Four Faves

-Buddha Bowls:  These happy bowls full of hearty grains, protein, and veggies are insanely good for you and taste amazing.  I like to make mine with quinoa, lentils, roasted vegetables, and crunchy chickpeas, but they can really be made with anything you have in your fridge.  Recipe to come!

-DIY Reading Lists:  I am a shameless fan of chick lit.  I mean, who doesn’t love Bridget Jones’s Diary?  But this year, I decided to step up my reading game and create my own reading list.  You can obviously pick any books you like or check out guides like this or this to help you get started with creating a well rounded list.  I’m 3 books in and loving it.

 

-Siggi’s Yogurt:  Yummm this yogurt is seriously delicious!  Just a few things about it:  high protein, low sugar, real fruit and sweeteners, and milk that’s only from grass-fed cows.  But most importantly it tastes awesome!

-Flowering Branches:  Spring is only 10 days away, and I can’t wait!  So to get in the mood a little early, we’re starting to decorate with beautiful flowering branches.  You get big impact from just a few branches, and they give a little twist to a normal bouquet.  Check out forsythia, quince, almond, and cherry blossoms.  Find them at florists, Trader Joe’s, and your neighbors’s yards  😉

Advertisement

Faves of the Week

1. Sofas with Style

Most of us tend to gravitate toward neutrals when choosing our sofas, but why not try something a little more bold?  Navy is a great option–you’re stepping out of the mainstream a bit but not going too far over the edge.  This mid-century take from Jonathan Adler is one of my favorites!

2. The Perfect Carry On

For years I have been on the hunt for the perfect carry on and I’ve finally found it – Lo & Sons OMG Bag. Currently putting it to use in Italy. It has a spot for everything, my cross body purse can fit inside and slides easily over the handle of my rolling carry on. Done and done. I know I will be using this for years to come.

3.  NYC Lip Crayons

These lip crayons are just about as inexpensive a product you can find, and they are both Allure magazine and Adeline Alley approved.  Great colors, super moisturizing, and long-lasting wear.

4. Pope Francis

Google his speech in front of congress, and he will be one of your favorites too. I am not Catholic, but I have utmost respect for him and am infatuated by his mass appeal. If I could start each day with him saying the Golden Rule to me as he did in D.C. it would be incredible.

 

Linguine with Brie, Tomatoes and Basil

Growing up my parents made this special supper once a summer when tomatoes were at their peak. It was always a meal that all four of us looked forward to sharing!

There aren’t many ingredients but it’s important that you have good, summer tomatoes (heirlooms would be great too), a fresh piece of Brie and lots of basil.

The other crucial part is preparing the no-cook-sauce early in the day so it can properly marinate at room temperature.

Here is the tried and true recipe from the Silver Palate Cookbook that our mom has used for decades. Please note our few changes.

Linguine with Brie, Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients:

4 ripe, large summer tomatoes

1 pound Brie cheese, rind removed, torn (yes by hand) into small pieces

1 packed cup of fresh Basil

1-3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 – 3/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. Olive Oil

2 1/2 tsp. salt (divided)

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, with more for garnish

One package of fresh (refrigerated), homemade or regular linguine – cooked according to package directions

Directions:

Combine tomatoes, Brie, 1/2 c. Olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, garlic and black pepper. Let sit for at least two to three hours, covered at room temperature to marinate.

Add remaining olive oil and salt to pasta water and prepare al dente according to package.

Drain pasta and immediately combine sauce with noodles. Top with fresh basil and ground black pepper. Serve quickly.

Enjoy!

 

  

Curry Chicken Salad

You cannot go wrong with this chicken salad. It is the perfect go-to weekday lunch, weekend at the lake/beach sustenance or appetizer.

This Curry Chicken Salad is one those recipes that Julia, my mom, and I have been making for years. Tried and true. 

Our recipe can be made Dairy Free if you remove Greek yogurt and add more mayonnaise. It can also be Gluten Free depending on the chicken you use. While it’s very easy to use a rotisserie (most of these cannot be trusted to be completely gluten free unless it specifically says so), you can also use leftover roasted or grilled chicken or you could bake some of your own.

   

Curry Chicken Salad

1 Rotisserie Chicken, Shredded

2 Tbs Mayonnaise

2 Tbs F Free Plain Greek Yogurt

4 Chopped Green Onions

1/3 c. Chopped Cilantro

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

1/3 c. Chopped Golden Raisins

1/3 c. Shredded, Toasted Coconut

1 Tbs. Curry Powder

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Black Pepper

2 Tbs Mango Chutney (optional)

Combine. Refrigerate for two hours before serving.

Excellent served over greens, on pita or tortilla chips, on top of baby romaine leaves, or with crackers, etc. Yum.

Enjoy!!

A Nashville Favorite – Rolf and Daughters

A dear friend – and fellow blogger, seededinthesouth.com – of mine came to Nashville last night for work. As soon as she said she would be available for drinks and dinner, I knew I exactly where I wanted to take her, my consistent favorite, Rolf and Daughters in Germantown. Even on a cold, snowy Wednesday night, Rolf & Daughters was brimming with patrons. Walk in’s are available and welcome, but regardless of the night I recommend a reservation. After a cocktail at the bar, we were seated at a cozy, two top and had the perfect winter meal. Natalie and I shared everything. We started with crostini with broccoli, then had lettuces with butternut squash, apple, and puffed quinoa. The “puffed” quinoa added a delightful and unexpected crunch. After our starters, we split the chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit and my ever favorite the garganelli verde with pork ragout. I would order this exact meal again and again. Thanks to Rolf and Daughters for another impeccable evening!