Green Spinach Smoothie

Yes... I am pureeing vegetables. And drinking them. And I LOVE IT!

I have to admit, I am stealing this recipe from my dad. He started a whole bunch of smoothies and other health conscious items for the yoga-pant-wearing-but-I-never-work out- moms in Los Angeles for his cafe. I've mentioned it before, but I am going to hawk it again. Its called Cafe Midi and its so good. The green smoothie he makes though, is phenominal. I make it and drink it at least 2 times a week. And when you aren't feeling quiet yourself, this is what you need to drink.

1 cup ice
1 banana
1 1/2 cups spinach (baby spinach works best)
1 cup lemonade (not from concentrate)

This recipe is simple... throw it all in the blender. Well sort of. Place a whole banana into the bottom of your blender.

I Will Never Eat at Panda Express Again

Oh how I wish this photo said UCLA

After countless times just dealing with the TERRIBLE establishment that is Panda Express at UCLA, I have had enough. I wrote a lovely Yelp review, and wrote to the general manager. But I don't honestly think she will respond. The thing is, I know I am not the only person who can't stand the way these employees treat their customers. So Dear Ms. Royo... here is my "love letter" to you.

"That is the last time I get food at Panda. And I am going to recommend everyone in my office not to go either. After the countless times I have seen your employees not know how to do their job properly, today just took the cake.

There are 6 people in line... 6. And on days when the line reaches past 30, maybe I am more understandable. I stood there watching the woman behind the counter, not doing the rice and chow-mein, but scooping your food, be completely rude to everyone she interacted with. For one, this girl asked for a taste of something while she was waiting to get a bowl. I watched your employee give it to her, then neglect her as the girl stood there while she served 3 people. And when the girl finally spoke up, the server snapped "what?"... like her customer was inconveniencing her. This is the same lady that on a number of times has given me the wrong items. And every time she has gotten mad at me when I have told her about her mistake. The thing is, I get the EXACT SAME THING every single time, 2-3 times a week, so I know I am not the one being confusing.

The lady scooping rice today looked new. I asked her to try the Kobari Beef. Well, she pretty much man handled my sample, which already made me not want to eat it, and so poorly applied to the toothpick it instantly fell on me and the counter. She saw this happen, didn't care, and kept asking people what they wanted. I stood there, like she may say something. Maybe apologize and give me another sample. Nope. Honestly she could give a shit.

Leftover Reinvention: Roasted Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Its that time again. Where I show you what delicious things you can make from stuff laying around in your pantry. Honestly, this is my favorite thing to do. I love puzzles... in fact... I played chess extensively growing up. Google me; you will find my Chess Federation records. That is right; number one nerd.

"Pantry Shopping" as I like to call it is taking things you have laying around, and getting inventive. For me, when I shop, I buy certain staples that I like to eat a lot. I imagine that you do much of the same. But, sometimes I see something funky, something I haven't tried before, and I buy it. Eventually, I use it and most of the time its when I am Pantry Shopping. This post is a also leftover reinvention because I had chicken breast and roasted vegetables from my dad's cafe leftover. 

2 cooked chicken breasts (mine were grilled)
3 cups roasted vegetables
500 g dry pasta
1 carton/ can condensed cream of mushroom soup
12 ounces goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

The first thing to a pasta bake is to get the pasta going. You want to cook it to almost done. This is because you are baking it in a sauce in the oven, which will further cook the pasta. The last thing you want is mushy grains. Yuck.

Spicy Black Bean Tex Mex Pizza

Summer is coming, meaning more sun, beach, and barbeques. In anticipation of the bright weather we are about to have, I bring you my vegetarian Tex Mex pizza.

1 pizza crust
1 can black beans (I like to get a can of cuban style black beans)
2 tbs BBQ sauce
1 tbs minced garlic
1/4 cup corn kernels
1/4 a red onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, sliced into strips
1 jalapeno
12 ounces Mexican Cheese blend

To start, its important to let your pizza crust sit in the counter and rise. Once it has had time to rise a bit, place cornmeal on your pizza stone and work your crust into a circular shape. Place the crust on the stone, ready to add the toppings. Our base for this pizza is the black bean mixture. First, pour the beans out of the can into a bowl and crush them.

Next, add the BBQ sauce and the minced garlic.