Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Foodday!

Oh thank goodness! It's Friday Foodday! Have a great weekend everyone!

Chicken Puttanesca with Angel Hair Pasta
c/o Cooking Light
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
  • 1/4 cup pitted and coarsely chopped kalamata olives
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh basil or basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
  • Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.
  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add chicken to pan; sprinkle evenly with salt. Cook chicken 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta sauce, olives, capers, and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes or until chicken is done, stirring frequently. Arrange 1 cup pasta on each of 4 plates; top with 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Garnish with chopped basil or basil sprigs, if desired.
Yummy Mummy Spinach Dip
c/o Kraft Foods
Ingredients

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen pizza dough, thawed
1   egg, beaten
2 sticks KRAFT POLLY-O STRING-UMS String Cheese
2   black olive slices
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S Reduced Fat or KNUDSEN Light Sour Cream
1/4 cup  KRAFT Light Ranch Dressing
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1   green onion, sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped red peppers
1/4 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  WHEAT THINS Original Crackers
 
Directions
PAT dough into 12x6-inch oval on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Indent dough, about 3 inches from one end of oval, for the mummy's head. Let rise in warm place 20 min. or until doubled in volume.
HEAT oven to 375ºF. Brush dough with egg. Bake 18 to 20 min. or until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped lightly. Pull apart string cheese to make about 16 strips; arrange on bread for the mummy's wrappings. Bake 1 to 2 min. or just until cheese is melted; cool slightly. Press olive slices into bread for the mummy's eyes; cool completely.
MEANWHILE, mix sour cream and dressing in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in next 5 ingredients. Refrigerate 30 min. or until ready to serve.
USE sharp knife to remove bread from top of mummy's body; scoop out bread from center, leaving thin shell on bottom and side. (Reserve bread top. Discard removed bread or reserve for another use.) Fill bread with spinach dip just before serving; cover with top of bread. Serve with crackers. (Nutrition information is for dip and crackers only.) 

Caramelized Banana and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast 
c/o Lauren's Latest  
Ingredients
for the filling-
2 large bananas
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
for the french toast-
8 slices bread
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt
butter, for frying

Directions
In a large skillet heat butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat. Slice bananas on the diagonal and place into hot pan. Cook 5 minutes per side or until bananas have caramelized. Remove from heat.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon together until combined. Spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Place bananas in a single layer on one slice and top with another slice of bread to create a sandwich. Repeat until there are 4 sandwiches created.
In a pie plate or other shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt together. Preheat large skillet to medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each sandwich in egg mixture right before placing into the hot pan to cook. Cook 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter and syrup.

 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Front Pocket Totes

Happy almost Friday! Today we're talking totes, but specifically front pocket totes.  You know when you need to grab your keys/subway card/insert important item here and it's lost in the abyss of your tote? Front pocket totes are perfect for those times.

Nine West, Uplifted Tote, $69
I love this bag, such a great color mix for fall.

Rugby, Classic Canvas Tote, $98
Sturdy, classic, Ralph Lauren at his best.

American Eagle, Plaid Flannel Tote, $34
Two straps, great colors, perfect for a full day of errands, work or whatever else life brings you.

I love this retro inspired bag.  This is how you do a weekender.

Front pocket is such a small detail but in a crunch it is so helpful!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dot Dress

Happy Wednesday lovebugs! Today we're talking my favorite pattern: polka dots.  I love polka dots for fall and winter because they warm up any outfit.  Today let's look at polka dot dresses.

Forever 21, Polka dot and lace dress, $24
A little lace mixed with some dots always makes a ladylike combination.


Modcloth, Southern Bell Dress, $57
Pair this with black tights for date night and I promise you will be the most beautiful girl in the room.



Zara, Polka Dot Dress, $49
I love the 60s chic this dress has; the dropped waist is so casual and easy.

Nordstrom, Adrianna Pappel Tiered Chiffon Dress, $89
I'm obsessed with this dress. The tiers, the chiffon, the print, just amazing. Reminds me of a Kate Spade dress.

Do you like to wear all over dots? I think it's such an easy print to pull off for day or night.  

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Not Your Average Pump

Now that it is starting to get chillier and we have to pull out the jeans and pants, why not spice up your feet with some bright pumps?

Nine West, Martina, $79
Well hello teal suede! Where have you been all of my life?

Urban Outfitters, UO Suede Pump, $49
I've been coveting these heels for months now. I love the sculptural heel and the round toe.

BCBG Taffi Wedge, $88
Ooo these suede wedges, so winter, so lovely.

Modcloth, Green of the Crop Heel, $52
These wedges are so fun. I love the forest green color.

So just because you put away your fave pedicure colors doesn't mean your feet can't have any fun! Try to spruce up your shoe wardrobe with bright colors!

Be fabulous today!