Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday Foodday

It's Friday y'all!!! I'm so excited.  Mostly because I zero plans and sometimes that's just what you need for a fabulous weekend.


Enjoy the recipes- and remember if you want to be featured, shoot me an email with your delicious creation!


Pralines
c/o Jet Setting Divas


Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 cups of pecans
2 tbsp of butter



Directions
Mix sugar and milk in a heavy 2-quart saucepan
Bring to boil over medium heat (stirring occasionally)until mixture forms a thick syrup.
Add pecans and butter and continue to cook & stir
let cool for 10 minutes.
Use a tablespoon to quickly drop rounded balls onto sheet wax paper
Allow to cool

Should make about 20 pralines! Courtesy of my mother's cookbook!



Braised Short Ribs
c/o Annie
Ingredients

  • 5 pounds beef short ribs, bone on 
  • Kosher salt 
  • Freshly ground black pepper (I like a coarse grind) 
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
  • 1 large onion chopped 
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 
  • 1 celery rib, chopped 
  • 2 garlic cloves, skin left on 
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (comes in a jar; slightly thicker than ketchup) or paste (comes in a block)
  • 2 fresh (or dry) bay leaves 
  • 1/2 cup Madeira 
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 2 to 3 cups chicken broth

  • Directions
  • Heat the oven to 225 degrees. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large heavy Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the oil, then the short ribs (add them in batches, if necessary) and brown on all sides. Transfer the ribs to a plate as they finish browning. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat.
    2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the vegetables are soft and all the browned bits in the base of the pot have been loosened. Put the short ribs (and any juices that have collected on the plate) back in the pot.
    3. Add the light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tamarind paste, and bay leaves. Pour in the Madeira and red wine. Add enough chicken broth to just cover the ribs. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover the pot and transfer to the oven.
    4. Braise the shortribs until they are very tender when pierced with a fork, about 4 hours (longer if the short ribs are big). Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shortribs to a plate. Let the cooking liquid settle; spoon off as much fat as possible (ideally, you'd do this over the course of two days and would, at this point, put the liquid in the fridge overnight and peel off the layer of fat in the morning). Set the pot on the stove over medium high heat. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil and reduce to a syrupy consistency.
    5. Lay a short rib or two in each of 4 wide shallow bowls. Spoon over a little sauce. Serve proudly.
    Meatballs and Noodles in a Cream Sauce
    c/o M&SJ+C
    Ingredients
    1 pound ground beef (85% or so)
    1 package garlic and herb Boursin cheese
    Salt and pepper
    Vegetable oil
    1 onion, chopped fine
    2 tablespoons all purpose flour
    3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
    8 ounces egg noodles
    1/4 cup white wine
    1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
    Directions
    Combine beef, 5 tablespoons Boursin cheese, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and knead gently until combined. Form mixture into 1 inch meatballs. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook meatballs until well browned all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer meatballs to plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan.

    Cook onion in reserved fat until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in flour and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Add broth, noodles, and wine and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to med-low, and cook, stirring often, until pasta begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add meatballs and simmer, covered, until meatballs are cooked through and noodles are al dente, about 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in remaining Boursin cheese and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
    Cake Batter Cookies
    Ingredients
    1 (18.25 oz.) box cake mix
    1 tsp. baking powder
    2 eggs
    1/2 cup vegetable oil
    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    Directions
    1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
    2-In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix and baking powder. Add eggs and oil, then mix until well blended. (It was a bit crumbly for me so I used my hands to really mix it well- it's not as smooth as typical dough.)
     3-Stir in chocolate chips, or your choice of additions. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
    4- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Be fabulous today!

The It List!

theitlist


Happy Friday and welcome back to another endlessly inspiring IT list... there is truly something for everyone here, so get clicking!


  • rose a la mode is on vacation at the beach... and of course looking ever so stylish while there!  I love this outfit... what I wouldn't give to be walking on the beach! (get more of rose a la mode on twitter!)
  • a spot of whimsy is having a little celebration over on her blog and is giving away a one-year subscription to either martha stewart living or real simple... head on over to enter.  These are definitely two of my most favorite glossies! (get more of a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
  • much to my delight reorganized her pantry using ball jars. Swoon!  Vintage inspired organization at it's best!
  • merci blah blah looks fabulous (as always, but especially) in this breton strip top... hello gorgeous long skirt!
  • capital barbie is embracing scalloping in fashion... it's so fun and feminine, it's hard not to be drawn to it. I love these red scalloped pumps! (get more of capital barbie on twitter!)
  • sweetie pie style always brings the best inspiration on a monday morning... this jade-like chain necklace had me at hello.  (get more of sweetie pie style on twitter!)
  • good life for less launched a fabulous e-book... "50 things every woman must own..." They are selling like hot-cakes, get your copy now! (get more of good life for less on twitter!)
  • a delightful design just started a fun new series called "ask abby" - check out this week's question or submit a question about interior design yourself! (get more of a delightful design on twitter!)
  • rosy + tart is giving away a $25 giftcard to modcloth.  Hello spring shopping!  Enter the giveaway and check out her spring picks right away! (get more of rosy + tart on twitter!)
  • undeniable style is paying homage to style icon jane birkin.  It's no wonder this lovely lady has one of the most coveted handbags named after her! (get more of undeniable style on twitter!)
  • good tots starts a weekly series featuring etsy sellers that carry fun goods for kids... this week's featured seller sells the most adorable Valentine's heart confetti. Must have!
  • the hillside home is pulling together inspiration for her great room. I am loving the sophisticated yet cozy blue color she has chosen for her wall.  Check out the whole inspiration on her blog!
  • a fashion fixation pulls together a very simple but very stylish outfit for a road-trip. I love the use of a belt here! (get more of a fashion fixation on twitter!)
  • yams designs delivers big time inspiration this week... all in black and white (remember last week it was technicolor?).  You have just got to see what she has pulled together! (get more of yams designs on twitter!)
  • one hundred inspirations is definitely thinking spring this week... they recreate this fun whitney port look for less than $85!  What a deal!
the IT list is published weekly by jill of the good life for less... for more information on how you can be involved... click here!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Not so straight edge

You know what I love? When a piece of clothing holds my attention because of it's detail.  Embroidery, embellishment, or interesting lines.  Today I want to highlight great hem lines like a scalloped edge.  These enhancements add a subtle pinch of personalization and sophistication.

Gap, Scallop trim top, $49.50
The scallop overlap is so interesting on this top, I might add a belt to define the waist.

Start your leg lifts and lunges now ladies, this dress will make your limbs look miles long!

Pretty gold buttons.  Try this with black tights right now.

modcloth, going places heel, $38
Yes! Even shoes have great lines!  So feminine.

J Crew, Chiffon rufflotta, $21 (on sale)
This silk blouse is so soft.  I love it with black denim or a suit!

Adding interesting elements to normal pieces can give your look new life.  Details like scalloped edges or fringe or other embellishment makes your outfit stand out.  

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Retro Wednesday

Hey there lovebugs,
I hope your humpday is going fabulously.  DC is expecting a bit of snow today, so cross your fingers for me!  Also- before I forget, who has got a recipe for me to feature? Any Super Bowl appetizers that you make every year? I would love to see them!

Today we're going to time warp a little bit.  Yesterday was all about the structured button down shirt, today let's loosen up a little bit.  I'm thinking retro, hippy, groovy, baby.  I like this trend because it's comfortable, it's affordable, and it usually let's me eat a lot without feeling trapped in my clothing.  Three very important things.

Boden, Retro spot tunic, $72
I love this print!!! It's so much fun! And it has 'retractable' belt loops so you can wear with or without the belt!  Genius.

Coldwater Creek, Matka jacket, $35
So Coldwater Creek isn't my favorite store, mostly because it's a little too country mom for me.  But I'm loving this cropped coat! The blend of colors is so chic.

Modcloth, Grand Prix necklace, $40
How adorable is this? The chain is extra long so it's perfect for a tunic of even a crewneck tee.

Gap, vintage flare jean, $69.50
I am loving these jeans.  They are dare I say, groovy?

Forever 21, Loose fitting silk top, $30
These colors are amazing, plus the seamless mix of patterns- it's downright joyful!

As you can see, the retro trend is beyond affordable and super playful.  It may need some accessory dressing up for the workday but for going out or weekend wear it is far out!

Be fabulous today!