December 18, 2012

Eggs Benedict with Spinach, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese


Eggs Benedict aren't just a meal for breakfast!

Our new egg cooker has an option for poached eggs, so we decided to do breakfast for dinner and test that guy out.  There are many versions of Eggs Benedict and we got creative with some of our favorite ingredients and make our own. We used French bread instead of English muffins, prosciutto instead of ham, paired it with some roasted potatoes, and wow, what a success!

Ingredients:
poached eggs
a few handfuls of spinach
olive oil
lemon juice
French bread
sliced prosciutto
goat cheese
package of hollandaise sauce (if you want to cheat)
salt & pepper


First off, saute a few handfuls of spinach with a drizzle of olive oil and a few squeezes of lemon juice on Medium heat. (Sorry, this recipe doesn't really have precise measurements, but I don't think you can mess it up)


While the spinach is sauteing, slice and butter your french bread (about 3/4 in thick) and toast it. We put ours on the grill, but a toaster/toaster oven/oven will do the trick.

Once toasted, spread each slice with a generous amount of goat cheese (if you love it as much as I do).


Add your sauteed spinach.


Time for the prosciutto.


Poached eggs make their entrance.


Finally, a generous helping of  hollandaise sauce!


voilĂ !


A bit messy, but I guarantee you will have a happy plate too!

December 6, 2012

DIY Gift Ideas From Our Archives

Looking for the perfect DIY gift for the special people on your Christmas List?? Here are a few great gifts from Pretty Penny. Click on the link below for the full tutorial.

Festive Fronts

Looking for that perfect front door decoration to welcome your guests and to get your neighbors into the Holiday spirit?? We are on the lookout for a festive front of our own. Not sure what look we are going for, or if we want to DIY it! Here are some fun wreaths that have been catching my eye:

snowy scape

cinnamon sticks

striped straws
via

peppermint

 winter twigs

au naturel

What's your festive front style??

-Whitney

November 28, 2012

Cornbread Jalapeno Poppers

'Tis the season for chili and after seeing these little guys I knew that cornbread would never be the same.  Jalapenos are the perfect vessel for the cheesy cornbread mixture, and after removing the seeds and veins the heat is just perfect.  I discovered that the perfect tool for removing the seeds and veins is a pie server!
 
 
Ingredients:
 
12 Med/Large fresh Jalapenos
1 Box of Honey Cornbread Mix
1 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1 cup for the batter and 1/2 cup for sprinkling)
1 cup corn...frozen or canned
 
Directions:
 
1. Slice each jalapeno down the center and remove all the seeds and veins...remember my pie server trick!
2. In a mixing bowl, mix up the Honey cornbread according to the box instructions and add the corn and the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
 
 
3. Fill a baggie with the cornbread mixture and snip the corner, piping the mixture into each jalapeno half.


4. Place them on a baking rack and sheet pan


5. Sprinkle them with the remaining one half cup of cheddar cheese.
 

 
6. Bake them at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, or until the Cornbread is firm.  They will puff up!
 
 
7. Let them cool.

 
8. Enjoy!
 

Words for Wednesday: Christmas Printables

If you haven't started decorating for Christmas, then you're late! Just kidding, it's not even December yet, but after Thanksgiving we were more than ready. So we turned on Love Actually, lugged up the Rubbermaids full of greenery, ornaments, candles, nutcrackers, lights, the whole shebang! The house looks so festive and cozy! We have a wooden frame sitting in between our couches that we put different holiday/seasonal posters and prints in. I was searching for the perfect Christmas print to replace our fall leaves, and I thought I would share some of the cute printables I came across...






Do you have a spot for a fun Christmas poster or subway art??

-Whitney

November 20, 2012

Fireplace Update

We were getting a little tired of our fireplace screen and the candelabra inside.


There was just too much going on. We decided to remove the fireplace screen and see if it made a difference. It made for a more simple fireplace area. There was one problem, the brick that was painted white was smoke stained from previous fires. It did not look good. However, this was nothing a little paint couldn't fix. We could have just kept the white and painted over the burns, but we decided to add a little accent color to the fireplace. Nothing too bright and crazy because we already have a lot of color in our house. We went with Valspar's "Cathedral Stone", a lighter, neutral gray.


A quick trip to Lowe's for some paint, a tray, a brush and a roller and we had ourselves a little Saturday project!


It's a fairly small area, so we just started with the brush and went along all the edges carefully (painters tape wasn't necessary).


Then we did 2 coats of paint with a small roller, letting the paint dry between coats.



We were quite pleased with the color, and it really makes the brick pattern stand out. We removed the candelabra and just stacked our Aspen wood in its place.


We hung our fancy gold and glitter dipped feathers for Thanksgiving (tutorial to come), and our updated fireplace was finished!

-Whitney

October 31, 2012

Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

'Tis the season to put pumpkin in just about anything and everything. I came across this recipe and I just had to make it.  Pumpkin and Rice Krispies why didn't I think of that ?? It is the most perfect snack to bring for the work pot luck, a family dinner, or even to pass out to trick-or-treaters! 


Ingredients: 
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canned pumpkin 
1 10oz. bag of mini marshmallows plus one extra cup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
pinch of all spice
pinch of ground nutmeg
pinch of kosher salt
6 cups Rice Krispies


Directions:
1.  Spray your baking dish to prevent treats from sticking
2. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat and add the pumpkin. continue cooking until the pumpkin is heated all the way through
 3. Fold in the bag of mini marshmallows, stirring constantly. 

4. Once marshmallows are melted, add vanilla, cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg and salt, then remove from heat.
5. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes and then fold in the extra cup of marshmallows.

6. Let the new mixture cool for another 25 minutes, letting it come to room temperature.
7.  Add the dry cereal and stir using a silicon spatula to prevent sticking, until the cereal is evenly coated.
8. Press into the baking dish and try to let them sit for about 30 minutes before cutting.

9. Enjoy and Share! 

 -Megan 

October 24, 2012

Ghoulish Grub

Whether you're the haunted host or the gruesome guest, you may need some trick or treats for your Halloween festivities! Sweet or salty, scary or cute, here are some ideas to get you in the spirit: 

"Things I've Said to My Children"

Nathan Ripperger's illustration series of things he has actually said to his kids are both adorable and hilarious! On his flikr account, Ripperger says "The is a collection of posters featuring phrases that have left my mouth only because of my children." Here are a few of my favorites:





Ripperger has his illustrations for sale on his etsy site .

-Whitney

October 22, 2012

October Birchbox

Our Birchbox arrival dates have gotten later each month, probably due to the high demand, but our October box finally arrived! As always, I was pleasantly surprised by my beauty goodies. I got an email earlier this month from Birchbox asking if I wanted the special edition "Goop" October Box or the regular October Box. After reading about "Goop", a lifestyle publication started by Gwyneth Paltrow, I decided to definitely give it a try. I was not disappointed! Here are the things from my October Box:



There is a shorting waiting list, but you should still sign up to get your monthly Birchbox, its just so fun!

October 16, 2012

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake


Pumpkin season is in full swing, and I'm jumping on every chance i get to indulge in any pumpkin flavored goodness. I not only saw the word "Pumpkin", but also "Cinnamon" in this recipe. I knew I had to make it and I knew I was going to love it! Write this recipe down right now, you have got to make this! Unless, you are on a diet, then write it down, make it and share it with friends and family (and give yourself a tiny little taste).

Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
3.4 oz box of Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
1/2 cup sour cream
15 oz can Pumpkin
1 stick of unsalted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (start with 1/4 cup, adding more if needed)