Cooking Single in the City

...okay so yes, it's been a while--and we're so very sorry! We've been working tirelessly on many projects...all surrounding this one, of course. :) So, we had our first official cooking class last night--and oh what fun! With the aromas of onions on the grill, and whafs of seared salmon floating beneath my nostrils every few seconds, this bunch was brave--so willing to jump in and try new cooking techniques, and had the humor to match! Thank you to everyone who came. Thanks to Andrea Clever, our lovely Chef -extraordinaire and co-host, Jacob Gardner, it proved to be more than what any of us had imagined! Singles, be sure to challenge yourself to try these recipes at home...With the exception of the flourless chocolate cake, these recipes are designed to serve no more than 2...so if you need to double for four+, go ahead and do so! I'm celebrating the birthday of one of my best friends...think I'll surprise with our flourless cake! :-) Bon Appetit! Andrea & Cyn...

Outdoor barbeque's are nice--down right fun, to be honest...but no one does it right like the Argentinians! You haven't had a bbq, until you've feasted at an Asado! This past Sunday night was no different. To honor a birthday and the arrival of an out-of-towner, my best friend and her hubby threw a little gathering in their backyard. Quincho El Gaucho -- Chimi Churri Gaucho Grill Although I hadn't realized that there'd be more than a handful of married-couples, I decided to invite a sweet friend of mine....who, like me, was in dire need of something out of the ordinary. The Argentinians did not disappoint. They never ever do.

Ever just have one of those days where although you had "other" things planned, every thing turned out exactly the way you know they were meant to turn out? W-o-w. Well today that was my day and the only thing I can say is...amazing. In all my 40 years of living I can honestly say that there have been days, weeks, years even where I have toiled and spun my wheels only with NOTHING (of importance) to show for it. LoL. Sad, but oh so true. Lately, my life has been anything BUT that, and for that, I'm grateful. My hands are to the right plow and not building in vain--who has time for to labor for that which profits nothing? Not me. At least, not any more. :) Today was incredible, and as I made my way through Fullerton's chaos of today's heartbreaking news, I wound up home right when I was supposed to be. With fifteen minutes to eat, I quickly pulled out the extra-firm tofu, a carrot-broccoli mix a lemon and some evo. Much to my delight, an avocado was not too far aw...

Leading a very busy life has it's disadvantages, but let's face it--it has some perks, too! The last month has been extremely busy. We'll just leave it at that. Attending meetings for everything from curriculum to songwriting, production and worship, about the only thing I had extra time to do was to catch a cold--not once but twice. :) What perks? You ask. Well, in the middle of all the business is just the wonderful sense of peace. A quiet that can only come from being in the presence of One. And this is what keeps me going, keeps me creative, keeps me whole. One of these days, in particular, I had fifteen minutes to rush home, make dinner, eat and head back out. Thank God for good and faithful--Trader Joe's. I managed to grab a four bags--one from the freezer and three from the fridge--and voila, dinner was served! A huge fan of frozen and plastic-bagged items due to cooking for one, I had Tofurkey Italian Sausage, shredded carrots, melange trois and a bag of ready-m...

Moving, moving and more moving--so busy I haven't HAD time to cook, play, visit with friends...or much of anything else, let alone BLOG. Well hmmm...I actually did squeeze in some time for a trip to Atlanta, GA where my mom, sis and I were treated to authentic Cuban Food ala my Aunt Sonia! Her food filled me to my inner most belly. THAT, in itself, is a whole other entry. Since the last posting however, I think I've moved, not once, but twice. Now that the move has been completed, I just need the motivation to unpack, yet again. Until that happens, boxes will remain to be the first thing I see in the morning. Needless to say, cooking has become quite an art when sharing a cocina chiquita with the "lady of the house" (who I'm beyond blessed to share with). With my finances becoming a tighter by the week, I realized that I just around the corner from a sweet little place that had been music to my ears since the day I'd heard of it--Fresh & Easy! One should ...

So I tried to share today's posting of Daily Candy Los Angeles, but for some reason, the link posted isn't quite pulling up the article...so back to the good old fashioned way! "Count down to a very good time. 10. Assemble all elements of this miraculous hangover cure . You’re gonna need it. 9. Turn leftover wrapping paper and tape into a pile of festive toppers . 8. Hit up the Joan’s on Third freezer for mini meat pies and tiny cheese puffs and Trader Joe’s for buckets of meringues, big and small. 7. Put your hands together and make some noisemakers . 6. Give three cheers for Empire City punch , cinnamon caipirinhas , and the Cuzco fizz . 5. Consult the white porcelain god of a different kind: Fill the tub with water and fortune-telling fish . 4. To really let your hair down, you’ ve got to put it up . 3. Cue the music (hello, Miami , Chicago , SF , Dallas , Philadelphia , and London megamixes ). 2. Show off your new moves . 1. Happy New Year!" http://www.dailyca...

Now that I'm stuffed from eating Maxine's tamales (recipe and pix to be posted at a later time), I thought I'd pop online as I've been surfing the net now for about an hour. Still not married at 39 and with my immediate family all of state, this Christmas season was bound to be a little bit different. I do have to say however, that singlehood during the holidays definitely has it's pluses (although I haven't always felt that way). This year took me to more intimate settings with friends, who like me, are solo-ing it up for the holidays! Yesterday's morn took me to a lovely champagne brunch with my girlfriend, Brynn, on the Marina in Long Beach--cute little diner--Schooner or Later, where I ended up stuffing myself with a short stack of pancakes, hash browns and turkey sausage (I am a firm believer in having both the sweet and salt to balance out a meal!) So now I sit here all alone in raining off-and-on-again Anaheim. Because I'm not much in the mood f...

I don't know about you but I have love, love, loved the rain that has finally kissed us with it's sweet lips. Surprisingly, this morning's rain came with some pretty fierce wind, which having just moved here from Oklahoma (where the winds come crashing through the plains), it somewhat threw me for a loop. After enjoying the sounds of rain from inside the house while working in the garage, I decided I wanted nothing more than to eat something warm and somewhat soupish. Unfortunately I have not done a whole lot of shopping since my move back, leaving with me no choice but to doll up an organic can of beans. This week was kinda tough in that I had a whole lot going on! I had to relinquish the love of my life, Luke, to an adoptive parent who could give him a home, as I am still looking for mine and I staying with friends. My other Beagle, Tulsa, is staying at a bachelor pad with some friends of mine who I've known for a very long time. The plan is for Tulsa and I to move in...