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Cafe Coconut Girl: Photos from the Meal Ticker

DSC_0721-largeI used to have this little chat with myself, as I gazed into the fridge trying to find something to eat. It went like this:

“Whitney, not every meal has to be an epiphany.”

“Yes, it does.”

These days, I find that epiphanies can come from simple meals made with good ingredients. And lots of butter, olive oil, garlic, and parmesean, of course.

The Meal Ticker’s purpose is to offer simple menu ideas for families. Many people have told me that coming up with healthy meals is a daily source of stress. This is particularly true of the overtired and harried among us–such as parents of newborns. Once these folks know what they’re making, most of them can track down and execute recipes well-enough on their own. Meal Ticker provides some quick online direction and inspiration.

Below are some images of recent Meal Ticker repasts listed on the Coconut Girl’s Facebook & Twitter pages.


Top row: Left & center: Panini. I sauteed sliced portobellos in olive oil with salt & pepper, garlic, sherry vinegar, soy sauce & thyme. When tender, I chopped them and put them on crusty Italian bread, along with fresh wilted spinach, blanched broccoli spears, some muffuletta, mayo, vinaigrette, and slices of mozerella cheese. The sandwiches cooked about 4 minutes in a panini maker until the bread was crunchy and the cheese bubbly. Right: Robert’s braised brussel sprouts.  To prepare, I halved them and seared them over high heat in olive oil with 3 minced cloves of garlic. I seasoned them with salt and pepper, and when they were caramel-brown on one side and bright green elsewhere, I added a splash of chicken stock and cooked them a few minutes more until tender. A meal unto themselves, they are the addictive creation of my fellow architect & friend, Robert Nichols.

Middle Row: Left: Hot dogs/veggie dogs wrapped in buttermilk biscuit dough, and cooked at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Dudes love these things. My husband ate them as fast as I could pull them out of the oven. Served with fresh pineapple and blanched green beans. Center: Vegetable soup with garbanzos. Will post this wonderful recipe from my mom soon on tCG. Right: Potato Latkes. Surprisingly fast and easy to make, even on a busy weekday morning.

Bottom Row: Left: Cooked Latkes with sour cream and applesauce. Center: Miso soup & scallions, served with multigrain pasta and blanched snow peas. Right: Mache salad with garbanzos, red onion and feta;  parmesan toast; orange wedges.

Posted in Food, Meal Ticker.


4 Responses

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  1. Erin says

    Adopt me.

  2. Carolyn says

    Michael Pollan’s latest: “Food Rules: an eater’s manual” makes it very simple – more food OF the plant, less food FROM the plant (processed food).

    A fridge full of good, fresh ingredients + creativity = YES!! an epiphany at every meal. And, bonus! we KNOW what we are feeding ourselves and our children.

  3. Tasha says

    Seriously, dinner at your house. We’ll all bring the wine and cake.

  4. the Coconut Girl says

    Ahhh–dinner with you guys-would like nothing better!



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