Summertime...and the livin' is easy!

Hi Friends!

We've had a remarkably delightful summer here in New York City!  Today seems to be the hottest/most humid day I recall (and it's not even that bad).  While we are awaiting a storm this afternoon, our weekends have been great! (I hope I'm not jinxing here!)  I have been cycling (a lot...no surprise) in Central Park, up and down along the Hudson River, and even to and from spin class!

As someone who loves to eat, summertime means lots of fresh fruits and veggies!  Nothing screams "SUMMER" to me more!  Heirloom tomatoes!  Fresh corn!  Peaches!  Nectarines!  Watermelon!

I had the chance to spend last weekend out on the North Fork of Long Island at my friends Mary and Ron Shelton's house.  We toured a couple of wineries...which, remarkably, serve up some tasty Rose wine.  Check out Croteaux and KontaKosta when you have a chance!

Croteaux - Rose Tasting

KontaKosta Winery - with my friend Ron Shelton

Kontakosta Winery

Mary and Ron have a lovely back patio featuring beautiful pots of flowers...and herbs!  I was the lucky recipient of some fresh herbs.

I have been feasting on one of my most favorite summertime treats ever since returning: 

Caprese Salad!  

• Heirloom Tomatoes
• Fresh Mozzarella
• Fresh Basil
• Dijon Vinaigrette
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• Sea Salt

Can't get much better...or can it???!!!

Today...I added a few chunks of WATERMELON to my salad!  It added a cool crunchy sweetness to the bowl!  So delightful!  Oh...and did I mention I used a garlic/hot pepper olive oil (homemade of course) to give my vinaigrette a little "kick"?!  It's also great for sauteing...and popping popcorn!

So...RUN, don't walk to your local farm stand or Farmers' Market!  Shop the bounty!  Chop up your goodies and enjoy!  And, of course, it's even better with a lovely glass of cold Rose!

Cheers and Bon Appetit!
SDMC

Meatless Monday - CHILI - Part 2 - Meat-Free and Gluten-Free

Hi Friends!

Just a quick note!  I'm continue to observe my "Meatless Monday" during Lent...but I'll probably continue to do it after Lent is over.

Today, I heated up some of my Veggie Chili (recipe in previous post). 

A couple of notes:

1.  I said to not use the masa that's provided in the Wick Fowler's 2-Alarm Chili Box.  Go ahead and use it...it thickens up the chili nicely AND, because masa is made with corn flour, it's GLUTEN-FREE...as is the rest of the chili!

2.  Today, I had some leftover QUINOA in the fridge.  I cooked the quinoa is some veggie stock (or chicken stock or beef stock is also good).  I decide to dump the leftover quinoa into my chili...

WOW...WHAT A HIT!!!

It gives even more dimension to the yummy bowl of chili!

Added texture - almost like ground meat.
Added protein - again, like ground meat.
Added flavor - not like ground meat...but I do love me some quinoa!

Have a SUPER DUPER DAY!!!

Xo,
SDMC

Meatless Monday - Give it a Try!

Hi all!

I decided to give "Meatless Monday" a try during Lent.  Of course, last Monday, I made it all day until attending a St. Patrick's Day party...and then I forgot and had a "pig in a blanket" or 2 or 3!  Oh well!

So, today is Monday...so I'm trying again!  Today in NYC, it was cold...downright chilly!  Did I say chilly?!  Made me think of CHILI!

I went into my freezer, and I was out of my veggie chili...oh no...BUT...it's so easy to make!  See my previous post from February for the recipe:

 "It's Not Texas-Chili, But It's Darn Good Veggie Chili"

Anyway...I made a slight change to the recipe.  Instead of 1 can of water, I used 2 cups of veggie stock.  I also forgot to use a fresh jalapeno, and this time I used the masa (which is corn flower...so it's still gluten-free).  SO DARN TASTY!

I posted this photo on Instagram earlier, and I was so excited when many friends "liked" the photo.  A new friend also liked the photo:  @meatlessmonday  It's a website full of lots of fun ideas!  http://www.meatlessmonday.com

Veggie Chili

Perfect yummy and healthy lunch...but now what's for dinner?!

I sauteed some veggies (spinach, mushrooms, celery, bell pepper, tomato, onion, and garlic).  Then I deglazed with a little bit of veggie stock to make a sauce and then tossed with some pasta.  Many people think that pasta is evil...but guess what...it's not!  Get a kitchen scale and weigh out 2 ounces of dry pasta per person.  It's 200 calories...it's not that big of a deal!  Kick up your bowl of pasta a notch with some chili flakes and/or sriracha sauce.  YUM!  I didn't get to sprinkle any Parmesan cheese b/c I gave cheese up for Lent too!  It's okay...I didn't miss it!

Veggie Pasta

Super Duper Veggie Pasta
Serves 1

• Onion - 1/2 small - diced
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Grape Tomatoes - 4 or 5, halved
• Mushrooms - 4 or 5 small, thinly sliced
• Celery - 1 stalk, thinly sliced 
• Bell Pepper - 1/4, coarsely chopped
• Pasta - 2 ounces (I used spaghetti)
• Veggie Stock - about a 1/4 cup
• Olive Oil for sauteing - about 1 tablespoon

• Prepare your veggies.
• Cook your pasta in well salted boiling water for about 7-9 minutes until al dente.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add olive oil to coat the skillet.
• Add onions, peppers, celery to the skillet.
• After about 2 minutes, add the garlic and mushrooms.
• Season your veggies with salt and pepper.
• Saute until onions are translucent and mushrooms have softened...about 4-5 minutes.
• Add spinach and toss with other veggies.  Add red pepper flakes for a kick.
• Add veggie stock to deglaze.  Stir veggie mixture.  Cover and turn off the heat.  This will steam the spinach perfectly.
• Drain pasta then add to your veggie mixture.
• Pour it all into your favorite pasta bowl.
• Top with Parmesan cheese (unless you gave it up for Lent)!

Buon Appetito!

#MeatlessMonday is pretty easy and downright tasty!!!  Can't wait until next Monday!

See you again soon...and thanks for reading!

SDMC

CHILI - It's not just for meat-lovers anymore!!!

Hi!

Okay...I admit it...as a born and raised TEXAN, I'm a true believer that Texas Chili has NO BEANS!  It is spicy red chili meat goodness!!!  I like it with a little onion and grated cheese on top.  Sometimes, I pour it over homemade Texas tamales, a baked potato, or even toss it with spaghetti (so good, and tippin' my hat to Cincinnati here)!

Confession...I don't measure out spices...no need!  Wick Fowler's 2-Alarm Chili Mix is perfect...with a little doctoring.

It's red chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried onions and garlic, cayenne, and salt.  It calls for 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce and 2 cans of water.  Here's my trick:  1 can of Ro*Tel Tomatoes & Chilies with 1 can of beef broth instead of the tomato sauce and water.

Yum!
Yum!
Yum!

Today, I was inspired to try a new trick.  After reading this Chili article in this week's New York Times, I decided...why not...try something new...so I made VEGGIE CHILI...with the Wick Fowler's Spice Mix...and a couple of other goodies.

IT TURNED OUT GREAT!!!

Here's the NYTimes.com article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/dining/if-its-chili-its-personal.html?ref=dining&_r=0

Here's my recipe for:

"It's Not Texas-Chili, But It's Darn Good Veggie Chili":

1 medium onion - diced
2 cloves of garlic - minced
1 fresh jalapeno - finely diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can - black beans
1 can - pinto beans
1 can - chickpeas
1 package - frozen corn
1 can - Ro*Tel Tomatoes & Chilies
1 can - water
1 box - Wick Fowler's 2-Alarm Chili Mix (do not add the masa...you don't need it).

In a dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add onions and stir.
Add garlic and jalapeno and stir.
After about 3-5 minutes (as veggies start to soften), add the beans, corn, and Ro*Tel.
Stir.
Add all of the spice packets and stir.
Add 1 can of water (or vegetable stock) and stir.
Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes (stirring once or twice).

IT'S...SO...GOOD!!!

This version is 100% vegan...and gluten-free!
Makes 6-8 servings.

Enjoy!

xo, SDMC

RECIPE - Super Duper Braised Kale

I have never cooked kale...until tonight!  I read a few recipes and decided to create my own.  It's delicious, if I do say so myself!  Easy too!

Super Duper Braised Kale

Kale - 1 bunch - washed, de-stemmed, and roughly chopped
Onion - 1 small to medium - coarsely chopped
Celery - 2 stalks - thinly sliced
Garlic - 2 cloves - finely chopped / minced
Pancetta - 1/4 lb - diced
Chicken Stock - 8 oz
Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes - to taste (I didn't measure)

• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Saute the pancetta until cooked and crisp, about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towel.
• If needed, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (you just need to judge) to the skillet.
• Add the onion and celery and saute for about 5 minutes to start softening, careful not to let it burn.
• Add the garlic and continue to saute for about 5 more minutes, careful not to let the garlic burn.
• Add the kale - don't worry, it will cook down - and toss with tongs to coat and saute.
• Add some salt (about 1 teaspoon - I didn't measure) and pepper (about 12 grinds), and toss some more.
• Add the chicken stock and toss some more.
• Add the pancetta back to the skillet.
• Add the red pepper flakes (a few shakes) and toss one more time.
• Cover the skillet and lower the heat to LOW.
• Let the kale braise for about 20-30 minutes, checking and tossing it every 5-10 minutes.
• Check the seasoning.
• When it's not too tough...and YOU are happy with it...it's done.

IT'S SO GOOD!!!

Enjoy!

-SDMC

2014 - Let the Games Begin!!!

Hi all.

Well...yes...it's been 18 months since my last post?!  Wow!  Funny how busy life gets in the way!  I feel like I do "blog" though...via endless Facebook posts!  I should just capture all of my posts since June 2012.  Yowza!

Let me sum things up in 5 words:  Super Duper HappySnax and SoulCycle!  Now, of course 2 of those words "should be" 4...ha!

Super Duper HappySnax still keeps me busy!  I had a great Christmas season, with 3 corporate orders, NYJL Golden Tree, and lots of friends and family orders!  December was a busy - no sleep - month...but I survived, and I have gotten follow-up praise and orders as a result!  Hooray!

I am still obsessed with SoulCycle...and will start updating my other blog "Exercise is the Answer".  I have been going A LOT...5-10 classes a week.  Wowzer!  I have also reintroduced bootcamp into my life:  Warrior Fitness Bootcamp (WFBC)!  Alex and Ruben and Frankie are amazing.  Great energy...and I am always whipped at the end!  It's all good!

So...why have I decided to start writing again?

1.  It's a great accounting system for myself.  Keeps me on track.
2.  I have been cooking a lot lately...and I want to share recipes.
3.  Why not...it's fun!

Recipes forthcoming!

Don't forget to check out:

SoulCycle:  www.soul-cycle.com - Come take a class with me!
Warrior Fitness Bootcamp:  www.warriorfitnessbootcamp.com - Come take a class with me!
MY WEBSITE:  www.superdupermarycooper.com - Place an order!

Cheers,
Coopie

June 1, 2012 - "It's a Beautiful Day!"

Okay...not sure...but hopefully, my friends will see this and appreciate it...despite the font!

Today is June 1.  Actually, as I type, it's 12:22 am EDT, so it's June 2.  WHATEVER!  I had a great day...with some ups and downs!

June 1 marked 1 year from being gainfully employed.  I don't sleep a lot right now...too much on my mind.  That said, I decided to say "Rabbit, Rabbit"...and get on it!

I had, as always, an AWESOME SOUL CYCLE class with one of my fave teachers, Sue.  Today, she changed it up a little bit...and made us climb some darned mountain for like 10 minutes...and it wasn't to the Supremes' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"...but boy howdy, did she make us work (nothing new there...she always inspires us to woot woot...and get it done...I continue to wring out the old bandana)...then we had to sprint to U2's "It's a Beautiful Day"!  Good thing...cuz it really was!  Got the day going...and I was psyched and felt empowered!

After class, I had some iced tea with a pal.  Great chat!  I reached out for some advice...we shared some stories...some smiles and even a couple of tears...but I know...I have a great friend...thank you Soul Cycle!  Next stop...we'll skip the iced tea...and move on to margarooties (but only 2...if you know me!)!

Shortly before 1:00 pm today, I said a special prayer for Stella!  You may not know which "Stella" this prayer is for, but she does...as does her team!  Go Karma Go!

I then had to prepare for a job interview, participate in the interview, see some lovely and fabulous  former colleagues, and then ... I went to the NY Public Library to work on SDMC biz...I applied for a grant (can you say loan?!) and then submitted an app to spend the money I'm hoping to get!  You gotta love the "American Dream", right?!

I submitted grant app and vendor app practically simultaneously...then changed clothes to hop on down to the Cos Club for one...then back to the West Side to celebrate the marriage of one of my most endearing and enduring friendships!  Whoo-hoo!  At this celebration, I saw a very dear friend from my childhood...it's been 20+ years!  Wow...the Lord works in mysterious ways!

So, as I stop typing shortly, I vow to do this more often!  I had an emotional week...you need to read about it and share it with me!  ;-)

If you're yawning...it's b/c it's too late to be up reading this.  Go to bed and start up again tomorrow!

Cheers,
Coopie!