Easter Egg Salad

Easter Eggs

What will you do with all those pretty Easter eggs?  Salt and pepper a boiled egg...yeah.  Deviled eggs...yeah.  My favorite is egg salad.  This salad recipe varies from home to home.  This is my version:

Egg Salad Ingredients

Easter Egg Salad

6 boiled eggs, peeled & finely chopped

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

2 1/2 T pickle relish or grated pickle

3 T Mayo

1/2 t dill*

Salt  & pepper to your liking

Sprinkle of smoked hot paprika*

Delicately fold all ingredients except paprika.  Once nicely combined sprinkle with paprika and more pepper.  Enjoy.
*optional...it adds a spark to your salad

Egg Salad Wraps

A Holistic Healing...my story

Chia Seed Gel + Coconut Water

Chia Seeds...I Love You


I have a new love in my life.  I have been eating/drinking chia seeds since August of 2012.  I have become the girl you've read about that is not the perfect weight but is healthy.  The only time I've ever had high blood pressure was the day after I gave birth to my daughter, that lasted 1 full day.  Now on the other hand my cholesterol has always been an issue I have battled and a vitamin D deficiency (over the counter daily dosage of 200IU was recommended).  This past year my Doctor insisted I get on a low dose cholesterol medicine, my response was 'give me 3 months let me try and get it down myself'.   Three months came much too soon and trying to go vegan was not the answer for me.  The vegan phase lasted maybe 3 days.  I went back for my lab test and sure enough it had only lowered 4 points 231 to 227...Doc wrote me a prescription.  I am so naughty I did not fill it (I don't recommend this).  That was in July.  I was to return in October for labs again.  Having that prescription in hand and not filling it consciously made me aware of my issue...every minute!  I had to do something.  'Just try something' was constantly on my mind but I did not know what that something was.  I researched a natural way of lowering cholesterol...so many recommended methods.   I chose chia seeds after reading several testimony's online about how chia seeds aided in lowering cholesterol.   The suggested serving is 1 Tbsp daily.  August I started drinking a chia water every morning.  1 cup of water 1 Tbsp of chia seed...mix and drink.  I don't mind the texture or mild taste knowing what the results may be.  The Doctors office called to schedule a follow up in October, by this time I'd been drinking my daily chia water 5-7 times a week.  I went in a bit scared because I knew my Doctor would be asking me about the cholesterol medicine and such.  Sure enough that was his 1st question...I nervously giggled and said "don't fire me, I have not been taking it but I am taking my vitamin D".  Sweetly he said "I'm not gonna fire you"...I told him my fears of prescriptions that I read on the Internet  about wearing out my organs more importantly my liver...he said "I would never prescribe you something that would affect your liver...I did not get my Doctors degree on doc md."  I roared with a laugh...the air was clear.   I never mentioned I was taking chia seeds because at this point I felt like he already thinks I'm a bit crazy now he's really gonna think I'm a nut.  I had all the labs done that day...2 days later the nurse calls me with the results.  Cholesterol 161!!!!  Vitamin D in range!!!!  I hung up the phone and screamed!!!!  Screamed and laughed...why was this so funny?  I do not know but this was my reaction, I was thrilled.  Since then chia seed and I have been in love.  I still take it daily and have started making aquas frescas (fresh flavored waters) with it.   I have read and read about chia.  I'm so happy with this sacred Aztec superfood seed.  My favorite chia is the organic version, it seems to rate higher in fiber vs the conventional...this is packaging information. 

"Chia seeds is one of the richest known plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the world; ounce for ounce, chia provides more heart-healthy, anti inflammatory omega-3's than salmon, flaxseed or any other food.  And unlike other sources of omega-3's, chia is naturally rich in protective antioxidants that maintain the freshness and potency of its precious essential fats."  Diana Allen, MS, CNS

Chia Seed Gel

Chia Seed Gel

courtesy Diana Allen, MS, CNS

1/3 cup chia seeds

3 cups water

In a bowl, slowly add water to chia seeds while beating with a fork or a wire whisk.  Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, whisking regularly to prevent clumping.  Store chia seed gel in a tightly covered glass jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.  Always remove get from jar with a clean spoon to maintain purity.

Chia Seed Gel + Coconut Water

Darlene N. Rosen

1 T Chia Seed Gel

1/3 cup of coconut water

1 cup of filtered water

Stir all ingredients and enjoy!

Chia Seed Gel + Coconut Water + Mango

Darlene N. Rosen

1 T Chia Seed Gel

1/3 cup of coconut water

1/2 mango freshly pureed or 1/3 cup frozen pureed

1 cup of filtered water

Stir all ingredients and enjoy!  These aquas frescas can be made with any fruit of your choice.

Smoothies and puddings:  in a bowl or glass add 1 T chia seeds to 1 cup: yogurt, nut milks, or pureed fruit...set in fridge overnight and have a filling nutritious breakfast or snack.

ps...I do not recommend not filling a prescription nor stopping any medications.  I am simply stating my experience with chia seeds.

Entertaining Menu

Honey Girl Kitchen Catering

…intentionally delightful

Entertaining Options for Pick up or Delivery

Call 214.532.3510 To Place Your Order

Grass Fed Beef Meatballs

$17 a pound (yields 16 meatballs)

3 pound minimum

 Smoked Gouda Pimiento Cheese

$18.00 per pound

2 pound minimum

 Cheese Platter 4 types (Manchego w/Local Honey, Brie, Smoked Gouda & Goat Cheese)

$90

Large serves 15-25 people

 Caprese on a Stick (Crostini, Tomato, Mozzarella, Fresh Basil)

$2.25 per stick

3 dozen minimum

Beef w/Horseradish on Grilled Crouton

$2.25 per crouton

3 dozen minimum

Anti Pasto Platter (Jimmy's Salami, Jimmy's Prociutto, Grilled Vegetables, Roasted Red and Yellow Peppers, Manchego Cheese, Kalamato Olives, Green Olives, Italian Breadsticks)

Large serves 15-25 people - $150.00

Small serves 10-15 people - $75

 Seasonal Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

$3.25 per person

20 person minimum

 Shrimp Cocktail Platter w Honey Girl Kitchen Cocktail Sauce

$20 per pound

3 pound minimum

Cesar Salad with Honey Girl Kitchen Cesar Dressing

$3.50 per person

20 person minimum

 Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin with 36 Rolls & Blue Cheese Mayonnaise

$225.00

Serves 25

Peppercorn Pork Tenderloin with 36 Rolls & Jalapeno Jelly

$160

Serves 25

Smoked Salmon (Whole Side) Platter with Capers, Red Onion, Cream Cheese and Bagel Bites

$125

Serves 15-20

Smoked Salmon Creamy Deviled Eggs

$1.50 per deviled egg

3 dozen minimum

 Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushroom

$1.50 per mushroom

3 dozen minimum

 Chicken Curry Skewers

$2.25 per skewer

3 dozen minimum

Petite Brownies Delicately Frosted and Topped with a Raspberry

$18 per dozen

2 dozen minimum

 Petite Cupcakes Topped with Chocolate Art

$18 per dozen

2 dozen minimum

 Lemon Squares

Half sheet 13x18 - $75

Quarter sheet 13x9 - $40

 Fruit on a stick

$2.00 per stick

3 dozen minimum 

*Delivery Charge not included.  $25 delivery fee.

custom orders welcome

Farm Animal Waffles

Waffles For The Week

Bebe, my 5 year old goes thru stages of loving one breakfast food then suddenly she's on to the next.  Breakfast is easy when she only wants Brown Cow...she prefers it as a smoothie.  Bebe recently finished the stage of  bagels + lox + red onion which lasted 2 1/2 weeks and now she's all about waffles (inspired by an episode of Bananas in Pajamas).  I love to wake up on a slow Saturday and just start creating in my kitchen.  Cooking, baking and creating is relaxing to me...hours pass like rapid seconds.

I normally will make my pancake & waffle mix, however since I discovered Pamela's Products  (gluten- free)  this is the only mix I have been using.  It's not instant, it  calls for egg, water and oil.  I like to embellish a straight forward recipe.

 

Bebe's Favorite Waffles

 

2 eggs, separated

1 1/2 cups Pamela's Mix

3/4 cup water/liquid...buttermilk/coconut milk/almond milk

1 T EVOO

1 t cinnamon

1 t vanilla

zest of 1 orange or lemon

melted ghee or oil to grease waffle iron

Whip the egg whites until stiff (you'll want to skip this but don't...makes for a light texture).  In a separate bowl add all the remaining ingredients, mix till smooth.  Fold in the egg whites.  Use batter immediately in a preheated, greased waffle iron.  I use a small silicone baster to grease iron.
Berries and maple syrup are a must.

 

Yields 12 farm animal waffles or 3-4 7inch round waffles.

 

Enjoy!

Planning: A Packed School Lunch

Bento School Lunch

My daughter will start Kindergarten this Fall and will be taking a packed lunch.  Honestly I have been thinking about this for years.  I like the idea of sending her off with a nice little bite that she will enjoy.  Currently I pack a lunch for her when she goes to swim camp for the day...I give her a couple choices:  tuna or turkey?  strawberries or raspberries?  chips, popcorn or carrots?.  Her choice is always the same:  tuna, raspberries & carrots with homemade ranch.  Excellent.  When I have sushi rice her choice will always be onigiri.  I really need to learn from her eating habits...on more than one occasion she has been given a choice of a cookie or apple and she will choose an apple.  Goody goody.

The idea of a bento lunch makes so much sense to me.  The portion size, the aesthetics, the variety...all of it excites me.  When Bebe was 2 I knew I would be packing a bento style lunch for her.  At that time I would walk to the coffee shop with my girlfriend, while she and I sipped our coffee Bebe was so happy with the peanut butter bento box I'd buy her...a tiny pb&j, raisins & shredded carrots.  It was packaged so pretty.  She would eat an entire item before she started on the next.  It was obvious to me and my friend that Bebe thought it was pretty to.

This week I ordered The Just Bento Cookbook, Geisha Bento Box, sauce containers, egg molds and veggie cutters.  The cookbook is fantastic, takes the 'what am I gonna pack for lunch' question a thing of the past.  The bento box looks tiny...I had to remind myself 'this is for a child'...it's so cute!  The sauce containers have 2 sizes, the smaller will be perfect for soy sauce and the next size up for salad dressing.  The cute bunny and bear egg molds are genius, once you peel the boiled egg (has to be warm/hot) set it in the mold and it comes out the exact shape.  The veggie cutters have not arrived but am looking forward to getting them.

ps...each element ordered rated 4+ stars.

Paletas...Mexican Ice Pops

Bebe gets her wish...

My Bebe girl has been asking and asking to make paletas.  One night before bed she said, "write your self a note to make popsicles with me so you don't forget"...I made myself a note.  We had the molds now I just needed a good recipe.  I enjoy and trust reviews so I read several before I decide on the book Paletas...I adore paletas de arroz (rice pops) and paletas de coco (coconut pops) this book had them and according to the reviews this was now the only ice pop book I was interested in.  So interested that I purchased 4 for friends/sister birthdays. 
Our first recipe to try was 'paletas de zarzamora'  (blackberry ice pops) BUT the only and most important ingredient, blackberry was absent from my fridge.  Not a problem we used what we had, strawberries + raspberries.

paleta in water glass mold

Fresa y Frambuesa Paletas

Raspberry + Strawberry Ice Pops

4 cups of organic berries (3 cups strawberry + 1 cup raspberry)

1 2/3 cups water

2/3 turbanado sugar (white sugar will work)

pinch of salt

2 t lemon juice, fresh

Puree all ingredients in blender.  Pour into molds.  Freeze for 4-5 hours.

note: this recipe made four large mold pops plus I used 3 water glasses (heat & freezer proof) for molds

the request...

Next we'll make the coconut paleta...I'm making it from a fresh coconut then toasting the grated flesh.  I'll let you know. 

May your Summer include fruit pops and for the adults 'boozy pops'.

Date Night In...Steak + Lobster

This evening Honey Girl Kitchen conducted a cooking class for the Mother's Association.  Enjoy the recipes.  I'd love to hear from you when you make steak + lobster.

Lobster Cooking Time

For steaming a lobster

Lobster Weight	Cooking Time
1 - 1 ¼ lb.	10 - 12 minutes
1 ¼ - 2 lb.	12 - 18 minutes
2-3 lb.	18 - 25 minutes
3-6 lb.	25 - 40 minutes
6-7 lb.	40 - 60 minutes
8 lb. and over	7 minutes per pound

Rib Eye Steak

Marinate in EVOO + salt + pepper, marination can take place 1-2 hours or overnight.  Bring steak to room temperature before cooking.

Heat skillet and oil on high.  Once skillet starts to smoke add steak and cook for 3 minutes on each side.  Once cooked broil for 6-8 minutes.  Allow steak to rest.  Serve.

My favorite EVOO is one that is 'first cold pressed', this was extracted without the use of chemicals.

 Creamy Horseradish

1 cup sour cream

2 T horseradish

Basic Homemade Salad Dressing

3 parts oil

1 part acid: vinegar/lemon juice/lime juice

Salt + pepper

Add on:  garlic, jam, jelly, honey, maple syrup

Grilled Fresh Pineapple

Heat grill on medium high…stove top or outdoor grill.  Prepare pineapple in slices or wedges.

Add pineapple to hot grill and cook to desired texture.  Nice served w/ice cream or whipping cream.