Thursday, August 19, 2010

Are you hungry yet?

Sorry I haven't posted any recipes in a LONG time! The truth is, B and I started on P90X and because of the (relatively) strict diet involved, I haven't been doing any cooking or baking!! Quel nightmare, I know! The diet isn't too bad, as in I'm not ever hungry, but it's absolute torture to not be allowed to exercise my creativity in the kitchen. I almost want to bake and just send the goodies to work with B but I don't think I'm ready to face that kind of temptation (read: I don't think I'd last one second with any sort of fresh baked treat in the house, no matter how "delicious" the chocolate protein shakes are).

So until the 90 days are up, (or I decide to give up on it altogether), start looking forward to posts about my other loves: fashion, design, travel, etc.


P.S. B is taking me to MAINE for labor day!! I'm so excited!! Already researching restaurants and things to do while we're there and in the Boston area for a few days too.


Stay strong and carry on


xoxo J

Are you hungry yet?

Sorry I haven't posted any recipes in a LONG time! The truth is, B and I started on P90X and because of the (relatively) strict diet involved, I haven't been doing any cooking or baking!! Quel nightmare, I know! The diet isn't too bad, as in I'm not ever hungry, but it's absolute torture to not be allowed to exercise my creativity in the kitchen. I almost want to bake and just send the goodies to work with B but I don't think I'm ready to face that kind of temptation (read: I don't think I'd last one second with any sort of fresh baked treat in the house, no matter how "delicious" the chocolate protein shakes are).

So until the 90 days are up, (or I decide to give up on it altogether), start looking forward to posts about my other loves: fashion, design, travel, etc.


P.S. B is taking me to MAINE for labor day!! I'm so excited!! Already researching restaurants and things to do while we're there and in the Boston area for a few days too.


Stay strong and carry on


xoxo J

Friday, August 13, 2010

Bon Weekend!

If you need a little inspiration for the weekend, here it is...





Bon Weekend!


Photo from http://fantasticallypurple.tumblr.com/post/907868319

Bon Weekend!

If you need a little inspiration for the weekend, here it is...





Bon Weekend!


Photo from http://fantasticallypurple.tumblr.com/post/907868319

Three sisters

My sisters are my best friends, beautiful inside and out. Each one of us is unique but we are so similar in many ways. Even though we live far apart, we share a common bond that can never be broken. And when we're together, though it may be infrequently, it feels like we were never separated.




I love this photo of of three sisters in nightgowns. And I love my sisters :)


Photo from http://itsokbestupid.tumblr.com

Three sisters

My sisters are my best friends, beautiful inside and out. Each one of us is unique but we are so similar in many ways. Even though we live far apart, we share a common bond that can never be broken. And when we're together, though it may be infrequently, it feels like we were never separated.




I love this photo of of three sisters in nightgowns. And I love my sisters :)


Photo from http://itsokbestupid.tumblr.com

Thursday, August 12, 2010

J’Aime Mon Carré

J'aime Hermès!! I love "J’Aime Mon Carré"!

I happened upon this little website and found such inspiration in the gorgeous designs of the Hermès scarves and the unique style of each of the beautiful women wearing them!

Le sigh....


a few of the new designs....




and a few of the gorgeous ways to wear your Hermès....






Are you inspired yet?

J’Aime Mon Carré

J'aime Hermès!! I love "J’Aime Mon Carré"!

I happened upon this little website and found such inspiration in the gorgeous designs of the Hermès scarves and the unique style of each of the beautiful women wearing them!

Le sigh....


a few of the new designs....




and a few of the gorgeous ways to wear your Hermès....






Are you inspired yet?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Feature: Je l'aime

I love knobs. Um...if you're from the UK that is going to sound bad, but if you're American you know what I'm talking about.

B and I visited World Market this weekend when we made the trek to Wilmington. They had the cutest selection of hooks and knobs. I think changing up the hardware on furniture pieces or the simple addition of a decorative hook can help you add a touch of whimsy or class to a kitchen, room or hallway.


Fork, Knife, Spoon hooks from World Market. $4.99


Blue ceramic knobs from World Market. $4.99 for 2

Swirling Seas Knob from Anthropologie. $12


Tin Roof Switchplates from Anthropologie. $18-$24

Feature: Je l'aime

I love knobs. Um...if you're from the UK that is going to sound bad, but if you're American you know what I'm talking about.

B and I visited World Market this weekend when we made the trek to Wilmington. They had the cutest selection of hooks and knobs. I think changing up the hardware on furniture pieces or the simple addition of a decorative hook can help you add a touch of whimsy or class to a kitchen, room or hallway.


Fork, Knife, Spoon hooks from World Market. $4.99


Blue ceramic knobs from World Market. $4.99 for 2

Swirling Seas Knob from Anthropologie. $12


Tin Roof Switchplates from Anthropologie. $18-$24

Summer Shindig

We had a lovely summer barbecue this weekend, complete with plenty of fresh delicious food, cold beverages, lawn games and some of our really great friends. Unfortunately, my camera was not in service during the barbecue (B and I were a little busy grilling, preparing the food table and enjoying the company of our guests) so I have no pictures to share.

We were so LUCKY that Mother Nature cooperated this weekend because for a few hours there things were touch and go! We thought we might have to reschedule the party because it looked like it would be pouring rain but fortunately it cleared up just in time!

One of the desserts I have had bookmarked for a while is this recipe for Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars. There was definitely some work involved with these but they were so delicious that I'd say they were absolutely worth the planning and time spent.


photo from Bon Appétit - I think mine turned out a little thicker

You can follow the link above for the recipe. I didn't make any changes except that I substituted reduced-fat cream cheese for a portion of the full-fat version and I used fine sea salt to top the bars (rather than Fleur de Sel, which I didn't have).

The recipe makes a 9x13 pan of cheesecake, so I recommend sharing it....or don't. I won't judge you :)

Summer Shindig

We had a lovely summer barbecue this weekend, complete with plenty of fresh delicious food, cold beverages, lawn games and some of our really great friends. Unfortunately, my camera was not in service during the barbecue (B and I were a little busy grilling, preparing the food table and enjoying the company of our guests) so I have no pictures to share.

We were so LUCKY that Mother Nature cooperated this weekend because for a few hours there things were touch and go! We thought we might have to reschedule the party because it looked like it would be pouring rain but fortunately it cleared up just in time!

One of the desserts I have had bookmarked for a while is this recipe for Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars. There was definitely some work involved with these but they were so delicious that I'd say they were absolutely worth the planning and time spent.


photo from Bon Appétit - I think mine turned out a little thicker

You can follow the link above for the recipe. I didn't make any changes except that I substituted reduced-fat cream cheese for a portion of the full-fat version and I used fine sea salt to top the bars (rather than Fleur de Sel, which I didn't have).

The recipe makes a 9x13 pan of cheesecake, so I recommend sharing it....or don't. I won't judge you :)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Feature: Je l'aime

I feel that in addition to my lovely recipes that I share on this blog, I'm going to start sharing other things I love. I'll call these posts Je l'aime because they're things I love and I think you'll love too!


recycled glass lanterns from West Elm

On sale $9 each!

Feature: Je l'aime

I feel that in addition to my lovely recipes that I share on this blog, I'm going to start sharing other things I love. I'll call these posts Je l'aime because they're things I love and I think you'll love too!


recycled glass lanterns from West Elm

On sale $9 each!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Blueberry Baked Bliss

If I haven't mentioned it before, I absolutely *LOVE* Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa. I've made a number of her recipes and I cannot think of a single one that didn't turn out beautifully. We enjoyed her Banana Sour Cream Pancakes for breakfast and her Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries for dessert. Her Lemon Yogurt Cake is light, tart and perfectly citrusy and the Blueberry Sauce is perfect as an accompaniment to the cake as well as any number of different baked goods (pancakes, cheesecake, ice cream, etc.).
The most impressive thing to me about Ina is her versatility (and yes, I usually refer to her as Ina as though we are on a first name basis). Not only are her desserts excellent but I've been equally as happy with the results of her lunch and dinner recipes. I consider her Greek Salad Dressing a stand-by, and I have frequently used her Mustard Chicken Salad recipe with leftover roasted chicken (using her method for roasting the chicken, of course!!) I've also made Ina's Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts with rave reviews from everyone who has tasted them.

I can honestly say these are just a FEW of the many Barefoot Contessa recipes that I have made and enjoyed. Well a few days ago I had a craving for a blueberry dessert and remembered that I had bookmarked a recipe for Blueberry Crumb Cake by none other than my favorite queen of the kitchen, Ina Garten. I had all of the ingredients on hand so I immediately set about to baking and let me tell you, I have no regrets in spite of the messy kitchen I was left to clean up afterwards :) AND Bonus: Blueberries are perfectly in-season right now and so not only are they readily available in every market and grocery store but they're inexpensive too! YAY for saving money!

The cake smelled amazing as it was baking in the oven and when I served it for dessert last night both B and I HAD to have seconds. I'm not exaggerating. It is very much a breakfast or brunch cake but we couldn't wait for breakfast! I especially enjoyed the hint of cinnamon and nutmeg and the note of lemon, and found the dense crumb just perfect for this dessert. I should say that I doubled the amount of lemon zest that the recipe called for and substituted some non-fat greek yogurt for half of the sour cream (and used light sour cream for the other half). I also substituted some light brown sugar for the white sugar in the cake, just because I could :) (You can find my adapted version of the recipe below and the original recipe via Food Network)

When I was making and assembling it, I thought there was too much streusel topping and I certainly think the cake would have been delicious with even half that was called-for, but I like streusel so the abundance did not bother me in the least :)

Next time you've got a container of blueberries sitting in your fridge and you're trying to think of something to serve for breakfast, brunch or dessert I hope you'll try this cake. I don't think you'll regret it!


mise en place


Blueberry Crumb Cake

adapted from The Barefoot Contessa


For the streusel:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

For the cake:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (3/4 stick)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup nonfat greek yogurt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 heaping cup fresh blueberries
Confectioners' sugar for sprinkling (optional, I omitted)


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round baking pan or 8x8 square pan.

For the streusel:
Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter and then the flour. Mix well and set aside.

For the cake:
Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, until light. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla, lemon zest, and sour cream/yogurt. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Take 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture and toss with the blueberries (this helps them not sink to the bottom of the pan during baking. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined. Fold in half of the blueberries and stir with a spatula to be sure the batter is completely mixed.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out with a knife. Scatter the reserved blueberries evenly over the top of the batter. With your fingers, crumble the topping evenly over the batter. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely and serve sprinkled with confectioners' sugar if desired.

streusel topping before being put onto the cake batter


the finished product

Blueberry Baked Bliss

If I haven't mentioned it before, I absolutely *LOVE* Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa. I've made a number of her recipes and I cannot think of a single one that didn't turn out beautifully. We enjoyed her Banana Sour Cream Pancakes for breakfast and her Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries for dessert. Her Lemon Yogurt Cake is light, tart and perfectly citrusy and the Blueberry Sauce is perfect as an accompaniment to the cake as well as any number of different baked goods (pancakes, cheesecake, ice cream, etc.).
The most impressive thing to me about Ina is her versatility (and yes, I usually refer to her as Ina as though we are on a first name basis). Not only are her desserts excellent but I've been equally as happy with the results of her lunch and dinner recipes. I consider her Greek Salad Dressing a stand-by, and I have frequently used her Mustard Chicken Salad recipe with leftover roasted chicken (using her method for roasting the chicken, of course!!) I've also made Ina's Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts with rave reviews from everyone who has tasted them.

I can honestly say these are just a FEW of the many Barefoot Contessa recipes that I have made and enjoyed. Well a few days ago I had a craving for a blueberry dessert and remembered that I had bookmarked a recipe for Blueberry Crumb Cake by none other than my favorite queen of the kitchen, Ina Garten. I had all of the ingredients on hand so I immediately set about to baking and let me tell you, I have no regrets in spite of the messy kitchen I was left to clean up afterwards :) AND Bonus: Blueberries are perfectly in-season right now and so not only are they readily available in every market and grocery store but they're inexpensive too! YAY for saving money!

The cake smelled amazing as it was baking in the oven and when I served it for dessert last night both B and I HAD to have seconds. I'm not exaggerating. It is very much a breakfast or brunch cake but we couldn't wait for breakfast! I especially enjoyed the hint of cinnamon and nutmeg and the note of lemon, and found the dense crumb just perfect for this dessert. I should say that I doubled the amount of lemon zest that the recipe called for and substituted some non-fat greek yogurt for half of the sour cream (and used light sour cream for the other half). I also substituted some light brown sugar for the white sugar in the cake, just because I could :) (You can find my adapted version of the recipe below and the original recipe via Food Network)

When I was making and assembling it, I thought there was too much streusel topping and I certainly think the cake would have been delicious with even half that was called-for, but I like streusel so the abundance did not bother me in the least :)

Next time you've got a container of blueberries sitting in your fridge and you're trying to think of something to serve for breakfast, brunch or dessert I hope you'll try this cake. I don't think you'll regret it!


mise en place


Blueberry Crumb Cake

adapted from The Barefoot Contessa


For the streusel:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

For the cake:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (3/4 stick)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup nonfat greek yogurt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 heaping cup fresh blueberries
Confectioners' sugar for sprinkling (optional, I omitted)


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round baking pan or 8x8 square pan.

For the streusel:
Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter and then the flour. Mix well and set aside.

For the cake:
Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, until light. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla, lemon zest, and sour cream/yogurt. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Take 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture and toss with the blueberries (this helps them not sink to the bottom of the pan during baking. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined. Fold in half of the blueberries and stir with a spatula to be sure the batter is completely mixed.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out with a knife. Scatter the reserved blueberries evenly over the top of the batter. With your fingers, crumble the topping evenly over the batter. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely and serve sprinkled with confectioners' sugar if desired.

streusel topping before being put onto the cake batter


the finished product

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Vintage Desserts

I like to watch the Today Show in the morning. Really, I should clarify - I like to watch the first hour or two of the Today Show. After that, it just devolves into an excess of wine-drinking and celebrity gossip. Now, I like celeb gossip just as much as the next gal but that's why I follow certain fine "news" outlets religiously (i.e. PopSugar, TMZ, People, to name a few). But I digress....

Anyhow, this morning the Today Show featured a segment on these old-fashioned desserts. I'm all about bringing back vintage treats (remember my recent experience baking pigs in a blanket?) so this really piqued my interest, especially the recipe for Chocolate Blackout Cake.



Photo from Cooks Illustrated


When I try it, I'll be sure to post how it turns out!

Vintage Desserts

I like to watch the Today Show in the morning. Really, I should clarify - I like to watch the first hour or two of the Today Show. After that, it just devolves into an excess of wine-drinking and celebrity gossip. Now, I like celeb gossip just as much as the next gal but that's why I follow certain fine "news" outlets religiously (i.e. PopSugar, TMZ, People, to name a few). But I digress....

Anyhow, this morning the Today Show featured a segment on these old-fashioned desserts. I'm all about bringing back vintage treats (remember my recent experience baking pigs in a blanket?) so this really piqued my interest, especially the recipe for Chocolate Blackout Cake.



Photo from Cooks Illustrated


When I try it, I'll be sure to post how it turns out!

The NYC apartment of Carrie and John Preston

A bunch of my NC ladies and I went to see Sex and the City II last night. We only paid $2 at the movie theater on base. And drinks, popcorn and candy are each only $1.

I might just start going to the movies again....

We all decided the movie was silly, over the top, dragged on a little too long and felt anticlimactic. But I was completely enamored of Carrie & Big's apartment....

The Dining Room - I love the combination of colors, textures and patterns. And what an awesome chandelier....



The living room - I love the unexpectedness of the blue couch (my husband would never let me get a couch like that), and the artwork on the wall behind it. And that chandelier peeking out from the hallway to the right....




And of course....la pièce de résistance

Carrie's closet - I love how Carrie's side is so romantic and feminine and the contrast with Big's side of the closet which is the picture of masculinity.

Le sigh> Here's to dreaming....

The NYC apartment of Carrie and John Preston

A bunch of my NC ladies and I went to see Sex and the City II last night. We only paid $2 at the movie theater on base. And drinks, popcorn and candy are each only $1.

I might just start going to the movies again....

We all decided the movie was silly, over the top, dragged on a little too long and felt anticlimactic. But I was completely enamored of Carrie & Big's apartment....

The Dining Room - I love the combination of colors, textures and patterns. And what an awesome chandelier....



The living room - I love the unexpectedness of the blue couch (my husband would never let me get a couch like that), and the artwork on the wall behind it. And that chandelier peeking out from the hallway to the right....




And of course....la pièce de résistance

Carrie's closet - I love how Carrie's side is so romantic and feminine and the contrast with Big's side of the closet which is the picture of masculinity.

Le sigh> Here's to dreaming....

Monday, July 26, 2010

Lecture de L'été

One of my favorite things to do pendant l'été is read. Maybe its the warm afternoons spent relaxing at the beach. Maybe its the abundance of time and lack of studying to do. Maybe its the fact that when I was a kid, the local public library would actually give us prizes for reading books during the summertime....

Even though I'm an adult now and nobody's handing me coupons for free McDonald's milkshakes for every 5 books I read, I still can't stop myself.

Right now I'm working on Jane Austen's Emma. It's lovely. I read it with a british accent...in my head :)


What are you reading?

Lecture de L'été

One of my favorite things to do pendant l'été is read. Maybe its the warm afternoons spent relaxing at the beach. Maybe its the abundance of time and lack of studying to do. Maybe its the fact that when I was a kid, the local public library would actually give us prizes for reading books during the summertime....

Even though I'm an adult now and nobody's handing me coupons for free McDonald's milkshakes for every 5 books I read, I still can't stop myself.

Right now I'm working on Jane Austen's Emma. It's lovely. I read it with a british accent...in my head :)


What are you reading?