Ordinary Delights

New York Pasta

This week has been a huge blur of a sick toddler - no fun for anyone involved.  So I wanted to make this for Friday night Shabbat just so we had something warm and yummy.  It is extremely easy, too.

If you have read any of my other recipes then you'll know I like to make things that are adaptable to what I have on hand at any given time.  New York Pasta is the same - I'll put the recipe as I made it below but I'll also add some "suggestions" below that to get you thinking because this is a great way to use up some leftovers or cabinet staples.

New York Pasta - 

• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil + 2 Tbsp butter, melt at medium heat in the bottom of a heavy pan and add:
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/2 each red & yellow peppers, chopped
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 Tbsp salt & fresh cracked pepper - allow all these to "melt" together on medium heat, about 7 minutes or until tender

• Fold in 1 bunch kale, washed & shredded
• 1/2 cup chopped, marinated artichoke hearts
• 4 pieces browned and crumbled bacon
• leftover Roasted Chicken, pulled from the bone
• additional 4 Tbsp butter (ok, but it's the "sauce" so bear with me.)
• 1/2 cup diced flat-leaf parsley

Add 1 pound prepared pasta, a small bit at a time and stir to coat.

It's pretty simple so I wrote the directions along with your ingredients - just chop & soften the first set then fold in the second set and combine with your pasta.  You could add pre-cooked leftover pasta here if you had some from a more traditional sauce.

Ideas on variations could include: 

• making this meat free and adding white beans or garbanzo beans
• smoked salmon
• adding a handful of fresh, seeded tomatoes
• tossing in olives or capers (watch that it doesn't get overly salty)
• hot peppers or chili oil if you like a kick
• check your fridge - what do you have? :)

A little Sunday inspiration

I just love, love, love Vital Yoga and Sunday mornings with Micah are sometimes filled with moments of such challenge and clarity that I'm fulfilled throughout the week and able to be a more open, caring and patient indiviual.

Today's dharma was from a quote she likes which you may have heard: Desire everything. Need nothing. Choose what comes.  

It means you need to have a zest for life, be an active co-create of your exhistance.  Then know that you need nothing but what you do have is a gift.  Finally, whatever you are faced with should be actively chosen by you.  Then you can live and learn within that moment as it is happens.  

Dream, Enjoy, Adapt, Repeat.

Setting the Scene - An Open House "Premiere"

Sorry for the radio silence - but imagine my delight at finding people cared!  Here I thought only my mothers were faithful readers. ;)  I have heard you and will come through with more recipes and more knitting soon.  Today is not one of those days however... I am sharing about my Open House which was to launch my new business venture as a consultant for thirty-one.  (Focusing on this is also the reason for the silence lately as I have been so excited and focused on learning about this wonderful company.)

I had plans to make lots of yummy treats and was looking forward to entertaining but my son & I just came back from a week in Ohio and I ran out of time so this was a lesson in presentation vs. homemade goodness!  It was absolutely easy entertaining.

This only took me one morning to throw together (including shopping, cleaning & getting my business materials ready!) So never dismiss how easy it is to make things look inviting.  I added a bucket of ice with some wine, juice & sparkling water next to cups, wine glasses  and a coffee service.

And sweets were displayed on a layered cake plate next to catalogs....

The center table had bags in the back with prepared salads from the grocery store on plates with cheese and fruit.  When set on my glass plates - everything looked great! :)

As one last note - I promise not to use my blog to inundate you with thirty-one but I have to say that this company has already been such a blessing and I would love for you to keep it in mind if you'd ever like to chat about our products or the business opportunity.  There are women who simply have a great time with a hobby or women who are able to replace 6 figure incomes!  Whatever you want, this is a company that can give it to you.  Please e-mail me if you ever think of anyone who would like to hear more as I love to share!!  RachelPierce31@gmail.com

Sweet Stitching with Erin: Bandana Cowl - Bandana Cowl - the purl bee

via www.purlbee.com

 

This is from the Purl Bee & I love everything about it - it gets kind of cool in my room, maybe I can wear it to bed?

Trouble with New Year's Resolutions Already?

Here are some great tips from life coach Kate Larsen in her recent interview with Experience Life! Magazine.  Looking to loose weight?  Spend more time with your partner? Find a new job? Value yourself more?!  Larsen tells us to get a very clear picture of that goal before we start, perhaps having the goal become more tangible will help you create the steps to get there?

To create a clear, positive mental destination for your goals in 2012, ask yourself these questions:

• What is my goal? If I know what I don’t want (or what I want to stop doing or lose or let go of), what is the opposite of that?
• What do I want to change about what I’m doing or experiencing?
• How will my life be better when I change this?
• What makes this the time to change?
• What do I think and feel about the prospect of making this change now? What are my hopes and fears?
• How will I know when I’ve accomplished this goal?
• What will my life look and feel like when I’ve accomplished this goal?
• What do I want to be able to say is true about how I’m being and living at the end of 2012?

 

A Bright New Year

I Really love getting a fresh start.  My favorite time of the year used to be the start of the school year when I got to cover new books with crisp brown paper bags and fill my backpack with pencils trimmed to the perfect point and notebooks color-coated for each class.  I know, total dork, also a Virgo.

The New Year feels that way to me now.  I'm floating into this one fresh from the Hanukkah-Christmas-stay-cation that Darren and I were able to enjoy with family and the friends we count as family.  We also celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.  I know in the grand scheme five years doesn't count for much but we are more in love every day and looking at all we have accomplished in these five years together was breath-taking and wonderful.  

This new year finds me in my 30th year and happier than I ever have been.  This time around I am not making a list of Resolutions but taking a look at what I love about myself and what I'd maybe like to spend more time on.  Any way you look at it, I have a feeling of unabashed hope and excitement for the coming year.

A Season of Giving

When one side of our family decided we no longer need to exchange gifts with one another, rather, we should shift the focus to the next generation, Darren and I were totally on board.  But we still wanted to do a little something for everyone and what better gift for those that have everything than a donation for those who are in need of much.

This year I choose to donate trees through Heifer International and gave each member of the family their own small tree to liven their homes with the memory of their charity gift.

I simply bought little trees, re-potted them in a bit nicer pot and added a tag with the note: "A donation of trees was made on your behalf through Heifer International."

                                                

You could dress up a jar of local honey for a donation of bees or buy a little board book with animals for a family with children when giving livestock... I think it means just a little more when you are able to give them a reminder of their gift along with the donation.

Below are a few websites for ideas on charitable donations and of course there are always local organizations in need as well.  What is your favorite organization or charitable gift idea?

Freedom From Hunger

Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Heifer International

White Envelope Project & Giving 101

If you haven't heard the story of the White Envelope Project - be sure to check out the website!!!

Buckeyes, The Dangerously Addictive Candy

If you're lucky enough to be from Ohio, I'm sure you already have a recipe for Buckeyes.  If not, be warned, you cannot possibly eat just one. They are a peanut butter and chocolate lover's dream come true. :)  That said, I usually make a double batch as they're technically easy to make but are a bit time-consuming.  

People love them as a gift, too, so think of them as an addition to your holiday cookie list.

Here's a great basic recipe but if you like, you can add some rice-crispies or use crunchy peanut butter you could also spruce them up a bit with almond butter and dark chocolate.  I prefer them plain and like revenge (though tastier,) I find them best served cold.  I keep them in my freezer...

Buckeyes -

• 1/2 Cup melted butter
• 3 Cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 Cups peanut butter
• 2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp shortening
• Materials to have ready - double-boiler & wax-paper covered cookie sheet

1. Combine melted butter, powdered sugar and peanut butter in standing mixer or hand-held mixer and beat until well combined.
2. Roll 1-inch balls of peanut butter mixture and place in freezer to set.
3. Melt chocolate chips with shortening using a rubber spatula to mix.  HINT: I set a metal bowl over a big pot of simmering water to create a double-boiler.  Don't let your chocolate get too hot, medium-low should be a good temperature to keep your water simmering and chocolate silky.   Also be sure that all utensils are perfectly dry as water will cause the mixture to thicken to an unusable mess.
4. Using a toothpick to pick up your peanut butter balls, gently dip 3/4 into the melted chocolate, leaving just a bit of the peanut butter showing at the top.  Place onto a wax-paper covered cookie sheet and set in the freezer until set.
5. Enjoy.

Sunday Brunch - for Two or a Holiday Crowd

Darren needed to go back to the office today so rather than a nice Sunday dinner, we decided to enjoy a brunch together as our big meal of the day.  I am a huge fan of breakfast for dinner and especially brunch so this was right up my alley.  I didn't make anything too complicated but it came together nicely so I thought I'd share.  Our menu and tips for throwing this together are below - enjoy!

Fall Brunch Menu:  This can be used if you have company for any upcoming holiday, you can set up a salad and toss in dressing right before.  Muffins can also be made ahead but one of the best parts is having them steaming hot to melt the butter...

• Herbed Scrambled Eggs with Parmesan
• Sockeye Salmon with Basil Pesto
• Coffee Cake Muffins
• Simple Greens with Pomegranate

Salmon - Add a large dollop of Pesto (ours was from Whole Foods but you can also make it fresh if you want) and a few sprinkles of sliced parmesan.  Preheat oven to 425; add 1 Tbsp butter to a glass or stone pan and put the pan in the oven as it comes to temperature.  Once oven (and pan) have pre-heated, lay salmon skin side-down.  Bake 12-16 minutes depending on thickness.  Flesh should flake to a fork when done and cheese will be crisp.

Eggs - Scramble eggs with cream or 1/2 & 1/2 (not an every day treat but certainly nice,) a pinch of salt and any herbs you want!  Today I didn't have fresh so I just used a pinch of dry tarragon.  Cook low & slow and remove from heat while still "wet."

Greens - We used frisee and a mixed green, added some fresh pomegranate seeds, a handful of toasted walnuts and tossed with a quick sprinkle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a pinch of sea or kosher salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime.

Muffins - this is from How to Cook Everything, the Sweet and Rich Muffins with the addition of the Coffee Cake topping.

• 6 Tbsp butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk, plus more as needed.

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.  For best results, grease a 12-compartment muffin tin (I used Pam for baking) and use muffin tins.
2. Use wooden spoon or standing mixer to cream together butter and sugar.
3. Mix together the salt, baking powder, and flour; beat the eggs with the milk.
4. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, then moisten with a little of the milk.  Repeat until all ingredients are used up.  The batter should be lumpy, not smooth, and thick but moist; add a little more milk or other liquid if necessary.
5. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins.  For large muffins fill to the top, filling any unused cups with a bit of water.  Bake 20-30 minutes (mine were very large and only took 22 minutes), or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let rest for 5 minutes.

Coffee Cake muffins:  Mix together 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts) such as walnuts, pecans or cashews; and 2 Tbsp melted butter.  (I also added a dash of ground clove.)  Stir half of this mixture into the batter and sprinkle the rest on top before baking.

My Sous-Chefs, creating a salad.

Early Snow Day