Family Night - Enchiladas Verdes

Last weekend, my dad, little brother and I went to see The Lion King 3D (cue waterworks). My father noted how surreal it was to see the iconic animated film in theaters again after taking me 17 years ago. We departed the theater exhilarated, nostalgic, and, despite all the popcorn, hungry. I opted to try to find a meal that would satisfy the men-folk. My dad requested a green sauce rather than the traditional red, and thus, a new recipe was born.

 

 

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Enchilada Fiesta!

Last weekend I set out to craft my very own spicy chicken enchiladas, complete with an adobo chili sauce and baked to tender perfection. The pressure was on; Quinn's mother slaves away for hours on her own mole enchiladas that seemed impossible to compete with. After hours of meticulous chopping, stirring, and stuffing, the enchiladas were a resounding success! Dripping with fiery rojo sauce and oozing with cheese, these babies are going on the record as one of my best dishes to date.

With the puffed up pride of my first attempt still fresh in my mind, I suggested to a few friends that we throw a little fiesta with food prepared by yours truly. Five people became ten, and ten became twenty. Suddenly I was tossing fried tortillas and juggling handfuls of cilantro or onion in a cramped, overheated kitchen. My booze-fueled guests snacked on chips and dip as I struggled to maintain my cool. Lo and behold, I somehow pulled it together and made three delicious batches even better than the first!

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Killer Discovery: SkinnyTaste.com & Chicken Rollatini

With Quinn leaving for Santa Barbara in a few short weeks, I have been scouring cookbooks and food blogs for light and healthy meals. While I still have friends and family available to taste my culinary conquests, I will be cooking solo more often. In my research I came across a food  blog that may soon become a recipe mecca: SkinnyTaste.com

After saving many of SkinnyTaste's recipes for a later date, I set my sights upon "Chicken Rollatini with Spinach all Parmigiana". SkinnyTaste notes not only the calories per serving, but also Weight Watchers points (if you're into that), but also grams of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. This is definitely something I would like to attempt with my recipes -- slashing unnecessary calories without forfeiting quality and taste.

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Date Night: Twin Dragon

 Crispy Egg Rolls

Since 1962, Twin Dragon has offered quality Chinese food prepared fresh by chefs trained in China, Hong Kong and Taiwann. Nestled on W. Pico Blvd in the heart of West Los Angeles, the family-run business prides itself on its innovative, healthy cuisine. Quinn and his family have been going there for years, and we've stopped by on several occasions to feast! Each entree runs around $7-9, but can feed 2 people to the point of immobility, as well as provide a hefty sum of leftovers. This spot is great for a family event or quiet night out.

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Healthy Eats: Arugula & Goat Cheese Pasta Salad

I've said it once, I'll say it again: there is something  so wonderful about cooking with friends. Opening a bottle (or 2, or 3) of wine, brainstorming dishes together, deliberating over spices, rubs and marinades... it can't be beat. This past weekend Quinn and I got together with two of his good friends from high school to grill high quality tri tip and chicken breasts purchased at the Los Angeles Original Farmer's Market.

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Sunday Seafood Paella

As the Santa Monica fog rolls in, I'll try to keep myself optimistic about the weather by reflecting on the freak-summer we had this past weekend. Sunday nights are often dinner at Quinn's house, where his mother Mado spends most of her day concocting something thoroughly delectable for the family (and sometimes me). I look forward to her meals every week, having sampled such dishes as grilled shrimp & fish tacos, red & black mole enchiladas and grilled Alaskan salmon with mango salsa and a chipotle sauce.

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