Turkey Meatloaf with Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

What can be better than reinventing the "Meatloaf"?  There are numerous recipes for meatloaf these days, I think we should all take another shot at the classic American dish.  Variations for meatloaf include:  turkey meatloaf, lamb meatloaf, kidney bean loaf, sirloin meatloaf, etc!

I searched Epicurious for Turkey Meatloaf and found this recipe.  I always attempt to eat healthier during the week, since I usually give into my temptations on the weekends.  I chose this recipe because it included a variety of vegetables:  mushrooms, onions, and carrots.  I also made the Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce to pair with the meatloaf.  

I made this delicious Turkey Meatloaf on Monday and I have been eating leftovers for lunch and dinner all week.  Well today is Wednesday, so at least part of the week!  I have paired this meatloaf with salad, roasted tomatoes, and soup!  Tonight when I ate the leftovers, I threw some tomatoes tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper, into the pan with the meatloaf and heated them both for about 10 minutes in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for a delicious dinner!

Turkey Meatloaf

Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

Spooky Rice Krispie Treats

Today is Ben's Birthday!  Ben (better known as Bug) is the cousin of one of my best friends, Alex.  He is the most adorable kid in San Francisco and I can't believe he is 2 already!  

His birthday falls so close to Halloween, that I decided to make him Spooky Rice Krispie Treats!   I am not sure where I got the idea for this dessert.  I have been looking at recipes for Halloween treats for awhile now and none have grabbed my attention.  I am sadly not a baker at heart and only know how to make a few dessert recipes.  Rice Krispie Treats are easy and require no baking.  I spruced the original version up a bit with chocolate and apricot.  The apricot added a bright flavor and almost transformed the treats into granola bars.  I use the term "almost" quite loosely, since at the end of the day the yummy treats still fall into the "dessert" category.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

My friend Stephanie held a Hocus Pocus Party at her house last night!   She and her roommate, Drew, had a yummy spread that included cheese fondue with bread and vegetables, honey goat cheese with toasted almonds, a bubbling cauldron filled with witches brew, turkey meatball sandwiches, pumpkin ale, and much more!  Also, Niky brought delicious cupcakes and topped them with orange frosting!  It was the perfect Halloween party to watch the Giants win their 3rd game in the series against the Phillies.  Following the game we watched one of my favorite Halloween movies of all time:  Hocus Pocus!

I made Stuffed Mushrooms for the party and they were delicious.  There are so many types of stuffed mushrooms it is hard to choose a recipe.  I don't make this appie all the time so I looked on Epicurious and chose Italian Stuffed Mushrooms.  I chose this recipe because I love sun dried tomatoes!

I adjusted the recipe a small amount:

Added a pinch of Crushed Red Pepper and Oregano when the mixture is sautéing

Added 2 Shallots chopped and sautéed them with the mushrooms

Substituted Celery for Fennel

Added more cheese :) (duh!)

Used Fontina not Blue Cheese

The basil and sun dried tomatoes made these little bites zing!

Orecchiette with Mushrooms and Arugula

I went to a Housewarming Party this past Saturday to celebrate one of my best college friends moving to San Francisco!   We carved pumpkins, ate lots of delicious food, drank wine, and danced!  She lives in the Mission District and her new home is adorable!

For the potluck I decided to make Orecchiette with Mushrooms and Arugula.  As always, I looked around at different recipes, compiled some ideas, and combined/altered them to make them my own.  This dish was delightful at home (yes I tried it before I left) however by the time I brought it to Jacqueline's house and we sat down to eat about 2 hours had elapsed.  The arugula had become wilted and the dish was at room temperature.  I would love to make this dish again, however I probably wont make it "to go" again.  

I chose this dish because I love Fall vegetables!  I know Fall is here when I am craving mushrooms, arugula, squash, kale, endive, Brussels sprouts, beets, cabbage, and more!

What is your favorite Fall Vegetable???

White Bean, Sausage, and Greens Soup

Don't ask me why, but yesterday I was craving soup.  I only think it was weird because it was pretty hot in San Francisco last night and I went to the Lyon streets stairs for a sweaty workout.  If you have met me you have probably been to the Lyon Street stairs with me.  For some reason I just love stair workouts!


I have been wanting to make a dish with some good ol' southern greens, however did not want to saute them in a lot of salt and garlic (sounds yummy though!) or throw them in a pot of boiling salted water.  So I poked around a little on Epicurious and took ideas from a few soup recipes that included greens and made it my own.  Also, I bought all the ingredients from Trader Joes.  I love you TJ's :)


If you make this soup, be sure to taste and adjust along the way!  A lot of items can be altered.  You don't have to add butternut squash, try bell pepper instead.  Or if you are a Veggie (like one of my BF's Erin is) don't use the sausage.  However, I would suggest adding another can of beans for protein and substance.  I love fresh thyme, however add a different herb (rosemary for instance) that suits your taste buds.  Anyway you make it, this soup is a great introduction to Fall (if you have been denying the season change like I have)!