http://www.mikensophie.com/blog Mike and Sophie together are here, there, and everywhere... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:11:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en With the new addition to our family I don't get a lot of time to cook the way I used to.  I keep it pretty simple on the weeknights with just one meat and just one veggie (no starch), which has also helped a little with losing those last 10 ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2012/02/01/asianitalian-fusion-tilapia-filets-chicken-marsala-style/ I found this recipe in a magazine and the idea of them persisted in my mind so long I actually ended up making some.  Glad I did--they make a very nice breakfast and they are filled with healthy ingredients.  Yummy moist texture, too. 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted & ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2011/08/26/habit-forming-homemade-granola-bars/ As a member of the educated and disproportionately privileged professional class, as well as being the product of immigrant upbringing, it is with some embarrassment that I admit to stereotyping those in poverty as not hard working enough, lacking self-control, or results and participants of substance abuse.  Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2010/04/14/nickel-dimed-by-barbara-ehrenreich-should-be-required-reading-for-all/ Hubby and I tend to celebrate Valentine's day early to skip the crowds, and have a quiet evening at home when Feb 14 rolls around.  This year he requested rack of lamb, which is a favorite of mine as well.  I am particularly proud of this recipe which features a ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2010/02/15/valentines-day-at-home/ I just commented on a BlogHer Thread "What green practices are you most proud of?".  Thought I'd share my comments here: I started doing most of these things because I don't like waste.  Yet the side benefit is that they've turned out to be great for the environment! - Reusable shopping bags:  ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/08/12/started-off-as-thrifty-ended-up-being-green/ Here is another recipe I put together last night.  we have some fairly bitter dandelion greens from our CSA box, and I wanted a "white bean" soup to provide richness and balance the flavor.  In my mind, bacon was definitely part of the equation as well.   Here's what I came ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/04/16/californian-springtime-soup-for-cold-weather/ One of the things I like most about subscription to our CSA box is that occasionally we'll get veggies that I've never tasted or even seen before.  it was through these means that Sunchokes, agretti (a relative of the tumbleweed family!), and nettles were introduced into our lives--despite their wild-west heritage, ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/03/20/an-otherworldly-parsnips-recipe/ Home grown veggies get major press today as it was disclosed that the White House will have its own veggie garden for the first time since WW2!  This shines a strong and positive spotlight on fresh, locally grown veggies as a way to combat obesity and make investments in one's ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/03/20/obama-family-to-eat-home-grown-veggies/ We had a bunch of leftover pumpkin (yes, still) from our Two Small Farms subscription last season, and I'd been brainstorming in my head about what to do with it.  I invented this recipe which uses pumpkin in many forms:  Pumpkin gnocchi.  Reading my copy of Silver Spoon, I was ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/03/19/what-to-do-with-pumpkin/ -1/8 can TJ's cuban mojito sauce -1 package TJ's steamed fava beans -1 small onion, sliced -1 piece salmon -chopped cilantro, fresh or frozen night before: cover salmon with mojito sauce, wrap and refrigerate.  using a non-stick pan, pan fry salmon over medium heat, skin side down (if no skin, use a bit of olive oil).  ... http://www.mikensophie.com/blog/2009/03/17/lovely-salmon-wfava-beans/