La Costa Resort and Spa

With all that is going on in life you need to make some time for even a quick getaway.

That's just what we did, heading down to beautiful Carlsbad, CA to the La Costa Resort and Spa.  Noted as California's destination for Mind, Body + Sport.  A huge 400 acre resort with a golf course, tennis courts, multiple pools (as in 6), lush gardens, which all surround the Spanish Colonial styled resort.  Something to behold for sure!

We were so ready for some time away to refresh the mind.  Walking the grounds we found quite spots with hammocks to curl up in, small courtyards where you could sit and relax, and even an outdoor shopping area to buy to your hearts content.  

Being brilliant and in a rush to leave and relax....(I know, huh?) I didn't charge my camera, nor did I bring the charger.  And do you think my cell phone battery was charged by the time we got there?  Of course not...not my wonderful smartphone!  So needless to say the pics are far and few between.  But I got enough for memories, and to give you a flavor of the place.

The views were just beautiful. 

After exploring the resort we decided to unwind and have a nice lunch.  The restaurant, Bistro 65, overlooked the golf course.  A very serene experience.  

See the chef in the top window? 

The food while priced on the expensive side was wonderful.  The chef uses local, sustainable ingredients and seasons from the restaurants’ own herb garden wall.  A typical bistro menu included sandwiches, soups, salads, appetizers, and several nice entrees including some local fish to choose from.   We got a couple of sandwiches and some salad and fruit.  Nice, light, and refreshing!  Sorry, didn't get to snap a shot of the food.

After we walked around exploring the different sections.  Here is a wonderful fountain we found on the way to play tennis.  There were outdoor fire pits and fireplaces everywhere so you could sit in the evening and relax.

 
The rooms were very elegantly furnished.  There are quite of few buildings that have different housing.  Ours overlooked the lush gardens.  Oh, and don't forget about the enormous bathroom with the tub to die for!  Don't get me started on that tub!  It's gigantic, and there's heaven in that tub!

 Sorry, I had just bounced on the bed before I took this picture...do you do that?

On the way to dinner and some little nightlife that evening I spotted several bunny rabbits out in the garden.  Adorable!

We had a wonderful time there.  So much to do.  They have a Chopra Center where you can soothe your mind as well.  Several programs for kids, and all types of activities such as smore's nights around the fire pits and movies on the weekend under the stars.  

We were sad to go home.  We got to relax, but never enough right?   On the way home we went looking for a place for breakfast.  Found something online that had good rating and set off to find it.  Let me tell you, this was something out of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  A small side of a country type road diner....loaded with people!  

What a pleasant surprise Bobby's Hideaway Cafe was.  We had picked a winner!  Full of people, the diner was tidy, and had an array of breakfast items to choose from.  We both picked a egg/potato/toast plate.  Great tasting food, I must say.  I chose a biscuit with mine that was so light and fluffy, I could have eaten just biscuits!  

We will definitely be back to La Costa Resort and Spa and to Bobby's Hideaway Cafe for more....relaxation and good food.  What more could you ask for?

Quick Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

A quick and easy meal that is reminiscent of my vacation in Italy!  It's simple Italian pasta at it's finest!

Quick Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce 

Need a quick weeknight meal?

I've got just the thing for you.  How does a quick penne pasta with a tasty meat sauce sound?  Good? You bet it is!

This little dish is something I made up to remind me of our daily meals in Rome.  We often visited this family restaurant daily.  They were so friendly and we felt at home there.  The owner became a good friend and would visit with us telling stories of Italy, and in turn asking about California.  

Such complete different worlds.  He would have a daily dish that was made special by the chef.  Sometimes pasta, other days it was a wonderful chicken dish.  But the sauces were special.  Made with meat and tomatoes and garlic and onion.  Hearty yet light enough to not overwhelm.

So being in the mood, this is my successful attempt at Luigi's wonderful pasta sauce.  It's easy enough to make on a weeknight, but hearty enough for a complete meal with a side salad and don't forget the garlic bread.

I hope you enjoy this.  It brings back fond memories of Rome.

Quick Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

Serves 4

 

1/2 pound penne pasta

Salt

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large onion)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Dash red pepper flakes

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound ground sirloin

2 1/2 cups canned chunky tomato sauce 

3 T shredded mozzarella cheese

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Heat to boiling a large pot with 4 quarts of water in it. Once the water is boiling, salt it with 1 Tbsp of salt. Once the water returns to a boil add the pasta to the pot. Cook on high heat with a vigorous boil 8-10 minutes.  Drain.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add onion, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened. Add the garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional minute, until the garlic is fragrant. Add ground sirloin and stir to break up beef, browning.  

Add tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer on low heat, let cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes.  Stir in the cooked penne pasta. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Thai Chicken and Rice Wraps

Hi there! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday!

Our holiday was wonderful.  Good times, good friends, and excellent food if I do say so myself!  I'll be sharing some great grilling recipes that we came up with shortly.  They are perfect to make all summer long.

But first I want to share this wonderful dish made mainly of leftovers!  This is the e a s i e s t dish to put together.  You can certainly make this on a busy weeknight, or put it together for a nice lunch or light weekend dinner.  The flavors are right on spot!  The inspiration?  One of our favorite Thai places serves their version of chicken lettuce wraps which we ADORE!  So I knew it was only a matter of time before I recreated them. 

We have been so busy getting ready for our new house, packing, paperwork etc...that I don't have energy to cook a full blown meal right now.  Nor the gumption for that matter.  So quick and easy meals, thrown together literally, are for me. 

Like I said, I made this the easy way...using leftovers of course!  You can use some roasted chicken breasts that have been shredded and leftover cooked rice. I always make extra chicken when I roast breasts cause you can use it in salads, wraps, and this dish!  Same goes for rice.  I always make extras when I make stir fry.   If you don't have leftovers then buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up and make some rice, or buy some pre-cooked packaged rice.  It's all good.  But really, this is the best recipe for leftovers!

The flavor punch is in the sauce, so make sure to make that and spread it over your lettuce wraps to give it that punch.  A wonderful, quick dinner, you won't be disappointed.  The taste is perfect with all the combination of Asian ingredients.  I served this with a simple side of Sugar Snap peas that I'll be sharing next.  A perfect combination for a quick and easy meal!

Enjoy!

Thai Chicken and Rice Wraps

Serves 2

2 t rice vinegar
1 T plus 1 t Asian chili garlic sauce (such as Sriracha)
1 ½ t grated fresh ginger
3 T sesame oil, divided
1 c shredded cooked chicken
1 clove garlic, minced
½ c cilantro, chopped
4 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves
1 c hot cooked rice

Combine vinegar, chili sauce, ginger and 1 ½ t sesame oil in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat remaining oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic and stir until thoroughly heated through, about 4 minutes. Add cilantro and stir to combine.

Place 2 lettuce leaves on each serving plate. Spoon rice onto the lettuce leaves and top with chicken mixture dividing evenly. Serve with the vinegar mixture.