Category Archives: RECIPES

Homemade Salsa

September 8, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

homemade salsa

I recently decided that I want to make salsas from scratch.  Sure, I never tire from a Pace Picante but sometimes it’s nice to create your own varieties.  Plus, it’s my boyfriend’s favorite food.  I kid you not, he brushed his teeth this morning, went downstairs and had chips and salsa for a snack, came back upstairs and Listerine’ed.  That’s probably not dentist-recommended but he can’t help it.  He loves that salsa.

So now I’m going to make it on the regular.  I’ve started with a basic salsa, only using the most essential ingredients needed: tomatoes, jalapeno, lime, white onion, garlic, and salt & pepper.  I’m missing cilantro, which is a KEY ingredient in salsa-making, but I never remember to buy it at the grocery store.  I have like ass-loads of basil but zero cilantro.

Before I give the recipe, please note that roma tomatoes (the ones I used) are the worst kinds of tomatoes on the planet.  Don’t use them in your salsa (I had to redo mine).  Unless romas are roasted, they taste like water.  We’re talkin’ zero flavor.  Sure, maybe roma tomatoes in other parts of the world are better tasting, but from the Ralph’s in Los Angeles, they’re bad.

Homemade Salsa
2-3 tomatoes
the juice of a lime
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 of a jalapeno
1/3 cup of white onion
handful of cilantro
salt & pepper to taste

You can either chop all the ingredients and mix together if you’d rather it look like a pico de gallo or you can blend all ingredients together in a food processor.  I took the food processor route because I like it a little more blended.  Store in an air-tight container, extra points if it’s a french terrine.

homemade salsa

homemade salsa

homemade salsa

Friday Love List

September 2, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - MY LIFE - RECIPES - STYLE

FRIDAY LOVE LIST

Three-day weekends are probably the best invention ever.  A whole extra day of hanging out?!  Sign me up, please.  This weekend is full of fun activities, starting tonight with First Fridays in Venice.  FF is an artwalk on Abbot Kinney (in Venice) and literally hundreds of food trucks line the streets.  It’s one of my favorite things to do!  As for what I’m loving this week?  Here are a few things:

  • Yes I’ve already expressed my love for Emersonmade here, but I can’t get over how amazing her fall collection is.  And even though I’ll never need a coat down in these parts, I’m particularly loving this camel coat (pictured above).
  • You guys, I went and bought myself a nice camera.  YAY!  Now I’m in the market for a camera bag and this one from ONA is EXACTLY what I’m looking for!
  • The minute I saw this recipe for grilled flatbread with blistered tomatoes, sauteed kale, and cheese, I died of happiness.  Then I came back to life and was very hungry.
  • I wish I could bake/eat these Bakerella chocolate chunk muffins EVERY SINGLE DAY of my life.  I would, you know.  I really would.
  • This weekend, I’m going to a wedding!  My friend from work is getting married and I’m real excited to celebrate her with all of my coworkers.

What are your plans for the 3 days?  Happy weekend!!

[Image via Emersonmade]

IT’S FRIDAY, FRIDAY

August 26, 2011

Filed Under : DIY - EAT - INTERIORS - RECIPES

FRIDAY LOVE LIST

Yay for Friday!  I wanted to give you a little sneak peak of what our living room gallery wall is shaping up to be.  It’s definitely not done (yes, that’s brown paper taped to the wall) and we still have a few more prints to hang, but once it’s all finished, I will take real photos of it!  This is just the sneak peak teaser photo!

Anyway, seeing as it’s Friday, Friday, and we got get down on Friday, I thought I would share all the things I’m loving this week:

  • One of my favorite people, Ann-Marie, just relaunched her etsy: Ann-Marie Loves Paper etsy.  It has the CUTEST die cut prints I’ve ever seen.  You must check them out.  I can’t wait to add a few to my collection.
  • This video on My New Roots about how to make nut milk (i.e. almond milk) is driving me wild!  It’s such a simple recipe and I can’t wait to try it.  Plus, the video is super cute.
  • I’m new to the world of Fab.com but holy heck, it’s one of my new favorites.  Just bought this United States print yesterday for my office.  Click here for an invitation.
  • The new fall collection of Alexa Chung for Madewell graces the pages of InStyle‘s September issue.  What a beauty!  Click here to see.  I was hyperventilating the first time I saw.
  • Watermelon pizza?  Yes please.

Friday Love List

August 12, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - INTERIORS - RECIPES - STYLE

Is it Friday already??  I swear this week just flew by.  3 minutes ago I was typing out my post for M Street Kitchen and now it’s the end of the week.  My super busy work week was to blame, especially this little diddy that was going on.  But you know what?  I really love work.  That’s going to be #1 on my love list this week.  I love my dang job!

  •  I’m also loving this corner of my desk (in my home office – promise to show more soon!), complete with my new favorite Rifle Paper Co. notebook, a Le Pen (a swoonworthy pen, let me tell you), a couple washi tapes, a stamp, and some baker’s twine.
  • These Colby June rings are so gorgeous and I want all of them.
  • Last Friday, we went to First Fridays in Venice, which is an art walk of sorts with lots of food trucks and fun things going on.  LOVED it.
  • It’s a no brainer that I’m obsessed with Destined to Design blog because it has all my favorite elements: design, style, food, typography, and lots more goodness.  She also has one of my favorite Pinterests.
  • These Steven boots are absolutely perfect for the end of summer and the transition into fall.  Need them asap.  Also, I’m gonna throw it out there: I like websites with free shipping.
  • Lusting after this chain bag from Nasty Gal.
  • I want to make this summery salad from Green Kitchen Stories.  That grilled zucchini paired with raw apples and beets looks like a dream come true.
  • Oh hey, our dining table is being delivered today!  It’s a big hunk of wood and I cannot wait to see it.

Friday Love List

July 29, 2011

Filed Under : DIY - EAT - INTERIORS - MY LIFE - RECIPES - STYLE

Here are just a few things I’m loving lately:

Pouring this blueberry syrup (via designlovefest) in and on everything, especially tea and ice cream.

Having 2 reunions in one weekend: the first, with these guys;
the second, with Danielle, (used to work together and I miss those days) who ALWAYS makes me laugh so hard & forces me to revisit the deepest recesses of my memory by playing music like “What Would You Do” by City High.

9to5Chic blog – that girl knows how to work an outfit, literally.  So chic & effortless.

Searching for the perfect vintage electric fan on Etsy.

These adorable picnic printables on Eat Drink Chic.  Now I want to have a picnic immediately if not sooner.

Kinfolk Magazine – so eclectic and visually inspiring.

The fact that I have a planned hula-hoop contest today.  Winner TBD.