Roasted Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is one of those vegetables that can easily be transformed into a main dish in replacement of meat. Don't get me wrong, I love meat. BUT a well made vegetarian dish can be just as satisfying. This recipe is super simple, super delicious, and it perfect for a cold night.

1 Acorn Squash
4 tbs salted butter
olive oil
black pepper
garlic powder
seasoning salt (I use Tony's creole seasoning)
cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Get out a baking dish that has raised sides in case the squash need a little propping up. Take your squash and cut it in half. Gut it thoroughly. You want to make sure there are no seeds and no stringy parts.

Department of Kinesiology in the CSULB Graduate Program in Sport Management

I GOT IN!!! That is right... I got the email with the big, old Congraulations in the first sentence.

I am on cloud nine... hard work really does pay off!

The Best Vegetable Quiche

So, I am allergic to egg whites. I know...

But my allergy is only a 2 out of a 4, meaning I won't die, but I may feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, eggs are one of my favorite things and I still eat them all the time because I just can't help myself. One of my favorite egg dishes is a good quiche. You don't want an overwhelming, dense, cheesy block. A quiche should have flavor and be light and fluffy.

For this dinner, I made quiche the main dish. Because why can't it be my night time star? If you want to add meat to this, it would also work. I suggest pork; bacon, ham, or pancetta. Make sure to cut down on the salt in the egg mixture if you are adding a salty, fatty meat.

This recipe is adapted from allrecipes.com, Easy Broccoli Quiche.

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, minced

5 cloves garlic, minced (you really benefit from fresh garlic here)

1.5 cups chopped fresh mushrooms

1.5 cups diced tomatoes

1 unbaked puff pastry

1 1/2 cups rough chopped colby jack cheese (or mozzarella)

5 eggs, well beaten

1 cup 2 percent milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Holiday Bustle and Hustle

During this time of year, everything gets busier for me. UCLA Basketball season will end in April, giving me time to breathe. However, December also means holiday baking.

I like to make a lot of my gifts for coworkers and parents' of friends, which means recipes will be coming soon. Expect to find delicious sugar cookie recipes, a killer gingerbread, and one of my favorite holiday homemade gifts, chocolate balsamic vinegar. Unexpected but so delicious. I also wanted to try something I have been seeing online; hot chocolate on a stick/ in a spoon. These could make some amazing gifts for the gentlemen in my office.

Before I go, I wanted to share a video I took of Brody. I have bought this dog countless toys and things to play with. He does not play fetch. Will not nibble on his stuffed animal. He won't even drag around his squeaky toys. No, Brody instead stole the top of my turkey baster... and will not let it go. If I had known that was all it took, I would have gotten him a baster a long time ago. See the cuteness for yourself :)