The Best Nuts You'll Ever Eat!

One day I was having a lazy afternoon and had a Food Network marathon. It was a perfect day! I came across the show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and Giada started talking about these mixed nuts that she was just crazy about! It made my mouth water seeing these warm, flavorful morsels come out of the oven. I just had to learn how to make them. I did just that last weekend for Katie's birthday party and everyone agreed. Giada was right!! 

Now, usually I take recipes I find and I make changes, add my own twist to them. But in this case, that would be disrespectful to the masterpiece The Union Square Cafe has created! Therefore, I'm just going to post the link directly for you. Please make these at a time you can eat or serve them right away. They are so good warm!!

Oh, you can always throw a handful of the leftovers in the microwave for 30 seconds or so any time you need a snack. ;-) 

ENJOY!!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/the-union-square-cafes-bar-nuts-recipe/index.html

Thai Chile Tacos

Obviously I love a sweet & spicy combo and this recipe was just perfect! You can easily adjust it to make it sweeter (add more sugar) or spicier (add more chile sauce). I started the steaks marinating before I left for work this morning and cooked everything else after an exhautsing yoga/pilates workout! It was filling, light, and FULL of flavor. Enjoy!!

Thai Chile Tacos w/ Asian Slaw & Spicy Sour Cream

Steak Ingredients

• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger (don't use ginger powder... seriously... huge difference)
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. fish sauce (don't worry, you can find this even at Walmart in the Asian aisle)
• 1/2 tsp. chili garlic sauce (also in the Asian aisle, a staple... you should really have this in your pantry if you're a fiery foodie like me)
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pound flank steak (or any thin cut, tender steak)
• Cooking spray

Slaw Ingredients

• 1 tsp. chili garlic sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp. fish sauce
• 1/1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbs. rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 3 cups packaged angel hair slaw
• 2 cups packaged matchstick carrots
• 1/4 cups sliced green onion
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 

Other Ingredients

• 8 corn tortillas (you can use flour, but corn is so much better for you!)
• 6-8 tbsp. Light Sour Cream 
• 1 tbsp. Sriracha 

Directions:

1. Combine first 7 Steak ingredients into a large gallon-size ziploc bag. Mix/shake ingredients together, then add in the steak and let it marinate. It should marinate at least 20 minutes, but I prefer to throw it together before work and let it sit in the fridge soaking up the flavor all day long!
2. When you get home or are ready to get started, first prepare the slaw. Combine the first 7 ingredients and whisk together in a large bowl. Next, add the cabbage/slaw, carrots, green onion, and cilantro. Toss everything together really well. 
3. Spray down the grill really well and heat it up for the steak. Once hot, throw the steak on and cook it 3-5 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the steak and how you like it done. Once you remove the steak from the grill. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before you cut it up! Some people like to cut flank steak into strips, but I can't stand biting into a steak taco and having a whole piece of steak pull right out with the bite. Therefore, I prefer to cut into cubes. 
4. While the steaks are cooking, combine the sour cream and sriracha and heat up your tortillas. For those that don't live in Texas and need instructions on heating up corn tortillas you can do one of two things - wrap in aluminum foil and pop them in the oven OR for a faster finish wrap them in a wet paper towel and throw in the microwave for a minute or so. 
5. Finally, it's time to EAT!!! Take a warm corn tortilla and spread with the sour cream sauce, next add some steak and finally some slaw. Yummy!!

**Reference Recipe: Cooking Light April 2008
Nutrition Information: 

Serving Size: 2 tacos

Calories: 450 calories/serving

I'm Back!!

In case you haven't heard, my hair has grown back!!!!

The good news is, I finished treatment 3 months ago and still haven't had any bald patches. The bad news is, between the steroid injections last year and the mild depression I experienced losing all my hair, I've gained weight. A lot of weight. I tried to lose the weight by cutting things out and dieting here and there, but dieting just doesn't work for me.

In an attempt to shed the pounds, I've decided to reinvigorate my blog with healthy recipes that actually taste good! If I can still cook and still eat foods that taste delicious, then I'm much more likely to do well. I like to take recipes I find in Cooking Light and other healthy websites, then add my own twist and spin to them.

Be on the look out for great recipes coming from me soon!