24

May

Memorial Day – Recipe Round-Up

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, I have backyard barbecues on my mind. I had planned to start a grilling series this week, but for some reason, my outdoor grilling mojo is a little off. Two, failed burgers and one empty gas tank later, I have absolutely nothing to share with you on grilling this week.

So instead of the planned grilling tips, I thought it would be nice to share some potluck friendly recipes. Just a few favorites that I think would be great for a long, lazy weekend or impromptu bbq. I’ve made all of them before and have had success with each.

Deviled Eggs with Basil Aioli and Capers

Swiss and Bacon Dip

Guacamole

Peel and Eat BBQ Shrimp

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Artichoke, Chickpea and Prosciutto Pasta Salad

Strawberry, Almond and Goat Cheese Salad

Mango Slaw with Cashews and Mint

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Raspberry Buttermilk Cake (also lovely with strawberries)

What will you be eating this Memorial Day weekend?

7 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

Food/Entertaining

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22

May

Five years ago, I married the most wonderful man.

100_1546

In honor of our time together, I made chocolate covered strawberries this weekend. They did not turn out…at all.

So, I tried again a few days later, because I had a good feeling about this recipe. Sometimes, you just know when something is right. Continue reading →

9 days ago Short URL Comments

Entertaining/Food

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27

Sep

Fall Wishlist

The last few months have been a whirlwind of travel, and while it’s been fun living a jet-set lifestyle, nothing makes you appreciate your home more than time away.

I think my fall wishlist really reflects the kind of sleepy, time at home I’ve been craving. Here’s it is:

  1. Visit an apple orchard.
  2. Place mums on my front porch.
  3. Roast pumpkin seeds.
  4. Drink apple cider.
  5. Plant bulbs.
  6. Build a fire.
  7. Watch black and white movies at home.
  8. Make lots of soups and stews.
  9. Go on walks around my neighborhood.
  10. Reacquaint myself with butternut squash.
  11. Paint my nails fall shades.
  12. Find riding boots and jeans.
  13. Host a cozy dinner for friends.
  14. Wear tweed.
  15. Perfect my own chili recipe.
  16. Try canning some fall goodies.
  17. Explore some of my cookbooks.

247 days ago Short URL Comments

Entertaining/Fashion/Food/Guilty Pleasures/Living

23

Aug

Spring Salmon Salad

Before I started this blog, I never really created my own dishes. I would make small modifications to existing recipes, and that was about it. But ever since I started writing here, I’ve slowly begun to develop my own recipes.*  With each dish I create, I get a little bit braver. 

A few weeks ago, I had a huge breakthrough. I ate something at a restaurant and was inspired to create my own take on it at home. It was huge, people.

The inspiration came from Trezo Vino, a Leawood, Kan. restaurant that recently had their menu updated by Bluestem’s Colby Garrelts. On the day I went, their flatbread special was topped with smoked salmon, capers, creme fraiche, arugula, cucumbers and red onions. The pairing of these flavors is classic, and I wondered how they would taste in a salad. The answer is lovely. The result is decadent, but light, and I think it would be perfect for dinner or brunch with your favorite ladies. Continue reading →

282 days ago Short URL Comments

Entertaining/Fancy Fake-Out/Food

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27

Jun

4th of July Inspired Food

With a long holiday weekend ahead, I’m envisioning barbecues with friends and leisurely meals at home. Between trips to the pool and new books, I plan to spend some time in my kitchen whipping together easy, seasonal meals. Here are a few of my go-to recipes for the hot days of summer.

  1. Quick Zucchini Saute 
  2. Mango Slaw with Cashews & Mint
  3. Blueberry Crumb Bars
  4. Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
  5. Asian Coleslaw
  6. Guacamole
  7. Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic Oregano Vinaigrette
  8. Summer Fruit with Wine & Mint
  9. Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Glaze
  10. Cheeseburgers (I use Rachael Ray’s method, described below.) Continue reading →

338 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

Entertaining/Food

19

Jun

Perfectly Easy Margaritas

A few years ago, we threw a birthday party for my Grandma. Family flew in from out-of-state and while we hung out at my parents’ house, my Uncle Steve made margaritas. They were unbelievably good, but fairly complicated. He’s a precise man and all of his hard work paid off. After watching his efforts, I got the recipe and then, never made them. You see, I am many things, but a precise mixologist is not one of them.

Lucky for me, being lazy can pay off.

 

Continue reading →

346 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

Entertaining/Food

26

May

Dinner Party & Salmon via Sophie

This week I hosted one of the most laid back dinner parties I’ve ever had. I’m not even sure you could refer to it as dinner party it was so relaxed. It felt comfortable, just a few friends over for dinner.

Instead of scouring my cookbooks for the right recipes, I made some easy, but elegant favorites. We had the prosciutto/fig/brie pita pizzas, salmon with a pea puree and this strawberry tart. It sounds fancy, doesn’t it? We had dinner at 7:00, and I started cooking at 6:50. Let me tell you this never happens at my house, never.

Continue reading →

371 days ago Short URL Comments

Entertaining/Fancy Fake-Out/Food

24

May

Artichoke, Chickpea & Prosciutto Pasta Salad

Admittedly, I’m not very good at potlucks. Most of the things I make are best served at my house, straight off the stove or out of the oven. Every time I’m invited to bring a side dish I find myself at a complete loss. Typically, I bring dessert, because I know it will taste fine after making the commute from my house to someone else’s.

Recently, I hosted a little BBQ at my house and decided to try my hand at the rather common pasta salad. My version was simple, but a hit. After the party, I realized I had forgotten to include all of the ingredients I intended and made it again. The flavors of the final product are bright and sunny, perfect for a tailgate or BBQ. Continue reading →

372 days ago Short URL 4 Comments

Entertaining/Food

06

Mar

Baby Shower

Megan & Tate

This weekend, I had the privilege of hosting a  Sip & See with some friends for Megan and her new son, Tate. I had never heard of a Sip & See before, but I’ve been told it’s a Southern tradition. Basically, it’s like a shower, but instead of having it before the baby arrives, you host it after the baby is here.  Just by looking at the picture above, I think you can guess the advantages to having the baby there.  

When coming up with the shower’s theme, we drew inspiration from the Tate’s nursery and Megan’s interests. We split up the tasks, and as you might guess, I was in charge of food.  

Continue reading →

451 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Entertaining/Fancy Fake-Out/Food

09

Feb

Mexican Beans, Sort-Of

These are not authentic Mexican beans. I repeat, these are not authentic. They are, however, delicious and went well with my carnitas.

I cooked the dried beans using Smitten Kitchen’s recommended method. It is so easy.

Mexican Influenced Cannellini Beans

Serves at least 12 (probably more like 20)

Ingredients:

Bag of dried cannellini or great northern beans (You could use canned, but I’d recommend rinsing and draining them. Also, you’ll definitely want to add more liquid when it’s time to add the seasoning.)

2 bay leaves

1 to 2 tbsp. Adobo Seasoning (I got mine at Penzey’s. You could a couple tsps. of cumin, a tsp. of oregano, a tsp. of garlic powder, a tsp. of onion powder and a pinch of cayenne instead)

1 onion, quartered

1 c. reserved broth from your carnitas, if possible (If you don’t have this, chicken broth would work.)

Salt

Pepper

Here’s the method for cooking your dried beans. Place the beans in a slow cooker and cover with two to three inches of water. Cook on high for 3 hours.  After they’ve cooled, store them in the fridge.

Next, put the beans in a pot. Add the bay leaves, onion, Adobo seasoning and 4 ladles (about a cup) of the carnita broth. Let simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fish out the bay leaves and onions.  Serve.

476 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Entertaining/Fancy Fake-Out/Food/Vegan

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