Fresh Summer Salad

So I had an avocado left over from my last sushi night. I was trying to figure out what to do with it since 1 avocado clearly isn't enough to make guacamole. I decided to make a delicious summer salad I saw on Paula Dean's show (i LOVE her). A great way to eat healthy and light!

Ingredients:
~2 cups cooked corn, fresh or frozen
~1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I LOVE avocados, so I prefer 2)
~1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (I had some fresh ones from our garden)
~1/2 cup finely diced red onion

Dressing: (I just made the dressing to taste but if you want to follow the recipe click here)
~Cilantro or Basil (if you don't like cilantro, you can also substitute with Basil - I put both)
~Olive oil
~Lime zest from 1 lime
~Lime juice to taste
~Salt

~Pepper

Combine the corn, avocado, tomatoes and onion in a large glass bowl. Mix dressing ingredients and pour over salad.

It definitely looks delicious :) Oh and I used the olive oil I brought back from Greece. YUM!!

Plum Island

A couple weekends ago, I ventured to Plum Island beach with my friend Megan. It was the perfect getaway. Plum Island has everything you need for a perfect getaway: Great beach, nature reserve, a bar, and delicious food!

After a nice toasty morning afternoon, we decided to grab a drink at the bar on the corner:

Then we walked over to Bob Lobster (<--click link to go to site) and got some delicious fried clams, a lobster roll and ice cream.

My Fried Clams

Megan's Lobster rolle & Megan in fron of Bob Lobster eating Ice cream.

It's definitely a really awesome getaway spot. Just remember if you do go to Plum Island Beach and don't want to park by the public beach side, get there early. Parking is very limited.

Sushi Birthday Dinner!

"Wasbi?" "Not Much Ginger!!" HAHAHA, yeah I know I've used that joke before, but it's funny...haha, right?...

Anyways, Yesterday was my Mom's Birthday - Happy Birthday Mom!! I decided to make her Sushi for Dinner instead of going out to eat. I made it for 8 people, and boy it was delicious!! I'm at work right now, so I don't really have time to include the recipe just yet. Will update that later on.

I don't have any pictures of the sushi making process because, lets be honest, It's quite hard trying to roll sushi and take pictures at the same time. Lucky for you, I still have some salmon left, so I may just have someone record/take pictures of the process next time.

***Special THANKS to my Aunt Dona for hooking me up with the fresh fish and eel!!

INGREDIENTS:
RICE:
Sushi Rice, White Rice Vinegar, sugar, salt

Sushi Grade Tuna, Salmon, Eel
Seaweed wraps
Tobiko, Sesame seeds, Cucumber, Avocado, Crab meat
Wasbi, Soy Sauce

Left Pic: Unagi (eel) Avocado rolls, Caterpill Roll, Unagi Nigiri,
Right Pic: Salmon Nigiri, Salmon avocado roll, Tuna Avocado Roll

Left Pic: California Rolls, California handroll
Right Pic: Tuna Nigiri, Unagi avocado roll

6 plates of sushi for 8 people...I think I've officially satisfied everyone's craving for sushi.

For My Grandma

I'm sorry everyone for my lack of updating this blog. My life has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride lately. I'm back and promise that I'll update more from now on.

I'd like to Dedicate my first post to my Grandma. Words cannot express what an amazing person she was. My Grandma was and still is one of the most influencial people in my life. A lot of my childhood memories involve my Grandma cooking the most delicious dishes. From elaborant 5 course meals to pan fried dumplings. Every time I was sick, she'd always made chicken soup and oatmeal. To this day, I instantly feel better whenever I have either one.

The last time she made dumplings was back in March or April, I was fortunate enough to get one last chance to help her.

[Click on pictures to enlarge]

If anyone in your family is a great cook; try learning their recipes!!

If you'd like to share any family recipes, you can comment below.

<3

Second Day in Santorini

Day two in Santorini:
We took a boat ride over to the Volcano in Santorini. and hiked to the top. I'd have to say that the view is spectacular!! After a nice dip in a natural hot spring, we sailed to an Island called Fira where we settled down for a much needed lunch.

[if you want a closer look, just click on the pictures]

I had the most delicious tatziki, and a wonderful Greek Salad.


We then sailed to the other side of Santorini, where we climbed millions of stairs up the side of the island to watch the sunset. After climbing, a dinner was much needed!


Mushrooms marinated in a white butter cream sauce, and the most delicious salmon ever. What I would give to have another bite!!

Re-living My Dinner in Santorini

After a long long ferry ride from Athens to Santorini, a feast for dinner was much needed!!

Location: Cesare Ristorante - Santorini

A really cute restaurant upstairs with a nice view of the little side streets





Appetizers:

1. Spanakopita!! (spinach cheese pie) #2 Greek Salad and Garlic Bread in the basket

My Meal:

Best Lamb Chops of my life

I died and went to Greek Food Heavan!!

Yassou!! I'm sorry for going MIA, I forgot to let you guys know that I went to Greece! I was traveling around for 11 days and visited Athens and the Islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Ios. I plan to make it up to you by posting pictures... O:-) Unfortunately, my camera broke right when I arrived in Mykonos....its supposed to be "waterproof"..guess NOT. Olympus will definitely be getting an angry angry call. -_-

Anyways, a special thanks to my awesome Roomies April and Teresa; they took pics of food for me :)

So I guess I'll post my pictures as a 9 part series - each day's worth of food on my trip (I only have pics from Athens and Santorini as of now)

Night of Arrival in Glyfada:

Dinner at Rigani in Glyfada - my First and MOST deilcious Gyros. I got the mixed meat - Pita bread filled with onions, tomatos, meat, tatziki and french fries.

First Day in Athens:
Lunch:

#1Stuffed Grape Leaves or Vine Leaves , #2 Rabbit...yes, and it was DELICIOUS!!!


Snacks:


#1 Pistaccio Ice cream!!!!!!!! SO GOOD!! #2 Lu Cafe in Athens: coffee with ICE CREAM!!


Dinner:
Location: Taverna Peristeria - Athens
This was by far my favorite place to eat Moussaka!!! My roomies April, Teresa and I asked a local where a great non-touristy place to eat was. We were brought to TAverna Peristeria. I recommend coming here if you ever go to Athens. The owner doesn't speak any english but I got away with "Yassou" hello, "Ti Kanis?" how are you?, and "poli kala!!!" very good!! accompanied by a thumbs up.


#1 Greek Salad ( they don't use lettuce) #2 Moussaka (closest thing i can compare it to is shepards pie, but better!) #3 Free Dessert!! - almost like a light pound cake with a sweet syrup!

Us in front of the Restaruant:



Efharisto Ellada!!!! (Thank You Greece!!)