6 Easter Menu Ideas

quiche | home fries | salad | madeleines | raspberry ricotta cake | homemade cream eggs

When I was a little girl the Easter Bunny would bring us dried fruit, maybe some m&ms & a small toy. Rarely did we have the novel chocolate bunnies waiting for us in our baskets. My mom got a nutrition degree from Cornell so I’m pretty sure she laid down the law with the Easter Bunny about what could & couldn’t make the basket. That said there was always plenty of dessert around in the form of baked goods at Easter that were sugary but usually more fruity or Italian cheese cakey, I suppose to compensate for the lack of chocolate bunnies.  That is probably why half of the recipes I pulled for this post are desserts (he he). Grab the links for those 6 recipes here:

1. quiche 
2. home fries 
3. salad 
4. madeleines 
5. raspberry ricotta cake 
6. homemade cream eggs

Easter’s one those holidays that can start early, like breakfast. So why not make some brunchy type foods for your family? We’ll be spending Easter with family & I’ll be bringing deserts. I’ll probably make this or maybe something new. I haven’t yet decided. What are you making?

Happy Easter y'all :)

P.S.: If you're looking for decorating inspiration check out how my mother-in-law decorates here. She never disappoints. It's always festive & tasteful!

P.P.S. Happy Passover, too!

My No-Sew D.I.Y. Ugly Christmas Sweater

Today we have our holiday party at work. Like last year we’ll be doing a white elephant gift exchange which is always good for a few (or many) laughs. This year there will be some additional laughing because we’ve added an ugly Christmas sweater element into the mix. 

As a gal with a jam packed closet I struggled with the idea of purchasing an ugly holiday sweater that I would most likely only wear once a year. Sweaters take up prime closet real estate & that’s just something I wasn’t ready to support. So I opted to make my own “temporary” ugly Christmas sweater. I picked up an inexpensive ($9.99) grey sweatshirt at Marshalls & dug through my holiday decor box & in a few minutes I had a no-sew ugly Christmas sweater that can be dismantled & turned back into a comfy grey sweatshirt when the day is done.

Spicy Beef & Acorn Squash Winter Stew

I’m not a huget meat eater but I’ll have the occasional burger or meatball if the mood strikes me. If you’ve been following my blog (thank you!) you’ll probably notice that most of the recipes involve veggies, chicken & fish with very little meat in between. Which means that that’s what my husband eats too. Last night I opted to throw Chris a bone & make a beef stew. Given his positive reaction I may have to make this & meat more often.

Dress To Impress & Cook While Entertaining at Home

left to right: Scarlet Fondant Apron; Retro Ruffled Apron; Cuisine Couture Apron;

Pleated Poodle Apron; Key Ingredient Apron

Are you throwing a Super Bowl or an Oscars party this year? if you're going to be cooking while your guests are arriving don't worry about christening your game day gear or chic award worthy frock with guacamole - that's what aprons are for.  Just because you're cooking & entertaining at home you don't have to look homely - long gone are the days of house dresses & shapeless aprons thanks to the super sweet options that sometimes I wish were really a whole dress instead of looking just like the front of one!

(If you're wondering what to wear under that apron these are some of my go-tos for socializing & eating in style.)

Dress to Impress (& Eat) on Turkey Day

1 | 2 | 3

We all want to dress to impress especially around the holidays. But I think we can all agree that we need to dress to eat, too! Some bad news, friends, if your sweats have pockets in them - that does not make them dressy - leave them at home.  Good news, there are dresses that will give your sweats a run for their money in comfort, earn you a compliment (or ten) & leave room for seconds.

Here are some of my tips for holiday dressing:

1. Pretty patterns are your friend:  If you are prone to wearing your dinner no matter how hard you try to get it in your mouth opt for patterns - they hide stains better.
2. Classic shifts & color blocking are chic & comfy: If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, opt for soft fabrics with either elastic waist bands or go uber chic with a shift (read: loose around the waist!) If you can find something with slimming color blocking like dress #2 - you'll have your fellow party-goers confused when you reach for seconds while maintaining your slim silhouette.
3. Consider the temperature where you're going: Is it always hot at Grandma's even if it's 30 degrees out? Then that sleeveless #3 is suddenly not a crazy idea but a good one.  If it's traditionally as chilly inside as it is outside opt for a sweater dress like #2 or another long-sleeved option like #1.

What are you wearing for the holidays?

Chris's Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Has it been a week since my last post? Yikes! Apologies for being off the radar. I had less time than anticipated while running around visiting with family & working at Shobha.  I hope to be back in full force for the new year.

Each Christmas Eve we celebrate with the 7 fishes at my grandparents house. I always make the honey balls & Chris has added a new tradition: crab stuffed mushrooms.  (Yes, we count crab as a fish - I know it's shellfish but it still counts in my book.)

Luckily, Chris agreed when I asked if I could snap some photos & blog his recipe for some savory appetizers to the world. Be sure to click through for Chris's full recipe that he adapted from the stuffed mushrooms he likes to order at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Lastly, enjoy the last day of 2012, I hope it was a good year for you & your loved ones & wish that 2013 will be even better! Cheers & Happy New Year!

Linzer Heart Cookies Made with Love

I've read the book, 5 Love Languages, & it's save to say the way I like to give & receive love is quality time.  These cookies are time in three bites with a cup of coffee or tea.

These cookies are not the easiest to make. They take a bunch of time & a lot of love. I had to reroll & cut them a bunch of times, so if you opt to challenge this recipe, I feel your pain.

Last night I spent some time (the best gift of all) with some of my best girl friends.  We shared food & lots of laughs. There is really nothing better & I'm so blessed to have them in my life (thanks girls!!!). I brought some of these with me for a parting treat. I think they're yummy & hope the girls did too.

Click through for photos of this cookie making process.

Holdiay GIft Idea: Time with a Best Friend

I know I've posted about some gift ideas (here & here) but I think the best gift of all is the gift of time. If I could bottle the time spent with my best friends it would be the best item on any gift guide.

This past weekend I got to spend some amazing hours with one of my best friends, Maggie.  She's a mother of 3 (with one on the way!) & she still found hours in her day to have lunch with me.  I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful woman in my world. Thanks again, Maggie.

Click through for some more photos of the quaint little restaurant, Under the Moon, where we dined. The decor was eclectic & the food was tasty. The perfect recipe for a great lunch date!