Hot Chocolate! (think: Coming to America)

Tired of Starbucks or making hot chocolate from a tear-away pouch?  Try one of these sultry Winter drinks to spice up your life and give your taste buds some action.

 'Holiday' Hot Chocolate:

-Ina Garten

Yields: 9 cups

4 cups whole milk

4 cups half-and-half

1 pound white chocolate, chopped

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Seeds scraped from 2 vanilla beans

optional: 1/4 to 1/3 cup orange flavored liqueur (I omit this ingredient)

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the milk and half-and-half to just below the simmering point.  Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate.  When the chocolate is melted, add the vanilla, vanilla bean seeds, and optional orange liqueur.  

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

-Second City Soiree

Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate

-Closet Cooking

4 servings

3 cups whole milk

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger

1/8 tsp cloves

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

4 oz white chocolate, roughly chopped

pinch salt

Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, and spices in a sauce pan until it just starts to simmer and remove from heat.  Add the chocolate and stir until melted.  Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon.

PC: Better Homes, Second City Soiree, Closet Cooking

DIY Valentine Napkin Rings

In case you don't have the time to invest in V-day decorations, go the DIY route to create a napkin holder or setting that will set the mood. The good news? You can use them year after year or else for a Spring or Summer Party. The great  news? They're cheaper than the real thing.

Buy real or faux flowers and sew or glue them onto a pony tail holder. 

To Form Leaves:

1. Fold a square green napkins in half along the diagonal.

2. Fold it in half again along the long edge

3. Fold it once more in half along.

To Form a Flower:

1) Use a square napkin of any color.  Fold the cloth in half along the diagonal.  Place it on your work surface so that the longest side of the resulting triangle is at the top.  Take the corner opposite the longest side and fold it up so that it just extends over the top.  The top and bottom edges should be parallel.

2. Fold the bottom edge up so that it falls just short of the top edge.  Begin rolling the napkin from one end.

  Guide and adjust the cloth as your roll to give it an even shape.

3. Slip the complete flower between the upper and lower halves of the leaves, and arrange in the glass. 

PC: Country Living, Martha Stewart

Watercolor Delight

Want to turn your favorite painting into stationery liner? Check out the colorful collaboration of Swiss Cottage Designs and Love, Jenna that mixes watercolor and calligraphy to produce a one-of-a-kind Save the Date.

If you send this to me, I'll save your date and your invitation!

PC: Swiss Cottage Designs 

A Natural Affair

I can't help but fall in love with weddings that are held in the great outdoors. There is something so magical and enchanting about going au naturel as you can see for yourself.  This couple chose to mix nature with Eastern influences which is undeniably beautiful.

PC: White Loft Studio, Flowers: Beautiful Days

DIY Baking Party!

Serve your birthday girl a delicious treat with this sophisticated Baking Party!  Party guests will feel like real pastry chefs as they get the chance to make and bake a variety of gourmet desserts.  Each station brings new techniques and yummy creations as everyone rotates through seven fun-filled activities.  When the party is over, send your happy guests home with their own box of bakery fresh treats that show off their new baking skills.

Click here to purchase this $25.00 DIY Baking Party.  The party plan includes 50 pages of tutorials, party instructions, and gorgeous photos, including step-by-step directions. 

Here is an example of a Baking Party DIY Tutorial:

DIY Baking Party: One Charming Party, Kara's Party Ideas

Eat your Heart Out

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Here is a breathtaking bouquet idea that will make your Valentine fall in love all over again. At one end, start with a few drops of pink in the blooms of sweet peas, hyacinths, and nerines and lead them into fuchsia peonies, ruby fringe tulips, and raspberry cyclamens.  Complete the effect by wrapping your Valentine's gift in a pink inspired paper and serve a delicious meal.  Ideas to follow.

PC: Martha Stewart

Chip n' Dip

Having a 'Chip & Dip' platter is a must if you ever plan on entertaining.  Choosing one that matches the rest of your serving pieces is just as vital. After dozens of parties, I've decided I'm only investing in serving pieces that are white, silver, or wooden. Everything else (to me) just looks mismatched.   For those of you registering, please take my advice! I wish someone had told me this 2 years ago.

Here are some of my current favorites: 

Michael Aram 'Chrysanthemum' Chip & Dip

Nambe Scoop Server:

Great for a modern household

Michael Wainwright "Lines" Platinum Set

This is classic and beautiful

Atticus Bamboo Chip and Dip Tray

I actually own this tray-it's great for parties and holds a lot of food

Now the fun part-a recipe provided by my sister Meredith:

Feta Cheese Dip with Pita Triangles

Recipe:

Servings: 4-6

1/4 to 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 8 oz package softened cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 tsp oregano

Other:

1 bag of pita bread, cut into small triangles

Combine all ingredients (besides the pita) with a whisk or food processor.  If using the latter, be sure not to overmix.  Form the mixture into whatever shape you desire on a plate or tray.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Top with diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and chopped black olives.

Serve with pita bread-throw the triangles on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 8 minutes right before serving.

Load the pita 'chips' and feta 'dip' onto your coolest tray.  Serve and enjoy!

*If you're pregnant, make sure the feta cheese is pasteurized. If not, pass on this appetizer.

Garlic, Chipotle, and Scallion Burgers

Turn an ordinary burger into an extraordinary one with the addition of three simple ingredients.  Introducing my new favorite burger of all time: Garlic, Chipotle, and Scallion Burgers from my trusty cookbook, The New Best Recipe. 

I serve them on whole wheat buns and top them with lots of fresh avocado.  As for sides, nothing (in my opinion) beats good old baked sweet potatoe fries and asparagus to round out the fat in the burger. 

Recipe:

Servings: 4

1 1/2 lbs ground lean chuck

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3 unpeeled garlic cloves

1 tbsp minced chipotle chili in adobo sauce

2 tbsp minced scallions

Other:

4 whole wheat sandwich buns

1 ripe avocado, sliced

fries of your choice

1 lb baked asparagus

Toast the garlic in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking occasionally until fragrant and color deepens slightly, about 8 minutes.  Once cool enough to handle, peel and mince.  Break up the chuck and sprinkle with salt/pepper.  Mix the garlic, chipotle, and scallions into the meat.  Divide into 4 equal portions and toss from hand to hand to form a ball.  Flatten to 1".  Press down on the center of each patty, creating a divot. Grill the burgers divot-side up, uncovered without pressing down for about 2.5 minutes.  Flip and cook for another 2 minutes for rare, 2.5 minutes for medium rare, 3 minutes for medium, and 4 minutes for well done. 

Asparagus: Clean and dry the asparagus.  Pop off the ends, throw on a baking sheet, and spray with Pam and kosher salt.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes exactly. No more or less.

Fries: prepare as packaged.

New Year's Brunch

This past Sunday my husband and I had the pleasure of hosting 20 of our closest friends for a memorable New Year's brunch. We've decided that brunch is our favorite way to entertain because everyone is in a great mood, it's fun to recap the weekend, and most of all indulge on good food with good company.

I personally prepared about 5 of the dishes served and had the rest catered by Zucker's Bagels in Tribeca. 

 Here is what we served:

Fresh lox and sable plate (from Zucker's in NYC)

-be sure to include sliced tomato and red onion with lots of good cream cheese

(3 lbs of lox and 1.5 lbs of sable served 20 people)

*NOTE- pregnant women should not eat smoked salmon/sable

Assorted Bagels (also from Zucker's)

Two dozen bagels should fit the bill.

Homemade fruit plate:

Include the best produce you can get your hands on at your local market. I personally buy organic fruit, but do whatever you can afford.

My Mother in Law's Noodle Kugel

Since it's a family recipe, I linked Ina Garten's version instead which is delicious!

Sky's Homemade Granola Station:

Using my Apricot and Raisin Cinnamon Granola recipe, I set out big bowls of granola, low fat organic vanilla yogurt and fresh berries along with clear glasses to make parfaits

Grilled Chicken Sausage Plate

We grilled a bunch of Aidell's Chicken Sausages (the chicken apple sausage was the biggest hit) but we also served Buffalo chicken. This sausage is great because it's free of nitrates (for pregnant women), dairy, and gluten.

I then made my best friend Bibby's Mom's Pumpkin Cake-it was a big hit!

And finally, I served Ina Garten's Sour Cream Coffee Cake with hot coffee of course.

Flowers and such:

I decided to buy a beautiful white orchid with pink centers and set it out on the main table of the buffet.  I also used all white platters and accented the second table with a small vase of white tulips. I took a few of the tulips and placed them in a smaller vase for our guest bathroom.  I think it was a nice touch.

Don't forget to have a drink station with fresh orange juice, cold water, and hot coffee.

PC: Salmon: Bie, Bagels: Russ & Daughters, Fruit bowl: seoworldwide.com, Noodle Kugel: foodjunta.com, Sausages: seriouseats.com, Orchid: southern living, tulips: amyramaker.blogspot.com

Sky's 'Week in a Day'

Over holiday break I watched Rachel Ray prepare a full week's worth of meals in a one hour show, and I thought to myself, this is totally up my alley! Now that my energy levels vary from day to day and all I crave is a nice, home-cooked meal, why don't I try this?  So when I returned on Sunday I set off to the market with recipes in hand in hopes of becoming a food star in my very own home. (Even though my husband already regards me as a shining star), I have to say that it was a pretty easy feat and there's truly nothing better than having a home-cooked meal on nights that you don't have the time or energy to put in the work.

So here's what I made:

Dinners # 1 & 2: Black Bean and Chorizo Chili  (We ate this on Sunday and Monday night)

I featured this chili last year and it's by far my favorite.  I substitute nitrate-free chicken sausage for chorizo (when I'm pregnant), and use half ground round/half ground turkey meat instead of beef stew meat.  I do this because I personally don't like chunks of real meat in my chili. This recipe yields 10 servings, so if you're a party of 2, it could last you 5 nights.  Or else 1-2 nights and you can freeze the leftovers.

-Serve it with sliced avocado, american cheese, chopped onion, crushed tortilla chips and fresh corn bread.

Corn bread: I often use a mix that I have in the pantry with other ingredients that I always have on hand (like milk, oil, and eggs).  This time I actually used the recipe from the back of the Corn Flour mix since I had to buy it for the chili.

Dinner #3: Turkey Tacos with Refried Beans (We ate this on Tuesday night)

When I browned the turkey meat for the chili, I added on an extra 1 3/4 lbs of turkey knowing that I would use part of it for a night of tacos and the other for spaghetti casserole.  For turkey tacos, I don't use anything fancy but the trusty Ortega taco kit.  And since I already had the toppings on hand from the chili (avocado, shredded lettuce, tomato) all I needed was salsa and refried beans from my pantry. How easy is that?

+

Dinner # 4: Easy Spaghetti Casserole (Wednesday night's dinner)

On Sunday, I took the remaining 3/4 lb of browned turkey meat and mixed it with a bottle of San Marzano marinara sauce I had on hand (about 8-10 oz sauce).  I doctored it up with some salt, oregano, and garlic powder, and threw in some sauteed chopped onion and garlic.  Since I wasn't sure if the sauce would stay in my fridge, I threw it in the freezer until Wednesday morning when I allowed it to thaw out.  All I needed to do then was boil some whole wheat spaghetti (8 oz), mix it with the sauce, and throw it in a 8" x 8" casserole and top it with parmesan and shredded mozzarella. You just bake it in the oven at 400 for 35 minutes until it's piping hot. I also baked some frozen broccoli since I had it in the freezer.  This casserole was inspired by my Grandma Rose who used to make it for Mom as a kid. 

Dinner #5: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

I figured that by Thusday we could 'cheat' and just eat some Campbell's Tomato Soup along with a grilled cheese made in our panini maker.  I'll use Whole Food's 9 grain bread with some American cheese and a little butter and call it a day. 

Dinner #6: We're going out. I need a change of pace.

PC: Cooking.com, Today's Turkey, mybrands, Everything and Nothing, Uncommon goods.

You are (not) what you eat

One of my favorite pregnant (and non-pregnant) past times is watching the Food Network for hours on end. It's like self-prescribed bed rest that is actually enjoyable. Ina Garten, my hero, recently made a wonderful breakfast for friends that I decided was exactly what I needed for my belly at that very moment. So, I ran to my kitchen and combined two of her recipes to make the best granola of all time-Apricot and Raisin Cinnamon Granola (recipe to follow).  I have a scoop for breakfast mixed with some cereal and I top it with fresh strawberries and blueberries. It's pure bliss.

Recipe:

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sliced almonds

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup good quality honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 1/2 cups dried apricots, chopped

1 1/2 cup dark raisins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Toss the oats, almonds, cinnamon and brown sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil and honey and add it to the oat mixture.  Stir with a wooden spoon until all of the oats/nuts are coated.  Pour onto a sheet pan.  Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula until the mixture turns a nice, even golden brown.  About 25-30 minutes.  (My oven took 25 minutes).

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally.  Stir in the apricots and raisins and store in an air-tight container.

Don't forget to share the wealth.  Give your extras to a friend/neighbor if you can actually part with it:

Or else make a granola parfait (it's not that bad for you if you limit the granola and use low fat yogurt).

PC: Butter, Sugar, Flour,  The Sweetest Occasion, Hannaford, Gorman & Gorman, The Boston Globe