Things I Love Today: Finding Old Photos

Ok, so the photos aren't that "old" -- they're not vintage faded Polaroids of people sporting clothes that are back in style. But they are some of my first impressions of Europe on film (yes, film) from six years ago... already enlarged and ready to hang on my bare, bare walls.

Recipe Wednesday: Hummus

This is an easy recipe that makes quite a bit of hummus. I've never frozen it before, but I'm told it stays good for a few months that way.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Serve with toasted, warm pita breads and you'll be GTG.

Recipe Wednesday: Shells with Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella

This is an all time favorite for something really fresh, healthy, and tasty. {everyday food}

Ingredients:

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Vegetable oil, for grates
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets
• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (I like flat-leaf best)
  
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta. Meanwhile, heat grill to medium; lightly oil grates. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill, and cut into thin strips, halving if long.
2. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Add chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, and butter. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a sauce that coats shells (you may not need all the water). Serve with more Parmesan.

Mmmmm, so delicious! Fresh mozzarella is definitely a must.

Simple Garlic and Basil Pesto

Don't want to spend $7.00 on grocery store pesto? Make your own! Here's an easy, tasty recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• a dash of chili powder

Directions:

1. Place the basil in a blender. Pour in about 1 tablespoon of the oil, and blend basil into a paste. Gradually add pine nuts, Brazil nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, chili powder, and remaining oil. Continue to blend until smooth.
2. This makes a lot of pesto, so if you're not going to use it all now, freeze it in an ice cube tray, then pop out and store in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Each ice cube is about an 1/4 cup.

Recipe Wednesday: Cheesy Pesto Chicken

This is a winner, and very easy!

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
• 1 cup prepared basil pesto
• 4 thick slices mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the pesto sauce onto each flattened chicken breast. Place one slice of cheese over the pesto. Place in a lightly greased baking dish.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
4. Remove foil and continue cooking for 10 minutes.

Voila!

Recipe Wednesday: Crispy Oven Fries

The perfect addition to Blue Cheese Burgers! So easy, so tasty! {via Martha}

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for baking sheet
• 3/4 cup cornflake crumbs (store-bought or crushed from 2 cups cornflakes)
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and/or paprika
  
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (about 3), well scrubbed and cut lengthwise 3/4 inch thick

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a large rimmed baking sheet with oil; set aside.
2. In a pie plate or shallow bowl, combine cornflake crumbs, cayenne, and 1 tablespoon salt. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with oil to coat. One or two at a time, dip potatoes in crumbs, turning to coat all sides; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake potatoes, turning once, until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven, and season with more salt.

Recipe Wednesday: Blue Cheese Burgers

I've decided that I need a good place to store my favorite recipes. This blog is the place! I made these two weeks ago and they were fantastic! This recipe makes about 8 burgers.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2-1/2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup minced fresh chives
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I actually like to substitute a little "liquid smoke" for this)
  
• 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 8 French rolls or hamburger buns

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, blue cheese, chives, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, and mustard. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Preheat grill for high heat. Gently form the burger mixture into about 12 patties.
3. Oil the grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until well done. Serve on rolls.

Delish!

Gifty Guide #14

Ever since I can remember I've wanted a locket that would actually hold a picture or two. Finally, J.Crew is selling the perfect one. What girl wouldn't go for this? Available from J.Crew for $50.Perfect For: The Girly Grown-Up

Gifty Guide #13

This little album is cute and practical. Picture-perfect presentation for favorite photographs and a fine gift for a favorite photographer. Available from Sundance Catalog for $10.Perfect For: The Practical Photographer

Gifty Guide #12

This charming little suitcase would be a treasure to any child who loves to create. (or me!) Complete with yarn, needles, scissors and thread, there are scarves and pincushions just waiting to happen! Available for $60.95 from Tree House Blue.

Perfect For: The Petite Creative

Gifty Guide #11

Anthropologie's Vintage Maps Calendar is a beautiful addition to any room. When the year is up, the maps provide perfectly frameable pieces of art. Available at Anthropologie for $21.95.

Perfect For: The Artsy Cartophile

Gifty Guide #10

What says 'fun' more than a good old fashioned Slinky? Available from Restoration Hardware for $6.95.
Perfect For: Someone with Stairs

Gifty Guide #9

The perfect companion for any laptop or desktop user (I think that means everyone) -- this handy little vac plugs right into the USB port on your computer, allowing you to maintain a tidy keyboard and desk area. Available from Urban Outfitters for $10.

Perfect for: The OCD Techie

Gifty Guide #8

Everyone hates those mornings of windshield scraping. It's snowy and cold and you always end up with frozen fingers and ice pellets slipping down the sleeve of your sweater. Well, that is no more with the down ice scraper mitt! This polyester mitt is goose down-filled so your hands will stay extra warm and toasty while you're scraping ice. Available from Eddie Bauer for $14.50 or 2 for $25.Perfect For: The Warmth Appreciator in a Cold Climate

Gifty Guide #7

Dishes are a hostess' delight. This bright new set of white with red polka dots is sure to add a dash of cheerfulness to any occasion. Available at Rosanna for $175.

Perfect for: The Enthusiastic Hostess

Gifty Guide #6

Etsy is full of beautiful letterpress 2008 calendars. This is one of the most featured, most beautiful ones out there. Get it at ilee's shop for $20.

Perfect for: The Design-Aware Time Keeper

Gifty Guide #5

We all get a little teary-eyed while cutting onions, but this gift can take care of the problem. These oh-so-fashionable goggles have anti-fog lenses that offer maximum clarity and eye protection while the comfortable foam seal protects eyes from irritation. Available from Patina for $19.95.

Perfect For: The Easy-Laugh, Teary-Eyed Foodie

Gifty Guide #4

Know a someone who's always on the go? This may be the perfect gift to help them keep their documentation protected and fashionable. Available in a variety of colors from J.Crew for $29.50.

Perfect for: The Fashionable Traveler

Gifty Guide #3

A unique departure from the sterile and understated moleskin notebooks available everywhere, Nantaka Joy's "i love" book brings a delicate touch to a similar idea. $12.75 from Nantaka Joy.

Perfect for: The Gracious Thinker

Gifty Guide #2

For Utah residents, this is a gift that will last beyond Christmas morning. Next month Salt Lake City will publish their winter edition of the catalog of community education. Wouldn't an upholstery, wheel-thrown pottery, or woodworking class be a nice diversion for the dreary winter months? $80-$100 through Salt Lake City School District.

Perfect for: The Eternal Learner