I had made pumpkin soup in the past… about 3-4 years ago, but didn’t like the flavor too much and I realize it lacked many things. Mostly other flavors and just the right amount of consistency. What I love about cooking is that like everything else in life, with every day  practice, the more I cook, the more I learn. Therefore, I feel like I can pretty much cook anything and don’t need much guidance or an actual recipe to follow. My best recipes are always the ones that I don’t follow or follow for basic guidance and then make my own version. This is very much like that. I encourage you to be confident and explore if you’re new to cooking, it will pay off.

Recently, as I talk more and more to my past brides and current brides the one thing that seems to be  a constant that we bond on and love is food and nutrition. And I love that, I guess it’s the whole… you attract what you put out there. I kid you not, I’ve had hour long conversations about food and nutrition with many of them and so I’m sharing more about my recipes and the way Kris and I embrace a healthy lifestyle. Because that is what you said you would love to hear about the most, I will do my best to put it out there.

Some of the best responses as of yet have been “You cook every single day?” and “You and Kris look so young and great, it must be all those veggies you eat.” and I answered “Yes except on Saturdays and thank you, thank you!”.

I’ve got some fall/winter salads coming, a one’s day view of our meals in a day and much more.

My inspiration for this recipe came from this pumpkin soup recipe from Simply Recipes, love her stuff.

Ingredients

1 cup of fresh or canned pumpkin puree (I used a can of organic pumpkin puree)

2 stalks of celery, chopped

4 carrots, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped,

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tbs of butter

3 cups of vegetable broth

1 cup of cream

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

Salt & pepper to taste (I used 1/4 teaspoon of salt & a dash of pepper)

Smoked paprika and fresh sage to garnish (can also do roasted pumpkin seeds or a dollop of creme fraiche)

Directions

Chop the celery carrot, onion and garlic. Add the chopped carrot, onion and celery to a medium sized pot on high heat along with the butter and sauté for about 8 minutes or until the carrots …. add garlic and stir for a minute. Now add pumpking puree, vegetable broth, bay leaf, nutmeg, salt & pepper and simmer on a low temperature for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Blend to your liking, I always like mine very smooth. Add cream and stir. Garnish with sage and smoked paprika. Enjoy!

I’ve been cooking up some of my favorite soups since last month, so thought I’d share some of my favorites. Last week while making this dinner for a dear friend who just recently had surgery, I made a mental note that this one is a keeper. It’s a little bit heartier than I’m used to, but it’s a little different and so I like it.

Most people probably recognize this soup from Olive Garden, never tried it (not the biggest fan of chain restaraunts), but I hear it’s pretty good. Typically, zuppa toscana is made with some cream. I tried it this way first, but we didn’t like it that way. I love cream-based soups, like clam chowder, but in this case it’s just cream with broth and not thick like we’re used to.

As always, I looked for inspiration, but I am not good at following recipes, so these are approximate measurements. Experiment and create to your liking.

Adapted and inspired by these lovely recipes. Pioneer Woman’s Kale, Potato and Sausage Recipe. This Zuppa Toscana recipe from Allrecipes. And this one.

Ingredients

• 2-3 bunches of kale, rinsed, chop to medium sized bites
• 12 whole red potatos, sliced thin… about 1/4 inch
• 1/2 whole onion, chopped
• 1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or mild
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 5-6 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
• Fresh or dried oregano
• Salt & pepper to taste

I had first heard of the Yamashiro Farmer’s Market via Sunset Magazine last month and then went on to research more online. It’s only a summer thing and with only a few weeks left I knew that I had to go at least once. The nice thing about it too, is though it’s in a high traffic area of Hollywood, they offer free valet parking at a church near by with shuttle service up the hill to the restaurant. The main attraction? Food, of course! A few very good selected gourmet food trucks are constants here. The main attraction are the fusion tacos by the Yamashiro Restaurant. We had the cod with miso glaze, thai chicken and red wine and soy sauce short rib taco. It comes with their wasabi guacamole and pico de gallo. I approve, it was delish.

For us, eating from the Heirloom LA truck was a major part of why we came also. We love Heirloom LA. First tried their delicious food at a wine tasting at our favorite wine store in Silverlake, called Silverlake Wine. They cater their wine tasting once a month and if you haven’t tried their food at one of these wine tastings or from their food truck, you haven’t lived. Period! What I love most about them is that they have relationships with local, organic farms. So their produce and meats are always high quality without hormones, pesticides, grass fed beef, humanely raised and so on. They have gained a lot of popularity in LA in the last year, I can see why. Because they are a catering company, they only bring their food trucks to very limited events. This is one of them. I was ecstatic! We had their butternut squash cupcake (their lasagna cupcake is good too) and the tamales. Very good, wish I would have tried more.  ;)

And lastly, the view! I saw pictures online, but you really do have to be here to take it all in. It’s perched on a hill off of Franklin St and it’s one of the best views in LA that I’ve ever seen. Beautiful at sunset and at night. It’s truly a unique outing experience. Love the lighting, it was about 6:45 when we got there so only had a good 15 minutes to snap up some photos.

I bought me some really nice & ripe peaches here and I’m making a peach cobbler this Sunday. Looking forward to coming more often next summer and coming to their Pagoda Bar for cocktails and appetizers. I have a long list, this is why I LOVE LA! Up next, photos from my birthday weekend.

Ever since my birthday weekend a few weeks ago I’ve been running around like a wild woman, more than usual. Not only with work, but attending events, club meetings, visiting with friends and family. Never mind that we’ve had a crazy heat wave which I’m sure doesn’t help when I’m outdoors (It’s nice in my home, thanks to the ac always running at 73 degrees). My body on Monday started telling me “Enough already, give it a rest!”. My mind wasn’t clearly thinking and not to mention feeling inspired in my work, at least on Tuesday I wasn’t. I finished only what had to be done that day and on Wednesday (yesterday) morning did the same and took the afternoon off.

I decided to head for the beach. My wedding this Saturday will be taking place close by Venice Beach and I wanted to preview the area and know exactly where to take my clients for their portraits. Also made a stop in Palos Verdes to talk to the wedding coordinator at the La Venta Inn for a wedding next month. My cousin, Cindy joined me as I’ve been meaning to connect with her for what seems ages. She leaves back for school on Friday to UC Santa Cruz. I’m so not jealous!  ;)

We had lunch at Venice Ale House, can you say organic grass-fed beef? I wish there more restaurants like this. Not only is it just healthier and better for you, but you can really taste the difference. I mean, why shouldn’t you not? Once you take out hormones, chemicals and so on you have pure good natural food! Highly recommend. Oh and those rosemary red potatoes are scrumptious.

Cindy, you are such a beautiful person. So proud of you and all the great things you’re doing. A girl with confidence, intelligence, sweetness and ambition!

The view from the La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates. I can’t believe I get to shoot at this historic venue next month, beyond excited!!!!!

The library in Palos Verdes Estates. Gorgeous, right? Thinking this might be a great location for an engagement session.

This little woodsy area made my heart skip a beat.

Our day ended with a tasty dinner at my aunt & uncle’s house, Cindy’s home. My aunt made homemade enchiladas, I say homemade because she makes homemade enchilada sauce just like my mom. The stuff from the can is just not good, love that about my family. We sat outside in the backyard patio chatting it up with the family, my grandpa is in town. Did I mention it’s a crazy busy month for me?

I am so glad I am finally learning to take a break and find more time for play. Tonight I’ll be going to the Yamashiro Famer’s Market in Hollywood, can you say yum? Of course I’ll be posting photos next week. Lot’s of more blogging is coming. It’s a hectic month so finding time for the stuff I love is a must!

This is my go to recipe when I want to cook something special for friends or the Mr. and sometimes when we are just craving it, seriously yo. It’s finger licking good. The traditional paella dish (a Spanish, Valencian dish) is usually made with rice and with other veggies. I just enjoy thin pastas a lot more and so I took from different recipes and made it my own. You can also add some type of white fish such as halibut, I usually get what ever is on sale so you could easily do clams instead of mussels or both. The shrimp always make it to the pot as they are easy to find and very economical at most grocery stores.

And because sharing is kind, here it is. Something about pasta, garlic and wine that just goes together and makes you feel like the luckiest person alive. Or is that just me?

Bon appetite!

Lately it seems that our busy schedules among other reasons haven’t allowed us to indulge in hosting these wonderful barbecues. This past weekend for Super Bowl Sunday, we decided to stay home this year. We always have wonderful parties to go to, but decided on doing our own thing. Particularly because we are not big sports fans, especially of football. However, we do enjoy the food and funny commercials and so a barbecue it was! With some last minute shopping and inviting our dearest neighbors/friends, Toni and Cesar over it was the perfect Sunday if you ask me.

Fresh herb dip and veggies.

Love the beautiful colors here.

Dinner is served: baby back ribs, baked beans, dill & green onion potato salad with grilled veggies.

Yes, it was as good as it looks! Probably one of my favorite combos. Although now that we eat a lot of vegetarian meals during the week, I’d love to challenge myself and come up with a nice combo plate veggie style. What is your palette craving? Any favorite barbecue dishes?

It’s one of my favorite soups for the fall and winter, especially since it is so easy to make, super yummy and very nutritious.

3 cups of butternut squash

1/2 onion diced

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, also known as Spanish or Hungarian paprika. It’s important to only use smoked paprika, regular won’t do.

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 tbs. olive oil

3 cloves of garlic minced

3 tbs. chopped fresh sage, plus several leaves for garnish

3 1/2 cups of vegetable broth

1-2 tbs. of creme fraiche or plain yogurt for a richer taste.

Cut up your squash into cubes, dice the onion, mince your garlic. Heat up a nice sized pot and add the olive oil, once it’s nicely heated on medium heat add the onion and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent. Microwave for about 4 minutes your squash, half at a time then add to the onion and garlic and saute some more, about 5 minutes. Add your broth, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper and fresh sage. Bring to a boil, about 10-12 minutes. Stir and test for salt if the squash is nice and tender then it’s ready. Puree and blend well. If you’d like you can add 1-2 tbs. of creme fraiche or of plain yogurt for a richer taste.

Bon a petite!

For years I had heard great things about this famous restaurant in the bay area so when I came across their cookbook, The Stinking Rose (which I didn’t even know existed) I was beyond ecstatic! It’s the perfect cookbook if you are in love with garlic as much as I am. It has a great variety of recipes, both main and side dishes, plus soups and tapas style dishes for entertaining. Lot’s of flavorful, mouthwatering dishes, but using lot’s fresh ingredients and spices with garlic being the star of course. Another great feature is that it has a very well written guide to garlic, how to store it, purchasing it and the history of it.

My mouth waters just writing about it, definitely a great investment in my cookbook collection. If only I could find the perfect little bookcase to store all these cookbooks in my kitchen/living area.  ;)

Via Barnes & Noble

So if you’re looking for great cooking inspiration and love garlic, this is the book for you! My favorite recipes in the book to name a few are:

Louisiana Shrimp in a Garlic-Tomato Broth

Mussels & Linguica in a Savory Broth

Cioppino

Forty-Clove Garlic Chicken

Mole Sauce

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

The more I stay at home the more I read and I’ve always got a wish list going, always. A month ago when I did a job I treated myself to a book allowance and purchased used, but in great condition books on Amazon. The result? Pure book heaven. Especially lately, because when I am stressed and can’t stop worrying it’s my biggest escape. I’ve been reading books in a week or less lately, it’s a problem. Especially for my overcrowded bookshelves, but I can’t let go of them, they are a part of me.

I love it when you read a book(s) that are perfect for you at that very moment, the dosage you just needed. These books are just that. So inspiring and they really have touched me; even cried at certain points. They all touched me in different ways and for various reasons, but there is one great theme. All of these women in their stories, memoirs are in their late 20′s, lost and just trying to find their place in life. With the exception of Bitter is The New Black, they all include recipes at the end of each chapter. Really yummy ones at that, can you say hungry?

Eat Pray Love

It’s safe to say that just about every bookworm with estrogen has read it or heard about it, enough said. Who can resist? I loved her story, just amazing and so inspirational. The Italy section was my favorite, surprise. I literally would have dreams about it while I was reading it. My girlfriends and I that read the book are going to go see the movie next month, we’re big Julia Roberts fans. Can’t wait.

Bitter is the New Black

Jen Lancaster has quite a few books out, they are not a series so you can pick up any at any time. I happened to pick this one because I felt it was the story I could most relate to. A woman finding her way after being laid off from a 9-5 corporate job who starts a blog and becomes a writer-nice! I often had to cover my mouth when I read it in bed because she is so funny and I was afraid my outbursts would wake up Kris. She puts the pro in sarcasm, highly recommend.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti

This one took a bit to grow on me, but loved her humor and could really feel the emotions she went through. Even better her recipes are super easy and her titles are cute humorous.

Lunch in Paris

I love this one! It takes place mostly in Paris and it’s her memoir. A great story of her finding her way through the culture in Paris, learning the foods of Paris (yum) and finding her career all the while falling in love. Her tone is a lot sweeter than most of the authors in these books, but this girl still has a witty sense of humor. For sure a must read!

A Homemade Life

I’ve still got a few chapters on this one and I’m sad to end it. It’s so good I don’t want it to end. She’s a writer who now runs a restaurant in Seattle with her husband and is also the writer of the awesome and famous Orangette blog. This is going on my top ten list of all time. She even has great ideas and questions for a cooking or reading club, fantastic. It is very sweet as she dedicates it to her father who has passed. This one really made me cry a few times. She’s a really brilliant writer, it shows right away. Also very witty and smart. Her background is awesome, the woman has three degrees, still writes and runs a restaurant-SUPER WOW!

So there you have it, I hope you check them out if you’re a reader and they bring as much joy, laughter and meaning as they did for me. True gems sitting on my bookshelf. Of course my best friend, Annie and I mostly read the same books which is great because we have an unofficial book club going. I highly recommend it, it makes for great book swapping and conversation.

On the wish list now:

The School of Essential Ingredients

A Vintage Affair

Happy reading!

Priscilla started the group so a big shout out to her, what a great hostess and leader. Thank you!

For this time around we did just main dishes, appetizers and desserts with no theme in mind. However, the next one is Mexican and Italian, just because we want to. Hey, it’s our club so we’ll do what we like, right? As Priscilla said ” we all love cooking or have special people we want to cook for” and so with that I show you the fruits of our labor from the first meeting.

Cheers to our Cooks’ Club and cooking alongside with other cooks and foodies!