Author: Sanura

Parade.com: Citrus Orzo Salad with Smoked Salmon

Sanura

Citrus Orzo Salad with Smoked Salmon

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I ate four slices of my dad’s German Chocolate Cake, half of his sweet potato pie, one slice of my aunt’s famous buttery two-layer vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, and another piece of celebration vanilla cake. Of course, those were just the desserts. The following Monday, I was in the gym running, lifting weights, and stretching my body into redemption. There’s the traditional reason for this type of gluttonous eating during this time of year: The body needs the extra fat to keep warm during the colder months. Then, there’s the modern reason: Guilty am I of being greedy.  Read more →

Appetizing Events: House of Mandela Wine Signing at Bed-Vyne Wine

Sanura
House of Mandela Wine Signing
Tukwini Mandela and Dr. Makaziwe (Maki) Mandela, respectively daughter and granddaughter of Nelson Mandela.

“The family tree is like a vine that grows. It’s who we are and where we come from.” Dr. Makaziwe (Maki) Mandela

Each bottle has a bee symbolizing the Mandela family token. It symbolizes courage, compassion and a concern for others; the wings represent the many branches of the Mandela family tree and invoke shared circles of friendship and community relationships. A few weeks ago, Bed-Vyne hosted Dr. Makaziwe (Maki) Mandela and Tukwini Mandela, respectively daughter and granddaughter of Nelson Mandela to sign bottles of their House of Mandela Wines. The wines are produced in the world’s most beautiful, bio-diverse winelands, in an environmentally sensitive and ethically responsible techniques. Within the collection are three labels: The Royal Reserve, the Thembu Collection and sparkling.  Read more →

#HealthyHoliday Soul Food Blog Carnival: Mediterranean-Inspired Salad with Cauliflower Couscous

Sanura

Mediterranean-Inspired Salad with Cauliflower Couscous

Everyone has their own definition of what being healthy means. For me, it’s enjoying mostly–within my budget and whenever possible–organic food my body allows in moderation. Sure, organic cow’s whole milk is used when cooking, but drinking a glass of whole milk isn’t for me. White sugar is gradually being replaced with coconut sugar (I’m giving away the white stuff). Wheat doesn’t affect me at all, but I’m experimenting with coconut flour. And, there’s plenty of soul recipes on this site with healthy alternatives, such as Black-eye Pea and Wild Brown Rice Risotto with Seared Baby Lamb Chops and Saute Swiss Chard, Duck and Turnip Stew with Dandelion Greens and Red Beans and Chicken with Wild Rice.  Read more →

Parade.com: 22 Healthy Tips for Road Trips and Roast Coriander Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Grilled Chicken Salad

Sanura

Roast Coriander Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Grilled Chicken Salad

“Over the river, and through the woods…,” I hum as we leave the comfort of our apartment for a road trip lasting a few hours. For those of us who aren’t hosting a Thanksgiving meal in their home and traveling long-distance to friends or a relative’s house, packing for a road-trip is a feel good alternative to feeling bloated and heavy from fast food restaurants at rest stops. Here are a few ‘lighter’ fare ideas for traveling and below is a recipe for Roast Coriander Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Grilled Chicken Salad that packs well in a cooler or over frozen water bottles. If serving the salad as part of a Thanksgiving dinner, omit the chicken. It’s contrasting crunchy texture in a Thanksgiving menu with mushy dishes would be a welcome addition.  Read more →

Parade.com: Saffron Butternut Squash Soup

Sanura

Saffron Butternut Soup

Finland. Summer 2003. Lunch outside of a mild summer day. The server presented steamed salmon in a saffron creamy broth. It was simple dish, but the memory of its taste is grand. Recently, when I made Saffron Butternut Squash soup as an idea to include in a Thanksgiving menu, the first spoonful didn’t have me thinking of smoked turkey. Instead, forgotten memories of Finland returned.

It was the summer of learning about organic food, becoming environmentally-conscious and riding Copenhagen’s public bikes. The flavorful produce was fresh, bruised and unwaxed. Large chickens looked liked American cornish hens. Fingerling potatoes enclosed in a thin papery skin roasted into a buttery softness. I would return to occasionally trying to recreate the Saffron Creamy broth. It’s a simple sauce, in which I’m surprised to not have successfully created it. Perhaps, the simpleness of the sauce is underestimated. Ten years later into today, I would unwittingly recreate the taste with different ingredients, but the memories come courtesy of saffron. It’s distinct flavor beautifully infuses every dish.  Read more →