Allison Cafe

Seaside Picnic, Just Your Not So Average Tuesday

In this economy you often hear people talking about having to cut back. Most of us have cut back in one or more ways. But what my husband and I are finding is that cutting back on expenses does not have to mean cutting back on fun. There are plenty of terrific ways to stretch your dollar, and to get out and enjoy ourselves. This week we transformed what started out as an average Tuesday, into a romantic seaside escape.

It is easy to come home from work at the end of the day, watch TV, and slip into our same old routine. But today we packed our dinner into our picnic basket, and enjoyed the California sunset that was within a few minutes of our home. The weather report had called for clouds, and possibly rain this morning, so when I stepped outside at 2:00pm and saw a clear sky, and felt the warmth of the sun, I decided a picnic would be the perfect way to spend our Tuesday evening.

Picnics can be a great way to not only try new recipes, but also to use up leftovers. We decided to make good use of our chicken leftovers to create a gourmet chicken sandwich with roasted red bell peppers and arugula for our picnic. Not only were we able to make use of our grilled chicken leftovers from earlier in the week, we also saved ourselves time when preparing for the picnic by already having cooked the poultry. Picnics also are a great time to enjoy all of your favorite finger foods, like nuts and watermelon slices.

Our total preparation time for the picnic was about 30 minutes, maybe a little more if you count the fact that we had to pack toys and snacks for our dog too. So I guess it was technically a picnic for three. Our dog, Hayley, also found the picnic a great activity, she was able to roll around in the grass and watch squirrels; while we dined on gourmet sandwiches, risotto with peas and prosciutto, watermelon and a tasty Red, White and Blueberry dessert, which we assembled at the picnic site quite easily. We also enjoyed a fun summertime refreshment, Arnold Palmer beverages. Which are a mix of equal parts lemonade and iced tea.

A little side note on the menu for our picnic. We were not worried about the risotto staying warm while we journeyed to the picnic site. Risotto is actually a fun grain to work with. It can be eaten hot or cold. It can actually be substituted for sushi rice in a pinch when making your own sushi rolls. The key to planning for a easy and enjoyable picnic, is picking items for the menu that are easily served at the picnic site with little effort. You often may not have the space, or frankly the desire, to be cutting and preparing food once you are there.

I think our favorite part was after dinner, as we enjoyed the amazing sunset and relaxed there together in the warmth of the evening sun. As the sea spray touched our faces, we each took a deep breath and enjoyed the fresh air. And we didn’t miss the old routine, not even for a second. There is something about dining outdoors that is not only relaxing, but gives you an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the beauty of the nature that we live with.

Whatever the occasion for a picnic, and no matter the place, once you are there you will be glad you took the time to plan it. Click more for Picnic Tips and Recipes:

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Dry Powdered Soy Milk

At last, I have found it some where other than in my Amazon store!  I never would have thought that walking through Whole Foods in Hillcrest, San Diego would yield pure excitement as I walked down the soy milk aisle.  I wasn’t even looking for it, I was inadvertently walking down that aisle, when all of a sudden I saw it, Better Than Milk, dry powdered soy milk.  So of course I bought some and I am going to attempt the frosting from the Babycakes cookbook once again, hopefully with a better result in the consistency of the frosting this time equipped with the recommended ingredients!

Bellini on the Bay

Last weekend we journeyed to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.  Thanks to Lindsay, we had a great time exploring San Francisco and the Tahoe area.  We dined on fresh seafood at sunset along the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, had a picnic in lunch in cloudy, but beautiful, Pacifica; and enjoyed an amazing view of the city from Sausalito while sipping on yummy cocktails.

We also made our way from the city to Lake Tahoe for Megan and Eric’s wedding.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful.  We witnessed their vows and celebrated their wedding against the backdrop of the beautiful lake and mountains of South Lake Tahoe.  The wedding had such a calm and serene energy to it, at one point during the reception as we sat underneath the trees, I could feel the warmth of the sun on my shoulders as I looked around at all the smiling faces and I thought, wow, what an amazing setting for a wedding.  My favorite thing about weddings, besides the cake, is how different every wedding is.  Each wedding is such a fun way to experience that couple, and their families.  Love was definitely in the air in Tahoe.

We also were able to see more of Lake Tahoe the next day, and even took in a short hike on our way home.  We were really impressed with the variety of things to do in the summertime Lake Tahoe, everything from hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking along the lake, boating and even gambling at the casinos.  With so many options and so little time, we only were able to enjoy the stunning views, and fresh air on this trip; but it got us thinking about a return trip, especially in the wintertime for the excellent skiing options.

Now we are home, sorting through all the fantastic photos and returning to life as usual, but I can still remember the smell of the fresh mountain air, and the taste of champagne.  Congratulations Megan and Eric, we were to thrilled to be a part of your amazing day.  And thank you to Lindsay for our tour of San Francisco and Lake Tahoe! (more…)

Hi everybody! I just wanted to take a quick moment to draw your attention to a few new additions to Allison Cafe. You may have happened to notice the shopping tab on the top of the site, or the links in the right hand column.  We have added a few fun shopping features from ShopStyle.com and Amazon.com.

When you click through from Allison Cafe to either of these shopping sites and make a purchase, I receive a commission.  And the best part for you?  There is no markup!  That’s what I call a win-win!

So in need of a new book or perhaps some unique finds from Anthropologie or your other brand?  Why not click through from my site to quickly find them and we both win!  If you don’t see something that you are seeking, let me know and I’ll do my best to add it in the store for you, just leave me a comment on this post. Thanks guys and happy shopping!

A Perfect Friday Sushi Date Night

It isn’t always easy to plan meals for the week, life often interferes and even though we may start out with a plan, somehow the plan always changes.  But one night of the week is an newly honored tradition in our newlywed home, sushi date night.  Friday nights are a a great excuse for takeout and a movie.  Tired from the week and eager just to relax with each other at home, there is no better plan.

Spicy Tuna topped with Tuna and Avocado

However, we recently rediscovered the art of making sushi at home.  Not only are we saving a few dollars by making it ourselves, we are having fun rolling sushi together.  And to see the finished product is a huge sense of accomplishment.  I have to insert a special thank you here to our sister Lindsay, who taught us how to make our own sushi, thanks Linds!!

To make the meal complete, we set the mood with candlelight, pour 2 glasses of white wine and enjoy some edamame as an accompaniment to the sushi.  Making sushi at home has proven to be a fun adventure that we conquered together, and was surprisingly easy, fun and relaxing.  Interested in rolling your own sushi?  Stay tuned, next time I plan to take better step by step photos to share. Visit my Amazon store here for sushi cookbooks.

Side note:  This week’s movie was The Reader, staring the Academy Award Winning Best Actress, Kate Winslet.  I’m still thinking about the characters in that movie, it was a great Netflix pick.

I am one of those people that could eat breakfast foods for any meal of the day. I am a huge fan of pancakes and waffles, and they are always such a treat when we decide to make them at home. Until recently though, I had always thought of waffles as a unhealthy start to my day. That’s because the recipes that I was using called for all-purpose flour, lots of butter, and sugar. And sometimes when I was really bad, chocolate chips too, yum! Upon reading about the health benefits of whole wheat flour, oat bran and flaxseed meal, I decided to work them into my standard waffle recipe. The result? A hearty and healthy treat. Especially when paired with fresh fruits, such as bananas and blueberries. I made the waffles just this past week, which made for a very exciting and healthy Wednesday morning breakfast to start my workday. Buon Apetite!

Healthy and Delicious

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A Delicious New Creation

It’s been awhile since I shared a new smoothie recipe.  Today I decided to try a new concoction of mango, strawberry, blueberry and banana.  Mangoes are rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins C, D and E, and more; making it a “superfruit”.  The berries and banana also are rich in important vitamins and antioxidants. Even with the healthy fruit already in the blender, I didn’t stop there. I also tossed in Yo-Plus yogurt and wheat germ to add extra nutrition to the smoothie.

Wheat germ contains protein from the wheat berry, iron, folic acid and over 20 other valuable nutrients, such as potassium and vitamin E.  And don’t worry, the term “germ” doesn’t refer to anything gross, it refers to the process of germination of the wheat.  Athletes often use wheat germ to maintain cardiovascular function and improve endurance levels.

The new blend tasted creamy and had just the right amount of sweetness.  I don’t often use mango in smoothies, but I had bought a large container of already sliced mangoes from Costco a couple weeks ago, and froze half of the container.  Frozen fruit makes all the difference in a smoothie’s texture. You can get more of a milkshake like consistency, without having to add ice.  Here is the new recipe, enjoy! (more…)

Healthy Karpouzi (Watermelon) In Liquid Form

The first day of summer is less than 2 weeks away, but the sun is shining in Southern California and it feels like summer is already here.  There is something about a fruity cocktail, enjoyed outside on a summer evening that brings back memories of tropical vacations and good times with friends.

With the economy the way that is is these days, we have started a new tradition with some of our friends, happy hour at home.  Last week we ventured over to a friend’s house and sat outside and enjoyed a new cocktail, a spiked watermelon lemonade.  Each of us brought an appetizer to share.  It got us thinking that unemployed or not, this was a great way to spend any evening.  It was so much more relaxing than any bar, and we ate some delicious homemade foods and enjoyed tasty beverages.  Responsibly of course.  I guess now that we are in our thirties, we don’t feel the need to hit the bar scene every weekend, but we do still want to get out and enjoy time with friends.  Happy hour at home is a great way to do just that.

Below is the recipe for Watermelon Lemonade, adapted from the California Sol Food Casual Cooking from the Junior League of San Diego. Cheers! Yamas! (more…)

This is my second attempt at making the healthy chocolate chip cookies from the newly released Babycakes cookbook. And I even though the first batch got rave reviews from my husband and his co-workers, I think this second batch turned out even better. Since Erin’s recipes in the cookbook have evolved from years of perfection, I followed the recipe EXACTLY last time. I learned my lesson when I didn’t read the recipe completely before making the cupcakes. Feeling a little more confident this time, I made some variations and they turned out scrumptious. Since I don’t have a gluten-free diet, I wanted to incorporate the whole wheat flour this time. And I also tried adding some shredded coconut as well. Yum! Once you try these, you won’t want to make the traditional version of chocolate chip cookies ever again!

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Recently I attended the book signing for Babycakes, a vegan and mostly gluten free baking cookbook by Erin McKenna. Enticed by the prospect of enjoying sweets with natural sweeteners and healthy ingredients, I made my first of several trips to Henry’s Market, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. As I walked the aisles seeking new ingredients, such as garbanzo-fava bean flour and coconut oil, I felt like I was entering a whole new world. I had never even thought to use these items in my baking before. Fortunately, I myself do not have any food allergies, that I know if anyway, that have forced me to experiment with gluten free baking. However, after learning about the many health benefits of coconut oil, flaxmeal, soy and natural sweeteners like agave nectar and evaporated cane juice, I was inspired to take my love for sweets to a healthier, and hopefully tastier, level.

I decided to start off by (more…)