Friday, March 9, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my fave recipes from this week, and come back on Monday for a fun giveaway!


Cilantro Cream Risotto with Shrimp 
c/o LPU and Food.com
Ingredients

  • cups water
  • cups chicken broth
  • cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • 13; cup butter or 13; cup margarine , divided
  • ¾ lb shrimp , peeled, deveined and chopped
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • garlic clove , minced
  • cup uncooked arborio rice or medium grain rice
  • medium tomatoes , chopped and seeded
  • 13; cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup chopped green onion
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Directions


  • 1. Heat water and broth in 2 quart saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.

  • 2. Meanwhile, combine cream and cilantro in small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until mixture is reduced in half, about 20 to 30 minutes.

  • 3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium high heat. Add shrimp; cook until pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove from saucepan; keep warm.

  • 4. Cook onion and garlic in remaining butter over medium heat until soft. Add rice and stir 2 to 3 minutes.

  • 5. Increase heat to medium high; stir in 1 cup water/broth mixture.

  • 6. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed. Continue stirring adding remaining water/broth mixture, 1 cup at a time, allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding another.

  • 7. Cook until rice is tender and mixture has a creamy consistency, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

  • 8.Stir in cilantro cream, shrimp, tomatoes, green onions, pepper and salt. Stir until mixture is creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

    Banana Coffee Cake with Toffee Topping
    Ingredients
    For the toffee crumb topping
    1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
    1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
    1/2 cup toffee bar bits

    For the coffee cake:
    2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    3 large eggs
    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1/2 cup mashed banana
    1 cup sour cream


  • Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray a 10-inch springform pan or a 13 x 9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place pan on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

    2. For the toffee topping, in a small bowl, blend confectioners' sugar and flour. Using our fingertips, rub butter into flour mixture to make a mealy crumb mixture. Stir in toffee bits and set topping aside.

    3. In a medium bowl, hand-whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

    4. In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well, scraping bottom of bowl occasionally to ensure there's no unmixed butter or sugar. Add banana, sour cream, and dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until thoroughly blended, about 2 to 4 minutes, scraping mixture on sides and bottom to ensure all batter is blended.

    5. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Distribute topping over batter.

    6. Bake until cake is done, springs back when gently pressed with fingertips, and see set, about 45 to 50 minutes for a 13 x 9-inch pan or 55 to 70 minutes for a springform pan.

    7. Let cool about 15 minutes before gently unmolding onto a serving plate.

    Asian Glazed Drumsticks
    Ingredients
    • 8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed
    • olive oil spray (I used my Misto)
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce (more or less to taste)
    • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1/2 cup soy sauce
    • 4 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
    • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
    • 1 tsp ginger, grated
    • 2 tbsp chives or scallions, chopped
    • 1 tsp sesame seeds
    Directions
    In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes a thick glaze, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don't want it to burn when it start becoming thick) Transferchicken to a platter and pour glaze on top. Top with chives and sesame seeds and serve.

    Thursday, March 8, 2012

    Skinny Cuff

    So often when you think of a cuff bracelet you think thick and clunky, but I'm really loving the skinny cuff right now. It resembles a bangle but with the structure of a cuff.

    Madewell, Gold Dot Cuff, $24
    Simple and can work for some many styles depending on what you pair it with. Preppy with an oxford, boho with some buffalo plaid.

    This industrial looking bracelet has a great rocker edge to it.

    Natalie B, Love Word Cuff, $48
    A little hobo chic, no? But add it to your gold watch and you can dress it up.

    Free People, Mulholland Cuff, $28
    I love this Aztec inspired engraving on this piece, something rugged about it.

    House of Harlow, Spike and Cone Cuff, $95
    I'm obsessed with this bracelet. It is so unexpected for someone who usually dresses very girly. This cuff to me says, bring it on.

    So if you've avoided cuffs because they're too thick, too much of a statement on your arm; check out these options and layer a couple on to add some bling to your outfit.

    Be fabulous today!

    Wednesday, March 7, 2012

    Reader Request: Bridesmaid

    IT'S HAPPENING!!!! (Bridesmaid reference, if you didn't get it, go rent it immediately).

    For those ladies who will be taking one for the team this spring or summer and standing up there next to the bride, this one is for you.  I have a reader and friend who needs two dresses, one navy blue and one black and she wanted a one shoulder. Let's see what I found.

    This lightweight dress would be perfect for an outdoor wedding and easy to add any accent colors to accessorize.

    The banding of the chiffon on the bodice is just beautiful, you could even add a skinny belt around the waist for a little extra pop of color.

    Oh my gosh I LOVE this dress. Forget the wedding, I want to wear this now! The silk, the one shoulder, it also comes in dark navy.

    The length on this dress is great for a wedding, not mini, not tea length, just great.

    Navy and black isn't always the most fun color dress to shop for, but don't worry, the bride might be open to a hot pink heeled sandal, or a skinny glitter belt. Have some fun with it! And don't be limited to bridal shops, look at your normal stores and find a great tailor in your area!

    Be fabulous today!

    Tuesday, March 6, 2012

    A Little Me

    You guys. It's my birthday! Yep. And while I'm not expecting any monumental changes to happen today, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for reading TCB. The Capital Barbie is about looking good without breaking the bank. I hope it offers you inspiration for outfits, creative gift ideas and just a fun place to get away from the everyday.

    So often when I sit down on Sundays to write a couple of posts I think, why am I doing this? It's not how I make a living, but what I realize is it's how I want to live. I want to make you feel fabulous. I want you to feel fabulous when it's freezing and raining outside and I want you to feel fabulous when you're late and running out the door to work. Sometimes work, kids, or life gets in the way of us just taking a moment to look in the mirror and realize how amazing we are. I hope you take that moment every.single.day.

    You're fabulous because you care, because you inspire, because you motivate. And when you remember that on the inside, it shows on the outside. Yes, labels are nice, but so are groceries and rent, and other things you should probably keep paying. So use this place for fashion inspiration that will allow you to look amazing and feel amazing about the amount of money you're spending.

    Before I get all sappy and thankful to each and every one of you I'm going to end with what I'm going to wear to my birthday dinner on Friday with some of my great friends.

    Be fabulous today!

    Asos, Spot Mesh dress, $62