Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite Labor Day Weekend recipes.

Cantaloupe Margaritas
c/o Country Cleaver
Ingredients
2 cups Chopped Ripe Cantaloupe, chilled
1/2 cup Silver Tequila
1/4 cup Lime Juice
2 Tbsp Orange Liqueur
1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
2 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Coarse Salt

Directions
In a blender or food processor, blend the cantaloupe until it is smooth.
Fill a cocktail shaker with cantaloupe puree, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave. Shake vigorously.
In a small dish, mix together the sugar and salt. Using a slice of lime, wipe around the rim of two glasses. Dip the rim of the glasses into the sugar/salt mixture. Fill both glasses with ice. Pour cantaloupe margarita into the glasses. Serve immediately.

Bacon Wrapper Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
  • 4 (6 ounce) chicken breasts, butterflied or pounded thin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons roasted jalapenos (or fresh, or pickled), diced
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup monterey jack or cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 slices bacon

Directions
  1. Lay the chicken flat, season the outside with salt and pepper, spread 1/4 of the mixture of the jalapenos and the cheeses on the chicken breasts, roll them up and wrap each in 2 slices of bacon
  2. Grill over indirect medium heat, with the lid down, until the bacon is crispy and the chicken is cooked (160F to 165F), about 20-30 minutes, or bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven on a wire rack on a baking pan until cooked, about 20-30 minutes, turning the oven to broil for the last few minutes to ensure that the bacon is crispy.






Gluten Free S'mores Tartlets
Ingredients
For the graham cracker crust:
  • 4 oz gluten free or reduced fat Graham crackers
  • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp whipped unsalted butter
For the chocolate filling:
  • 8 oz 60% chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup canned fat free evaporated milk
  • 2 large eggs
For the marshmallow meringue:
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1/4 cup egg whites (from 2 large eggs)
  • 1/8 tsp cream of tarter
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line a mini muffin pan with 24 liners and set aside.
Crush the cookies (using blender or rolling pin) and put the crumbs in a bowl; stir in butter and brown sugar, I used my fingers to combine well until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Divide about 1 tbsp of crumbs into muffin liners and press down.  Bake for about 10 min then lower oven temp to 325°F.
Place the chopped chocolate in a large bowl.  In a sauce pan heat the milk for the chocolate filling until its just about to boil, remove from heat before it boils.  Pour the milk over the chocolate and let stand for a moment to let the chocolate melt, then whisk to combine well.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs well.  Slowly add a small amount of the chocolate mixture to the eggs (about ¼ cup at a time) in 3 additions, you want to make sure you don’t scramble the eggs so whisk vigorously after each addition until all of the eggs and chocolate are mixed together.
Fill the muffin liners almost to the top.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until it sets.  Let cool and start your meringue.
Stir together the sugar and water in a small sauce pan and heat on high heat until boiling and and it starts to turn a nice amber color, 5 min, shut the fire and swirl in the pan for another minute
Meanwhile, while you are caramelizing the sugar using a hand mixer with a whip attachment, whip the egg whites and cream of tarter on medium high until soft peaks form, turn to medium low and very slowly pour in the hot sugar syrup turn to high and whip until very thick and glossy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Blend in vanilla.
Transfer to a piping bag and dollop the merengue on top of each tartlet. Use a torch or broil in the oven for 2 minutes until it golden, careful not to burn. Eat within 4 hours.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Raw Beauty

Let's talk jewelry. Not your standard bling, more the OG bling. The raw bling. The geode. Perhaps the original statement piece to end all statement pieces because its simply stunning.

The burst of color is unlike anything else. I love this with a simple tank top or a sweater this winter.

The first thing that came to mind with this piece is aggressive, but it's also beautiful. Aggressively beautiful.

I am so happy BaubleBar is available at Nordstrom, they have some beautiful pieces and this one is no different.

I love this necklace because the pendant is balance with translucent beads, not a gold chain.

A geode piece of jewelry is sure to get you compliments. It's unfinished look is eye catching and attention grabbing. 

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post


Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Dynamic Denim

Last week my mom came into town for some wedding planning. We were walking around town and she mentioned that she's been on the hunt for a denim jacket as a transition jacket for summer nights into fall. This one's for you, mom.

Let's start with the classic. Levi's. You can't go wrong on the fit, quality, or price.

Uniqlo, Women Denim Jacket, $39
And speaking of great prices. Under $40? Yep.

I love this brand for denim. It lasts forever and they have some great washes.

American Eagle, AEO Denim Jacket, $59 $29
Looking for something a little more distressed? Try this option at 50% off!

A denim jacket is going to be a workhorse piece in your closet from now until November. Find one that goes with your style so its easy to throw on top of anything.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post


Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Knot for Nothing

I often talk about details. Polka dots, hemlines, exposed zippers. Such small attention to detail points that can change the look of a piece. Today let's talk about knots.

Nordstrom, Halogen Knot Front Tee, $23
I love this tee. It's so cute and casual. It also comes in five other colors!

Simple but better than your average tee!

I'm scooping this up for fall asap. Sweatshirts are coming back and this one is amazing.

Joe Fresh, Knot Tee in Light Blush, $19
Great fit on this tee. It hugs but you can still enjoy Taco Tuesday.

Spicing up your tee is easy with accessories, but I like the idea of a tee that does the work for you! Try a knot for some simple spunk in your casual wear.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post