Category Archives: Blog

A little Valentine’s Rubdown for you!

We’re sharing a special valentine’s day treat this year.  Our Chipotle Mocha Rub will add a little something special to your adventures in the kitchen.  Coffee and chocolate mingle with cinnamon, chipotle and cumin in this subtly spicy and slightly sweet blend.  No funky preservatives, sweeteners, or salt have been added, so rest assured that all you’re getting here is FLAVOR!  Try it out as a rub on your favorite chicken, beef or pork dishes. Vegetarians will love this tossed with wedges of sweet potato and then roasted to perfection.

Our 2 favorite ways to use this blend are listed below.  Enjoy!

// Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Mocha Rub //

  1. Start with 1 lb of chicken wings (tips removed).  Thoroughly dry the wings using a paper towel, and place in a large bowl. Season generously with salt.
  2. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the Chipotle Mocha Rub, and drizzle with olive oil.  Use your hands to rub the spices in to the chicken pieces, being sure they are evenly coated with oil and spices.
  3. Place a baking rack on top of a foil lined baking sheet.  Put the wings directly onto the rack in a single layer.  (We like to start them with the thickest part of the skin facing up.)
  4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, then flip and bake another 10 minutes.
  5. For the final step, flip the pieces one more time, and then broil on LOW for 10 minutes or until crispy.  Let cool slightly before serving.

// Chipotle Mocha Seared Steaks //

  1. Heat a medium or large skillet over high heat. (This is a great use for a cast iron skillet if you have one…or try it on your outdoor grill!)
  2. Pat your steak dry with a paper towel.  Season both sides of steak with salt & pepper and the Chipotle Mocha Rub.  (We use about 1 tablespoon of rub for each 1/2 pound of steak.)   Pat the spices into the steak and then drizzle with a little olive oil. Give the steak a final rub to evenly coat with the oil and spices.
  3. When the skillet is hot, cook the steak 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. You should see a nice crust on both sides. Transfer to cutting board, tent with foil, and rest at least 5-10 minutes before slicing and enjoying!

Pop-Up Holiday Boutique

We are excited to be playing hostess for a special holiday pop-up!  Come shop a curated group including some of our favorite local vendors.  Enjoy sips & snacks and a gift for the first 30 shoppers.

The event is December 8th (6-8pm), and will be held at a private residence in Seal Beach.  Fill out the contact form below if you are interested in joining and we will provide you with the address.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Pop-Up Holiday Boutique

 

Peanut Sauce // The dip of all dips!

By popular demand, we’re sharing our in house peanut sauce recipe.  If you can resist simply eating it by the spoonful, we suggest serving this as a dipping sauce for homemade spring rolls, or as a great way to switch up your usual veggie and dip routine.   It makes a great dressing for a chilled noodle salad, and goes great with chicken, beef, pork or (especially) shrimp.

This is one of those recipes with a fairly long list of ingredients, and for that…we apologize in advance, but assure you that it’s totally worth the work. Skip to the end of this post if you’re looking for a shortcut version.

Spoon & Skillet Peanut Sauce (makes approx 3/4 cup)

1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp coconut oil
1/8 tsp five-spice powder
2 tbsp red miso
2 tbsp honey (we like wildflower honey, but any variety will work)
1 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup organic peanut butter, creamy
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp lime juice
1 1/2 tsp tamari

Saute garlic and five-spice in the coconut oil over med-low heat.   Add miso, honey, rice vinegar and simmer until slightly thickened, then remove from heat. When cool, stir in remaining ingredients, adding more water if needed.

chicken spring rolls / roasted carrots / edamame with wild ginger salt

Substitutions & Modifications:

  • This recipe can be made using any nut butter in place of peanut butter.  So whether you are accommodating and allergy, or just don’t happen to have it on hand, don’t be afraid to experiment.
  • If you can’t find five spice powder at your local grocery store – just omit it this time.  Or instead, add a tiny pinch of ground cloves and/or cinnamon if you happen to have those on hand.
  • Our from-scratch-recipe avoids preservatives, processed ingredients and refined sugar, but if you’re looking for the ultimate short cut (or this list of ingredients makes you feel overwhelmed) simply purchase a jar of hoisin sauce, mix with equal parts of peanut butter, and thin with water as needed.

 

Feasts from the Heart

The Ronald McDonald house serves as a home away from home for families of critically-ill children.  A place to sleep, to eat, to shower, and to seek comfort during a difficult time.

NEW_RMHC_LOGO_ColorWe’ve had the pleasure of volunteering at the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House as part of their Feasts from the Heart Program, and we’d love to share this experience with our clients and followers on social media.  Join us as we prepare and serve a meal to the families at the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House. Our team will plan the menu and provide ingredients, and as volunteers you’ll cook and serve a home-style meal onsite at the RMDH.

Fill out the form below and let us know if there are typically good days/times for you.  The calendar books out weeks or even months in advance, so it’s important that we can be flexible with our time. Thank you – and we look forward to cooking together!

Rosemary Chickpea Patties Recipe

One of our favorite recipes from Week 3 of our 28-Day Refresh program is Rosemary Chickpea Patties.  Paired with Lemon-Roasted Tomatoes and a simple arugula salad, this meal is versatile enough to be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Rosemary Chickpea Patties.  Lemon-Roasted Tomatoes.  Arugula Salad

Download the recipe HERE.

Planks + Pushups with TDM Newport Beach

The truth is….I eat pretty well most of the time (it’s an obvious perk of running this business).  So while the 28-Day Refresh has been great, it’s nice to challenge myself beyond my comfort zone.  This month I set a personal goal to shake up my exercise routine.  Long hours in the kitchen, days spent sitting at a desk, and the stress of being BUSY-BUSY-BUSY can all take their toll.

Dailey Method ClassMegan and I took a class at the Dailey Method in Newport Beach last weekend.  We love the location (right near Fashion Island) because it’s close to our kitchen — and the view of the ocean out the window doesn’t hurt either!  We asked Taryn Fishermann, owner of TDM Newport Beach for a few tips for keeping our bodies strong on the days we cant make it to the gym or a class.  Check out her video and learn about keeping yourself in proper form doing planks and pushups at home…and then drop and give me 20!

Planks + Pushups from Taryn Fischermann on Vimeo.

Turkey-Stuffed Portobellos Recipe

Week 1 of our 28-Day Refresh is in full swing.  If you’re looking for some healthy recipe inspiration, try our Turkey-Stuffed Portobellos.  Topped with a refreshing tomato-basil checca, this one is sure to please!

turkey stuffed portobello with tomato checca / sautéed green beans / simple salad

Download the recipe HERE.

If you’re looking for more healthy recipe inspiration, it’s not too late to join our program.  Click to learn more, and enter your email to join our 28-Day Refresh mailing list.

Fresh Start 2015

Spoon & Skillet 28-Day RefreshFrom time-to-time we all tend to forget about what our bodies are truly nourished by.   Whether we’ve been distracted by a hectic schedule, an indulgent vacation, or a busy holiday season, a simple program for getting back on track is in order.

Back by popular demand…the Spoon & Skillet 28-Day Refresh — a FREE program designed to help you learn how to customize your diet and feel your best.  4 weeks of mindful eating give you the chance to reconnect to your food, your body, and your mind. Learn what your body thrives on (and what it doesn’t!).

The 28-Day Refresh isn’t a crash diet or a weight loss plan — it’s a path to refocusing on what nourishes you.  We start with emphasizing fresh, whole foods, avoiding processed items, and eliminating common food allergies and toxins.   You’ll then reintroduce them slowly, taking care to watch how your body reacts.   This gives you a chance to connect with how each food makes you feel. Every body is different, so why should we all adhere to the same nutritional guidelines?  This program will help YOU determine what’s best for YOU.  Here’s how it works:

Week 1: Eliminate grains, dairy, legumes, alcohol, and refined sugar
Week 2: Reintroduce gluten-free grains
Week 3: Reintroduce legumes
Week 4: Reintroduce dairy

You may be wondering, what can I eat?  Well, plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables, meat & seafood, eggs, nuts, GUACAMOLE!!  If that’s still not convincing you, then just remember it’s only a month and our team is here to help.  Each week we’ll provide you with recipes, and clean eating tips to keep you on track.

Customers will receive “Refresh-friendly” meal kits to provide nutritional variety and help make the process easier.  If you haven’t signed up for the Spoon & Skillet meal delivery service it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of our introductory offer, or simply follow along using the recipes and tips provided.

 

To sign-up for the 28-Day Refresh simply fill out the form below.  As always, thank you for your continued support of our business, and please let us know if you have any questions!

 

Gift Certificates Now Available

Spoon & Skillet Gift Certificates

We’ve got plenty of gift certificates available for your holiday needs.  These make a great gift now {or any time of the year} for newlyweds, new parents, or someone just getting interested in cooking.  Our gift certificates start at $100 which will provide the lucky recipient with 2 weeks of Spoon & Skillet meal delivery service (2 family-style dinners each week, each feeding 2 people).

Feeling REALLY generous?  Gift Certificates can be customized for any amount you choose…so don’t be shy…tell us what we can do for you!

3 Energizing Yoga Poses

Before anything else…CONGRATULATIONS! You’re almost done with the 28-Day Refresh! And we are hoping that you’ve noticed some differences. It’s great when your clothes start to feel a little looser, but where I noticed the biggest change was in my energy levels – they got a huge bump! To celebrate that, here are 3 energizing yoga poses that you can channel that energy into, and maybe boost it even more. Or if you’re looking for a full sequence of poses to flow through, check out this video from yogi Jason Crandell.

Utkatasana (Chair Pose)

Description: Beginning from standing with feet together, bend deeply into knees and reach arms upward. Squeeze thighs together and shift your weight to your heels so that you can just see your toes. Reach your tail bone down and activate your lower abdominals to straighten out your lower spine, and pull your heart up.
Benefits:
* Stretches the chest and shoulders
* Strengthens the legs, back, and ankles
* Stimulates the heart and diaphragm
* Reduces flat feet
Link: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/chair-pose/

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)

Description: Beginning on all fours, place the hands under the shoulders and knees under the hips, Curl the toes down under and lift the hips towards the sky as the legs straighten. Encourage your heels to come down to the earth, pressing firmly into the palms. Reach the tail bone up to the sky, and press your chest towards your thighs. Engage your triceps and work on spinning your upper arms in towards your face.
Benefits:
* Strengthens the legs and arms
* Improves digestion
* Stretches the hamstrings, calves, and shoulders
* Helps relieve headaches, insomnia, back pain, fatigue, and the symptoms of menopause
* Energizes the body
* Calms the mind while relieving mild depression and stress
* Therapeutis for asthma, flat feet, sciatica, high blood pressure, and sinusitis
Link: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/downward-facing-dog/

Vrksasana (Tree Pose)

Description: From standing, find a spot 5-6 feet in front of you that’s not moving to focus your gaze, and place the right foot so that the right heel rests on the left ankle (like a kick stand). Press the ball of the right foot into the floor, and externally rotate your knee to the right. To take it a step further, raise the right foot to the calf, pressing the foot into the calf, calf into the foot. To take it even deeper, take your right foot up to your left inner thigh, using your hands to help you get it there. Press the foot firmly into the thigh, and the thigh into the foot. In any of these 3 variations, keep the hip of your standing leg activated, pulling it in and up, and extend your spine up. Root your standing foot into the ground, spreading your toes wide, while you focus on opening your right knee out further. Keep your hands palms together at heart center, or raise them up to the sky, with your gaze following. Take a few breaths, then release your foot down and switch sides.
Benefits:
* Strengthens and tones the muscles of the legs, spine, arms, and abdominals
* Improves a sense of balance
* Improves concentration
* Relieves sciatica
Link: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/tree-pose/