vanilla bean cookies

Vanilla Bean cookies made with vanilla bean paste, whole wheat flour... so good!
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla bean paste
3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream sugar and butter until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Whisk together flours, baking soda, cream of tartar, and fleur de sel; beat into creamed mixture until just combined. Shape dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 minutes. Do not over bake!

Waiterrr... there is too much pepper in my paprikash...

Last night it was back to India... Chicken Rogan Josh with Basmati and Naan.
This was my first time using a spice paste that wasn't Tikka Masala, and I do say it was nice... a little spicier than Tikka Masala, and I liked that. I used Bombay Authentics Rogan Josh simmer sauce. Highly recommended.

Tonight I made Sole Meuniere, and by sole I mean Flounder because I couldn't for the life of me find Sole fillets. Served with roasted tiny klondike gold potatoes and some steamed haricot vert, they make quite a lovely, light meal. I'll make this one again.

Dinner and Breakfast (or Brunch, it being noon and all)

Last night I prepared bacon-wrapped fillet mignon, risotto with peas and black truffle oil, and sautéed green beans and tomatoes! This was delicious, I loved the risotto. Truffle oil smells divine.

This morning (afternoon) it was chorizo with eggs and cheddar cheese in white corn tortillas. So simple, I can do with whole thing in my big cast iron skillet. And tasty too!

Goodness I love food!

A Few Happy Things

First things first! I am now the proud owner of this beautiful kitchen appliance!

The KitchenAid 90th anniversary edition mixer! Her name is Betty. I love her already.
I was so excited at Williams Sonoma. Seriously, I was like a little girl getting a pony. I love love love this mixer! It looks fabulous in my kitchen, I can't wait to use it!
I also bought some Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste. This stuff smells amazing, and those little vanilla bean flecks are going to look so awesome in baked goods!
Dinner tonight was quick and easy, what with all the running around of this afternoon. Creole-seasoned tilapia, fried okra, and macaroni and cheese! Ricky loved it, probably due to the macaroni and cheese. I loved it because I love okra!
And now the last thing! I'll save the explanation, as the pictures speak for themselves. The photos below are of our bedroom on the day we moved in, and today.

Irish Stew! Yarrr! (Pirate?)

I've been in the mood for lamb. Shut it, PETA.
I made Irish Lamb stew tonight. I love meals like this, that I can throw together in a pot as soon as I get home, go about my business, and in about an hour dinner is ready. This stew is incredibly simple, I got the recipe from my mom who made it when I was a girl.
Lamb for stew
2 tablespoons olive oil
Quartered red potatoes
1 large onion, cut into wedges
3-4 carrots, cut into thick rounds
Water, to cover
Salt and Pepper, Caraway Seeds, and Garlic Powder, to taste.
Brown meat in a stock pot. Add carrots and onions. Cook until browned. Add potatoes, seasoning, and water to cover. Cook on medium low for 45-60 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.

Bolognese and Chocolate Caramel Tart

That was the menu tonight.

The pasta was simple. Onions, carrots, garlic, crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, cream, ground beef. Tasted fabulous, I'll be making this again. One can never have too many pasta sauce recipes in her repertoire.
Now, onto the piece de resitance!
Wait for it... (chocolate ganache in the works)

Waaaaait for it... (salted caramel being made)

Wham Bam! Chocolate and Salted Caramel Tart!
So good. So rich, so indulgent.
This, my friends, is sex in a tart pan. And it's not for the faint of heart.
Or the impatient. Sheesh!

Go to your kitchen this minute

And to a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of water. Do not stir, and once it starts to melt, shake the pan a few times. Once it bubbles, add 1 tablespoon of honey, stir to combine. Add 1/3 cup heavy cream, stir, and then add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 teaspoon fleur du sel, and stir until glossy and smooth.
Eat this with a spoon.
I've never made caramel before, and I can't think of any decent reason as to why.

Man Food (and Blueberry Muffins)

Tonight I wanted to make something... well, manly.

I made grilled rib eye steaks, steamed broccoli, and smashed red potatoes with cheddar, bacon, and green onions. I really loved those potatoes. Those are the things that Ricky usually puts on his baked potatoes, but I didn't have time to bake any, since I had about 30 minutes to make dinner and we don't own a microwave(I know, I know, Wilma Flintstone.) I boiled the potatoes and then smashed the dickens out of them, and added the extras at the end. Simple!

I told the people who work in the Orthopedics hall that I'd bake them some blueberry muffins for tomorrow. Here they are!

Green things

Dinner tonight was a vegetable tart with potatoes, leeks, zucchini, feta cheese, and asparagus. It was delicious, but what leek-potato concoction isn't?

Store-bought pie crusts are for wusses. It takes what, 5 minutes to make your own?

Pate Brisee
-Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies-
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.
2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour.

So lovely! And such a light, healthy dinner! I love things like this, super easy, tasty, and adorable.

For a quick sweet finish I sliced some fresh strawberries and whipped up some homemade cinnamon whipped cream.Lastly, did you know about this? I love Green Tea ice cream, but I can't ever seem to find it. Apparently Haagen Dazs makes it... I had no idea. If you did know about it, shame on you for not telling me. SHAME.

Eenie Meenie Miney...

I have finally decided to purchase a stand mixer. I've started baking so much lately, and I can finally justify owning one! Hooray!
The question is, which one? I love the 90th anniversary edition, above, with it's glossy red paint and glass bowl.
But the Martha Stewart edition turquoise is gorgeous! Turquoise might not match every kitchen I'm ever in... hmmm...

Input is appreciated! PS, my kitchen is sage green, to help with your decision making.

Haircut!

I tried valiantly for almost 2 years to grow my hair out. I had these dreams of long gorgeous hair.
Then i realized that I straighten my hair, and that the longer it is, the bigger a pain in the ass it is.
So I finally caved and told Amy to cut it off, and add some layers so I look like a grown-up.
Here it is, curly (above) and straightened (below)
I love it! It took my 15 minutes to straighten! With my Chi, of course, as no other flatiron will do.

Lavender Roasted Pork Loin

I was feeling particularly lavender-y last night, so I roasted a pork tenderloin in it!
Along with fennel seed, thyme, salt, and pepper, this seasoning blend turned out beautifully! Sort of like a more floral Herb d' Provence, if you will.
Alongside I served some herbed polenta with a little Parmesan cheese, and some sautéed fresh kale!
Regretfully, until last night, Ricky and I had never had kale. Boy were we missing out! This stuff is fantastic. And to think, I only picked some up because it was on sale for $1.59 a bunch at Ever'Man. Silly me, not eating it before now! I cut the whole bunch into pieces, and tossed it in my huge cast iron pan with some olive oil and lots of fresh garlic. So good! I can't even imagine the effect this leafy green wonder might have on soups!

Mmmm antioxidants!

Meet Norman

Norman lives in the front yard.

Been a while...

I haven't painted anything in quite some time. That being said, I've had this adorable, whimsical square platter with a bird outline on it that I love for a year or so. I love it so much, in fact, that I want to hang it on my wall. I've looked all over the place and can't find a plate wall mount suitable for the shape of this piece...

...So I painted the design on a piece of wood. =)
I wanted to colors to be darker, I love peacock blue so I changed the bird to that. This was super easy, took me all of 30 minutes, I drew the outlines with a pen and painted it in with oil paint.
~The inspiration~
~The outcome~

If you try to knock me you'll get mocked

I'll stir fry you in my wok.

That is, of course, if you're chicken and bok choy.

Stop buying "stir fry sauce" mix! Make your own!
3 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Water
2 tbsp Cornstarch
A dash of Sriracha
Sesame Seeds and Red Pepper Flakes
Mix together thoroughly. Add to wok for the last 2 minutes of cooking.

(man the Beastie Boys are good)

Some spice in life (at least in dinner)

Last night I made Chicken Tikka Masala. I used Seeds of Change Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce, purchases at Ever'Man. It was really good, a little mild for my taste, but then again, tikka masala is supposed to be mild. I love basmati rice, and any chance I get I serve it on the side. Na'an makes the meal complete!

Tonight was a pasta kind of night, and I made Penne Arrabiatta, one of my signature (I guess?) recipes. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, some fresh chili, capers, and prosciutto on whole grain pasta. Perfection. Throw in a garlic baguette and some Caprese and you've reached taste Nirvana.

This is my latest project. I ordered prints of some of my favorite photos from our travels (many of which were taken by my little sister Jordan, who is quite talented with a camera) through Winkflash.com. They are so cheap, and got here very quickly. I'm matting and framing them all! I'm excited to have wall art that is beautiful and original.