Thesis Pieces

I feel like I just started school, but I'm one quarter shy from completing my first year, and almost half way done! It's surreal even typing that out, but somehow it's true. I'm now in the process of preparing to submit my thesis topic for approval. I spent the day at school doing research and staying super productive. I've been really excited about school lately. I thought it would take a lot longer than it is (though, it still might) and my library school-scrap quilt is not growing with my school progress. I'm going to have to get busy with that one! I think I'll start now...

Lemon Miso Salmon

Miso Salmon with Lemon and Rosemary
4 oz. salmon filet
2 lemons
1-2 tbsp. Miso dressing
Sprinkle of mixed spices (I used Rosemary, Saffron, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder – this is where you get to play around and use whatever you’ve got in the spice rack)

1. Line pan with lemon slices, enough to cover the bottom of the filet
2. Wash and prepare fish. Rub in Miso dressing and lie fish onto lemon slices
3. Sprinkle the top of the fish with spices and cover with remaining lemon slices
4. Bake at 350, until ready.

Eat, Drink, And Library

I've been wanting to post this for weeks now. This is possibly the last quiche I'm going to make in a while.

And hopefully the first of many salads to come. As much as I love making those quiches and that fantastic crust, it might be a little too heavy for me right now.

My friend Meagan came over and made a lovely cake!

We finished it off with some Turkish coffee.

Only two weeks left for school and a lot of work left. I've kept myself quite distracted this weekend, by actually attempting to have a social life! This morning I tended to my Sunday routine of farmer's market, where I saw one of my best star sightings yet with her super sexy husband and baby. I have to admit, I had a major geek out moment. And while I got home and prepared to do my homework, Julian got me obsessed with Library Thing, so instead I am trying to catalog my own library. Sometimes I had doubts about my profession, but as I excitedly ran around my apartment looking for things to catalog, those doubts went away. I even ordered a cat scanner. If Library Thing catalogs music, then I'm going to stay inside my bedroom for months.

Leeky Eggs

I just realized I never updated everyone on my adventures with Leeks. Well, they were very short lived. The first and last item I decided to make was scrambled eggs with Feta cheese, a pinch of (light) heavy cream, and some sliced leeks.

The Feta scramble is one I make somewhat often, so I thought adding leeks would be a subtle kick, just to see if I actually like Leeks or not. The eggs were good, but I think I enjoy them better without the Leeks. This led me to believe I’m not a Leek fan. Though, in my efforts to eating a bit healthier this year, a friend pointed me in this direction, to a recipe from the book French Women Don’t Get Fat. Leeks might be worth another shot.

Crème Fraîche Pizza

It's been a while since I've made pizza. I usually stick to the same recipe each time I make it, but this time I thought I would mix things up very slightly. Instead of using tomato sauce, I used Crème Fraîche and instead of using a white flour dough, I used whole wheat.

The results? Pretty good. I got a little carried away with my homework and may have left the pizza crust get a little too dark, but it was still good. I think I might add honey to the dough next time too.

Next time will be very soon... I made extra dough for the week!

Sandwich

I know, I've been slacking off with the daily blogging thing. School and work have kept me busy and exhausted. Good news is I have 3 weeks left until this school quarter is over. Bad news is I have about 5 papers standing in my way. One of them is a big monster, but it's about family photo albums which has been something I've been wanting to research anyway! This weekend has been lots of writing and researching, but I still have so much to do. I'm feeling a bit stuck, which is why I'm blogging instead. I also wanted to show off what I had for lunch a few minutes ago.

It was really nothing too special, just a regular sandwich, but for some reason, it tasted so good. I used wheat bread, provolone, pastrami, turkey, ham, and pepperoni (all low fat, thin slices), tomatoes, lettuce, tiny bit of mustard, and some dill pickle.

Lots of semi-scary things are happening in my apartment building right now. Couples I share walls with are fighting and many cop cars swarmed in the back alley, where I park my car. Not good for the paper writing focus. This, along with my recent rent increase, is giving me thoughts of finding a new place to live. Just thoughts for now...

Antipasto Salad

There are only three types of salad that I absolutely love. First one is my aunt Janet's salad. I've gotten her recipe before, but it never tastes as good when I make it, though it's one of those nice surprises when she does make it.  It's a little treat, because it's not too often I have it.  I think the last time I had this salad was definitely over 3 years ago, but it's just so good, I remember it. It's amazing what she can do to a regular house salad. Salad number two is similar to my aunt Janet's salad, but a little more on the Greek side, it's called the Greek Taverna salad at The Great Greek. When I'm in the mood for a nice Greek salad, this is the only one that can do it for me. The thrid favorite salad, and my favorite of the moment, is the Antipasto salad at a little pizza joint up down my street called, Big Mamas Pizza. I've discovered this is a chain, but I think each shop makes the Antipasto salad a little differently. I prefer the one in Studio City. Instead of paying about $8 for a salad that will last me one dinner, I decided to go out and buy all the goods to make my own, that will last me all week! Farmer's market lettuce.

Tomatoes, onions, cheese, garbanzo beans, pickles, provolone cheese, and turkey pepperoni made the rest of the salad.

The only ingredient I forgot was pepperoncini! I do miss my pepperoncini, but it was a pretty good salad! I have to admit, I'm a bit intimidated by salads, I've never made one that I was super proud of - I should rephrase that, I've never made a healthy salad that I've been super proud of. I do love my bean/corn salad, which is semi-healthy but full of sugars (natural sugars, but still).

Strawberry Tart

Today we are celebrating a few birthdays at work, so I prepared a Strawberry Tart for the occasion. I started off with Clotilde Dusoulier's recipe for Pâte Sablée, as my tart crust.

After baking the crust, I added in a cream that consisted of cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and a bit of (light) heavy cream.

Then come the strawberries, halved lengthwise.

And strawberry glaze, which was a French strawberry preserve, heated and brushed onto the strawberries.


I’ve never made this recipe before and I’m always a bit nervous when testing new recipes on people. Either way, I’m anxious to taste it!

Too Long

It has been way too long since I've posted. Things have been hectic, to say the least. School and work have been exhausting, though, you can be sure I'm still crafting (but not posting). I'm going to try to make posting a daily routine again, so to get me going, I went a little crazy at the farmer's market this morning.

I've been trying to experiment with a new food item each week. This week, I chose Leeks. It was a steal at 75 cents for a bundle! I also got the biggest grapefruit I have ever seen!

And a baby bouquet for my niece, Anabelle.

Coming this week: fruit tarts, quiches, antipasto salad, and paper writing extravaganza for me. Oh yes.