A new recipe for a spring BBQ

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Flowers, Food, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

I’m eager for spring to show its sunny self and present us with an opportunity to dine al fresco and enjoy a yummy burger. We’ve had a few days that have hinted at it’s permanent arrival…only to be followed by overcast, gray skies! (I know, stop whining. It could be worse!)

Image via French Essence

I’m normally a beef burger kind of gal but this recipe enticed me with the seasonings used and I thought maybe I could eat one healthy burger every now and then, I mean what’s the harm, right?

I mentioned Epicurious a couple of weeks ago and this “Best of Epicurious” recipe site (within their site) is chock full of deliciousness. If you like tasty recipes that are tested by lots of readers who send in glowing reviews I urge you to link HERE. If you’d like to print a clean copy of this recipe, click HERE.

Grilled Turkey Burgers with Cheddar & Smoky Aioli

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INGREDIENTS:

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 pound ground dark-meat turkey
4 1/3 -inch-thick red onion slices
1 large or 2 small red bell peppers, quartered
4 slices white cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
4 sesame-seed hamburger buns
Arugula
Pickle wedges
Corn chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Toast cumin seeds and coriander seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until aromatic and slightly darker in color, shaking skillet often, about 1 1/2 minutes. Cool. Finely grind toasted seeds in spice grinder or in mortar with pestle. Whisk mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic, and ground spices in small bowl. Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Place turkey in medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons aioli; mix gently. Using damp hands, divide turkey mixture into 4 equal portions, then form each into scant 3/4-inch thick patty, about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Using thumb, make small indentation in center of each burger. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle burgers with salt and pepper. Brush onion slices and bell pepper pieces with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill onions and bell peppers until soft and charred, about 4 minutes per side.

Grill turkey burgers 5 minutes. Turn over; grill until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Top each burger with 1 cheese slice and grill until meat is cooked through and cheese melts, about 1 minute longer. Place 1 turkey burger on each of 4 bun bottoms. Arrange grilled red pepper pieces, then grilled red onion slices over. Top each with dollop of aioli and some arugula. Cover burgers with bun tops and serve with pickle wedges and corn chips.

Have you barbecued your first burger of the season yet? If so, what’s your favorite?

Happy Easter

22 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 2 Comments

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Easter

Image via Martha Stewart

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

Image via 5th & State

And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

Image via 5th & State

Keep a little Springtime in your heart. Happy Easter.

Easter and other thoughts of spring

11 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Flowers, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Party Planning

≈ 4 Comments

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spring decor

Spring fever has temporarily stymied the creative juices in me but I did come across some very pretty centerpiece ideas over at Martha’s (Martha Stewart dot com).

Image (above) via Small Stump + Studio

Image (above) via Martha Stewart

Images (above and below) via Martha Stewart

The wonderful thing about this time of year is that you can find flowers for a song (well, maybe not a song but truly affordable) and with the help of some warm weather and a sunny day, you can set a festive table and serve almost any meal and you, family and/or guests will be happy.

♥

It’s pretty universal; the advent of spring gives everyone’s spirits a boost. I try to capitalize on that feeling and the energy rush it provides, and clean, plan, and entertain.

Where decorating is concerned there are some rooms that seem like the very definition of spring…like these rooms recently featured in House Beautiful. Designed by Doug Davis of Tracery Interiors, this Alabama home speaks “spring”…in part because of the pink accents. I am not usually a huge fan of pink in décor for the home, but the subtle splashes in this instance have me hooked.

Images below via House Beautiful

I think this is home feels light and airy (very spring-like), in spite of the hints of formal living. It’s got to be the pink touches. To read more about this house, including the interview Mimi Read conducted with Paige Schnell and Doug Davis click HERE

What are your thoughts this spring? Have you come down with a case of Spring Fever?

Great spring recipe :: Grilled Jerk Chicken

04 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Food, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 4 Comments

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Chicken recipes

Now that the promise of spring weather is at hand I have been thinking of dining al fresco {which may be a bit premature} but these images from The Inside Story made me anxious to begin planning.

Image via The Inside Story~via pinterest

Image via The Inside Story~via tumblr

Image via Nine & Sixteen

This is the first spring I can remember when I am eager to have warm (not HOT) days and cool evenings. I am a cool weather person by nature but this past winter has been very cool by Southern California standards and I guess I’m ready for some fun in the sun {slight exaggeration since I’m a fair skinned red-head and try to avoid direct sun exposure}.

With that in mind I figured I better get some grilling recipes ready and what better time to ask hubby to be the guinea pig on some new meals?!

Okay, I know this isn’t a guinea pig but I couldn’t resist the cute little guy with his petunia hat! Image via Content in a Cottage

I visited one of my favorite food sites, Epicurious, and came up with this recipe (one of their top rated/reviewed chicken dishes. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Image by Ericka McConnell via Epicurious

Grilled Jerk Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

For jerk marinade:

3 scallions, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
4 to 5 fresh Scotch bonnet or habanera chiles, stemmed and seeded
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons black pepper
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For chicken:

4 chicken breast halves with skin and bones (3 pounds), halved crosswise
2 1/2 to 3 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make marinade:
Blend all marinade ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Marinate and grill chicken:
Divide chicken pieces and marinade between 2 sealable plastic bags. Seal bags, pressing out excess air, then turn bags over several times to distribute marinade. Put bags of chicken in a shallow pan and marinate, chilled, turning once or twice, 1 day.

Let chicken stand at room temperature 1 hour before cooking.

To cook chicken using a charcoal grill:
Open vents on bottom of grill and on lid. Light a large chimney of charcoal briquettes (about 100) and pour them evenly over 1 side of bottom rack (you will have a double or triple layer of charcoal).

When charcoal turns grayish white and you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds, sear chicken in batches on lightly oiled rack over coals until well browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Move chicken as seared to side of grill with no coals underneath, then cook, covered with lid, until cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes more.

To cook chicken using a gas grill:
Preheat burners on high, then adjust heat to moderate. Cook chicken until well browned on all sides, 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust heat to low and cook chicken, covered with lid, until cooked through, about 25 minutes more.

Serve chicken with pineapple/papaya salsa.

Cooks’ note: · If you can’t grill, you can roast chicken in 2 large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pans in upper and lower thirds of a 400°F oven, switching position of pans halfway through roasting, 40 to 45 minutes total. {This is the dreary/rainy day alternative}

Irish Stew, a simple recipe

23 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 2 Comments

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Irish Stew

I realize St. Patrick’s Day is behind us but I thought I would share the recipe I prepare for the holiday. It’s a modification of my mom’s beef soup recipe; with a bit of tweaking and some thickening of the broth you have a hearty and tasty stew good for any cool winter (or spring) evening meal. As with so many stews, it’s better the second time you heat it so I usually make mine a day before I’m going to serve it. Enjoy!

Image via Pioneer Woman ~ link on my GHP Home page

KB’s Irish Stew

Beef (serves 6)

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INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds London broil, cubed, patted dry

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons butter

4 large carrots, scrubbed and sliced

8 large mushrooms, sliced

3 medium potatoes, diced

1 large onion, diced (or you can use frozen pearl onions)

4 cups beef broth+

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cube beef, trim off excess fat. Heat oil and butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Dry beef with paper towels; season with salt and pepper; brown beef in small batches. Once brown on all sides; continue until all beef is browned; set aside.

Next add onion and carrots, (it may be necessary to add a little more oil); add mushrooms after onion has cooked for about 2 minutes; cook until mushrooms have released their juices. Return beef to pan and add broth and cubed potatoes. Reduce heat to keep (medium-low heat) stew simmering; cook for 2 hours, with lid on pan. Check periodically in case more broth is needed.

30 minutes before stew is finished, make slurry of flour and whipping cream, add to stew and stir. Check and adjust seasonings.

Serve with crusty bread and salad.

A bit of the Irish and a spot of green

16 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 8 Comments

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St. Patrick's Day

Top o’ the mornin’ to you. Here’s a bit o’ green for your upcoming St. Patrick’s Day…

Okay, technically this cottage is in the Cotswold's...I couldn't find one nearly as charming on Google for Ireland.

You may want to dress up and paint the town red, I mean green!

I'd add the Burberry scarf just in case it's cool outside.

You'll want to take your bag, green beer isn't free.

I've never had this drink, but it's so much prettier than green beer, right?

I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland…I’ve been to England several times and just never managed to get to Ireland (bucket list #5).

Maybe you just want to keep it casual...

Hey, not that I own green UGG’s but these would be comfortable for an evening at home.

Maybe you'd rather stay home with your best friend, Reilly, the Irish Wolfhound (not to be confused with the Deerhound that just won Best of Breed at Westminster Dog Show.

Curl up by the fire with a little Irish tea...

...have a few friends over for Irish Stew

Whatever you do have a Bonnie St. Paddy’s Day!

Easy strawberry treat

07 Monday Mar 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Recipes

≈ 4 Comments

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strawberries

I was one of 4 hostesses for a bridal shower a couple of weeks ago and I made these to go on the dessert tray. They were easy and delicious.

I like to share…

6 ounces of mascarpone cheese, room temperature

½ teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon almond extract

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

¼ cup sliced almonds

12-20 fresh strawberries

Rinse strawberries and cut both ends. Use small melon baler to remove inside stem. Allow to air dry for about 1 hour, or pat dry with paper towel.

Meanwhile toast almonds in 350° for 5-6 minutes.

Mix mascarpone cheese (cream cheese can be substituted) with hand mixer until fluffy. Add extracts and sugar and mix until blended.

Place cheese mixture into a pastry bag with ¼” star tip. Stuff each almond with cheese mixture. Chill strawberries.

Add cooled, toasted almonds. Can be made earlier in the day.

Blogging…creative fun

18 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening

≈ 9 Comments

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Blogging

Relatively new to the world of blogging, I experience self-doubt from time to time (who doesn’t, right?) Especially since the more blog sites I visit the more talented artists/writers/photographers I discover. It has been reported that there are over 2 billion blog sites worldwide. Yikes!

Image via Pottery Barn

My desk area is a little less organized, could this hamper creative writing?

Still, I forge on since I experience a certain satisfaction that comes with an artistic endeavor such as this. I believe there is an artist in all of us, it manifests itself in a variety of ways, but when you are passionate about something, in my case making home as comfortable and attractive as I possibly can, the work towards that end is art (in my humble opinion).

Vicki Archer posted about writing HERE (I loved her description of her own blog as “the accidental writer” and I was so inspired I printed out her post and plan to refer to it when self-doubt creeps in—and believe me, it will creep in from time to time. One sentence that really hit home for me was:

“There can be joy in finding the right word or phrase to describe what you see or how you feel. There is challenge in filling the page and seeing thoughts take shape and come alive. And there is satisfaction, great satisfaction when someone understands and identifies with what you say.” ~Vicki Archer, French Essence.

When I first began to blog I figured it was mostly going to serve as a log of ideas and images for me and for maybe a couple of friends (if they were interested). I’m not a very good sales person so I really didn’t tell too many people about my blog since I felt they might think I was being boastful. But then I had a few comments and my reaction was so much more than I would have expected. I was so excited that someone had read my ramblings and even commented! As a result, I’ve worked all the harder to try to deliver posts that might be of interest to others.

If you are a fellow blogger, do you every have self-doubt? If not, what makes you want to visit one particular site over another…just curious?

Happy Friday, happy President’s Weekend!

Entertaining…by the numbers

16 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Misc, Party Planning

≈ 10 Comments

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Entertaining

While I love a dinner party as much as the next person I find I prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings over having 12, or more, guests; especially when I’m hosting the event. I realize some of this is due to the fact that we (hubby and I) don’t have a cook to prepare, let alone a butler to serve, the meal (as in Downtown Abbey).

Downtown Abbey – Highclere Castle we’re not.

My favorite dinner party is hosting 2 other couples. There is something about a total of 6 that seems to work very well where conversation is concerned. I think it allows for a single conversation at the table since it is a smaller venue.

We entertain pretty informally; it’s all about the table settings and flowers for me. I still love a couple of our groups of friends that bring the number up to 8 and 10 respectively but somehow when we host 12 it becomes less satisfying for me. I think it’s because while cooking and serving I have less time to get around to visiting with everyone…sometimes that’s okay and sometimes I feel cheated out of a good visit with a friend.

That said here are some dining rooms I’d like to entertain in.

Ina Garten’s barn offers such warmth and style, while being so inviting. I’d love to have this kitchen/dining area in my house.

We have chairs on the ends of our dining room table, but I do love the way this looks with chairs on each side.

Isn’t this the most cheery room. Love the exposed beams and the lighting.

Gray…{sign}

Any room with a lantern light wins my vote.

I think these wicker chairs are great.

I wonder if a round table would require a larger number of guests so that you didn’t feel like you were talking across a great expanse of table?

I like the idea of having a table for 2 in the library.

Who wouldn’t enjoy entertaining with a fireplace in the dining room?

This is pretty, not sure about the color of blue, but I like the essence of the room.

Another great dining space in a library.

What is your preference when you invite friends over for a meal, formal or informal?

Valentine’s Day

14 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Valentine's Day

≈ 8 Comments

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Valentine's Day

I’m a positive person, even optimistic, ask anyone…however, Valentines Day, like New Year’s Eve, gets too much hype and would seem to have gotten blown out of all proportion as to what should happen on this day.

Image via Graphics Fairy

Image via Paper Source ~ a great source for paper goods to create your own Valentine for that special someone.

That said I love some of the romantic nods to St. Valentine that appear in blogland and even some magazines. And just so you don’t think I’m a cynic, I love ♥ Hubby and even enjoy sending my kids Valentine’s cards and candy.

Image via Content in a Cottage

I love all of you kind people who take the time to read my ramblings occasionally so this is for you…

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Images via Victoria Magazine

Image via Slim Paley

If you are planning a special dinner for your Valentine these images (above) are subtle but lovely ideas for a table setting.

This is what my February Valentine’s dinner table looked like:

I used my Villeroy & Boch Petite Fleur dishes, very pink and festive!

I purchased some pony packs of English primrose, violas, nemesia and bacopa to place in the footed dish—I’ll plant these in my garden after the party.

For those of you who read my post about dining room rugs HERE, here is the sisal rug I recently purchased with my birthday dollars. What do you think, was it a good idea…rug or no rug?