Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Cookies

I respect fellow bloggers and each person's choices.
I respect fellow bloggers that keep it real and honest all the time.
I respect fellow bloggers who donate their time and talents to publish beautiful pictures, wise words, great recipes and innovative ideas.
Fellow bloggers who educate, entertain and enlighten me daily.
I’m very proud of being part of this immense community, because it allows me to do something that I thought it was not possible to do: share my passions.
But today allow me to rant a little about something that is currently happening in the food blogosphere.
I just need to get it off my chest.
What’s up with these ridiculous brownies/cookies/bars/cupcakes, that seem to appear everywhere and that are basically an amalgam of multiple desserts smushed together?
Like cupcakes stuffed with cheesecake, topped with oreos, topped with refrigerated cookie dough, with some crunched up pretzels, topped with dulce de leche and sprinkle of caramel popcorn.
I’m not sure how this trend took off, but it’s a trend, and I don’t think it’s for the greater good.

Asian Glazed Meatballs

Be honest, how good are you with chopsticks?
World Champ, pretty good, alright or a total disaster?
I myself wouldn’t say I'm an expert at using them, nor I would win any prize for artistic impression, but I’m okay at getting food into my mouth at a honest pace.
Sometimes I get impatient though, and just stab the food with the chopsticks (sashimi anyone?), or if I am eating noodles I just twirl it around.
But I’m not as bad as some of my friends, who cannot pick up a thing with them, and when they do, they always end up flinging the food over the other side of the table.
Except for Fred, he is kinda awesome at using chopsticks, but he has lived in Hong Kong for 3 years and has really stepped up his chopstick skills while he was there.

Chocolate Almond Butter

Last week I killed my food processor that I had for about 10 years. It was sad, but life goes on.
I considered hiring a ninja to replace the deceased kitchen tool.
Think about it for a moment, a ninja - in addition to mixing, chopping, blending and grating food - could be sent on missions to track down secrets, have enemies assassinated or plant misinformation. SIK.
But then I thought: wait, where would I “store” a ninja?
I couldn’t possibly leave him on the countertop or on a shelf (talking about crowding up your kitchen, right?)
Not to mention that I would need to feed him. And what does a ninja eat, say, for breakfast?
Moreover, what if he’s one of those people that wakes up super cranky in the morning. I certainly don’t want an angry ninja walking around my apt at 7am chopping my furniture.
Nah, too much of an hassle and not really a good idea after all.

Sunny-Side Up Egg with Avocado, Sriracha and Crumbled Feta

Cooking is a feel-good activity for me. I feel happy, comforted even inspired when I cook.
But just like everybody else, I’m sometimes (oh hell...let’s say “often”) too tired or don't have the time to cook.
Especially at dinner time, after a long day, when I get home all I want to do is relax.
Even I, the triathlete dude that steps into the kitchen and transforms into a culinary Bruce Lee (yup people, that’s how I see myself) waves white flag.

Easy Pad Thai Zoodles

I like it when you spot a recipe that you know is going to be fantastic and you just happen to have the ingredients on hand.
But what I like even more is when you have ingredients you want to use in a new way, and you spot a recipe that can be cut to fit what’s on hand.
There it was.
The perfect recipe.
Pad Thai Zoodles.
Exactly what I felt like eating. I wanted to jump up and high five someone.

But there was no one there. No matter. There would be by the time I finished cooking.

Makeover Time!

Guys, can I get a WOOT WOOT?
I honestly think I deserve it.
Sooooo new look. BAM! TheIronYou got a complete makeover, just like that.

Easy Creamy Crock-Pot Coconut Curry Chicken

See that right there?
That's today's lunch, and last night's dinner, and yesterday’s lunch and it’s going to be tonight’s dinner too.
That’s just the way it is.

Ultimate Sesame Coconut Chicken Fingers with Minty Yogurt Dip

Let’s be honest, sometimes being a dude blogger is tough.
The blogosphere is pretty much run by girls, moms, women.
Which is not a bad thing, at all. In fact, it is a very good thing, making the blogging world a kinder, more amiable place.
But there are certain topics - important to us, men - that are kinda off-limits in the blogosphere.
Such as consuming ridiculous amounts of cheap swill, farting in a crowded elevator, world’s loudest belcher, top drinking games, et cetera, et cetera. [Yes women of the world, though we look mature, we still think/act like kiddos — we haven’t grown up a bit!]
At the same time, we can’t talk about sparkles, rainbows, unicorns and glitter and expect to be taken seriously. We don’t have the knowledge to do it. Plus, we will subject ourselves to public humiliation and private doubt.

Easy Ginger, Chili and Lemon Salmon

Okay, yes, we’ve all heard about how good fish oil is for us: it promotes joints and heart health, improves the brain and memory, and reduces inflammation.
We also know that it's important to eat at least two servings of seafood a week as part of a balanced diet — because taking fish oil capsules is not the same as eating the real thing.
But we’ve also got to be considerate of the fact that we’re not alone in this world, and that by bringing to the office (or other professional setting) something that smells like a Port-A-John on a hot summer day, we can seriously damage workplace productivity and our reputation too.
I, for instance, had this co-worker once who insisted on bringing and microwaving fish that smelled like it was marinated in cat food.
The kitchen was centrally located, so it ensured that the entire office would smell like a fishing dock in 90° heat.
No one ever complained to him about it, because technically he wasn’t doing anything wrong. We just resented him and plotted for revenge. He was also referred to as the “effin fish guy!”

Hasselback Zucchini with Garlic Thyme Butter and Parmesan

So...hasselback zucchini (also known as accordion zucchini): why hasn’t anyone told me about this delicious dish before?
More precisely, why haven't YOU told me about it?
I’m aware that withholding information is not lying, but the purpose and the effect are the same, and it’s not cool, at all.
Even though I live on the saying “Forgive and Forget” and that I’m not good at holding grudges, I will hold a grudge and I will not forgive or forget this.
I’m actually so enraged, I still haven’t made up my mind yet whether to give you the recipe or not.
I need more time to think about it.
For the moment enjoy the pictures; because that's the only thing you're getting from me.