Happy Valentine's Day!

{via}

There is something so generous and satisfying about cooking dinner for someone you love and Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to do so. As seen last year, Chris and I have a tradition of working together to create an amazing surf and turf dinner on V-Day. This year's menu consists of:

 

Rib eyes marinated in the Best Steak Marinade in Existence (seriously it's really called that)

Broiled Lobster Tails

Garlic and Herb Scalloped Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Korbel Brut Rose and St. Germain

Mocha Chocolate Ice Box Cake (I’ll share this recipe with you next week)

 I truly love this little tradition of ours.  HapValentine's Day!

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Oatmeal Creme Pies

 

I remember back in the day my mom would pack a Little Debbie's snack in my lunch box.  Some of my favorites were the Zebra cakes, Nutty Bars, and of course the Oatmeal Creme Pies.    The Raisin Creme Pies were my least fave, but they ended up in there from time to time.  This recipe brought back some serious grade school nostalgia, a homemade oatmeal cookie (better than the original, sorry Lil Deb) sandwiched between some store bought marshmallow fluff.  I added a little Valentine's flair with some white, pink, and red sprinkles.  My first bite made me feel like it was snack time at Daniel Webster School circa 1987.  It's kind of crazy how food can take you back to a certain time and place.  It can invoke all of these feelings and help you remember things a little more clearly.   I think that is definitely one of the things that I really love about cooking and baking. 

 

NYFW Street Style

{all photos by Christian Santiago}

Chris (the hubster) was hired as a street style photographer at Lincoln Center for New York Fashion Week.  He has a really great eye and spotted tons of style makers and trend setters along with hot messes, but we won't get into those.  Here are some of my favorites so far...

Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad

Karen of Where Did U Get That

Lindsey of Saucy Glossie

Natalie of Natalie off Duty

Robert Verdi

Life Lately

 Happy rainy, cold, slushy Monday!  I must have pressed the snooze button at least three times this morning.  This dreary weather is made for sleeping in, but unfortunately that was not an option for me.  Yesterday I accompanied Chris to Lincoln Center for one of his freelance gigs (more to come on that later in the week).  It was freezing out, but I was a lady on a mission.   While Chris was doing his thing I was determined to take the 10 block trek to the Levain Bakery for some of their AMAZING cookies as I never had tried them before.  Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but the odds were stacked against me.  My feet were numb, there was ice, snow, and UNAVOIDABLE slush puddles everywhere, and last, but not least I was only wearing one contact lens.  Yes, ONE contact.  The other one ripped earlier that morning.  No bueno.  Anyway, there were several times during this little voyage where I questioned my sanity and thought of turning around, but like I said, I was a lady on a mission.  When I finally saw the welcoming Levain Bakery sign with my one good eye I could have cried tears of joy, but instead I just decided to get in there as quickly as possible so that I could defrost and finally complete my mission.  If you get the chance to go I highly recommend the Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie, out of this world delicious!

 {my homemade Southwestern breakfast bowl}

 {Valentine's Day cake pop decorating}

 {trying to stay warm}

 {victory is sweet}

{to be continued...}

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate and peanut butter anything are my kryptonite.  A Reese’s peanut butter cup is almost always hard to resist.  I decided to give making this homemade version a try.  I used a plastic mold as well as mini cupcake liners, both yield great results.  To make these goodies Valentine’s Day appropriate I decorated them with jumbo sized heart sprinkles.  For the peanut butter lover in your life fill up a mini mason jar with these goodies and add some Valentiney pizazz.  Now, who besides people with severe peanut allergies would not love this as a gift?! 

Farfalle with Sausage and Roasted Peppers

Sausage and peppers kind of go together like peanut butter and jelly.  I find that roasting peppers right on the stove top makes such a difference rather than using the jarred variety.  This hearty pasta dish is simple to make and is perfect for a crowd.  Here is my recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 medium bell peppers, I used red, orange, and yellow
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 pound farfalle
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup of pasta water (don’t forget)
• Salt and Pepper

Directions

1.     Place peppers on direct flame of the stove top, rotate to ensure even charring.  Once barely recognizable (this will take about 15 to 20 minutes). Transfer to a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; steam 2 to 3 minutes. Using a paper towel, rub off pepper skins, reserving any juices in bowl. Thinly slice peppers crosswise into 1/4-inch strips; return to bowl. Set aside.

2.     In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.

3.     In a large skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.  Add sliced red onion to the skillet.  Sautee for about 5 -8 minutes until caramelized.  Add roasted peppers; cook until heated through.  Add sausage back in.

4.     Transfer onions and peppers to bowl with sausage ; add pasta, butter, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

Super Bowl Snack Time

Mini Buffalo Chicken Meatballs 

Happy Friday, all!  The big game is this Sunday.  The Giants aren't playing so my main focus will be yummy food and Beyonce at half time.  Here are six of my go to sweet and savory snacks that are sure to please any football fan. 


Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Chorizo and Potato Flautas 

Fleur de Sel Blondies

 

Cubanos with Chipotle Mayo

 

Homemade Peanut Butter Caramel Twix