Opera Singer in the Kitchen

Artistry in Food, Music, and Life

Posts by admin:

    Cajun-grilled and Blackened Tofu

    June 7th, 2012
    tofu fajitas

    REMINDER!! Don’t forget to sign up for the coffee gadget giveaway!


    One of my favorite things to eat lately is tofu. While I was pregnant I could not EAT and SEE tofu. Ryan would order the Ma Po Tofu at P.F. Changs (one of my favorite dishes) and I could not even look at his plate or even take a bite.

    Well, my tofu-eating days have come back and well since it is grilling time, I find that they are best eaten grilled and seasoned.

    How do I get them to be so tasty-looking you ask?

    Pressed tofu

    Well, thanks to my trusty tofu press from Tofu Xpress, I know that I will have perfectly firm and drained tofu. It will be at the perfect texture even for marinating!

    seasoning

    Something we have been enjoying of late is using Emeril’s Creole Seasoning. Yes, I could have made my own but after Ryan made a dish several years back, I knew I had to continue using Emeril’s recipe.

    Grilling tofu

    Grilled tofu steaks


    This is such an easy recipe and I at least make this twice a week in order to have lunch and dinner options. Try and let me know how you like it!



    Cajun-grilled and Blackened Tofu

    by Noelle Kelly
    Prep Time: 20 minutes (2 hours tofu press
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Keywords: fry grill press tofu refrigerate blacken entree lunch sandwich vegan vegan recipes on recipage tofu Caribbean cajun

    Ingredients (6 tofu rectangles)
    • 1-14-ounce Nasoya Extra-Firm tofu (sliced in half width-wise, then sliced in 3 rectangles)
    • 2 teaspoons coconut oil

    1/4 cup Emeril’s Creole Seasoning

    • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
    • 2 tablespoons salt
    • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
    Instructions
    Press the tofu for 2 hours before preparing placing in refrigerator. It also can be pressed overnight. Remove from fridge and drain the water. Pat the tofu block dry with paper towels.

    pressed

    Slice the tofu in half, width-wise, then slice each half into three rectangles.

    pressed

    Place tofu on cutting board and sprinkle and pat each rectangle with the creole seasoning.

    Seasoned tofu

    Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil on the indoor grill or griddle on medium high. Place tofu on hot grill and cook on one side for 5-7 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for the same amount of time on the opposite side.

    You can place two slices and make a sandwich or cut into strips and make fajitas and grill onions and peppers on the same hot grill and serve with tortillas. Enjoy!
    Powered by Recipage

    No Comments "

    Aerobie® AeroPress® Coffee and Espresso Maker Review and Giveaway

    June 5th, 2012
    DSC_1329

    I have a lovely product to showcase today. As many of you know, Ryan and I enjoy coffee lots! I believe, ahem, that we have been called coffee snobs at one point or other, but I believe we specific tastes. Who doesn’t?


    I was recently given a chance to try out the Aerobie® AeroPress® Coffee and Espresso Maker. Aerobie was founded in 1984 and they specialized in making sports toys, but in 2005 they started the production of this espresso maker.


    How about a little about the inventor? This is pretty amazing:

    “AEROPRESS is the result of several years of applied research by inventor/engineer Alan Adler. He conducted numerous brewing experiments, measuring the brew with laboratory instruments. The experiments demonstrated that proper temperature, total immersion and rapid filtering were key to flavor excellence. He then designed and tested dozens of brewers before settling on the AEROPRESS design. The design was further validated by coffee lovers who tested prototypes in their homes. Adler has about forty U.S. patents and an equal number of foreign patents. He is President of Aerobie, Inc, Palo Alto, California and a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Stanford University. Adler’s best-known invention is the Aerobie flying ring which set the Guinness World record for the world’s farthest throw (1,333 feet).”



    Who needs another gadget in the kitchen, right? I do. I mean, I do. Our Kitchen Aid Coffee Maker has been well used but between cleaning and drying each part, I wish the time was spent on buying a cup from Starbucks. I know. Ha ha.

    DSC_1332

    Then we have our espresso machine, but seeing we do not have too much counter space, it ends being stored away. Our French Press is used often, but then the beans have to be ground and then poured into the glass then the water has to be heated. As a new mom, quick processes and shortcuts are essential.


    Yes, I drink coffee with an infant and it is usually much needed. Did I mention that my baby sleeps through the night? Thank you. 🙂


    In comes this COOL and innovative Aeropress. As the title suggests, all one has to do is press a plunger in a cylinder that has been filled with finely ground coffee and hot water and coffee is ready in your mug in 20 seconds.

    103D31002

    20 seconds. Yes. That is quick and it is SO TASTY.


    I believe I initially was out of town when the product first arrived so I gave the task to my husband to read the instructions and to try the coffee for the first time. I came home a few days later and he prepared me a mug of coffee. Talk about the smoothest tasting coffee. It is so creamy and well, the clean-up process is quick and easy and I can one cup or two cups without a problem.


    The chamber has removable filter cap where a very thin filter is placed. The filter cap is placed back on the chamber. There is a funnel provided to prevent coffee spills. I really did not think this was necessary.

    DSC_1333

    Now you can get your favorite finely ground or you can use espresso grounds. I really like Lavazza coffee for anything espresso-related. It is ground already.

    The chamber is labeled with 1 to 4 cup increments. For one- 10-ounce cup of coffee you will need 2 scoops of coffee and the water will have to be filled to the number 2 line. The scoop is provided in the box.

    What is not really labeled is that you can make multiple cups by increasing the scoops of coffee. 

    103D31003


    The chamber is placed on top of a mug while all this process occurs. Dripping will otherwise occur.


    Hot water is then poured into the chamber up the number 2 line or to line 4 for two cups of coffee. There is a stirrer that is also provided. Stir the coffee for 10 seconds.


    Using the plunger provided, the rubber seal must be moistened before being placed in the chamber.

    103D31004


    The plunger must be pressed gently downwards, until all the air is expelled and the coffee has been released into the mug.


    You now have a double shot of espresso that can be consumed as is or you can make a American coffee by adding hot water to the coffee or a latte by adding hot milk.


    Does this sound tantalizing?? The steps seem complicated but once you know what needs to be done it is a cinch.


    The one thing that I do is reuse the grounds. I remove the plunger and add more hot water, stir, and press for another cup of coffee. I think it tastes JUST as good.


    There were some things that seemed a bit confusing to me. It is just assumed that the coffee scoops are multiplied for the amount of coffee servings. The other thing is that even though the instructions talk about GENTLY pressing the plunger into the chamber, it was quite hard to gently press downwards. It is a bit of hand workout but it is WORTH IT!


    If you get a chance go to Aeropress website’s and watch the video, demonstrating how it all works.


    How about a chance to win one of these babies? The company was very nice to offer one to my readers.


      This contest is only open to readers in the USA though, sorry. 

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    No Comments "

    Secret Recipe Club: Grandma’s Molasses Cookies

    June 4th, 2012
    DSC_1317 

    Wow folks! Can anyone ELSE believe it is June? I totally feel like I am still in March or April. All I can say is that I am happy the weather has given us a break. It feels more like spring and April with all the showers we have been having.


    I finally did some baking this weekend! I had a friend ask me how I found time with everything I have to do to bake. Well, after the baby goes down to sleep at 7:30 or 8pm, I catch up on housework and chores until maybe midnight. Lately we have been going to sleep at 11pm. So tired! Anyway, even though I have not been making sweets around the house I made an excuse to bake.



    Secret Recipe Club is finally here for the month of June. I was so excited to realize I was given such a popular blog, called The Yummy Life. The author,Monica, is a fabulous blogger and poster of recipes. She creates recipes that I wish I could and pictures that have you salivating. She has a wonderful support system with her family especially the talents of her son, who built the website for her. I need some help on mine for sure! Is that possible Monica? 🙂


    Anyway, I was a bit overwhelmed with the choices. I really wish I could have made 4 to 6 recipes, and I STILL plan on making them, like the Chili Beans and the Healthy Egg McMuffin Copycat . I also plan on trying her salads and dressings too. GO check out those recipes.

    DSC_1318

    Okay, so what did I bake? I decided on spiced cookies, called Grandma’s Molasses Cookies. I know that the last two months I have chosen pumpkin recipes and now I chose a spice cookie that Monica posted in December 2011. I wanted to use my blackstrap molasses and the sound of spices in a cookies made me imagine the smell. I HAD to make them.

    DSC_1320 

    I made almost 3 dozen cookies and I ate 3 kept 4 and gave the rest away. I just had to. You should have been here to taste them. They were SO good! I did make some adjustments to reduce calories.



    What you will realize is that my cookies do not look anything like the original recipe. You know why? I forgot the BAKING SODA!! I never forget ingredients but I guess I can blame my mommy brain right? Sigh….

    Grandma’s Molasses Cookies

    by adapted by Noelle Kelly (original recipe from theyummylife.com)
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Keywords: bake dessert vegetarian soy-free nut-free molasses Christmas Parties cookie

    Ingredients (34 cookies)
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda ( I forgot to add this!!!)
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 3/4 cup Earth Balance coconut spread, melted
    • 1 cup coconut palm sugar
    • 1/3 cup sugar, for rolling
    • 1 egg, room temperature
    • 1/4 cup molasses
    Instructions

    In small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, & ginger; set aside. In medium bowl, with electric mixer* on low speed, blend together the melted butter, 1 cup sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in molasses. With mixer on low speed*, gradually add flour mixture to molasses mixture; mix until completely combined. Cover and chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough into walnut sized balls (use cookie scoop, if available); roll each ball in remaining sugar. Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes just until tops are cracked all over, but cookies are still a bit gooey inside the center cracks. Cool on wire racks.
    *In place of electric mixer, dough can be mixed thoroughly by hand with a spoon.

    Original recipe by Melissa and Michelle King; adapted from All Recipes and memories of Grandma Marie’s cookies.

    ****Note: Even though I forgot the baking soda, these cookies came out really well! LOL

    Powered by Recipage

    DSC_1323

    1 Comment "

    Memorial Day Highlights

    May 31st, 2012
    Frederick Meijer Gardens

     It was wonderful being able to take a 4 day weekend / week to be with my family. Ryan planned some activities for us and boy did it go really well.


    We started out by going to Detroit and visiting the Henry Ford Museum for 2 days. I did not take the camera but I did have some Phone Pics I’ll share later.


    We returned home for a night and then headed out to Grand Rapids for Memorial Day.

    Nature walk


    Boy was it a HOT day to be outside. Suddenly walking sculpture gardens and seeing nature was not so exciting.

    DSC_0383

    Ryan was a real trooper seeing that he was suddenly attacked by allergies. It is his time of year where his eyes swell and his sinuses just clog up. Poor guy. He could have told us to pack up but we trucked along for 3 hours and almost 4 hours with a break for lunch.

    DSC_0365

    Julianne was real great. She loves the outdoors and really refuses to nap especially with the sun shining so brightly. She loves chewing on the pacifier clip and not the pacifier itself. Is she not funny?

    DSC_0388

    On our walk we spotted some turtles and great frogs communicating with each other.

    DSC_0410

    I took Julianne out of the stroller so she could see the animals. She was just staring at everything! It is pretty amazing how takes everything in.

    DSC_0441

    We visit the greenhouses and spot the orchid section. My favorite flower!

    DSC_0447

    Back outside, we visit the sculpture garden with “interesting” art. Hmmmm.

    DSC_0450

    While we eat lunch indoors, we notice a Chihuly glass sculpture from the ceiling. How gorgeous!

    Almost 7 months

    Towards the end of our sweaty walk, we decide to take some family pictures. We make most of our time and love how Julianne likes to pose. Can you spot her little teeth?

    Check out the rest of our album for more pictures.

    No Comments "

    Virgin Jamaica Sangria

    May 23rd, 2012
    DSC_0837
    Anyone else around here need a drink? Summer is nearing and all I can think about are iced drinks. I have been making Mighty Leaf’s Mango Iced Tea for the last week and a half and mixing it with hibiscus flowers. YUM!

    I have also been enjoying the occasional beer, like Blue Moon. Ahhh…but as a nursing mother, I really try not to drink and so I brought out this bottle of dealcoholized wine I had purchased when I was still pregnant.  I could still use it now!

    DSC_0846
    I found this at our local store and decided that since it was the only non-alcoholic wine I should snag it.
    It is known to be the world’s best non-alcoholic wine made in California. This particular blend, Rouge, was made with Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.The website describes it as it offering “aromas of cranberry, strawberry, and plum with good balance, soft tannins and a dry finish.”

    DSC_0836

    I was really glad to have some wine again because even though I am told it is okay to have the occasional glass, I really do not like doing it. Here is a safe way to enjoy the same drink with no guilt! I even fooled my hubby for a bit before he found the bottle and cringed at the non-alcoholic part of the recipe. Oh well.

    DSC_0835

    I chose fresh kiwis, apples, and grapes, even though you could add plums, strawberries and cranberries to super enhance the flavor of the wine. I made the hibiscus punch I have prepared before, like my Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

    The key to sangria is to refrigerate overnight so it was hard to wait but it was worthwhile.

    DSC_0828

    Make this version of sangria for your guests or for your spouse during the summer days and it is bound to cool you off. You can even pretend that it gives you a buzz. I know I did! 🙂

    Virgin Jamaica Sangria
    by Noelle Kelly
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: overnight
    Keywords: refrigerate boil beverage appetizer hibiscus flowers Cinco de Mayo Parties

    Ingredients (6 to 8 glasses)

      For Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

      • 1/2 cup dried hibicus flowers (can be purchased at International markets)
      • 3 cups hot water
      • 2 piloncillo cones (Mexican brown sugar) or 1/2 cup agave nectar
      • 1/4 cup lime juice



      For Sangria

      • 1-750ml bottle Ariel Rouge Premium Dealcoholized Wine (or regular wine)
      • 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
      • 1 cup grapes, cut in half
      • 2 apples, peeled, seeded, and diced



      Assembly

      • Ice
      • Sparkling water

      Instructions



      For Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

      Place hibiscus flowers in a pot. Boil hot water in a teapot or pour water over leaves and pour over hibiscus flowers. If you boil water and flowers, boil water for 10 minutes then remove from heat and let the flowers sit in water for 15-20 minutes.

      Make sure to add piloncillo to hot water so that sugar will melt. Depends on how sweet you want your beverage but 2 cones will probably be sweet and can always be diluted or add 1/2 cup agave nectar. Allow liquid to cool.

      Using a strainer, strain the flowers and drain the liquid in a large pitcher and add the lime juice.

      Sangria Preparation

      Add the whole bottle of wine and diced fruit and place pitcher in fridge overnight.
      When serving, add some fruit to each glass, some 4 cubes of ice, 3/4 sangria and 1/4 sparkling water. Enjoy! Serves 6 -eight ounce glasses.
      DSC_0824

      No Comments "