliflower, and peppers. And poached eggs. You can’t forget the poached eggs. I swear I could write a whole book about my love of eggs.

Regardless, the last time I was home I went on a baking spree and made these delicious espresso shortbread’s from the book Ovenly by Agatha Kulaga and Erin Patinkin. These treats are perfect with a hot cup of coffee as a little mid-afternoon pick-me-up. A note on Ovenly--this book is wonderful, definitely recommend it to inspire some spontaneous baking!

Espresso Burt Sugar Shortbread or

“The Sumptown Shorty”

from Ovenly 

yield 24 bars

Ingredients

Melissa Clark’s Cornmeal Waffles with Banana Bourbon Syrup

 I love love love breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, hash--breakfast in general, is just comprised of delicious food. Thanksgiving break at home was great because I could just wake up and make whatever I wanted for breakfast. The first morning home I made Melissa Clark’s Cornmeal Waffles with a maple, walnut bourbon syrup.  Melissa is so great. I am totally in love with her. If you don’t know who she is, here is the link to her videos. 

(shh. I’ve definitely watched every single one)

Melissa Clark’s Cornmeal Waffles with Banana Bourbon Syrup:

Winter Spaghetti with Marinara and Chorizo Meatballs

It’s frustrating to make pasta in the winter when bunches of fresh basil aren’t readily available. I crafted a delicious, hearty sauce with dried herbs to help satisfy your pasta cravings on cold, wintery nights. Parsnip (my fav!) and carrot in the sauce add some natural sweetness, which goes wonderfully with the almost nutty dried herb flavor. The meatballs that I paired with this sauce are very easy as well, just be warned that they take some time to cool in the fridge. If you can, I recommend using fresh herbs for the meatballs--they will add brightness to the dish, and lighten everything up.

Winter Spaghetti with Marinara and Chorizo Meatballs