It is funny to go out in the world and tell people where I am from.
First they ask me is we live on Kentucky Fried Chicken, once they
recover from the funniest joke that we have all heard a million times,
they ask about the Derby.  While I do know my way around Fried
Chicken, I would much rather talk all things 'Track'.

One year, while living on the beach, far  away from Churchill
Downs, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a dear friends wedding.  I
was so happy that my pal was about to marry the love of her life and
was flattered to be involved in this special day.  Once the plans
started to take shape, she picked the date.....THE FIRST SATURDAY IN
MAY?  (Also famous for nice weather in the subtropics).  Really?  The
first Saturday?  I told her that she was getting married on Derby Day
(Much like planning a wedding on Christmas Day in Louisville).  My
sweet friend replied with  "what is that?  Like a horse race, or
something"?  WHOA.  All jokes aside, I love Molly and Justin enough to
miss Derby.  Friends like that don't come along often.

One of the best things about Derby Week in Louisville, is that there
truly is something for everyone.  There are no class divides when it
comes to the Sport of Kings, as it can get in just about any persons
blood.  Derby offers the high falutin' Millionaires Row (maybe should be
renamed Billionaires), famously offering the finest to politicians,
famous actors (the  members of the B list always are my favorite) and
Garden Variety Horse Royalty.  The news crews always clamor for a
peek at how the other half live.  We always watch.

The Derby Festival Events are also great!  I love the Pegasus Parade,
and always get excited to hear who will be our Grand Marshall.  (Cindy
Lauper is the Head Cheese this year.....strange but true.).  Looks
like girls just want to have fun after all.  The Parade always
takes me back to my childhood, when my family would flock to my
Grandfather’s Lighting Company on Broadway to pile on the bleachers out
front for a bird’s eye view of the action.  My sisters and I would always
take full advantage of the popcorn and candy offered.  I remember
thinking I had seen the world’s most important person when Louisville
native Muhammad Ali would ride past on a float.  I now realize that I was correct in thinking that he really was the world’s most important person.
I hope that he floats by this year.

The Great Steamboat Race is also great, though, much like the Infield
and horses, you may never see a boat.  A great reason for a party on
the river, Louisville style!  As a kid, we would go to Kingfish
on River Road, and cheer on The Belle when she would slowly Paddle by.
People from other places surely think that a Steamboat race is
corny.  And they are right.   And it is so much fun.

The Chow Wagon offers GREAT people watching, and any type of food that
you can imagine, fried on a stick.  (If you partake, keep in mind, we
will be here the second week in May, to get you back on track).  For
the admission of a flash of one Pegasus Pin, you can walk right in.
They say it takes all kinds, and they are all here, packed into a
chain link fenced area of the Waterfront.  Once the live Music starts,
Louisville gets her boogie on.  My Derby week plans 2012 are topped with
PFunk (WITH George Clinton).  Also.....Ah…Eddie Money.  Can't wait!

Oaks Day (The first day of racing for the spring meet at Churchill
Downs, always the Friday preceding Derby) is also great fun.   Oaks
Day used to be known as 'Locals Day'.  These races used to be our
little secret...shorter lines, less fan fair, Amazingly awesome
horses.  The cat seems to be out of the bag, however, and Oaks has
become almost as popular as Derby Day.   The Track boasts great
horses, Riders and Trainers this Friday.  It is also important to sport lots
of Pink, a tradition that pays respect to Breast Cancer survivors.

All of the great Derby traditions make this time of year fun and
exciting here in Louisville.  But there would be none of the above
without the almighty Kentucky Derby.  We pile on the best race horses
in the world, and watch them run for the roses.  It is emotional and
exciting and overwhelming for those of us who love the sport.  I see
the track as a bunch of 'the honor is in being nominated'. And it
could not be more true.  If you are an owner, trainer or rider, and
you manage to squeeze a horse into the Derby Gate, it is like winning
the lottery.  I always pull for the underdog, and they sometimes win.
You never know what is going to happen in this race.  This is THE big
league.  And I love it.

Of all the amazing things about this time of year in Louisville....and
there are WAY too many to mention....my favorite has got to be the
playing of  'My Old Kentucky Home' at the track. It is both touching and funny to see a track full of men holding back tears as the song is played.  It always makes me cry, and I am happy to report, I am part of the misty majority.   Oh Kentucky, I sure do love you.

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We are so excited.....and thankful!

My part in Home Cuisine came a little later, as I joined the team a little over three years ago. My mother, Sandy, an amazing Chef and business woman, had established Home Cuisine while I was planning events on the West Coast of Florida.

When I moved home, it was a natural progression to partner with Mom. It seems like the Universe had planned this all along, as my work experience was almost tailored for this industry.

Things have changed in the past three years, mostly for the best. Today we have a wonderful staff, working like a well oiled machine. We have learned tons, and some of these lessons were 'the hard way', but now we know!

My favorite part of this business has been learning TONS about healthy food, and what that really menus. Like most people, I blindly believed the less than honest packaging claiming "Healthy Healthy Healthy" eating....boy...what a let down to find out that some of my staples were really more like poison. With your great feedback, we have perfected some great standbys as we create new menu items!

I very much enjoy being at the (co) wheel as this business changes and grows. It is an exciting ride!

So, dear customer, thank you thank you thank you, a million times, thank you, for your support. We have met some great people along the way, and we look forward to many more years with you!

It is funny how people, myself included, tend to see the Vegan Meal Plan as an all or nothing lifestyle choice - you are either in or you are out.  It seems that the vegans who I have known are very committed and view their lifestyle as a political statement. I love their passion for animals and the environment, however, this just does not fit into my life. I would be in big trouble if I were unable to taste the wonderful meat and seafood prior to sending it to our oh so loyal customers!  (Not to mention, I would be hard pressed to live without the occasional dinner out.)

This is where the occasional Vegan Meal Plan comes in! At Home Cuisine I find myself explaining to our interested customers that they would not need to stop all animal products, at all times, should they sign up for the Vegan Meal Plan. We are thrilled to offer 3 vegan meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in the increments of 3, 5 or 7-days a week, as well as our Dinner-only option. This is a great way to enjoy the health benefits of the plant-based program, and still have meals including meat, cheese or any other animal products that you are interested in.

There, however, is nothing wrong with living a total vegan lifestyle, and it seems that those who do are thrilled with their results.  If you are interested in adopting this way of life, we would be happy to help you ease into it...whether 3, 5 or 7 days per week! We have tapered the meals this way for many customers, and it seems to work well.

The one complaint that I hear from most people who want to stop all meat and dairy in their diets, is that it is so time consuming to prepare their meals. Well.....why not make it as easy as possible, and allow Home Cuisine to prepare healthy delicious meals, and bring them right to your door?

Give us a call to set up your vegan, or non-vegan, account today!

Mae

One good thing about summer coming to an end though is the fun that we have in the Home Cuisine Kitchen writing menus that feature fall produce. The colors and textures change with the season, and the rich fall offerings like sweet potatoes, winter squash and hearty stews are so much fun to work with. My personal favorite - Pumpkin Oatmeal - will be making a comeback very soon with all of its autumn flavoring of nutmeg and allspice.

Soon I will long for the lazy days of lounging around the pool and impromptu cook outs; the same way that I will miss huddling around the fire, tightly wrapped in a thick blanket next summer.

Fall is a great time to renew your health. Call us at Home Cuisine and we will be happy to arrange a meal program to fit the busiest of schedules.

Mae

Chipotle-Orange Glazed Chicken with Black Bean, Corn and Tomato Salad

 Serves: 4

Chipotle-Orange Glazed Chicken:

Ingredients:

2 tbsp    orange juice concentrate, thawed

3 tsp      finely chopped chipotle chilies in adobo sauce

3 tsp      balsamic vinegar

2 tsp      molasses

1 tsp      Dijon mustard

4              boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat (8 ounces)

¼ tsp     salt

Method:

Preheat grill or broiler to high. Lightly oil the rack. Whisk orange juice concentrate, chilies, vinegar, molasses and mustard in a small bowl. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Grill or broil the chicken for approx. 2 minutes. Turn the chicken, brush with the chipotle-orange glaze, and cook, brushing occasionally with more of the glaze for approx. 4 minutes. Turn the chicken again, brush with the glaze, and cook until it is no longer pink in the middle, or approx. 3 minutes.

Black Bean, Corn and Tomato Salad:

Ingredients:

1 can (14 oz)                       black beans, rinsed and drained

2 c                                           corn kernels

1                                              red bell pepper, small, seeded and chopped

1/2                                         red onion, chopped

1 ½ tsp                                  ground cumin

2 tsp                                      hot sauce

1                                              lime, juiced

2 tbsp                                    vegetable or olive oil

2                                              tomatoes, diced

salt and pepper – to taste

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and put in the refrigerator for approx. 10 minutes; toss and serve.

The Kentucky State Fair always signals the end of summer, and with that, the end of leisurely cookouts and picnics in the park. As we get back into the swing of things, it is time to revisit our favorite time saving options – in particular, our Family Dinner Meal Plan!

The Family Dinner Meal Plan features three different dinners. Perfect for two adults and a few little ones (2 to 3 children), the meals are available for pick up (or delivery!) every Tuesday. You will be so relieved at dinner time when you serve your family a homemade, healthy dinner and still have the energy to help with homework and walk the dog! For more information, click here.

 And don't forget, we do offer a variety of other meal plans including our Vegan and Dinner-only options! Give us a call today to get started.  Your waist line (and sanity!) will thank you.

 Mae

Asian Peanut Noodles with Chicken

Serves: 4 - 6

Ingredients:

12 oz                            whole wheat spaghetti or linguine

1 clove                         garlic, thinly sliced

2 c                               chicken breast, cooked and pulled

1/4 c                            rice vinegar

1/4 c                            reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/3 c                            smooth peanut butter

3 tbsp                          water

2 tbsp                          grated peeled fresh ginger

1 small (4 to 6 oz)       kirby cucumber, thinly sliced

1 bag (8 to 10 oz)        shredded carrots

1 medium (4 to 6 oz)  red pepper, thinly sliced

cilantro sprigs - for garnish

Method:

Heat large covered saucepot of lightly salted water to boiling on high. Add pasta and cook as label directs. Drain pasta. Rinse under cold running water; drain again. In large bowl, whisk vinegar, soy sauce, peanut butter, water and ginger until smooth. Add drained pasta, shredded chicken, cucumber, carrots and pepper into bowl with peanut sauce; toss to coat. To serve, garnish with cilantro.

Once the temperature reaches 90+ we all need to keep in mind, the thick Chicken Stews and Slow Roasted Pork Loin that we love in the winter just won't work, especially when it feels like you are melting.

Why not give your body what it craves? Our Vegan Meal Plan, packed with fresh veggies and tons of perfectly sweet summer fruit seems to go hand in hand with this hot weather.  

Our Vegan Meal Plan, currently building a cult like following, seems to have great benefits all around. Just to give a sampling of some of the feedback that we have heard: "Surprisingly satisfying"; "I have lost weight quickly"; “My skin has never looked better"; "I feel good about myself for eating this way"; and "I am learning to love vegetables." And the best part – the comments go on and on! I must say, having followed this plan for the past month myself, I agree with the above comments and would like to add that I just feel really good both inside and out!

Please give us a call to set up a plan that will work for you!  

Slow down, stay cool and let us help you get really healthy!

Mae