2010 – Page 6 – My Life Runs on Food

#SmoothieNumbers 10: White Peach and Pineapple

September 15, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

White Peach and Pineapple is no. 10 of the Smoothie Numbers series. They’re quick postings listing the ingredients for making refreshing, healthy drinks in a blender. Read more →

Toasted Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

September 13, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

There’s a large bag of raw pumpkin seeds in the freezer. Normally, they would’ve been used as toppings for cakes or muffins. They remain in the freezer, because my body feels unbalanced after consuming large quantities. I discovered this reaction when a Tomatillo Gazpacho with Pumpkin Seed Pesto was made. It was so good. I felt the discomfort of my body was worth the pain, for a few more bowls were enjoyed the following days. By the third day, I realized the side effects were not normal. It’s been known for a while large quantities of pumpkin seeds make me feel uneasy, but that pumpkin seed pesto was heavenly savory. After that dish was made the pumpkin seeds sat in my freezer, barely touched. Read more →

Saucy Enchiladas with Amaranth Greens and Corn

September 10, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

What smell reminds you of your mom? I have memories of spicy perfumes that linger in rooms long after mom has left for work. My love of floral scents comes from memories of her rose garden. The scent of sweet roses would drift into my childhood bedroom on a breezy, spring morning. Lastly, the smell of corn tortillas frying in oil is one of the few food memories associated with mom. Mexican dishes, especially tacos and enchiladas, are one of my comfort cuisines. When my mother moved with my father to the east coast to raise a family, they would discover Mexican food was only served at a fast food restaurant chain. Although, my father did most of the cooking in our house, he stepped away from his kitchen for mom to make her famous enchiladas. Back then; her version was stuffed with ground beef, cheddar cheese, onions, canned black olives and sour cream. The enchilada sauce would start with an envelope package of a Mexican spice mix.

If you’re familiar with My Life Runs On Food, the recipes posted are mostly from scratch. I’m familiar with both the artificial flavoring of fast food and the slow cook from scratch methods of cooking. Most people grew up with fast food, in which we now know about their unhealthy side effects. My love of cooking inspires a curiosity about authentic ingredients to avoid using artificial flavorings, pre-made spice mixes and bottled sauces. Making the Spicy Enchiladas with Corn and Amaranth Greens is a recreation of Mom’s version. They’re closer to being authentically Mexican, too. The process of making enchiladas from scratch, especially making the sauce, is a labor of love. Read more →

Ginger Carrot Muffins

September 7, 2010January 7, 2022Sanura

This is a first. Here it comes, “Summer, you were too hot for me.” There I said it. Out. Loud. Those are words of regret as I walk from two inches to six feet of snow by next winter. Being a child of the summer, I feel guilty. Those words are of the highest betrayal to my greatest love of the seasons. My love is now with the fair weather seasons of fall and spring. Summer smothered me with too much love this year.

I went to bed breathing in humid air. My skin was forever damp from the excessive sweating in our apartment sans air conditioning. The fan moved with me from room to room. My sunny disposition melted into an irritable attitude. Don’t. Touch. Me. Recipes requiring no oven were mandatory. Other food blogs enjoyed making pies, tarts and warm savory dishes. My food blog was mostly green salads, seared meats and frozen desserts. Luckily, there were a few cooler days to make birthday cakes, frittatas and enchiladas.

As August comes to a close, summer is dancing with fall. As this post is being written, Hurricane Earl isn’t being destructive, for it’s constructive. It brought cooler air. Such temperatures are a fresh breath of relief. I’m cooler, now. Read more →