Halva

This is a treat that I remember from my childhood. It wasn't easy to find in the Midwest, but a candy that my mom had when she lived in New York. I seem to remember a chocolate and marble being my favorite.

I currently have a coworker from Israel and I don't remember exactly how Halva came up in conversation, but it did and he was very surprised that I knew what Halva is. He brought some for everyone to try and work and than gave the rest to me. It was a no sugar pistachio flavor and very tasty. I won't lie I still think I like the chocolate or marble best.

Pistachio Halva

The Long Awaited Pictures of the Char Siu Bao

Char Siu Bao

These turned out way better than I expected! Next time I will have to remember to take a picture of the insides.

Dinner for the Hangry

So I find that if I don't eat in semi-regular intervals I get quite hangry! Unfortunately, I can't always catch it in time until it is WAY too late. Yesterday I had a lovely day with Sarah bumming around the Kalamazoo. We had a little coffee and lunch at Panera, visited Kalamazoo Kitty, Pacific Rim, and Sawall's. I could tell at Sawall's I was getting hungry because I was trying to buy everything in site.

I did get a couple of good deals at Sawall's: a $2 pack of Applegate Herbed Turkey, an assortment of $3 dollar cheese, $2 organic asparagus, and then some onions, sweet potato, and cashews.

Buy the time I got home I was starving! My whole plan of making pork chops, cauliflower, and mashed potatoes (potato soup gone wrong) went right out the window! I needed to eat and I needed to eat now. So this is what I came up with:

Quick Dinner

I had rolled turkey slices, butter cheese, green peppers, cashews, and horseradish and mustard dips. I find the pack of protein makes it so I don't overeat. It was delicious and quick. 

Sarah SK - Bento Boxes at Sakura!

Another favorite Kalamazoo restaurant: Sakura!  A rather blurry photo, but super delicious meal! Teriyaki salmon, maki roll, tempura shrimp, spring roll, and fruit. Not pictured, but included in the $10 meal is a bowl of miso and a nice little salad!

Sarah SK: Mushroom, Spinach, & Feta Hand Pies

It's winter, which means I'm craving comfort food big time. We had a snow day today, so I made some little hand pies as a treat! I have to confess though... they were simple and quick! A few years back, my hubbo got me a little pie maker (made by Babycakes) for a holiday gift. At first I thought, "Oh no. I don't need any of these silly machines! My oven works just fine." Once I realized I really liked it, I was still kind of embarrassed to admit it to my more food-vanced friends. But it really, really saves time. (I'm sure it saves energy too!) And the little pies turn out perfect every time with very little fuss.

This little purple contraption is surprisingly useful in our kitchen!

I just buy refrigerated pie crust dough from the grocery and cut circles for the tops and bottoms of the pies. This time around, my filling was white mushrooms, spinach, onions, and feta. I browned the mushrooms & onions, and added the spinach to the pan at the end. Then spooned the mixture into my (unbaked) pie crusts, sprinkled in some feta, and finished with a circle of dough for the top. The pies were done baking in about ten minutes! 

Sauteing veggies for filling

These can be really fun for picnics, gaming nights, or little gifts for friends. 

Finished pies, ready to eat in ten minutes!

Sarah SK - Our Quick and Healthy Weekly Dinner Staple

I've mentioned before how busy my lifestyle is, so we are always looking for quick and healthy meals! A while back, Bitha loaned me her spiralizer and ever since, I've been making zucchini noodles. I just saute the zukes and add some sauciness! It's become one of our weekly staple meals!

Baked Char Siu Bao

Earlier this weekend I had a Char Siu Bao, which is simply a steamed pork bun. It is so delicious. Pacific Rim in Kalamazoo gets pastries and baked goods from Chiu Quon Bakery and man I have never been disappointed.

Char Siu Bao

And because I loved it so much I am making baked Char Siu Bao! Last night I put all the ingredients for the filling in the crockpot and simmered on low. I am doing it a little different then the recipes I have read for traditional Char Siu. I put the marinade and the cooking liquid in the crockpot and it will be more shredded, while traditionally the pork is finely diced. Here is what it looks like now:

Not the most appetizing picture, but that is the Char Siu

I am letting it cook a couple more hours in the crockpot while I work on the dough.... I will return later tonight or tomorrow with the finished product!