Wednesday, January 22, 2014
More Chocolate this time to give away!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
HIWWI Alice Olivia Brooklyn Flutter Kimono
{Alice + Olivia Brooklyn Flutter Kimono, $246}
Before we get started, Id like to clear up an administrative item: I have officially abbrevd (abbreviation of "abbreviated") this regular installment of "How I Would Wear It" to "HIWWI." Because everyone loves an acronym, am I right?!
With that out of the way, how much do you effing love this Alice + Olivia Kimono?? I lovey it so much, I would gladly enter into a civil union with it and adopt a variety of children from third-world countries. I mean, could you blame me?
Okay, so its $246...and its sheer...and covered in sequins. But thats exactly why its worth the investment!! And anyway, in the imaginary world I live in, buying clothing is far more important than saving for a vacation or, ya know, paying rent. Hear me out.
This Kimono is the kind of thing you can transition season to season, day to night. Literally, you could wear this every single day of your life. I want you to know that I just did the math, and it comes out to 69 cents a day...a DAY, people. You can hardly feed a starving child in Africa for 69 cents, and yet for just that much, you could look fabulous every.day.of.your.life.
Starts to make sense when you think about it like that, now doesnt it? (Welcome to my world of rationalization.)
The model in this photo is wearing all white, and frankly thats not a bad idea...the top I like for this kimono is also white, but its a little more quirky, which I think plays well with the sequins, who are taking themselves way too seriously.
{3.1 Phillip Lim Eyelet Peplum top, $350}
Look at your top. Now back to this top. Now look at your top again. Back to this top. Now look at your wallet. This is the top you could be wearing if you stopped reasoning how expensive this top was and just started living. Eyes back to the top. Now back to the wallet. Your money is gone. Im on a horse...
How adorable is the eyelet detail of that top?? I just wanna pinch its proverbial wittle cheekies!!
Rounding out the clothing, these pewter metallic shorts:
{Express Satin Shorts, $49.90}
Forget that belt...or any belt, for that matter. The top will likely hit just above the hips and since it doesnt get tucked in, a belt would be superfluous (really, I just wanted to use the word "superfluous". You can do whatever you want).
Ive kept this look pretty neutral with the intent of bringing a splash of color in on the feet. To me, gold and silver tones pair incredibly well with turquoise and aqua shades, which is why I especially like these:
{Steve Madden Wowzerr Wedge, 139.95}
If you dont already know how I feel about jewelry, you should. Forget "more is more"; Im a firm believer that gaudy is more! These rings would be a good way to draw in some more color without overpowering the outfit:
{ASOS ring, 21.41}
{ASOS Fuschia ring, $13.79}
And last, but assuredly not least, for the touch of whimsy that I so appreciate, these sweet little turquoise bird earrings:
{ASOS bird earrings, $10.34}
Because nothin says summer like...earrings that look like birds. DUH!
What do yall think? Would you wear this outfit? How would you style it? Can you imagine spending $300 on one top?? Have you lost all faith in my common sense and good judgment?? Tell me everything in the comments.
Skirt Steak Soft Taco
Skirt steak, despite it being quite a tasty cut of beef, is not as widely available as I think it should be. As a matter of fact, I am unable to find it in any of our local supermarkets. I ask, but they tell me that a corporate office somewhere decides what cuts of meat each store will receive. I have even offered to call and put in a request, to the chief butcher in charge, but I am told that my pleas will fall on deaf ears. I always wonder the chefs and cooks on Food Network are talking about when they proclaim "just ask your butcher" to cut a roast a particular way or to "make friends with the butcher". Seems to me the day of the neighborhood butcher is either long gone, or it only exists in larger urban areas. Anyway, back on track, I am able to get an organic skirt steak from Yoders Meat Market, a local Amish grocer. The only down side is that they are always sold in the frozen state. Regardless, skirt steaks are always a flavorful, robust steak that do well in a wet marinade or with a dry rub. They are particularly good as an ingredient in fajitas and tacos. Dont overcook though, it should be prepared as you would a flank steak and sliced against the grain and on the bias.
Skirt Steak Soft Taco
1 skirt steak (marinaded or dry rubbed)
sliced red bell pepper
sliced onion
colby jack cheese
cilantro
sour cream
flour tortillas
Pat the skirt steak dry from any left over marinade if using wet ingredients or season with a dry rub, as you prefer. Cook on an indoor grill pan or an outdoor grill for approximately 4 minutes per side or until meat is medium rare. Do not overcook. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, saute onions and pepper in a skillet over medium high heat with about 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Heat the flour tortillas until warm and soft and fill with sliced skirt steak and sauteed peppers and onions. Additional toppings can include shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, hot sauce and salsa.
Tandoori Chicken
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| Tandoori Chicken |
This is an authenticate Indian Tandoori Chicken Recipe. Quite simple to prepare and less oil food. Try It!
Ingredients
Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs- 8
Ginger and Garlic Paste- 3 tbsp
Thick Curd- 50 gms
Garam Masala Powder- 2 tbsp
Red Chilly Powder- 1 1/2 tsp
Turmeric- 1/4 tsp
Pepper Powder- 1/2tsp
Red food colour- few pinch
Salt- 1 1/2 tsp
Mace- 1/2 tsp
Nutmeg- 1/2 tsp
Juice of Lemon- 2 nos
Oil- 50 gms
Sliced onion rings, tomato and quartered lemon to garnish
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| Tandoori Chicken |
Method
Clean and wash chicken and make slits on the chicken with knife.
Mix lemon juice, turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Rub it on the chicken pieces.
In a small bowl mix well ginger and garlic paste, curd, garam masala, red chilly powder, pepper powder, mace powder, nutmeg powder, red colour and salt.
Apply this mixed masala on chicken and allow chicken to marinate in masala for 15 mins.
Pre heat oven or grill at 350 f, place the marinaded chicken pieces on a baking tray and brush chicken pieces with some oil. Place the tray in the center rack of the oven.
Cook the chicken pieces for 8-10 mins, turn the chicken pieces on otherside down and brush with some more oil. Cook for another 5 mins until all sides are cooked and browned well.
Serve with Sliced onions, tomatoes and lemon.
Monday, January 20, 2014
SANDRAS SHAVED ASPARAGUS and PROSCIUTTO SALAD
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| A fine first course salad or accompaniment to any meal thats refreshing and superbly healthy... |
Prep: 20 Mins.
Posted by Sandra
INGREDIENTS:
***Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon shallot, minced
2 teaspoons dijon
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
***Salad:
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and stocks shaved, reserving tops
6 cups spring greens
8 slices prosciutto, cut into thin strips
1 box frozen baby peas, thawed
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
METHOD:
Prepare a large bowl of ice water, and set aside.
In a small non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic), whisk together lemon juice, shallot, and dijon. Slowly drizzle in olive oil and whisk until vinaigrette is emulsified, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Place asparagus on cutting board; hold tip and shave lengthwise along each stalk with a wide vegetable peeler. Place shavings and tops in boiling water and blanche for 2 minutes, then quickly remove and place in large bowl of ice water for 10 minutes, and drain. Blot with paper towel to remove excess water.
In a large salad bowl, toss greens, asparagus, baby peas, and mint, and then drizzle with vinaigrette. Place on four salad plates, and equally sprinkle them with prosciutto strips, and shaved Parmesan. – Enjoy!
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Tip: I like to serve this lovely salad with a nice barbecued steak, crispy bread, and a glass of quality red wine.
Palak Paneer
1. 2 cups spinach (palak)
2. 8 to 10 paneer pieces in cube (Indian cottage cheese)
3. 3 tablespoon oil
4. 1/2 cup onion paste
5. 3/4 cup tomato puree
6. 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
7. 1 teaspoon green chili paste
8. 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
9. 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
10. 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
11. 1 teaspoon lemon juice
12. Salt to taste
1. Wash and blanch the spinach leaves in vessel full of salted boiling water.
2. Drain, wash with cold water and blend in a mixer to a smooth puree.
3. Heat the oil in pan and fry the cubed paneer until light golden brown than remove.
4. In the same pan add onion paste and sauté till turn translucent.
5. Add ginger, green chili and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Add tomato puree sauté and cook till the mixture leaves oil while stirring continuously.
7. Now add garam masala, red chilli powder, coriander powder and salt than cook for 1 minute.
8. Now add palak (spinach) puree and cook for 2 to 3 minutes than add paneer and lime juice and simmer till the gravy thickens a little.Serve hot with Naan, Roti or Paratha.
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Sunday, January 19, 2014
How to make the perfect boiled egg
“I have met a lot of hardboiled eggs in my time, but youre twenty minutes.” OSCAR WILDE
Before you scoff at me for writing this post - a properly boiled egg with a little sprinkle of salt and pepper is one of the simple joys of life and equally easy to mess up. Had with toast, or just by itself as a mid-day snack, or in your kids lunch box, its wholesome, easy and hardly takes any special effort.
My earlier method of boiling an egg was to place it in a pan full of water and boil the hell out of it for 10 odd minutes, drain and peel. While this works well, the egg sometimes turns rubbery and the unpleasant grey sulphur ring inside that makes it so unpalatable.
The full credit for my current technique goes to Mark Bittman and his book How To Cook Everything Vegetarian.
So here are my tips on getting the perfect boiled egg
- Buy the best quality eggs you can get.
- It helps if the eggs are not utterly fresh. A few day old eggs are so much easier to peel off than fresh eggs.
- Place the eggs in a deep pan. Cover them with tap water.
- Place this on the stove.
- Bring the water to boil.
- They say swishing the water in the pan in circles helps center the yolks, in case you plan on making deviled eggs.
- Once the water comes to a rolling boil, turn off the flame. Cover with a fitting lid and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of chilled water for 10 minutes. This prevents the grey sulphur ring.
- Crack the egg at several places on counter top or with a spoon and peel off the shell or place in refrigerator until you need to use them.
5 things you can do with boiled eggs
- Quarter them and add them to salads. Egg and potato salad is a delicious combination, but you dont have to restrict yourself to this alone.
- Make egg curry
- Saute sliced ginger, garlic, onions until the onions caramelise and add quartered boiled eggs to this, with seasonings to make Burmese style egg appetiser.
- Dip boiled egg in batter and deep fry to make delicious egg bhajji.
- Slice the boiled egg. Slice a tomato. Make egg & tomato sandwich.
What are your favourite things to do with boiled eggs?
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