Walnut Brownie, Bailey's and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

On my dessert plate you will find a gold flakes garnished moist walnut brownie topped with a tiny scoop of Bailey's Ice Cream and a semi-sweet sesame cracker. I never thought that the original flavor of Bailey's ice cream will work so well with the sesame cracker. But it surely did.

As an accompaniment, a vanilla bean quenelle is drizzled with a chocolate shell. The shell hardens while the ice cream melts. And when it does, it makes it perfect to eat everything while you make them all meet with your fork to your mouth.

The brownie doesn't dry up at all because the ice cream melts.... try it!!! you'll love it.

I wish I had fresh strawberries or raspberries to serve it with.

Chicken, Portobello Mushrooms, Mozzarella

I wanted something mild for my taste buds for lunch today so I thought I'd make something out of few ingredients I have at home.

I pan-fried a chicken breast that I pounded thinly and dusted with flour with a garlic-infused butter. Topped it with sauteed portobello mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. Broiled for cheese to melt. And finally served with a pasta on the side.

I love to use the pastina not just for soups/stews as my side dish because I get to eat enough of my entree before getting stuffed with pasta. It's how I enjoy my food. I want to make room for the entire course I make. So a little of everything makes me happy.

I had the option of using Sundried tomato pesto or basil pesto but I went for basil pesto today. Either would work.

Skewered Caprese Salad

I needed a starter while I was waiting for the main entree to be ready but this is the first that I can think of that I can make in 5 mins.

Good thing I had some sweet vine-riped cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and a package of fresh Ciliegene Mozzarella (cherry sized) cheese in the fridge. I marinated them with Olive Oil ,seasoned them with salt and pepper before skewering.

Brunch

Most of the time I don't get to eat breakfast because of having too much coffee. I get hungry around 11:30am which is almost time for lunch. So I made a little bit of what I can find.

Bacon is something I won't leave out so I have a few on the plate.
Tossed some arugula salad with the same balsamic vinaigrette (my favorite dressing by the way).
Pastina is a small pasta used normally for soups or couscous but I cooked a bit and tossed it with my pesto sauce I have stored in my fridge. Topped it with some grated Parmegiano Grana. The cheese can always be substituted with a regular parmesan cheese.

The idea here is to have a little bit of everything from carbs to protein.

SALAD NICOISE

This is what I consider a hearty salad. That means not just greens because it comes with a Salmon, hard-boiled eggs and roasted potatoes too.

I used balsamic vinaigrette for my dressing. Other recipes would call for a white wine vinegar but you can always make something according to your preference.

I left the green beans out for a good reason. My capers and olives were hidden unintentionally. I will make my plate better next time.