by Madison pollard
I have been itching for a beautiful bowl from Cava Grill lately – I know, could I be any more of a millennial? However, we don’t have the Mediterranean restaurant chain in Spain. Just the ingredients! And as per usual, I’ve been trying to find new ways to incorporate veggies into my diet. I’ve been …
Often when I’m cooking at home in Spain I’m trying to use new ingredients that I haven’t had much of before in the US, or food that I miss from home. Chicken wings are occasionally available in Spanish restaurants, but nowhere near as frequent as American restaurants. Side note – I’m pretty certain that not …
Boxed pasta has a reputation for being a cheap and easy way to feed yourself at home, especially for the less gastronomically-inclined chefs. Usually we resort to red sauce from a jar with little to no complexity or handmade elements. My boyfriend and partner-in-culinary-crime, Jeff, is a vegetarian and I frequently find new small ways …
Ahh, yes, one of my most lighthearted and easiest recipes. My keto-inclined best friend brought an $8 bag of pork rinds from Whole Foods to my house. Only to discover that this particular keto and diet-friendly product was essentially flavorless, she nearly discarded them. HELL. NO. Instead of getting got by Whole Foods, I decided …
Three incredible things: Jamaican jerk flavoring, pickling and crunchy fried pickles. All in one. This started as what my friends and I would refer to as a ‘stoner’ recipe, as it’s an unexpected (and seemingly downright bizarre) flavor combination, but it works when you have that craving for something salty and crunchy. I made this …
I recently learned how to make bechamel sauce, thus I have been concocting a ton of crazy macaroni and cheese combinations as cheese sauce is a very practical derivative and skill to have in the kitchen. Diverse for so many recipes, I’ve been working on quesos, drizzles for nachos and pasta sauces. I’ve narrowed down …
Salads are not for me. I’ve never been a lettuce and tomato person. However, I’m always trying to find ways to consume more vegetables. This, for me, is a major task. Especially when it comes to RAW vegetables. Stir fry, saute, olive oil, sesame oil, I can work with. But raw salad? No thanks. It’s …
I have always held the philosophy that you should enjoy yourself and enjoy food, within moderation. Life is too short. I had never been one to ‘diet’ or go along with something food-related in which you had to be ‘compliant’. That word was a real turn off for me when I first heard of Whole30. …
I’ve been making this chicken carnitas recipe for years now due to its simplicity and versatility. It’s a relatively healthy recipe that is also cost effective and crowd pleasing! Earlier this week I was thinking about what recipes I could make for me and my AWESOME mom – while not going overboard with heavy ingredients. …
Roasted and fried almonds are one of the first recipes I learned to make from my tapas bible as a kid. I still make them to this day, but with all sorts of sweet and salty variations. This particular recipe, however, is by far my favorite. It’s yet another ridiculously simple go-to recipe that’s perfect …
When most people think of fruity Spanish drinks, sangria comes to mind. However, if you want to live like a local, you should be sipping tinto de verano, often called ‘tinto’. Everyone has a different recipe, but it generally meets several criteria. First, it’s made with cheap red wine, that’s the deal. This is a …
Lately, I’ve been planning a special brunch for my family who will be visiting me in Spain in two weeks! Unless you’re a close friend or family who I’ve cooked for, you might not know that I have an obsession with planning meal spreads. Not just one, but as many dishes as I can fit …
I’m always looking for new recipes to make for my vegan and vegetarian, offering more interesting and colorful options – that aren’t salad. Tofu, often cooked in panko crumbs is great – but I wanted to use something different that went well with a tropical salsa, so I went with a more coconut-heavy breading. Unsweetened …
I began concocting this recipe when I learned how important a well-maintained diet is to managing thyroid disorders. I went on a bit of a health kick, as I started paying attention to my diet according to a couple of major personal health factors: Hypothyroidism and anemia (severe iron deficiency). So I finally found a …
Here’s the big secret to a lot of my latest recipes! When I first boxed up my prided kitchen in Virginia and packed my bags for Spain, one of the hardest goodbyes was to my spice collection. I knew I wouldn’t get my suitcase successfully through airport customs with a box of fifty open …
For anyone who has done Whole30, you probably know that the addition of potatoes to the compliant food list is a game changer. Though one is advised to consume in moderation, we’re relieved to have the option when we crave comfort food. When you’re on that 30 day journey of clean eating, you’ll feel good, …
I’ve been on a serrano jamone overload lately in Spain – it’s such a tasty product here and is more affordable than back in the U.S. But I’ve decided it’s time to get back to my roots with some super classic pork belly. These crostinis were originally an idea I had for an appetizer when …
I have a new obsession… empanadas! Or as they say here in Spain, “empanadillas.” I love these versatile pockets of magic. I had tried the classic flavors at local panderias filled with pisto and carne, but hadn’t come across many cheese-based fillings for some reason. So needless to say, I was ready to take it …
Some tapas can be complex, served one at a time and requiring abuela’s super secret recipe. Sometimes you’ll find them served together like a antipasti plate. When I’m serving others, I prefer to have the table full from the get go so that I’m not chained to the kitchen. I personally also enjoy savoring variety …
I made this pasta salad recently for my boyfriend who was visiting me in Spain. Pasta is essentially a food group for him, as I imagine to be the case with many vegetarians. However red sauce can become a bit monotonous, so I wanted to try something new. The pasta he chose from my local …