I have zero control when it comes to L&L Barbecue’s macaroni salad. I know on a single trip there, I will definitely consume two portions of mac salad, along with the scoop of rice and hefty amount of Kalua pork they serve. As I type, I’m not sure if I’ll make it through this post without running out to get an order. Mmmmmm!

I’ve tried quite a few times, unsuccessfully, to recreate the mac salad since I love it so much. Last week, I think I finally hit the nail on the head. After scouring the interwebs, looking for the divine answer, I stumbled upon a post that noted the secret was the amount of mayonnaise used in the salad. Use a lot. And by a lot, I mean, use more than you think, double that, then put another couple of hefty spoonfuls in. Then maybe just another dab for good measure. (more…)

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Dairy free, Hawaiian, Side Dish, Vegetarian by Courtney

One of the best things about my Morocco trip was the breakfast my husband and I enjoyed every morning. Of course, it was the posh riad breakfast, and probably not indicative of the everyday person’s breakfast in Morocco, but it was lovely. Breakfast started most mornings with a fruit salad and yogurt, with coffee and hot milk also brought along in separate carafes and a glass of fresh squeeze orange juice. The sugar cubes were shaped like bees and hearts, which spoke to my whimsical side. The fruit salad is something I will have to try recreating. It consisted of strawberries, apples, and bananas, which were all covered in sweet, sweet Moroccan orange juice. When we get back to the States I definitely plan on starting my own batch of yogurt culture again as well, because the homemade yogurt is so much more mild than what can be found at the store (yes, even better than my beloved Fage). (more…)

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Breakfast, Moroccan, World traveller by Courtney

As the holidays approach, life is probably a bit hectic and you’re looking for something quick and easy to have for lunch or dinner. While you could run out to the local Subway, last time I did that I was so disappointed by the lackluster flavor of a sandwich I used to adore, the Italian BMT. A quick pass through the local grocery store, though, and I have all of the makings to put together one quickly at home. (more…)

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Quick and Easy, Sandwiches by Courtney

A couple of weeks ago I was craving an Italian BMT from Subway. So off to Subway I went, a place I hadn’t been to in 8 or 9 years, to get the sandwich I so loved. Luckily, footlong subs were on special for $5, because I about had heart failure upon seeing the normal price was $9 (yes, apparently I’ve become the old person who can’t believe how much things cost now).

I came home, opened up my sandwich, and blech! While it wasn’t bad, it was tasteless. I’m not sure if my tastes have changed, or their food has become more bland, but needless to say, it’ll probably be more than another 8 years before I think about trying Subway again. However, I still had the nagging craving for a BMT, so I went to the store and procured the ingredients to make my own.

What does this have to do with the Pizza Sub? Well, the Pizza Sub was my other favorite Subway sandwich. If I wanted a cold sandwich, I went with the BMT; if I wanted a hot sandwich, the Pizza Sub was my go-to. The night after having a BMT, I realized I had all the makings for a Pizza Sub, so into the kitchen I went. (more…)

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Dinner, Lunch, Sandwiches by Courtney

Caesar salad is the salad that turned me onto eating salads. The first time I visited La Pizzeria in Campbell (our local pizza joint), for some reason I thought, “What the heck! It’s a sunny day. Let’s eat some leaves with my pizza!”. So I did, and I liked it. Loved it, even! Couldn’t get enough. Something about the crispness of the leaves, the creamy yet minimal dressing, and the saltiness of the anchovies and parmesan really worked for me that day.

Fast forward a couple of years, and for some reason the restaurant decided to mess with my perfected salad. It tastes like they’ve taken the anchovies out of the dressing. At first I was sad, but then I took it as a challenge to recreate my favorite salad at home, which turned out to be very easy. When you add this to a homemade pizza, you’ll feel like you’re at the pizzeria! (more…)

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Dairy free, Gluten free, Italian, Salad by Courtney