Thursday, August 24, 2017

Coffee and Conversations with Cookbook Author Gina Meyers





Personal Motto: Treat people the way I want to be treated.

Hobbies: Baking, cooking, journaling, knitting, walking, traveling, spending time with my kids. I also like roller skating and making homemade handcrafted soap.

Favorite Appetizer: My mom's artichoke cheese squares. Recipe found in my How To Cook Like a Hot Italian Mama. Purchase Today!

What I had for dinner last night: Flank Salmon with mushrooms sauteed in a little extra virgin olive oil.

Family Traditions? Too many to even list. Every New Years, we make Dream/Vision Boards. In the month of October, we visit a pumpkin patch and go on a steam train. Every November, we make a Thank-Full/Gratitude Journal.



To find out about how you can order Gina's books, please go to: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Online or in the store.










Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Broccoli Rabe, make it like a Native Italian


As a cookbook author, I am fortunate to travel and to meet wonderful people from all around the globe. Back in July of 2017, I was invited to the Jersey Shore, Ocean City to be exact. We had a traditional Italian Sunday Dinner of Pasta and Meatballs at Cynthia's Place. I'm not giving the dinner justice, we had perfect Italian wine, wonderful bread, yummy salad, fresh fruit, some of my Anise Gluten-Free Biscottis, and even Lemoncello Almonds (I didn't even know those existed!).

Even though I am a Native Californian, and Broccoli Rabe grows here, I never learned to cook it properly. Finding it is difficult at best, but that's for another blog post. UNTIL Now.

Broccoli Rabe

Directions: Fill a 3rd of a pot with water, not half, a 3rd, add brocolli Rabe and cook till tender with a fork to check. Once cooled, cut and toss out any of the thicker parts of the brocolli stem/stalk. Next, in a sauce pan, saute in extra virgin olive oil the brocolli rabe, add pinenuts and garlic. (in a separate pan, saute the pinenuts with nothing, just sort of roast them paying attention not to burn). Add more as a final step to the dish.

For these and other Italian Inspired dishes, Gina Ferrari Recipes. Check out How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama, by, Gina Ferrari Buy Today!


Coconut Rice With Mango Dessert, Spring Rolls, & Asian Sauce, excerpts from The Multicultural Kids Cookbook, by, Gina Meyers



Stock photo of Coconut Rice With Mango

Coconut Rice With Mango  Dessert
Easy
Jasmine rice
1 can of coconut milk
1 ripe mango
1-2 teaspoons of sugar
2 dashes of salt

Directions: Cook rice in a rice maker. Omit water and instead add coconut milk, follow the directions on the back of the rice box for how much water to rice ratio. Once rice is cooked, use a ice cream scooper to place on a plate. Add coconut flakes, coconut or vanilla ice cream to the side. Thinly slice the ripe mango and top it on top of the rice or flair it out on the dish to give it a "tropical" presentation.


stock photos shared by K.P. Phagnasay

Spring or Summer Rolls
(Spring or Summer, anytime Rolls)

Rice Wrappers
Vermicelli rice noodles
Shrimp (already cooked and cleaned)
Mint sprigs
Shredded carrots
Chopped cucumber
Romaine Lettuce

Directions: Follow the package directions for how to expand the rice wrappers, usually with water and a paper towel. Once your rice wrapper is malleable, first add washed and dried lettuce leaf. Continue to add ingredients, your mint springs, shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, cooked shrimp, rice noodles. Follow directions to roll your Spring or Summer Roll.
Spicy Sauce

 Spicy Asian Sauce
In a small bowl, add a diced Asian chili, garlic, fish sauce, a little sugar, hot water, add peanuts (check for allergies) (crush them in the coffee grinder). Mix and squeeze a whole lime to top off the mixture.

*Whenever working in the kitchen with knives or spice foods such as peppers, always ask a parents permission.

Laos is a tropical region where many fresh fruits such as mangos and bananas grow.

Kop Chai (cop jai) means Thank-you (request from the heart)

To purchase The Multicultural Kids Cookbook, Order Today!
These recipes are Laotian, South Asian Inspired recipes shared by K.P. Phagnasay of KP Studios.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Creme De Menthe Brownies


Creme De Menthe Brownies

1 1/4 cups of sugar
1 stick melted unsalted butter
3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
dash of salt
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of creme de menthe chips

Directions: In a mixer, blend sugar, melted butter, eggs, unsweetened cocoa powder together. Next add dash of salt and vanilla extract. Finally add flour and creme de menthe chips. Scrape sides of mixing bowl, if needed. Pour into a rectangular shaped pan and spray with cooking spray. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, check with a toothpick to see if cooked.

Buy Dorm Room Dining, A Guide To College Cooking

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Capo's Italian Speakeasy Restaurant, Knock Three Times and they just might let you in




Capo's Italian Speakeasy Restaurant, Knock Three Times and they just might let you in
By, Gina Meyers










Deep in the heart of Texas, I mean off of Sahara in Las Vegas, there is a joint so nostalgic you just cannot believe it. Knock three times and maybe they'll let you in. If you know the right people of course. I'm talking about a very unique dining experience, Capo's (translated, Mob Boss) Speakeasy. On our recent family vacation, I'm a cookbook author with discriminating tastes, afterall, I used all my resources to their full disposal and purchased a Travelzoo restaurant voucher. An amazing value for the price. I paid $19.00 for $30.00 worth of food, plus tip (tip should be off of the full value of the meal).


Dark, mysterious, with Frank Sinatra playing in the background, we were shown our table, a plush red booth with black and white photos of Mob bosses and chandeliers. The staff wears 1930's beatnik clothing from the era and they speak in a sort of Godfather English/Italian tome. Being of Italian decent, I didn't find it demeaning in the least, it was fun and the food was fabulous.



The staff were incredibly nice. We ordered the Capo's salad, a Meatball Sandwich, and a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich. The travelzoo special also came with drinks of which we ordered ice tea. The staff was so friendly, they kept filling up our ice tea and even sent us on our way to Hoover Dam with more iced tea to go.



A fun experience and overall pleasant dining and eating experience. Don't forget to tell them Gina sent you! Cookbook Author Gina Meyers


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Off to College... tips to make it a smooth transition.




So you are headed off to college. Congratulations on your achievement. There are so many things to think about and so many new exciting experiences you will enjoy. College is happening, here's a handy list of items to help you with the transition. 
College Checklist

BEDDING
Pillows
Pillow cases
Comforter (check what size you need, dorm room beds are twin)
Sheet set
Body pillow and cover (optional)
Blanket

FURNITURE
If you are living in the dorm, chances are that the furniture will already be provided. They usually provide a bunk bed as well as a closet and a desk with chair. If you chose to live in an apartment, you may find this list helpful.
Futon
Futon cover
Lounge chair

BATH
Shower caddy
Washcloths
Towels
Flip-flops (for the shower)
Hair wrap, body wrap (optional)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body wash
Soap
Skin care
Razors
 Makeup
Bath accessories
Personal care items
Shower puff
Contact lenses/solution
Eyeglasses
Shower curtain/shower liner (optional)
Shower spray (such as shower to shower, or Lysol) (optional)
Hairbrush
Hairstyling products
FOR CLASS
Backpack
Calculator
Pens/pencils/highlighters
Binders/notebooks

DINING
Plates/bowls/cups/mugs
Forks/spoons/knives
Bottle opener
Water bottle/plastic pitcher
CLEANING
Cleaning supplies
Paper towels
Sponges
Disinfecting wipes
Broom and dust pan
Trash can
Laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Laundry basket/bag
Drying rack (only if you live in an apartment and your dishwasher doesn’t have a dry cycle option)
Iron
Lint brush
Mini ironing board
Vacuum
Swiffer
Bucket
Toilet bowl cleaner
Toilet brush
Garbage bags (plastic, paper)
KITCHEN
Microwave
Toaster/toaster oven
Mini fridge (ice trays)
Coffeemaker/espresso maker
Electric tea pot
Can opener
Pizza cutter
Pot holder
Food storage bags
Cooking utensils
Utensil tray
Kitchen gadgets
Mixing bowls
Cookware/bakeware
Shelf liners (optional)
Dish soap
Dish-cleaning wand
Dish towels
Paper towels



TRANSPORTATION
Bus Pass
Car
Skateboard
Bike
Scooter

ELECTRONICS
TV
Speakers
DVD Blu-Ray player
Tablet/IPAD
Gaming system games
Laptop case
Laptop desk
Computer
Laptop
Cords/cables/power strip
Printer/ink/paper
USB drive
STORAGE
Storage bins
Storage carts
Closet organizers
Hangers
Bed risers
Under-bed storage
Desktop organizer
3M command hooks

MISC.
Mini Barbecue
Stadium seat
Sunscreen
Address book
Notebooks


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Banana Spinach Smoothies, by, Gina Meyers






Usually, the combination of bananas and spinach isn't the first thing that pops into one's head when preparing a smoothie. For me, it was out of necessity, that's what I had in the fridge so I went for it. Upon researching (yes, cookbook authors have a tendency to do this), I discovered that I was packing my smoothie with a punch. This is what I added, a handful of spinach, ice, almond, coconut milk, a little orange juice, a banana. Place in the blender for about thirty seconds on pulse and walla. You will be receiving vitamin k, vitamin c, and potassium with this easy to make smoothie. Vitamin K plays an essential role in early wound healing.

For other smoothie recipes check out: Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook, by, Gina Meyers