Eating out with Instagram: DGS Delicatessen, Birch & Barley, Pupatella and Zengo

I decided to start a new series of posts which I will call Eating out with Instagrams. It'll just be a collection of my instagram photos documenting my adventures in eating out.

This is the first such post!

Above is a photo I took at DGS Delicatessen: my friend Pankti and I had brunch there in the beginning of January. Although I thought lunch at DGS was good, but overpriced, I absolutely

I decided to start a new series of posts which I will call Eating out with Instagrams. It'll just be a collection of my instagram photos documenting my adventures in eating out.

This is the first such post!

Above is a photo I took at DGS Delicatessen: my friend Pankti and I had brunch there in the beginning of January. Although I thought lunch at DGS was good, but overpriced, I absolutely

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Nigella Lawson's Clementine Almond Cake: Flourless Cake Recipe

A few weeks ago I saw a tweet by Alejandra, aka @nandita, mentioning a Clementine Flourless Cake by Nigella Lawson. I knew that I would HAVE to make the cake that very weekend. First, I ♥ Nigella. Second, clementines happened to be on sale at my grocery store. Third, it'd be a perfect excuse to have friends over for dinner.




Because the recipe is incredibly easy and I made it exactly as

A few weeks ago I saw a tweet by Alejandra, aka @nandita, mentioning a Clementine Flourless Cake by Nigella Lawson. I knew that I would HAVE to make the cake that very weekend. First, I ♥ Nigella. Second, clementines happened to be on sale at my grocery store. Third, it'd be a perfect excuse to have friends over for dinner.




Because the recipe is incredibly easy and I made it exactly as

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New Kitchen & Dining Room Things!!

There is no recipe today. Just a bunch of pictures of the new things in my dining room and kitchen. Hope you are okay with that.

I've been living in my condo for a bit over two years and I have FINALLY found, purchased and received my dining room set. It took me that long to find something I really liked.

The table is from West Elm and the chairs are from Crate & Barrel. I love that they are

There is no recipe today. Just a bunch of pictures of the new things in my dining room and kitchen. Hope you are okay with that.

I've been living in my condo for a bit over two years and I have FINALLY found, purchased and received my dining room set. It took me that long to find something I really liked.

The table is from West Elm and the chairs are from Crate & Barrel. I love that they are

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Persimmon, Brie & Arugula Panini: Persimmon Obsession

You guys! My persimmon obsession continues...in fact, my friend Cindy suggested I rename this blog to Persimmon Tomato!!! No worries, this will not happen.

Here, however, are some of my earlier persimmon recipes: Persimmon & Yogurt Parfait, Lemony Persimmon Muffins, Tomato & Persimmon Salsa, and Scallop & Persimmon Salad.

This "recipe" for Persimmon, Brie & Arugula Panini is incredibly easy

You guys! My persimmon obsession continues...in fact, my friend Cindy suggested I rename this blog to Persimmon Tomato!!! No worries, this will not happen.

Here, however, are some of my earlier persimmon recipes: Persimmon & Yogurt Parfait, Lemony Persimmon Muffins, Tomato & Persimmon Salsa, and Scallop & Persimmon Salad.

This "recipe" for Persimmon, Brie & Arugula Panini is incredibly easy

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Perfect Weekend Breakfast: Spam, Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Hash with a Poached Egg

I love food. Sometimes it's the intricately made sushi rolls, while other times it's slowly braised lamb shanks with tomatoes and tender white beans on a bed of creamy polenta. Last night for dinner I had a bowl of home made guacamole with home made tortilla chips. My point is that my love for food covers quite a large range of cuisines and levels of fanciness.

So then it should come as no

I love food. Sometimes it's the intricately made sushi rolls, while other times it's slowly braised lamb shanks with tomatoes and tender white beans on a bed of creamy polenta. Last night for dinner I had a bowl of home made guacamole with home made tortilla chips. My point is that my love for food covers quite a large range of cuisines and levels of fanciness.

So then it should come as no

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Lamb & Clams: Charleston Wine & Food Festival

You guys! This is the last recipe challenge in the Charleston Wine & Food Festival recipe contest!

For this challenge I received ground lamb from Border Springs Farm and clams from Rappahannock River Oysters.

I knew exactly what I was going to make!! Here's why: a few months ago, Cecilia and I visited the Union Market for the first time and ate at the Rappahannock Oysters Co.

While I had

You guys! This is the last recipe challenge in the Charleston Wine & Food Festival recipe contest!

For this challenge I received ground lamb from Border Springs Farm and clams from Rappahannock River Oysters.

I knew exactly what I was going to make!! Here's why: a few months ago, Cecilia and I visited the Union Market for the first time and ate at the Rappahannock Oysters Co.

While I had

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Two-Potato Vindaloo Recipe: Cooking from Plenty

A few months ago, my friend Julia asked if I'd like to take a cooking class at Sur La Table to learn how to make a few recipes from the Plenty cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. After my twin said that's a silly idea, Julia suggested we just buy the book ourselves and have a dinner party recreating some of the recipes!

I very rarely buy cookbooks: many of the ones I have, I've received as preview

A few months ago, my friend Julia asked if I'd like to take a cooking class at Sur La Table to learn how to make a few recipes from the Plenty cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. After my twin said that's a silly idea, Julia suggested we just buy the book ourselves and have a dinner party recreating some of the recipes!

I very rarely buy cookbooks: many of the ones I have, I've received as preview

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Ezhiki aka "Hedgehogs" Meatballs with Rice: Russian Recipes Revisited

Last month's recipe for Sour Cream Cake was quite involved, so for this month's Russian Recipes Revisited series I decided to make something simpler and also savory.

Growing up in Russia, we had ground beef often. My mom made "fancy" meatloaf by putting hard boiled eggs inside so that when you cut into the meatloaf, you would get a pretty yellow and white center.

Instead of burgers, we had

Last month's recipe for Sour Cream Cake was quite involved, so for this month's Russian Recipes Revisited series I decided to make something simpler and also savory.

Growing up in Russia, we had ground beef often. My mom made "fancy" meatloaf by putting hard boiled eggs inside so that when you cut into the meatloaf, you would get a pretty yellow and white center.

Instead of burgers, we had

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Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing

From time to time I get opportunities to receive preview copies of cookbooks. At the end of 2012, I received a copy of Washington, DC Chef's Table by Beth Kanter with photographs by Emily Pearl Goodstein.

This cookbook is composed of recipes from Washington DC restaurants (and a few food trucks!) and provides readers with a bit of the restaurants' history.

Let's start with the good: the

From time to time I get opportunities to receive preview copies of cookbooks. At the end of 2012, I received a copy of Washington, DC Chef's Table by Beth Kanter with photographs by Emily Pearl Goodstein.

This cookbook is composed of recipes from Washington DC restaurants (and a few food trucks!) and provides readers with a bit of the restaurants' history.

Let's start with the good: the

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Smoky Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage

I love soup year round, but especially when it's cold outside. There is just something so comforting about a hot bowl of soup. Over the weekend I wanted to make Aviva's Split Pea soup, but then I would not be able to blog about it again, and what's the fun in that? So I decided to make a few changes to her recipe and turned it into a Smoky Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage.

I love soup year round, but especially when it's cold outside. There is just something so comforting about a hot bowl of soup. Over the weekend I wanted to make Aviva's Split Pea soup, but then I would not be able to blog about it again, and what's the fun in that? So I decided to make a few changes to her recipe and turned it into a Smoky Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage.

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"Bagels & Lox" Savory Cheesecake: WASA Crispbreads Recipe Development

Earlier last month I received a recipe development request from Wasa Crispbreads.

Have you heard of Wasa crispbreads? They have been a part of my breakfast rotation routine for a few years, and I love that they are crispy, low in calories and come in whole wheat varieties. I must admit that I tried one of their Light products and did not like that as much.

"The wholesome, all-natural

Earlier last month I received a recipe development request from Wasa Crispbreads.

Have you heard of Wasa crispbreads? They have been a part of my breakfast rotation routine for a few years, and I love that they are crispy, low in calories and come in whole wheat varieties. I must admit that I tried one of their Light products and did not like that as much.

"The wholesome, all-natural

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