Fried Green Tomatoes!

Yes! Green tomatoes were on sale yesterday at Grovesnor Market in Bethesda, MD. I thought, well, I have pita bread, turkey bacon, and corn meal at home; so all I need is some arugula and smoked Gouda and we are off! Last night, I served up Fried Green tomato pita sandwiches with Balsamic vinaigrette, arugula, smoke Gouda, and turkey bacon (fried). Enough Said!

Dinunch!

After starving today (due to lack of food at home and funds to pick up something out), I have decided to go home tonight and make two meals. Both are my "I went out of town this weekend but I shouldn't have and now instead of being low on money I have no money, but I am artistically inspired" meals. The first  will be penne pasta with a garlic, spinach, tomato light cream sauce (you can get 6 meals out of this). The second meal will be (for lunch purposes only) a three bean (kidney, gorbanzo, and black) salad will green onions, tomatoes (cherry or cut up Roma tomatoes), and a lime vinaigrette (you can get 6 lunches out of this).Both of these meals will make me forget about the lack of funds in my account due to short trip away. Instead, I will eat both of these meals and think about how AWESOME Brooklyn, NY was to me and my two best friends.

Teaching Artist Gives Husband an Amazing Birthday Dinner

Lately, my Hub celebrated his 31st birthday. I was freaking out because like I mentioned in my last blog this dancer, choreographer, educator is on a major budget in the summer. Our family tends to think that our birthday last a month or so. One night the week before his birthday, I decided to make him an amazing meal on a budget. We made trip to Whole Foods and there was nothing available really....I picked up some cremini mushrooms, two steaks (on sale), yellow onion,and goat cheese. After putting our 3 year old to bed, I came downstairs, sprinkled salt and pepper, poured olive oil in a hot pan. Placed one steak in the hot pan for 3 minutes on both sides..then the other. I let them rest, I thinly slices the yellow onion and cremini mushroom, sauteed them in the same pan...I sprinkled salt and pepper, some dried thyme, then I poured in some balsamic vinegar in the pan. I then sliced the goat cheese and placed the circles of cheese on top the steak and place a fine helping of the mushrooms and onions on top and opened a fine bottle of Malbec...Done, Done, and Done! All that for under $12 a plate...Boom!

Teaching Artist Re-Discovers Cous Cous

Summer Camp, Couscous, and Cutting Costs

As an artist, my summers are spent teaching at various art camps around the Washington, DC area. While I absolutely love it, my bank account doesn't. A summer of art camp means a major pay cut for my family, so my usual splurges at Whole Foods and Yes! Organic Market are put on hold.

Instead, I've rediscovered the magic of Trader Joe's and Grosvenor Market. They're not just affordable—they're a goldmine for amazing, budget-friendly meals. I've been focusing on buying what's on sale and getting creative.

This summer, my go-to has been couscous. It's the ultimate chameleon of grains. It's cheap, fast to cook, and you can mix it with just about anything to create a dish that's packed with flavor and nutrients. Best of all, a big batch lasts for days, which is a lifesaver.

My current favorite combination is a simple tuna couscous salad:

• Couscous

• Canned tuna

• Green onions

• Chickpeas

• Tomatoes

• A lemon vinaigrette

• A little dill, salt, and pepper to taste

It's amazing how a few simple ingredients can create something so light, flavorful, and satisfying. This dancer knows how to eat well on a budget, and so can you!

Fredericksburg

March 2011, I was performing at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg,VA. I decided to check out the hot spots in Fredericksburg, VA since I was going to be there for a night. I went on Yelp.com and started my search for FOOD. I decided to go with the highly rated restaurant name Soup and Taco on Caroline St. It was Mexican Cuisine, simple and true. I started with the much talked about Black Bean Soup, rich and steeped in smokey chipotle. Then, I moved on to a entree with with fried corn tortilla with shredded chicken, pinto bean puree, jalapeno sour creme and sprinkled with cilantro. It was light and full of flavor.

My next stop was considered the best bakery/cafe in town, Elieen's on Caroline St. in Historical Fredericksburg. I walked into the beautiful church turn bakery/cafe, and I swear the atmosphere is the enough to draw you in. The high ceilings filled with the smell of fresh baked bread and I look over to where the pews probably use to be an there was a cased filled with French fruit filled tarts and decadent chocolate treats. I ordered the much talked about Maple Pecan Scone and the classic French Apple tart. The scone was the right type of dense with the light smell and flavorful taste of maple, then the nuttiness of the pecan filled my watering mouth with reminders the classic pecan pie. The tart was perfect with slivers of sour apple on top with a buttery  air filled crust on the bottom. Enough said!

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