This week's DELIGHT: Turnover

I made this recipe a few weeks ago and was an absolute success: turnover with egg-roll dough (baked, not fried!)

It is super simple and perfect either for two people or a large group. It is very fast and convenient since I bought the egg-roll dough at the supermarket. And, for the filling, I made a ground beef with grated carrots, raisins, tomato paste and seasonings (I use everything you can imagine: chili powder, cumin powder, a pinch of cinnamon, salt, red pepper flakes).
My dough was already cut into squares, so I just had to fill it, close the edges (water worked in this case) and brush canola oil on top for a crispy golden brown dough.

Oh, I also made another version: pizza (with pieces of mozzarella, tomato and oregano), but you can make them with chicken, ham and cheese, cheese and onions, ground sausage etc..
I put the turnovers in a greased sheet, pre-heated oven (high temperature), and they were ready in 10 minutes.

And that was our Sunday lunch with a spinach, tomato, avocado and dried cranberry salad. Not bad, huh?

Easy, delish and guilty-free!!

Cheers!

Let's go back in time with this week's Cheers!: Cuba Libre

Ingredients
2oz white rum
2oz Coca-Cola
lime wedge to garnish
ice cubes

In a tall glass, pour the rum over the ice cubes. Fill it with Coca-Cola and finish it with lime wedge. This drink is light, refreshing and women usually love it (if you're like me, you can substitute regular Coke for Diet Coke)

Have a lovely weekend!

Deeply in love: Faux Mink Throw

The cold weather is already hitting hard some states in the US and even living in "Sunny California" sometimes gets cold in here too. So last week I could not resist and bought something to keep hubby and I warm this winter: a faux mink throw.
Americans use throws a lot not only to wrap around the body and legs, but also for its original purpose which is to throw on the bed or sofa to decorate. They are available in stores all year long and in various fabrics and materials (cashmere, cotton, wool, fur etc.). Hubby used yesterday and loved it! It's super soft and really keeps you warm!

Bring it on, winter!

Lala's Argentine Grill

If there is a place my hubby and I love is Lala's Argentine Grill.
Located in a part of Melrose Ave with alternative shops, the restaurant is really nice, with friendly waiters, super affordable price and very tasty Argentinean food.

We go there very often, and we've tried the meat, sausage, provoleta (pic below), empanadas, salad, anyway, it's all good! The chimichurri is also delicious! And all this accompanied by a good Argentinean wine!

It's worth taking a walk in the neighborhood and visit the stores. If you are going on Sunday, there is a nice flea market on Melrose and Fairfax. You can go there before or after lunch.

Halloween Special - house decor

And to top off our Special Halloween, here are some pictures of decorated houses in the neighborhood. With all these posts about Halloween maybe you get excited and plan something for next year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you next year, Halloween! Welcome Christmas!

Sweet Moments: berries and banana smoothie

Whether starting your day, in the afternoon, or before/after exercise, a homemade smoothie with berries (blackberry, strawberry, blueberry) and bananas - or any other fruit of your choice - is a great choice and super healthy!

Tip: whenever my fruits are over ripe and I know I will not eat them but I don't want to throw away, I freeze them, so I can prepare juices, smoothies or even cakes with them. I do it with berries, pineapple, banana, peach ...

Cake pans

Nowadays, it's very easy to find any type of cake pan: mini, big, 3D, themed, for kids, etc..
And for those, like me, who like baking, is a delight to go into the stores and check out what's new and which one is going to be your next purchase.

In addition to the basic ones (bundt, loaf, square, rectangular), I've been adventurous and bought different pans, such as the loaf pan with 3D details and, a few weeks ago, I bought this one for donuts!

Since it was the first time and I didn't know how it would turn out, I tried it with a basic cake mix and...  it worked!

So, within a few weeks I will make the recipe they suggest, including the glaze, and I will post here to you. I think it will look just great! And the best: no frying! Could it be any better?