Delivered with Love

 "Friends are the family we choose"

A recent trip home opened my eyes to a beautiful and meaningful way to make someone feel special: a magnificent orchid adorned with one's favorite candies.  This gift, given to my Mom from her best friend Cheryl, shows the true meaning of friendship-being there for someone through the good times and bad and always keeping things sweet.

 Cheryl's gift left everyone in my family (even my little niece) wanting a piece. The greatest part of all? When you're all done with the candy you have a gorgeous orchid in your possession that can last for months when cared for properly.

Niece's outfit: t-shirt and skinny jeans from Bloomies (gifts from her Aunt Sky)

Cranberries-a girl's best friend

Cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving my silly friends...  They should be eaten and enjoyed at all times of year since when mixed with just a few key ingredients, they turn an ordinary meal into an extroardinay one. They also protect your body from free radicals and help maintain a healthy urinary tract. (Ladies I know you hear me on this one).

Take my Grandma Rose's Cranberry Chicken for instance. (Ok, so Ocean Spray may have the same recipe on their website but I still give my little Gram all the credit).

Ingredients:

6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

1 can of Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Jellied Sauce

1 bottle of Kraft Fat Free Catalina Salad Dressing

1 Packet of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix

Mix the ingredients together, smother the chicken, cover with foil, bake at 350 degrees for an hour and voila, a juicy/delicious chicken entree for 6. I often cut this recipe in half for a hearty weeknight meal. If you do have leftovers, you can shred the chicken and serve it on whole wheat toast or else toss it on a salad.

Sides: Healthy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Green Beans (with a dash of lemon butter and almonds)

Potatoes:

3/4 lb of Yukon Gold Potatoes-partially peeled and cut into 1.5" chunks

1/2 cup of skim milk

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp of grated parmesan

salt/pepper/paprika to taste

Directions:

Place potato pieces into a pot of cold water seasoned with salt and bring to a boil.... simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are soft.  Drain and place in a mixing bowl.  Using a potato masher, mix with milk, butter and parmesan and add salt, pepper and paprika to taste.  Serve warm.

Green beans: Follow directions on bag (I usually steam them in the microwave to save time), drain and add 1/2 T of unsalted butter, 2 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice, a few dashes of parmesan, salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with almonds.

Enjoy!

SJ's Peppers

I have finally convinced my good friend Sara to share one of her weeknight meals with us from her Chicago kitchen:

Stuffed Red and Green Bell Peppers with Spanish Rice, Turkey Meat and Hot Sausage

How about them peppers?

 Sara is by far the most fun and vivacious person I know, so I am not surprised to find that her meal has a ton of flavor and color-just like her personality. Her meal is the perfect mix of vegetables, protein and carbs. 

Here is her recipe:
• 4-6 green or red bell peppers
• Salt
• 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 lb of lean ground turkey
• 1/2 lb of spicy sausage
• 1 package of Spanish rice
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes, fresh is best but canned will also be fine
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• Fresh ground pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp of Cayenne pepper sauce
• 1 jar of organic tomato sauce.

1. Prepare Spanish Rice mixture and set aside-directions will be on side of box.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, cut top off peppers 1 inch from the stem end, and remove seeds. Add several generous pinches of salt to boiling water, then add peppers and boil, using a spoon to keep peppers completely submerged, until brilliant green (or red if red peppers) and their flesh slightly softened, about 3 minutes. DO NOT OVER COOK. Drain, set aside to cool.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meat and drain. Add onions and garlic and cook (stirring often) for about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Add rice mixture, tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, oregano, cilantro and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp. Oil inside peppers, arrange cut side up in a baking dish, then stuff peppers with filling. then spoon over filling. Add 1/4 cup of water to the baking dish. Place in oven and bake for 40-50 minutes (or longer, depending on how big the peppers are that you are stuffing), until the internal temperature of the stuffed pepper is 150-160°F. Serves 4-6. I recommend serving on plate with a small salad.

I can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks Sar!!

'Bend and Snap'

 

For some reason I just can't seem to kick stir fry. It's so good, so easy, (so) low in fat, and so much better than take out. Plus, you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand and serve it in a snap!

So you just 'B[l]endddd and Snap!'

My latest meal? Yet another Martha Stewart winner: Skirt Steak Stir Fry with Bok Choy but I substituted asparagus and Thai noodles. I also sprinkled toasted almonds on top since they're a good source of Vitamin E. (I do this with a ton of my meals). Let me know how it tastes... it's all about the peanut butter!

Title: Legally Blond

Once you Pop...

Set aside those old school candy swirls for one of your vases... and dive into one of these new and improved 'lollipops' for a real party in your mouth (and home).  All you need is (love) sticks and your standard dessert goes from 0 to 60 in no time. Happy popping.  

Cheesecake lollipops, Pie lollipops, Cookie lollipops, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pops , Cupcake pops, & Cake Pops

They're also a great give away for charities/fundraisers: finally a good cancer stick!!!

PC: Closet Cooking, Mastapak, Seriouseats.com, Bakerella, National Cookie Network, Parents Links:

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Today's walk through Chelsea Market was truly remarkable... Not only was it bustling with people of all ages (which is a sign that the times they are a-changin') but there were 3 new stores that I will be sure to keep in business...

1) Dickson's Farmstand Meats-fresh meat/poultry/game from a nearby Farm that is organic and fresh
2) Gramercy Flowers-which has an amazing mix of real/faux/dried out flowers
3) Posman Books (also in Grand Central Station) the quality of Barnes & Noble without the commercial feel.

Books, meat, and flowers-what more could I ask for?

Today's project was reinventing my dining room table arrangement.  The fillers? Dried out branches (can be purchased at most flower shops) with (also dried-out) lotus flowers and pomegranates. Plus a few silk hand-painted butterflies from Apartment 48. Now that beats buying expensive flowers every week-once again some luxury for less.

Here are a few images from the new meat shop... (that's my new buddy the butcher)

And the fresh pumpkins-both decorated and plain outside my favorite produce store.

Chelsea Market makes me so happy and  hope it does the same for you.

Title: Bob Dylan

Glee-'For the Underdog in all of Us'

Leave it to Fox to produce the best tv show of all time-GLEE. If you haven't seen it, tune in tonight at 9 PM. You'll thank me tomorrow.

Finally a television musical series that combines comedy, drama, and talent in one. It's like watching American Idol on Broadway with a sassy story line combined with pop remixes that would have made DJ AM (RIP) proud. Not to mention a cast of former Broadway stars, celebrities, and songs that will give you the chills. Download them on itunes and I swear your work outs will improve.

P.S-it's based on an Ohio high school so of course it's good.

Links to a few of their songs: 'Halo/Walking on Sunshine' ,'Don't Stop Believin'', 'Gold Digger', 'Taking Chances'and 'Alone' (featuring Kristen Chenoweth-guest star)

And of course-invite over your friends and serve them a slice of my carrot cake (10 Carats). You'll be chewing with glee as you watch the show.

And one more video for a good laugh ... boy has Glee Club changed since I was in school.

PC: Glee, Fox, Youtube

Taco, Burrito....

You know the rest...

Tuesday night has become 'taco night' at my house... it's so easy to make, always turns out as you hope, and it's pretty good for you... that is if you use fresh and healthy ingredients like lean ground beef, low fat sour cream and shredded cheese, and as little butter as possible for the corn. It's all about doctoring it up with ingredients like hot sauce, salsa, and spices (that are all free of calories/fat).

-Beef tacos-you can buy the taco seasoning at the store and just add it to browned meat.
-I heat the shells in the oven at 325 for 6-7 minutes
-Corn: clean the corn and add it to boiling water, bring back to a boil and remove after 5 minutes. You can put a little butter on each one (I rub it on there) and sprinkle parmesan, salt, and paprika all over
Toppings:
-low fat (or non fat) sour cream (I put a little hot sauce on mine), guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese (I use low fat cheddar), and chopped tomato and onion and of course your favorite salsa.

Assemble and enjoy.

Dont forget the corn handlers and holders:

Corn Handlers: Art of the steal, uncommongoods.com

Asian Take Out in a Flash

Craving Chinese take-out but don't feel like paying the price in lb's or cash? Join the club and look no further than your own pantry to make a lighter version of the most fattening deep-fried dish: General Tso's Chicken. This version will not only leave you satiated but thinner (and wealthier) the next day. Now that's a bargain.

P.S-I used brown rice for this dish to add some fiber

10 Carats

Warning: The following recipe is highly addictive.

Yesterday I tried my hand at Carrot Cake and it was quite the treat (and feat)! The cake was beyond my wildest dreams-beautiful on the outside and heavenly within...it's moist and chewy and the nuts finish it off by adding the most perfect crunch. It's probably the best dessert I've ever had in my life. 

I purchased the carrot confections at the New York Cake and Baking Distributors in my neighborhood. Their sugary creations are worth the trip.

10 carats have never been so affordable-that's for sure!! Please try this recipe and let me know your thoughts!

Oh my Pumpkin

Pumpkins are one of my all-time favorite fruits! Why you ask? Because they're versatile and can not only be

used for every part of a meal (including snacks) but also for entertainment (think jack-o-lanterns) and

and beautiful table decorations! Here are some fun ways to enjoy this October staple with your friends and family.

Gourd Family Activities

Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Cannelonni with Sage-Brown Butter Sauce

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Soup

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

PC: Martha Stewart, LA times, Country Living, Southern Food

Cocktail Party-Barefoot Style

Watching 'Barefoot Contessa' is one of my all-time favorite pastimes. Whether it's a small or large occasion, Ina Garten truly knows the in's and out's of entertaining and isn't afraid to share her secrets. She's my kind of woman.

Last night I learned a few tips that I thought I would pass along (in case you didn't spend your night on the couch like I did)

-Always serve 6 different appetizers for your party. 

-3 store-bought and 3 homemade (if you can). 

-Try to use a combination of hot and cold appetizers as well as different textures and tastes.

The menu:

Homemade:

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Spicy Horseradish Sauce (a wonderful change from the normal shrimp cocktail)

Blue Cheese and Walnut Homemade Crackers

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Bites

Store-Bought

Salted Marcona Almonds

Fresh Olives

English Cucumber witih Sliced Sopressata

This menu is pretty easy and allows the host to mingle with his/her guests-which is how a party should be.  She also recommends lining up the glasses on a bar (or table) with pretty linens and flowers. Finally she suggests to have 3 glasses on hand for each guest since people tend to lose their cup here and there (and want to try different kinds of wine).

Cocktail parties are a wonderful alternative to a dinner party.  Invite over your friends and mingle!

Barefoot Contessa (footnetwork.com), Gourmet sleutch, amazon

Italian Night Made Easy

Last night I had a some extra time on my hands so I decided to make whole wheat pizza dough along with a pasta dish that I recently had Piadina. I was pleasantly surprised (by 'pleasantly', I mean I called my Mom to tell her how proud I was of myself for making a dough that actually rose) and had so much fun doing it that I made a few extra to freeze for future use. I mean, it's not every day you get bread to rise.

The recipes:

Rigatoni with Eggplant, Tomato and Ricotta
(this is a VERY easy dish and it only takes about 25 minutes to prepare); pair it with a caesar salad and you're set. I also use part-skim ricotta and whole wheat rigatoni to make it healthier.

and

Amazing Whole Wheat Pizza with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.