theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: November 2012
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html
                                        Saturday, November 24, 2012. Soyou made it through Thanksgiving and have just crossed the threshold into Holiday Land. Or in my case, tech. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term "tech," it's the week before a show opens when all of the fabulous production elements come together. Not only do the actors have to remember their lines, music, and choreography, they must do so while dealing with costumes, lights, sound, and a band. And really long rehearsal days. I'm the one in purple. Place remai...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: August 2012
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html
                                        Saturday, August 25, 2012. I always get antsy towards the end of summer. I'm tired of being hot. I want to buy school supplies and wear cute sweaters. So I thought I would force the issue by cooking with some fall flavors. And meat. Beer Poached Sausages with Caramelized Onions and Balsamic Apples. Nothin' screams fall like some fancy, schmancy tailgate food. This can be made ahead of time.just toss the sausages on the grill and gently reheat the apples and onions. 1 lb Italian sausage, in casing. While ...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: March 2013
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html
                                        Sunday, March 31, 2013. Mom's Taco Salad 2.0. One of my favorite dishes growing up was my mom's taco salad. Of course I would love this as a kid. In fact, there are several adults I know now who would eagerly devour this concoction. And need a side of defibrillator in between bites. Challenge: take a delicious taco salad and figure out how to make it healthier. 16 oz crimini mushrooms, roughly chopped. 1 cup onion (about 1/2 an onion), roughly chopped. 2 tsp olive oil. 1 Tbl groun cumin. 2 tsp Kosher salt. 
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: May 2013
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html
                                        Sunday, May 12, 2013. This super green pasta dish needs no witty introduction. All you need to know is that it's tasty and good for you! Even the spinach pesto has ZERO oil in it. Just make it. You'll be happy you did. It's a leafy green explosion: spinach two ways, collard greens, and basil (which I am counting as a leafy green). Comes together super quickly and is way tasty! 16 oz whole wheat penne. 4 cups spinach, divided. 1 cup pine nuts. 4 oz fresh basil. Juice of 1 lemon. 1 onion, chopped. Drew Bar...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: February 2013
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html
                                        Sunday, February 24, 2013. Split Peas Ain't Just For Soup! While living in Memphis, J and I had a Sunday tradition of going out for Indian food for lunch. A lazy morning was made even lazier when we piled into the car for the three block trip to India Palace and its incredible buffet. As I write this, it is Sunday, J is in Memphis, and I am feeling a bit blue. I thought I would cheer myself up with some Indian inspiration, so for Meatless Monday I offer up this tasty creation. 1 onion, chopped. Drain pea...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: Mom's Taco Salad 2.0
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/moms-taco-salad-20.html
                                        Sunday, March 31, 2013. Mom's Taco Salad 2.0. One of my favorite dishes growing up was my mom's taco salad. Of course I would love this as a kid. In fact, there are several adults I know now who would eagerly devour this concoction. And need a side of defibrillator in between bites. Challenge: take a delicious taco salad and figure out how to make it healthier. 16 oz crimini mushrooms, roughly chopped. 1 cup onion (about 1/2 an onion), roughly chopped. 2 tsp olive oil. 1 Tbl groun cumin. 2 tsp Kosher salt. 
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            idolsandegos.typepad.com
                                        
                                        - Idols and Egos
                                        http://idolsandegos.typepad.com/ie/noise.html
                                        Kelly Ryan O'Brien not only has a rhyming name, but also she CRACKS. me up. Nothing gets me giddier than seeing her name in my Twitter and FB feed. With a wry sense of humor and quick wit, she always delivers on the zingers! Oh- and she has great fashion sense too.". Jenny, dessertdarling.com. Jill Sites, eatit-drinkit.com. My friends always think I have really cool conversation topics.I just steal them from Kelly's blog.". Laurie Hon Couch, pain the the ass. Allie Adams, allieadams.com. My views are tha...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: April 2013
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html
                                        Sunday, April 28, 2013. Corn and Avocado Salad. Warm weather is coming to Chicago. I swear it is. This week, flowers started to bloom. A giant glowing thing in the sky made an appearance. And, little green things started to appear on tree branches. If memory serves me, I believe they are called "leaves." I'm in the mood for something fresh, fast, and uncomplicated. And super tasty. I love guacamole, so I played around with the idea of a chunky guac salad. Here's what I came up with. Corn and Avocado Salad. 
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: Moroccan Inspiration
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/04/moroccan-inspiration.html
                                        Monday, April 22, 2013. I love playing around in the kitchen. Perhaps it is the act of creation, but I derive so much pleasure spending time dancing around a soup pot making an point of inspiration a culinary reality. I particularly love trying to recreate restaurant dishes at home and putting my own spin on them. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, no? Here's what I came up with. Moroccan Spiced Eggplant with Kale. 1 eggplant, cut into 3/4" cubes. 1 onion, diced. 2 cloves garlic, minced. There wa...
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com
                                        
                                        The Improvised Chef: Corn and Avocado Salad
                                        http://theimprovisedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/04/corn-and-avocado-salad.html
                                        Sunday, April 28, 2013. Corn and Avocado Salad. Warm weather is coming to Chicago. I swear it is. This week, flowers started to bloom. A giant glowing thing in the sky made an appearance. And, little green things started to appear on tree branches. If memory serves me, I believe they are called "leaves." I'm in the mood for something fresh, fast, and uncomplicated. And super tasty. I love guacamole, so I played around with the idea of a chunky guac salad. Here's what I came up with. Corn and Avocado Salad. 
                                     
                         
                            
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