Mayol’s Quinoa – Southwest & Asian Fusion Style

This recipe comes compliments of my older sister, Mayol.  (AKA Scientist Barbie)  That’s not really her name, but that’s what I call her and have called her for just about as long as I could remember. Besides being the smartest person I know, yea she is a genius, she is also a really good cook.  It must run in the fam. :)

Marlooz, my dutch twin, and very talented videographer, was in San Francisco for about 6 weeks and before going back home to Amsterdam she requested a special going away meal.  Of course I abided.  (or is it abode?)  I served this quinoa dish along with a grilled mushroom and onion salad and grilled chicken.  We were happy campers, although sad that Marlooz was leaving us.

I call it southwestern & Asian fusion because it has ingredients that are very traditional to Southwestern cooking like black beans and bell peppers.  But the vinaigrette that brings it all together has a little Sriracha (my new favorite ingredient) and soy sauce, which are both very asian.  Asian or Southwestern – whatever you want to call it – it is delicious and healthy and fiber filled.

Continue reading

Truffled Cauliflower Soup with Langostino

Lobster Soup? Yes please.  Actually this is the poor man’s lobster soup but hey those are just details.

As you know I get a lot of vegetables and sometimes I just don’t know what to do with them.  That was the case when I looked into the refrigerator and saw 1.5 large cauliflowers the other day.  It was rainy (as usual) here in San Francisco,  so I thought – SOUP!  It was creamy without any cream and rich with the additions of Langostino and Truffle Oil.  This simple (only 5 ingredients) dish can impress even a foodie crowd in the most humble way.  Enjoy!

Continue reading