Super Bowl Sunday

I am not an avid football watcher. In fact, the only time I actually do watch football is during the Super Bowl (primarily for the commercials and halftime). I also really like that people celebrate the Super Bowl by having family and friends over and throwing elaborate parties. I always love to see the creative recipes that people come up with for this special day like 17-layer dips, ultimate chili recipes and elaborate desserts.

This years Super Bowl was special for me. For the past five years, my brother has been living up North and we haven't been in the same city for more than a week. He moved back to Philadelphia a couple of months ago and now we can finally spend time with one another. We decided to spend Super Bowl together and my dad spent it with us as well.

I decided to take the time to make some great dips and a delicious chili for them. Since chips and dips are really popular during the Super Bowl, I made homemade hummus, salsa and of course, guacamole (According to the Hass Avocado Board, approximately 100 million pounds of guacamole was consumed during the Super Bowl weekend). To pair with the dips, I made homemade garlic and herb pita chips and roasted chickpeas.   

For the main course, I made a turkey chili with whole corn bread croutons. This chili is rich in flavor with little fat (except if you add cheese and sour cream). The corn bread is also a mix of both whole wheat and all purpose flour with whole corn cornels in the batter. To make them into croutons, I baked a loaf and then cubed the loaf and toasted them in the oven. 

Here is how I did it: 

Turkey Chili with Whole Corn Bread Croutons 

Turkey Chili: 

- 2 tbs of olive oil

- 1/2 large yellow onion

- 2 cloves of garlic

- 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp pepper

- 1 lb of 99% ground turkey meat

- 1 large hot green chili pepper

- 1/2 Jalapeno pepper

- 2 15.5 ounce cans of diced tomatoes (no sodium added)

- 1/2 6 ounce can of tomato paste

- 1 cup of water

- 1/2 packet of chili seasonings

- 1 15.5 ounce can of kidney beans

Place a large pot over high heat and add the olive oil. Chop half an onion into small pieces and place in the pot. Cook the onions until they are slightly translucent (about 5 minutes). Mince the 2 cloves of garlic and add to the pot. Add the salt and pepper and cook for another 2 minutes. 

Place the ground turkey in the pot and brown the meat. While the turkey is cooking, chop up the hot green pepper and mince the garlic. Once the meat is fully cooked, add both the peppers. 

Pour the two cans of diced tomatoes, half a can of tomato paste, water and chili seasoning and reduce the heat to low. Cover the chili and let it simmer for an hour, stirring periodically so that nothing sticks to the bottom. After an hour, pour in the kidney beans with the liquid and cook for another hour. 

Serve with with toppings such as cheese, sour cream, avocados or red onion. 

To finish the meal, I made a fresh fruit salad with apples, pears, bananas, mangos and oranges. 

What I like the most about all of these dishes is that they are great to eat in front of the TV and you can prepare them ahead of time so that you can sit and watch the game without worrying about what's going on in the kitchen.

Anne

Loaded Vegetable Detox Soup

I am a huge fan of soups, especially in the winter. I love how they are so easy to make and you can make a large batch that lasts for a long time. You can add any type of vegetable, bean, grain and protein and it will more than likely taste amazing. This soup was what I made right after I returned home from France.

When I was away, I ate whatever I wanted, including bread, cheese, and pastries. I totally overindulged and loved every second of it. However, by the end of my time in Europe, I was sick of anything carb, dairy and sweets and craved fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. When I returned home, I immediately started eating super clean (with a few cheats) and felt great!

This soup was one of the first meals I made when I returned home and I have been making it ever since. It has a variety of vegetables and healthy protein and it is filling and satisfying. I definitely don't feel bad for having seconds.

Here is how I made it:

Loaded Vegetable Detox Soup

Soup
- 6 cups of water
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 lb of carrots
- 1 large head of broccoli
- 1/2 pound of brussels sprouts
- 2 cups of kale
- 2 tbs herb de provence (replace with: thyme and rosemary)
 - 1 tbs of hot pepper
- 2 cubes of chicken bouillon
- Salt and pepper
- 1 can of chickpeas (Replace with any of your favorite beans)

Place water in a large pot and add the two chicken breasts. Take a whole head of garlic and remove the skin. Place the peeled garlic cloves in with the chicken and boil for 15 minutes.

Wash the carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale. Take the carrots and remove the ends and cut into 1 inch pieces. For the broccoli, trim off the florets and chop up the stems. Finally, chop the kale in large pieces.

Place the vegetables in the pot with the chicken and add the brussels sprouts. Add the herbs de provence, hot pepper, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper and boil for 45 minutes. Before you serve, take the two pieces of chicken out of the pot and shred with a fork and knife. Place the chicken back in the pot and a whole can of chickpeas. Stir and serve.

Anne

Immune Boosting RAW Salad

The weather on the East coast has been out of control this winter. We have been hit with a Polar Vortex, many inches of snow, ice and so on. I have been seeing many online sites posting ways to stay healthy during these extremely cold times. I decided that I would make a salad that would encompass all of their recommendations and make it taste absolutely delicious. I also decided to post some of the reasons why these ingredients are so beneficial for you. Hopefully this will help you stay healthy this winter!

Quick Nutritional Facts:
Kale: Vitamin A, C, and K; Vitamin K is necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions, including normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity, and bone health.

Carrots: Vitamin A (Think of your eyes)

Oranges: Vitamin C; This is a powerful antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in Vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the blood.

Pomegranate: Many powerful antioxidants including polyphenols, such as tannins and anthocyanins. 

Avocado: Contains 25 essential nutrients including Vitamin A, B, C, E & K, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. 

Raw nuts and seeds: Provide fiber, healthy fats and disease prevention. 

Raw Salad: 

- 2 cups of shredded cabbage

- 1 cup of chopped kale 

- 1/2 cup of shredded carrots

- 1 whole orange segmented

- 1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds

-1/4 of an avocado; diced

- 1/4 cup chopped raw cashews

- 2 tsp raw sesame seeds

Orang and Lime Vinaigrette 

- 1 tbs orange juice 

- 1 1/2 tbs lime juice

- 2 tbs olive oil

- 1 tsp blue agave

- Salt and pepper

This salad is so simple to make. Make sure that you have already prepped all of the ingredients prior to combining them. This means shredding the cabbage and carrots, chopping the kale and cashews, and segmenting the orange. (Set the connective membrane from the orange aside so that it can be used for the vinaigrette).

Once prepped, Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. 

For the vinaigrette, squeeze the juice of the orange that was segmented earlier. Juice half a lime and combine the juice of the orange and lime with two tbs of olive oil in a bowl. Add the blue agave and salt and pepper. 

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss.

This salad is meant to serve one person but you can always make it for two and add a healthy protein or carb with it. I recommend either adding quinoa or another type of grain for a carb. If you prefer protein, a piece of grilled chicken or fish would be ideal. What I did was roast some sweet potatoes and ate it alongside the salad. Sweet potatoes are also extremely healthy for you and they are so easy to make. 

Anne

Au Revoir Paris

I cannot believe that the time has come when I would say goodbye to this amazing city. These last four months have included an endless list of new experiences and many life long lessons. Not only did I get to know Paris, inside and out, but most importantly, I go to know myself. In these four months, I changed my life and lifestyle drastically. I left the city where I grew up in and had my family and friends close by, left the comforts of my home and left my strict lifestyle behind. In these four months, I wanted to emerge myself in this new culture and totally new lifestlye.

I ate way too much bread and cheese and definitely drank too much wine. I slept past 10AM on most days where as in America I am lucky if I sleep past 8AM. I stayed out to the very early hours of the morning and would tour around different museums and exhibitions the next day. I would spend hours at a cafe drinking wine and chatting, and then change to a new cafe and do it again. I left behind my sneakers and gym clothes for heels and dresses and my "always on a schedule" lifestyle for more of a "whatever I feel like doing" lifestyle.  I overindulged and lived my life in the moment. The greatest thing I can say though is that I have no regrets.

I met people from all over the world that I can truly say will be my life long friends. I discovered a passion for art and felt like I finally understood the meaning behind it. I fell in love with history and architecture. I traveled to new cities, learned new cuisines and learned all about wine. And most importantly, I got the chance to see my relatives more in these last four months than I do in three years.

I can honestly say that these last four months have been the best four months of my life. I am full of happiness and memories. I feel refreshed and motivated to return home and I have a whole new outlook on life. I am excited to go back into my old habits but bring back some of my new habits. I am ready to be a better "me".

With that being said, Paris, its been an absolute pleasure. I can't wait for the day when I return with my loved ones and family and share all of my favorite places and stories with them. Paris, you will always have a special place in my heart. Je t'aime!

Anne

Paris-Week 2

I can't even begin to explain how much fun I am having in Paris! I have been able to visit so many new and exciting places with really amazing people. My second full week in Paris was filled with adventure and great memories.

This week I started classes and my cousin Ariane came to visit me. Not all of my classes started this week because it was only the 4th and 5th year students who started their classes so I only had two. Next week I start my full schedule which is exciting. My two classes this week were great. I had an economics class and a strategic brand management class. Both of my professors were super nice and passionate about their subject which always makes me even more interested in learning about it. My strategic brand management professor is my favorite so far though. I am so pumped about that class and I already can't wait to go to the next one.

It is interesting to see how different professors teach and how students learn from different countries.I had my hand up the majority of both classes and spoke frequently while the French students were very quite and reserved. I was talking to my strategic brand management professor after class and she told me that this is typically the norm. I find that to be so funny but I completely understand. Americans are loud and outgoing while the French keep more to themselves. What got me really excited though was that during the strategic brand management class, we talked a lot about IKEA and how they are the leader in brand management. I was basically jumping out of my chair because everything my professor was saying about IKEA, I knew and I wanted to add more. I love that I can work for a company and learn so much from within and then I can see a different point of view when I am in class. What a great experience.

So besides being in class, I was able to visit a lot of places in Paris this week. I didn't have class until Wednesday so on Monday I walked around with a few of my friends to Notre Dame and did some sightseeing around that area. I am waiting to go inside all of the monuments when it gets a little colder because I want to spend as much time outside right now because it is so warm and beautiful.

Monday night we had a meeting at ESCE so afterwards our whole group decided to do a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. We bought a ton a bread and cheese and sat under the Eiffel Tower and ate and talked. My favorite part was when they turned on the sparkling lights on the Eiffel Tower. I honestly don't think I will get sick of seeing the Eiffel Tower. Anytime I see it I get so excited and happy. It honestly is one of the most beautiful things I've seen. 

On Tuesday I went with my friend Arta to the Champs Elysees to do some sightseeing and shopping. All of the stores are so beautiful and massive. It isn't as crowded during the week as it is during the weekend so it was really nice. We had to make a pit stop at Laduree though to get macaroons. I just can't help myself when it comes to macaroons. Anytime I see them I want them. We sat on the outside part of the restaurant and I got a coffee with coconut and a nougat cake with cream and raspberries. It was fabulous! The rest of the afternoon we walked around Paris and explored.

Tuesday night a few of my friends decided to go to Sacre Coure to sit on the steps and drink wine. What a breathtaking view. At night you can see all of the lights in Paris and it is simply stunning. 

Wednesday I had school and then my cousin came that night. She arrived really late so by the time she got here, it was already 11 so we talked for a little and went to bed. On Thursday I had a class in the morning and then I met up with Ariane. We decided to go to the Luxembourg gardens and sit and tan because it was so nice and warm out. I still can't get over how great the weathers been. 

The rest of my time with Ariane was spent sightseeing, eating and going out. We went to the Moulin Rouge, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Museum de Pompidou and I showed her my school. On her final night we went to the cutest French bistro is Montmartre. It was a simple restaurant with only a few items on the menu and there was only one waitress. We split a bottle of rose and I order the foie gras and I had Sole. It was unbelievably good! 

Ariane left on Sunday morning sadly but I know that I will see her in a few weeks. I love that we live so close to one another now and so I can just hop on a train whenever I want to see her. Next week starts my first full week of classes and I am excited to go to them all! I also want to do a lot more walking around Paris and finding little coffee shops and restaurants where only locals go. I want to just leave my house and get lost in Paris and explore!

Salut!

Anne

Paris-Week 1

So I arrived in Paris last Monday and I have been nonstop ever since. My flight to Paris was incredibly easy, it was almost too perfect. I arrived at the airport and it only took me 15 minutes to check my bags and go through security. That is so unlike USA airports. When I landed in Paris, I took the train and got off at Cite Universite which is the dorms where I am staying for the next four months. It was so great because they had my room all ready for me and all I needed was to get my keys and settle in.

Well my dorm is an International dorm where there are ESCE students from all over the world that are staying there. It's awesome! I feel like I am a freshman all over again and I am getting to meet all of these new people from all over the world. I've been able to make friends with students from Germany, Brazil, Poland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico and Holland. It's incredible!

My first night night was pretty casual, we all went to the park near the dorms and sat and drank wine. It was great to get to know everyone. The next day I spent the majority of my time shopping for things that I didn't have in my room. They don't provide any dishes or silverware for us so I had to buy all of that myself which was kind of annoying. That night though we had a huge family dinner where the German girls made Snitzle for the whole house. It was great! It was my first time having it and I really enjoyed it.

From Wednesday till Friday we had orientation for ESCE which is the school that I am studying at. It is located literally 5 minutes by foot from the Eiffel Tower. You can see the Eiffel Tower from the school which is pretty amazing. I have a feeling that while I'm in class, when I won't want to pay attention, I am just going to look outside the window at the Eiffel Tower. 

The first afternoon I begged my dorm mates to do Crepes under the Eiffel Tower. I know it's such a touristy thing to do but I just had to! We spent a couple hours around that area lounging by the park and eating our crepes. It was so relaxing. 

That night I went to see two good friends of mine in Paris. I know them from spending my summers with my family in Piriac. I haven't seen them in over two years since I haven't been to Piriac in that time and it was so nice to catch up and talk. I ended up spending that night at my friend Clotildes house because it was late and I didn't want to take the metro at night. Well I'm glad I spent the night because the next morning, my other friend Gaetan took me home on his scooter. It's not every day that you can say you toured Paris on a scooter. 

Gaetan invited me to go visit him in Lille that weekend because it was the big Braderie and the start of school so all of the students were coming back that weekend. I decided to go and I took a train that Friday. Before that though I did a tour earlier that morning with ESCE on a boat and saw all of Paris. It was really beautiful. I've been really lucky so far with the weather here. Every day has been beautiful and warm!! It definitely makes me love Paris even more. 

Later that evening I arrived in Lille and immediately met with Gaetan. We had dinner and went straight to his friends house to meet everyone. I am not used to going out like they do. They don't leave to go to the bar until 3am.. That's what time I normally get home, and usually it's even earlier! Well we left for the bar at 3am and by the time it was 6am, I had to go home. I couldn't take it anymore. But nonetheless it was a great night and I really enjoyed getting to know his friends. 

The next day we slept late and left in the afternoon to meet up with his friends for lunch. The Braderie is a huge flee market where people sell everything from clothes to dishes. It was huge! There were so many people and so many things to see. We did a short walkthrough and then left shortly after because there were too many people. It was really fun though and I am glad I went and got to experience it. 

I got back to Paris late on Sunday. In all, my first week in Paris was amazing!!! I already met some pretty amazing people and I am so excited for what's to come in the next four months. My cousin Ariane is arriving on Wednesday and staying for a couple of days so I can't wait for that!! 

Anne

Diner en Blanc

Last night Philadelphia hosted the second annual Diner en Blanc event in Center City. Thousands of people showed up at their designated meeting location not knowing where the final stop would be. The whole concept behind Diner en Blanc is that it is a pop up dining experience. You wear all white and bring your table, chairs, silverware and food. Once you arrive at the "secret location" you line up your tables, set up your food and wine and dine all night. Sais fabuleux!!

My meeting point was at the Love Park. After everyone arrived we started walking towards the "secret location" which ended up being 30th Street station. We set up or table and chairs right on JFK and enjoyed a fabulous night of eating and dancing. It definitely was the perfect event to attend right before I leave for Paris.

For my menu I decided to make a few things that were easy to transport and had a French flare to. I decided to start off my picnic with a cheese plate. I chose four types of cheeses; a soft cow/sheep milk cheese, a blue, hard cows milk cheese and a cheddar. I also paired the cheeses with nuts, dried figs and apricot jam that my mom made. For the second course I made a truffled leek and pancetta quiche with gruyere cheese and paired that with a pear and prosciutto salad. The meal was perfect and the best part was that we got to share our food with all the other guests.

Here is how I did it:

Truffled Leek and Pancetta Quiche with Gruyere Cheese:
- 4 large leeks
- 6 ounce piece of pancetta
- 3/4 cup gruyere cheese
- 6 eggs
- 3/4 half and half cream
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs butter
- 2 tbs truffle infused oil
- salt and pepper

Pear and Prosciutto Salad:
- 3 cups of arugula
- 1/2 pear sliced
- 2 slices of prosciutto
- 1/4 cup pecorino romano cheese
- 1 tbs dijon mustard
- 3 tbs white vinegar
- 1/2 tbs honey
- 3 tbs olive oil
- salt and pepper

For the quiche, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take your leeks and cut the top green part off and discard. Cut the leeks length wise and place in a bowl with cold water to remove to sand. Place a pot on the stove with a little water. Once your leeks are clean, put them in the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes and then drain them.

Place the pot back on the stove with 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter. Take your pancetta and cut it in cubes and fry in the pan. Once they are golden and crisp, remove them from the pan and drain them with a paper towel.

Leave the oil from the pancetta in the pan and place the leeks in them. Sauté under medium/low heat for 20-25 minutes until they are translucent . After that point, add the truffle oil and pancetta back in and mix together. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs (beaten), half and half, gruyere cheese and leeks. Season with salt and pepper and pour the mixture in a 9 inch pan that is greased. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour until the center is firm. 

For the salad, combine to the mustard, honey, and white vinegar together. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salad and pepper. To assemble the salad, place the arugula first with the dressing and then add the slices of pear on top and the strips of prosciutto. Sprinkle the romano cheese. 

I pre cut the quiche into serving sizes and placed them in a to go container. I did this with the salad and cheese as well. I also bought white square paper plates to use as serving platters and plastic wine glasses. It was perfect! We had just the right amount of food and it tasted delicious! 

Bon Appetite!

Anne