Category Archives: Random

Walnut Kale Basil Pesto

Posted on May 16, 2013 | 6 Comments

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A few weeks ago, the California Farm Water Coalition contacted me to see if I wanted to create a recipe with walnuts for Walnut Day. I immediately knew what I wanted to make…

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Pesto is one of my favorite items in the fridge. It can go on anything from eggs in the morning to a perfect marinade for your favorite meat or an amazing pasta sauce. Pesto packs flavor and nutrients…what more could you want?

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Walnuts are a great replacement to pine nuts in pesto. They provide the same nutty flavor, but are packed with omega 3 fatty acids and are an excellent source of vitamin E. All of this combined with the super powers of Kale, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a pesto! Not to mention, walnuts are a heck of a lot cheaper than pine nuts!

According to the California Walnut Board, there has been a new study that has found that walnuts improve sperm quality in men. Needless to say, my husband will not consume another walnut again…ever. Just kidding! Another study that was conducted at Harvard University reported that walnut consumption can be linked to lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes!

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This pesto is so versatile. I have used it three times this week, with no complaints and clean plates! While grilling chicken breasts, I brushed them with this pesto for a deliciously moist chicken sandwich. I also grilled some veggies to put on the sandwiches and brushed those with pesto too. We loved these sandwiches so much we ate them two days in a row!

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Walnut Kale Basil Pesto

  • 1/2 cup Kale, cleaned and chopped
  •  1/4 cup basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2-3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Boil a medium sized pot of water with a pinch of salt. Prepare a bowl of cold ice water. Add kale to boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Strain and immediately immerse kale into ice water to stop cooking and strain.

Using a food processor, chop garlic. Add walnuts, kale, basil salt and parmesan cheese. Slowly add olive oil while the machine is running.

Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days, but can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Make sure you head on over to the Food Grows Where Water Flows facebook page for fun giveaways!

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Spring Giveaway!

Posted on May 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

Wow, you guys really like Le Creuset! Looks like I will have to try and get my hands on more to host more giveaways!! Keep checking back…we have a few more giveaways coming this way!

Now, onto the winner. Winner was chosen using random.org and has 72 hours to respond to theseasidebaker@gmail.com with name and address.

Drum roll please…..

The winner is….

I follow on pinterest..

Thanks again to everyone who participated!

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Dinner Dilemma

Posted on April 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

This weekend I am off to The Traveling Potluck! I will be reposting some of my older posts, as many of you probably have not seen them due to my incredibly unorganized categories. Btw, organizing that is on my list of things to do :) Have a great weekend!!

It is quite difficult at dinner time to come up with new and delicious meals in my home. On one side you have my aspiring body builder husband who tries to consume at least 4000 (no that is not a typo) calories a day, and on the other side is me, who just mentions the word calorie and I immediately gain one pound. To top it off, I can also add two very picky young eaters to the mix. If it were hubby’s choice we would be eating a T-bone steak, potatoes, pasta, and rice every night (Yes all in one meal). If I left it up to the munchkins we would be eating vanilla bean cupcakes with oreo truffle filling everynight for dessert. Now do you see what I have to deal with? There is only so much steak one’s intestines can handle, and only few pants that still fit!!!!!!!

When it comes to red meat, flank steak is my favorite. A few hours before dinner, I quickly marinated the flank with a delicious and easy marinade that my grandmother taught me years ago. This marinade only has 7 simple ingredients, but does wonders to the meat. 

MJ’s Flank Steak Marinade                       

1 Medium sized Flank Steak
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Score the surface of the flank steak, and put it into a glass baking dish (not necessary just looks pretty). Drizzle on one tablespoon of oil, then sprinkle salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic. Finally, drizzle with one tablespoon vinegar. Turn the flank steak and repeat. Marinate for at least one hour, but the longer the better.

If over cooked, flank steak because tough so it is best cooked to medium rare. I grilled the steak for about 5 minutes on each side and allowed it to rest for another 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

The rest of the meal turned out fabulous, and everyone was happy! Tomorrow I will add the side dish.

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Spring Giveaway!

Posted on April 26, 2013 | 95 Comments

This giveaway has now ended. Thank you to everyone that participated!

The birds are chirping, the temperatures are high, and it’s almost peony season! These are things that make me happy. When I am happy, so are you! At least that is what I tell my husband when I really want something.

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I thought it would be a great weekend to kick of the Le Creuset Giveaway! Isn’t it gorgeous? This 3 qt red saucier pan with lid is valued at $220. This is the perfect pan to make your spring risotto, polenta, chocolate sauce, custards, and on and on.

The nitty gritty:

Giveaway is open to US residents only. Winner will be picked using random.org on May 5th, 2013 and will have 72 hours to respond with their mailing address. If winner does not respond within that time, another winner will be picked. This is not a sponsored giveaway. I purchased this item on my own at Williams-Sonoma, because I luuv you!

To enter:

Subscribe to The Seaside Baker (in the upper right hand corner)

Like The Seaside Baker on Facebook

Follow The Seaside Baker on Instagram

Follow The Seaside Baker on Pinterest

Follow The Seaside Baker on Twitter

Leave a comment telling me that you did all that fun stuff! If you are already a follower, just let me know and I will include that in the entry too!

Good Luck!

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Coconut Lover Cupcakes

Posted on April 20, 2013 | 10 Comments

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Next weekend I will be attending The Big Traveling Potluck. Although the meals will be catered (I think), they asked everyone to sign up to bring cupcakes, appetizer or cookies for a specific day.

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Let me tell you about this event. There were only 75 tickets available, and at least half of these tickets were sold to big name bloggers. We’re talking Bakerella (THE cake pop queen), THE PIONEER WOMAN (YES, you read that right. Although she is actually a speaker), Joy the Baker,  Two Peas and Their Pod, Picky-Palate, Kevin and Amanda, Bakers Royale, Heather Christo and so many more. All of these people are my blogging idols. Blogs I sip my coffee to every morning.

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So I bet you can only imagine how much pressure I have thinking about these people actually eating my cupcakes! MY CUPCAKES! I just got goose bumps.

They need to be perfect. So I was thinking about doing cupcakes in a jar and putting a label on the top with my blog name. Does that sound too egotistical? You kind of have to put a sticker on the lids to add to the cute factor of the jar, and blogging conferences are about networking right? What would you think, and please be honest.

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If I do in fact decided to go with the cupcakes in a jar, I am going to do a few flavors, strawberry cupcakes, vanilla bean and salted caramel, something chocolate, and these coconut cupcakes. All of these seem to be my most popular and most requested flavors.

These coconut cupcakes are a personal favorite as well as my mother’s favorite. She called me last week telling me that she had purchased a coconut cupcake from a cupcake store and that it was horrible. Then she somehow coaxed me into coming to her house to bake these cupcakes. We Italians take our cravings seriously. These cupcakes are perfect for coconut lovers. The cake is buttery a sweet with a delicate coconut flavor while the frosting is bursting with coconut.

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I also wanted to tell you guys about The Food Blogger Bake Sale coming up. It will be taking place on May 4th, 2013 at Great News in Pacific Beach. If you’re local, come visit me and a bunch of other San Diego food bloggers. If you are not local, look for a Blogger Bake Sale in your city!

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Coconut Cupcakes

  • 2 sticks butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 sugar
  • 2 tsp coconut extract
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with a splash of white vinegar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make sure all your ingredients are room temperature.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and soda and mix.

In your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend butter, sugar and coconut extract at medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add a cup of flour followed by 1/3 of the buttermilk. Repeat this 3 times, until you have incorporated all the flour and buttermilk.

 Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Fill each liner 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 or until a knife comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
Cream cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Turn mixer to low and beat in powdered sugar, add coconut extract. Beat on high for 5 minutes.
Frost each cupcake and dip into a bowl of shredded coconut.
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How To Make Homemade Almond Paste

Posted on April 9, 2013 | 4 Comments

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Have you been avoiding recipes like these Italian Almond Cookies because of the exborbitant cost for a can of almond paste? Well look no further. For about the same cost of one can, you can make about 3-4 batches of homemade almond paste, in about 1/8 of the time it would take you to get into the car and buy some at your local grocery store (if they even have it that is).

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While you are welcome to used real almonds, Almond flour is the easiest way to go in my opinion. It literally took me about 5 minutes to make almost 12 ounces of almond paste. The can that you buy at the grocery store is typically around 10 ounces. Wrapped tightly in saran wrap, or in a jar or tupperware, the paste will stay fresh for about 3 weeks.

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Homemade Almond Paste

  • 1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 egg white slightly beaten

Using a food processor, pulse the almond flour and powdered sugar a few times to break up any clumps. Add 1 tsp of almond extract and pulse to combine. Test at this point to see if it has enough almond flavoring. I really like almond so I added 2 teaspoons. Add egg white and to your food processor on for 2 minutes. At this point, the mixture should be smooth and formed a ball. If dough is still sticky add 1 tbsp more of almond flour. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator.

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Whole Foods and Bare Mixers Winners Announced

Posted on April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

So sorry, but I just realized that I forgot to announce the winner for Bare Mixers!!! Silly Me!

As usual, winners are picked using Random.org. Winners please email me at theseasidebaker@gmail.com within 3 days to claim your prize and provide me with your address. For all of you who didn’t win…stayed tuned. The Easter Bunny dropped of a gorgeous Le Creuset saucier for one of you lucky readers!

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And the winner for a bottle of Bare Mixers is….

My favorite drink is a skinny margarita! I am a fan on Facebook.

Now on to the winner of the $25 Whole Foods Gift Card….

NICE!! Kyle Turner here, and I’m right here in San Diego! My favorite item. . . the Seafood Gumbo! Man that stuff is great! Thanks theseasidebaker.com and Whole Foods Del Mar for making this great giveaway possible!!

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An Exciting New Giveaway!

Posted on April 2, 2013 | 31 Comments

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At the end of February something big happened here. I cannot even begin to tell you how much my culinary adventures and my finances have changed. The former-being pushed to new levels, and the latter-slowly trickling away, but for good reason of course (at least that is what I tell my husband ;) .

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What has happened you ask, the long awaited Whole Foods Market moved in, within walking distance from my house. With every trip, it is like an amusement park. The smell of freshly (in house) smoked meats, gorgeous flowers and produce, fresh-almost still breathing-fish, anything and everything your foodie heart could possibly want. I can honestly never walk out of there without having purchased at least five new items to try (on top of all of our groceries).

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When I need a mental break from the craziness of my home, I take a brisk walk to Whole Foods Market in Del Mar. I love strolling the isles looking for new products that will healthify my baking and cooking. One of my recent finds, powder agave that can be used in place of powdered sugar!

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I have always loved supporting local farms. Apparently so does Whole Foods Market because most of their produce and proteins are marked with where they are farmed and exactly how many miles away that particular farm is.

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Whole Foods Market Del Mar is not only concerned about local farmers, its’ customers, but also the children and how they eat. My kids and I have already attended two classes: a children’s sushi making class and a natural egg dying class.  Both times the kids had a blast!

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I am so happy that I have a new earth loving neighbor that shares the same passions as me- good quality ingredients and natural living!

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Whole Foods Market Del Mar wants to give one of you lucky Seaside Baker readers and $25 gift card that can be used at any Whole Foods.

Leave a comment with your name and where you are from as well as your favorite Whole Foods Market item by Sunday, April 7th, 2013 for a chance to win. Winner will be announced on Monday, April 8th 2013. Good luck!

You can follow Whole Foods Market Del Mar on Twitter and Facebook for upcoming sales, recipes and ideas!

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How To Make Homemade Gyro Sandwiches

Posted on March 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

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I know what your thinking…another savory recipe. I promise we will be back to butter and sugar on Sunday. But first I had to share with your one of our favorite family meals.

Everywhere you look in Europe there are Turkish Kabob Shops, seriously a dime a dozen. Turkish Kabobs are very similar to Greek Gyro Sandwiches. Personally, I prefer the Turkish version because they add a very spicy red sauce.

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When we used to live in Switzerland, our “pizza” night would be to grab a Kabob at the neighborhood shop. When we came back to the States’ we really really missed these sandwiches. It wasn’t until two years later that I went to lunch with a friend at a Greek Restaurant and realized that the two were practically the same! My husband was so excited that we returned there for dinner that night.

Through the years, our family has grown and we seem to always have a toddler, making  it impossible to eat out. So I figured out how to make it at home, and has been a monthly staple ever since. It really is an easy meal to make, and it is healthy!

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I like my Gyro meat a bit dry, so I remove the excess oil during cooking about every 15 minutes. This also removes excess calories! Any sort of flat bread or pita bread works with these sandwiches. I usually make my own, cause it is really easy. This is a good recipe, but OMIT the sugar!

Homemade Gyro Meat

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground lamb (if you are not a lamb lover just use all beef, but they will taste different.
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 1 tbsp rosemary
  • 1 tbsp marjoram
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper

In a food processor, chop onion and garlic until very fine. Add meat and all seasonings and grind in the processor until it becomes pasty.

Grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the Gyro Meat mixture in a loaf pan, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 12 hours.

Bake meat at 325 degrees for 60-70 minutes. If desired, drain excess oil about every 15 minutes. Once meat has cooked and cooled for about 5 minutes, remove from pan and slice into thin slices.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

  • 16 ounces Plain Greek Yogurt-I used Chobani
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 medium to large cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper

In your food processor or blender, pulse garlic and cucumber until finely chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until completely combined.

To assemble sandwiches, spread a bit of Tzatziki sauce over the flat or pita bread, add meat, tomato, lettuce, red onion and a bit more Tzatziki sauce. Roll up and enjoy!

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California Farmer Giveaway Announced!

Posted on March 12, 2013 | 1 Comment

Two winners were picked by random for the Date and Avocado Giveaway! Winners please email me within 72 hours and provide me with your shipping address. We have LOTS more giveaways coming up so please keep checking back!

Winner #1- California Dates:

That’s a very unfair question. How is one supposed to pick just ONE produce?
It’s a toss up between spinach, lemon, leeks, tomatoes, kale, dates, green beans, strawberries, zucchini, and.. and… oh dang, I just don’t know.

Fine, based on verstatility ONLY, I will have to go with lemon. Because I use it to cook, cure fish, juice, clean, and as an air freshener!!

Winner #2- California Avocados

Thanks for the fun giveaway!

My favorite produce is mangoes. There are so many ways to cook them! I like them in a salsa, or with fish, or put an Indian twist on them and pickle them while they’re still green…oh, and mango chutney is amazing on buttered toast.

Congrats!

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