Author: Katherine

Som Ta – Green Papaya Salad and a South Asian-Inspired Blog Hop

28 Comments

When Liz and I saw green papayas at Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market, I knew two things: That I had to have one, and that I would make Som Ta (Thai Green Papaya Salad) with it. Although I have yet to visit Thailand (it’s on the top of my massive travel bucket list!), this salad is one of my favorite things to order at Thai restaurants. Fresh, shredded green papaya is tossed with tomatoes, string beans, chili pepper, and a sweet and savory dressing for an insanely addictive starter or side.

Green Papaya ~ KatherineMartinelli.com

Continue reading “Som Ta – Green Papaya Salad and a South Asian-Inspired Blog Hop” →

Healthy Baked Chicken Recipe with Flax Seeds

27 Comments

This is one of those rare recipes that are easy, delicious, quick, and healthy. I know! I’ve been obsessed with protein-rich flax seeds lately, which I typically put in my oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies in the morning. I got to thinking about how to incorporate it into my dinners and came up with this simple breaded, baked chicken breast. I used a mixture of bread crumbs and ground flax seeds so it wouldn’t be too heavy, and the result was just perfect, and somewhat akin to pecan-crusted chicken in texture.

Flax Seed Chicken ~ KatherineMartinelli.com

Continue reading “Healthy Baked Chicken Recipe with Flax Seeds” →

Eating our Way through the North of Israel

16 Comments

It was getting embarrassing. After living in Israel for two years, I still hadn’t been North of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Sure, I’ve explored the Negev far more than most people who live in “the center.” I’ve vacationed in Eilat and snorkeled in the Red Sea. I’ve hiked in Mitzpe Ramon, floated in the Dead Sea, and have even explored the tiny shuk in Ashkelon. I know Tel Aviv and Jerusalem nearly as well as I know Be’er Sheva, the city where I live. But I’d yet to make it up North. Everywhere else is just over an hour from me. As soon as you start getting into two-plus hours of travel, and the need for a car, well, it was easier to put off.

Caesarea {KatherineMartinelli.com}

Continue reading “Eating our Way through the North of Israel” →

Guest Post: Pita and a Bread Blog Hop

37 Comments

Do you have an irrational fear of yeast? Well, it’s time to get over it! See, the yeast does all the work so you don’t have to worry about the kitchen science behind it. As long as it’s fairly fresh, it will do its job. And once you get over that, the whole wide world of baking opens up to you. The Focaccia I made recently is an amazing introduction to making bread and using yeast. This pita is another. Which is why I was excited to finally tackle it when Anuradha from the amazing blog Baker Street asked me to guest post for her Bread 101 series. If you are somehow not familiar with Baker Street, head over there and check it out right now! She posts the most incredible baked goods, including her popular “Muffin Monday” series.

Pita {KatherineMartinelli.com}

Continue reading “Guest Post: Pita and a Bread Blog Hop” →

Asian Lettuce Wraps

19 Comments

Asian Lettuce Wraps

This is a first for me: Two posts in one day! Ay-yay-yay. But hopefully you’ll have as much with both of them as I have! Although I usually have a tough time picking a recipe for the Secret Recipe Club, this month it was no contest. These Asian Lettuce Wraps called to me. Not that Veronica’s Cornucopia doesn’t have a million recipes that I want to try – I’ve bookmarked this Watermelon and Black Bean Salsa, Avocado Chocolate Pudding, and General Tso’s Chicken, to name a few. But I’ve had Asian Lettuce Wraps on the brain for a while and these looked just perfect. I was thrilled to be assigned Veronica’s Cornucopia this month – please stop by and check out her gorgeous blog if you haven’t already! Continue reading “Asian Lettuce Wraps” →

Guest Post: Fattoush Salad

14 Comments

Fattoush

I have a special treat for you today! Actually, two special treats. I don’t think I’ve done this in the history of my blog, but today I will be double posting. I may have, er, double booked myself slightly. First up is this fattoush salad recipe and a guest post over at the wonderful Ang Sarap. If you haven’t visited Raymund’s incredible blog, then I highly recommend you head over there right now. Originally from the Philippines and living in New Zealand, Raymund makes wonderful, inspiring recipes from around the world. He’s introduced me to many new dishes, and I always love his spin on familiar ones. It doesn’t hurt that his photography is stunning as well!

 

Continue reading “Guest Post: Fattoush Salad” →

Spaghetti Carbonara for #SundaySupper

42 Comments

The theme for this week’s #SundaySupper is “Celebrate Your Heritage” and, in case my last name didn’t give it away, I am Italian-American (and Hungarian, and other stuff too, but mostly Italian). Although my family hails from the South of the boot, I couldn’t resist bringing Spaghetti Carbonara – a decidedly Roman dish – to the table. Although I didn’t grow up eating it, a family trip to Rome my senior year of high school was the beginning of a lifelong love affair. Today it’s something my husband and I make often if we have the ingredients on hand. It’s actually a specialty of my husband’s, and a dish I would venture to say he makes better than I.

Family Photos
My Italian great grandmother in the kitchen, and my Italian family gathered around the table

Continue reading “Spaghetti Carbonara for #SundaySupper” →

Armenian Cucumber Salad and a Cucumber Blog Hop

38 Comments

One of my favorite parts about living in Israel is the incredible quality, low price, and seasonality of the produce. That and learning about new ingredients. It’s nearing the end of the time when we see Armenian cucumbers at the shuk, recognizable by their light green color and peach fuzz. I didn’t learn until recently that these sweet cucumbers aren’t cucumbers at all – they’re in the muskmelon family along with cantaloupe and honeydew (although these, I’ve learned, are more closely related to cucumbers than I could have imagined). Their slightly sweet, melon-like flavor should have tipped me off. Also called yard-long cucumbers and snake melons, I’ve heard that you can actually find these tasty fruits at farmers markets in the US.

Armenian Cucumbers
Continue reading “Armenian Cucumber Salad and a Cucumber Blog Hop” →

Cheese-Stuffed Burgers for World on a Plate

40 Comments

Just in time for Memorial Day, this month’s theme for World on a Plate is grilling! I don’t have a backyard, or a grill, but I do have a cast iron pan, which can be a worthy substitute. Since I’m representing America, I immediately knew that I would be bringing burgers to the party. But I didn’t want to go with just any old burger – so I stuffed some cheese inside to make them extra special. That’s right: a cheese-stuffed burger. When you cook the burger, the cheese inside melts, creating an ooey-gooey surprise that any cheeseburger-loving person is bound to go nuts over. You can even go extreme and put more cheese on top, but that’s just crazy talk (which I fully support).

Cheese-Stuffed Burger
Continue reading “Cheese-Stuffed Burgers for World on a Plate” →

Guest Post: Zucchini with Ricotta and Mint and a Mint Blog Hop

38 Comments

I love Fridays, don’t you?! Today is particularly special because not only do I have my weekly blog hop for you, but I am also guest posting over at Everyday Maven! If you don’t know Alyssa of Everyday Maven then you are missing out on some seriously simple, healthy, delicious recipes (yes, she hits the nail on the head with all three!). She’s a total sweetheart, a great blogger friend, and I don’t think I’ve met a recipe of hers that I don’t want to make. Yesterday I shared a recipe for zucchini, ricotta, and mint appetizers presented in two different ways over at her blog.

Zucchini with Mint and Ricotta

Continue reading “Guest Post: Zucchini with Ricotta and Mint and a Mint Blog Hop” →