Author: Sanura

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

Sanura

Chicken Pot Pie

This economy is real to me. Like most people in 2008, I was laid off. Coincidentally, I received a part-time job. Receiving a part-time job during that time period was extremely lucky, but it also meant several of my bills went unpaid for two years into now. Then last November; I was let go from the part-time job. Unemployment covers the rent and utilities. There’s a little left for food and limited transportation. Each week, I’m down to a few dollars before receiving unemployment benefit. Between the financial instability, I’ve dealt with a few emotional blows. So, yes… these past few years have been financially difficult. Read more →

Chicken and Roast Eggplant-Tomato Tacos with Turnip Salsa

Sanura

Chicken, Roast Eggplant-Tomatoes Tacos with Turnip Salsa

It’s quite sad that vegetables are considered boring and bland. Truthfully, that’s how it’s presented. A former co-worker and I were at a buffet. It had fried and barbecue chicken, rice and peas, mac and cheese, and all the delicious ceremonial dishes. In the midst of the buffet was the notorious tasteless vegetable platter with grape tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and green bell pepper. Usually, there’s a gooey ranch dressing in the center of the platter. Honestly, I skip over the vegetable tray. The dry taste is not worth the “must-eat-your-vegetables” guilt. As my co-worker grabbed a few pieces, she said, “…Must take a few ‘feel good’ vegetables, but no one ever wants to eat them.” As predicted, the lightly nibbled vegetables were scraped into the garbage when she was done eating. Read more →

Sweet Potato and Rosemary Pasta, Harissa Roast Tomatoes, Collard Greens, and Chickpeas

Sanura
Fresh Sweet Potato and Rosemary Pasta with Harissa Spiced Roast Tomatoes, Collard Greens, and Chickpeas garnished with toasted Pine Nuts
Fresh Sweet Potato and Rosemary Pasta with Harissa Spiced Roast Tomatoes, Collard Greens, and Chickpeas garnished with toasted Pine Nuts

My friends must think I’m avoiding them. April has proven to be whirlwind of hi-strung energy. There are too many priorities that can’t be ignored or delayed. In the beginning of April, I canceled a few coffee dates. Around mid-April, meetings were rescheduled for May, after canceling for the third time. When dates are canceled, it throws another person’s schedule off. It’s not like my friends have extra spare time. In addition to juggling priorities, the landlord schedules much needed repairs and a painting job for the whole apartment. There’s dust and painting supplies everywhere. The saying, if the house isn’t in order, life is unorganized. Read more →

Wheatberry Salad with Mint, Roast Asparagus, and Blood Oranges

Sanura

Wheatberry Salad with Mint, Roast Asparagus, and Blood Oranges

There’s this sudden fascination with grains lately. Such curiosity started last year when amaranth greens were included in a weekly farm share. A quick online search yielded information about amaranth grains. It’s commonly found in the bulk section of organic or natural food stores. Since then, I’ve discovered other types of grains.

Thanks to globalization, plenty of grains have been introduced to our market recently, such as amaranth, barley, quinoa, kamut, kasha, rye berries, and so forth. A few weeks ago, Melissa Danielle, a foodie friend, requested a recipe using wheatberries. Quite honestly, the name of the grain is easily recognized, but its visual appearance is daunting. Situations like this casually remind us how disconnected we are from food and it’s actual source. It’s commonly flattened into flakes for breakfast cereals or granola, similar to corn and oat flakes. It’s also baked in bread for additional flavor and nutrients, hence the name “Whole-Grain Bread”. Read more →

Whole Wheat Bread

Sanura

Whole Wheat Bread

Just a few minutes after seven in the morning, a yellow cab pulls to the curb outside the apartment building. Underneath a thick wool sweater, I shivered with a mix of anxious anticipation and from the cold. The door of the cab opens, and I relax into the warm embrace of a boyfriend not seen since January of this year. He traveled across the country for his career and has returned to home. We carry the luggage into the apartment. I’ve waited for this moment for months. Instantly, our habits around each other become a familiar pattern. Read more →