February 10, 2015

Steak tips, avocado cream, twice baked patater

February 10, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Hellll-llloooo ma frennsss... How is everyone doing? I've been writing the following phrase a lot (I mean every.single.work email) "HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL AND STAYING WARM!". Sound familiar? I do mean it though, so I hope you are!
Anywayyyy, I promised to reveal the recipe for the steak tips dish I made on Thursday night. It now feels like I made this ages ago considering I've made approximately 1,425 meals since then. However, if memory serves me... it was pretttty tasty and way healthier than it looks! And so... here you are!

First things first, I marinated the steak tips in a zip lock bag with the following ingredients:
-1 garlic clove
-Juice of a half lime
-3-4 Tbs soy sauce
-Couple tbs of Evoo
-Salt/Pepper

Next, I took one giant purple, sweet potato, cut it in half lengthwise, poked some holes in it, wrapped both sides in a couple layers of foil and baked them in the oven on 400 for about a half hour (until softish).

Then, I whipped up (pun intended) the avocado cream based on PALEOMG'S recipe. This is ridiculously tasty and the following day I used the cream as a spread on a wrap - DELIGHTFUL.
-Two Avocados
-EVOO
-Salt
-Two limes
-One lemon
-Hot Sauce
-Cayenne
Blend in the food processor and put aside.

Next, I got the peppers and onions ready by slicing both (one each).

Then, I started grilling the tips (I used a cast iron grill pan - you could use that or a real grill). It's zero degrees here sooooo... cast iron is my friend right now.

While that happened, I cooked the peppers and onions in a saute pan with the tiniest bit of evoo and salt. They are flavorful enough on their own and will cook in their own awesome juices.

Next, when the potato was almost done - I took it out of the oven and scooped out most of the insides. CAREFUL - IT'S HOT. I left a little potato wall though so that it almost created little bowls. I mashed the insides in a separate bowl with a ton of rosemary, a tiny bit of salt and a little pad of organic butter. Put the mixture back in the potato halves and bake on 375 for the last ten minutes of the process. I bet you thought these were way less healthy. The thing is - the sweet potato is so flavorful that it REALLY doesn't need much. I'm kind of obsessed with rosemary and that mixed with the tiniest bit of butter makes them PERFECT.

At this point, the steak should be covered and resting.

Once the potatoes and the peppers/onions are done. Plate it and eat it. Yum, yum, yum.

That's it. Hope the rest of your week is GREAT! xo

February 08, 2015

Weekend Sunshine XXIII

February 08, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Heyyyy Friendsssssss....

How are you all holding up? Guess what!? Boston has 50 inches of snow on the ground and we're in a sweet little pocket where we are going to get another 24 inches. -___- I am no longer amused... are you? I've decided not to bitch about it though. It is what it is, right? Things could be A LOT worse. It will melt some day, right? Right! In the meantime, I've been COOKING A LOT! You'll notice that "weekend sunshine" consists of a lotttt of homemade meals. I'll post a few of the recipes later this week - try them and let me know what you think!

On Friday night, I made one of my favorite recipes - Bourbon Pork Tenderloin with spicy mustard sauce, roasted beets over spinach salad and roasted potatoes. Yummmm.

The highlight of my weekend was definitely the "Cycle for Survival" event at Equinox that I had told you about earlier in the week. I spoke with one of the instructors, Shandell, before it was my turn to get up on my bike. She has been instructing each cycle event since 2011 and participates ALL DAY! This event started in NYC in 2007 and has already raised $63 MILLLION! In 2013, the event came to Boston at Equinox and has since grown to 13 cities! There was so much energy at this event - it was really powerful.

I also ran into Caroline and Carrie! Yay! (Don't mind my sweaty hair and red-face... I had JUST finished when I ran into these fab gals who had just arrived)

These tribute walls always get me. So emotional.

This event was really incredible. I can't even begin to explain the level of energy... it was beyond! There were pom poms and cheer leaders and the music was LOUD! There were symbols of strength everywhere. I was really moved. They truly stick to what they promote which is...

Cycle for Survival is the national movement to beat rare cancers. Our high-energy indoor team cycling events provide a tangible way for you to fight back—100% of all money raised directly funds lifesaving rare cancer research.

I left the event with one big smile!

Later that day, I was cold and starting to go a little stir crazy. This is my "I'm sick of snow" face.

Then, Rob came home from work and took me out for Sushi and beverages. Happy girl.

This morning, I made these pancakes that came out WAY better than expected. They were delightful and I could have eaten two stacks.

This doesn't look like much but, for some reason it was soooo good. I made up the sauce for the chicken: 3/4 cu balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cu olive oil, 3 tbs dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbs tahini, 1.5 tbs chopped rosemary, pinch of salt. Put it in a baking pan and cook covered for 25 minutes on 375.

Told ya I've been cooking a lot. What have you all been doing while being snowed in?

Hope you have a great week! xo

February 06, 2015

Things I'm Pumped About Today* II

February 06, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

*This was actually yesterday

It's been a while since I've written a "What I'm Pumped about Today" post, but, today seemed fitting as there were a bunch of random things that made me happy. (And, I think it's good to focus on the little things right now considering the weather is the ABSOLUTE WORST). Ok, here we go!

1. I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for the gym at 6am. I had felt sluggish and really out of it all week so it felt good to feel back to normal again.

2. Chris kicked our asses in class and I left feeling pumped up and strong!

(Photo from last Thursday's class, but, I had the same feeling: happy, cold, and red-faced!)

3. I love dried mango and I recently learned that it's a pre-biotic. Keri Glassman put up a photo of dried mango and peanut butter last week - saying it was a great snack. I couldn't have picked a better quick recovery fuel yesterday. I had mine in almond butter instead and it was GREAT.

4. I originally thought that I'd be away this weekend so I had to turn down an invite to ride in Equinox's "Cycle for Survival". I am no longer going away and luckily there was still a spot open for me! There are rides all over the country and I'm so excited that I'm able to participate in the Boston ride. This is the mission: Why Ride? Approximately 50% of people with cancer are battling a rare cancer. Rare cancers include brain, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, and thyroid cancers; leukemia and lymphoma; all pediatric cancers; and many others. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center treats more than 400 subtypes of cancer each year, and every dollar raised by Cycle for Survival goes directly to lifesaving research at the institution.

5. Then, my boss picked up pizza for the office. It's my favorite kind -- gluten free Margarita from Wicked, it was amazing and I may have had 3 slices.

6. This month, Rob and I are challenging ourselves to "dry-ish February". Basically, I've given myself 5 day passes for drinking. I used one for the Superbowl, obviously, and I have 4 more left. This means, I have to choose which days I really want to have a bev. Typically, I have one on Thursday nights and I did not last night and I did not miss it. I think I'll use one pass on Saturday!

7. I cooked up steak tips, avocado cream sauce (omg), twice baked potato, and peppers & onions. ALL of which is much healthier than it sounds and looks. I'll post it later. But, I'll tell you right now that it was DEEEEELISH!