Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,
Here are my favorite recipes this week!

Chipotle Cherry Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
1.5 oz Bourbon 
5-6 cocktail cherries (Mess Hall Cocktail Co)
1/4 oz lemon juice
2 dashes Tabasco Chipotle Sauce
Seltzer

Directions
Muddle cherries, lemon juice and Tabasco in a rocks glass. Add bourbon and ice. Top with seltzer and give a stir. Garnish with cocktail cherry.
Beef and Pepper Stir Fry
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 pound steak (sirloin or flank), sliced thinly
  • 1 green pepper, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (gluten-free or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce* (use gluten-free substitute below for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon chill sauce such as sambal oelek (or to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup green onion, sliced

Directions
  1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the beef and stir-fry until just cooked, about 2-4 minutes.
  2. Add the peppers and stir-fry until just tender-crisp, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the mixture of the soy sauce, sweet soy sauce sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce, garlic, ginger and the mixture of the cornstarch and water to the pan and cook until it thickens a bit, about a minute.
  4. Remove from heat, mix in the sesame oil and serve over white rice or noodles, quinoa, etc. garnished with the green onions.

Snickers-Inspired Bar Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookie layer:1 1/2 cups (6 3/8 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick; 4 ounces) room-temperature unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup (7 1/2 ounces) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the caramel-peanut layer:4 tablespoons (1/2 stick; 2 ounces) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (5 1/2 ounces) light corn syrup
1/4 cup (1 7/8 ounces) packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup (5 ounces) roasted salted peanuts
For the topping:1 cup milk chocolate chips
Maldon salt or other flaky sea salt 
Directions
Make the cookie layer: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8- or 9-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
With a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a hand-held electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and stir in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated.
Stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer.
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the dough is firm, golden, and just starting to brown at the edges. Cool on a wire layer until the caramel nougat is finished.
While the cookie layer bakes, make the caramel layer: Melt the butter over medium heat in a high-sided saucepan at least 2 quarts in capacity. Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cream. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves completely and the liquid comes to a boil.
Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook without stirring until the thermometer reads 246 to 248°F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat.
Stir the peanuts into the caramel, then carefully pour over the cookie layer. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the caramel to firm up a bit.
Assemble the bars: Melt the chocolate chips in a small (1-quart) saucepan or skillet over low heat.
Carefully pour the melted chocolate over the bar, spreading evenly and gently with an offset spatula to cover the entire top. Sprinkle with Maldon or other flaky sea salt, if desired.
Let rest at room temperature for 2 hours, until the caramel has set and the chocolate has hardened.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Paint The Bag Red

Today's post is inspired by the lovely Bf who got me the most beautiful Kate Spade bag ever for Presidents Day. A beautiful red bag is the perfect pop of color to make a statement. It packs a punch with it's lipstick hue and a style that will fit any budget.

Pow. Red, statement, love.

This bag is stunning. It's a great size for the weekend and the combination of a tassel and suede with this price tag? You can't beat it!

Modcloth, Double Decker Crush Bag, $59
How much fun is this bag? I love it with booties or culottes and heels.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Dylan North South Tote Bag, $75
A fantastic color block tote that you can throw in what you need for the day and go.

You can thank The Bf for the inspiration today, grab a new bag that packs a punch. Shocking red is just what I needed in this never ending winter!

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Time for a Change

It's humpday, not that I'm checking, or counting down, or anything like that. We're getting there. And to help us watch the time go by on this Wednesday, why don't we upgrade our watch? I've got some great styles with round face details that are sure to fit any budget.

Simply perfect for work or play. Chic black, white, and gold, with a great graphic.

How versatile is this watch? Suit, jeans, black, brown, red, you pair it, it works.

Asos, Large Face Fine Case Watch, $35
Mod. Chic. A bit masculine but balanced with the thin strap.

Urban Outfitters, Braided Leather Map Watch, $29
Travel bug? This watch is perfect for you or a gift. I love the braided strap.

So check your wrist. Add something useful to your arm party.

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

That's A Wrap

Happy Tuesday lovebugs!
I hope you had a lovely weekend whether it was long or not so long. We got a couple of inches of snow in DC this weekend, which in my opinion was a reward for putting up with frigid temps all weekend! And its supposed to be 60 this weekend. While the weather may wacky, let's keep it season specific with some wrap sweaters. In the summer, we love wrap dresses, so why not carry the silhouette to winter in the form of a sweater?

Supple cashmere in a rich merlot. Talk about a statement yet class neckline.

Lord and Taylor, Ralph Lauren Wrap Cardigan, $27
$50 off right now. This is going to be a go to piece in your closet. A little ballerina-esque.

And speaking of feminine, this wrap cardi reminds me of something Zooey Deschanel would wear.

Hello cozy comfort. I'm not too sure what's happening underneath but I love this heathered sweater.

So it may be 10 degrees or 50 degrees, either way you can layer up and wrap up in a wrap sweater this winter.

Be fabulous today!

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