Lemon Risotto

I love Risotto, I got this recipe from my Rachael Ray Look and Cook Cookbook. I love trying different flavors with my risotto and this went perfect with the chicken dish I made with it (recipe posted tomorrow)

• 1 qt chicken stock
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves grated
• 1 cup arborio rice
• zest and juice of 1 lg lemon
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• handful of shredded basil leaves

1. Heat the stock so it's warm
2. In large pot heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the garlic and saute about 2-3 minutes
4. Stir in the rice and zest of the lemon, heat for 1-2 minutes and then stir in wine
5. Cook till wine is evaporated
6. Add the stock a few ladles at a time. Stir on and off and add more stock as the pan starts to become dry around the edges
7. When rice is cooked to al dente and liquid is mostly evaporated season with salt and pepper, stir in butter, lemon juice, cheese and herbs.
8. Serve and enjoy

Chinese Dim Sum

These aren't homemade, but are amazing. If you are lucky enough like I am to have a traditional chinese market by you, definitely stop in. We love Shumai, chinese dumplings and all kinds of authentic Chinese food (while chicken and broccoli and sesame chicken is great, this stuff is much better that that take out your order). So we picked up a variety of different shumai and dumplings and steamed them at home. The rice was steamed while wrapped in soy bean paper and had a mushroom sauce on it. We also love going to Shabu Shabu and if you've never been the best way to describe it is almost like a fondue, they bring a big pot of broth out to the table that is kept warm on a burner. You add meats, veggies, noodles, etc and cook it right at the table. The variety of food you add gives the broth a wonderful flavor. Next time we go I will take some pictures to share. We keep chopsticks on hand at home since we do make Chinese food pretty often.

Creme Brulee

I love Creme Brulee, but have never made it at home. So I pinned this recipe a little while ago and had to make it. Turned out amazing and was much easier than I thought it'd be so will definitely be making it again. Here is the link to the recipe
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/12/creme-brulee/

San Diego Comic Con Scrapbook Pages

We had an amazing time at San Diego Comic Con 2012 and can't wait to go back this year. The city is just beautiful and the weather was amazing. We discovered some awesome restaurants we can't wait to go back to and I can't wait to take more pictures now that I've perfected my new camera. Now that we have gone once we will make sure to get more autographs and try to get into a few more celebrity signings.

Chicken Parm Meatballs

I love making meatballs with different meats such as chicken, turkey, etc. So when I found this recipe on pinterest I know I had to try it. These would be great as appetizers for a party if you made them a little smaller, serve in a cute little individual dish or shot glass with some salt. Here is the link to the recipe


http://www.forkfulofcomfort.com/2012/08/chicken-parmesan-meatballs.html

Basil Asiago Risotto

This was a wonderful side dish to make with dinner. I love risotto and love trying out new recipes. Will be saving this one to make again. Here's the link for the blog with the recipe. Found this one thanks to pinterest.

http://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/basil-asiago-risotto-2/

Drunken Coffee Jello Squares

These are great for any party you may have and so quick and easy to make. I used vanilla vodka in these, but they'd also be great with caramel vodka, caramel baileys or kahlua. Here is the link to the blog I found the recipe on
http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/08/04/drunken-coffee-jello-squares/

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This is a food network recipe and was great for this extreme cold weather we've had lately. I wanted to put this in bread bowls, but forget to get the bread on my way home from work. Next time I will definitely put them in a bread bowl. This soup was really good and I have leftovers for work tomorrow.

• 6 medium potatoes
• 12 slices thick cut bacon
• 1/2 cup flour
• 6 cups warm milk
• 6 oz sharp cheddar, grated
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 oz sour cream
• 3 tbsp chopped chives

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Bake potatoes 35-45 minutes until a paring knife will go through easily.
2. Slice the bacon into thin strips and cook over medium heat till crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the drippings in the pot.
3. Add the flour to the pot with the drippings and stir to combine. Cook and stir until flour and fat is combined, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in the milk while whisking. Cook over medium heat till bubbly and thickened, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes.
5. Remove skins from potatoes, chop potatoes into chunks and pour into pot.
6. Mash with wooden spoon or use immersion blender, leave some chunks in the soup.
7. Add the bacon, cheese and season with salt and pepper.
8. Stir and cook till cheese is melted.
9. Ladle into bowls, top with sour cream, sprinkle with bacon and chives (you can also sprinkle with more cheese if desired)

Sausage Lasagna

This lasagna is a little different, uses cream cheese instead of ricotta. When I found it on pinterest I was intrigued. Was really good and so different from the usual lasagna I make. Here is the link to the great blog I found the recipe on

http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2012/10/homemade-lasagna-sausage.html

Ham and Cheese Waffle

I got this recipe from Bon Appetit magazine and have had it saved for awhile. Glad I finally made it.

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 lg egg yolks
• 3 lg egg whites
• 2 sticks melted butter
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup seltzer
• 1 cup ham, sliced into strips
• 3/4 cup shredded white cheddar

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside.
2. Whisk egg whites in separate bowl until soft peaks form
3. Whisk egg yolks, melted butter, buttermilk and seltzer. Add slowly into dry ingredients.
4. Fold in egg whites
5. Pour batter onto waffle iron and sprinkle with ham and cheese.
6. Cook until golden brown and keep warm in oven until you finish all waffles
7. Serve with maple syrup and enjoy

Chicken Meatballs

These are a great meatballs to serve with your favorite pasta and sauce. I usually grate parmesan cheese on top, but that's optional.

• 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan reggiano cheese
• 1 tsp chopped parsley
• salt and pepper (based on your taste preferences, you can always make a small meatball to cook up quick to check your seasoning)
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp italian seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Combine all ingredients till all mixed and combined, if a little too wet to form into balls add a little more bread crumbs.
3. Form mixture into balls and place on baking sheet
4. Bake 15-25 minutes (depends on the size meatball you made)
5. Once done serve with your favorite pasta and sauce

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

I picked up Cherry flavored M&M's at Target in the Valentine section and figured they'd be good in chocolate chip cookies. Definitely was a great addition to the cookies.

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup cherry M&M's
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Cream butter and sugars till combined
3. Add eggs, one at a time.
4. Add vanilla
5. Combine flour, salt and baking powder and slowly mix into butter mixture
6. Stir in m&m's and chocolate chips.
7. Drop by tablespoonfuls on cookie sheet
8. Bake 8-10 minutes until set.

N.Y.C. Favorite Places for Dessert

Since I get asked often what my favorite places are for dessert in the city I figured I'd share it on my blog so it would be easy for me to refer back to. I love checking out new places in the city and discovering new favorites.

1. Prohibition Bakery - This bakery mixes two of my favorites - alcohol and cupcakes. They have such wonderful varieties and I've picked up some from here to take to parties and they've always been a hit. My favorites are the Pretzels & Beer and the White Russian. They also have non alcoholic cupcakes that are really good.

2. Baked - This one is located in Brooklyn. Definitely grab a coffee here while you get your baked goods. Wish this one was closer to me because everything I've tried I've loved. They now have mixes of some of their items at Williams Sonoma, but nothing beats getting this in person. They also have  a few cookbooks out that share their amazing recipes. If you stop here you definetely need to get a brownie, the sweet and salty is my favorite. The banana and red velvet whoopie pies are amazing and worth a try. The apple pie and sweet and salty tart are also big hits. I don't think you could go wrong with whatever you pick here.

3. La Maison du Macaron - amazing french macarons, my favorite flavors are Vanilla, Champagne and Caramel. If you are a fan of these cookies, or even't if you haven't had them ever and you are in the neighborhood check this place out.

4. Mo Gelato - this place is located in Little Italy and as you can tell by the name they specialize in Gelato. The coffee and mint flavors are my favorite

5. Junior's - you have to try their famous cheesecake, Red Velvet, Black Forest and plain are my favorites. When we have company visiting from out of state we try to pick up one of their amazing cheesecakes for the house.

6. Jacques Torres - amazing chocolate, if you come in the cold weather you need to get a hot chocolate here. They have a few locations in the city and would be great to pick up some chocolate here to take home. Pick up a few chocolate chip cookies here and some truffles. I love picking up holiday chocolates and lollipops here.

7. Wafels and Dinges - this one is a food truck, discovered them thanks to Bobby Flay who did a throwdown with them. The throwdown one is my favorite with the spekuloos spread. If you are looking for savory they also have a pulled pork waffle that's wonderful.

8. Doughnut Plant - So many amazing flavors here you can't go wrong. Pick up some coffee while you get your donut.

Scrapbook Pages

Here are some of the layouts I did this week. I've been trying to catch up on my pile of photos and I know once the warm weather gets here I won't be scrapping as much.

My Favorite Beauty Products

I figured I'd share some of my current favorite beauty products, I love hearing what products people love and sometimes I find great new products from what people share. I get birchbox each month, which is a monthly beauty sample kit which has helped me discover a bunch of new products. I'm obsessed with trying new products and love browsing Sephora and Ulta.

 

1.OPI Liquid Sand Nailpolish - I love this latest collection OPI released, this is the color I have on now, but I found the picture online since I never seem to get a good picture of my nail color. I have a huge stash of nail polish and I bought one color of this to try it out and now I have all of the colors in this line.

 

2. Stila Primer - I use this every morning and love how it blends in to my face and it's great under my makeup

3. Michael Kors Hollywood Perfume- I love the smell of this

4. Urban Decay Cannonball Waterproof Mascara - love how this makes my lashes stand out, doesn't smudge and lasts a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner

6. Philosophy Lip Gloss

7. Soap and Glory Heel Genius - I've been dealing with dry heals this winter and usually don't have them this bad, I bought this and it works amazing

8. Pomegranate Moisturizer - I put this on at night before bed, it's light on my skin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Garlic Potato Wedges

These were quick and easy and a great compliment to any meal. I made these with steak, you can change up the seasoning to whatever you like

• 4-5 of your favorite potatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp onion salt
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Chop the potatoes into wedges and place in bowl.
2. Coat with olive oil and pour seasoning on top. Stir till each wedge is coated
3. Place on baking sheet covered with aluminum foil, skin side down.
4. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes (keep an eye on them as they bake)

Valentine Gift Ideas

So my husband thinks Valentine's is a hallmark holiday, he sends flowers to work and gets me a gift, so this year to get him in the spirit I decided to do an idea I found on pinterest. I'm doing 14 days of valentines starting February 1st and each will have a cheesy saying with them. Then on the 14th will be a gift bag full of things I know he will love. Here are some ideas with the items I'm doing. I wrapped the items, you don't have to I had this wrap and the bags for awhile got them on clearance years ago.

I found these hot cocoa stirrers at Target and thought they'd be perfect. Made the tags all on kraft cardstock and used rub ons and handwriting for the lettering.



Wrapped up the gum in Valentine tissue paper

 This one is hard to see, it's mini cupcakes in a push pop container

 

 Bananas 4 U