Friday, May 6, 2011

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday everyone! Here are some fabulous recipes for you!

Ancho Chile-Rubbed Tenderloin Sliders
c/o Dad
Ingredients
5 lb whole beef tenderloin
1 cup Ancho Chile Rub
1 Tbsp Cumin
2 cups Chimichurri Sauce
30 Slider Buns

Directions
1.     Ask your butcher to trim the tenderloin of all sinew and fat.
2.     Thoroughly season the tenderloin with the cumin and ancho chile rub (this can be done up to two hours in advance).
3.     Preheat the outdoor grill to medium high.
4.     Place the tenderloin in the center of the grill. (If you do not have access to an outdoor grill, you can sear the tenderloin in a roasting pan on top of your kitchen range.
Add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil to the pan and set to medium high heat. Then continue to follow the directions below.)
5.     Turn the tenderloin every 5 minutes so that all sides are nicely seared.
6.     Preheat the oven to 325° F.
7.     Transfer the tenderloin to a roasting pan and finish cooking it in the oven to an internal temperature of 115 degrees for medium rare. (Depending on the size of the tenderloin this will take around 20 to 25 minutes. Keep in mind the ends will be cooked more than the middle.)
8.     Remove the tenderloin from the oven, place it on a platter, cover it with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
9.     While the tenderloin is resting, split and toast the buns.
10.  Carve the tenderloin into 1/8” thin slices, placing 2-3 slices on each bun.
11.  Garnish the meat with a drizzle of the chimichurri sauce, place the top bun on the sliders and serve immediately.
Ancho Chile Rub
Ingredients

1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup smoked paprika
2 tbsp ancho chile powder
2 tbsp salt
Directions 
1. In a clean mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Place rub in an airtight container and reserve. This step may be completed a day in advance.

Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients



½ cup Italian parsley
½ cup oregano
1 tsp salt
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup EVOO
¼ cup water 
Directions
1.     Combine the first six ingredients in a high speed blender.
2.     Purée and slowly add the olive oil and water.




Lobster, Mango and Avocado Salad
c/o Dad

Ingredients (serves 12-15)
3 Limes
¼ cup champagne vinegar
¼ cup honey
2 garlic cloves minced
¼ cup crushed red pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tsp salt
2 mangos
4 avocados
1 tomato
½ red onion peeled and diced
1 lb lobster meat
¼ cup cilantro


Directions
1.     Juice the limes into a large, clean mixing bowl.
2.     Combine the lime juice with the champagne vinegar, honey, garlic, red pepper, olive oil and salt. Whisk to combine.
3.     Peel and dice the mango into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
4.     Peel the avocado, remove the seed and dice the avocado into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
5.     Cut tomato in half horizontally. Seed the tomato and dice it into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
6.     Dice the onion into ¼-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
7.     Cut larger pieces of lobster to ½-inch pieces, then add all the lobster with cilantro leaves to mixing bowl and toss gently.
8.     Taste, and add more salt if necessary. Serve immediately

Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
  • 1/2 tsp oil
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 1 medium tomato, minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped green chiles
  • oil spray
  • salt and pepper
  • pinch cumin (optional)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 oz shredded cheese 
  • 2 tsp chopped cilantro
  • olive oil spray 
  • 2 corn tortillas 

Directions
Heat
 oil in a small pan.
 Add 
onions and cook one minute, 
add
 tomatoes, chilies, cumin, salt and pepper and cook another few minutes. 
Set aside
 and keep warm.
In another medium non-stick pan, 
lightly spray
 the tortillas with oil on each side and 
heat
 a few minutes on both sides until tortillas gets crispy and pockets or air bubbles start to form inside. 
Set aside. 
In the same pan, 
lightly spray
 more oil and 
add
 eggs, salt and pepper. 
Cover
 and 
cook
 until sunny-side up or to your liking.


To serve, place a tortilla on each plate, top with egg, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and cilantro.



Be fabulous today!

It list!!

theitlist

Happy Friday ladies!  It's hard to believe it is May already... I so thankful for longer sunnier days!
Take some time to enjoy these fabulous links today!
  • rose a la mode has been obsessing over this rose gold Michael Kors watch.  It's absolutely gorgeous... see how she snagged it on a budget! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
  • meet virginia design is looking absolutely smashing in red, one of my favorite hues for spring and summer.  Plus, she vows never to become a blogging diva - what a cute post! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
  • mama loves papa is sporting a gorgeous green vintage dress for spring. This is such a happy dress and a great silhouette. (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
  • rebecca with an r always seems to layer so effortlessly I am loving this combo of pale pink with florals.  And how cute are her new wedges? (find rebecca with an r on twitter!)
  • the capital barbie is loving flats for spring and summer - and who doesn't? Check out her fun picks including a pair of metallics that I just love! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
  • baby shopaholic dishes on her favorite brand and color of blusher.  Pop on over there to see what it is, I know I have heard LOTS of bloggers chat up with blush. It's definitely piquing my interest!
  • a spot of whimsy is still basking in the glow of the royal wedding. And so am I! Check out her favorite British brand - it's one I happen to love as well! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
  • lady M recreates this Olivia Palermo look on a dime, and it's a good one!  A perfect outfit for summer! (find lady M on twitter!)
  • the stylish housewife is wearing one of the most coveted palettes for summer: neon + neutrals. Check out her gorgeous ensemble!  I am in love with that dress!
  • sweetie pie style just updated her vintage shop, One Sweet Find.  Go check out her new offerings and she is offering a discount to IT list readers exclusively, use code: THEITLIST at checkout for 10% off! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
  • one hundred inspirations recreates this fun Anna Kendrick look for around $100 - I just LOVE these green jeans!
  • good clean fun brings us this chocolate peanut butter pie recipe.  You can thank me (or her!) later - this looks delicious! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
  • the fancy red boots is looking adorable in this simple red skirt and jean jacket. What a simple and classic look - I love it! (find the fancy red boots on twitter!)
  • good life for less is loving the white-out trend that is so popular for summer.  See how you can pull the look off yourself! (find good life for less on twitter!)
the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less - for information on how to be involved, click here!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Violet & White

Happy Thursday lovebugs!

Today I wanted to do a crisp color combination that I think will be hot for summer.  Violet and white.  This combination is super clean and chic, and can be dressed up or down.

I love this dress more in its other convertible style, as a halter, such a rich color.  I'd pair it with the necklace below:

NY & Company, bold cabochon bib necklace, $25
I like this bib necklace because it will draw attention upwards, which is nice when wearing a maxi dress.

Boden Upbeat Wool mini, $42
Oh Boden, you always know how to make me swoon.  I'd pair it with this blouse:

Loft, Ruffle neck blouse, $44
Crisp, white, and feminine.

I really love these shorts because they're not skin tight and they don't pull across the waistline. I'd pair it with this top:



Modcloth, Art Room Flirtation Top, $48
Great sleeves and I love the gathering under the bust.

So what do you think? Are you liking this color combo as much as I am?  I'm personally not quite ready for white bottoms, but in just a few short weeks I think we'll be seeing a lot of them!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Top Five Beauty-Boosters

Below is a guest post from my fabulous and makeup genius friend, Autumn.  Take it away girl:

You’re beautiful the way you are. Remove the highlights, the nail polish, the teeth whitener, the shoes, the make-up and you are who you were meant to be – natural, beautiful, you. When I want to enhance who I was born to be – play up my eyes, cheek bones, skin, I turn to these top five start-my-day, beauty boosters. Add these five products to your make-up bag and you might just find yourself tossing everything else to the curb:

1.       Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: I use this $24 fragrance-free moisturizer every day on my face and neck. After breaking up with a number of other moisturizers that left me feeling itchy, oily or claustrophobic, I found this one and I’ll never have another. It’s perfect in every way. My one piece of advice would be to avoid the “gel” version of this product – stick with the lotion and your skin will glow. The bottle lasts me a good six months, using daily so you’ll spend the cash up front but enjoy it’s lifespan for quite a while.



2.       Loreal True Match Naturale Mineral Foundation: For around $14, you can get great coverage that rivals the Bare Essentials BareMinerals line that will cost you quite a bit more.







3.       Christian Dior DiorShow Mascara: The biggest 
mascara brush you’ll ever encounter and your lashes will thank Mr. Dior for this one.  At a whopping $24, you’ll get a lot of bang but will spend quite a few bucks. I’ve also found that an inexpensive but similar alternative is Rimmel London Max Volume Flash for around $7.






4.       NARS Blush in Orgasm: This blush lives up to its scandalous name by being my absolute favorite make-up find of the decade. The peachy-pink, shimmery blush is my go-to all year long. It works on many skin tones and is very concentrated – just one pass of your cheek will do. For $27, it’s definitely a splurge, but the color is picture perfect, it lasts all day and the product itself lasts for a long time because you don’t need to put much on to get that peachy-sun-kissed glow. I’ve been wearing this same blush since the mid 2000’s and I’m not planning to switch it up any time soon. For those adventurous ones out there, there is also a Super Orgasm version. More sparkles, more fun. 

5.       Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: There is no substitution for this bad boy. This is the one and only eyelash curler I trust not to tear my lashes out or leave an unsightly crimp in the arc. Previously sold at Sephora, this silver beauty is not sold in U.S. stores anymore but you can purchase it online for $19. It’s well worth the high price tag. I promise.



I truly believe that in the world of make-up the cliche less is more is completely true, which is why you don’t see eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick or lip gloss here in my top five. A good moisturizer, foundation, blush and mascara are all you need to enhance your natural beauty and leave you fresh-faced to take on another day. Invest (and indulge!) in some of these make-up bag staples to take your morning routine to another level of beautiful.