Update - Organic Wool Kimono Style Sweater

My organic wool, kimono style sweater arrived for my little lady and it is ADORABLE. I am crazy about it and thought it was worth every penny. Check out Pink Rose Garden via Etsy for this and other fabulous handmade items.

Over Cocktails

Spice up your next dinner party with these Pick Your Nose party cups. We were all doubled over in laughter drinking out of these one night. Imagine your best pals in these after a few glasses of wine. Hilarious!

m is for meatloaf, mmmm, mmmm, meatloaf

My mother-in-law has an incredible recipe for meatloaf so I love to bust it out on crisp fall days. I think the best way to serve it is with roasted potatoes and green beans for dinner, and then use leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches (served hot on toasted and buttered hoagie buns). Both versions are great and super easy.

For the loaf:

1.5lbs leanest ground beef

1/4 cup chopped yellow onion

2/3 cup plain bread crumbs

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk (whole if you have it)

1/4 t pepper

1 t salt

1/2 t sage

For the sauce:
8 T brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1/2 t nutmeg
2 t ground mustard

Gently combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl. Transfer to a loaf pan. Mix four sauce ingredients and pour over meat mixture. Bake at 350 for one hour.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

My friend Tara just sent me a great blog the other day called The Cleaner Plate Club. I had planned on spending that evening zoning out to my weekly tv indulgence, The Rachel Zoe Project (it's crazy but I love it), but I couldn't stop reading this new blog. I love how much the writer hearts Michael Pollan because I am also a huge fan (I'm going to see him speak at the end of October! Yay!!!!). I found this cool link on her site to the Daily Green's post on 30 Ways to a Greener Healthier Diet. Check it out!

On another note, I noticed on The Cleaner Plate Club site that a reader wrote in asking about bok choy recipes. I have a recipe of my own that I thought I would share because it is oh-so-good and very easy. I like to serve this with my chicken-rice recipe and I use some of the bok choy sauce for the rice. There is nothing like white rice with lots of good sauce in my opinion. I could eat that all night long. This is also a great way to get some more leafy greens into your diet!

C's Bok Choy

4 bunches baby bok choy
2 T olive oil
3 or 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 T ginger, thinly sliced
freshly ground pepper
¼ t red chili flakes
2 cups chicken stock
2 T soy sauce

Saute ginger and garlic in olive oil on medium heat. When it's almost done, add bok choy leaves, red chili flakes and pepper, and saute on high for a few minutes, stirring to cook evenly. When bok choy is almost cooked, pour in soy sauce and chicken stock and bring to a low boil. Turn heat down to medium and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes (when bok choy is completely cooked). Serve with white rice. Spoon sauce over rice.

Escarole & Orzo Soup with Turkey Parmesan Meatballs

As I've said before, I am obsessed with soup. I could eat soup every single day for lunch so long as it's a hearty one and there's plenty of it! It's both healthy and satisfying. What could be better? Actually, I know what could be better than me eating soup ... watching my 15 month old gobble it up. I love seeing vegetables go into her mouth without coming right back out. Victory!

I tried this recipe for Escarole & Orzo Soup with Turkey Parmesan Meatballs from Bon Appetite and it was good. I doctored it up a bit to add more flavor. It's not a masterpiece soup but it is definitely something I will make throughout the winter to mix it up a bit. It's also a great way to get more leafy greens into your diet.

Escarole & Orzo Soup with Turkey Parmesan Meatballs
Adapted from Bon Appetite

For the meatballs:
1 large egg
2 T water
¼ cup plain dried breadcrumbs
12 oz lean ground turkey
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 T chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
¾ t salt
¼ t ground pepper

For the soup:
½ yellow onion, chopped
1 cup chopped peeled carrots
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 celery stalk with leaves (whole)
6 cups chicken stock (I used 4 cups low sodium and 2 cups regular)
4 cups water
¾ cup orzo (rice shaped pasta)
4 cups coarsely chopped escarole (about ½ of one head)

Whisk egg and 2 T water in medium bowl to blend. Mix in breadcrumbs. Let stand 5 minutes. Add turkey, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper; gently stir to blend. Using wet hands, shape turkey mixture into 1 1/4-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on baking sheet; cover and chill 30 minutes.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Sauté onions on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add carrots and sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for a few minutes. Add the chicken stock, water, bay leaf, celery stalk, sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and add orzo. Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes. Add turkey meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in chopped escarole and simmer until turkey meatballs, orzo, and escarole are tender, about 15 minutes longer. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Make sure turkey meatballs are cooked through. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan.

Oven-Fried Chicken

Here is a recipe for Oven-Fried Chicken from O, The Oprah Magazine. It's a healthy alternative to fried chicken and it's quite good. Also very easy. I even used whole wheat flour because it's what I had within reach and it worked out great. I served with green beans and a salad. The perfect healthy dinner.

Luxury Linens

Ah, Leontine Linens. I'm such a fan. They create luxury linens that can be customized with an extensive collection of embroidered monograms and border designs. I hope to have bedding from them one day for myself and/or my daughter. Cute little girl's room here with their monogrammed bedding...
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I also hope to order monogrammed linen napkins for holidays and special dinner parties. But for now I must be satisfied with my beautiful little hand towels. I thought their Chopsticks monogram was perfect for my Asian-inspired powder room.

Oh How I Love Flora & Henri

baby silk meringue dress

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Speaking of the Greek Orthodox baptism, the guest of honor (baby Pia) and another little girl in attendance were both wearing this adorable bright yellow dress from Flora & Henri. It was one of the cutest little summer dresses I've seen. I love the childrens clothing at Flora & Henri because they feel very European ... timeless and understated, beautiful and tailored, well-made in beautiful fabrics. You can shop online or visit their boutiques in New York or Seattle. Here is another one of my favorite Flora & Henri dresses from this summer. Too cute!

baby sophia dress

Butterfly Party Decorations

I recently attended my first Greek Orthodox baptism and it was such a neat experience. My friend Heather is so incredibly creative and talented. In addition to making a gazillion butterfly cookies, all individually decorated and wrapped, she did quite a lot of decorating with butterflies as the theme. The event was in the Garden Terrace at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and she had little butterflies tucked into the beautiful floral arrangements and on the branches of all the trees. She also served a delicious punch beverage with these straw decorations from Martha Stewart Living. It was all very impressive. I thought it was such a cute idea that I'm going to tuck it away for a birthday party when my daughter is a few years older.

Fishy Business

I read in the paper that you're most likely to find wild salmon between the months of May and September so I always try to get a few salmon dinners in before it's over. Giada's recipe for Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze is one of my favorites because it's super easy and very tasty.

Also beware of restaurants and stores selling wild salmon out of season. Consumer Reports did a story on The Salmon Scam and found that less than half were truly wild!

And speaking of fish, I picked up this little sustainable seafood guide at the aquarium which is worth a quick perusal.

Crowd Pleaser

My aunt Jadine is a great cook and taught me this easy bread appetizer that our family loves. The first two steps can be done the day ahead. Then you just throw it all together and toss it in the oven. Really easy and very flavorful.

2 Pillsbury french loafs
1 large white onion
4 or 5 cups sliced white mushrooms
1 c Marsala (I used sweet but I am sure dry is fine too)
1 c fresh pesto or 1 package of store-bought pesto
1 ½ small packages of goat cheese
¼ c brown sugar
butter

1. Thinly slice mushrooms. Heat a small amount of butter or olive oil in a large saute pan. Add mushrooms and stir. Pour in Marsala and reduce heat to low. Cook for one hour.
2. Thinly slice onions. Heat butter in large saute pan and add onions. Sprinkle with salt. Cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes until onions caramelize.
3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
4. Wipe a small amount of olive oil on two cookie sheets. (Don’t forget this step or they will totally stick!)
5. Pop bread loaves out of containers and place on cookie sheets. Using a sharp knife, cut a line down the center of each loaf about two-thirds of the way through. Press the sides out a little bit to flatten.
6. Spoon pesto down the center and spread all over the top surface of the bread.
7. Top the bread with mushrooms and caramelized onions (use all of them). Then add little chunks of goat cheese. Finish by sprinkling brown sugar on top.
8. Put cookie sheet in oven and turn heat down to 350. Bake one at a time for approximately 25 minutes.
9. Cut into 1 inch slices and serve.

Gross!

A moldy sanny!
Or a clever invention?!

The new anti-theft lunch bag. No one is going to steal my husband's lunch from the office fridge! Hilarious. Found this on Swiss Miss today and thought it was quite clever.

Gwyneth & Mario are getting lots of buzz...

...for their new show Spain... on the Road Again.

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"Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman and Claudia Bassols take the ultimate road trip adventure, showcasing the pleasures of Spain, the country's regional cuisine, art, history, and culture, as it's never been seen before".

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I love cooking and I love to travel so it should be a no-brainer. Let's hope they live up to the challenge and provide an entertaining show that has great content and beautiful cinematography. Premiering this week!

Organic Wool Kimono Style Sweater

I just came across this adorable, hand-knit sweater on Small Magazine and quickly ordered one off Etsy for my little darling. I will let you know how I like it when it arrives. I think it is so cute.

P.S. Loving Small Magazine! Thanks for the tip Jackie!

Little Wellies For Your Little Girlies

I can't wait for the day my little one is big enough to have her own pair of Hunter Wellies. The perfect pair of puddle-jumpers for rainy days. Available at Emma & Avery starting in US size 8. Also featured in the latest Best & Co. catalog with little tights and dresses. Too cute.

anne-claire petit accessories

I'm a big fan of Anne-Claire Petit accessories, especially these little elephants. My daughter has the multi-color striped elephant and loves it. I bought mine at the ABC Carpet & Home store in NYC. They are also available online at Childrens Wonderland.

Check out the Anne-Claire Petit website to see her other products like these adorable little "crocheted poufs" available at Arte Bebe. This would be too cute in a child's bedroom.

"Small enough to fit in your pocket, big enough to change your life."

Luxe City Guides

"Stylish, brutally frank, and sometimes, frankly, brutal."

We bought one of these Luxe travel guides when we spent some time in LA and loved it. They are little pocket-sized guidebooks offering highly selective tidbits of info on the best restaurants, shops, spas, hotels, and more. We are huge fans and will definitely buy their guides when traveling to other cities.

WHO THEY ARE (from the website)

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"For four years LUXE has quietly changed the face of travel guides, starting from scratch we re-thought the whole concept of why and how we all travel, of what we need when get there and most importantly what we don't. LUXE is now famous for its take no prisoners attitude, avoiding all the padding, photos, graphics and blah of other guides and getting straight to the meat. The result – ultra smart travel companions stacked with priceless information for the discerning and busy traveller.

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In the notoriously fickle worlds of fashion, food and entertainment other guides are hopelessly out of date even by the time they reach the bookstore shelf. LUXE guides are not only updated each year, but come with online updates throughout the year. They’re always ahead so you’re always ahead. Saucy, sleek and slinky, the LUXE City Guides unique concertina format is easy to use, small and discreet enough to fit in your shirt pocket and packed with only the very latest and greatest that each destination has to offer. With LUXE you’re not a tourist, you’re a visitor. It’s a big difference."

Sunday Morning Brunch

One of my all-time favorite brunch dishes is the oeufs plats at Le Pichet in Seattle. A friend and Over Cocktails reader, Michelle, sent me this family recipe which reminded me of the oeufs plats dish so I had to try it. I whipped it up this morning for our Sunday brunch and we all loved it.

This recipe is for one individual ramekin dish...

1-2 slices of canadian bacon cut into smaller pieces (I used prosciutto because they didn't have canadian bacon and it was great too. I removed the excess fat, then layered a few small pieces on the bottom of the ramekin.)

2-3 slices of roma tomato (I skipped the tomato because hubby no likey tomatie)

2 eggs (not beaten, just cracked)

Little bit of fresh thyme

salt/pepper

2 T heavy cream

Parmesan

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Layer these ingredients starting with canadian bacon on the bottom, then tomato, eggs, thyme, etc. so the top will be the parmesan. Bake 12 minutes for runny eggs, 15 for cooked through.

Before...

And after...

P.S. I have to be honest and say that I messed up the recipe and didn't see that it was for one ramekin so I made each with one egg and one tablespoon cream, instead of two. That explains why they look over-cooked... because they were. They were still so good though that I can't wait for tomorrow so I can make them properly.

mmmmm Roasted Chicken

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1) Most recipes for roasted chicken are pretty quick to prepare and fool-proof. The trick is just getting the timing right so it's not overcooked.
2) It always makes a delicious and flavorful dinner.
3) It's great comfort food when fall is in the air.
4) LEFTOVERS!
5) I make homemade chicken stock the next day, which I use in a quick homemade chicken noodle soup. There is nothing better than 100% homemade chicken noodle soup!

This week I made Ina's Lemon Chicken with Croutons and loved it. Easy and very good.

Homemade chicken stock is way easier than you'd think. You throw the carcass in a pot with an onion, carrot, celery, garlic, some herbs (thyme, parsley), peppercorns and kosher salt. You literally cut the veggies in huge chunks so it takes about 2 minutes to prep. Throw it all in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, turn down and simmer for a few hours. I use the recipe from Ina and Tyler Florence as a road map but I am always using one carcass (versus a whole chicken) so I adjust the quantities.

bbb

I love Tyler Florence's homemade chicken noodle soup recipe. It's basically the same things you use for the stock, except you chop everything and saute it (onion, garlic, carrot, celery, thyme, parsley). I add zucchini as well and cook a chicken breast Ina-style (bone in, skin on, olive oil, salt, pepper, bake for 35 minutes) then shred it and toss it in. It is so good. My 15 month old daughter gobbles it up and drinks the broth out of a glass. Good stuff.

Bon appetite!

My New Everyday Earrings

I just purchased these beautiful earrings from Juliet Roger, an incredible jeweler located in Seattle. The earrings are lapis with 18c gold and are so versatile. You can wear them with jeans and a t-shirt or when you pull out your cha cha shoes for a night on the town. I have been buying jewelry from Juliet for years. She has a wide variety of pieces, my favorites being the simple classics with a single stone. She has these earrings, a similar teardrop shape earring, necklaces and rings (worn one on a finger or two stacked) in so many beautiful stones including blue topaz, smokey quartz, rose quartz, onxy, turquoise, lemon quartz, carnelian and more. I love them all and had a hard time controlling myself.

Juliet has a studio on Queen Anne in Seattle. You can call for an appointment to view her pieces or to put in an order. She has a new shipment coming in October so if you're interested in anything, call now to get your goods before they sell out. These same earrings in blue topaz are gorgeous and selling out like hotcakes.

Juliet Roger
206.282.3300
www.julietroger.com

Omnivore's Dilemma

I don't think this will be a page turner for most people, but for those interested in how food gets to their table it is a great read. Michael Pollan covers industrialized food, organic food both from local farms and industrialized organic, and food that is hunted or gathered. It is an eye-opening book that will make you think about what you're eating and feeding your family. I loved (well, hated actually) learning about what happens to chicken, cows, and pigs. There is also quite a lot of good information about corn. I definitely recommend this book for people who are mindful in what they eat, or want to be more and need a push.

Cheese Addict

I'm sure loving these cheese and crackers from Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market. You can buy their products at grocery stores in 13 states and on their website: http://www.beechershandmadecheese.com/.

My faves:

• Beecher's Market Herb Fresh Curds - flavored with olive oil, fresh parsley, garlic, rosemary and thyme.


• Beecher's Crackers -natural crackers rich and delicious with a buttery sweetness and an excellent crunch.

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeelish!

Chicken Rice Reviews

I love getting feedback on recipes so please post comments! It is especially helpful because I am guilty of not measuring everything out ... little of this, little of that. When I type up a recipe I try to think back or eyeball how much I'm using which isn't an exact science. So, feedback will help me refine these recipes for others to enjoy.

A bit of feedback about my chicken rice recipe...

Two people thought the lime flavor stood out quite a bit and two people thought there wasn't enough ginger. That could be the recipe writer's fault (moi), and not the recipe. It should be pretty gingery and the lime flavor shouldn't be that distinct. I will adjust the recipe to improve these issues. Another person wasn't a fan of the Sriracha but wanted some heat. She thought jalapeno might do the trick. Someone give it a try and let us know!

I hope this helps. Happy cooking!

Nie Nie Inspires Thousands

Not sure if you've heard about the horrible story about the Nielson couple who were involved in a terrible plane crash. She has reached thousands through her blog Nie Nie Dialogues. I have been following the story on the blogs. It's so incredibly sad and your heart just goes out to the Nielsons and their entire family. The story made the New York Times and I thought I would share it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/fashion/07burn.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=fashion

Just a good reminder to cherish every day and embrace motherhood rather than letting it weigh you down!

"Robbcakes" (Buckwheat Banana Pancakes)

My friend Whitney's dad made these for her growing up and now she makes them for her little tater tots. She made them for me the other day and I loved them. We have since renamed them "Robbcakes" in honor of her dad who always aimed to live life to the fullest. He would always say to his kids, "The only rule is you have to have fun!" So make these pancakes for your loved ones and pass on the Robb mantra for the day. And remember chefs, the only rule is you have to have fun!

Robbcakes

Buckwheat pancake mix which also requires:

• 1 egg
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 2 tsp honey
• 3/4 cup milk

Mix above ingredients until smooth, then also add:

• diced bananas
• handful of rolled oats (maybe 1/4 cup)

Cook pancakes, then top with:

• butter
• syrup
• molasses

Serve to children with big smiles!

Get Ready for Flu Season

My friend Amy is a health and wellness aficionado and avid yogi (instructor and student). At some point in her yoga studies she learned about this ancient tea recipe (not sure if it's really ancient but it sounds better) to ward off sickness. She said the minute she feels a cold or flu coming on, she pounds this tea and fights it off. I've followed suit and have been drinking it for the last year. I, too, swear by it and have my husband hooked now as well. Great recipe to have in your back pocket now that flu season is on the horizon.

Get Well Tea

1-2 T fresh ginger, minced

1/8 t cayenne pepper (or less... or more if you can handle it.)

1-2 T honey

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Put ingredients in a mug and pour boiling water over. Let steep for several minutes and then drink your sickness away. Add more honey or lemon juice if you need it.

My Favorite Paninis

I'm a HUGE fan of these croissant paninis from Giada. What's not to love about salami, gouda, parmesan and arugula on a croissant, warmed and melted together? They are so tastey. My friend Robin made them for a group of our friends and everyone gobbled them up. She served some on croissant and also used other types of bread that worked well for paninis. They were all good but the croissant is my favorite because it's all buttery and delicious. Bon appetite!

My New Uni

Every season I establish my new "uniform" which consists of a few key pieces of clothing that I wear to death. The uni generally consists of my new favorite t-shirts, cardigans and jeans that I mix and match all season long. I have already purchased part of this fall's uni.

I loved this Nation Ltd. Karen Tee (as seen on Nicole Richie & Mary Kate Olsen) selling for $105 on www.singer22.com sooooooooooooo ...


... I was pleasantly surprised to find this very similar tee at JCrew for $32.50. You can't really tell in the picture but the fabric has a similar look and texture as the Nation Ltd. Karen tee. They are long too which I love love love.

Ringspun V-neck Painter Tee from J.Crew

Our Favorite Architect

Young Iggy Peck is an architect

and has been since he was two,

when he built a great tower, in only an hour

with nothing but diapers and glue.

I can't stop raving about the children's book Iggy Peck, Architect so I thought I would share some of the pages. I have nearly memorized the book and never get tired of looking at the most detailed illustrations. It's a big hit in our house.

Fall is Coming

When fall is in the air I start to crave more hearty foods. One of the first meals I always make when the weather turns is Ina's recipe for Parker's Split Pea Soup. I always get a thick slice of ham and cube it to make it even heartier. It's the lazy girl's ham hock (that would surely be even better though). I think I always add a little extra broth so it's not quite so thick. You can see it's still pretty thick.

Can't Get Enough

I am most definitely a cheese-oholic. Once I find a good cheese I just can't stop. My latest obsession is a three-milk cheese from Italy called La Tur. It's a creamy blend of deliciousness made from goat, sheep and cow's milk. I serve it with these little wafer crackers and my, oh my, is it ever good! Available at some Whole Foods Market locations and online.

Arroz Con Pollo (Cuban Chicken with Rice)

I served this last night for my husband, parents and in-laws. Everyone loved it and went back for seconds. It was delicious. I cannot wait for leftovers today. For better photos visit Smitten Kitchen.

Arroz Con Pollo (Cuban Chicken with Rice)

Adapted from Gourmet Magazine recipe on Smitten Kitchen

Chicken

4 large garlic cloves

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled

4 chicken breast halves with bone, skinned & halved crosswise, excess fat removed

4 chicken drumsticks, skinned

Rice

2 habanero sausages, meat removed from casing and broken into small pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 medium onions, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

4 large garlic cloves, chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1 California bay leaf

1 28oz can whole tomatoes, crushed with your hand

12oz. bottle of beer (not dark)

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 cups long-grain white rice

1/4 cup roasted red pepper strips - I didn't use these but they would probably be good

Marinate chicken:

Mince garlic, then mash to a paste with 2 teaspoons salt. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in vinegar and oregano. Toss chicken with marinade until coated and marinate, covered and chilled, at least 1 hour (2 hours max).

Cook chicken and rice:

Heat olive oil in a large pot and cook onion and green pepper over medium or medium-high heat until soft (5-10 minutes). Add sausage and garlic. Cook for several minutes. Add cumin, oregano, paprika, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and bay leaves and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add chicken with marinade and cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, 10 minutes. Stir in beer to deglaze pot. Add tomatoes with juices, broth and rice and bring to a boil, making sure rice is submerged. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover pot with a sheet of parchment paper and top with a tight fitting lid. Cook, stirring once or twice (I forgot to stir and it was fine), until rice is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Discard parchment paper and bay leaves. Top with red pepper strips if using.

Serves 8

If you go on Smitten Kitchen you can review the original recipe and comments from readers.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/10/arroz-con-pollo/

One reader added these suggestions that I will take into consideration next time I make this dish:

• Chicken is best marinated with crushed garlic to a paste, cumin, oregano, lime juice (instead of vinegar) and black pepper.
• Brown chicken first on high heat. Then set aside, add more oil and start from beginning with onion and pepper.
• Add frozen peas.

Strawberry Pots Forever

In follow up to a recent post about succulents, here is a picture of a strawberry pot on the patio at Shutters in Santa Monica. I have a smaller, brighter green version on my back patio. I think they are so cute.