The Aloo Gobi Empañada Experiment turned out okay. I'm a better cook than baker and no where is that more evident than when I'm dealing with any kind of pie-crust-like pastry. I make a mess in the kitchen and generally end up with food that's not so pretty. And while a little bit on the homely side, the empañadas are pretty tasty. Especially when dipped in a little tamarind/Sriracha sauce blend.



Top Tier: Pig-shaped bottle of tamarind/Sriracha sauce, Messy yet tasty empañada filled with Aloo Gobi.
Bottom Tier: Garlic-sautéed spinach topped w/sliced almonds, Clementine tangerine, Dried plums & apricots.

01.13.09 Lunch

We have snow. Lots of snow. Like half a foot of new snow today. And temperatures below zero. So a spicy broccoli-tofu stir fry seemed right for Monday night dinner/Tuesday bento lunch. That and the fact that I had a head of broccoli languishing in the crisper drawer counting down its last days, and a package of tofu just past its expiration date. Tomorrow the plan is to further clean out the fridge by attempting a little Indian-Latino fusion cooking: Aloo Gobi Empañadas. Stay tuned.



Top Tier: Clementine Tangerine, Almonds, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Dried Plums, Cranberries and Apricots
Bottom Tier: Basmati Rice, Tofu-Broccoli Stir fry

01.12.09 Lunch

I sometimes forget that I'm back on the omnivore train and find myself searching for the vegetarian options on restaurant menus or at parties. Sixteen years of not eating meat kind of conditions you to do such things.

On Saturday night I was at a party where the host graciously pointed out the vegetarian offerings at the buffet. It was terribly sweet of him. My friends and family have been amazingly tolerant and accommodating of my recently ended sixteen year vegetarian streak. I appreciate all of their efforts to include me in their feasts, snacks, and all other foodie occasions. Nonetheless, on Saturday night I headed straight for the venison.



Top Tier: Cottage cheese w/sunflower seeds, grape tomatoes, and ground flaxseed, Dried plums and apricots, Clementine Tangerine, Edamame
Bottom Tier: Veggie "meatballs", Whole wheat rotini w/tomato sauce, mushrooms and parmesan cheese.

01.09.09 Lunch or Why My Apartment Still Smells Like Curry

Last night I made a batch of aloo gobi. The fact of which I was reminded this morning when I got to work, took off my coat and smelled the waves of curry emanating from my clothing. So pretty much all of my belongings currently smell like last night's dinner. Which really isn't so bad, since I did use my own home-ground spice blend. And was actually kind of nice to come home to; The fragranced apartment as well as the left-overs.



Top Tier: Chikuwa (Steamed fish cake) filled w/pecans, Sharp cheddar cheese, Clementine, Dried plums, Still-frozen edamame.
Bottom Tier: Aloo Gobi. But you already knew that.

01.07.09 Lunch

Today is the first day in recent memory during which I have not suffered a self-inflicted injury due to complete clumsiness. No twisted ankle tripping on the stairs, no bumped knee slipping on the ice, no smashing of pinkie toe on the molding while tearing around the corner. And thankfully no burned fingers, broken glasses to step on or other kitchen catastrophes. Not only did I emerge from the day unscathed, but the quesadilla that I was certain had burned turned out to be nigh perfectly browned and crispy. I should buy a lottery ticket.



Top Tier: Dried plums & apricots, Clementine tangerine, Grape tomatoes filled with chive cream cheese.
Bottom Tier: Perfectly toasty chicken & spinach quesadilla on whole wheat tortilla.

01.05.09 Lunch

On my journey back to the land of omnivores, I decided today to roast a chicken. Considered by many to be a crown jewel of basic cooking, I have to say that my version (Olive oil/lemon juice/salt&pepper rub, stuffed with the lemon rinds, roasted at 425 for 1 hour 20 minutes) was not bad. Especially when you consider that it was the first time I'd attempted the dish since becoming a vegetarian 16 years ago. The deliciousness made its way into Monday's simple lunch.

P.S. Today was also my first taste of bacon since 1993. I have been so deprived for so long.



Top Tier: Grape tomatoes, Baby spinach w/monterey jack cheese & pecans, Cranberry vinaigrette.
Bottom Tier: Roasted chicken, Garlic mashed sweet potatoes.

01.02.09 Lunch

Back to work for me = lunch time New Year greetings! Hopefully most of you were wise enough to take the day off. Think of me working away and consuming this nod to 2009 while you're sleeping in or at the matinee of Benjamin Button or out having a leisurely lunch or shopping for post-holiday bargains or what-have-you. I'll be in the 11th floor break room around noon if you'd like to join me. ;)



Top Tier: Teeny bottle of Sriracha sauce incase I want to give the chicken salad a little extra zip, Clementine, Cottage cheese w/ground flaxseed, Dried fruit: Hibiscus flowers, plums & apricots, Wasabi-soy almonds.
Bottom: Carrots, Chicken salad w/dried cranberries, pecans and green onions, Sharp cheddar cheese, Flour tortilla numbers made with the fantastic cookie cutters my brother, sister-in-law and nephews gave me for Christmas!

01.01.09 Lunch - Ringing in 2009 with Jyubako

Happy 2009!

I prepared a bento lunch for myself today even though I was fortunate enough to have the day off. And let me tell you, having a lunch at the ready when I hit the sleepy and cranky part of the afternoon was pretty fantastic. That and the fact that I really wanted to show off the pretty Jyubako-style bento box that I bought 6 months ago. Jyubako bento boxes are lacquered boxes used for celebrations, specifically the new year's. Mine is a pretty petite version. They tend to be more elaborate and multi-tiered to allow you to pack food to share. I however am starting 2009 out on a much more selfish note. This bento was all mine.





Turkey Octodogs (w/black mustard seed eyes) are riding on a sea of peanut sauced soba noodles topped w/green onions and toasted sesame seeds.