Curry Chicken Pita...For One...Fast!

On days when I don't feel like prepping and cooking a full crazy meal for lunch, I have come up with a great recipe "Curry Chicken Pita". It's easy and can be done in less than 10 minutes.

Here's what you'll need:

1 Whole Wheat Pita
2-3 Oz. of Tyson's Grilled & Ready Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breast
1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
1/4 of a small Yellow/White Onion sliced
1/2 teaspoon or less of store bought minced Garlic
2 dashes of Madras Curry Powder
2 dashes of Black Pepper
1 dash of Paprika
1 dash of Cayenne (Optional)
Low fat Greek yogurt (Optional)
Cilantro for garnish

• Heat a small skillet/pan on medium heat. Add oil.

• Once warmed add onion and garlic. Saute for about a minute.

• Add frozen chicken and stir until thawed. Add madras curry powder, black pepper, paprika and cayenne. If it looks like it's getting dry add a couple splashes of water. 

• While the food is being cooked heat oven to 325 degrees. Place the pita on lower rack and have it warmed for about 5 minutes. 

• Cut pita in half and open pocket. Fill pocket with curry chicken and garnish with cilantro. Add yogurt for a creamy cool dynamic to your hot & delicious curry chicken pita! And all of this no more than 280 calories (if you consume half the pita bread). Yay!

Mexican Scrambled Eggs

I'm so glad we finally have cable so now I can watch all my guilty pleasure reality shows AND my cooking shows. One person that's been growing on me is British food journalist Nigella Lawson on the  Cooking Channel. She's had quite a few shows but the one I usually catch her on is called Nigella Express. Check out her website for cooking tips from "Baking" to "Rectifying Boo Boos".

Today I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe involving eggs. She says it's great for hangovers but as a retired porcelain god worshiper, I know this recipe needs more grease in it, like a pound of bacon on top of the eggs. But that's just me.

I give her big props for making it look like she just got up, put on a silk robe and decided to show us all how to make Mexican Scrambled Eggs. You go Woman!

Deep Fried Truffle Cupcakes??! Oh, Paula Deen How I Adore Thee!

So I was browsing through channels today and I ran across Food Network just to be mesmerized by beer, cupcakes and ganache. Ahhhh! She pushed the envelope again and this time with executive pastry chef Tariq Hanna of the boutique store Sucre, located in New Orleans. Oh my goodness I've been searching for the video to share but can't find it yet but Paula has definitely met her match with this wonderful chef. He's a chef after her own heart.

Tariq cut little holes into the cupcakes, filled them with truffle while Paula started on the batter that contained wheat flour and rice flour. According to Tariq, the rice flour will add a crisp to the batter and you can purchase rice flour in most of health stores.

What a fun show and what an unexpected message from Paula to say that she eats her foods in moderation, not everyday. I like that. I'm glad she said what she did. I mean she doesn't look like she eats creamy, rich calorie foods everyday. Speaking of, Adam Rich must have to workout a ton to keep himself in mobile shape for his show Man V. Food. Anyway, back to Ms. Deen, she definitely knows how to enjoy the good things in life and so do I. That's why I will attempt to make this recipe as soon as I can get to a health store for rice flour! Wish me luck.

Check out the recipe here.
For more info on exec pastry chef Tariq Hanna click here.

Just one of the many videos from Sucre, this one on how they make homemade marshmallows. Always wondered how:

Christmas in a Cup

I know it's wayyy past Christmas but I still believe peppermint is always in style, especially since it's still quite cold in some parts of the country. But I've also read peppermint is good for calming the stomach. So why not enjoy a stomach-calming, antioxidant green tea?

My favorite drink in the mornings would have to be this:

It has a great blend of peppermint and the sweet scent of vanilla. Reminds me of cake...mmmmm. The box says that there is also a hint of cinnamon but I can't detect it. I'm sure someone else will. But I call this "Christmas in a Cup". To sweeten the tea I usually use honey, local honey if you have some. 

To find the nearest store that carries Candy Cane Lane Herbal Tea visit Celestial Seasonings' website here.

GRAMMYs Swag and My Outfit

This post is a continuation from yesterday's talk about the GRAMMYs. I've heard that the best part of the After Party is the swag that they give away. I didn't believe it until Sunday night...

I've been wanting to try some Moroccanoil products but never could justify paying for it until I tried it for free. The shampoo & conditioner smelled wonderful and luxurious. Then the oil treatment I massaged through my hair left my locks feeling soft and smooth for the entire day. Sold! I will certainly be purchasing the oil treatment once this bottle is used up. One of my girlfriends said that the oil lasts forever so it'll be awhile before I go to a salon or shop for it online. Find out more about Moroccanoil here.

So this is for the ladies that want to know what the FTW wore to the GRAMMYs. Here it is:

If you're ever in Las Vegas and you are looking for evening wearing, formal wear or just something unique and chic, visit Nora Blue. I'm so serious when I tell you that they have some of the most gorgeous dresses you'll ever find. You will look like a million bucks while flaunting your unique celebrity style. This boutique shop is located in Mandalay Bay en route to the Luxor. The ladies, including the owner, were absolutely helpful and kind when I went shopping for my dress. I felt like a VIP with all the attention they were giving me as I was gearing up for the big event. If the dress doesn't quite fit you, no worries, they have an experienced tailor in the store. She was very professional and personable. The lady that assisted me was Cynthia Andoy. Say Hi to her if you ever stop by! Here is the address:

Nora Blue

3930 Las Vegas Blvd. So.

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

P: 702-932-9025

F: 702-932-9028

Designer Nina Austin 2011 Spring Dress. Hot off the racks!

If you're like me, I have super flat feet and I love comfortable dress shoes. I found these shoes also at the Mandalay Bay at Shoe Obsession. Located just around the corner from Nora Blue. I saw the style, tried it on and loved it, I didn't even try on a second pair. They matched perfectly with my Nina Austin dress. The cushy insole is what sold me and I was able to stand in my shoes for quite some time at the After Party. Now that's impressive if you know me; I have low pain tolerance when it comes to shoes. The brand is called Onex and was founded in 1972 by Onnik E. Kouyomdjian. For more of his story and Onex shoes go here.

Dessert at the 53rd GRAMMYs

Oh my I've been gone awhile and gone to many places that I still need to blog about. Well, last night I had the honor of being invited to attend the 53rd GRAMMY awards ceremony and after party. My husband and I had great seats where we could take it all in and see how the production crew ran things. I've worked in production and so I will always give big props to the people behind the scenes who make it happen. The stars to me are just icing on the cake (pretty, handsome & sometimes disturbing icing).

I wish I had taken in my camera with flash but we didn't want the hassle of leaving it with security and having to pick up after the show. The STAPLES center and convention was packed with herds of people trying to make it to the next big event. So I had my iPhone camera and took what little I could when there were gaps in the dessert line.

The food was provided by Wolfgang Puck and there was plenty of liquor and music to keep the party moving well into the early morning hours. There was Asian, American and Latin cuisine provided along with shrimp and cocktail sauce booths. The dessert table served mini cheesecakes, mini molten lava-like cakes, assorted cookies, ganache hearts and so much more calorie packed decadence.

Here are just a few pics I took from the dessert table. I tried to adjust the colors but I'll just explain them:

I believe my husband said these tiny pink sparkling frosted cuppycakes tasted like peanut butter. I was too full to chow down on these so I missed out. Boo.

I know my girlfriend would like these babies. These are cream puffs covered in icing and textured with coconut shavings. Not very sweet but was just complimentary to the other super sweet treats.

Last but not least, our favorite dessert of the night had to be the Key Lime Hearts. These tartlets were filled with creamy key lime filing and topped with toasted marshmallow-meringue. Yum yum, I had four. Hehe.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Well, it was a pleasure attending and enjoying great music and food. I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day whether you are single or in a relationship. I've always liked this day no matter what state of relationship I was in because I see it as a day of love for all people. We all need Love and Love is always near to us. Enjoy a great evening!