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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Boxed Wine Pitcher Cocktail: Rose, Gin, and Pink Peppercorn Cocktail
c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients

For the pink peppercorn syrup:1/2 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons pink peppercorns

For the cocktail:24 ounces rosé wine (I used Bridge Lane)
12 ounces gin (I used the Botanist)
24 ounces white grape juice
3 ounces cranberry liqueur (I used Leopold Bros.)
3 ounces pink peppercorn syrup
12 ounces chilled tonic, to taste (I used Fever Tree)
Ice
Cranberries, for garnish (sugar them, if you have the time)
Cranberry and rosemary ice cubes, for garnish

Directions

For the pink peppercorn syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the cane sugar, water, and pink peppercorns. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat and then lower the heat to a slow simmer, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, steep for 20 minutes, discard solids, and let cool completely.

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the rosé, gin, white grape juice, cranberry liqueur, and pink peppercorn syrup. Stir until incorporated and chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to enjoy. You can make this portion of the cocktail a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator; just give the mixture a good stir before serving.

For the cocktail: When you're ready to serve the cocktail, fill your pitcher or punch bowl with ice, and add the chilled cocktail mixture. Quickly top with the tonic water, taste for balance, and give the mixture a gentle stir. Prep individual cocktail glasses with cranberry and rosemary ice cubes; add the finished rosé, gin, and pink peppercorn cocktail; and garnish with cranberry skewers.

Chicken Chili

c/o Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken parts, cut into 3 to 4 large chunks (I use a 50/50 mix of breasts and thighs)
1 small yellow onion, chopped small
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
Heat via 1 to 2 jalapenos or other fresh hot pepper, minced, or a ground chili powder of your choice, to taste
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted if you can find them or 2 10-ounce cans Ro-Tel (yield is a little less but not noticeable in final chili)
2 2/3 cups small dried beans (I use half black beans, half small red beans)
5 1/3 cups water (can replace all or part with broth)

Directions

• On the stove: Simmer the ingredients on low until the beans are tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally.
• In a slow-cooker: On HIGH for 4 1/2 to 5 hours or on LOW for 8 to 10.

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

For the muffins:

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red liquid food coloring
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

For the crumble topping:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, cubed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. To make the muffins, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, cocoa, food coloring, oil, and egg.
4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just moistened.
5. Beat together the cream cheese and remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Fold into the muffin batter, leaving some streaks and not overmixing.
6. Fill the muffin tins two-thirds full with batter.
7. To make the crumb topping, stir together the sugar and flour in a small bowl. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter until you have coarse crumbs.
8. Sprinkle the topping over the muffins and bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Headcase

Ok almost Friday, let's do this. If you're like me, at least one day a week is ponytail day. Your hair is a touch dirty, you're out of dry shampoo, you didn't blow dry it, it's ponytail day. Not all of us are fortunate to enjoy this luxury because our hair is too short for a ponytail. Enter the jeweled headband. A little bling that just distracting enough to pass off as gorgeous.

Anthropologie, Golden Pyramids Headband, $32

This hand beaded headband is beautiful not just for the colors but also for the shape. It's so different!

Forever 21, Faux Gemstone Headband, $7

A little princess but paired with the right outfit (read moto jacket) it's rocker chic.

Nordstrom, Tasha Twisted Crystal Head Wrap, $28

Difference between a headband and a head wrap? A head wrap doesn't give you that behind the ears headache.

Asos, Occasion Flower Beaded Headband, $20

What a great color combination. Blues, silvers, perfect for winter.

Whether you enjoy a ponytail day or a headband day, style it right.

Be fabulous today!

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Crushed It

Winter is the time for cozy fabrics like cashmere, wool, tweed, and velvet. Today we're going to look at the latter but have some fun with it. Velvet shoes. What? Yes.

Kohl's, LC Lauren Conrad Runway Collection Velvet High Heels, $49

Dang girl. Those are some heels. 

Asos, Missguided Velvet Block Heel Boot, $77

So chic. I weirdly LOVE the square toe on these boots.

Modcloth, Vision in Velvet Heel, $67

How about something dressy in velvet? These beauties are perfect for an LBD.

H&M, Crushed Velvet Ankle Boot, $29

These sassy boots are on super sale right now. I love that they continued the velvet down the heel.

Velvet is great for the dark days of winter. It's decadent looking without breaking the bank.

Be fabulous today!

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