Mandy's Meals

Mandy's Meals. Healthy Shouldn't Taste This Good.

2011-05-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

MandysMeals.com
mandy@mandysmeals.com
310.237.3366

Welcome! My focus as a personal chef is on healthy comfort food (but I can also roll with sugar, butter and bacon...I have dessert for dinner at least twice a month).

I am a graduate of The New School Of Cooking who is fully licensed, insured, ServSafe certified and a proud member of the USPCA.

How It Works

I come to your home and whip up beautiful dishes for your family. You choose from my extensive menu (or let me know what you’re craving), and I do the shopping, cooking, storing, clean-up and leave you with heating instructions and your kitchen exactly how I found it (if not cleaner). I am your food fairy!

The "Stock Your Fridge and Freezer" Service

4 entrées, 2 sides, 6 generous servings each, plus one dessert and one breakfast entrée
(30 total meals, plus sides and dessert)

Plan, Shop & Prep Service

Feel overwhelmed by the grocery store? Have trouble coming up with fresh menu ideas? Like to cook but hate to prep? This is the perfect service for you. I will plan your weekly menu, shop for all ingredients, and prep the meals.

Cooking Only Service

This is the opposite of the last service. If you know what you like, and know where to get it, but don't have time to prepare it, I'm your girl! Once your menu is set and your groceries are in the kitchen, I will appear to whip them into delicious meals.

Not the right plan for you? No worries. Let’s come up with the perfect solution!

Please contact me for pricing. Pricing depends on menu preferences and distance.

Hiring someone to shop and cook for you is an investment in your health. Whether you have a new family, no interest in cooking, are too busy to cook, have health concerns, or are simply suffering from restaurant burnout, I am here to help! You will know that your food is fresh, of the highest quality, and not loaded with sugar, salt or fat. The vast majority of disease is lifestyle related; by putting the best food possible into your body is the best way to insure a long and wonderful quality of life.

Please contact me for a free consultation. I can't wait to start cooking for you!

Pineapple Cake with Coconut Frosting

2011-04-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

For my parents 37th wedding anniversary, I baked. It felt really good. Think I'm almost ready to go back to work...a little bit.

Read all about it.

I Am Not Dead

2011-04-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all. I'm sorry I have not touched this blog in three months. It's not that I'm not eating, I'm just not cooking. Or cheffing. I'm mommying, and this has zapped all kitchen creativity from my soul. I am cautiously optimistic that my verve will return one day, and actually have a couple of culinary ideas in the pipeline, but for now this is what my food world looks like:

String cheese

Vegan cookies. They're healthy cuz they're vegan. Shut up.

Nuts

Frozen green beans

Bars. Lotsa bars.

Frozen Broccoli

Versailles Chicken

I am still blogging! If you miss my stunning wit, or are wondering what the hell I'm doing with myself, come find me at MamaMandy.com

xoxo

Mandy Had A Baby

2011-01-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

Read All About It

Hot Dogs for Dinner

2010-12-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal. Way back when I started this blog, I simply took pictures of everything I ate, and blogged about it. Then I started personal cheffing, and the blog became more about what I cooked for clients. I am at a loss now being 37 weeks pregnant, not currently cheffing, as to where to go with the blog. If you have any ideas, let me know! In the meantime, I'm gonna go back to my Eat Repeat roots, take pics of my food, and tell you all about it, and about what's going on with me. Sound good?

My dinner: One kosher beef hot dog and one organic turkey dog with ketchup, mustard, green onions, pickles and one shredded up piece of string cheese I divided between two buns. I freaking love hot dogs during this pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy, I probably ate hot dogs twice a year. Now they are a staple. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that my favorite toddler foods were hot dogs and apple sauce (not together, although it could work...). My mom said I used to go into the kitchen, slap the refrigerator door and say "Sauce!" or "Ketchup Hot Dog!" What a clear communicator, even back then.

My hot dogs came with a side of roasted broccoli and a giant pear. Pears are my favorite fruit.

Husband's dinner: One turkey hot dog with ketchup, mustard, green onions and pickles, tater tots, and a big side of baked beans with more cut up hot dogs. He worked hard today in informercial land and ate everything, plus a tuna sandwich. Hungry husband.

In other news, I had my 37 week check-up today with the lovely midwives at The Sanctuary. All is well with Ian, except that his spine is a little more towards my left side than they'd like (shortly before birth, the optimal position is for their spine to be between the left side and the mom's belly button, with the spine pointing outward, rather than towards mom's back, which is what causes "back labor"). So I've been encouraged to hang out on all fours for a little while each day to move the little guys back a bit. Tonight I crawled around on the carpet while watching The West Wing.

I feel really good today physically, and did a brisk 30 minute elliptical workout. I had the midwives measure my "waist" which is a hearty 41 inches. I have no idea how much weight I've gained, nor do I care to know until the very end. On that note, I think I'll have a snack...

Christmas Cookie Attempt Number One

2010-12-16T08:22:00.000-08:00


This is what I was up to yesterday

Click here to get the low down. xo

Pot Roast for Breakfast, Apple Bread Pudding for Dinner

2010-12-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

This is what happens at 34 weeks pregnant. People want to take your picture for no reason. You want pot roast at 9am, and french toast at 7pm. Why ask why?

Yum. Leftover potroast, steamed green beans, and spiced yam mash. Kept me full all day long.

Apple Bread Pudding

1 baguette French bread, cut into small pieces

7 egg whites

3 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 dropperful liquid vanilla stevia

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup chunky unsweetened apple sauce

Combine eggs, milk, spice, vanilla, stevia and salt. Pour over bread, and mix in applesauce. Let sit, covered, in fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Pour mixture into buttered 9x12 inch pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and eggs are set. Top with as much butter and syrup as you desire!

Breakfast: It's what's for dinner.

Showering The Baby

2010-12-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

The Spread

The Cake (Jamaica's Cakes)

Beautiful, organic veggies. Thanks, Melinda!

Melinda and Husband. Happy little eaters.

Elysia, me and Marnie looking at the AMAZING baby book Samantha put together. No words, Sammie. And yes, I sit like a line backer right now. Don't judge.

Lovely neighbors Yvonne and Mary, sandwiching uncle Jerry.

Emarie

The cutest family that ever was. The Valleros. Joe, Loretta, Joey and Emarie. They make it look easy.

Grant on guitar and Austin holding court with his grandpa.

From left; Steve, Suzanne (holding Cookie), Kelly, Rachel, Elysia and Marnie

Baby Ann Arbor t-shirt. Too big to be his first outfit...

Starting a book collection

There's a baby in there

Beautiful album from best Sis-in-Law, Angie!

Thanks for the bouquet, Laura! We've enjoyed it all week.

Halloween's covered.

Frog bathrobe. Big pimpin'. Pretty smile, Kathryn!

Clothes, clothes, clothes!

Yup

We love you all! Thank you so much for loving and supporting our growing family.

Giving Thanks, Ohio Style

2010-11-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

Aunt Shano looking fabulous in purple with her giant pumpkin.

The table.

Snuggling with mom.

Dad in his Burberry shirt and Husband in his Burberry scarf, courtesy of mom.

Cousins

Sister giving Ian some love.

Beautiful Molly.

Dad lost his ring the last time he was in Ohio. Someone found it and left it in the Fuller's mailbox. This is the second time my dad has lost a wedding ring and it was mysteriously found and returned. What does that mean?

Meredith getting the table ready for the big meal.

Husband saying something witty.

Pregnant lady meditating on pumpkin and replacing her electrolytes.

It takes a village to make Thanksgiving happen.

Shano and Meredith. Yes, that's a shotgun. Welcome to the Midwest.

Sister taking a break.

Gingerbread decorating! I like just a little bit of cookie with my frosting.

These were my creations. I was impressed with myself. Decorating patience must be part of nesting...

My gingerbread baby.

More diapers!

Sister turns 29, and we have another excuse to consume mass amounts of sugar.

Reddiwhip on sheet cake? Totally normal.

Mom's Gorgeous Thanksgiving Tree (Dad's Gorgeous Photography)

2010-11-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

I think I need to trade cameras with him...jealous.

These are made of cinnamon and applesauce. You dry them in a low oven for a couple hours and you have lovely, spicy ornaments.

Gingerbread ornaments I get to take home!

Homebaking

2010-11-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

I have eaten enough sugar in the last week to...I don't know what. Make a horse sing, or fly, or something. Everyone wants to feed the pregnant lady, including the pregnant lady. Hopefully I won't give birth to a twelve pound Sugarbaby. Anything's possible.

I love hanging in my parent's kitchen, making whatever. Yesterday, I made "detox" soup (onion, garlic, carrots, celery, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach-sweated with a bit of Earth Balance, salt and pepper, then added 6 cups of homemade turkey stock and simmered for 25 minutes, pureed and served with Zingerman's Farm Bread), which was sorely needed. A few days prior, when I was feeling virtuous and full of Thanksgiving spirit, dad and I whipped up two pies and a batch of his famous divinity.

First, you have to check out mom's gingerbread babies:

Frosting diapers. Genius, mom.

Dad and I got busy making pies before we hit the road.

Pecan pie's a bakin'

Ta dah!

Pumpkin. Filling made from scratch. Graham cracker crust made by Keebler.

Logan: An American Restaurant. An Ann Arbor Culinary Must!

2010-11-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

Logan is family owned and has just ranked as one of "America's Top Restaurants" in the 2011 national Zagat guide. If what I'm about to tell you doesn't inspire a trip to Logan, this distinction must!

Anyone who's known me for more than five minutes knows that I have mad love for my hometown, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Minus the Winter, it is the perfect place, in my humble opinion. Great music venues, bookstores, shopping, yoga, movie theatres and yes, great food, all wrapped up in a cozy, tree lined hamlet.

The last time I visited, a dear friend took me to Logan for my birthday lunch. I am embarrassed to say that I had passed by Logan many times, having no idea what I was missing. With institutions such as Zingerman's and The Earle, and the quite decent (although the service and acoustics leave much to be desired) Cafe Zola right across the street from Logan, my full belly didn't give it much thought. That will NEVER happen again.

An intimate, quiet dining space that is at once elegant and comfortable greeted me. The service was attentive, yet casual. I already knew what I wanted because I'd perused the menu online before arriving (good foodie): Roasted asparagus sandwich with sauteed mushrooms and gruyere cheese. Sold.

My lunch companion ordered gnocchi for her entree, but first we started with fresh corn chowder and a shaved fennel salad. The chowder was super light and tasted like amplified corn on the cob, with bright chopped chives on top, bursting with mellow onionness. The fennel salad was a revelation. I told my friend I was not a fennel fan, and she encouraged me, like a good mama, to try a bite. I LIKE FENNEL! Or, at least, I like this fennel. Shaved so thin you can see through it, mixed with shards of earthy cheese and tossed in a lemony vinaigrette, I could have eaten the entire plate, but I was polite and shared.

Then, the sandwich arrived. Back to Zingerman's for a moment. No love lost for my cherished Zingerman's, but this sandwich owned any sandwich I've had there. Maybe comparing pastrami to roasted asparagus enveloped in sherried mushrooms and bubbling gruyere is like apples and oranges, but I don't care. One thing that sets apart the Logan experience is the attention to detail. I am someone who appreciates when the chef takes the time and truly shows the love with each component of a dish. In the instance of their perfect sandwich, the bread was perfectly toasted and lightly slathered with vinaigrette, the mushrooms sauteed to perfection in a sumptuous sauce, the asparagus was seasoned and roasted so that it was hot, a tiny bit crusty and tender, but not mushy, and the cheese was melted and plentiful without overwhelming the veggies or bread.

I loved this meal so much, I ordered it again, times two for my mom and I to inhale on her first day home after a successful knee replacement surgery. She ate half her sandwich, all of her house made potato chips, and promptly fell into a blissful sleep while I finished my sandwich. And hers.

The Making Of The Perfect Sandwich

I promise you an exquisite dining experience. Off you go.

Fries for Breakfast, and a Fabulous Dinner Party

2010-11-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't say this pregnancy has induced cravings so much as it's induced severe impulse buy susceptibility. Yesterday, I was innocently walking by the freezer cases at Whole Foods when I spied organic crinkle cut fries. My inner Homer crooned "crinkle cut fries" and 30 minutes later I was having fries for breakfast. They tasted really healthy, but I felt good not having gone to Jack In The Box instead, especially since I knew I had a feast coming in a matter of hours.

I decided it would be a grand idea to get a few of my lady chefs together to meet, bond, network, whathaveyou and so I planned a Fall harvest themed potluck. Of COURSE it was 93 degrees in Santa Monica, sans any kind of breeze, so we all lost a lot of water weight preparing our pumpkins and squashes and broccoli. Above are the wet ingredients for my Bohemian Wedding Cake.

The cake part is your basic pumpkin spice. It was good and moist and...good. Not rock your socks amazing. I feel like it needed more zing. Maybe some minced candied ginger or some lemon zest. Something. But totally tasty.

The frosting, on the other hand, was a revelation. This recipe is from The Pioneer Woman and holy God, I think it may have ruined all other frostings for me. It tastes like Twinkie filling, without the crap. It contains flour, which I had never come across before. You must make this, and just put it on anything. I mean it. That's an order.

I also made mushrooms glazed in balsamic/garlicky syrup and stuffed with cheesy polenta. I was reviewing a book for Food Fanatics Unwashed, and thought I would test these babies on my girly chef crew. They likey (I thought the polenta seemed a little undercooked, and they probably did, too, but the flavors were on point).

This was Krista's Farro Salad with Middle Eastern Sour Cream. YUM! Farro is something I've heard of a million times but never tried and I LOVED it. The chew factor is amazing. Krista said the farro must be soaked overnight and then cooked, and it was dressed with lots of garlic, lemon, tomatoes and parsley. It was the perfect way to start a harvest meal.

Tiffany's butternut squash shepherd's pie. Again, YUM! Sweet and savory with squash, corn, beef, cheese and even a tiny bit of Sake (instead of white wine), it was gorgeous.

Krista's slow-cooked broccoli. Redolent with garlic and chilies, it was bursting with umami and just spicy enough. She said she often takes a piece of toast rubbed with garlic, tops it with soft scrambled eggs, feta and the broccoli. If that's not an orgasmic way to eat your eggs, I don't know what is. I think I have to make that in the next few days...

Lisa's BEAUTIFUL chicken pot pie! It was christened with her first homemade pie crust, made with cream cheese and butter. It was flaky and tender and simply scrumptious. My, what a happy day.

The shepard's pie goodness.

The pot pie goodness (mmmmm, baby loves chicken).

We all have to exchange recipes. Today!

I cannot thank you ladies enough. It was so cool to be on the receiving end of such lovingly prepared, amazing food. It made me proud to think THIS is what we serve up for our clients and loved ones. Savvy business women with such talent. I am humbled to know and love and eat amongst you.

Happy Halloween Eve

2010-10-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

We started the day with blueberry pancakes.

And turkey bacon. And scrambled eggs.

Gotta have a variety of syrups. And butters (real for me and Austin, vegan for husband).

Laying down the tarp (garbage bag) for the giant pumpkin. Austin's looking ghosty!

And the carving began. We got halfway through and broke both pumpkin saws, so we have to go back to the store to get another kit. We only have half a witch with her cauldron...

Turkey chili. I daresay this is the best chili I've ever made. Why? Two reasons. I used white corn, which for some reason was super sweet, which offsets the savory/spiciness, and I added a dollop of almond butter to help tighten the sauce and add creaminess, inspired by Heather. You are brilliant, darling!

Cornbread mini muffins.

Dinner's ready.

Mine. I added cheddar cheese and half a bread stick to mine. And had a big bowl of green beans. We watched The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and had pumpkin pie for dessert, which I did not photograph because I was too full and lazy. It was amazing. Why does anyone want pie with a normal crust when you can have a graham cracker crust? Beyond me.

Zesty Sirloin Steak, Sausage and Kale Split Pea Soup, Buttery Parsnip Puree, and more!

2010-10-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

What I cooked for clients today:

Steamed fresh green beans and buttery parsnip puree.

Zesty dry rubbed sirloin steak (to go with the green beans and parsnip puree). Juicy!

Sausage and kale split pea soup. The kale adds a satisfying chew and really pumps up the nutrients.

Cavatelli pasta with chicken and basil in a light lemon garlic sauce.

I also made World Peace cookies, which I forgot to photograph. Mama is tired today. I ate deep fried French toast and a butterscotch sundae for lunch yesterday (baby celebration luncheon-SO great) and I swear I still feel full and slightly sick...but it was delicious!

Flourless Pumpkin Spice Bread

2010-10-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, that's right. Got the recipe here. I made a few adjustments based on what I did and did not have on hand. So exciting! Husband's been on a health kick so I thought this was a perfect thing to send him to work with. He's been living on raw fruit smoothies, nuts and cucumbers. Except when I make him eat hot dogs with me...

1 cup pumpkin puree (next time I might sub some of the pumpkin with a smashed banana for a little sweetness)
1/2 cup coconut butter (original recipe used almond butter)
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons ground flax
1 heaping Tablespoon chia seeds (mix in a small bowl with 3 tablespoons of water…will form a “gel” after about 10 minutes)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (can use extract)
1/4 cup water

Mix ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Important! Let the loaf sit for at least 15 minutes before you try to get it out of the pan.

It is mucho moist and more like a pumpkin bar than pumpkin bread (how did Alex and Heather get their bread to puff up more?), but very, very tasty. Eggy. I think I will top mine with some cinnamon sugar cream cheesy love. What about you?

Dad's Flourless Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-10-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

I catered two parties last week and did not take a single food photo. I am so fired. In my defense, I was hot and pregnant and confused, but happy, and just didn't feel like it (crying shame-the food was beautiful). Here were the menus:

Company Picnic:

Grilled Kosher Hot Dogs with Traditional Condiment Bar

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken

Turkey Burgers with Grilled Peppers and Onions

New Potato Salad

Corn on the Cobb

Fruit Salad

Italian Baked Beans

Potato Chips with French Onion Dip

Shrimp Cocktail

Rocky Road Fudge

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

City of Hope reception:

Pigs in a Blanket (This was all the guests wanted to eat. Grrr.)

Walnut and Gorgonzola Stuffed Dates

Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

Chicken Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Zucchini Cheddar Bacon Bites

Curried Carrot Hummus Spread On Pita Triangles with Cucumber

Mint Oreo Truffles

Gingersnap Truffles

Pumpkin Loaf

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Husband's pasta bolognese with organic green beans. Why do fresh green beans, simply steamed with a tiny bit of kosher salt taste SO good? Did you know green beans are technically a fruit? Maybe that's why...

This bolognese was made with beef, pork sausage and bacon...woah.

Dad has done it again! This is a completely improvised cookie, which he proclaimed as "Diversity Cookies". Whatever you say. Here are the list of ingredients:

Oatmeal, walnut, chocolate chip, almond extract, crisco, salt, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and baking soda. I'm assuming they baked at 350 degrees for maybe 12-14 minutes?

So, he went flourless! How very hip, dad. I'm ordering a batch of these be ready and waiting when I walk in the kitchen on my next visit. They look scrumptious.

My belly as of yesterday, October 16. We're closing in on the last trimester. I was filming husband giving a talk on making peace with money and thought I'd film his son for one second. He kicked a lot listening to dad. Happy sigh.

Babymoon!

2010-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody. I'm back, and this post will be mostly photographs, otherwise it would be waaaayyyy too long.

I've been trying to perfect a stuffed pumpkin recipe (filled with bread, cheese and cream). I tried it with pumpkin and found the pumpkin to be bland city. So I tried again with a kabocha squash and it was better, but I've decided I like my squash roasted much better than steamed, so although the presentation is gorgeous and the stuffing is amazing, I feel like I'm wasting a perfectly good squash. Hmmm.

Baby shower cake tasting at Jamaica's Cakes. I love her. I inhaled her gingerbread, carrot cake and pumpkin spice cake and although they were all delectable, the pumpkin spice won out. Cream cheese icing will compliment it and I'm ordering a big old round cake to celebrate my baby.

I ate everything you see here, plus a molasses cookie and a pecan bar.

Husband and I had a lovely therapist sesh before we hit the road for the babymoon (we are kind of really not good at vacations). Our first stop was a cafe/store/hippie shack called Follow Your Heart, which husband worked at once upon a time. Husband is experimenting with raw/vegan eating, so this was a natural choice. I'm down for whatever tastes good.

I started with a small salad with balsamic vinaigrette. One thing I love about dining at veggie friendly restaurants is that the produce is really fresh. Nothing worse than a sad, limp salad. This was very yummy.

Husband ordered vegan black bean nachos.

And cornbread. And a cup of lentil dal. And a strawberry banana smoothie. He was full until the next day.

I had spinach lasagna with garlic bread. So good! But I was a little full, too.

This is a very sexy shot of my hot feet after sock removal. Might be retaining just a little bit of water.
Ew.

We stopped at Babies R Us to look at cribs. Ghetto fabulous. But we got to take advantage of some clutch parking.

I guess I was too tired to take a picture of our first night's dinner at Bodees. We had been coveting their calamari dish since we had it three years ago. Alas, they changed the dish and it wasn't even close to as good. The rib-eye we had was incredible, though.

The picture above was the view from our table at Suzanne's, which was our favorite meal of the trip. Talk about tasting the love.

We were ready to eat after our trip to Ojai Valley Inn & Spa for a day of pampering. I got a facial and "mother's massage". Husband got a sage and rosemary body scrub and a deep tissue massage. I wasn't sure I would be able to shake him from his coma in the lounge afterwards...but I got him up eventually.

My appetizer at Suzanne's-asiago mushroom crostini with arugula salad.

Husband's dairy free roasted tomato soup. Excellent!

The best entree I had on the babymoon: mustard crusted rack of lamb with veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. Oh my God, I want to make a rack of lamb for Christmas now. Will I want to make a rack of lamb at nine months pregnant? We'll see.

Husband's salmon and veggies with mango salsa. Not nearly as sexy as the lamb (how could it be?).

Sour cherry crisp for me.

Chocolate peanut butter torte for husband. We had to abandon these after a few bites to rush down to the sweet little Ojai movie theatre to see The Town. We liked it! And they had the nicest movie theatre bathroom I've ever experienced.

While in Ojai, we stayed at the quaint Emerald Iguana, in the tadpole room. Our room felt like a cave, however. Husband found an amazing hiking trail and we also took a yoga class here. It was nice, if a little too easy.

Next up...Bacara Resort.

I loved this huge daisy centerpiece in the lobby. They change the daisies every Thursday.

Our room. With a fireplace. And an ocean view! Incredible.

We tried a vegan/raw friendly restaurant in Santa Barbara, Spiritland Bistro. Above was my salad. Beautiful presentation. It didn't blow me away but wasn't bad either. It was tossed in a tahini dressing that I think I liked. It was hard to tell; I had really bad heartburn.

Husband's sweet potato coconut curry soup.

Husband's vegan potstickers. He liked everything but the filling.

My polenta with gorgonzola and balsamic reduction. Very tasty, and huge for an appetizer.

Husband's tofu curry thing with brown rice.

Husband's sadface for having such a healthy dinner (he was jealous of my polenta).

Love all these excited people wanting to celebrate our baby! This was husband's dessert- a banana, macadamia nut, vegan chocolate thing. I passed.

Our final night's dinner was at Miro onsite at Bacara. It was the most expensive meal we've ever had. Husband had the five course pre fixe and I ordered the lamb. We shared everything and I forgot to take picture of each course...sorry. Sadly, most of the food was unremarkable. Not bad, just...whatever. Not worth a $250 bill. But it was fun to splurge.

Above was a grilled calamari salad. I like the super lemony dressing and fried garbanzo beans. Husband was not a fan.

Roasted globe artichokes. Tasted steamed rather than roasted and were in desperate need of salt.

Best course of the evening. Homemade tagliatelle pasta with rabbit and mushrooms. Yum.

Halibut with almond foam and parsnip puree. I only had one bite since I may or may not have a fish allergy. It was whatevers.

Homemade peppermint patties and an almond petite four finished us off. We slept very well.

My favorite moment of the whole trip was swimming in this salt water pool overlooking the ocean. I always forget how much I LOVE to swim! This will be the "happy place" I go in my mind whilst laboring.

Pregnant Woman Cooking

2010-09-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Pregnant women can cook. Pregnant women cannot remember to take photos of said food they've cooked. Below is a smattering of what I made, minus the dishes that I made and forgot to photograph, although my camera was sitting there, patiently.

Salmon steaks stuffed with feta, cream cheese and chives. Topped with crushed pistachios. Recipe courtesy of Cincinnati Personal Chef Extraordinaire Debbie Spangler.

When you start with good ingredients, you don't need to do much. Beautiful, organic broccoli and cauliflower, steamed in a bit of chicken stock, topped with sea salt and fresh, cracked pepper. Perfect.

Pan-fried butternut squash with caramelized onions. I forgot to photograph the Parmesan risotto that went with this. Oye.

Chunky spiced apples. Peeled Golden Delicious, splash of cranberry juice, pumpkin pie spice, and 1 teaspoon of butter to finish.

Chicken and biscuits.

Lasagna, Ribs, Italian Baked Beans & Oreo Truffles

2010-09-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

My clients like to eat "real food". I'm all over it. Who wants lasagna? I made this with Sicilian chicken sausage.

It's not gonna be fun to clean this dish, but I love nothing more than a clump of burned cheese.

Chicken tetrazzini. Shredded chicken thighs, sauteed mushrooms, peas and penne in a bechamel sauce with parmesan and a panko crust. Oh yeah.

Pork baby back ribs. Because they're served with saucy beans, I simply did a dry-ish rub on these babies: mustard, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Italian baked beans. I love these because they're not too sweet, but are still rich and wonderful.

Oreo truffles. Just to finish off a nice, light meal (what, it's Autumn! We have to have a little extra padding for the cold months ahead...).

Look What Auntie Lisa Brought!

2010-09-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

My foodie friend and culinary partner in crime, Lisa Levine, came by today for tea and sympathy (I was in a MOOD yesterday, let me tell ya). Luckily for her I was in a much better space today and we had a great time catching up.

She brought BBU (Baby Boy Unruh) the most adorable onesie. The peanuts on the sleeve are the best part, and a good omen I think (I've been eating peanuts in the hopes that little man won't develop a peanut allergy-I heard it's good for mom to eat now so his body won't interpret peanuts or peanut butter as foreign).

She also brought these scrumptious chocolate chip banana muffins. Oh my heart, I only ate one, which is a miracle, but seeing as dinner is less than an hour away, these babies are gonna be dessert and that's all there is to it. Husband may get lucky with one, maybe I'll heat them and serve with a dollop of peanut butter and chocolate coconut milk ice cream. Me and my busy food brain...

Hit Lisa up for the recipe!

Caramel Pecan Shortbread Cookies (And a Vat of Pastitsio)

2010-09-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

I made a basic shortbread recipe, and topped it with caramel dripping with pecans. I didn't try one, and I'm still sad.

This is the vat of pastitsio I made for my client's Labor Day party. I also made a vat of mac and cheese, green beans, green salad with homemade ranch dressing, baked chicken, roasted potatoes and better-than-crack-brownies. I'm pretty sure they're still eating. Thank God there were six or seven boys in their young twenties. They liked watching this old pregnant lady cook.

The day before the Labor Day party gig, husband and I were invited to our friends new home for a barbecue (we live in their last home!). I made peach ice cream.

It turned out pretty well. Next time, I will cook the peaches a bit, maybe with some cinnamon, and then puree and add at the end of the ice cream churning process, making a sort of spiced peach swirl. Oh yeah.

This week, client's enjoyed rib-eye with blue cheese, garlic and parsley butter.

Steak served with butternut squash puree.

Garlic and lemon shrimp over soft, creamy polenta.

Husband took a picture of this house. We both loved it, both for the house and the location. It's probably worth 3-4 mil. We can dream.

Heart Melt. Dad's Super Special Rice Krispie Treats.

2010-09-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

Dad sent me these pictures along with this note. How much do we love?

Dear Mandy,

I am so glad I managed to take these pictures of a cross section and the top of the crispie treats I made on my birthday. Now there is nothing left but the clean glass pan. All the rest just eroded into the ether. May make some more someday though.

30 Marshmallows, a cup of chocolate chips and a cup of nuts; mine were mixed because they were handy and four cups of Rice Crispies. I slowly melted the chocolate chips and marshmallows and blended the nuts into the melt then poured the mixture into the rice crispies. The hard part was waiting until the mixture cooled.

Your Mom and I were both unsuccessful with that part.

The main reason for this note is to thank you very much for all your help with your Mom and for your attention to me. I was very happy having you here.

Love, Dad

Pastitsio, Jerk Chicken, and S'mores Cookie Bars

2010-09-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

Heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil tossed with garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Toasted french baguette tossed in some fresh garlic butter. Combine with tomatoes and you've got yourself a gorgeous panzanella salad. I eat that alone for a perfect summer supper.

Roasted jerk chicken...

...with rice (chicken is sweet and spicy).

Fusilli with prosciutto, peas and mint in a light cream sauce.

Pastitsio. Clients loved this so much I'm headed out to a Malibu beach house today to make another batch for a family Labor Day weekend. My job is crazy...

S'mores cookie bars. A sugar cookie crust, topped with a layer of marshmallow fluff, a layer of chocolate, a layer of crushed cinnamon graham crackers, topped with more sugar cookie dough. Baked until golden and bubbly.

What are you gonna eat this Labor Day weekend? I just ate my baby's weight in waffles with butter and syrup...xo

Peach Pie with Lard Crust!

2010-09-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

First of all, I just have to say that the baby is rolling, rolling, rolling this morning and it makes me SO happy! Baby dance in there.

I had the supreme pleasure and honor of baking with my best Aunt Shayno, and we made a peach pie with LARD crust. It's all about the lard.

We went to the farmer's market to buy the peaches and we kept moaning about having to go the grocery store just to get Crisco, when I thought, I wonder if the butcher would have lard for sale? He did. Beautiful, snow white, freshly rendered pork fat, y'all.

This pie was amazing. What I learned was similar to my maple syrup experience earlier: If you eat a little bit of the REAL THING, you are completely satisfied and have no desire to eat enormous quantities. I have a sweet tooth's sweet tooth, and I couldn't imagine having more than one slice of this peach pie. Why? The lard in the crust made for such a complex, rich experience, two slices would have been too much (this is coming from the girl who ate half a store bought pecan pie on Christmas Day).

Use lard! And real maple syrup!

My piece with a whipped cream skirt. And yes, that is a bunny in the background. Hungry bunny.

Aunt Shayno's Peach Crumb Pie with Lard Crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Pie Crust:

For single large pie crust
1 1/2 cups flour all-purpose
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup lard, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup ice water, 1 tbsp at a time until right consistency

Combine flour and salt. Cut in fat with pastry blender, two knifes, or just pinch mixture together until the fat is the size of small peas. Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Place ball of dough on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper. Press down with your hand. Add a touch more flour and put a second piece of waxed paper on top. Roll out dough with rolling pin until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Place dough in an un-greased pie pan, cutting off extra dough from sides, if needed.

Lightly press the crust in pan, and create whatever edging you desire. Refrigerate while you make the rest of the pie magic happen.

Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup brown sugar

Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter with pastry blender, two knifes, or just pinch mixture together until you get a "coarse sand" consistency. Set aside.

Apple Filling:

about 5 cups sliced peaches (peeled and pitted)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
pinch of ground cinnamon

Toss peach slices in a bowl with the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir to combine and set aside.

Put peach filling in pie pan, followed by crumb topping. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for 40 minutes, or until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Aunt Shayno in action: