Watership Down Kitchen

Another social distancing blog post. This time, I am going to focus on how to multi-purpose one ingredient. Rice. I have been eating rice this week because I already have a ton of it. My favorite appliance is my Zojirushi rice maker, and it has been working this week. It cooks perfect rice, which I have then used as fried rice, jumbalaya, rice pudding, rice and beans and now, as it is the weekend, pizza. Something about carbs, cheese and pepperoni just makes Saturday feel like Saturday. I am going to Zoom conference my friends, enjoy my pizza, a cocktail, and then we are all going to watch a movie on Netflix “together.”  Sending you healthy wishes! Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice (brown or white) 3 quarters cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 beaten egg Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon oregano Pizza sauce Pepperoni Italian cheese blend Method: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  In a large bowl, mix together the rice, shredded cheddar...

This is a wonderfully delicious, easy to make, reasonably healthy snack. If you don't have a food processor, you can chop your trail mix with a knife or bash it with a rolling pin (but put it in a plastic bag first!) Some days my biggest concern during this social distancing phase is staying healthy, some days it is saving money, and some days it is worrying about food supply. I always feel better when I focus on a "mindless" task like baking, and this recipe helped me address all three of my fears. Sending healthy thoughts to you and yours! Ingredients: 2 cups of favorite trail mix (should include nuts, chocolate chips, seeds, dried fruit, etc) 1/2 cup ground flax 1 cup smooth peanut butter 1/2 cup honey Method: Spray a 13 by 9 inch pan with cooking spray, set aside. Blitz trail mix and flax in a food processor until you have small and large chunks. Stir in the oats. Melt the peanut butter and honey in the microwave in 10 second bursts. Pour over t...

Sometimes you need a chocolate chip cookie and an oatmeal cookie because your day has been that rough. This cookie combines both into a better cookie- chew from the oatmeal, milk chocolate chips, and that heavenly cookie dough batter. Listen, we have all been going through it for the past couple of days and will for the weeks to come. We are all practicing social distancing, which means I have no performances and all of my teaching is done online. I NEED to bake; it helps me practice mindfulness and remember how much I have to be thankful for. In other words, expect to see more posts. Plus, nothing comforts like a warm, melting cookie. I only wish I could deliver these to your door because you need them, too. Rain check for the fall, perhaps? From my kitchen to your, sending you healthy, healing thoughts! Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 sticks of butter 3/4 cups packed dar...

It's a rare Saturday that I have time to cook these days; I teach from 11-8 everyday except Sundays when I a off and Saturdays when I teach merely 10-6.. Soon I am going to start rehearsals for a brand new musical in which a play a girl pretending to be a boy to inherit a throne that I don't want; very exciting stuff. In addition, I have a few competitions that I am preparing for so tomorrow I am driving 7 hours away for an hour coaching to help me feel polished. I am really looking forward to meeting this coach; his expertise in languages is something I need. I just came back from the most magical trip I have ever experienced. I went to NYC with two of my high school students and we attended Chicago on Broadway and La Traviata at the Met. Through some very fortunate connections, we were able to go backstage and meet the actors of both productions. I enjoyed some lovely shopping and fine dining while I was in the big city as well; this dish is partially inspired by s...