Leah Rodrigues
My passion is food. I have studied culinary arts for the past 10 years, and have remained dedicated to food studies while I pursued a degree at UCLA. I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Portuguese and Anthropology. My self study has given me background in culinary regions, international cuisine, trends in the food industry, chefs and cookbooks, and best of all−how to eat well. I attended the Professional Culinary Program at Westlake Culinary Institute where I learned proper food preparation techniques, and got an insiders’ view on the gourmet food world. I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and have spent the last 9 months living in Spain, researching the Mediterranean diet and European culinary traditions. This has given me the opportunity to freelance for In Madrid, an English monthly publication. Also, I have spent time traveling to different European countries, documenting the different tastes and food culture of each place. I hope that my passion for food and cooking will inspire you to get into the kitchen and create. Read more on my blog at http://www.appetitedelight.blogspot.com/
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Posts by Leah Rodrigues
October 14, 2016
Opened faced burgers are amazing because the bun is optional. That being said, if you are a ride or die bun fan, you can use other starchy vehicles like a slice of potato bread, English muffin...
October 11, 2016
Slow fall mornings are made for fresh pumpkin spice buckwheat pancakes. This amazing recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free so regardless of dietary restrictions, everyone will be able to enjoy a...
October 11, 2016
While I know salad is not at the top of the list for fall comfort foods, but it does serve as a compliment to the plethora of rich and delicious meals that are prepared this season. This simple...
October 6, 2016
For the smoothie: 1 cup of almond milk (or non-dairy milk) 1 tbsp sunflower seed butter 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 cup of pure pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon of...
October 4, 2016
As gluten-free diets become more mainstream, foodies have found innovative ways to incorporate grain-free foods into their everyday diet. Socca is a natural gluten-free bread from southern...
October 3, 2016
Quinoa casseroles are a great way to pack extra nutrition into each and every meal. This recipe gives casseroles some flair and incorporates Southeast Asian flavors. I've also...
September 29, 2016
Croutons are by far one of the easiest accouterments you can prepare yourself. Foodista user Meagan Meyer submitted this recipe and we definitely think it is a winner. Cubes of...
September 27, 2016
Onigirazu is the Japanese version of a sandwich. Instead of bread, rice is slathered on two sheets of nori and stacked high with vegetables. This version is strictly vegetarian...
September 27, 2016
Football season is here and these vegan buffalo quinoa bites are the perfect appetizer to get your non-meat eating friends to join the party. This bite sized snack packs a punch, both in...
September 22, 2016
Today is officially the first day of fall which means its also officially "pumpkin everything" season. These delicious pumpkin fritters are the perfect recipe to welcome the new...
September 21, 2016
I am in a savory pie making mood these days. First beef tamale pie and now this fall inspired spaghetti pie. Whole wheat spaghetti is tossed with a creamy pumpkin sauce that is...
September 20, 2016
Beef tamale pie with a cornmeal crust was one of my favorite fall meals growing up. My mom wasn't good at cooking many things but she made a tasty tamale pie. Looking back, the recipe...
September 20, 2016
With school back in full swing, quick and delicious meals are on the brain. This easy chicken tamale pie is a one pan meal that everyone will love. When the kids have soccer practices,...
September 15, 2016
I love this time of year because I can dust off some of my favorite kitchen tools and put them to good use all season long. There are two things I consistently do during the fall: bake and...
September 13, 2016
The first signs of fall are appearing - Starbucks is now serving their signature pumpkin spice latte, the leaves are turning from verdant green to golden yellow and some of you might have experienced...
September 9, 2016
Forget about packaged ramen and turn to this quick and easy recipe. For many of us, instant was a staple in college because it was cheap, fast and filling. This recipe is both nutritious...
September 8, 2016
No bake Oreo chocolate chip bars are a quick and easy dessert you can make at the drop of a hat. Whether you are in need of a something fast for a bake sale or just want a sweet treat, these...
September 7, 2016
Chicken is a weekly staple which makes it an excellent candidate for flavor experimentation. Garlic, herbs and lemon are a personal favorite but I like to venture outside the box to bring...
September 6, 2016
Grilled corn is a labor day staple. This recipe brings this dish to a whole new level of flavor by adding smokiness and spice. I would make this recipe three times over because people...
September 2, 2016
Quick and easy sushi bowls are a versatile meal that can be made for omnivores, vegetarians or even vegans. Tofu or fish is set atop a bed of rice and served alongside an array of vegetables....
September 1, 2016
Chewy granola bars are by far one of my kids top favorite snacks to find in their lunchbox. The balance between sweet and salty and that pop of chocolate is the perfect midday boost my kids...
September 1, 2016
One sure fire way to save money is to bring your own lunch. Crustless zucchini quiche is a seasonal dish that's works great as a packed lunch. Eggs, cheese and sliced zucchini is...
August 30, 2016
Keeping your kid's school lunch appealing and interesting can seem like a chore. Children are fickle about their tastes and can love something one week and damn it the next. These...
August 29, 2016
Back to school brings on an onslaught of tasks for parents and kids, one of which is packing school lunch. The older my children become, the more I want to be in control of what they are...
August 25, 2016
Blueberry clafoutis is a very persuasive reason to turn on the oven, even at the height of summer. This French dessert combines seasonal fruit with custard to create something magical....
