EATS | The Over-Analyst

March 28, 2012

Lauren Pruner

0 Comments

ADVENTURE, EATS

Permalink

The Foodie Leap List: Merging of Mind and Stomach

Bring on blogger nation! I can’t tell you how honored I am to be writing for The Over-Analyst and much like my co-contributor, Andrea Kern, I also have been a big fan of this blog and Jenna’s since I started reading it about three months ago.

I think it was no coincidence that while trying to figure out the perfect opening line for my inaugural post the song “Man Eater” – By Hall & Oates came on my Pandora. Not only does Pandora fuel my creative, left brain but there is nothing like a little 80’s music to keep me perfectly happy – especially when I am blogging about food! (Man Eater! Ha!)

It’s easy to just type out a recipe but I wouldn’t want to share all my best kept kitchen secrets right away now would I? I want to keep you coming back for a second helping and that would be a poor game of housewife poker if you ask me. But, alas I’m not married but a 24 year-old PR Pro living in Dallas, Texas – where the weather is beautiful, the fashion ain’t bad and the boys hold doors open for you – Gasp!

Breaking out of my cosmopolitan bubble and exploring new restaurants and places each weekend is one of my favorite things to do, but it’s easy to stick to a metro-plex and dining in a city that has perfected the art of quesadilla’s and the strong tequila margaritas. So I decided it was time to create my Foodie Leap List: Ten things I want to eat, drink, and do with my dining experience before my next big milestone.

1. Dine at all of Wolfgang Puck’s Fine Dining Restaurants in the U.S. (I’ve been to 5/15)

2. Be able to make a full 3 course meal – from scratch, without having to look at a single ingredient, measurement or recipe directions.

3. Learn how to make my mother's meat loaf - you would think a loaf of meat would be gross - not my mom's!

4. Go camping and catch a fish and roast it over a fire - all by myself!

5. Make it back to Blue - One of my favorite restaurants outside of the U.S in the Cayman Islands.

6. Eat something from the city of Chicago that doesn't include airport food!

7. Visit the Pike Place Market in Seattle - A city I haven't been to and really want to explore!

8. Finally have a birthday dinner at Bagatelle - One of my favorite French Bistro's in the Meatpacking District in New York City.

9. Find that one signature dish that sets apart from all other cook's "my go to crowd pleaser" when I want to wow close friends and family - still searching...

10. Learn how to make a mean margarita with a twist - Like Dallas Komali Restaurant's - Tamarind Margarita.

So instead of just checking items off your dining mental check list – atmosphere, drinks, waiters and ingredients make a foodie leap list. What are the top ten things you want eat, drink and do before your next big milestone – think big and aim high because that’s where the fun is!

Can’t wait to share more lifestyle moments with you on The Over-Analyst. This is going to be a great ride!

Lauren Pruner
The P-List

September 4, 2011

Jenna Burke

12 Comments

EATS, HEALTH AND FITNESS, HOW-TO, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

How-To: Get A Colorful Diet

Fresh vegetables and fruits at a farmer's market

The more color you add into your diet, the more nutrients you will get! With all the various colors, each food has different potential benefits to offer. Next time when grocery shopping, if your cart isn't screaming the colors of the rainbow, educate yourself with the info below and take another lap.

Greens indicate antioxidant potential and fiber that reduce cancer risks and smoothens bowel movement.

Fruits: avocado, apples, grapes, honeydew, kiwi and lime
Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, green peppers, cucumber and leafy greens such as spinach

Orange and deep yellow fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that promote healthy vision, immunity and give you glowing skin.

Fruits: apricot, cantaloupe, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peach and pineapple
Vegetables: carrots, yellow pepper, yellow corn and sweet potatoes

Purple and blue options may have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits and may help with memory, urinary tract health.

Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, plums, raisins
Vegetables: eggplant, purple cabbage, purple-flesed potato, beetroot, turnip

Red indicate products that may help maintain a healthy heart, vision, immunity and to maintain a healthy hemoglobin level.

Fruits: cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, red/pink grape fruit, red grapes and watermelon
Vegetables: red onions, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb and tomatoes

White, tan and brown food contains nutrients that may promote heart health and reduce cancer risks and good vascular circulation.

Fruits: banana, brown bear, dates and white peaches
Vegetables: cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, white-fleshed potato and white corn

via India Blooms

Images via Online Health Store

August 18, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

ADVENTURE, EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Move, Learn, Eat

Makes you wanna move, learn and eat...doesn't it?

Videos via STA Travel

August 15, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Spiced Coconut Coffee Recipe

Give your monday a kick...

Servings: 2

Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ready in: 15 min

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons ground coffee beans
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 whole cloves
1/2 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
2 cups water 1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:
Combine the ground coffee, red pepper, cloves, and cinnamon stick in a coffee filter set into a drip coffee brewer. Pour the water into the brewer's water reservoir. Set the coffee brewer on to brew. While the coffee brews, gently warm the coconut milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the honey until the honey is dissolved. Pour the brewed coffee into the mixture; stir. Divide the liquid into two mugs to serve.

Recipe via allrecipes.com

August 7, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

ADVENTURE, EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Wicked Restaurants

Dinner in the Sky

Ithaa Underwater Restaurant

Cafe del Mar - Santorini

Ilha do Catimbau-Brazil

Ice Bar - Sweden

Camaje-Dark Dining

Ninja - New York

Images via The Family Kitchen

June 13, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

EATS, HEALTH AND FITNESS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Do You Know How Many Calories Are In A Shrimp Tempura Roll?

"Let's go out for sushi, it's healthy!" Um, yeah no. Although sushi is the smarter choice than many other cuisines, you might want to take a look at the calories listed below...it can add up. If you really want a healthy sushi meal, order 1 roll + various pieces of sashimi. Substitute spicy mayo for red chili sauce for that extra kick. Tempura in moderation. And always, always low sodium soy sauce.

SUSHI ROLLS(average size)

Tuna Avocado Roll, 260

Spicy Tuna Roll, 290

Shrimp Tempura Roll, 510

California Roll, 255

Spicy Salmon Roll, 330

Yellowtail Scallion Roll, 190

Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll, 360

Eel Avocado Roll, 375

Spicy Tuna Roll (wrapped in cucumber), 175

Tuna Roll, 190

SASHIMI (average size)

Salmon, 156

Tuna, 61

White Tuna, 49

Yellowtail, 41

Red Snapper, 85

Unagi, 90

Sweet Shrimp, 30

Octopus, 26

Spicy Tuna, 225

Scallops, 78

Halibut, 60

King Crab, 27

OTHER FAVORITES

Edamame (1 cup, shelled), 376

Shrimp Shumai (4 pieces), 100

Vegetable Tempura (5 pieces), 350

Seaweed Salad (1 oz.), 35

Ginger Dressing (1 serving), 100

Spicy Mayo (1 tbsp.), 110

Red Chili Sauce (1 serving), 30

Image via John Koinberg

May 5, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Recipe: It’s Not Cinco De Mayo Without Sangria

It's Cinco de Mayo! Time for sangria...

Use this receipe and go enjoy with friends!

INGREDIENTS

4 cups diced assorted fresh fruit (such as strawberries, peaches and grapes)2 small oranges, thinly sliced, seeded
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup peach liqueur
1/2 cup white grape juice
4 small fresh mint sprigs
2 750-ml bottles chilled cava or other sparkling white wine

Combine diced fruit, sliced oranges, brandy liqueur, grape juice and mint in large pitcher. Chill at least 1 hour. Cover, keep chilled.

Pour wine over fruit mixture. Stir to blend. WAHLA!

8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes

March 17, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

St. Patty’s Day Cupcakes Recipe

Green Velvet Cupcakes

1 Box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup vegetable oil
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 Cup plain yogurt or sour cream
5-8 drops Green decorating paste
cream cheese frosting (see recipe below)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, pudding, and yogurt. Beat on medium for 1 1/2 minutes. Slowly beat in 5-8 drops of green decorating paste until you get desired color of green.

2. Scoop batter into paper lined cupcake tins. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool completely.

3. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and add sprinkles if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 C butter (1/2 stick) at room temperature
4 C sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time.

March 4, 2011

Jenna Burke

0 Comments

EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Fast & Healthy Rice Noodle Recipe

Time is a big problem for me these days as many of you can relate. I just want to come home and have dinner on the table. I sound like a married man. I'm over frozen meals - they are just so unsatisfying. Lately, rice noodles have been my savior. They only take 6 minutes to cook and you can throw just about anything you want in them. I have made some interesting concotions but my favorite is broccoli and green curry sauce. You can spend time looking up recipes but again, that takes time. Play around with what you have in your fridge and you really can't screw this dish up. Enjoy!

[Photos: Rasamalaysia]

February 1, 2011

Jenna Burke

2 Comments

EATS, LIFESTYLE

Permalink

Restaurant Review: Penelope

Who said Curry Hill doesn't have great restaurants. Having moved 4 times in Murray Hill (embarrassing), I have my list of favorite "secret" restaurants. One being Penelope. Without a doubt, Penelope is in my TOP TEN out of all restaurants in NYC (FYI - I am a FOODIE). Maybe it's the fact that it's a block from my apartment. Maybe it's the warm cozy atmosphere. Maybe it's because everytime one of my gf's is in town for work, it's our spot. MAYBE it's because the food is better than....pretty close. And although I've tried everything on the menu, my signature order is the "When Veggie Met Sally Salad and a glass of Sparkling Shiraz". And if I have a group of friends with me, the Spinach & Artichoke dip...my mouth is watering now. Check out the menu. I would consider myself a "regular". The waiters pretend they don't know my order but when I start ordering, I swear they are mouthing my order at the same time. It always makes me smile.