My own FLAVOR of the WEEK - Mediterranean Pizza

WHAT: Mediterranean Pizza

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On a round pizza pan place
1. Pita bread or Lavash (I personally like the latter because it's cracker thin)
2. Spread Tomato sauce
3. Put on Toppings (any of your choice, but these are ingredients I like)
- mushrooms
- sausage
- onion
- cheese (mozzarella or goat)
- tomato
- spinach
4. Finish Herbs and spices
- Thyme
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- Basil
- Crushed Red Peppers
- Oregano
5. Place pizza in the oven for 7 minutes.

Voila! Yumtastic, simple, and easy! My favorite kind of food! :)

My own FLAVOR of the WEEK - Teriyaki Noodle-Veggie Stir-fry

I made this up using ingredients I found in my kitchen that had no place to call my stomach for a home. Together these ingredients are healthy and delicious, so much better eaten together than solo. They like to hold each others' hands and dance with each other to our mouths, happy to be among friends.

I made this for Amy this week at lunch, and she was so excited to have extra to keep for dinner.

Rochelle's Teriyaki Noodle-Veggie Stir-fry

Time: 15 mins.
Servings: Makes 3-4 servings

1. In a large pot bowl 2 quarts water
Add one bunch SOBA NOODLES when boiling (I use Hime brand)
Cook for 4 minutes.
Drain.

2. While that is boiling, heat 2 tbs OLIVE OIL in pan on med-high heat.
Add 1 WHOLE ONION, chopped - let wilt slightly, 2 minutes
Add 2 cups large eggplant, chopped
Add 1/2 cup WATER and 1 tbs SALT, stir - let simmer 3 minutes
Add 1 or 2 TOMATOES, chopped
Add 3 cups SPINACH - stir till spinach wilts

3. Add noodles to pan - stir.

4. For sauce, add to pan:
1/2 cup SOY SAUCE
1/4 cup SUGAR (I like to use brown sugar)
3 tbs SESAME OIL

5. Stir and serve!

Enjoy!
:) Ro

My own FLAVOR of the WEEK - Guacamole

Deane and I love guacamole. It's one of those foods we love and cherish equally, and one which promotes our happiness, or so I believe. We often argue about whose guac is better, challenging each other to a "Guac Off!" He likes to puree all the ingredients in his CuisineArt, making it thin and almost to the consistency of a bisque. I like to do EVERYTHING BY HAND! Mine is thick and has the consistency of a thick and creamy clam chowder.

Lately people have been asking me how I make my guacamole. I will share this simple recipe with you, so long as you promise me you'll make EVERYTHING BY HAND!

Rochelle's Heavenly (Holy) Guacamole!

1. Mix all of these in a bowl:
- 2 large ripe Avocados, shell removed (I usually use Hass avocados and keep seeds with avocados)
- 1 large Tomato, finely chopped (I usually use Roma because they're cheaper than Vine)
- 1/2 large Onion, finely chopped
- 1 large Lemon (remove the seeds first)
- 2 small Limes (optional)
- 2 tbs Cilantro (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste

2. With a spoon, mix all the ingredients together, making sure you scrape all the avocado off of its seed. After a couple minutes you'll get the consistency you want, which is thick, but juicy.

3. Eat with your favorite chips.

Note: Lasts up to three days in the fridge. The lemon/lime and the avocado seeds help to keep it from browning too fast.

Enjoy!
:)Ro

REVIEW on WEEK 3

Monday
- Jewelry, Writing, Drawing on Cintiq

Tuesday
- Doctor
- Lunch with Eun-ji and Jessica
- Errands - Mindfulnest, Target, Macy's and Yogurtland (yogurt is an errand MUST!)
- First class for Int. Playwriting at UCLA Ext.

Wednesday
- Jewelry, Photography, Drawing






Thursday
- Downtown Artwalk - so much great art!, inquired about a booth for next month
- Ate at Blossom, Vietnamese Pho eggroll and pho

Friday
- wrote 2 plays - a short, and a shorter short
- Rome: Season 2

Saturday
- Brunch with Meredith at Griddle Cafe
- Dinner with mom and Mehu at Pho - shopping

Sunday
- Errands at mom's



- SUPPER CLUB MEAL:
Main Course: Beef Stroganoff was a different recipe from the one I'm used to - the one my grandma Elsie would always make for us as kids, which I believe she followed the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Hers is more creamy and thick. Perhaps she used more sour cream. Mine was almost soupy and the rice soaked it up so it was nice. Plus, the hint of dijon mustard gave it a slight tangy taste. Yum! Even Deane ate it, though I didn't tell him I used the mustard or the sour cream, fearing that he would reject it before he even tried it. But he actually got a second helping (which, if you know him, is a rarity in any dining situation.)
Dessert: The best apple pie recipe (from some magazine my mom got years ago). It's still the best apple pie we've ever had. This time I did a little experimenting. I cut up three types of apples - golden delicious, fuji, and granny smith - a pear, and a whole container of blackberries (which Deane gushed over when he saw them, thinking they were mulberries. But where does anyone get mulberries besides their own farm?) Now, take note, I didn't have a rolling pin or a rolling surface (forgot it at mom's) so I had to hand-press the dough, which was a bit bothersome and tedious. The crust didn't cover the entire mountain of fruit, and I was afraid it the juices would all ooze out and the whole pie would burn. Luckily the result was pure heaven!

REVIEW on WEEK 2

Monday
- errands, like mailing out a package I sold on Etsy, UCLA parking refund
- got Final Cut Express


Tuesday
- made jewelry, drew on my new Cintiq, and began writing a couple new comedy plays
- experimented a new soup - lots of spices, potatoes, carrots, onion, lemon, red wine

Wednesday
- picked up some movie reels which I had purchase on eBay (I'm obsessed with eBay) I will use them to make a table and chairs, and hopefully a chandalier.
- Tony visited, though we still can't get the files on my Final Cut Express.



Thursday
- made jewelry, discovered a new way to package my items!
- Edison with Ha-Vi and friends

Friday
- drew and made more jewelry


Saturday
- Venice canal architecture field trip walk
- Aunt Kizzy's Kitchen for lunch (I had a mad soul food craving)
- San Diego (Pacific Beach area) to meet up with Deane's friend Hannah - walked the beach, hamburgers and beer for dinner, ice cream, pool

Sunday
- Zanzibar for Breakfast
- Back to LA - napped
- Writers Group at Nader's



- SUPPER CLUB MEAL:
Pork chops were good. My mom helped chop up the veggies, which was sweet and easier on me. We adjusted the proportions, but I'd say next time I make it, I'll add more jalapenos to make it more spicy. other than that, the pineapple and the garlic went surprisingly well together, and it made the pork chops yummier to eat! I also bought center cut pork, with the bone-in, though the recipe called for boneless. Doesn't matter, whatever is cheaper. Also, I used a rice medley from Trader Joe's. Probably should have made it on the stove instead of the rice cooker, but when I reheat it, I'll probably heat it as if I'm making fried rice. That way the rice won't be as goopy or soft. But a yummy and quick meal to make overall!

REVIEW on WEEK 1

Friday
- Cleaning up home for the New Year. New Home, New Year.

Saturday
- Jewelry, Photographs

Sunday
- Write Act Meeting - I'm now putting the word out there that I'm a video EDITOR!!!


- SUPPER CLUB MEAL: Yumtastic! Although it was a simple recipe, I had never made hamburgers before, nor have I made oven-fried potatoes (which I think I will keep to stove-top fried potatoes.) Deane said stick to what I know in french fry terms, because I made a mean batch of fries! As for the general note on the food - use less butter! I know in the old days they used butter, shortening, fat, etc. in their cooking. Now I know why people stray away from it. Plus, it's too overpowering, and I prefer my corn and fries butter-free!

FLAVOR of WEEK 52 (and a half)

Monday
- cleaning up/organizing new home
- mailed presents

Tuesday
- finished making jewelry for my girls (check my other blog - www.inspireashine.blogspot.com)

Wednesday
- made a few more new steampunk designs for new line "Steampunk Sorority"
- dropped Deane off at LAX

Thursday
- Christmas Eve at Aunt Lisa's


Friday
- Merry Christmas! at Grandma and Grandpa's in Victorville
- Packed and went LAX to BOS


Saturday
- arrived in Boston
- watched "Avatar" in 3D - great movie!
- ate pizza lunch at Cambridge 1





Sunday
- architecture tour of Boston - Burdick's, Little Italy's Mike's Pastries (chocolate covered ricotta cannoli)
- shopping on Newbury St.
- Korean Shabu Shabu Dinner
- Bowling at King's








Monday
- walked to City Hall
- Sam Adams Brewery Tour
- Liberty Hotel
- Chicken Mole dinner
- Finale with Carolyn (pre-birthday dessert)



Tuesday
- drove up to Vermont to visit Deane's friend JR
- ate yummy pepperoni pizza at the Hermitage, Deane went on a snowmobile
- Boston Beer Works


Wednesday
- Essex - Causeway for lunch - clam chowder and greek salad
- visited friends and family of Deane
- packed and went from BOS to LAX
- presents for Deane




Thursday
- recovering from a cold
- New Year's Eve Party at Nick's (Deane and I have been too busy so cancelled our hosting a party for the new year)

FLAVOR of WEEK 51

Most of this week consisted of making jewelry and moving in with Deane into his WeHo apt.

Monday
- made Meredith's custom-order jewelry

- Pizzeria Mozza (my new fave is their goat cheese and leek!), Scoops, and Christmas Play

Tuesday
- partial move - Burbank, Cerritos, Weho... I'm exhausted...
- Christmas Play

Wednesday
- more moving
- met with Meredith - gave her the pieces... and still there were more :)
- UCLA class (I now believe my teacher hates me)
- updated Amazon.com wishlist

Thursday
- Lunch with Alison
- move
- cooked up some Japanese curry
- Pink Taco

Friday
- moved out: mission complete! (now for the unpacking and moving in part...)




- Shanghai Show - Absinthe, Opium, and Magic


- EV's housewarming/Christmas Party

Saturday
- back to mom's - got my CINTIQ!! Yay!
- errands



Sunday
- organized home
- "Lovely Bones" w/ Jessica at Paramount

FLAVOR of WEEK 50

Monday
- errands



Tuesday
- FOH duties for Christmas Play "Season's End"
- Birthday Dinner with Deane







Wednesday
- My 26th birthday!!! Disneyland for free! Thanks, Disney!
- Dinner at Tortilla Joe's
- Back to Disney for more Buzz Lightyear, Fantasmic, and Fireworks!

Thursday
- Lunch with Dave at Studio Cafe Maggiano (sold a necklace)
- Met with Meredith
- Book Soup with Carolyn

Friday
- Hung out with Sophia
- Packed for the move to Deane's

Saturday






- Poketo - Nika's Surprise Bday Party for me!! (she's so sweet!)
- Wurstkuche for lunch
- Rainy day!!!
- Dinner at Lucille's in Long Beach with my "Sex and the City" girls



Sunday
- Free ASIFA screening of "Princess and the Frog" - loved it!
- Jewelry-making for custom order
- Coffee at Lamill Coffee Company with Nika and Tony (siphon coffee!)