Monday, March 31, 2014

My Pinterest Menu: Week of March 31st

Each week, I have been finding some amazing recipes.  And I have high hopes for this week too...especially the Fish Chowder with Old Bay Sourdough Croutons!  I have only had fish chowder a couple of times but the recipe I have included in this week's menu looks amazing.

Last week, the Autumn Arugula Salad did not disappoint, even though I had some trouble finding acorn squash...may be because it is now Spring : )  It sure does not feel like it though.  Another recipe I really like was the Chicken and Sweet Pepper Alfredo Linguine.   

Here is this week's menu... Enjoy : )


via Gimme Some Oven


via Simply Scratch


via A Family Feast


via Closet Cooking


via Cooking Classy

The Grocery List:

Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry-
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. honey
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 bunch asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 scallions, chopped
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
(optional) 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Fish Chowder with Old Bay Sourdough Croutons-
4 cups {doesn't have to be exact} cubed Sourdough Bread
2-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
4 strips of Applewood Bacon, diced into cubes
1 large or 2 medium Yellow Onions, chopped
1 pound Red Skinned Potatoes, peeled and chopped into 3/4 to 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup Sauvignon Blanc
2 cups Clam Juice
1-1/2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme Leaves
1 teaspoons Kosher Salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon {heaping} Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 large or 2 small Bay Leaves
1-1/4 {heaping} teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 to 1-1/2 pounds Barramundi Fillets, cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces {skin removed}
1-1/4 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 cup chopped Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley

Perfect Pork Chops- 
2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
2 two-inch bone-in, center cut pork chops 
3 tablespoons butter 
2 unpeeled garlic cloves, smashed 
3 sprigs of fresh thyme

Green Bean, Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Tart-
2 tablespoons butter
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth or vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound green beans
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed as directed on package
1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Lemon Chicken Romano-
2 (8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 oz shredded Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup)
2 oz shredded Provolone cheese (1/2 cup)
1 large egg
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 1/2 oz finely shredded Romano cheese (1/2 cup)
1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
Zest of 1 lemon (2 tsp)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Lemon slices or wedges for serving (you can just use the one that was zested) 


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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Artist Spotlight: Jacob Hashimoto and his epic "Gas Giant"


"Epic" does not convey how big and all-encompassing this art installation is. Right now, "Gas Giant"...the awe-inspiring paper kite installation by artist Jacob Hashimoto...is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles until June 8th.  

The Los Angeles Times likened Hashimoto's masterpiece to "weather", which I completely agree with.  The installation reaches to the highest point of the museum and spreads across the area, drifting low and rolling through the space.  I love that though the thousands of kites are not moving, taken as a group they seem to be  in motion as if they have become the clouds and are slowly dipping and rising to completely immerse people in the installation.  "Gas Giant" is an experience...which is the best kind of artwork.

I WANT to see this installation in person...but for now I will have to live vicariously through other people.  LOVE it!










(photos via Supertouch)


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Monday, March 24, 2014

My Pinterest Menu: Week of March 24th

I was feeling like moving to more of a Spring inspired menu this week...until yesterday.  Winter seems to be determined to stick around a little longer, so instead of fighting it, I'm going to go with it.  I am cooking up some of the more comforting foods I have on Pinterest this week.  I am really excited about the Autumn Arugula Salad.  Maybe a little too excited : )

Some hits from last week were the Bangers and Colcannon with Guinness Onion Gravy and the Honey Lime Tequila Shrimp Tacos. Both were super good!

Here is this week's menu...Enjoy : )   


via Just a Taste


via Daily Dish Magazine


via Better Homes and Gardens


via Host The Toast


The Grocery List:

Mongolian Beef- (this recipe serves 2, double to serve 4)
  • Vegetable oil
    1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
    1 tablespoon minced garlic
    1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
    1/2 cup water
    2/3 cup dark brown sugar
    1 (1-pound) flank steak
    1/4 cup cornstarch
    3 scallions (green parts only), sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • Autumn Arugula Salad-
    2 tablespoons coconut oil
    1 acorn squash, sliced in 1/2-inch thick rounds and seeds removed
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon pepper
    2 teaspoons brown sugar
    1/2 cup whole pecans, chopped
    1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    6 cups baby arugula
    1 avocado, sliced
    1 pomegranate, arils removed
    1 seedless cucumber, sliced
    1/3 cup pomegranate juice
    1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
    1 garlic clove, freshly grated
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon pepper
    1/3 cup olive oil
  • Roasted Pork Loin with White Wine, Garlic and Rosemary-
    1 Pork tenderloin
    1/4 cup olive oil, plus about 2 tablespoons for searing the tenderloin
    1 cup white wine
    Juice of one lemon
    3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
    1 small yellow onion, chopped
    Fresh rosemary, about 2-3 sprigs
    Kosher salt and black pepper
  • Chicken and Sweet Pepper Linguine Alfredo-
    6 ozs dried whole wheat linguine
    2 tsp canola oil
    1 medium red sweet pepper
    1 medium zucchini and/or yellow summer squash
    8 ozs. package chicken stir fry strips
    1 10 oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
    1/3 c finely shredded Parmesan, Romano or Asiago cheese
    2 tsp snipped fresh thyme
    1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Guinness Beef Stew with Cheddar Herb Dumplings-
    2 lbs stew meat / beef chunk
    ¼ lb applewood-smoked bacon
    1 onion, finely chopped
    1 stick celery, chopped
    2 carrots, peeled and chopped
    2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
    2 turnips, peeled and diced
    2 parsnips, diced
    4 oz tomato paste
    12 oz Guinness extra stout
    4 cups low sodium beef broth
    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    1 bay leaf
    3 sprigs thyme
    Chopped parsley
    ½ lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
    1 ½ cups self-rising flour
    ½ tsp garlic powder
    ¼ cup shortening
    ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar
    ⅔ cup milk
    1-2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, chopped
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                                            Saturday, March 22, 2014

                                            A Saturday Song...

                                            I am excited about this weekend.  We don't have anything planned, but I am excited nonetheless.  It is going to be a beautiful day! And even though I was only away from the girls for one weekend, I am excited to have a couple days with them, where I don't have to be saying "hurry" and let's go" : )

                                            Here is a song for your Saturday...

                                            )

                                            I hope you have a wonderful weekend : )


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                                            Friday, March 21, 2014

                                            The Friday Five...

                                            Last week was all about getting ready for my annual weekend getaway with my high school girlfriends. We went to NASHVILLE this year...and it was nothing like I though it would be...and everything I wanted it to be.  I wanted to share Nashville with you as soon as I got back, but I have been trying to get life back to normal this week, which took a lot more time and energy than I thought it would.  I mean, I was only gone for three days!  

                                            Anyway, next week, I am Nashville bound...at least in pictures : ) Until then, here are a few things I LOVED this past week...

                                            { This cowboy may be my favorite of all time.  He was the greeter at the door of what turned
                                            out to be my favorite architectural salvage store in Franklin, TN.  LOVE him! }

                                            { In preparation for my trip, I bought a new camera bag, that looks nothing like a camera bag.
                                             I LOVE it!  Finally, I can go everywhere without looking like a tourist...even though I might be : )  }

                                            { I arrived home from my trip to find that my new specs arrived while I was gone.  Ink black and
                                            ballet pink two-tone frames : )  Lookmatic will go down in history as one of my favorite finds of all time! }

                                            { We got to do a lot of things in Nashville, but I think The Patterson House was a favorite for many
                                            of us.  Can't go wrong with a secretive "depression era" style speakeasy .  }

                                            { When I got home...I was greeted at the door with flowers and the sweetest letter
                                            from my family.  I should go away more often : )  Blessed! }

                                            What are Your Five?


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                                            Wednesday, March 19, 2014

                                            Milktape...I'm in love


                                            When we were in high school, Jason and I exchanged mixed tapes all the time.  He used to leave them on my window sill at night.  So much so, that when I woke up, I would jump out of bed and open the blinds to see if he had left one for me.  It is one of my favorite memories from high school : )  

                                            I have missed the mixed tape so much!  There was something romantic and personal about the little rectangular box and the hand written list of songs.  I was SOOOOO excited when I came upon Milktape's USB Cassette Mixtape today.  It looks like the retro cassette, but modernized with the usb stick snuggly fitted into the "tape".  I LOVE it!  The Milktape cassette even comes with it's own plastic case and paper insert to write your song list on.  Each cassette can hold an average of 15 songs and it costs only $15. 

                                            I have to have it! 



                                            You can order the USB cassette at Milktape.com

                                            (images via Cup of Jo)


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                                            Monday, March 17, 2014

                                            My Pinterest Menu: Week of March 17th

                                            I am back from Nashville...and I am dragging! Needing my coffee badly : )  That's next, but right now, I have to say I am excited about this week's menu.  Tonight especially, because it is ...St. Patrick's Day!!!!!!

                                            I don't usually include dessert recipes, because my family does not eat desserts regularly, but today warrants one.  And this one is a doozy!  I made the same thing for St. Patty's Day last year, and it was a huge hit, so I thought I would revisit these much loved recipes.  

                                            And since, Monday's fare is a little heavier, I left the rest of the menu a little lighter and little healthier. But you gotta splurge on St. Patty's Day!!!...right?

                                            Here is this week's menu...Enjoy : )



                                            via Closet Cooking


                                            via Closet Cooking

                                            via The Mobile Bay Mag 


                                            via Simply Delicious


                                            via Tartine and Apron Strings


                                            via Comfy in the Kitchen


                                            The Grocery List:

                                            Bangers and Colcannon with Guinness Onion Gravy-
                                            • 1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced
                                            • 1/4 pound bacon, cut into 1 inch slices
                                            • pepper to taste
                                            • 1 tablespoon butter
                                            • 1/4 small head cabbage, thinly sliced
                                            • 4 green onions, sliced
                                            • salt and pepper
                                            • 1 tablespoon oil
                                            • 1 pound sausage (Irish or English bangers if you can get them)
                                            • 1 large onion, sliced
                                            • 1 clove garlic, chopped
                                            • 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
                                            • 2 tablespoons flour
                                            • 1 bottle Guinness
                                            • 2 tablespoons mustard
                                            • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
                                            • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
                                            • 1 tablespoon butter
                                            • 1 tablespoon sour cream
                                            • milk to taste

                                                Chocolate Stout Cake with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting-
                                            • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
                                            • 1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
                                            • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
                                            • 2 cups all purpose flour
                                            • 2 cups sugar
                                            • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
                                            • 3/4 teaspoon salt
                                            • 2 large eggs
                                            • 2/3 cup sour cream
                                            • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
                                            • 1 cup confectioners sugar
                                            • 3 tablespoons of Bailey’s Irish cream

                                            Pomegranate Pear Walnut Salad-
                                            9 ounces mixed greens
                                            1 pear, sliced
                                            1/2 cup pitted sliced Medjool dates
                                            1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
                                            1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
                                            1/2 cup dried cranberries
                                            3 ounces goat cheese
                                            pomegranate balsamic vinegar
                                            walnut oil

                                            Greek Chicken Bake with Tzatziki-
                                            8 plump, free range chicken thighs
                                            1 head of garlic, halved
                                            red onions, cut into wedges
                                            100g Calamata olives
                                            olive oil, to drizzle
                                            2 tsp dried oregano
                                            salt & pepper to taste
                                            juice of 1 lemon
                                            Mediterranean Delicacies Tzatziki
                                            warm pita breads
                                            extra lemon wedges

                                               Honey Lime Tequila Shrimp Tacos-
                                            2 pounds (454 g) raw shrimps, peeled and deveined
                                            1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
                                            2 tablespoons raw honey
                                            juice of 2 limes + 1 lime
                                            1/2 cup tequila
                                            1 medium onion, finely minced
                                            1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
                                            1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle (optional)
                                            2 avocados, diced
                                            1/2 head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
                                            1/4 cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice [about 2-3 limes]
                                            1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
                                            sea salt and pepper to taste
                                            1/2 cup light, neutral oil, such as grapeseed
                                            1 cup (250 ml) sour cream or créme fraîche [low fat can be used]
                                            1 to 2 pieces of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce [canned]
                                            12 – 15 homemade or store-bought good quality yellow or white corn tortilla
                                            a handful of cilantro, finely chopped

                                            Honey Balsamic Chicken over Rice-
                                            4 chicken breasts
                                            4 cups cooked brown rice
                                            2 cups italian dressing
                                            salt, pepper, thyme
                                            4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
                                            4 Tbsp honey
                                            1 cup feta cheese
                                            ½ cup pecans
                                            ½ cup dried cranberries
                                            ½ cup chick peas


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                                            Monday, March 10, 2014

                                            My Pinterest Menu: Week of March 10th

                                            To be perfectly honest, there are weeks that it is hard to cook a meal every night, and last week was definitely one of those weeks.  I was struggling to fit it all in...and I actually didn't.  I have one more recipe to make up from this past week. Maybe, next weekend...

                                            I was hoping that this week would be a little calmer, but I am going to be traveling the last half of the week. Keeping that in mind, I deliberately made the menu, so I could prepare a couple things in advance, and Jason can assemble it/heat it up for dinner while I am gone.  And yes...loaded nachos is a perfect meal for an awesome daddy and his girls! We'll see how this works out when I get back on Sunday : ) 

                                            Here is this week's menu...Enjoy : )



                                            via Tide and Thyme


                                            via Peanut Blossom


                                            Kennan Family Huddle


                                            via Kitchen Meets Girl


                                            via The Pioneer Woman


                                            The Grocery List:

                                            Chicken Gyros-
                                            1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
                                            4 cloves garlic, minced
                                            1 lemon, juiced
                                            2 tsp red wine vinegar
                                            2 tbsp olive oil
                                            2 tsp dried oregano
                                            kosher salt and pepper
                                            1 batch tzatziki sauce
                                            sliced tomatoes
                                            sliced onions
                                            sliced cucumbers
                                            lettuce
                                            (pocketless) pitas


                                            Mustard Glazed Salmon with Arugula and Oranges-
                                            2 oranges, peeled, quartered, and sliced
                                            4-6 heads of Belgian Endive, sliced crosswise
                                            5-6 cups of arugula
                                            2 tbsp red-wine vinegar
                                            1 tbsp whole grain mustard
                                            3 tbsp olive oil
                                            3 tbsp fresh orange juice
                                            salt and pepper
                                            1/2 small onion, minced
                                            1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
                                            1/4 cup whole grain mustard
                                            1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
                                            8 fillets of salmon, skin removed

                                            Stuffed Shells-

                                            1 box of jumbo pasta shells
                                            1 jar of marinara sauce 
                                            1 15 oz. tub of ricotta
                                            1 cup of shredded mozzarella
                                            1 egg 
                                            1 packet of fresh chives
                                            1 teaspoon of onion powder
                                            1 teaspoon of garlic powder
                                            1 teaspoon of dried basil
                                            1 1/2 cups of chopped spinach 
                                            salt and pepper 


                                            Sriracha Honey Lime Chicken Skewers-

                                            3 tablespoons soy sauce
                                            2 tablespoons honey
                                            1 tablespoon vegetable oil
                                            juice of one lime
                                            2 garlic cloves, minced
                                            1-2 teaspoon Siracha
                                            red pepper flakes, to taste
                                            2 tablespoon cilantro
                                            1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

                                            Loaded Nachos- 
                                            1 Tbsp olive oil
                                            1 whole yellow onion, diced
                                            1/2 tsp chili powder
                                            1/2 tsp paprika
                                            1/2 tsp cumin
                                            1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
                                            1/2 tsp salt
                                            1/2 tsp pepper
                                            1 can pinto beans, chili beans or ranch style beans
                                            1/2 cup hot water
                                             tortilla chips
                                            1-1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
                                            1-1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
                                            6 whole roma tomatoes, diced
                                            1 whole jalapeno diced finely
                                            1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
                                            juice of lime
                                            1/2 tsp salt
                                            1 whole avocado, pitted and diced
                                            sour cream (optional)

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                                            Saturday, March 8, 2014

                                            The Friday Five...

                                            BUSY! That is what I have been this past week.  And things will actually not be slowing down for a couple more days.  I love being busy, but I can't stop yawning this morning. Here are a few of the things we have been up to this week...


                                            { "The Blue Bike"... my latest painting in my ongoing love of bikes.  I finished it
                                            just in time to donate it to my best friend's school fundraiser }

                                            { Had the sweetest photo shoot with this little one...is there anything cuter than when their feet are the only thing they need to occupy themselves for hours? So sweet! }

                                            { In celebration of Read Across America week...all class rooms at the girls' school decorated
                                            their doors to look like book covers.  I helped out Ava's class with a little Ramona Quimby : ) }

                                            { There's nothing wrong with brunch Louisiana style...beignets and a bloody mary }

                                            { the girls' first experience with beignets was a messy affair...
                                            but who doesn't love doughnuts in any form? }


                                            What are Your Five?


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