Pad Thai

Snow days are the best days to hang out at home and cook food. If you know snow is coming, take the opportunity to stop at the grocery store or market and get some ingredients to try a new recipe!

Don't mind all the people going nuts trying to stock up on five gallons of milk (I've seen this) and a 48 pack of toilet paper. Try to avoid them if you can. If you can't avoid them, at least have a good laugh.

Yesterday, I ventured to the office around 7 a.m. but decided (thanks to news updates from friends) I wasn't sticking around any longer than 11 a.m. Weather reports sounded sketchy and driving conditions were getting worse as the morning progressed. Only by the time I got home did I realize...I probably should have went to the store and prepared for this.

If you know me, you know I was certainly not staring into an empty fridge (we DO have 5 jars of olives). There was plenty of meat and fruits and vegetables, but I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to do with it all. This was the perfect time to cook something amazing and I was staring at carrots, celery and about a dozen hot sauces.

I spent about a half hour wrangling the pets and watching Travel Channel before it dawned on me. Pad Thai. Some friends had recently stocked me with a block of tamarind paste and I figured I had most of the other ingredients or could at least do some sort of make-shift version.

I found this recipe on Pinterest. Although I've used a few different recipes, I really liked this one. Not all use tamarind (which I like to use), but I suggest using a recipe that calls for it.

I made a few modifications: I did not use cabbage but I cooked bok choy instead. I did not have cilantro or chicken stock (due to lack of planning). I only used one piece of chicken; two seemed like a lot.

For the sauce

For the pan and garnish

Seasoned chicken - soy sauce and cornstarch

Finished and garnished!

The recipe worked out great! I used the bok choy for a garnish and topped with sprouts, julienned carrot, chopped peanuts and a lime wedge. The leftovers are good, too. I'm eating some as I write!

Warm Up With a Tea Latte

If you're lucky enough to be sitting at home this morning, enjoying the snow from inside your home rather than inside your car...this is for you. A tea latte is a nice way to settle into a snow day. It has that wonderful warm flavor and smells just as good!

Recipe modified from One Ingredient Chef

2 teabags (or equivalent in loose leaf)
1 cup milk (you can sub soy milk if you prefer)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
Dash of cinnamon




In a medium saucepan, slowly heat milk and water.

Open and empty 1 1/2 teabags of tea into saucepan with milk and water. Do not put teabags into the mixture. You have to empty the tea so it brews.

Whisk frequently to simmer, but be very careful it does not boil over.

Add vanilla and sugar. Continue to whisk occasionally for about 2 minutes.

After 2 minutes, remove from heat and cover with lid. Let sit for about 4-5 minutes. Tea will continue to brew.

While your tea is brewing, whisk or beat heavy cream until frothy.

Pour tea mixture into French Press (or tea strainer, if you have one) and strain. Pour into your mug and top with heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon!

A snowy winter day deserves a pumpkin spice muffin and chai

Add whipped cream if you want!