Happy Friday, everyone! This week I have some restaurant reviews built into to what I was eating, I’m happy to report, and other than Valentine’s Day, we ate mostly at home which was good for our health and budget. I always like a week of home-cooked meals when possible!

Last Friday, I made that Chicken Curry I posted yesterday. It was delicious and made the best leftovers all weekend long.

On Saturday night, Jeff took me to the Stinking Rose for Valentine’s Day dinner (the first of two, what a lucky girl I am.) Unfortunately (though I always suspected it) it was just not that good. The best part of the night was the rolls with caramelized onions and the garlic olive oil, but the food wasn’t the best (although I did get to have seafood, my fave.) We had to go because it’s a GARLIC restaurant, but honestly we won’t be back.

On Sunday night, Jeff took me to Spago in Beverly Hills, where I got oysters AND scallops and was generally a happy camper. This dinner was amazing and we had sets that looked into the kitchen – a major bonus in my book.

On Monday, I made spaghetti squash with pesto and sausage, and ate the whole thing over a bed of spinach. We make this dish a lot in the winter months, so I probably should just get the recipe to you. Coming soon.

Tuesday night, we made chicken quesadillas (which we eat a lot, and I probably should just post for you because you deserve to have them in your wheelhouse, too.)

Wednesday night, I went out with a friend and got dinner – a crispy polenta salad with chicken from Spare Tire in LA. It was delicious and the perfect cold-weather dinner dish.

Thursday night, we had leftover hodgepodge from the fridge because we’re going out of town tonight, which means I had leftover brown rice, some chicken from the quesadillas, some cheese on top of that, a fried egg, and a healthy smattering of sriracha.

And now we’re back to Friday! Happy weekend, y’all. Hope you’re doing something great!

Today, I wanted to share with you a dinner recipe that we’ve made a few times now – a new regular in our house and part of my efforts to try new things.

When we order Indian food, I always get Chicken Korma, and Jeff gets Chicken Curry. I figured since I love Indian so much (but don’t love how much it costs and how salty it can be!) I could make something similar at home – enter this recipe from Half Baked Harvest. This recipe is so easy to throw together and have for a weeknight, and it makes the most delicious leftovers.

I made this the first time exactly to the recipe – something I always try to do the first time around before I get deep into experimenting with what I like, and something I recommend to you, too. Unless you really loathe an ingredient, I suggest trying what someone’s written and seeing what happens. The second time I made it, I used one less tablespoon of chili paste (because the first time I got the hiccups!) and used one small head of broccoli and two heads of bok choy, because I love the flavor of bok choy. I also used double the garlic (because duh) and just use olive oil (also because duh). It was just as delicious, I promise.

I served this over Trader Joe’s fast-cooking brown rice, but you can use whatever grain you like – jasmine rice would be delicious, I bet, or quinoa, or even just over a big ole piece of naan – whatever’s your fave.

Next time, if I am feeling crazy, I might mix in some cashews, even, and throw in some cauliflower or roasted potatoes and skip the rice. Stay tuned for different iterations of this new fave!

What have you guys been cooking? Any new favorites?

Hey, everyone! Just like that we’re at the middle of another week (a three-day weekend always helps, right?) Today I wanted to share my latest breakfast in bed – a delicious muffin spread inspired by one of Joie de Vivre’s hotels, the Laurel Inn.

This charming hotel comes with a kitchenette in every room – something I find incredibly dreamy. I love the idea of coming back from a day about the city and whipping up something to eat while relaxing.

A great breakfast to get you started for a day about San Francisco is a muffin and some fruit – light yet filling, something that let’s you get up and go. The Laurel Inn is in the heart of Pacific Heights, with adventures surrounding it to every side – it’s not a place you want to waste morning light, and so with a muffin (or two!) you are ready to hit streets quickly.

For more (and for the recipes!) head over to Joie de Vivre’s blog, here!

Friday, again, and a three day weekend at that – what lucky people we are!

On Friday when I left you, we had Chicken Enchiladas for dinner with a couple of friends (Hi, friends!) and Ana’s Kale Salad. As always, they were delicious.

On Saturday, a bunch of ladies and I went to Disneyland, so it was chicken fingers and fries for me! Not pictured, of course, because we were too busy gabbing away.

On Sunday, Jeff made us pizza for dinner. I think this was one of the best yet: basil, onion, pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, and a smidge of burrata.

Monday was pizza leftovers, which was delicious, with leftover kale salad, which is basically still my favorite thing, good thing Ana shared it with me.

On Tuesday, we had Carne Asada Fajitas. And trust me, they were delicious. But I gobbled them up like a savage, so this photo of other fajitas will have to do.

On Wednesday, Jeff made us wicked grilled cheese (with mozzarella, so good!) and I also had some avocado as well as a green bell pepper full of tomato soup because WHY NOT?

And of course, last night, like every Thursday, I had Mendocino Farms. It was my last soccer game, so Thursdays are going to be a slot that’s switched up from now on – or maybe I’ll just keep making it at home for the stability.

So that’s it around here! What are y’all eating? Any favorite recipes that are really popping for you? Tweet me @GarlicMySoul or comment here!

If you’re anything like me, Valentines’s Day is an over-exaggerated Hallmark holiday meant to force you to spend time thinking about how great your conscious coupling is. For those of us in relationships, it can feel a bit forced, and for those of us not, it can feel (a bit lonely. But a couple of years ago I thought, is it really so bad to look at your partner and be like, “Hey, I like you a lot. Thanks for your commitment to us, here’s some delicious food.” I mean, I think in the world we live in sometimes it’s a nice reminder to look at the people we love and just remember how lucky we are. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

The way I show my love is through cooking, and if you’re into that too, here are some ways to show your partner, friend, kids, family, coworkers, whoever, that you appreciate them, Hallmark holiday or not!

Let’s start with the wine. Here is a sampling of great wines to have at home with your meal – cook together and drink while you cook, for a relaxing evening of you-time!

Love steak? So do we. For a simple meal that’ll definitely show the love, try this Steak & Potatoes meal, guaranteed to make everyone full and feeling comforted.

We talk about this Baked Lemon Pasta a lot, but you guys, it’s so good, so easy, and perfect for an easy night of dishes. Add chicken on if you want, or some veggies – what your heart says.

For dessert, try this Chocolate Bread Pudding and check on this post for other ideas on what to make if nothing already has your mouth water.

We hope you look at your person(s) and say “HEY I LOVE YOU YOURE MY BOO LETS EAT” this Valentine’s Day – and every day, too!