Category Archives: Food

Taco Night

April 22, 2013 By in Food Tags: , , , , , 7 Comments

On Saturday, we had Karin and Ryan over to hang out. We relished in good food, good drinks, and good company. Fun was had by all.

When entertaining, tacos are one of my favorite dishes to serve. Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned taco night? There’s not too much prep work or kitchen time involved. Slicing, dicing, and shredding all of the ingredients might be the most time-consuming part.

taco night

For appetizers, Karin and Ryan brought a mouth-watering seven-layer dip, and Chris made his legendary guacamole. For the main course, we had beef tacos with all the fixings. We paired our feast with fresh mojitos (see my recipe in this post) and Mexican beer.

squeezing lime juice

To match the festive mood, I got these bright stems:

roses

And arranged them in my favorite vases.

rose arrangements

Stomachs full, we rounded out the evening by watching the old horror flick Carrie. 

And the next morning, we enjoyed cinnamon rolls and lots of coffee:

Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast

It was a great weekend!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

March 4, 2013 By in Food Tags: , , , 11 Comments

carrot cake whoopie pie and milk

I got the baking bug again yesterday and decided to make some carrot cake whoopie pies. I used this recipe, which I found on Pinterest. I’ve been wanting to try making whoopie pies for a while, so I started scouting recipes a while back. Did you know that there are whoopie pies in pretty much every flavor under the sun? Even savory ones! I decided to try carrot cake, because carrot cake is Chris’ favorite dessert.

making carrot cake whoopie pies

making carrot cake whoopie pies

grating carrots for carrot cake whoopie pies

carrot cake whoopie pies

carrot cake whoopie pie cream cheese filling

The recipe I used was really simple and straightforward. I made a half recipe. You know, because shorts season is coming up. After tasting the those soft, cake-like cookies and cream cheese filling … I wish I would have made more!

carrot cake whoopie piescarrot cake whoopie piesAny other whoopie pie fans out there?

PS – Check out my last baking adventure when I made French Almond Macarons!

Indy Winter Farmer’s Market

February 25, 2013 By in Fashion, Food Tags: , , , , , 7 Comments

indianapolis fashion blogindianapolis fashionindianapolis fashion blogger

What I wore: Vintage Top (my mom’s), Shrug from Anthropologie, Madewell Jeans, Jessica Simpson Boots, Longchamp Bag

Where I wore it: This weekend was wonderful. I definitely could have used an extra day tagged on the end, couldn’t you?

I woke up early on Saturday and got in a morning run. After breakfast and getting ready, Chris and I headed downtown to the Indy Winter Farmer’s Market. We had a little cash burning a hole in our pocket, so we bought some fresh basil, lettuce, and just-baked bread. Yum! I could have bought a lot more. There was tons of fresh produce, locally raised meats, teas and coffees, local honey, and lots of other wares from local Indianapolis farmers.

city market indianapolis

basil from indy winter farmer's market

lettuce from indy winter farmer's market

bread from indy winter farmer's market

We walked over to the Indianapolis City Market for a bite to eat. It was our first time there, and we had no clue such a fun market was located in Indianapolis! There was stand after stand of different foods, including drool-worthy pastries and a juice bar. I had an amazing crepe from a little stand named 3 Days in Paris (cute!!) and Chris had a tasty slice of pizza.

city market indianapolis

3 days in paris indianapolis

3 days in paris crepe

We explored downtown a little bit more and headed home. I spent the rest of the day going on a major cleaning-spree (a little pre-spring cleaning?). And we used our farmer’s market purchases to whip up a delicious dinner of homemade pesto pasta, fresh lettuce salads, and homemade bread. During dinner we watched Midnight in Paris (my first time seeing it) and loved it!

homemade pesto pasta and saladindy winter farmer's market bread

What was the highlight of your weekend?!

PS – Check out my interview on the blog Little  Indiana!

French Almond Macarons with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

February 20, 2013 By in Food Tags: , , , 14 Comments

martha stewart macaron recipe

While I love going to my favorite patisserie, Le Dolce Vita, I’ve been wanting to try to make my own macarons for a while. They are notoriously difficult to make, which had been holding me back. I didn’t want to get all the ingredients and supplies and end up disappointed with the result.

But on Sunday I got  a wild hair and decided I was going to do it and finally attempt to make my own.  Chris and I went out and got all the supplies I needed, and I cringed as we bought $11 almond flour (so that’s why those little sweets are so darn expensive).

I used Martha Stewart’s French Almond Macarons recipe, as well as Martha’s Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe for the filling, and they turned out really, really well. I had a few perfect macarons that looked patisserie-worthy. Some were a little too big or cracked on the top, but all in all, I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt at making them. If you want to try making them for the first time,  I do recommend this recipe from Martha Stewart, as it’s very straightforward. My only suggestion would be to cut the buttercream recipe in at least half. I made WAY too much buttercream for the number of macarons.

martha stewart macaron recipe

macaron recipe in cups almond flour

macaron recipe in cups

kitchenaid mixer making macarons

macaron recipe in cups martha stewart

pastry bag making macarons

pastry bag making macarons

macarons recipe in cups

macarons recipe in cups

homemade macarons martha stewart recipe

Next time I’m going to branch out from vanilla and add some delicious flavor!

martha stewart macaron recipe

Christmas Snapshots

December 27, 2012 By in blogging, Food, Photography, Travel Tags: , , , , 8 Comments

christmas photos

Hermes watching the snow / treat making / summer sausage & cheese / bedecked mantel / gourmet hot dogs / Chicago-style hot dog / weiner dog cuddling / OTR Cincinnati / Cincinnati / art exhibit / out to dinner

christmas photoschristmas morning indianapolis snow 2012

Christmas cookies / roaring fire / Pass the Pigs / Christmas lights / piano duets / sitting around in my wedding dress / table set for a feast / more lights / kitty + wrapping paper / Christmas with Chris / SNOW!

I hope you’re enjoying the season as much as me!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

December 19, 2012 By in Food Tags: , , , 7 Comments

chocolate chip cookie dough truffles

chocolate chip cookie dough truffleschocolate chip cookie dough truffleschocolate chip cookie dough truffleschocolate chip cookie dough truffleschocolate chip cookie dough truffles

I hold the belief that the best part of making cookies is sneaking bites of dough. If it weren’t for fear of getting salmonella, I’d never bake cookies and just eat spoonfuls of dough.

So, when I saw this recipe for chocolate chip cookie dough truffles on Pinterest, I knew it was for me. These delectable little sweets have the exact same flavor and texture as chocolate chip cookie dough, minus the raw eggs. You can find a complete recipe for the truffles here.

I made a half recipe (because Chris doesn’t like chocolate – crazy, right?!), and I froze half of them to save for those days when I just need something sweet.

Some extra ideas:

  • You could make a bowl of the dough and eat it with a spoon for a girl’s night in.
  • Use the dough as an ice cream topper.
  • I think the dough could also be a delicious cupcake frosting.

Anyone else prefer the taste of dough over baked cookies?!

Chris’ Chicken Curry

December 13, 2012 By in Food Tags: , , 7 Comments

chicken curry recipechicken curry recipesriracha recipesfresh cilantrochicken curry recipe

Chris and I love going out for Thai. We have a favorite local spot that makes the best curry, but it’s not good on the wallet to go too often! So, Chris put on his chef hat and cooked up some curry last Saturday and it was SO good.

He combined a bunch of recipes he found online, and the result was mouth-watering good. Here’s his recipe:

  1. Heat a deep pot on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  2. Add 1 lb cubed chicken and cook until it’s done.
  3. Add one sliced red pepper and one sliced green pepper to the chicken. Cook until tender.
  4. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of curry paste to the chicken  and peppers. Stir.
  5. In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 teaspoons corn starch to one 12-to-14-ounce can light coconut milk.
  6. Add coconut milk mixture to the pot with the chicken and peppers. Stir.
  7. Bring the mixture to a simmer and add chili powder and fresh basil to taste (depending on how spicy you’re feeling!).
  8. Allow the mixture to thicken until it’s the consistency you like.
  9. Serve over white rice and garnish with cilantro and Sriracha to taste.

Do you love curry, too? What’s your favorite kind?!

Thanksgiving Weekend Wrap-up

November 26, 2012 By in Antiques, blogging, Food, Photography, Travel Tags: , , , 9 Comments

bella the cat

Miss Bella.

campfire

Hot dogs and s’mores over a fire.

jungle jim's eastgate

Jungle Jim’s.

bella the cat

Bella by the fireplace.

monopoly

My winning Monopoly piece.

monopoly

Monopoly + cashews.

burlington kentucky antiques

Antiquing.

Window seat in my childhood room.

Thanksgiving break was one of those weekends I didn’t want to end. We spent time with both  my family and Chris’, and it was so nice! On Thanksgiving day, we had two Thanksgiving meals — one with each of Chris’ grandmas. We then spent Friday and Saturday with my mom and dad and enjoyed a bonfire, a morning antiquing, and a long afternoon playing Monopoly.

Christmas break, please hurry up!

Mmmm, Carrot Cake

November 8, 2012 By in DIY, Food Tags: , , 7 Comments

carrot cake recipe

carrot cake recipe

carrot cake recipe

carrot cake recipe

You know what one of the best things is? An after-dinner piece of cake and a cold glass of milk. Mmmmm. Last weekend I made Chris his favorite cake for his birthday: carrot cake! It was my fist time baking a from-scratch carrot cake, and it turned out really well!

I scoured Pinterest for recipes, but I ended up settling on Pioneer Woman’s carrot cake (her recipes always turn out well!). The recipe is very simple and calls for very basic ingredients. The only modification I made was not including pecans in the icing.

If you have a hankering for something sweet this weekend, bake up a carrot cake! :) Its cinnamon taste and orange hue are perfect for fall!

A Day at the Farm

November 1, 2012 By in Fashion, Food, Photography 6 Comments

indinapolis fashion blogger

Stuckey Farm

Stuckey Farm

Stuckey Farm

indianapolis fashion blogger

Stuckey Farm Indianapolis

stuckey farm indianapolis

What I wore: Modcloth Scarf (this velvet scarf is the softest and most amazing color!), Bar III Sweater, H&M Skirt, Jessica Simpson Boots

Where I wore it: I have an unwritten rule for myself that every fall I must visit a farm for pumpkins and apples, so on Sunday we went to Stuckey Farm. We took a walk around the apple orchard, picked out a pumpkin, and browsed the farm’s little store that sold honey, breads, gourds, Indian corn, and lots of other fall goodies. We picked up half a peck of apples, a mini pumpkin, a little white & warty gourd, and half a gallon of cider — yum!

Are you partaking in any fall festivities?

PS – Happy November! Can you believe Thanksgiving and Christmas cheer are so near?!

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 6,069 other followers