Category Archives: EAT

Homemade Pickles

August 23, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

Homemade pickles

A few years ago, one of my good friends, Val, taught me an incredibly delicious, yet totally simple trick: reuse Claussen pickle juice to make your very own pickles.  Claussen is like the gift that keeps on giving.

Here’s what you do (clearly, I’m all about lists lately):

  1. Buy a jar of Claussen pickles (or your favorite brand) when they’re on sale.  Those babies are expensive.
  2. Eat those pickles.  Nom nom nom.
  3. When the pickles are gone, save the jar, the vinegar juice, and all of the garlicky goodness that settles to the bottom.
  4. Chop up a cucumber or two in any shape or size that suits your fancy.
  5. Load up the jar with all the cukes.
  6. Seal it and put it back in your fridge.
  7. Twiddle your thumbs in front of the fridge for at least a week or two until the cukes have started pickling.
  8. Depending on how “pickled” you like them, eat them after a week or wait as long as you like!
  9. Enjoy your very own semi-“homemade” pickles.
  10. Cry when the jar is empty once more.
  11. Repeat steps 1-10.

Homemade pickles

Homemade pickles

homemade pickles

Goodbye Free Time

August 21, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - INTERIORS - STYLE

Artessen

Lately, all of my free time has been occupied solely by Artessen, a visual melting pot of the most creative and inspiring blog posts in the blogosphere.

The site is expertly curated, with blogs ranging from food, design, fashion, photography, weddings, crafts, etc.  Everything I love!!  Let me tell you, it’s equal parts enchanting and inspiring.  Be careful though, it has a strong tendency to suck away any and all free time you had allotted for yourself.

Blueberry Crumb Cake

August 9, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

I love reading blogs.  I love food.  So naturally, I love Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman.  Besides the fact that her blog is witty and has amazing photography, it’s also full of delicious meals and recipes.

Last night, I was craving something fruity and sweet and the first place I looked was my bookmarked Pioneer Woman recipes.   When I landed on this Blueberry Crumb Cake, I knew it was love at first sight.  I had extra blueberries and all of the ingredients on hand.  I seriously love when that happens.

The crumb cake is simple to make and relatively healthy on the dessert spectrum.  I mean, it’s full of blueberries!!  That’s healthy right?  Besides it’s semi-health factor, it is SO DELICIOUS.  Like oh-my-goodness-I-need-3-more-slices-please.  That good.

The blueberry cake itself is moist and full of sweet flavor.  That alone will bring you to tears.  But then add the crunchy,  cinnamon-flavored topping and it elevates it to a whole other level.  Ree, I love you.  And just for reference, the serving size is 16.  Baked it last night aaaaand it’s already gone.

Farmer’s Marketing

July 13, 2010

Filed Under : EAT

For me, an ideal Sunday would consist of: an early morning trip to the farmer’s market, mid-morning brunch at a cafe, mid-afternoon shopping, afternoon nap, barbeque with friends, and then relax the rest of the night.  That would be the most PERFECT day.

In reality, my weekends are filled to the brim with errands, activities, and endless chores, so being able to do any of the above is quite the luxury.  But when I was down in San Diego for a weekend getaway, I had plenty of time to do the things I love, i.e. visit local farmer’s markets.

The Little Italy Farmer’s Market in downtown San Diego is a rare gem that I highly recommend if you’re in the area.  There are hundreds of vendors lining the streets, full of colorful and delicious fare, ranging from homemade spice blends to fresh hummus.  Delicious pastries, pressed paninis, marinated olives, flavored lemonades.  The list of vendors is endless.  Oh ya, there are locally grown fruit and vegetables too!

Creating a Faux Summer

July 7, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY - EAT - RECIPES - STYLE

Dear Weather,

First of all, what the hell?  It’s almost mid-July, which means it’s almost August, and it’s STILL cold outside!  Drizzling every morning??  Mid 60s?  For real?  Where are we, the corner of Alaska?  Every other square inch of the USA is experiencing scorching, blistering heat waves…and I’m jealous.

California always has to be fashionably late to the party.  But guess what, CA Weather?  You’re too late to the party now.  It started like 2 months ago, let’s get with it.  The Eastern seaboard and 8/10ths of Canada are warmer and less gloomy than you.

As for now, I’m forced to create my own summer.  A faux summer, I call it.  I will fake it until the sun shines.  Here are my tools of creating a faux summer:

1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $23: I’m absolutely addicted to this spray.  Not only does it smell of the salty ocean, it gives your hair that perfect windswept, beachy look.  All you need is a few spritzes on your damp hair and then let it air dry.  See, Kate Hudson knows what I’m talking about.

2. Sephora by OPI Havana Nights, $9 each: With these bright and punchy nail colors, I can look and feel as summery as I please!  Colors left to right: Rumba Romance, Caliente Coral, Teal We Meet Again, Read My Palm, Caribbean Cocktail, Havana Dreams. [Image via Sephora]

3.  Williams-Sonoma Ice Pop Cookbook, $15.95: I’m a huge fan of fruity, icey popsicles but since it’s currently too chilly to make them, I will gaze through this recipe book instead.

4.  Vintage Wicker and Wood Picnic Basket, kowgirlkitch etsy, $30: I have been planning the perfect picnic in my head for weeks now.  Potato salad.  Finger sandwiches.  Latticed pie?  A few bottles of vino (whoops).  But of course, I must hold off on my picnic planning until the temperature rises.  For now, I will oOOoOo and awe over adorable vintage picnic baskets.

5.  Turkey Sliders: Tonight I made turkey sliders indoors.  It was too chilly and overcast to grill outside so I brought the burgers-by-the-pool meal indoors.  These turkey sliders are juicy, delicious, and super easy to make. Recipe: First chop an onion and saute in a pan.  Then mix lean ground turkey with salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned breadcrumbs, and a little ketchup.  Roll the turkey into balls and add them to the pan.  Flatten the turkey into the sauteed onions so that they stick to and become part of the patty.  Cook through and top with cheese.  Make sure you buy those mini hamburger buns!!  Add any and all condiments to your turkey sliders.  Voila! A perfect summery meal to get you through these winter-like doldrums.