Kale, Lentil, and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Usually, when I don't blog for a while, it's just because I need a break from the blogging race. Trying to keep up with the trends and seasons can be so exhausting, that I just need some time to have a life again and decompress. Unfortunately, this recent break was not for those reasons. I've been dealing with the loss of a friend. A loss that was so unexpected and unimaginable, that I have found it hard to put fingers to the keyboard for purposes other than writing in my own private journals. In terms of dealing with death, I have been sort of lucky in life. I haven't lost too many people that I have been close to. As my sweet friend was laid to rest this weekend, I thought about how to deal with the loss of a loved one. Writing my thoughts down in journals has helped. Long walks, yoga, and Pilates have helped to alleviate some of the stress. Spending time with those that are close to me has been number one. I am also taking some comfort in cooking. Surprisingly, I haven't been craving sugary sweets or fattening "comfort" foods. Rather, I have been craving nourishing, vibrant food that helps me feel energized. That's not to say that some stress-relief baking hasn't been taking place, but above all of the cookies, I would rather have a salad much like this one. It is food's way of reminding me that even in the coldest times of my life, both literally and figuratively, there is brightness at the end of the tunnel.



Kale, Lentil, and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
(Inspired by Familystyle Food)

*Notes: This salad is great warm or at room temperature. Massaging the kale takes some of the bite out of it, but it is not a necessary step.

Makes 2+ servings

For the roasted sweet potatoes and apples:
1 cup peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
1 medium Fuji apple, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the dressing:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

For the salad:
4 cups roughly chopped kale
3/4 cup cooked French lentils, warm or at room temperature
2 tablespoons roughly chopped toasted walnuts

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss the sweet potatoes, apple, and shallot with the olive oil, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Roast in an oven-safe dish or pan for 30 minutes or until fork-tender. Set aside to cool slightly.

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, mix together the ingredients for the dressing. Pour the dressing over the kale and massage the kale with your hands for five minutes. Toss the lentils with the kale.

Divide the kale and lentil mixture between two bowls or plates. Top each plate with the sweet potatoes and apples and then with chopped walnuts. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Printable Recipe

Favorite Restaurant Dishes of 2012

This has certainly been a delicious year! Before I left Los Angeles, I tried to visit as many restaurants, both new and old, as possible. Chicago has proved to be an equally amazing food town (though I haven't been documenting my eating adventures here as often). These are just a small sample of my favorite restaurant dishes from the year.

Kick Ass Margaritas at Marix. The food at Marix is good, and I think they make the best margaritas in Los Angeles, but what I love most about it is the atmosphere and all of the fun memories we created there. It is probably the restaurant I visited most in my ten years in Los Angeles.



Wood-Roasted English peas at Tar and Roses. Almost everything we had at this meal was great, but these simple roasted peas were one of the highlights for me.



The Original Baco from Baco Mercat.It is easy to see why Bon Appetit recently named Baco Mercat one of the best new restaurants of the year.



The chicken sandwich from Son of a Gun is a monster of a sandwich that is just delicious and best shared with friends.



I've now brunched at Longman & Eagle twice and it looks like I may squeeze in a third visit just as the year is coming to a close. Their chicken and waffles is an excellent way to get your day started.



The Purple Pig is another favorite Chicago restaurant. The pork fried almonds are a must at every meal there. 



I had one crazy weekend in LA during the summer for a press trip and out of the many delicious things we ate that weekend, the Paiche from Mo-Chica was at the top of the list.



As I mentioned, I haven't been documenting my Chicago dining adventures as much, but I feel that the oysters at GT Fish and Oyster, the burger at Au Cheval, the foie gras terrine from Au Cheval, and the Tagliolini Nero with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili from Balena should all get shout outs. I am looking forward to many more meals in the next year and I can't wait to share them. Have a happy and safe New Year!

Favorite Recipes of 2012

I say this every year, but I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. It was a big year for me which included me packing up and moving from Los Angeles to Chicago. It was a great decision and I am having the time of my life meeting new people and exploring an amazing city. Even though I don't cook quite as often as I used to, there have been some delicious things that have come out of my tiny kitchen in the last year. Here are a few of my favorites.

Serious Eats' take on Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice is packed with flavor and a great way to have street food at home.



Cookies and Cream Brownies were such a hit at my friend's Super Bowl party that I made them again a few weeks later for the super cute couple that I cooked for for Valentine's day.



One of the last things I cooked in LA was this insanely addictive Chipotle-Garlic Edamame.



Greek Nachos quickly became my favorite summer meal.



Funfetti Cake was a fun way to celebrate my sister's 30th birthday.



The holidays were definitely merrier with cranberry mojitos.



I really can't stop thinking about these peppermint slutty brownies. I may have to make them again for New Year's Eve.



I'm in California for the week visiting with my mom (!) and sister and relaxing. I hope that however you spend the holidays, you are having a great time with people you love.

Holiday Gift Guide and a Giveaway!

I thought I would do something a little different this year and make a little holiday gift guide of things that I am loving and/or coveting this season. It's not too late to pick up some last minute things for people on your list! To sweeten the post, I am hosting a giveaway to win one of these fabulous gifts! Scroll down for details.

1. Several cookbooks are on my "to-buy" list including The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, Keys to the Kitchen, and at the very top of the list is Jerusalem, A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, $19.85 on Amazon

2. I love rustic kitchens with a modern edge and this sign fits in to that aesthetic. It would be so cute over my little stove. "Eat" sign made with recycled farm steel by The Steel Fork on Etsy, $40

3. For leftover wine, these stoppers make an excellent stocking stuffer. vinostop "Peace" bottle stoppers on Spin Bucket, $9.95

4. I am feeling much love for my new home town. These necklaces are the perfect expression of pride for whatever city you live in.  City pride necklace on Brevity, $75-$95

5. If you're traveling during the holidays or just listen to a lot of a music, these headphones are a must. The sound quality is amazing, they have a microphone so you can use them on calls, and they are so sturdy, that I feel completely comfortable throwing them in a carry on and not worrying about them.  SOL Republic Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones, $129.99

6. Most of the time I take pictures with a 50mm lens, but it can be difficult in trying to get wide-angled shots of my city's skyline that I love so much. This 35mm lens allows for wider shots, while still being able to get great depth on tighter images. Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide-Angle Lens, $309 on Amazon

7. To know me is to know I love, love my nail polish. I've changed nail colors three times in the past week alone. I am a huge fan of the brand Essie and totally crazy about their Winter 2012 collection. I have already added Leading Lady, Beyond Cozy, and Where's My Chauffer to my ever-expanding collection of colors. These colors are perfect for holiday parties and will make great stocking stuffers for the polish fanatics in your life. Essie nail polish in Leading Lady, $8

8. Winter is almost here! I'm super excited for the snow, but having already experienced the wind chill, I know I need to be prepared. This scarf/shawl combo is great for those super blustery days.  The Chunky Cowl Scarf Shawl Hood by CT Handmade on Etsy, $34.95

9. Who doesn't love a thoughtful, homemade gift? Give the baker in your life something like homemade vanilla extract and they will think of you every time they make a delicious treat. Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe on Saveur

Now for the giveaway! One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win the SOL Republic Tracks HD Headphones in the color gray, as seen above. Since these are great for listening to music, the rules of the giveaway will be simple: Tell me your favorite holiday song (name of the song and artist). For additional entries, follow me on Twitter @dishingdelights and tweet me  your favorite holiday song or follow my Facebook page and leave a post with your favorite holiday song. Once you have done that, leave another comment to let me know you have done so. This contest is open to US residents only and you have until midnight CST on 12/29/12 to enter. This will be a nice post-holiday gift if you didn't get everything on your list. Good luck!

*Disclosure: I received a pair of SOL Republic headphones to review and another to give away. The opinions expressed are my own.

Peppermint Slutty Brownies

We've all seen them. I believe they originated on Kevin and Amanda under the name Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar (say that ten times fast). The Londoner coined them "Slutty Brownies" and they have been popping up around the web ever since. I got my first taste of these earlier this year at the Food Blogger Bake Sale and I have been waiting for a reason to make them. I try to stay away from box mixes so I wanted to do this version from scratch. For my holiday party with friends this past weekend,  it made sense to kick these up with some mint. These are a delight. The mint creams get a little melted in the cookie layer, but they definitely enhance the flavor of the candy cane Joe Joes. The gooey brownie layer is the perfect counterpart to the mint. I would like to think these were the hit of the party. These brownies are definitely rich so one pan will go a long way at a party.




One year ago: Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Two years ago: Little Ethiopia
Three years ago: Pumpkin Bread with a Cinnamon Cheesecake Layer
Four years ago: Almond Brittle


Peppermint "Slutty" Brownies
(Adapted from What's Gaby Cooking)

For the brownie layer:
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs at room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 package candy cane Joe Joes (or other chocolate-mint sandwich cookie)

For the cookie dough layer:
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
Scant 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup of chopped peppermint cream candies (it is easier to cut them while they are cold)

To make the brownie layer:
Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Turn off the heat. Whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder. Remove the pan from the burner and whisk in the eggs and vanilla until well-combined. Add the flour and whisk until it is fully incorporated. Set the brownie batter aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 pan with foil and leave an overhang so it is easy to lift the brownies out of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.

To make the cookie layer:
In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the egg and vanilla, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until well combined. Fold in the mint creams.

Press the cookie mixture into the prepared pan into an even layer. Top the cookie dough with the candy cane Joe Joes in a single layer. Top the cookies with the brownie batter and use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until a knife inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean. Let the cookies cool on a rack for 10 minutes before lifting out of the pan to cut and serve.

Printable Recipe

Dear Blog Friends

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

I've had a cheesecake craving for about three months, so a few weeks ago, I decided to give in and finally make some. I can be picky about cheesecake, but I was intrigued by fusing it with the flavors of a beloved cookie. One or two of these bars definitely satisfied my craving and I was able to give the rest to my insatiable friends at a post-Thanksgiving get together. The warm smell of cinnamon baking is a great way to get in the holiday mood. If that doesn't work, just have a mojito or two. It's not too late to add these to your menu of holiday baking and I guarantee your friends will love these bars just as much as mine did.


I made this recipe as found on the Tasty Kitchen blog here. Next time, I would reduce the cookie layer by half and also line the pan with foil to make for easier removal.

One year ago: Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Two years ago: Braised Short Ribs with Autumn Root Vegetable Puree
Three years ago: Garlic Soup with Shrimp
Four years ago: Shrimp with Chive Butter

Cranberry Mojitos

I spent the better part of the summer of 2002 perfecting my mojito making methods. In 2005 I graduated to rum and diet cokes during my nights out on the town, and then eventually cut rum out of my life except for the occasional mixed cocktail. I was recently sent a couple bottles of Shellback Rum so I decided to make something festive to try and get myself in the holiday spirit (see what I did there?). These mojitos are a little sweet, a little tart, and a lot of fun. The Shellback rum was surprisingly smooth which was nice with this particular cocktail. I found this recipe on We Are Not Martha. I reduced the amount of sugar in the simple syrup to 3/4 cup, but otherwise followed it exactly. You can find the original recipe here.

One year ago: Roasted Beet Salad with Wilted Greens, Herbed Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts
Two years ago: Crostini with Poached Pears, Gorgonzola, and Honey
Three years ago: Kale Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
Four years ago: Penne with Pesto, Mascarpone, and Bacon

Holiday Party Recipe Ideas

I can hardly believe that it is that time of year again. I have such a love-hate relationship with it. Of course, it is an honor to be invited to so many gatherings, but at the same time, all of the celebrating can get downright exhausting! Here is a list of simple recipes that can be made if you are like me and don't like showing up to parties empty-handed or if you are going to a potluck and want to bring a crowd-pleaser.

Persimmons have just come in to season and I could not be more excited. This simple appetizer of roasted persimmons wrapped in bacon is a simple combination of sweet, savory, and tart.



It's just hard to resist food wrapped in pork. I dare you to eat just one of these Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp.



A few years ago, it seemed like every food blogger in America was making Ina Garten's parmesan-thyme crackers. These savory shortbreads are perfect on their own, but would also be great with a spinach dip.



Spiced Candied Walnuts are great for a salad, but also make the perfect party snack.



Sweet potatoes are loaded with health benefits. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is roasted and topped with a creamy, herbed, goat cheese.



And for something sweet, why not this festive, and incredibly delicious, Blushing Pom Holiday Cheesecake. Tart pomegranate juice mixed with a smooth and creamy cheesecake makes a dessert that is impossible for your guests to resist.



However you celebrate the season, I wish you good times filled with family, friends, and of course great food. Cheers!

One year ago: Spiced Candied Walnuts
Two years ago: Great Los Angeles Walk 2010
Three years ago: Cannoli
Four years ago: Dumpling Noodle Soup

Edzo's Burger Shop - Chicago Dogs and Burgers

In my short time in Chicago, I have had some amazing meals at places like GT Fish and Oyster, Longman & Eagle, and most recently Balena, but I've also had equally great "low-end" meals at the various hot dog and burger stands all over the city. The proliferation of these stands all over the city have inspired me to start a new feature on this blog highlighting some of those better stands and the fare they sling.

First up is Edzo's Burger Shop. A couple of months ago, I randomly decided to spend a day in Evanston just to see what was there. Before a self-guided tour of the Northwestern campus, I visited Edzo's for a hefty lunch. Even on a weekday afternoon, the line was out the door, but the service is fast and efficient. I started with a locally-made Filbert's grape soda.



At Edzo's, you can order a smashed griddle burger or a thicker char burger. For this first visit, I went with a single griddle burger ($3.89 plus $.75 for cheese) topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and American cheese. The burger has been smashed on the grill  so it gets crispy edges. It's flavored well and comes with a lightly toasted bun that doesn't overwhelm the thin patty.



I figured that since I was already splurging with a burger, I could indulge further with truffle fries ($5.49). These hand cut fries are flavored with truffle salt and Parmesan cheese in every bite. The portion size is great for sharing.



By a happy accident, I was given garlic fries ($3.99). They were loaded with bits of garlic and full of flavor. Also worthy of sharing.



Edzo's is proof that an inexpensive meal does not have to be low quality. I appreciate their attention to detail and the energy the spend sourcing good ingredients. I'm definitely going to be visiitng again when their Lincoln Park location opens up.

Edzo's Burger Shop
1571 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-3396
Website