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Tag Archives: recipes

Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Easy”

Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow

Back in April, Gwyneth Paltrow stopped by the Baruch Performing Arts Center to discuss her new cookbook “It’s All Easy.”

The cookbook is a beautiful display of food with pictures from Paltrow’s private life at home with her kids.  The recipes were designed to use items that should already be in your pantry.

Here is the audio from her talk:

https://www.perfectionistwannabe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Copy-of-Paltrow.wav

I will admit that I loved hearing her talk about life.  She seems so down to earth.  She dispelled a lot of myths out there about her and how she’s raising her kids.  People think she’s some whack job raising her kids to be vegan with no sugar, etc.  Ends up, she lets her kids choose how they want to eat.  She’s a meat eater, but her daughter has always refused to eat meat.  Her daughter was born a vegetarian.  There was nothing she could do about that.

Her son is gluten intolerant and is very cautious with what he eats.  Would she forbid her kids from eating cake, Doritos or Oreos?  No.  She’s not cruel.  She’ll have her Oreos and eat them, too.

From "It's All Easy"


The Cookbook

This cookbook is beautifully done.  The recipes all look so mouthwatering.  I couldn’t wait to make her Pan Bagnat.

I decided to start from scratch and pick up all of the ingredients from the store.  I decided to do my shopping at Food Emporium in Manhattan since they tend to cater to foodies.  I want to make clear just how much it cost to make this sandwich…$60.  I’m not joking.  [Luckily, the leftover ingredients could go towards other recipes in the cookbook.]

I hate to say this, but in a way, after I got my receipt, I thought that this is a great example of how Paltrow can have a bit of a disconnect with the middle class.  People have complained that her line of products caters to the wealthy.  This is a prime example of catering to them.  These items she suggests to make this sandwich are not commonly found in most homes.

Tuna?  Yes, that is something you’ll find in your pantry.  Tuna in olive oil?  That exists?  I actually stood in front of the tuna shelves at the grocery store for 5 minutes just trying to locate the ONE BRAND they have of tuna in olive oil.

She notes that it is important to have qualitative ingredients.  The tuna and baguette really make or break this sandwich.  I will agree with the baguette part, not so much with the tuna statement.  At $6 for a can of tuna in olive oil, after tasting this sandwich, it would have been better with the 59 cent can of tuna in water from Aldi’s.  It would have also tasted better with less anchovies.  Two anchovies would have done the job.  Eight anchovies and this becomes the saltiest sandwich you’ve ever eaten.  Don’t forget you are also supposed to add more salt onto the eggs in this recipe.


Going based on the recipe from the cookbook, I gave this recipe 3 stars.  The concept is awesome, but it could have been better.  It was too salty and oily for my taste.  The next time I make this, it will be modified to have the cheaper tuna in water, 2 anchovies, no salt, and less oily substances.  It can be healthier with less salt and oil.

Another variation I made of this recipe that I enjoyed immensely was the salad version.  Throw all of the ingredients into a bowl, tear up a few pieces of the bread, and add a honey dijon dressing (easiest way to do this: take some dijon mustard, add some honey and top it off with Caesar dressing, stir, and add to the salad.  Taste the dressing before putting it on to make sure it’s to your liking.  I like it a little on the sweeter side, so I’ll add more honey so it’s not too spicy.)  The salad version of the pan bagnat is so much tastier.  I became so obsessed with it, it was the only thing I ate for a week.  It was so good.  The basil and sun dried tomatoes were what made it so tasty.

Try the sandwich/salad out with the modifications I list above, and this may end up being your new GO TO sandwich.

I’m looking forward to trying out many of the other recipes in her cookbook.  They all look so good.  I’m looking forward to making the Zuni Sheet Pan Chicken, the Thai Curry Noodle Pot, and her Thai-style crab cakes.  I love her ideas for soups in a jar.  It’s a great take on the popular jar salads.

The best way to utilize Paltrow’s cookbook (for those on a budget) is to use the ingredients you already have at home.  She may list something like ‘tuna in olive oil,’ just use what you have in your pantry (regular tuna).  That was the whole purpose of her book. The majority of these ingredients should already be in your pantry.  Not everyone it going to have the expensive stuff, but you probably have something similar to it.  Use that.

Luckily, most of her cookbook repeats a lot of the same ingredients.  She uses arugula, eggs, baguette bread, lemons and anchovies a lot.  So that $60 I spent to make this sandwich, the leftover ingredients can be used towards other recipes in her cookbook…so that $60 is not a complete waste.

Do I recommend this cookbook?  ABSOLUTELY!  You can purchase her book HERE.

Below is her recipe for Pan Bagnat.  Use the modifications above, and I’m sure you’re going to love this sandwich.  ENJOY!


Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pan Bagnat

From Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Easy” cookbook.

In simple terms, pan bagnat has all the components of a niçoise salad stuffed into a perfectly transportable sandwich form.  I discovered this delight when I worked in France years ago.  It is the perfect summer picnic lunch, best eaten outside on a warm day, preferably with a glass of chilled rosé in your hand.  If that’s out of the question, though, it’s still pretty delicious eaten in the car while waiting for your kids to finish soccer practice. The quality of ingredients, particularly the tuna and baguette, really makes or breaks this sandwich, so try to find the good stuff.

Print Recipe
Pan Bagnat
This is Gwyneth Paltrow's Favorite French Baguette sandwich. From her cookbook "It's All Easy"
Course Sandwiches
Cuisine French
Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 medium baguette (about 16 inches), split lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 large handful of arugula
  • 16 ounces good-quality jarred or canned tuna in olive oil
  • 1/2 cup very thinly sliced red onion, or to taste
  • 8 anchovies roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon capers
  • 24 pitted nicoise (or kalamata) olives cut in half
  • 16 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
  • 16 fresh basil leaves
  • 4 9-minute eggs sliced
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper
Course Sandwiches
Cuisine French
Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 medium baguette (about 16 inches), split lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 large handful of arugula
  • 16 ounces good-quality jarred or canned tuna in olive oil
  • 1/2 cup very thinly sliced red onion, or to taste
  • 8 anchovies roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon capers
  • 24 pitted nicoise (or kalamata) olives cut in half
  • 16 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
  • 16 fresh basil leaves
  • 4 9-minute eggs sliced
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Spread half of the baguette with a thin layer of Dijon mustard, then layer in the remaining ingredients, starting at the bottom with the arugula and finishing with the sliced eggs at the top. Season the egg with salt and pepper and press firmly to compress the sandwich. Eat right away or wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cut into portions just before serving.
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Weekend Reading Material

27 May 2016

mortomI just finished reading “Mortom” by Erik Therme.  I am like…WOW.

When Therme contacted me about reviewing his book, it was for “Resthaven.”  But after I finished reading “Resthaven,” I was like…I have to read the other book.

Like “Resthaven,”  “Mortom” is a thrill ride all the way until the end.  Right when you are so wrapped up in the story and you’re really at the edge of your seat, you read the last words at the bottom of the page, turn the page and you’re looking at a picture of the author.

I swear to you, at the end of both books I did a “Nooo!  It can’t be over.”  That’s what he does.  He really hooks you in.  You’re at the edge of your seat and BAM!  The story is done.  You’re constantly thinking, ‘but what happened to…’  He does it to his readers every single time.

If you’re looking for something to read this Memorial Day weekend that’s filled with mystery, intrigue, edge of your seat…you have no idea what’s going to happen next…then this is your book.  It’s a quick read.  Try both.  I really enjoyed both books.  They are free if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited.

Mortom
Resthaven


Other things worth reading:

    • I’m obsessed with DIY stuff lately.  My friend introduced me to Scrapbook.com and let’s just say…the best thing about it are the free classes!  I just took the 8 Ways to Embellish with Lisa Andrews.  She gave me so many ideas that I never even thought about…including a new way to journal.
    • I am a huge David Bach fan.  I have been for years.  A few years ago, he sent me a free autographed copy of his book.  I was in heaven.  What I love about David is that he’s passionate about teaching people how to live rich by being smarter with their money.  He is getting ready to release his bestseller “Automatic Millionaire” with new updates.  Until the release, sign up for his email list.  He’s sending free downloads of his work.  I downloaded a free copy of his ebook “Finish Rich QuickStart System.”  He’ll be sending out free downloads of the “Automatic Millionaire” reboot soon.  So get your name on his mailing list!
    • How to Successfully Balance Your Side Hustle With Your Full-Time Job.  This is a great read for those who work full-time and have a side business on the side until the side business becomes a full-time gig.  What I love are the tips on managing your time.

ml2

    • How to Stay Focused When Working From Home.  Something I’ve been learning a lot about lately is taking distractions away when I’m working at home.  It is a little difficult when you have a Maine Coon sitting right in your face when you are working at your desk.  I was working on a communion card last week and right as the glue was drying, Matthew Lucifer jumped up on the desk and sat right on the card, completely smearing the embossed picture.  He won’t move when he’s sitting in front of me while I’m working, so I’ve learned to just stop, give him some love for a few minutes, and then encourage him to take a nap on the sofa behind me or sit in the window.  Once that is done, I’ll have at least an hour to work before the next Maine Coon disaster begins.




    • Honey Chipotle Chicken Pizza With Goat Cheese.  Do I need to say more?  OMG. NOMNOM.
    • Looking Fly on a Dime.  I just recently came across this blog on my Twitter feed and I am in love.  I wish this site was around when I was in my 20s!  I love this shirt she found.  At first, she thought it was a dress!  Ends up it was a super long shirt…and a cool one at that.  I absolutely loved her $10 find.  I love how she pairs everything together.  This site is now an official PW bookmarked site!
    • 10 Tips from a Professional Organizer.  These simple tips are words to live by.   I’ve learned recently that there is no such thing as multi-tasking.  I watch people out on the street walking super slow looking at their phones, totally oblivious to what’s happening around them (like almost getting hit by a car).  Schedule out your day with little to no distractions.  Make sure you plan accordingly, including scheduling those few minutes of social media time.  If you don’t watch yourself, you’ll lose a lot of time and wonder where the day went.  You don’t want to be one of those people.  Being glued to your cell phone is no way to live.




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Eat Smarter: The New Way to Pasta

2 May 20162 May 2016
Zucchini Noodles
Zucchini Noodles

I am absolutely addicted to spiralized noodles!  A friend of mine had become obsessed with zucchini noodles and wanted me to try it out, so she ordered a spiralizer for me and she started my latest food addiction.

Who needs all of those carbs from pasta noodles?  Not me.  Who wants to spend over half an hour just trying to cook a pot of noodles?  Not me.

Spiralized noodles are easy to make and very addictive.  They’re also so much healthier for you than regular semolina pasta.  All you need is a spiralizer, your choice vegetable (zucchini and squash are the most popular), and a sauce of your choice.


I love spaghetti with meat sauce, but I don’t like that gut feeling you get afterward.  Substituting the semolina spaghetti with zucchini noodles has become one of my favorite dishes.

The great thing about zucchini noodles is that you don’t have to boil them very long.  Just bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the zucchini noodles (sometimes called ‘zoodles’), cook for 2 minutes (keep your eye on the clock), then remove the noodles from the water.  Add the sauce of your choice on top and you’ve got an incredibly tasty meal.

Zucchini Noodles in Pesto Sauce
Zucchini Noodles in Pesto Sauce
Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs
Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs

After going Zoodles, I’m never going back to regular pasta.  I ended up donating all of my regular pasta to the food bank.

I have been trying out other versions of spiralized noodles and recipes.  I just recently made a Thai peanut sauce version with spiralized Korean squash.  I didn’t even need to boil the noodles.  I just tossed it into the stir fry and in a minute, it was done.

Trust me…you really won’t miss regular noodles.

The great thing about spiralizing vegetables is that you’re not only sneaking in more vegetables into your diet and cutting out the bad carbs, but you’re also consciously changing the way you’re eating.  If you can substitute the bad stuff with the good stuff and the meal tastes amazing, why stick to the bad stuff?

My friend gave me the Pro Cuisine Spiralizer, which comes in a bundle that includes several accessories, as well as a little cookbook with recipes.  It’s an inexpensive tool to add to your kitchen arsenal (currently $12.99 at Amazon.com).  It’s perfect if it’s just you, or two people.  If you have a family, you’re better off going with the bigger spiralizer for a few dollars more.  The crank on the bigger spiralizer makes it easier to spiralize more vegetables.  The smaller one is better if you’re only spiralizing one or two vegetables at a time.

I love my spiralizer.  It’s one of the best gifts I’ve received in a long time,, and one of the best new tools in my kitchen.



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