LB Says Hi

Feeling inspired and hungry after a morning hike-mostly hungry though. Here we go! Here is what I'm working with: Ingredients for a simple pesto/caprese pasta salad. Halving the local tomatoes makes it easier to eat and I love the color they bring to the meal. I used any ol' pesto sauce and chopped up some fresh basil for extra flavor. I went with the mozzarella that's soaking in water for a fluffier texture. Boil pasta and mix all together! I added a bit of balsamic vinegar to give it a kick. I ate the pasta right after I made it because, like I said, I was hungry, but it would taste better chilled.  Ta-da! Today was my day off and I hate feeling unproductive so I forced myself to put on my shoes and go for a hike. Getting to the top I took a breath and let the view in. There is always a point, maybe 10 minutes from the top, when my music stops playing due to no reception. This is the point where I walk listening to nature's music-the sounds of the ...

Today's lunch! I made homemade roasted tomato sauce with gnocchi. My no-brainier sides are iced coffee and toast with balsamic vinegar and olive oil (saved from my roasted veggies the other week). Here's how it happened: First step of roasted tomato sauce is to roast the tomatoes, duh. I layed down some olive oil at the bottom of a Pyrex pan and layered 1/2 inch slices of tomatoes on top. Spices added include: salt, pepper, dried parsley, freshly chopped garlic, and dried rosemary. More olive oil drizzled on top and I let it bake until sizzling  and tender.  Boiling gnocchi (potato dumplings) is fairly easy-drop into boiling water until gnocchi floats to the top-this is how you know they're ready. For the sauce I turned on the heat and put butter and olive oil into a pan. Then I added freshly minced garlic. I love the smell of these three ingredients and believe it is important to let the garlic simmer in the concoction until aromatic. The next step is to add the roasted to...

Sundays or "Sundaze," as I like to call it, emanate a simplistic and laid back mood. People are smiling at strangers, willing to make small talk for the heck of it, and actually driving courteously! I cannot tell you how many people have let me into their lane today-an obviously rare occurrence during the other 6 days of the week. Yes, Sundays seem to put people into cruise-mode, and I love it. Mom and I had to pick up a painting in Kailua so we decided to try a new spot called Cactus, a light an open spot on Kailua Road serving Latin, Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Let me just tell you, WE ARE IN LOVE.  The picture to the left is a shot of what I ordered at Cactus . It's their "Big-Bellied" Empanadas-homemade pastries stuffed with braised beef, potatoes and spices. Served on the side are fresh local greens and a local tomato and ginger salsa. I could order 4 of these! Mom had the Cubano, which I recommend to everyone. We are definitely going...

The above photo is of the eggplants from my dad's garden. I sautéed them in butter with a little sprinkle of truffle salt. I guess I've never realized the benefits of growing your own vegetables; how the taste is different, almost more satisfying. You know exactly where your ingredients are coming from and can guarantee the freshness of it having picked them off the vine yourself. I made a simple sauce of mayonnaise and shoyu :).  Next, I made a medley of tomatoes and onions and baked them with garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. This has to be my favorite herb and sauce combination. My hands always smell of garlic and my palate always waters for vinegar! The smells coming from the oven are indescribable. I put a little beat of chili flakes for some heat (of course). And here is the final product. I toasted some bread with olive oil and rosemary to eat with the balsamic veggies. Everything was perfect for an afternoon snack, washed down with some lime-w...