Spiced Roasted Halibut with Fennel & Onion

I thought it would be nice to post a fairly quick and easy fancy dish since Valentines' Day is quickly approaching! This meal is sure to get a win from your beau, and it can be made in under an hour! I also have the perfect shortbread cookies EVER coming up in a couple of days.

Spiced Roasted Halibut with Fennel & Onion
Source: Weeknight Fresh + Fast by Kristine Kidd
Serves 2 (can be doubled)

Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 large red onion, halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise through the root end into 1/2-inch wedges
3 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Halibut Filets (about 6 oz each) SS: I used a 4 oz filet, and I was still full with the veggies and rice.
Chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 450 F (230 C). In a small bowl, combine the cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, and turmeric. Combine the fennel and onion wedges in a 10-by-14-inch metal baking pan. Add 2 tablespoons for the oil to the vegetables and toss to coat. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the spice mixture and toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread the vegetables in a single layer. Roast the vegetables until tender and browned, turning once, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, brush a small baking pan with oil. Brush the fish filets with oil on both sides, sprinkle lightly on both sides with the spice mixture, and salt and pepper. Roast until the fish is almost firm to the touch, 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filet.
• Transfer the fish and vegetables to warmed plates, garnish with cilantro, and serve right away.

I served this dish with basmati rice, however couscous or jasmine rice will accompany this dish equally well. I also had a male friend taste-test this one, he gave the dish two thumbs way, way up!

Lunch: Mozzarella, Mushroom & Greens Sandwich

It's so hard figuring out what to pack for lunch as a pescatarian who mostly eats like a vegetarian. I somewhat created this recipe, but I got the idea from a sandwich that I had at a wonderful little restaurant in Wayne, Pa called Gryphon Cafe. Although the sandwich requires you to saute some mushrooms, it is actually best served cold, which is perfect considering that this is a lunch dish!

Mozzarella, Mushroom & Green Sandwich
Serves 1

Ingredients
2 slices good bread *I opted for a ciabatta or tuscan bread, something soft with a nice crust
2 slices fresh mozzarella *I strongly encourage you to buy fresh mozzarella! The shredded stuff won't have the same flavor. It comes packaged in plastic, and is sold by weight.
Salad of your choice *Arugula adds wonderful bite, definitely go with a green leaf
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Dijon Mustard
Portebella Mushrooms, sliced *I used one big bella!
Tomatoes, sliced (for those who like them)
EVOO

Directions

1. The day ahead, saute the mushrooms in EVOO over medium heat. Put aside in the fridge to cool overnight.
2. To make the sandwich, spread the mustard on both slices of the bread. Next, layer with mozzarella, and mushrooms, then the salad, drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad - about 1 teaspoon. Top off the sandwich with the second slice of bread!

I ate this sandwich with roasted almonds, or with this leftover pasta. Quick & delish! Happy Friday everyone!

Heat Styling on My Own

This past weekend, I straightened my hair. This was the first time I heat-styled my hair myself. The process was long and tedious, however I was more confident in my styling abilities after watching plenty of other kinky naturals do this. KKQ, in particular was my recent motivation for this style. She has gorgeous kinks and opts to straighten her hair herself on occasion. My method for straightening followed my typical wash routine with some additions.

1. Pre-treat scalp with Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew - to combat my dry scalp.
2. Pre-poo/deep condition hair with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner, sit for 15 minutes.
3. Wash hair with Desert Essence Organics Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo. It's a new one I'm trying because Loo likes it.
4. Condition and detangle, with wide-tooth comb and Denman. I keep forgetting to buy conditioner, so I just used some old conditioner I had by Nature's Gate.
5. Section hair in to 10 sections and twisted each section.
6. Spray each section with Aveda Brilliant Damage Control as a heat protectant.
7. Blow-dry each section with Hot Tools blow dryer using comb-attachment on High Heat. It's not a super-powerful blow-dryer, so I'm sure high heat is still within the "safe" range.
8. Apply quarter-size amount of Grapeseed Oil to blow-dried hair.
9. Flat-iron hair in small sections with FHI Flat Iron on 300 F. Click here if you want to know why I chose 300 F.
10. Snip split ends with shears. (I cut about 1/4" - 1/2" in some places)
11. Twist each section of hair and bantu knot it. That's how I got the curls that you saw in this post.

*All products were purchased by me at Whole Foods with the exception of the Aveda product that I purchased from an Aveda store. The entire process took me about 4 hours. I straightened my hair on Friday (1/21), and I have worn a series of french braids and buns for the past week. Here are some pictures of my hair "out" from Wednesday

My hair has reverted some, but I don't care - I like the texture, and I normally have it all pinned up. To end this post, I will share my personal feelings on heat styling and being natural, because I know it's a touchy topic in the natural hair community.

My personal opinion on heat styling natural hair:
Heat styling is not the devil, and it does not have to ruin your kinks. I was natural for 14 years before I got my first relaxer. I would get my hair straightened quarterly as a young girl, and monthly as a pre-teen. I never experienced heat damage then. There are "safe" temperatures to heat style natural hair, and as long as those temperatures are used, hair should not suffer from heat damage. Check out Jc's post here covering "How Hot is Too Hot"? I used that post as a guide for the temperature setting on the flat iron.

In saying all of the above, I do know there is a lot of added strain that accompanies heat styling - that's a lot of pulling on my tresses!!! Thus, while I do think heat styling is a lovely change, I will use this technique in moderation, and I will administer all heat styling myself. This was the most gentle experience my hair has ever had with heat, and since length is still a goal, I think it's wise to leave the heat styling to me during cool-weather months.

To see previous straight hair looks, check out the links below:
July 2010 Straight Hair
September 2009 Straight Hair

Linguine with Spinach and Peas

I've been on a quick dinner cooking run for the past couple of weeks. I even have a couple of fancy dishes up my sleeves that can still be made in under one hour. This is a great dish for anyone on the go. It's tasty, affordable and very quick and easy. Don't let the multiple steps fool you, I whipped this dish up in less than 20 minutes! This can easily be served with grilled chicken or lean beef for the meat lovers.

Linguine with Spinach and Peas from Get Cooking by Mollie Katzen
Serves 4

Ingredients
Salt for the pasta water
About 1/2 bag (about 5 ounces) fresh baby spinach leaves
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 good-sized cloves)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 pound linguine *I used 1 pound
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 10-oz package frozen peas, defrosted and at room temperature
1/2 cup pine nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Put a large pot of cold water to boil over high heat, and add a tablespoon of salt. Place a large colander in the sink.
2. While the water is coming to a boil, tear the spinach into large bite-sized pieces (this pretty much means just tearing the leaves in half, since they're already small) and drop them into a large bowl. Pour the olive oil over the spinach, then sprinkle int he garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Use tongs or a long-handled fork to mix, and set aside.
3. When the water boils, add the linguine, keeping the heat high. Cook for the amount of time recommended on the package, tasting the past toward the end of the suggested time to be sure it is not getting overcooked. When the linguine is just tender enough to bite into comfortably but not yet mushy, dump the water-plus pasta into the colander. Shake to mostly drain (it's ok to leave some water clinging). Then transfer the past to the bowl containing the spinach mixture, mixing it in with the tongs or the fork until all the past is coated with olive oil. The spinach will wilt on contact with the hot pasta.
4. Immediately sprinkle in the Parmesan and toss well, so the cheese gets evenly distributed and melts nicely. Add the peas, and nuts mixing them in very gently so you don't break them.
5. Serve hot, warm or at room temperatures, passing extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes for people to add at the table.

Nueva York Part 2

Top - J. Crew; Skirt - Anthro; Tights - Hue; Shoes - Steve Madden; Earrings - Anthro; Lips - MAC, Satin

Date: Saturday, January 22, 2010

Welcome to part 2 of my trip to Nueva York! So, it's still the same day, but it's night time now. Lindsay and I had a brief photo shoot before and after the party. We're vain and we are not ashamed - jk!!! The original "event" that brought me to NY was a former co-worker/friend's birthday party, and since my bestie lives there now, I have NO EXCUSE to not go to NY.


Linds accompanied me to the bday dinner. We ate Spanish tapas at Macondo in The Village. We took the A to the F, and had very little outdoor walking to do. I love New York's subway system, it's amazing! I was able to wear my heels, throughout the night, and I didn't fall! Sorry that the shoes aren't pictured, but I've worn them a ton of times - they were in my 30 for 30. Overall, it was great to get out of the house, and re-connect with friends. I had a blast!


One comment I will make regarding party dinners as a fairly new pescatarian is this: It's hard to eat at dinner parties as a pescatarian when everyone is sharing plates. *Lindsay is also a pescatarian, AND she has a nut allergy, so it's even tougher for her.* She actually could eat about 3 of the 10 offered plates, while I ate 5 of the 10 offered plates. In the end, the bill is still split evenly, when you only ate half of the options. :( In the future, I think I will just order a separate dish in the beginning that I know I can and will eat, and be full. That is all.

Nueva York Part 1

 Top - Urban; Blazer - Banana; Tights - Hue; Boots - Second hand, Urban; Necklace - Etsy; Earrings - Mango; Lips - MAC, Satin

Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011

I had a wonderful weekend in NY. I arrived around 6 pm on Saturday via the Bolt Bus, and left at 8:30 the next morning. I still had work to do this weekend, so it was more of a "drive-by trip." Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time!!! This outfit shows my "commuter look", part 2 will show what I wore later in the evening. Once I arrived, I hung out with my friend Lindsay, and hung out with her friends in Washington Heights. Most of the time was spent on the subway since it's quite a trek from Washington Heights to the village, however I got to catch up with my bestie, which was AWESOME!!!

PS - Do you notice something different about my hair? It's straight!!! Temporarily of course. I washed, conditioned and styled it MYSELF on Friday. I'll have a separate post with all of the fun details later in the week.

Short(er) Hair Styles

I realized this: lots of snow means no outfit pics, which means my "blog life" is difficult because I have to get creative with my posts ;-). Yesterday, while contemplating locking my hair looking through some old pictures, I came across these lovelies from June/July 2009 that never* made it to the blog. *Pic number 1 did make an appearance, but I'd bet money that most of you hadn't seen it!

Both the headband and clips are from Anthro. Although the headband is gone, Anthro always has some funky clips and other accessories for hair.

I think both styles are super cute and sassy. I was a devoted two-strand twister when I first combed out my locs. This was the only style I knew. I always created my twists on wet hair, so shrinkage was maximized. This reminds me what hair accessories can do for a style. Just thought I'd post this for those out there who might have shorter hair.

Here's to a wonderful weekend. I'm excited about it, I'm visiting several friends in NY. AND...I WILL take some pics while I'm there! I already have my outfit planned and it's going to be HOT, I didn't even feel the need to shop to put a nice look together! I also may have some hair surprises in the pics...either way - check for pics on Monday!!!