Super Bowl Nachos

My favorites foods for the Super Bowl (and really any football viewing party) are all classic game-day recipes, and today's recipe is no exception.

Here's a little secret though: I don't care about the Super Bowl. Yes, it's in San Francisco Santa Clara, and yes, I did go to watch fireworks at Super Bowl City, but don't count me in for watching the game. I'm actually going to be on a plane flying from Dallas to San Francisco (we're celebrating Z's mom's birthday this weekend). Given I have no attachment to either team, or really any pro football team for that matter, I am just going to finish reading the Nightingale on the plane.

That being said, there is something delicious about traditional football party food. Onion dip, wings, BBQ--all of it is so so delicious (and dangerous for the waistline). Nachos in particular are my weakness.

I like this recipe because a) it's vegetarian. Any vegetarian meal I can get Z to enjoy is a win in my book; b) it requires no specialty ingredients. You can buy everything at the normal grocery store and c) it looks great when you serve it directly from the cookie sheet, so no extra dishes!

Hope you have a great Super Bowl Sunday, whether you watch the game or not! Just make sure to eat a plate of nachos for me.

Super Bowl Nachos

Inspired by Bon Appetit

Serves 4-6

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 red onion

1 clove garlic

1 jalapeño

1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

6 ounces tortilla chips

2 cups shredded cheese, Mexican blend

Sour cream

Salsa

Guacamole

Lime wedges

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño to skillet and stir until softened. Transfer to a food processor, add black beans, lime juice, 1/4 cup of water, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange half of chips on a baking sheet. Top with half of beans, then half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining chips, beans, and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add the sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges to the sheet (one in each corner), then serve.

My Favorite Tropical Smoothie Recipe

New year, new resolutions, new smoothie recipes.

Z and I went traveling to Hawaii this past fall, and one of our favorite spots in Kauai was a small little cafe with great smoothies and coffee. We must have tried four or five different smoothies during our trip there, and my all time favorite was called the "Lava Lust" smoothie. 

The smoothie was creamy thanks to coconut milk, and had a tart taste from raspberries, pineapple, and mangoes. As soon as I tried this tropical smoothie, I knew I found a winner. It was so delicious and refreshing, and maybe it was the Hawaiian weather and locale, but to me, the smoothie was perfection. 

Now that its a new year, I'm trying to be healthier. I recently signed up for Class Pass, and I've been enjoying the variety in my workout routine. When it comes to food, I'm cutting out the kettle corn I munch on at work, and reducing the number of desserts I eat during the week. To be completely honest, it wasn't until very recently that I learned that the average person doesn't eat dessert every day. Oops. Thanks best friend V for pointing that out.

Smoothies are my go to during the week, when I want something sweet and creamy, but without processed sugar and flour. Thanks goodness our Nutribullet is easy to clean.

Here's another one of my favorite smoothie recipes in case you're looking for some variety!

Lava Lust Smoothie

1/3 cup frozen pineapple

1/3 cup frozen mango

1/3 cup frozen raspberries

1 1/2 cup coconut milk

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. 

Enjoy!

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup

I tend to stay away from sweet coffee drinks; I prefer cappuccinos and freshly brewed coffee with a little bit of cream. There are a few places here in the Mission that tempt me with their sweeter coffee drinks though. What makes Coffee Bar's vanilla bean latte and Sightglass's vanilla cold brew so great? Homemade syrup.

Big name companies use syrups to flavor their drinks with a ton of preservatives and artificial flavors. Lucky for us, delicious and natural simple syrups are easy to make at home. No need to pay $4 for a vanilla bean latte...you can make it right at home!

This is the perfect gift to bring to your best friend's holiday party or to your next dinner party as a hostess gift. The syrup lasts for two weeks in the fridge, meaning the hostess will be thinking about your generosity long after the party. Pour the syrup into a nice bottle, and tie it with a ribbon for show. 

Simply syrup is equal parts sugar and water. This recipe adds a vanilla bean to boost its flavor. You can find a mint simple syrup here. Add it into coffee, tea, or cocktails this holiday season.

Vanilla Simple Syrup

Makes one bottle

1 vanilla bean

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups water

Take the vanilla bean and slice it open. Scrape out the seeds, and throw the seeds and the pod into a small pot.

Add in the sugar and water to the pot, and then heat over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Let the syrup cool in the pot, and then pour into a bottle. Tie with a ribbon. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Crispy Za'atar Chickpeas

Z knows better than anyone else that I love presents. For me, presents aren't just things, but rather highlight the time and effort someone took into finding you that perfect gift.

Presents don't have to be silk pajamas, jewelry, or a new scarf (though I won't say no to those either). I love small tokens of affection, like little packages in the mail filled with delicious treats, that always seem to arrive come the holiday season. And while you can spend quite a pretty penny at Dean and Deluca, you can easily create delicious food gifts at home on a realistic budget.

These crispy chickpeas are simply delicious, and one of the best food gifts to give and receive! Everyone can eat them (no worrying about dairy, gluten, nuts), and they are just the right amount of salty, crunchy, and addictive. Pour some into a cellophane bag, tie with a cute ribbon, and start mailing them to friends and family across the country. 

These chickpeas are so easy to make that I am also going to whip up a triple batch for Z's and my annual Channukah party. Finding a dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian snack option can be difficult, and these will be a great addition to any holiday party. 

Crispy Za'atar Chickpeas

From NYTimes

2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed if canned

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons Za'atar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Spread chickpeas out on a paper towel. Pat dry, then let dry for an hour at room temperature. 

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a heavy rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread chickpeas evenly on the pan, and bake for ~ 30 minutes, stirring and rotating every 10 minutes. Chickpeas should be crunchy. 

Place chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, Za'atar, and salt. Toss, then enjoy!

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: San Francisco Foodie Treats for Under $20

During the holidays, I love to send family and friends some of my favorite treats from here in San Francisco as gifts. While not all of my family members are bonafide foodies, they do love a delicious meal and a fun treat. It's a great way to share part of my favorite city with loved ones. There's no better way to explore a city than through its food, and San Francisco has plenty to offer.

The best thing about food gifts is that you can find a high quality gift at a great price. All of these presents are under $20!

Passionfruit and olive oil curd sounds delightful on pavlovas, ice cream, and more. $12 from Craftsman and Wolves.

The most beautiful and delicious sweet-and-salty chocolate bars for your sister. $7.95 each from Charles Chocolates.

Bring some Tex-Mex flair to your parents' holiday table with a delicious braising sauce from Tacolicious. $10.99 from Williams Sonoma.

Fill your sister's house with the spicy and sweet smell of masala chai. $17 from Samovar Tea.

Sightglass Coffee is taking the world by storm, and your younger brother will love their fresh beans. $16.75 from Sightglass Coffee.