May: Zucchini Fries

I know.  I know.  I’m on a bit of a zucchini kick.  Buuuuut they’re soooo delicious and plentiful at grocery stores right now.

So we’re getting another Zucchini recipe for May!

My main mission for 2015 is a simple one:  Getting and Staying Happy.  In order to achieve this lofty goal I applied a START-STOP-CONTINUE approach.  And so I’ve decided to START cooking more – using recipes I’ve never tried before and sharing my culinary mis/adventures on the blog once a month.

I’ve even created a sub-menu on my homepage under REVIEWS on the homepage for you – my readers –  to find them easily…and hopefully try a few yourself. 🙂

May’s recipe:  Zucchini Fries

These are light and lean, as these zucchini  strips get breaded and baked, instead of thrown into a deep fryer.  AND if you wanted, you could just use egg whites to lower the cholesterol content.

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchini
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese **optional**
  • 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable cooking spray
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 425° and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.  
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 425° and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
IMG_7368
STEP 2: Whisk an egg white in a small bowl, and add milk. Add ground pepper and salt here if you like.
STEP 3: Cut zucchini into 3-inch sticks and STEP 4: Dip zucchini sticks into egg mixture.
STEP 5: Then roll each stick into the breadcrumb mixture (combine parmesan and seasoned breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.      I’ve used store bought PC Italian Herb breadcrumbs.  OPTION: You could use that Japanese panko crumbs too!
STEP 6:  Place zucchini on sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.  (FYI: This is the amount 1 zucchini yielded.)
IMG_7375
STEP 7: Eat them!

Who doesn’t love crunchy finger foods that are easy to make, good for you and shareable? 🙂

IMG_7553
Variation: here’s what they look like when covered in Japanese Panko Breadcrumbs  – they are oh-so delicious!

What do you think of this recipe?  Do you think you’d give it a try yourself?  How would you improve or change it for the better?  Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below.

Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook Page yet?

LIKE. Comment. Share.

PPMEOW logo1IMG_7394

Seafoam Nautical

A few weeks ago I pieced together an outfit on Instagram – follow me 😉 –  for an upcoming date night outfit … with pieces in my current closet (as I’m totally broke a$$ since returning from my magical PPMeowAsianAdvenure)

Let me give you a run down of the items I selected.

How I Got The Look:

Seaform hi-low sheer top (Your Big Sister’s Closet) ; High-waisted stripped black n’ white pencil skirt (Winners); Peep-toed black pumps (Nine West); Multi-strand necklace (Stella & Dot); Anchor clutch (Aldo Accessories)

IMG_7547

This sheer seafoam hi-low top I picked up last year from Your Big Sister’s Closet, it’s a piece that has worn well and continues to get tons of compliments and comments every time I don it.

First dates are always tricky when it comes to ‘the girls’ – you want to look alluring and highlight certain ‘assets’ without giving it all away.  A difficult fine line when you’re a busty gal like moi.

IMG_7541

This top works perfectly to give that allure … being sheer, giving you the illusion you can see everything….but having a high-enough neckline to let you have a sit-down dinner without having ‘the girls’ take over the meal.

Love the black lace detail down the front of this to too.  Really just ties in all the other pieces of my outfit and helps dress-up this otherwise simple outfit.
IMG_7542

It seems I’m a big fan of Nautical Inspired looks – click here, here, here and here to see what i mean 😉

What do you think of this as a first date outfit?  Do you approve?  What would you do differently?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook Page yet?

LIKE. Comment. Follow. Share. 

PPMEOW logo1

Asian Adventure: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Food, Fun & Fashion

Here we go. The last instalment of PPMeow’s Asian Adventure.  (Sorry it’s taken me so long to post)

The last of the three cities I visited was Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I left Toronto, Canada with weather of -11 degrees Friday, February 27th…. to arrive in KL to +38 degrees on Sunday evening, March 1st! 😮

It was so hot ALL-THE-TIME there!

IMG_6739
The crowded streets of Chinatown in KL

KL is the capital and most populous city in Malaysia.  And was the ‘home-base’ for my 3-week trip to South-East Asia, as my friend Dee lives there.

With the weather being oh-so hot, it was difficult to get motivated enough to leave air-conditioned quarters to venture out into the crowded city for exploring.

Also, it was in this city that I totally got hooked on Game of Thrones – and managed to  binge-watch all 4-seasons during this trip.  Yup!  I did it. And I’m not at all sorry. 😛

But, as compelling as Jon Snow is, I did manage to see and do things in this fashionable city…

DSC03425
The Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers,  are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur
kuala_lumpur_malaysia
The towers at night…magical!

The main religion there is Islam, with significant Buddhist, Hindu and Christian minorities.  And such a wide variety of fashionable people out and about all the time from each of these religious groups.  I was very tempted to take random shots of people’s outfits to show you what I mean … buuuuuut I wasn’t sure that would go over so well with the locals, so sadly I have no proof to show in this post.  But believe me – some highly fashionable folks out there friends!

DSC03422
On the Rapid Lite Rail headed into downtown KL

The subway system there is pretty great – so long as your destination is close to a subway station.  Otherwise, the streets of KL can be a real challenge to maneuver alone.  Roads on a map have been compared to ‘spaghetti noodles’ – not at all like the convenient grid system of Toronto streets I’ve come to know and love.

DSC03436
Selfie with Soup Bowls

I arrived shortly after the celebration of Chinese New Year … so many of the cityscapes and shopping centres still had decorations and lanterns hung…
DSC03432
DSC03435DSC03431

THE FOOD!!!

Lucky for me, Dee had a long-list of delicious meals I HAD TO TRY while I was visiting… and everything I ate while in Malaysia was amazeballs!!!!

The dish on the left (below) is Laksa soup.  There are two basic types of laksa: curry laksa and asam laksa. Curry laksa is a coconut curry soup with noodles, while asam laksa is a sour fish soup with noodles.   The one I had was curry laksa, I’m pretty sure. 🙂IMG_6735

The dish on the right (above)  is Nasi lemak, the national dish of Malaysia.  It is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf.  Basic simple nasi lemak typically comes with with an egg, anchovies, cucumber, and sambal belacan.   This dish is so popular and tasty that people sometimes eat it for all three meals of the day.

IMG_6745
My first oyster eating experience of my life! Slimey….but tasty!
IMG_6740
My first coconut of the entire trip!!! mmmmm….coconut!

THE SHOPPING

There are so many shopping malls in KL! All with the A/C blasting to give everyone a bit of relief from the blazing heat, I’m assuming.  IT’S SO HOT THERE!!!

The Central Market is an award-winning tourist attraction and shopping destination, while preserving the significance in showcasing the nation’s arts, culture and heritage.

Screen Shot 2015-05-13 at 3.59.40 PM

Some of the cute fascinators and headbands on display …. I really had to control my impulsive shopping habit while I was out and about.DSC03423

For this reason, I was strict with keeping  my purchase limited to super unique and unlikely to find anywhere else 😉

Here’s what I BOUGHT:

You remember me needing an East-Meets-West outfit for Vietnam, right?  Well, I picked up that batik wrap skirt from KL’s Central Market.

IMG_6893

In that same store I found this lovely lightweight  navy & green hibiscus floral patterned fabric … that didn’t look like much when I unfolded it…. but then when worn it was the coolest soft pant ever!!!   Can’t wait to rock this for summer in Toronto (if the weather cooperates, that is).

IMG_7556For my fellow 80s kids out there…. do you remember those jellybean shoes of your youth?  Well guess what I found in the shops of KL?  YUP!!! Jellies for Adults!

I couldn’t decide which pair I liked more….so I bought both! 🙂
IMG_6993

When it comes to accessories … there are so many adorable things.  I just couldn’t decide.  But lucky for me that Dee picked these up for me – THANKS DEE!!! They have quickly become my favourite go-to pair of earrings.

IMG_7013
Suddenly I moustache you a question… 😀

The last piece of uniqueness for my closet was this uber soft, reversible  vest-scarf-hoodie thing.

At first glance the pattern of this garment drew me in, dark and light grey patterns.  But upon closer inspection, it was so interesting and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, that it had to be mine. 🙂

It’s already gotten many ooh’s and ahh’s when I debuted it to the office last month.

IMG_7180And in true tourist fashion, I hit up a local grocery store to pick up some hot sauces and tea as souvenirs for my folks.  PS:  That TomYum paste yields delicious soup – check & follow my Instagram for proof friends 😉

IMG_7002SWING DANCING FOR ST PADDY’S DAY

Last, but certainly not least, was KL’s Swing Dancing scene!!!  I was lucky enough to check out two dances while I was visiting… and got to celebrate St. Paddy’s day in my newly tailor-made gingham dress from Vietnam.

IMG_6978

Did I mention it was motherlovin’ HOT in this country!  The moment you step outside you are sweaty-kins …. so lindy hopping in this heat was madness that made your EYEBALLS sweat.

IMG_6989
KL Swing peeps…pointing West to Canada 🙂

Here’s a few silly, sweaty-glowing faces of the KL Swing Gang who were totally welcoming and oh-so fun to dance with.
IMG_6987

There you have it friends!  You’ve relived my entire PPMeow Asian Adventure with me!!

Thank you for reading, following and commenting throughout my travels.  Hope you enjoyed these recap posts.  OH, and in case you’ve missed any previous ones….you can find them all below.

PPMeow Asian Adventure includes:

  • Asia: What to Know Before you Go – click here for blogpost
  • Clothes vs. Backpack – click here for blogpost
  • 30+ hours of Travel – click here for blogpost
  • 22 Days, 3 Countries – click here forblogpost
    • Boracay, Philippines – White Sand Beach – click here
    • Hội An, Vietnam – VLX – click here
    • Hội An, Vietnam – The Ancient City –  click here

Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook Page yet?

LIKE. Comment. Share.   🙂

PPMEOW logo1

An Open Letter To All Of My Friends Who Take Selfies

“Let me take a selfie.”

Blogging is a series of selfies, shared for inspiration, not for vanity.  This is a great post explaining how great they truly are.

Thank you The Belle Jar.

The Belle Jar

Dear Friends Who Take Selfies,

I want you to know that I love it when you post pictures of yourself. I know selfies get a lot of bad press, but I think they’re rad. They give me a little window into your life, and you’d be amazed at how much I can get out of one little photo.

I love your pictures because I love seeing what you’re wearing – the outfits you build give me ideas about how to mix it up with my own wardrobe, and seeing you work your shit gives me courage to try clothing that I otherwise might have thought was too outlandish or revealing.

I love seeing how you do your hair and makeup. You look like a hot babe and I wish you would make YouTube tutorials explaining how you get your eyeliner just so. I want you to post pictures every time you change your…

View original post 425 more words

%d bloggers like this: