Tuesday Tastings :: Kale & White Bean Soup


Kale_White_Bean_Soup

After our last few Tastings of chocolate & berry trifle, pancakes for two and chocolate-covered peanut butter ritz crackers…suffice it to say, I thought it was time to indulge in something a little more nourishing this week. This kale & white bean soup is brimming with antioxidant-rich veggies and fiber-packed beans…and even my naughty-eater husband is constantly requesting it for dinner because it’s so tasty. I love to grate big shards of parmesan on top, drizzle with a little olive oil & sea salt, then serve with slices of grilled rustic bread for sopping up every last drop. Let me know what you think…and I’d love to hear about any of your favorite winter soup recipes! Keep reading for the recipe…  more +


Tuesday Tastings: Chocolate & Berry Trifle


Trifle-SM-578

Happy Valentine’s, luvies! Couldn’t resist sharing this animated recipe that’s oh-so-apropo for the romance that’s in the air today. Created by Lovestru.ck Events for 100 Layer Cake, it basically throws all my favorite things (cake, chocolate, strawberries & cream) into one heavenly trifle bowl. It really doesn’t get easier that that, does it? I’ll be finishing up a few projects at my desk this morning before heading off to pick up my husband for an afternoon surprise. Hope your day is full of love and chocolate! xoxo


Tuesday Tastings :: Valentine’s Pancakes


Heart-Shaped_Pancakes

Is there anyone else who agrees that breakfast might just be the most romantic meal of the day? The kind of breakfast that’s long and leisurely, enjoyed from the comfort of bed or at least while still in pajamas? Since my honey’s idea of heaven is a stack of fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, I’ll definitely be waking him up with these heart-shaped cranberry-studded ones on Valentine’s Day. I’ll set the scene with steaming cups of coffee in my bone china teacups, a bowl of ripe strawberries sprinkled with sugar and a small bunch of frilly white flowers. Keep reading for the details of this breakfast for two and the recipe for my heart-shaped cranberry buttermilk pancakes!  more +


The Perfect Bite :: Game Day Tostadas


superbowl super bowl football snack snacks appetizer finger foods guacamole easy recipe tostada

Are we ready to rumble yet? Jess here, and since we’re closing in on the big kickoff, I figured it was high time that we tackle a simple and healthy appetizer for your Super Bowl festivities with this edition of The Perfect Bite.

When game time rolls around I make sure there is snack food galore. Of course, it’s always great to offer guests some healthy options, and this guacamole has always been a favorite of mine. While it may look like traditional guac, it’s actually kicked up a notch in the health-department with the addition of zucchini. Serve on round tortilla chips as a tostada, or (if you’re still abiding by your New Year’s resolutions), use whole grain chips or bell pepper strips to dip! Keep reading for the recipe. more +


Tuesday Tastings :: Super Bowl Snackies


Chocolate-ritz-peanut-butter

If you hadn’t noticed, the big game’s this weekend…and although I’m not quite sure what our plans will be, I’m certainly planning what we’ll be eating! (’cause isn’t that really the main event?) I’ve been stalking my favorite food bloggers for recipes that strike the balance between fun (chocolate-covered ritz crackers, for example!) and slightly more sophisticated than the typical chicken-wings-and-beer menu. The edibles that make my Super Bowl cut must (a) be easy to eat, (b) not require silverware, since they’ll be eaten in front of the telly, and (c) be hearty enough to put a dent in the appetites of guys all fueled up on sports fanaticism and testosterone. I think these chocolate-covered peanut butter ritz crackers from spoon fork bacon fit the bill perfectly, don’t you? Keep reading for the others on my game-day crave list, and follow the links for the recipes! more +


The Sunday Sweet


the sunday sweet styled shoot forest dessert buffet cherry pie cookies in a jar red velvet cake rustic banana pudding

Is there anything better than a beautifully-styled dessert buffet for an afternoon pick-me-up? Dana from The Sunday Sweet put together this totally magical display, and her mouth-watering sweets combined with natural vintage styling have us wanting to jump right in. I’ll let Dana describe her inspiration, and be sure to follow the jump for more beautiful details and her world-famous banana pudding recipe!

I created this cozy dessert bar with an intimate backyard wedding in mind, using a palette of green and white with pops of raspberry. Since The Sunday Sweet is all about sharing love with every bite, we thought a southern-inspired dessert menu would be the perfect complement to our display: cherry and apple pies, decadent dark chocolate brownies, mason jar cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, lemon cupcakes and banana pudding. more +


Tuesday Tastings :: Devilish Birthday Cake


Chocolate_Birthday_Cake

Have you ever promised to bake someone a birthday cake…and then completely forgotten until the morning of their birthday? No? Well, I did last week. After promising to bake my father-in-law a fabulous cake to ring in his 65th, it was gone from my mind until lunchtime on the big day, leaving me with only a few hours to whip up something that looked and tasted worthy of such an occasion. Enter this Devil’s Food Bavarian Torte, a little secret I keep in my arsenal for just such occasions. Although the recipe includes a super moist, super chocolate-y devil’s food cake recipe, I’m going to level with you guys: I totally used a mix instead. And no one suspected a thing as they bit into the heavenly layers of cake, chocolate shavings and mascarpone cream. Keep reading for lots more luscious images and the recipe. Oh, and let’s keep this our little secret, shall we?  more +


The Perfect Bite :: Chocolate Donuts


Hi, everyone! Jess here, and since everyone is still keen on their resolutions, today’s Perfect Bite proves that not every chocolate fix has to leave you feeling guilty. I love nothing more than a dessert that’ll give your tastebuds a kick, and your waistline a break! These whole wheat donuts are totally decadent, filled with dark chocolate chips and topped with a creamy chocolate ganache and chocolate sprinkles. But on the flip side, they’re made with olive oil, low fat milk and whole wheat… now that’s balance, right? I’ve got the full recipe, after the jump! more +


Tuesday Tastings :: A Pinch of Gold


Gold_Cupcakes

Gold_Star_Cookies

Lately, I’ve been kind of obsessed with all things gold, from my new biz cards (I’ll show them to you Thursday!) to my Clare Vivier clutch to, yes, even the food I’ve been styling for shoots! Last week we put together a super glam shoot for HGTV in white and glittering gold, and the sparkle extended all the way to the cupcakes and panna cottas. My little secret? This totally addictive luster dust; the tiniest sprinkle makes any edible dazzle. The culinary team at Word of Mouth were behind the gorgeous confections at this shoot, and we couldn’t have pulled it all together without the help of Jess, food stylist extraordinaire. Oh, and many thanks to the gals at Estilo for dressing me in this chic Black Halo frock…I felt very “old Hollywood” through the entire shoot. Can’t wait to show you guys all the glam details on HGTV.com!  more +


Breakfast Porn :: Jen Causey


Holiday_Bundt_Cake

During these last couple of months, the chilly mornings have given me a newfound love for the first meal of the day. Whereas summer mornings usually mean a quick smoothie or yogurt, something about January makes me want to start my day with toast and honey, runny eggs, strong cappuccino and other such comforting essentials. In fact, my fantasy breakfast looks pretty much like photographer Jen Causey’s does every day, as captured on her Simply Breakfast blog. The lighting, her reading materials and the perfectly drool-worthy edibles on her plate…wouldn’t you love to start every day just like this? Keep reading…  more +

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...