Carla Vavala | Apple Crumbles

FOFF Brown Rice and Broccoli Pilaf

We have TONS of rice in our pantry. We have HEAPS of brown rice. What we didn’t have is BROWN BASMATI rice and that’s just what I needed for this recipe by Carla Vavala in her book Fusion of Food and Friends. I used brown long grain rice and, lucky for me, it worked out. Not that I’d suggest making that the permanent substitution because if you use basmati rice, the result will be a little bit creamier with a softer mouth feel. Still, don’t skip the recipe just because you don’t have the exact ingredients. Get creative. Take a [...]

By Joanne|2012-10-23T19:28:41-04:00October 25, 2012|Fusion Food & Friends|6 Comments

FOFF Rice with Mozzarella

…and A LOT of mozzarella at that! An easy, cheesy recipe by Carla Vavala from her book Fusion of Food and Friends. This recipe can be found on page 51. It’s an easy side dish that the cheesy people in your life are just going to love. Note: I thought the rice could use a bit more flavor so I added 2 chopped green onions. 1 cup rice (cook according to package directions). *Brown rice recommended for an extra little nutrition boost. 1 TBS olive oil (the recipe suggests butter but I used basil infused olive oil) 3/4 cup mozzarella [...]

By Joanne|2012-10-03T17:50:38-04:00October 4, 2012|FOFF|1 Comment

FOFF Vegetarian Sweet Potato Burritos

A day early and a dollar short…or something like that. Anyway, the FOFF recipe is a day early this week for no reason, just that I felt like posting it early. My blog, my prerogative. SO Filling! But not so photogenic or could just be the photographer …eh hemmm! A really good meal for high nutrition and low fat diet watchers. It’s a keeper! Thanks to Carla Vavala and her book Fusion of Food and Friends. Page 44. 1 TBS vegetable oil (I used olive oil) 1 onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 3 TBS chili powder (I toned it [...]

By Joanne|2012-07-31T18:51:48-04:00August 1, 2012|Fusion Food & Friends|6 Comments

Sunny 18 and FOFF Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells

I took the day off from the office and enjoyed an 18 mile long run. The weather was perfect, my legs weren’t. I had enough carbs in me to fuel an ultra but mentally wasn’t very tough. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy my run. It was gorgeous outside. I ran 6 miles with Shane. It’s always nice running with my big dog. Took off again from home after dropping him off to run the switchbacks. The shaded woods were so nice that I ran that hilly route twice. While running up to the eagle from the switchbacks, I notices [...]

By Joanne|2012-07-12T10:03:58-04:00July 12, 2012|Fusion Food & Friends|2 Comments

FOFF Butternut Squash Ravioli and Balsamic Sauce

The title of this post is a lie. I didn’t make ravioli as suggested in Carla Vavala’s recipe on page 41 of her book Fusion of Food and Friends. I used the same recipe but instead of ravioli, I stuffed portabella mushrooms with the squash filling. A pat on the back for me! 1 medium sized Butternut Squash cooked in the microwave for 8 minutes or until done *depending on your oven’s power. *In Carla’s recipe, she used 1 bag of squash ravioli or cheese if preferred. But don’t use the ravioli if you are going to stuff mushrooms. 1 [...]

By Joanne|2012-07-04T19:39:14-04:00July 5, 2012|Fusion Food & Friends|3 Comments

FOFF Orzo and Tomato Soup

The benefits of Lycopene - that antioxidant found in tomatoes... Another tomato based meal. That's not so bad considering all the health benefits we get from tomatoes and I specifically refer to the lycopene content in this bright, red fruit. Our bodies are constantly undergoing oxidative stress and to combat that stress we need to have a healthy antioxidant and immune response system. Pigment in brightly colored produce such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruits, and papaya with red flesh contain healthy amounts. Lycopene activates our immune system and allows it to promote genes that trigger key enzymes protecting against the environment, [...]

By Joanne|2012-06-27T19:31:14-04:00June 27, 2012|Fusion Food & Friends|4 Comments