New Thing!

I have a problem.  Not serious, not life-threatening, I’m not crying or anything…but I might get fired.  Ok, that was a little dramatic, I’m not gonna get fired.  BUT, I have to find a way to stop looking at pinterest.  I will think I am just going to look at 1 thing, or I just need to check this and then before you know it, 3 hours have passed.  I do love it!  It is like inspiration crack, and I just can’t stop looking!  Have you “joined” this site?  Do you look at it for hours on end?  Have you created boards?  Please let me know I would love to have some more to look at!  

Sincerely Loving Pinterest,

Lainey

For 2: Steak Cobb Salad

I am a huge fan of the Cobb Salad, mainly because of 3 things: avocado, blue cheese and protein!  I think the combinations are endless, you can use any type of cheese, protein, veggies you like.  For me the avocado and meat are the must haves and I love to change it up with different ingredients.  A few nights ago I put together a version of the Cobb using filet mignon, avocado, boiled egg, tomato, and blue cheese crumbles over a bed of baby field greens.   

For the dressing I used Asiago and Cracked Peppercorn from Cindy’s Kitchen which was to die for. I found it at Whole Foods.

Granted, it wasn’t the lightest /healthiest dressing I have ever used, but it was so good.  The creamy cheesiness of the dressing went so well with the steak.  I am convinced I will love anything with steak, cheese and avocados, and this salad is no exception.  What are you favorite salad toppers?

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

PS - Crystal thanks again for the Omaha Steak wedding gift - this was the last of the meat and I was sad to see it go...

FRIDAY!!!

Hooray!  It’s Friday.  I don’t know about you but this week has been soooo looonnnnggg…I feel like each day has lasted forever!  I am looking forward to getting my hair cut, shopping some of the new Lauren Conrad pieces and Kohl’s and attending a 30^th birthday party.  I am telling you the Lauren Conrad stuff at Kohl’s is cute, affordable and very wearable.  It is one of my favorite things! The t-shirts are great for layering (or super cute on their own), the leggings are so comfortable, and the sweaters are super cozey but nice enough to wear to work.  I am also looking forward to this birthday party.  The guest of honor is a huge Star Trek fan (which I know nothing about), however I do LOVE a theme party so I am helping a little with the menu.  I am bringing a Deep Space 9 Layer dip, and will for sure share with you next week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!  What do you have in store?

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

*Lauren Conrad does not know me and I was not compensated in anyway for this post; I really do just love those clothes.  However, LC if you are reading this feel free to comment – we could be friends…

For 2: Roasted Tomato Crostini

I LOVE to share a Friday afternoon cocktail with my hubby, and it’s even better with a snack.  Last Friday, we kicked off the weekend with a delicious roasted tomato crostini.  It was so easy to make and would be just as easy to put together for 20 as it was for 2.  The roasted tomatoes have an intense savory flavor and the mozzarella is so creamy when heated through, it’s the perfect combination on crusty bread.  I loved it so much we had it again the next day.  Just a few ingredients and super delicious, what more can you ask for?  You have to try this at your next happy hour, or cocktail party, or just because tomorrow is Friday!  Open a bottle of wine and get the weekend started – oh tomorrow you can’t come soon enough… 

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

For 2: Date Night Ravioli

I love to make my own ravioli, filling that is.  I haven’t tried to make my own pasta yet; for now I am perfectly content to buy the wonton wrappers from Whole Foods, create what ever filling the hubs and I want, stuff the little guys, enjoy them and say we made ravioli.  Ravioli was actually my first post ever on this blog.  Friday night we made a little date night out of it: drank some wine, had a roasted tomato crostini appetizer (recipe to come later this week), made the raviolis and spent some quality time together.  I highly recommend this as a date – so, so fun!  We have done this a few times and each create our own filling, and fight over whose is better, I mean enjoy them both.  The process is simple:

Create the filling and then puree it just a little with a blender (we happen to use the emersion one)

Wet the border of the wraps with your fingers

Put the stuffing in the middle

Fold in half and pinch edges to close

Place on wax paper, cover with a damp cloth and let sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes

Then boil for about 3-4 minutes, cover with a delicious sauce, serve with wine and enjoy!

We used a simple cream sauce, just use whatever you like! 

Have you ever made your own pasta?  What is your favorite ravioli filling?  I hope I have convinced you to try this at home!

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

Stolen Recipe Success

Back in June I did a post called Stolen Recipe Success.  I had this great idea that I would do one post like this a week, about a recipe that I took from someone else's blog or TV show, made myself, and thought was a great success.  I am finally making good on that idea, here we are 2 months later and I am finally posting the second installment of Stole Recipe Success. 

A few nights ago for dinner we had this delicious roast salmon from The Pioneer Woman's post titled Pam's Day of Deliciousness.  I left off the asparagus because it's gross I don't really care for it and opted for a green salad instead.  Just as Ree said, this dish was delicious and so easy to throw together.  Thanks again Pioneer Woman and Pam!

*Lovely photo from Pioneer Woman's site











HOLY OREOS!  I don't really have anything to say about this.  Just go to Jessica's site, drool on yourself, be amazed by this fabulous idea, buy some oreos on the way home from work tonight and make this.  Seriously - oreos, pie crust, peanut butter...you don't even know!

* beautiful photo from The Novice Chef






What blogs, cooking shows, recipes are you loving right now?
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey

My, I mean OUR, New House!

So...I have been MIA...I don't really have an excuse.  Ok, yes I do.  I have been enjoying married life, working a lot and searching for a house.  I am happy to announce we found a house and are closing at the end of August!  That's right, we are taking the home buying plunge!  I am so happy this is soon to be our humble abode!

In just 34 days.  And even better this kitchen will be all mine:

The island does go with the sellers, but no worries I am going to replace it with one of our own.  I am so pumped to cook in that glorious space (can you say granite counter tops and tons of natural light?).  It will be fabulous to cook in and hopefully my photographs will get much better!  So this is where the recipes will be coming from in the near future!

This weekend the Hubs and I are going to drink wine and make some homemade ravioli (tonight) and see Harry Potter (tomorrow).  I promise to discuss both next week.  Additionally we plan to combine our separate cell phone plans into one family plan, wow its getting serious...ha!  I hope you all have a great weekend, what are you up to?
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey