Kimchi Potato Salad

July 4, 2016

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! On this day it is my tradition to cook like a mad woman in the kitchen. I normally barbecue ribs or fry up some chicken, but since creating my blog, I've been heavily creating most of my recipes to be Korean-fusion inspired. One of my favorite side dishes for an occasion like today is classic-American potato salad. If you know me well, I could survive off of potatoes. Must be the Polish in me.

So I created my traditional potato salad, but with a twist! I added in some Napa cabbage Kimchi, juice included, to give this dish some heat and tanginess. For extra spice, I also included a couple of generous tablespoons of gochujang, a Korean red pepper paste. I would say this can be optional if you're not as much into spiciness like I am. If you're not into spice at all, you can omit the gochujang along with the kimchi and still make an awesome OG potato salad. :)

Be sure not to over cook either the potatoes or eggs. A mushy potato salad is neither appealing or very tasteful. In terms of texture, you want to make sure the potatoes are cooked tender but still firm. This usually takes about fifteen minutes. As for the eggs, always submerge them in cold water rather than hot when you first begin to cook them. This prevents the eggs from cracking and becoming overcooked.

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recipe + photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski — recipe + photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski

Kimchi Potato Salad

Ingredients:
5 potatoes
3 eggs
16 oz cabbage kimchi, chopped with juice
2 Tbsp gochujang
1c celery, chopped
1/2c red onion, chopped
1/2c sweet pickle relish
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp Alderwood smoked sea salt
1/4 tsp celery salt
1 Tbsp prepared Dijon mustard
1/4c mayonnaise
fresh ground black pepper to taste
black sesames seeds and scallion for garnish

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
In a large bowl, combine kimchi, gochujang, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, alderwood smoked sea salt, celery salt, mustard, mayonnaise and pepper. Add in potatoes and eggs. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

For garnish, I used green onion for color and crispness, (red onion is also best in a potato salad, in my opinion, for these reasons as well) and black sesame seeds for the final detail. This side dish is perfect to bring to any barbecue or family/friend get-together, especially on a day like today, or any other summer event you may have planned for the remainder of the season. This did not last long in my kitchen!

Don't go too far, I've got new and exciting posts coming later this week! One post will be focusing on MaQ and dog walking in a big city such as New York and I will also be sharing my very first travel diary from our anniversary trip to Cape Cod last week! I can't wait to share! In the meantime, have a fun & safe Fourth. Love you all! God Bless America.

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Tuna Poke Bowl with Avocado Rose

June 18, 2016

I had my first real scare with MaQ. Since Thursday, my baby had not been feeling very well. He's been lethargic with little-to-no appetite. After consistent vomiting from yesterday morning up until the afternoon, his bile had gone from yellow to a rust-like color. I immediately freaked out -thinking it was possibly blood. But I stayed calm for MaQ, because panicking in front of him wasn't going to do any good. I called the vet and was able to get him in within the hour. They ran blood work, with thorough checks for everything, and even gave him some anti-vomit shots (which were NOT FUN. Poor baby was wailing in the room with the doctors - the shots are ginormous and fucking stung like a bitch... even gave him man boobs/injections were on the side of his shoulders.) It completely broke my heart to hear him in pain, even if only temporarily. Let's just say that I did not sleep well at all last night.

However, the results from the blood work came back this morning and he's as healthy as can be! Looks like he caught a stomach bug or maybe ate something that didn't agree with him. But I'm 100% careful with what he consumes and he's not the type of dog to go off scavenging for scraps through the streets of New York (GROSS). So I'm still not exactly sure what caused him to be sick. Regardless, I am just so thankful my baby is okay. It's the very first time in almost 4-years of being together, he's gotten quite sick. I'd never seen him not act like himself, and quite frankly, this incident had me reeling! Always follow your instincts, it's better to be safe than sorry, and with all the craziness of the world, it's been an eventful couple of days. (So, apologies for being MIA and not being as active on social media.) I am in need of recuperating with MaQ.

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Tuna Poke Bowl with Avocado Rose

Serves 1 Salad

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ponzu sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 ounces sushi grade tuna, diced in large chunks
½ mango, diced in large chunks or made into mango balls
½ cup store-bought seaweed salad
2 cups loosely packed spring lettuce mix
1 avocado, sliced & rolled into a rose
A sprinkle of black sesame seeds

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, ponzu sauce and sesame oil until well blended.
Add the tuna, mango and seaweed salad to a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon or so of the dressing. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and stir to coat.
In a different bowl, coat the spring lettuce mix with the rest of the dressing. Top with the tuna mixture. Create an avocado rose and place in center. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

I made a vibrant dish to cheer us up from the scare. There's nothing like a home-cooked meal or a bowl of delicious fresh ingredients to make you feel better. One of my favorite things to eat during the summer is poke bowls. I love a meal where you can variate between common ingredients and elevate it to something more sophisticated. That's what I've been loving from Secret Squirrel Food, an awesome Dubai food blogger who began the 'avocado rose' trend. Karen has created roses with numerous types of fruits and vegetables, from cucumber, tomatoes, to blueberries and even kiwi, she is innovative and promotes healthy-eating along the way. I love her positive vibe and her authenticity. You should check out her videos, great stuff!

So I placed an avocado rose as a part of the plating for this dish. I even made mango balls, from a melon ball scooper to give it a more aesthetic appeal, even putting one in the very center of the rose, to contrast with the green, yellow, and even purple from the bowl. What do you guys think? Doesn't it look so cute and pretty? I had a hard time devouring it because of it's beautiful appearance! But trust me, it was absolutely awesome. A great, light, healthy summer dish to have on repeat to your diet.

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

A Sunday at Reynard

June 15, 2016

This past Sunday, I ventured off to Williamsburg to meet up with some other New York City bloggers. About ten of us went for brunch at Reynard, in the lovely Wythe Hotel, where it was once a factory but now converted into a sleek industrial-feel 70-room haven. I love this area in Brooklyn for it's bohemian and trendy vibe, with constant brush strokes of street art and graffiti, it is a place for artists to be seen and to live. And Williamsburg does have some pretty dope food, especially if you're a mad foodie like me, it's a great location to venture off to and find a hidden gem.

From L to R: Chelsea as of Late, Liz Avenue, Pretty Proper Quaint, & Maria on Point.

We devoured sunny side up eggs with lentils, pureed peas with sesame and cheesy omelettes with crispy fries, on top of some sweet pastries. To wash it down, we had a few bottles of rosé from Provence. Afterward, we opted for a photo shoot outside in their cute garden patio.

I'm all about empowering other women and cannot STAND 'mean girls'. I know I've discussed this before in a past pose (click here) but for me, especially now that I've taken on an additional career path in the blogging world, it is so refreshing to meet other like-minded women who can not only relate with me as to what it takes to do what we do, but to also share in our tastes and style in everything from food to clothes, music and just plain having fun together, I truly enjoy connecting with other talented bloggers! We're not each other's competition, because we're all freaking awesome and being you is YOUR POWER. EMBRACE that shit. So with that in mind, I wanted to showcase a couple of bloggers and share with my readers a little bit more about them. Continue reading further to check out some featured bloggers from this fabulous group! (Of course, I had to get a group picture of us!) Keep scrolling! :)

Featured Bloggers

Albanian beauty, Selma Air, is the creator of LASELMASTYLE, a New York City personal style blog focusing on the many variations of fashion, in particular, dressing for an occasion or on a feeling/emotion. Recently dabbling in fashion on a budget, Selma's created Project Re-Design, a monthly collaboration with another blogger, where each woman purchases the same piece of clothing/accessory re-designs them to their own individual taste. To see more of Selma's great style, check out her blog here!

Ecuadorian NYC fashion blogger, Maria Jose Abad runs Maria on Point, a personal style and fashion blog that provides styling ideas and shopping information for petite women. Maria on Point also shares recommendations and answers for those who are seeking to look stylish on any budget. Maria understands the peculiarities behind finding the right size and fit for petite women and shares details about these key elements on her blog. She is also an on-air style advisor on Univision and Telemundo, and works full-time in public relations. To see more of Maria's cute, petite looks, check out her blog here!

From L to R: MaQ + Suz, ElleD., Maria on Point, Pretty Proper Quaint, Adrianna Naomi, Selma Ali, Areta Style Secrets, Chelsea as of Late, Runway in LA.

I love all of our different sense of styles, even for a Sunday brunch like this! I'm not much of a girly girl, so I put on my Stan Smith's with a comfy black slit maxi skirt and a Lakers tank top. In case you don't already know, I'm a die hard fan and STILL am even though Kobe's out. Ha ha! I was born in Cali, so I definitely got some of that West Coast vibe in my style.

There's so many exciting posts coming up on the blog, I can hardly contain myself! I will be featuring an interview with a close, personal friend who is also a highly-respected chef. We're from the same city, so I'm very thrilled to be sharing a story on her! I'll also be doing my first travel diary at the end of this month. My hubby and I are getting away to celebrate our 10-year dating anniversary! Whoa! And, I also am working on an upcoming partnered sponsorship with an amazing pet brand, and MaQ will definitely be our star of the story! Stay tuned, all coming soon - and more! You didn't think I'd forget to stop cooking, did ya? ;) Have a wonderful Hump Day! You got this, we're halfway to the weekend!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Leek, Mushroom and Gruyère Quiche

June 5, 2016

It's a rainy Sunday in New York City this morning and there's nothing better than brunching it up at home from time to time. I love, love, LOVE, to cook, especially when it has anything to do with eggs and/or breakfast/brunch. Over the past couple of years, I've made more of an effort to healthier eating and honing in on my cooking skills. One of my all-time favorite go-to brunch meals is quiche. What I love about quiche is not just the delicious combination of flaky crust with creamy, cheesy eggs, but the fact that it can be eaten during any meal, even dinner! Quiche is the perfect addition to any meal, whether morning, afternoon, or at night, it can be enjoyed whenever! It's also a great and quick leftover meal. Always a plus in my hungry book. ;)

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Leek, Mushroom and Gruyère Quiche

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

9” prepared pie crust

for the filling
2 small leeks, trimmed, washed, and thoroughly cleaned
2 cups sliced mushrooms, brushed clean with stems removed
2 tablespoons butter
4 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup whole milk
1 cup Gruyère, grated
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lay out the pie crust in a 9” pie plate and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Adjust oven's temperature to 375 degrees.

In a medium skillet heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and sauté for 7 minutes, or until the leeks are slightly translucent and have browned on the edges. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have released some of their juices.

Meanwhile, beat the eggs, sour cream, and milk in a medium bowl. Add the sauteed vegetables (minus any released water), and stir. Add the Gruyère and stir. Place the quiche shell onto a rimmed baking sheet, gently pour the egg mixture into the shell. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, or just until the quiche has set up in the center.

Cool for 15 minutes, slice, and serve.

What's also great about quiche is it can be made through all seasons. During the colder parts of the year, I love creating more hearty quiches. However, my favorite time of the year to make quiche is through the spring and summer seasons. I love accompanying quiche with a light mesclun salad, with tomatoes, red scallion, and balsamic vinaigrette. Did you know that these types of mesclun salads were originated in Provence, France? My love for leafy, greeny salads is derived from working at a coffee shop while in college, where they made the most delicious sandwiches paired with mesclun salads. What I loved most in their salads were their pickled red onion and mushrooms. Total, mind-blowing deliciousness.

The quiche I made consists of button mushrooms, leeks, and Gruyère cheese. I normally make a spinach and mushroom quiche with feta cheese, but I wanted something a little more in tune with the spring/quickly-approaching into summer - season. Plus, who doesn't like Gruyère cheese?! It tastes a lot like Swiss cheese but stronger. It really complemented well with the leek and mushroom combo. And I always like to mix in tomato with egg. These together is heaven in my mouth! What's your favorite pairing with eggs? Avocado? Salsa? Just good ole' cheese? Lastly, I usually make my own crust, but it's Sunday, it's raining cats & dogs, and I'm feeling slightly too cozy to have rolled out some dough this morning. Ha ha! But the store bought kind, is always a good substitute, should you be feeling like I am. #LazySunday Enjoy!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

5 Foods You Should Feed Your Dog

June 1, 2016

When it comes to feeding my dog, MaQ, I've put him on specific diet since the age of 1. Every day, twice daily, he gets red meat, cooked sushi rice with green beans, some cottage cheese and olive oil, and glucosamine pills. But I also like to give him a little nutrition boost, from time to time, now and again, since these staple powerhouse foods are not only good for us humans, but for your beloved pooch too! And who doesn't love sharing their food with their loved ones? Sharing is caring, remember?! Here is a list of five foods you should (and can) be feeding your dog - right now!

1. BERRY, BERRY, POWERFUL

Like myself, MaQ is a huge fan of any berry in the berry family. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries. You name it, we love it all. I tend to make a lot of smoothies out of these berries as they're loaded in antioxidants and are loaded in fiber and vitamins as well. The phytochemicals in blueberries work the same way for your dog as they do for you. Ever hear how strawberries naturally whiten your teeth? It's absolutely true! Strawberries carry an enzyme that helps do this - for your fur babies too! Berries are powerful - they help fight free radicals in your dog.

2. IT'S ALL IN THE OILS, BABY

Twice a day, I give MaQ olive oil. First of all, it tastes great. Trust me when I say this, your dog will love you for it! The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage weight loss by breaking down the fatty cells, helping shed a couple pounds. It is also contains high levels of antioxidants, proving to arm your dog's immune system. Also a brain food, it has been shown to boost energy. And on top of being nutritious, olive oil gives your pooch the ultimate beauty treatment! Just like how we put oils in our hair to repair with moisture, you can do the same with you pet's coat or dry paws.

Coconut oil contains mainly of medium chain triglycerices (MCTs) which are loaded with lauric acid, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. The lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Just like olive oil, coconut oil also can help boost your dog's energy and aid in weight loss. On top of that, coconut oil can also improveany dog’s skin and coat, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions. I even put a few scraping chunks in the freezer, like this organic coconut oil from Nutiva as a cooling treat during those hot, summer days.

Fish oil is also amazing for your dog. Benefits of the Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids help reduce joint discomfort, helps with shedding, decreases inflammation, adds moisture to dry, irritated skin, and even enhances your dog's appetite with an appealing fish flavor. I actually give MaQ this in capsules. He crunches them up in his mouth like Skittles, ha ha!

3. LEAFY GREENS

On top of 'eating your vegetables' like Sam from I Am Legend, MaQ occasionally gets some mint or parsley. He's not really a fan of it by itself, so I chop it up into his meals to diffuse that dragon breath of his. I'm telling you, he smells minty fresh afterward! Did you know that parsley is also good for preventative kidney health? We are all about getting rid of those toxins we carry in our bodies, both furry and non-furry!

I also like to give him some mixed greens, like a mesclun salad, which is filled with lots of fiber and vitamins/minerals. It can too help in digestion, even detoxifying the liver and urinary tract, though I don't give too much of it since he eats a ton of green beans daily.

4. POWDERED SPICES

When I talk to most dog owners, they're initially surprised I give MaQ turmeric. Also known as curcumin, turmeric boosts cardiovascular health and helps to treat memory disorders. It is also great for overweight dogs, because it boosts the metabolism and helps to speed up weight loss. It can also offer protection against certain ailments, including anemia, cancer, arthritis and stroke. Ground turmeric is easy to add into your pet’s daily diet. I just sprinkle some on MaQ's meals 3-4 times a week! He loves the pungent scent as well.

Got a dog who gets car sick like my baby? Well, look no further. Just put some ground ginger into his meal before your journey and they'll be nausea-free. Ginger ale or Vernor's work too, but I don't like to give him the carbonated drinks due to the sugar in them. The ground ginger is also helpful in absorption of food, and boosts the digestive system. It can even help boost circulation.

Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It can help fight sepsis and diabetes in your dog. Being that cinnamon is one of the best sources of antioxidants, it can even help to remove the aflatoxins that are found in your dog’s food. (Should you use kibble.)

5. RAW EGGS

Eggs are a nearly complete source of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), and contain lots of vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and fatty acids. You can feed the egg with the shell on, and the phosphorus and calcium are perfectly balanced, making the egg a nearly complete source of nutrition for your dog. I like to thoroughly clean the shells before giving it to MaQ. You can cook the eggs too. Tell me a dog who doesn't love scrambled eggs! :)

Remember, these foods should be used in moderation and as a supplement to your dog's diet. Every dog is different, so be sure to experiment with foods that are good for them. There's a ton of bad foods for dogs too, such as chocolate, grapes, avocado, a variety of nuts/seeds, onion, garlic, black pepper, and more.