Recipe for Pork and Peanut Stir Fry

I've yet to make a Mark Bittman recipe that I didn't like.  This recipe was adapted from one of his in "The Food Matters Cookbook" which I have and love.  The recipe can also be found on line. 


The flavors in this dish are Asian fusion in my estimation.  Sort of a fried rice, pad Thai, stir fry cousin.  The recipe originally called for chicken but I used pork. The basic recipe can be customized to your preferences and ingredients.  I made the rice in a rice cooker the day before and kept it in the fridge until needed.

Recipe for Simple Biscuits-Daring Bakers

Mmmm, fresh out of the oven!  We don't eat biscuits as a general rule although I used to eat them frequently enough when I lived in the South.  I was surprised how much we both enjoyed these when I made them for our monthly Daring Bakers challenge.

Black and White Wednesdays: Beef and Veggies

Making short ribs.

Submitted to  Black and White Wednesdays.

Check out all the great black and white photos at The Well Seasoned Cook.

Recipe for Black Bean Salad

This is a great side dish for chicken fajitas. If you don't want to bother roasting the peppers, I've also made this successfully using store bought roasted red peppers.

Recipe for Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

This was my first time, but not my last, cooking short ribs.  I don't know why I've stayed away.  Mr. ELEB loves them and I have enjoyed them at restaurants from time to time.  He has dropped subtle (actually, not so subtle) hints about having them at home. When I saw a recipe in October's Bon Appetit I decided to bite the bullet.  I found some nice looking short ribs at Whole Foods and served this at our Boxing Day get together along with olive oil mashed potatoes and roasted squash.  It was a lovely rustic meal and the ribs were so tender and flavorful.  You really can't mess this recipe up!

Black and White Wednesdays-Backyard Lime

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Roasted Squash with Mint and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

We sure enjoyed this roasted squash dish when I served it on Boxing Day for ourselves and some of our friends. The recipe is an interesting combination with mint and balsamic vinegar flavoring the lovely roasted flavor of the squash.

Recipe for Blue Cheese, Apricot, and Pistachio Phyllo Cups

This is the pupu (appetizer) I took to a neighborhood New Year's Eve celebration.  It couldn't be easier and, as long as you like blue cheese, you'll love it.

Black and White Wednesday-Rustic Ham Loaf

Rustic Ham Loaf

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sesame Salmon and Spinach

Here's a great recipe for when you want to get something on the table quickly but you want to stay on the healthier side of things.  In under thirty minutes you can put this dish together, serve it, and be ready to receive the accolades that will surely be sent your way!

Recipe for Smoky Fried Chickpeas

Hummus is one of those things you'll always find in our fridge.  But other than that, I'm not a big fan of chickpeas.  I have tried them on salads, in casseroles etc. and I'll eat them but they don't wow me.    These smoky fried chickpeas, however, WOW!

Black and White Wednesday-Vanilla Bean

Vanilla Bean

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Top Recipes of 2011

#1 Healthy Egg White Breakfast Treat; #2 Lemon Parmesan Pork; #3 Slow Cooker Pork Verde; #4 Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake

Welcome to 2012!  I hope you had a safe and Happy New Year.  


I often get asked "what are the most popular recipes on your blog?".  Good question-I went back through 2011 and looked at the posts garnering the most page views, shown in the collage above.  Does that mean these are my best recipes from 2011? 

Recipe for Black Eyed Pea Hummus

This recipe was in the group of "top recipes" for 2011 based on page views.  I posted it after New Years but thought I would re-post again this year before the holiday since it was a popular recipe.  


Growing up in the South, black eyed peas, usually with some greens, were a staple on New Years Day, served to bring us all good luck.  They are also recorded as being served on Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year, also to bring good luck.  Honestly, I was never a big fan of black eyed peas.  But I love hummus and this one is really delicious.  If it brings us good luck, even more reason to try it!

Recipe for Salsa Turkey Pasta

Mr. ELEB is training for a half marathon and wanted a bit more carbs in some of our meals.  We both like whole grain pasta so I created another baked pasta recipe inspired by my December Secret Recipe Club recipe.

Recipe for Squash, Apple and Bacon Pizza

Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!


Here is a pizza with an amazing combination of flavors. I could (and did) literally eat the sauce of pureed squash/apples/onions, sour cream and bacon with a spoon.  That combination will be featured soon as a stand alone casserole!

Merry Christmas from Maui

Mr. and Mrs Claus arrive on Maui!  Merry Christmas to everyone.

Recipe for Lemony Salmon and Dill Toss

I've been determined not to gain weight over the holidays and so far so good (**I've actually lost a couple of lbs**). We've been eating a lot of meals like this one with the occasional treat/big meal thrown in. I've stayed away from most of the baking and treats that are prevalent in the cooking/blogging/magazine/recipe world right now. Honestly, we haven't missed them and if we have to have a little bit of a treat, I still have some of the Sans Rival cake in the freezer!


I've been instructed to tell you first off that this gets the Mr. ELEB seal of approval.  OK, done, now I'll share the recipe with you!  I was inspired by a recipe from Prevention Magazine to make this dish.  They used canned salmon though and I wanted to use fresh. I also used whole wheat pasta where their recipe called for regular white pasta.


I think this would be fine with canned salmon but if you can get fresh, why not?  My grocery store had some beautiful sockeye salmon so that's what I used.

I love putting tasty healthy food on the table in under thirty minutes!

Recipe for General Tso's Chicken

Have you found the terribly addicting website "Pinterest"?   If not, I suggest one of two things:  If you're a visual person and have some time every day to dawdle and browse around a really fun website, check it out.  If you're a super busy person who already wastes too much time on-line, stay away!  Seriously though, it is a great place to see all sorts of things from food and recipes, to ideas for decorating, funny pictures and sayings and so much more.  I found the inspiration for this recipe there.

Favorite Sandwich Wraps

We all have our "go to" products.  Here is one of my new favorites:  La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious Soft Wraps in the Multi Grain variety.  They are also available in whole grain, white whole grain, and various other varieties (read more here).  

I've only seen the multi grain and white whole grain here on Maui and of the two, I preferred the multi grain (although both were good).  These are made in California so I'm not sure if they are available where you are.  If they are, they are definitely worth a purchase.  As you can see by the wrapper, they have a good dose of fiber, only 100 calories per wrap, low in fat, and not mentioned on the front-only 1 gram of sugar.  Oh, and they taste great room temperature or, my favorite, pan toasted a couple of minutes per side in a dry skillet.  La Tortilla has no idea I'm featuring their products by the way, I just like them so much I wanted to share!

Recipe for Char Sui Bao - Daring Cooks

Do you love dim sum?  We do and always try to go to our favorite dim sum restaurant when we get back to San Francisco (Yank Sing-a top 100 SF Restaurant in 2011).  They call it deem sum...they probably know better than I do, but I've always seen it written as dim sum, except on their website.  Anyone know the correct spelling?  Anyway, I digress.  I love the steamed pork buns-Char Sui Bao-but never gave a thought to trying to prepare them at home.


Turns out they are a challenge to make, but not an insurmountable one.  That's why I really enjoy participating in The Daring Kitchen challenges.  The challenges so far have pushed me in to culinary experiences I wouldn't have picked on my own and are presented with very detailed instructions, priming the pathway to success.  Our Daring Cooks’ December 2011 hostess is Sara from BellyRumbles! Sara chose awesome Char Sui Bao as our challenge, where we made the buns, Char Sui, and filling from scratch – delicious!

Recipe for Sweet Potato Wrapped Fish

This dish was inspired by one of my favorite dishes, potato wrapped sea bass, at Isa Restaurant, San Francisco. That dish is smothered in capers, tomatoes, olive oil and herbs-it is really good.  This is different, simpler, sweet potatoes instead of regular, but just as delicious.  

Recipe for Whole Wheat Pita

In my "to try" file are about a dozen naan recipes.  So, of course I can't seem to get going on making some-just keep looking at the recipes, thinking about the best attributes of each one.  Help!  I have naan paralysis!


However, I came across a recipe for pita and just jumped on it!  No messing around.  No saving many versions and trying to come up with "the best".  It is a recipe with mostly whole wheat which I like.  Is it "the best"? Who knows?  But it made lovely pillows of whole wheat goodness just begging to be stuffed with spinach, ham and cheese.  So different than the cardboard texture of the whole wheat pita I buy at the store.

Black and White Wednesdays-Coffee Break

Coffee Break-want one, now!

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Simply Baked Pasta-Secret Recipe Club

Mmmm.  Little pillows of ricotta cheese (no not mashed potatoes!) on top of whole grain pasta, sauce, pepper jack cheese, beef - what's not to like?  That's what I thought when I was browsing through Stacy's blog Every Little Thing and saw her "wing it" recipe for baked pasta.  She was in the midst of an exercise to eat on $60/week and threw this together based on what she had on hand.  Perfect-I do that a lot too, probably why I was drawn to this recipe.  It's Secret Recipe Club time!  

Recipe for Blue Cheese, Pistachio, and Cranberry Turkey Burgers

It's only been a week since Turkey Day, I know.  Trust me, these turkey burgers pumped up with tangy blue cheese, salty pistachios and dried cranberries are worth a trip back to the turkey case at your grocery store. Or are you like me and always keep a package of ground turkey breast in the freezer?

Black and White Wednesday-Meringue

Mixing egg whites for meringue

Submitted to Black and White Wednesday

Recipe for Sans Rival Cake - Daring Bakers

On Friday, I spoke of everything in moderation and trying to eat healthy most of the time.  Well, I'm sure you can appreciate that this lovely cake fits in the "occasional treat" category here at Eat Little, Eat Big.  Last month I joined an adventuresome group of bloggers who try monthly challenges to expand our culinary aperture and to get out of our comfort zone.  Catherine of Munchie Musings was our November Daring Bakers’ host and she challenged us to make a traditional Filipino dessert – the delicious Sans Rival cake!

Recipe for Greek Chicken with Tzatziki-Win a Trip to Greece!

I hope that photo makes your mouth water...mine is and it is only 8 am here as I'm typing this!  Of course, if you are still stuffed from Thanksgiving and really can't think about food, just save this and check it out later! 


If you look up at the top of the page, you'll see the statement about what my blog is all about:  "Celebrating the delights of good healthy food and special treats! Sharing recipes, information and experiences."  That pretty much sums up my and Mr. ELEB's philosophy on good living and living a healthy life.  Everything in moderation.  Most of the time we eat healthy.  He runs, I bike.  We moved to Maui so we could enjoy the outdoors every day of the year.


And, part of good living is enjoying a splurge now and then...like this weekend that we enjoyed at the Kapalua Food and Wine Festival or this chocolate torte.  But most of the time, we try to stick to the healthier side of life.


Today's recipe fits in the "good healthy food" category and, always a bonus, it tastes fantastic!  

Black and White Wednesdays: Bread

Amazing whole grain bread in Ireland, 2011

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays


I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and that you have a chance to catch your breath and reflect on all the things to be thankful for this year.

Recipe for Mushroom Lasagna-Meatless Monday

This should really be a "Meatless Sunday" or "Meatless Day Off" recipe, it took much longer than I had anticipated.  I don't know if it was just an off day for me or what but I can usually multi-task my way through most any recipe in no time.  This one took a while and felt very sequential.  Don't get me wrong, it is fabulous and well worth the work required but I'd hesitate to recommend it for a work night meal.

Pizza Party!

If you have followed the blog for a while, you know I am a fan of Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois' "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" and "Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day".  After following their recipes on line, I finally bought the books and have had fun making artisan bread following their method for no knead bread.


When I was in Atlanta recently, I had the opportunity to meet the authors and receive a copy of their new book  "Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day". 

Hey, there is something wrong with my wine glass!

Black and White Wednesdays: Sail Away

Sailing out of New York on the QM2, 2011


Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays.  Go check out all the other fun black and white photographs!

Recipe for Beef Braised in Rooibos Tea with Sweet Potatoes - Daring Cooks

Do you enjoy a good challenge?  Me too, so I joined the Daring Kitchen-a group of hundreds of cooks around the world who come together each month to try something new in the kitchen.

Sarah from Simply Cooked was our November Daring Cooks’ hostess and she challenged us to create something truly unique in both taste and technique! We learned how to cook using tea with recipes from Tea Cookbook by Tonia George and The New Tea Book by Sara Perry.

Recipe for White Bean and Salmon Burgers

The photo didn't turn out very well (they really weren't burned) but this white bean and salmon appetizer did!   I made the bite sized ones for an appetizer to take to a dinner party and then Mr. ELEB and I had "regular" sized patties the following night for dinner.  Great both ways!

Black and White Wednesdays-Tea

A daily respite on our recent trip to the UK and Ireland. 

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Cheesy Chicken Penne Pasta. Secret Recipe Club!

It's that time again!  I'm really enjoying the opportunity to participate in the Secret Recipe Club.  It is a collection of bloggers who secretly pick a recipe from another's blog and cook and post about it.  Not only is it fun to spook around on someone else's blog but it is also a treat to see who had your blog for the month and what they picked to cook.

Recipe for Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Scone Muffins

When I'm out for my morning bike ride, I sometimes have some creative ideas for the kitchen.  Take these scone muffins...I wanted to make something portable for a brunch time snack.  Thinking about what was on hand during my ride, I came up with the idea of using a package of King Arthur Scone Mix as a base for some savory muffins.  These were really good and around 180 calories each!

Black and White Wednesdays: Cork

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Quick and Tasty Broccoli Soup-Meatless Monday

What do you do when you have some sad looking veggies in the fridge?  Make soup of course!  I based this soup on the success I had with asparagus soup made from the discarded stems.  Super quick and easy, and with a chunk of crusty homemade bread, a perfect meatless Monday light supper.

Recipe for Light Version of King Ranch Casserole

Maybe this should be called "Princess Ranch Casserole" because it is probably less than half the fat and calories of the classic recipe.  No canned soups, full fat milk, or sour cream, and a modest amount of low fat cheese.  Still delicious though!

Black and White Wednesday: An Apple a Day

Apples growing in Scotland, September 2011

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Portobello and Spinach Frittata

Here is another easy meatless Monday recipe for you!  This recipe is easily adaptable to whatever veggies you have on hand.  I used fresh thyme for the seasoning but basil or even rosemary would also work.  The secret to the frittata not sticking in the pan is to use a good pan (one that is oven proof since this is going under the broiler) and let it cooked undisturbed...I know you want to go in there and loosen the edges or stir it around while it is cooking...don't!
BTW, check out the new tab at the top of the page: "Photography".

Recipe for Butternut Squash "Fries"

I put fries in quotation marks for this recipe because these are not crispy like potato fries.  They are even less crispy than sweet potato fries.  However, they are good and easy to make; another way to get some good veggies on the plate.   We ate them with buffalo burgers-yummy!

Black and White Wednesday: Single Malt Anyone?

Whiskey Shop Edinburgh September 2011

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Fettuccine with Swiss Chard and Mushrooms

I'm late joining the "Meatless Monday" party.  We eat non-meat meals but not as often as I'd like, so I decided to make Mondays the day to spur me on to find and cook some good recipes on a regular basis.

Recipe for Pan-Cooked Vegetables with Crunchy Fish

Once you get the veggies grated for this dish, it is a snap to pull together.  Super flavorful and very satisfying!  This recipe is based on Mark Bittman's recipe by the same name-I love his recipes and enjoy The Food Matters Cookbook immensely.  If you are fortunate enough to have the cookbook, the recipe is on page 440, but if not I also found it on line and the link is below. 

Black and White Wednesdays

Greenwich Village Cheese Shop

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival

For thirty years, Master Sommeliers have descended on Maui and in conjunction with local chefs, beverage distributors, and the Kapalu Resort have hosted a four day weekend wine and food extravaganza.  If you are contemplating a visit to Maui during the early summer and would like to enjoy a fun weekend of tasting amazing wines and good food, plan your trip to include the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.

This year was the Thirty Year Celebration of the festival!  We've been talking to our friends about the festival for several years-I think we've been four times to some or all of it-and finally convinced four of them from SF to come over.    They are already asking when we can register for 2012!