Pumpkin Tarts.

My Mama's friend, Annie, well I could say she is my friend too, gave me this recipe.

Pumpkin Tarts.

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
35-40 Tart shells
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions
MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in
large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in
evaporated milk.

POUR into tart shells.

BAKE in preheated 450° F oven for 7 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F;
bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out
clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top
with whipped cream before serving.

Kale Chips.

I love making kale chips!! I was going to wait until I made them again to share the recipe with you, but I couldn't wait! I actually got Myles into kale with these chips. Now, trust me, you will get HOOKED to these chips. One time you make them, you'll make them all the time! You could season them with any seasoning mix you want, I just go with the old salt and pepper.

Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Cut the kale in to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
Place the kale on a cookie sheet and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Put in the oven for 12-15 min.
You don't even have to flip them!

Feliz Cumpleaños Nailah!!

On May 24, I had a Mexican birthday party. I invited 4 friends over for a birthday party. Sophia, Amanda, Zara and Taylor. We hung out at my house for almost 2 hours. We took turns dancing with my friend Zara. Papa made Margaritas with Margarita mix and 7up. We also made butterfly bag charm craft. Then, at 5:30 we headed to the Mexican restaurant. Little Mexican Cantina in Steveston on Chatham. We went in, they gave me a Sombrero, and all my friends took turns playing with it. We got to each make taco bowls and soft tacos. They put out cheese, chicken, salsa and lettuce. Everyone had fries for their side dish. (So Mexican!! Sì?) For me they made sautéed shrimp with cilantro. If you don't know, I am a pesctitarian. They normally don't do that at the restaurant. Zara kept saying "I could live here, eat this all food for free!" After, we went back to my house and opened PRESENTS!! I got some AWESOME gifts. Taylor got me a $50 SHOP! gift card. Zara got a chef notebook and a Lego Friends set Café edition. Sophia got me a Paris travel bag and four t-shirts. And…Amanda got me a sorbet, frozen yogurt and ice cream maker! We had strawberry shortcake for dessert!! My favorite!! The last guests left at 9:45!

May 25 2003

May 25 2003 is an awesome day. Guess what???? Giada got married!!! On May 25 2003, she married Todd Thompson. A designer for Anthropoligie. They were dating since July 1989. They had their first child, Jade Marie De Laurentiis-Thompson, On March 29 2008. Jade is named after her mom. "Giada" is "Jade" in Italian. Anything else about May 25 2003? Nope. Wait! Oh yeah, I was born on May 25 2003.

Yum.....Easy Casual Family Restaurant

Yesterday, I had 2 dress rehearsals for the show today. In between both rehearsals, Mama took me for lunch. We went to a nice, casual diner. Diner No. 1 in Steveston. (Right beside Steveston Bakery across the street from McDonalds.) We shared a fried haddock burger and a veggie burger. There was an oyster burger on the menu, after all me and Mama have been searching for the best oyster burger. So far we have had 2. One at Chewies Kitsilano, see blog post 'Chewies.' and the other one, at a food truck in downtown called 'The Kaboom Box'. Sadly they were out of oysters to make the oyster burger at Diner No. 1.
We asked for Crispy Onions on top of the veggie burger (Yum!) We each had fries and coleslaw. There is an easy family diner.

Who says Mama's day can't be THIS great?

Mother's day brunch...Now, that's something Mama will LOVE.

Here is a quick brunch menu Mama will look forward to every May.


Almond Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes flavored with pure almond extract. Topped with whipped cream, sliced blanched almonds and quartered strawberries. 100% delicious.

Pancake mix (made according to package directions. Enough for 5 pancakes.)
2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 tablespoons sliced blanched almonds plus 1 more tablespoon for serving
4 large strawberries, quartered for serving
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Whipped cream, for serving

Whisk the almond extract into the prepared pancake mix, fold in the 3 tablespoons of almonds. Melt the butter on med-high. Cook 1 pancake at a time. Make each pancake 1/4 cup. Flip when the top of the pancake is bubbling. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Top with whipped cream, the sliced almonds and strawberries.


Nectarine Mint Fruit Salad

A delicious blend of nectarine, strawberries, grapes and watermelon. Tossed with fresh mint. In fact, I'm eating some RIGHT NOW.

2 small nectarines, diced
1/2 a watermelon, cubed
10 large strawberries, quartered
20 red grapes, halved
10 mint leaves, cut into ribbons (see Nailah's Note on post "A great weeknight meal.")

Toss all ingredients together. (As easy as that!)

Finish brunch off with Mama's favorite coffee!

Happy Mama's Day!

A great weeknight meal.

After reading Giada's cookbook full of weeknight meals, sides and desserts, I decided to think up my own. This is a great weeknight meal.

Seafood Pasta

1 pound linguine pasta
1/2 a can tomato sauce
1 can roasted garlic alfredo sauce
2 fresh sole fillets all bones removed, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 cups Kani, (crab flavored pollock) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 small white onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil
5 basil leaves, cut into ribbons (see Nailah's Note)

Boil water in a large pot add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside. Put the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the onions and garlic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato and alfredo sauce, then the kani and sole. Simmer 10-15 min. Pour over pasta and garnish with basil ribbons. Serve and Enjoy!

Nailah's Note
To cut leafy herbs into ribbons, stack them on top of each other and tightly roll them. Then slice on the diagonal.


Tropical Punch

1 cup mango juice
1 cup lychee juice
2 cups ginger ale or sparkiling water

Mix together in a large pitcher. Pour the ginger ale slowly! Or it will fizz to high and spill.