Asian Cole Slaw

Taxes, a computer crash and Easter cookies have made me a bad blogger. And I feel particularly bad about not posting this recipe, which has been bouncing around Pinterest for the past month or so. Clearly a low fat, high flavor recipe resonates with people. So, without further ado......

Of late, I have been particularly focused on recipes that are big on flavor and low on fat. And not surprisingly, my search often leads me to Asian-inspired dishes.

The base of this coleslaw is cabbage, carrot, green onion and a small amount of chopped peanuts. Although I have used many different types of cabbage in this dish, my favorite is a combination of purple cabbage and napa cabbage.

The original recipe calls for one cup of peanuts. I have scaled it back to 2 ounces, which is enough to impart flavor but not overwhelm the dish. (If you are saying to yourself, "I don't like nuts in my food", think twice. They really make the dish.)

 The dressing is lovely and really pulls the salad together. It consists of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil flavored with ginger, garlic and a touch of honey. It you like your Asian slaw spicy, you can also add some red pepper flakes to the mix.

This low calorie recipe is a real keeper (Think: warm weather and BBQ.) Give it a try and let me know what you think.

The printable recipe is here. 

Happy New Year 2013

Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

New York City 2013 

Gifts that keep on Giving {DIY Christmas GiftTags}

This year for Christmas , I took a decidedly different approach to gift wrapping and giving. Namely, instead of just attaching tags to Christmas presents, I gave tags, bags and embellishments as gifts! In other words, my family and friends received gifts this year which will keep on giving. 

Let me start off by saying that this project did not start off so ambitious (or broad) in scope. In fact, my initial idea was to make a few gift tags to put on gifts. But as I started to make the tags, it occurred to me they would make terrific gifts. 

I wanted the tags to have a vintage look, so I utilized (heavy-gauge) craft paper tags and old-fashion manila tags. Natural raffia and baker's twine were used for the ties.

I worked on the tags mostly at night, and ran for craft supplies at lunch time. This project was such a fun distraction from the day to day stress and responsibility of my urban life. It actually occurred to me more than once: I need to do things like this more often.

I wrapped the labels (and other fund embellishments) in cellophane goodie bags, and tied them off with an organza bow.  

Most of the tags made their way into Christmas Gift Wrapping Kits, which contained heavy corrugated cardboard totes in various sizes, tissue paper and pinecone picks. (Ribbon, baker's twine, gift wrap or box/basket filler would have also been nice additions/substitutions.)

But some of the tags also made their way into gift baskets -- including this one for a wine-loving friend. 

I must say, these gifts initially threw people for a loop. After all, when was the last time you received a gift wrapping kit for the holidays? But once people realized what the gift was about, they were uniformly happy and grateful.

After a very stressful fall in the Northeastern US, marked by monster storms, widespread destruction and horrific acts of violence, it was hard not to feel rattled. So in a way, these tags were just what the doctor ordered: an excuse to pause, focus and reflect on the people (and things) that matter most. And as an added bonus, I made some pretty awesome gifts for people I care about.

Christmas Cupcakes {for Santa} 2012

This year, when Santa slides down the chimney at our house, he will have a surprise in store. Because instead of cookies, there will be special Christmas Cupcakes waiting for him. And I hear through the grapevine that Santa really digs cupcakes! 

Devil's food cupcakes, in fact, with luscious vanilla buttercream

Decorated with lots of fun Royal Icing Cupcake Toppers -- many in his own likeness

And just in case he is still hungry, we will set out a few extra for the road

I hope that Santa enjoys eating them, as much as I enjoyed making them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Get the printable recipe for the devil's food cake here, and the vanilla buttercream here.

The paper baking cups and paper straws were purchased online at Sweet Lulu.