Give me a theme and I will plan a party! I hosted my first hot chocolate night last winter. Since it was so much of a hit, I’m continuing on with the tradition this year. How do you host the perfect hot chocolate night? There are a few key elements. (more…)
There’s nothing more gratifying or satisfying than using seasonal fruits in your baking. I think it goes hand-in-hand with my theme obsession. I think of seasonal fruit like seasonal themes. You enjoy them while they’re ripe and fresh, and then move on to the next new and fun fruit in the next season. That’s why I’m so excited about this Winter Pomegranate Spice Cake. (more…)
Turning up the cozy level here with Crockpot Lentil Lamb Stew and a side of couscous. Anyone else trying to hibernate this winter? I sure am. Something about not as many sun hours and cold weather makes me want to cozy up with my favorite blanket and Netflix. Netflix is a blessing and a curse. Why? For one, I love being able to watch shows without commercial interruptions. I’m also the type of person that loses interest in a show if I have to wait an entire week for the next episode. My dreams have come true because now I can watch entire seasons. Yes, I know, welcome to 2018. The negative? I usually watch entire seasons in one sitting. And without commercials, I don’t really do much else, other than binge on whatever latest and greatest series I’ve decided to commit to. I know I’m not the only one who gets the dreaded “Are you still watching?” notice on the screen. Yes, I’m still here, 4pm, in the same PJs I had on since last night snacking and watching. Thanks for the reminder that I’ve accomplished next to nothing today. (more…)
I can’t believe we’re coming up on the end of 2018. How is it December already?! While I figure out how to get everything I need to get accomplished by the end of the year, let me tell you a little bit about one of my favorite ingredients; Puff Pastry.
You can find frozen Puff Pastry in the freezer section of your grocery store, and it is an absolute godsend. Puff Pastry is a buttery flaky dough used for savory appetizers and desserts alike. When you bake puff pastry it rises, because of the water used to make the pastry sheets. The water, mixed with heat makes the dough puff up. Frozen puff pastry comes in sheets [usually two in a box], which requires defrosting. The best way to defrost is overnight in the fridge. However, as we all know, I’m very impatient, so I defrost my puff pastry at room temperature, and slowly open up the folded sheets as they defrost, making sure not to break them.
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We made it through Thanksgiving! I’m sure everyone is poultry-ed out, but I couldn’t help share this One Pan Parmesan Sage Chicken and Butternut Squash. Not only is it super easy to throw together (#winning), it’s also super cozy on a chilly winter night. So if you haven’t had enough poultry to last you through the end of the year, you have got to try this One Pan Chicken and Squash dish. (more…)
There’s no season like soup season.
We had our very first snowfall of the year last week. Super early for DC standards since it doesn’t usually snow until mid-January. In usual DC fashion, federal offices were open on time, but the roads were practically undriveable (yes I just made that word up). Of course, I had a meeting downtown bright and early. I decided to take the metro, since getting into the city even without snow is what nightmares are made of. Well, I made it all the way in, and had just gotten off at the closest metro stop (which still had me walking about 15 minutes to the meeting) when I got a text letting me know the meeting was changed to call-in only. Convenient. So what did I do? I put myself back on the metro but instead of heading home, I went to the metro nearest my office. Snow in the burbs was the worst. Just imagine slushy snowcone roads. God bless the genius behind uber! (more…)
