Fun Fashions

This past weekend I reconnected with a friend and visited her store Idiom across from Yale University in New Haven, CT.  It was great to see her again and catch up, also I found some fabulous finds in her cute store.  I got some colorful earrings for spring made by metal monk.  Love a Kristin Ford piece she has, the Loren Hope hoop earrings, Bed Head pajamas, Michael Stars, and more. You can become a fan of Idiom on facebook.

Birthday Risotto

Jim requested mushroom risotto if we didn't go out to eat.  As it so happens he caught whatever bug I caught and wasn't feeling well.  He wanted to come home and have some comfort food.

Mushroom Risotto adapted from Tyler Florence.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 onion, diced, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced, divided
• 1 pound fresh portobello and crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (can use spice from jar)
• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon truffle oil
• 1-ounce dried porcini mushrooms, wiped of grit
• 2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese and Parmesan Regiano grated
• Fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions

Pour one cup of broth into a bowl and heat till warm in microwave (30 - 45 sec.).  Put porcini mushrooms in that bowl and cover with saran wrap for 10 mins.  Drain excess water into pot of broth water mixter.

Heat the chicken broth and water in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.


Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 onion and 1 clove garlic, cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the fresh mushrooms, herbs and butter. Saute for 3 to 5 minutes until lightly browned, season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in truffle oil then add the dried porcini mushrooms which were reconstituted in1 cup of warm chicken broth. Season again with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Saute 1 minute then remove from heat and set aside.


Coat a saucepan with remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Saute the remaining 1/2 onion and garlic clove. Add the rice and stir quickly until it is well-coated and opaque, 1 minute. This step cooks the starchy coating and prevents the grains from sticking. Stir in wine and cook until it is nearly all evaporated.

Now, with a ladle, add 1 cup of the warm broth and cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the remaining broth, 1 cup at a time. Continue to cook and stir, allowing the rice to absorb each addition of broth before adding more.

The risotto should be slightly firm and creamy, not mushy. Transfer the mushrooms to the rice mixture. Stir in Parmesan cheese, cook briefly until melted. Serve with Top with Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Birthday Party

Tessie's Birthday

We've been celebrating Tess turning 1 today.  When we were at Canine Style this weekend the manager who knows Tess kindly gave her some special treats.  Boy did she love her very own pink cupcake!  She did share a blue one with her brother which he enjoyed.  She is having a joint birthday party with Jim this weekend - birthday celebrations continue!  Photo of Jim and Tessie this winter I love......

Straight As The Crow Flies

Not too long ago Hoda of Kathie Lee and Hoda mentioned a little know song - "straight as the crow flies."  Kim Richey is talented and her song has heart, soul, a good sound, as well as a good message.  Enjoy!  Thanks Hoda!

Roasting Garlic & Garlic Bread

I love roasting garlic and make garlic butter for my bread.  You can use homemade or store bought bread - baguette, ciabatta  - whatever you like.

First: Take your garlic head and cut off the base or you could cut off the top - either or.
Second: Put your garlic in foil, pour olive oil, and grind salt over it then close the foil around the entire head of garlic.

Third: Turn your oven on 375 (no need to preheat) and put the foil with the garlic in the oven and leave there for 50 mins.

Take out, open, and let cool.  Then squeeze the garlic out in a small dish and add olive oil or melted butter and mix together.  Then take a brush and brush onto your bread.  Top with parmesan or asiago cheese and bake in the oven on 350 for 10 mins.  Goes great with any meal or by itself.

Think Green

Traditional Irish Dinner

 

Jim's Plate 

Corned Beef and Cabbage  

Magical Moments

(photos from a friends Iphone)

 As I looked at my sister on her wedding day I remembered a little girl full of wonder who played dress up and believed in fairytales and magic.  That evening I saw all the magic and wonder of fairytales coming true.  

"All you need is love."

First Lady's $35 Dress

First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on the Today show in February 2011 wearing a $35 dress from H&M.  Great that she demonstrates fashion does not have to break the bank.  She demonstrates that she's still very much a real person, a real wife, a real mom.  While she holds a very respected, important title she also still holds the position of being real.  Many of us, in reality, can't afford to spend more than $35 for a dress.  Her actions reiterate the old truth in which our confidence shouldn't come from what we wear or how much we spend on our things.   What we wear isn't what defines us, but rather what we do with what is given to us is what defines who we are.

"And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation."  Michelle Obama