Happy Meal

In an attempt to write a blog post in the style of a buzzfeed time-sucker,
here is a list of Foods That Make Me Happy, And Why:

*Blintzes
These Hungarian cheese-filled crepes rock my world. They were my favorite dish growing up and also the ultimate family dish in my family. My grandfather was the Blintzes champion first, being an OG Hungarian himself, and my mother took the ritual and talent on - she is quite the dessert maker, and I now make them as often as my guilty pleasure allows me too. They are, after all, loaded with sugar. 

*Avocados
For some odd reason I HATED avocados most of my life. But lo and behold - I move to California and suddenly I become obsessed with the green goodness. I add them to pretty much any salad and adore a good ole' avocado toast. (My fave version is a lightly toasted sourdough bread, mashed avocado mixed in with some minced garlic, lemon and salt, and an over easy egg on top.) Try 'em in smoothies too!

*Kale
Yes, I know! What a cliche I am. Avocado AND kale!? And to think I used to eat chicken wings (never again!) several times a week.... what have I turned into!? I don't know. But fuck it all - I LIKE IT. Kale is the BOMB. It's delicious with its crispy bitterness, and I've loved it way BEFORE it became popular. And the fact that it's healthy? Makes it even better for the health conscious gal I am.

*Pine nuts
Gosh pine nuts add so much texture and nuttiness to pretty much anything! Roasted cabbage? sure! Dessert? Yes, indeed. Salad? Duh. Quinoa? But of course. Try 'em. 

*White Truffle Oil
Yes, it's a splurge, but once I got obsessed with the aroma of white truffle oil - there was no turning back. It was love at first smell.

*Cacio E Pepe
In Italian, this means 'cheese and pepper'. A breakfast comfort food for Italians and easily my favorite pasta. It's especially great when you have it homemade in Rome. So simple and so so SO GOOD! 

*Pasteis De Nata
My visit in Portugal at the end of 2019, was magical in so many culinary ways. One of them was these desserts that are partly flaky and crusty and partly creamy flan like. They are addictive and bite size. Don't tell the French but these little thingies are even better than croissants!

*My mother's Onion Quiche
When I visit my mom's house, one thing I know for sure: The fridge will be FULL, and there will be an onion quiche in there. This quiche is DREAMY with a capital D. I tried making it once or twice, but my mother adds that little ingredient called LOVE that makes her quiche extra special. 

*Nutella
I know. I know! 'She eats Nutella!? That's unhealthy AND has a ton of palm oil in it so it's bad for the environment!' Yes, I KNOW. Sigh... Occasionally I crave it so I cave to it. BUT - I recently discovered a vegan recipe for it so I've been shifting from the good ole' bad-for-you nutella to my homemade-vegan-nutella to keep the weight down and the forests happy. 

I can go on... but this list is making me hungry. I think I'm gonna go make myself ONE (or more...) of those happy dishes above.
​
~Bon Appetit pour moi~