Rocket Bean Pasta

So apparently in other parts of the world, arugula is called rocket. Not sure where that came from but it sure is easier to say (and spell) than arugula. Anyway. I had a ton of it it was growing pretty giant in my garden. So I needed something quick to put it in. Most recipes I found involved pasta. But with a boyfriend on a high protein diet, it needed to have something else. This recipe actually fit the bill. And surprisingly, he was okay with how much pasta there actually was. 

Citrus Mint Tea

I live in California's central valley, where, contrary to commonly held perceptions about California, temperatures in the summer soar over 100 degrees, and drop to below freezing in the winter.  Where I live, the closest thing to a beach is a river, and unless you're in that river, being outside in the summer is pretty miserable.  This makes tending the garden pretty difficult at times.  My boyfriend, a San Diego native, hates anything above 80 degrees.  So when temperatures were already at 70 degrees at 9am this morning, he decided we needed to be prepared for the rest of the day.  Enter the second most refreshing drink I've ever had (first place is held by ice water with cucumber slices in it).

The Fanciest Turkey Burger I've Ever Had

Last month, I went to visit my sister who is currently doing a study abroad program in Paris.  Since it was her spring break, and since I've already been to Paris, we decided to meet up in London and explore the British Isles.  While in London, we visited the Borough Market for lunch.  Besides the usual produce for sale, a few vendors were cooking up food for the local lunch crowd.  This is a recreation of a delicious chicken burger we had.  I was quite impressed by the simple yet flavor-packet street food London has to offer.

The Rules about Pasta

Italy is very much about tradition and protocol.  Most people find that odd considering the very laid back Italian lifestyle.  But they are pretty strict on this!

Sopes

In the words of my boyfriend: "why does fried corn taste so good?!" Sopes are no exception. They're a little more complicated to make but much more fun.

Mexican Kitchen Staples

To make sure your endeavors in Mexican cooking go as smoothly as possible, there are a few things you should have in your kitchen. I was fortunate enough that my mom made sure I had all these (except one which is hard to find) before I moved into my house.

Picadillo

A little known Mexican dish that is oh so yummy. This is the recipe my paternal grandma taught me. I've found other versions in cookbooks but they have way more ingredients that don't make sense to me (Cooking sherry? Really?). But this is so simple and delicious you don't need any of that mumbo jumbo.