Friday Things
1. Someone spent a large amount of time soaking up some sunshine this week! It’s been so long since we’ve had bright rays of sun bursting through the windows, and Einstein wasted no time climbing up onto the stairs to bask in a perfect sun spot.
2. Last weekend my sister made a great big salad with kale, and I admittedly sort of poo-poo’d it before I tried it. Here’s the thing. I like lettuce and raw spinach, but I’ve only ever had bad experiences with other types of greens. I think because I’ve only tried them sautéed or steamed (which I haven’t liked). Turns out, I LOVED the salad. She made it with kale, golden raisins, dried cranberries, pine nuts, feta and a honey vinaigrette. Delicious! I haven’t quite jumped on kale train yet, but that salad was definitely a first step!
3. I’m always adding to the long list of blogs that I follow in my Google Reader, and thought I’d share some new ones that I’ve added over the last couple of weeks. If you haven’t checked them out yet, be sure to visit Gimme Some Oven, Oh, Ladycakes, Sally’s Baking Addiction, Top With Cinnamon, and Verses From My Kitchen for some fabulous recipes!
4. This kitchen island diagram was posted by The Wall Street Journal on Facebook a few days ago:
So many fun gadgets, but I would want more counter space! What’s on your dream island wish list?
5. We’re 10 days into Lent, and I’m happy to report that I’m still eating a peanut butter-free diet. Only 37 more days to go!
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6. In the past week, I have seen two bloggers post about the chocolate truffle cookies from the Dahlia Bakery Cookbook. I think this is divine intervention telling me I need to buy that book ASAP.
7. My mom had some family over last weekend for a little engagement celebration for my Chief Culinary Consultant and me, and she ordered the most adorable cake! That fake ring totally fits around my wrist; look out, bracelet bling! ;-)
8. Note to self: When you’re trying to do some serious house hunting, turning into neighborhoods where there are estates with mansions will probably be counterproductive. Also, going to the Pittsburgh Auto Show and sitting in $90,000 cars will probably ensure that your next one will fall far below your expectations. I will say, though, that mansion-browsing and sitting in crazy expensive cars make for a pretty fun couple of days :)
9. I have seen on more than one social media account references to “Harlem Shake”, including a news story about some kids getting suspended from school because of something related to it. I feel totally out of the loop; I have NO idea what it is (this, coming from the girl who didn’t see the Gangnam Style video for upwards of 4 months after it was released). In retrospect, I guess I could have easily Googled “Harlem Shake” in the amount of time it just took me to lament that I know nothing about it. Truthfully, it brings me a strange sort of joy to feel like the out-of-touch old lady who can’t understand why guys wear skinny jeans and have shaggy long hair. I’m totally ready for fuddy-duddy land.
10. TGIF! Here’s to finding a spot in the sun this weekend!
“Seriously, no more pictures, please!”
I should tell you that I admire all your work, you are an inspiration to me. Seeing all the amazing things you cook made me want to get into cooking myself, I translate some of your dishes and desserts to my mom in spanish just so we can cook it together, thank you so much for this, you are incredible.
ps. I have a golden retriever as well, their snow noses are SO cute during winter :)
Hi Gabriela, Thank you so much for the sweet words. I love that you translate the recipes so you can bake with your mom! Hugs to both of you!
I often find myself perched on the stairs in the rare event the sun decides to grace us with its presence in the middle of winter. I love kale chips. They are one of my favorite side dishes and even my dad likes them. I have spent a lot of time perfecting the recipe and think you might enjoy them. Here’s the link if you want to look: http://www.piesandplots.net/kale-chips
3 words: MAKE KALE CHIPS! You might change your mind about it!
Aww, I heart Einstein pictures! Riley says hello too. :-) He looks so happy in his warm spot. And I am totally ready for fuddy-duddy land too, so I’ll meet you there and we can bake and take up old lady hobbies together. ;-)
I love kale raw and cooked. I have a lovely recipe with it in a bean soup. I also like it sauteed in olive oil and then a splash of blackberry balsamic vinegar. We also use it as lettuce on a sandwich. Here is the soup recipe:
Skillet 30-Minute Kale, White Bean and Sausage Soup from Serious Eats
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup chopped shallots (about 1 large shallot)
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely hopped (about 2 tablespoons) or 1 teaspoons dried red chile flakes (optional)
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ pound chicken, turkey, or pork Italian sausage, removed from the casing
2 cups homemade or store-bought low sodium chicken broth
½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves cut into ribbons (about 4 cups)
1 (15-oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed juice from 1 lime or lemon
Fresh picked parsley leaves, for garnish
Procedures
Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the shallots, jalapeno (if using), and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the thyme, garlic, and dried herbs and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it loses its pink color, about 4 minutes.
Add the broth, kale, and beans and raise the heat to bring to a simmer. Fold in the kale until it starts to wilt. Using a potato masher, smash some of the beans to thicken the broth. Cover and allow to cook until thickened, 6 to 8 minutes longer. Remove the thyme stems and discard. Stir in the lime or lemon juice, season to taste with salt and pepper, ladle into bowls, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.
Congratulations on your engagement.
The chocolate truffle cookies really are amazing – I won’t tell you how quickly my husband and I polished off the 10 I made :) Love that bling on the cake for your engagement party! Oh and I have no idea what the Harlem Shake is either, you’re not alone.
Einstein is sooooooooo adorable! These pics made my day :D
You should check out Edgewood. My daughter lives there. Tight little neighborhood
Beautiful pictures of Einstein! :)
Awww he makes me want a golden so bad. Such sweet dogs.
Have you ever tried baby kale? It’s pre-washed and spinach like, just a little more “sturdy”, if you will. I love the stuff. I made a salad with it this week and added bacon, dried cranberries, red onion, and feta cheese. Anything with bacon, right?I’m always on the lookout for new blogs, so thanks for throwing those out there! I found Sally’s Baking Addiction a few weeks ago and have made two recipes since that are to die for. Regretfully, I’m out of the loop, too. No idea what Harlem Shake is!
Hi Marcie, I actually asked my sister and said this kale was pre-washed in a bag where the bagged spinach was, so I’m pretty sure I had baby kale!
Einstein is adorable!!! Our 2 dogs love the sun also…they lay on the hardwood floors in the living room…just basking away in the warm sunshine. These days in Minnesota you need to take all the advantage you can of the sun :)
I love your picture of Einstein!
Hi Michelle! This is so sweet. Thank you so much for linking to my website! I just learned about what the Harlem Shake is yesterday morning. I feel so out of the loop. The only thing I can keep up on is cookies and photography. lol! Not the real world!
Hmmm. I had never even heard of Harlem Shake until I read about it here. How lame am I?;) Love love love your blog and your recipes and your doggie. Blessings on your engagement, too! <3
Einstein is so adorable! I know he and Buddy would be good friends! Love the bling cake! Happy weekend!
I love Einstein!!!! And the Oakmont Bakery!! Thanks for making me smile this cloudy Friday :)
I think you would love the Dahlia Bakery cookbook, it is by Tom Douglas and his head baker. Tom owns quite a few well known restaurants in Seattle and a bakery. I have the book and it is wonderful.