May 30, 2012 • 3 notes
Farmers Market Finds (or using what’s in your CSA box this week) If you are like me, you go to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s every week and pick up the same veggies and fruits and make a typical rotation of meals.  Romaine, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, apples and bananas are always in my cart.  Boring. I love summer when the farmers markets are in full force and I’m introduced to new ingredients that are delicious because they’re fresh and in season.  It encourages me to think of new recipes and to tease my palate with a variety of flavors that only come around every few months.  I made this salad incorporating haricot verts (or green beans), mixed greens, grape tomatoes, granny smith apples and gorgonzola (toss some grilled shrimp on top for some protein).  I typically think of green beans as a side dish (sauteed with almonds perhaps?), but tossed in this salad with the tart apples and creamy cheese?  A delicious summer meal!  Check out The Local Beet blog for Chicago CSA information (and local, sustainable food info) or The Chicago Farmers Market website for your local market.  I am partial to the Wicker Park farmers market that opens this Sunday.  Can’t wait to see what tasty items they have!

Farmers Market Finds (or using what’s in your CSA box this week)

If you are like me, you go to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s every week and pick up the same veggies and fruits and make a typical rotation of meals.  Romaine, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, apples and bananas are always in my cart.  Boring. I love summer when the farmers markets are in full force and I’m introduced to new ingredients that are delicious because they’re fresh and in season.  It encourages me to think of new recipes and to tease my palate with a variety of flavors that only come around every few months.  I made this salad incorporating haricot verts (or green beans), mixed greens, grape tomatoes, granny smith apples and gorgonzola (toss some grilled shrimp on top for some protein).  I typically think of green beans as a side dish (sauteed with almonds perhaps?), but tossed in this salad with the tart apples and creamy cheese?  A delicious summer meal! 

Check out The Local Beet blog for Chicago CSA information (and local, sustainable food info) or The Chicago Farmers Market website for your local market.  I am partial to the Wicker Park farmers market that opens this Sunday.  Can’t wait to see what tasty items they have!

May 30, 2012 • 291 notes • libertyequalitybrotherhood
livingwith8balls: True story I’m really starting to believe this…

livingwith8balls:

True story

I’m really starting to believe this…
May 29, 2012
Ready, Set, Shop! Summer sales are here! Bergdorf, Net-a-Porter, Intermix, Shopbop, Barney’s…the list goes on. I’m currently in the market for a pair of black wedges (each step I take in them will be that much better if they are on sale). Let me know what you find…

Ready, Set, Shop!

Summer sales are here! Bergdorf, Net-a-Porter, Intermix, Shopbop, Barney’s…the list goes on. I’m currently in the market for a pair of black wedges (each step I take in them will be that much better if they are on sale).

Let me know what you find…

May 29, 2012 • 9 notes

The first official weekend of summer…

  • My version of the strawberry caprese salad (made with arugula, strawberries, grape tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, avocado and walnuts - definitely a new favorite!)
  • Pool time with Little B (and GiGi and Papa G, of course)
  • Madras cocktails poolside with mom (cranberry, pineapple, orange and vodka - tastes like summer, right?)
  • Tasting wines for my dad’s new restaurant opening late summer
  • Kale Caesar salad from Balena with a special out-of-town visitor (I now have a new love for kale because of this salad)
  • Homemade macaroon smores (proof that you can enjoy smores without a campfire)
  • An all American baby

Hope your first weekend of summer was just as fun!

May 28, 2012 • 4 notes
Happy 8 month birthday, Little B! It’s a big, big world out there…

Happy 8 month birthday, Little B!

It’s a big, big world out there…

May 27, 2012 • 6 notes
I heard there was an Indy 500 race today?

I heard there was an Indy 500 race today?

May 26, 2012 • 469 notes • theforestfeast.com
gastrogirl: strawberry caprese salad. A new twist on a classic summer salad. Another potential addition to Memorial Day festivities?

gastrogirl:

strawberry caprese salad.

A new twist on a classic summer salad. Another potential addition to Memorial Day festivities?

May 26, 2012 • 7 notes
Red, White and Stripes… A casual mix of bright prints to kick of the holiday weekend: Striped blouse: J Crew Enamel chain necklace: Banana Republic Patterned shorts: J Crew Wedges: Christian Louboutin

Red, White and Stripes…

A casual mix of bright prints to kick of the holiday weekend:

Striped blouse: J Crew
Enamel chain necklace: Banana Republic
Patterned shorts: J Crew
Wedges: Christian Louboutin

May 25, 2012 • 5 notes
Happy Birthday baby brother! You make a really great brother and uncle.

Happy Birthday baby brother! You make a really great brother and uncle.

May 25, 2012 • 8 notes
Blueberry Smash While putting together a menu for a Memorial Day BBQ, I came across this delicious summer cocktail - the Blueberry Smash. The perfect combination of acidic citrus and sweet berries (and the vodka doesn’t hurt either). Would pair nicely with bison burgers and a lobster Cobb salad, I think! 2 lemons, sliced into rounds 2 limes, sliced into rounds 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves plus sprigs for garnish 1 1/2 cups vodka 3/4 cup St. Germain (elderflower liqueur) Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, coarsely mash lemon and lime slices, blueberries and mint leaves in a large pitcher. Stir in vodka, St. Germain and 2 cups of ice cubes. Divide drink among coupe or highball glasses; top with more ice cubes. Garnish each drink with a mint sprig. [Via Bon Appetit - June 2012]

Blueberry Smash

While putting together a menu for a Memorial Day BBQ, I came across this delicious summer cocktail - the Blueberry Smash. The perfect combination of acidic citrus and sweet berries (and the vodka doesn’t hurt either). Would pair nicely with bison burgers and a lobster Cobb salad, I think!

2 lemons, sliced into rounds
2 limes, sliced into rounds
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves plus sprigs for garnish
1 1/2 cups vodka
3/4 cup St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)

Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, coarsely mash lemon and lime slices, blueberries and mint leaves in a large pitcher. Stir in vodka, St. Germain and 2 cups of ice cubes. Divide drink among coupe or highball glasses; top with more ice cubes. Garnish each drink with a mint sprig.

[Via Bon Appetit - June 2012]