{Caramelized!} Caramelized Black Pepper Chicken & Caramelized Broccoli

These two dishes are from Food & Wine's Best Fast Recipes list.  A very helpful list on those days you want to whip up something delicious without slaving away in the kitchen.  Both use the process of caramelization to bring out the flavor of the ingredients...so there's no way it could taste bad! {unless you burn it of course ;) }

Both recipes are simple, but extremely flavorful, and has gotten the thumbs up sign from Cy.  Our good friend M proclaimed that he could get hooked on this dish.  So I hope you guys get a chance to try making the dish!

Apple Frangipane Tartelettes

Fall is almost here...even if it's been almost hundred degree weather out here in Los Angeles.  In either case, I decided to make some apple tartlettes since apples make me think of fall even though they are pretty much available all year around out here. Frangipane is one of my favorite fillings in a tart, and a perfect complement to most fruit, but best of all to the humble apple.  

This recipe, inspired by the Joy of Baking website, does use some sugar, but I tried to keep it very minimal so that Cy can enjoy some too without too much guilt involved.  

{Sweet Roots} Sweet Potato, Carrot & Ginger Soup

One of my favorite people got married this past weekend, and I feel very honored to have been her MOH for her special day.  Everything was beautiful and all of the little details perfect.  Thank you so much to L&J for sharing your ♥ with us.

 Here is a recipe - sweet & easy just like you guys L&J :)

There's been a lot of root vegetables like Sweet potatoes and Carrots in our Produce box lately and I debated over what to make with them.  Root veggie baked chips? Muffins? Tarts? So many options, so little time!  In the end, I decided to go with this Sweet potato, carrot & ginger soup.  Mainly because I knew it would be quick and easy, and of couse nutritious and delicious as well.  A recipe that would fit perfectly into the rotation on those days you don't really want to spend too much time in the kitchen.  The ginger perfectly balances the sweetness of the potatoes and carrots, and the addition of cumin and nutmeg add just enough warmth to make it a perfect comfort dish.

I almost always start my soups with this trifecta of ingredients - olive oil, onions, and garlic/ginger.  Then add whatever main veggie you plan to use, add stock, season, and voila! A healthy meal with hardly any work (Except peeling the sweet potatoes...I do not enjoy having to peel vegetables...)