reunited and it felt so good

Back in June of 2009, Roe invited me to go to Vegas to celebrate her friend (D) friend's birthday (C). Since then, we've shared many memories through food, drinks, dancing, holidays, celebrations, accomplishments, etc. 

3 years later (with many Vegas trips in between but there was always someone missing), we finally were all together at the place where we all became friends to celebrate mine's and D's birthday. 

We've all grown a lot through the past several years. I can get all sappy but I won't haha. In other words, reunited and it felt so good. :)

Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year. Happy 2013!!

<3, phu

Birthday Dress & Strawberry Beet Brownies

I love lace and this dress caught my eye several years ago which has become my LBD. I wore this outfit for one of my many birthday celebrations this month. :)

dress: forever21, shoes: steve maddens, purse: katespade

necklace: charlotte russe 

I usually don't eat beets unless I order it at a restaurant and the likely-hood of that happening isn't high. As I researched for recipes, this one caught my eye and I had to try it. 

Strawberry Beet Brownies 

1 cup roasted beets

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

3 tablespoon of almond milk

4 eggs

6 medjools dates, pitted

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup of coconut flour

1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup strawberries, chopped 

(I cheated and used Trader Joe's steam beets and frozen strawberries)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a pan

2. In a blender, pulse beets, coconut oil, almond milk, eggs, dates, vanilla extract and strawberries until smooth

3. In a bowl, add salt, baking soda, cinnamon, coconut flour, and cocoa powder together and whisk into wet ingredients 

4. Pour batter into the greased pan 

5. Bake for 40 mins or until toothpick comes out clean when stuck in

Maybe it was because I used steamed beets instead of roasted beets and frozen strawberries instead of fresh strawberries but the brownies tasted interesting. It didn't taste bad but it's definitely not like a regular brownie. I did liked these brownies more with a nice scoop of mint chocolate chip gelato though haha. My roommate however said that he loved it since it wasn't too sweet.

Thank you for dropping by and reading the last remix of the year. Have a safe, blessed, and happy new year everyone!! :)

<3, phu

Sweet and Simple

I've never been a fan of beets, probably because the only ones I was exposed to as a child came from cans. Moving to the Bay Area, I gained access to fresh beets and couldn't get enough. As one of the kids I babysit says, "Beets are nature's candy."

Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese Salad w/ Sauteed Beet Greens

Roasted Beets

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Cut stems off beets and wash vigorously
3. Lightly coat with olive oil and wrap in foil
4. Place on pan and roast until tender (fork should poke through center), roughly 15 minutes
5. Let cool, peel skin (I place my beets in a paper towel and rub gently to avoid pink fingers), and slice

Sauteed Beet Greens

1. Remove stems and coarsely chop greens
2. Wash thoroughly
3. Sautee in pan with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper until lightly wilted (I over-salted, so I added a splash of orange juice to balance things out)
4. Assemble with roasted beets and crumbled goat cheese

Making this healthy and tasty salad came just at the right time. After our trip to Vegas, I needed something light and detoxifying. We had a great time celebrating D's birthday in Sin City, lots of grubbin' and dancing and very little sleep. I like to keep it simple whether or traveling or at home. So Little Black Dresses are my go-to for any occasion. Short, long, tight, flowy, with sleeves, without sleeves; I have every combination. I went with the most obvious Vegas appropriate combination; short and tight with cutouts.

Happy Holidays from FLAN!

<3 C

Be-lated Beet Soup

SORRY!!! for the delayed beet remix, life and Vegas took over.

{D's post will also be delayed as good news and Vegas has taken over her life, too}

After days of 'holiday' eating, this light beet soup was a meal accepted with arms wide open and tummy just waiting to be soothed.

This is the kind of food that my mom made for us on the daily, something clean and light, no bells and whistles.  It had to be, a working mom with 4 kids, shuttling them from school and practice, you've got limits, but they can always be delicious.  It's quick, nutritious, and easy, and takes less than 5 ingredients to make, just my kind of recipe.

Beet Soup

• 1 bunch of beets (usually comes with 3 at the store)
• 2 quarts of water, can substitute with your choice of broth
• kosher salt & pepper to taste

1. Boil the 2 quarts of water, and a pinch of kosher salt
2. Cut stems from the beet root
3. Cut the stem in leaves in about 1 inch lengths. Wash stems and leaves.
4. Wash the beet root, and peel the skin
5. Cut the beat root in 1/4 pieces of 1/8 pieces, up to you
6. Place the beets into the boiling water, turn down to medium-low
7. After about 20 minutes add the stems and leaves and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the stems and leaves are tender.

You can eat it as is, or get a bowl of rice and top it with the beet soup

I also like eating it with a green onion egg omelet. 

LBD at the Friendsgiving 2012

Little Black Dresses are life savers, especially after hours of prep and cooking and when your guests are about to arrive.

This past week, we had our Friendsgiving dinner.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, b/c that was the only holiday my mom let me be in charge of the menu and the cooking.  It's a great time for me to give back and show appreciation for those that are important in my life.

With all the prep and cooking I didn't have time to methodically think of my outfit for the evening, so as guests were just about to arrive, I threw on a black dress, my collar necklace, so gold bracelets, and berry heels.  Dressed in under 10, but excuse the naked face, no time for makeup! :P

via Jewelmint

attempted caramel chocolate mouse

Friendsgiving 2012

what you know about that onsie...

heeyy... sexxaaay lady...

Thanks for stopping by today and reading! stay tuned for the food remix later ;)

<3 roe