Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday Foodday

It's that time again! Friday Foodday! Today is a special edition because we have gone global! That's right, I got a submission from my good friend in Macedonia who is doing peace corps. Woohoo!


Homemade Gnocchi
c/o Sara in Macedonia!
Ingredients:
-2 pounds of potatoes. It is helpful if they are all around the same size since they will be boiling together, it helps them cook to the same level.
-1/4 cup beaten egg
-1 cup white flour

Step 1: Wash your taters and put them into a large bowl of cold water with a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the heat to medium. Allow the potatoes to cook until they are tender throughout, usually 40 minutes for medium sized potatoes

Step 2: Remove your tenderized potatoes from the water and set down to cool. Cut them in half so that they cool quicker. You want to work with the potatoes while they are still warm, but obviously do not burn your fingers. Once they are cool enough to touch, peel the potatoes.

Step 3: Using a cheese grater, grate the potatoes into a large bowl. The goal is to have an even consistency so that your dough won't have lumps. Once you've grated all of your potatoes, mix in some of your flour and begin to knead it into a dough. Use the egg mixture a little at a time: it is there to hold the dough together, so you very well may not use all of it. Add flour as needed (even if it is over 1 cup) and keep kneading until you have a soft, non-sticky ball. It usually takes around 5-10 minutes of kneading. Protip: if your bowl is big enough, knead the dough inside the bowl rather than on your counter top in order to expedite clean-up.

Step 4: Put another large pot of water on and let it heat up to a boil as you do Step 5.

Step 5: Cut your ball of dough into 8 even pieces. Roll each piece out into a snake about as thick as your thumb. Cut each dough snake into bite sized pieces-- the size is totally up to your preference.

Step 6: When the water comes to a boil, throw your bite-sized pieces into the boiling water, about 20 at a time. They will hang out at the bottom for a bit before coming to the surface. Let them boil at the surface for 20-30 seconds before taking them out with a slotted spoon and setting them to cool. Repeat with all your pieces until they're all cooked!



Mini Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:
5 packets of cinnamon instant oatmeal (or any flavor)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*F
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
Coat a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray
Pour batter into muffin cups
Bake for 15-20 minutes
Allow to cool and enjoy!



Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread
c/o Autumn!
(note from the chef- dogs love this too!)

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
  3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/4 cup Milk
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
2 Tbsp. Butter, melted
1 cup crushed RITZ Crackers (about 20 crackers)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Add Macaroni to large saucepan boiling water; cook 6 min. or until tender. Drain. Stir in milk and Cheese Sauce Mix.

Pour into greased 8-inch square baking dish. Mix tomatoes and dressing. Top macaroni mixture with tomato mixture. Drizzle butter over cracker crumbs; toss with fork. Sprinkle over tomatoes.

Bake 15 min. or until heated through and crumbs are golden.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Weekend Trip

Hey kids! Happy Thursday, although it is my Friday. Sorry, I don't mean to rub it in. But what I WILL rub in is that fact that I will be enjoying Arby's beef 'n cheddar for dinner tonight. YUM. Why? Well because the BF and I are traveling to his hometown in Connecticut via BWI this evening. Which begs the question: what to wear when spending a weekend with the BFs rents and not look like you're trying too hard.

Ok maybe that wasn't your first question, but it was mine. So here's a sampling of what I'm packing; keep in mind this is a jeans weekend so I'm only packing tops/sweaters (highs in the 70s!)

Also- send me your Friday Foodday submissions today! You know I won't leave you foodless for the weekend- I'll post tomorrow.

J Crew, Merino Whisper Ruffle Sweater, $49.50
I'd pair this with my sterling silver Tiffany's necklace and this belt:

J Crew, Glimmer Sash, $19.50

Gap, Cozy Rib Hoodie, $34.99
This sweatshirt for after dinner or early morning appearences.

Gap, Shawl Cardigan, $39.99
I love this, its kinda dressy but super comfy. And you can layer with a shirt like this:

Old Navy, Striped boat neck tee, $14.50

Nordstrom, Kische open front cardi, $25.90
I'm kind of obsessed with traveling with these sweaters. There are SO easy and bright; plus you can knot it, belt it, or leave it open. Perfect for a quick weekend trip.


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

How to Make a Summer Sale Work Now

We've all gotten the emails: Extra 30% off sale, free shipping with orders over $100! I know you've clicked them because I have too. But then you are taken to a sale page with linen pants and heeled sandals. Let's be honest, the prices are great, but how many of us actually buy a bathing suit right now? Right. So let's take one of my favorite sale shops: J Crew and make the summer sale section work for Fall.

Why J Crew? Well because 1. I worked there for 18 months and always got a great discount which I still pine for. and 2. because their regular clothing has gotten so ridiculously expensive (a jacket for $1200? ) So I am forced to only shop the sale section in order to satisfy my craving.

Let's begin:


J Crew, Falling Ruffles Tank, $12.99
You may see a great cotton tank for summer but pair it with these items to make it work through October!
a great denim jacket:

J Crew, Nolita denim jacket, $49.99
And a skimmer chino to complete the look

J Crew, Skimmer pant, $19.99

Wonderful! Next a lightweight cardigan:
J Crew, Sailor Stripe Always Cardigan, $24.99
Let's pair this gem with a matching white shirt and khaki bottom:

J Crew, Drawstring Tee, $9.99


J Crew, Chino Bubble Skirt, $29.99

It's like a nautical sale! I love it.


Ok one more: a gorgeous dress in a fall transition color or neutral (i.e. no pastels)


J Crew, Cotton Cady Caroline Dress, $69.99
The darting on this dress will make ANY figure look amazing, it's perfect for work or play

Pair with a bold cardi and belt it!




J Crew, Double Studded Belt, $39.50
Toughen up this sweet dress and pink cardi with a studded belt!

See, that wasn't so hard. Just start with one piece that you love and make the rest work for you.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Apartment Living

Mixing it up just a little today because I'm trying to avoid shopping online for clothes and shoes. (gasp!) I know, I know- don't be worried, it's just temporary but any little bit of less clicking helps my soul and my wallet.

Why am I being frugal you ask? Well, the BF (he wanted his title capitalized) and I are moving in together! Yay! Very exciting. As I'm sure you know moving is filled with unforeseen costs and charges plus the expected fees like movers, the big grocery shop, etc. So, that is why I'm attempting to curb my online perusing of fashion wants and needs.

That being said, let's have some fun with apartment design today! Woohoo! Here are some of my ideas for the new abode.


Blik, Nessa Headboard, $40
How cool is this vinyl decal headboard?
Ikea, Akurum, $59
Storing shoes is been a source of anxiety for me for years now. I have a lot of shoes, and I don't believe in throwing them in the bottom of my closet. Currently I have an over the door shoe rack which is ugly and very dorm-y. Enter the perfect shoe cabinet! I will be buying a couple of these and having the BF put them on the wall in the bedroom. The I will decorate them with these:

Blik, Iron Vines, $60
I'll put these decals on the cabinet to make the storage artsy and functional


Just Wine Racks, Oenophilia Bali 12 Bottle, $59
It's ok to be so totally jealous of our new wine rack. It pops with color and is modern. Love it.





I love our dinner plates. The orange pops against the yellow (hard to tell in photos). The plates aren't super heavy and best of all they were reasonably priced!









Crate and Barrel, Orange Vista Dinner Plate, out of stock
Crate and Barrel, Loire Yellow Plate, $4.95





Crate and Barrel, Party Tumbler, $0.95
And how could I say no to these glasses? So fun!

Got ideas for me? I'm always looking, let me know!