Wednesday, November 27, 2013

All Things Pumpkin!

What time is it? It's PUMPKIN time!

I read the other day that you should only blog about things that you feel really passionate about. Well you are in luck friends, I'm really passionate about Fall and all things pumpkin. Fall means cooler weather and pumpkins. Lots and lots of pumpkins.

Living in New York City has created a strong bond between us and Trader Joe's. It is the most affordable grocery store in the city, and it's just plain awesome. Especially when it comes to pumpkin flavors. Here's what we have been enjoying!

An easy snack with a yummy pumpkin kick!

Pumpkin butter was delicious on the homemade bread I made!

Snack, breakfast or just because!

"Falling" in love with breakfast...

Quick and easy for a chilly October night!

I ate an entire box for dinner last night, by myself.

But one thing we have not tried... are the pumpkin poptarts. I really can't explain it, but I just hate the idea of poptarts. I'm sure I will be the most "uncool" mom on the block one day. I know, I know.

A few weeks ago our community got together for a pumpkin decorating and carving party! I had no idea our little group was so talented when it came to pumpkins. We even had a rabbit carved on a pumpkin... mad skills, y'all!

And we have been busy trying all pumpkin beer in sight! We've tried so many pumpkin flavors that Richard decided to rank them here!

Happy Pumpkins!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Cooking thru Bread and Wine - mini-mac and cheese

For this month's monthly dinner party, I was in charge of the appetizer. It was below freezing temps in NYC (23 DEGREES!)… so comfort food seemed in order! While this is meant to be an appetizer, it could definitely be served as a cute and tasty side dish. It was the perfect addition to Meghan's amazing pork chops (with grapes!!) and Drea's deadly chocolate-y dessert. When the temps drop, just add comfort food.

Mini-Mac and Cheese

Shauna Niequist, Bread and Wine

Ingredients:

1/2 pound elbow macaroni (or 4 cups cooked)

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons butter, plus more for pan

1 tablespoon Dijon

2 dashes Tabasco

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg yolk

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Smoked paprika

Instructions:

In a pot of boiling water, cook the macaroni, for about 5 minutes, to just al dente, which is just a touch firmer than how you would like to eat it. Drain.

Brush mini muffin pan with melted butter, then sprinkle half the grated Parmesan into the muffin cups.

On medium-low heat, warm butter and cheddar cheese, and whisk till smooth.

Off heat, add Dijon, Tabasco, egg yolk, and whisk again.

Add macaroni and mix well coated with cheese.

Spoon into muffin cups, making them slightly rounded and packing them lightly. Top with grated Parmesan.

Bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes, until golden on top.
Makes 24 - perfect size for a dinner party of 8!

Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving, because they will set as they cool.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Be generous when you dust the Parmesan, both in the empty cups and on top, because that's what holds them together - that and the egg yolk.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Our 50 State Travels: Top 10 Eats and Top 5 Drinks

Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

-Fran Lebowitz

Stop. Yes, take a breath. A looooong breath. Before reading this post you must know… I get it. No two people will ever agree on the "best" food and "best" drink. The below lists are a complication of places that we loved for the flavors, atmosphere and because they were just flat out memorable experiences for us.

Trying new flavors, atmospheres and experiencing rich culinary history was a blast. A fantastic restaurant and fun bar can unite just about anyone. We also love to take recommendations from servers and bartenders - they can really shed some light on the local favorites. Next time you are traveling, ask the locals. They always know best.

Cheers!

Top 10 Eats
-no specific order-

III Forks - Dallas, TX If you can make it through a 3 hour dinner experience, you will not be disappointed. They really cook their steaks to perfection.
Elliott's Oyster House - Seattle, WA We have dined at this waterfront oyster spot twice now. The oysters are fresh, filled with variety and flavorful. The view is breathtaking and the bloody marys are the perfect compliment!
The Mansion - Dallas, TX If you live in Dallas, you know The Mansion. It's gorgeous. We stayed here on our wedding night and had the best bagel and lox for brunch…and then returned the following year for a delicious champagne lunch!
Perbacco - San Francisco, CA Three things - honeymoon, cheese and meat platter and wine! Thanks to a family recommendation, we experienced this yummy dinner spot!
The Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney World) - Orlando, FL I know what you are thinking…. "Whaaaaat is wrong this girl?!" The Cobb Salad is magical… truly magical. Whenever anyone talks about visiting Disney, I talk about this Cobb Salad. In fact, it's on my travel list to go back to Disney for this very reason. You think I'm kidding.
112 Eatery - Minneapolis, MN Such a fun, quirky little spot! We actually got food poisoning the day before we ate here (from eating at Mall of America)…so you know this place must be good if it made our list! Unique menu and very, very flavorful. We also had fabulous company from two other dear couple-friends!
Carnivale - Chicago, IL You have to trek across town to get to this gem. The food is fantastic and the margaritas are fun. But what I really love about this place is the unique decor and festive atmosphere!
Bambara (Kimpton Hotel) - Salt Lake City, UT Who raves about a hotel restaurant? We do! Order the steak. You will not be disappointed.
Riptide - Portland, ME Hands down best lobster rolls. The bread on these lobster rolls melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. Just order another. And another. And another. No one is judging.
The Toucan and the Lion - New York, NY This is one of the tiniest restaurants I've ever been to… you are basically in your neighbors lap. And then we had the burger….Oh! We were also introduced to scotch eggs (and had to google them). Everyone needs to try these in their life.

*I could write an entire book on NYC food. But that is for another day…

Top 5 Drinks
-no specific order-

Bolsa - Dallas, TX Unique bar in Oak Cliff with creative, fresh and fun drinks!
Watershed - Chicago, IL Underground chill bar with a laid-back personality. Local whiskeys and brews.
The Kennedy School McMenamins: The Courtyard Restaurant and Detention Bar (Concordia Brewery) - Portland, OR You can have a drink in the Principal's Office…need I say more? Also brewed onsite.
Zig Zag Cafe - Seattle, WA The bartender looked like a 1920's version of Leonardo DiCaprio and he created his own cocktails based a few quick questions regarding your tastes…. so cool.
Aria - NY, NY We celebrated my 26th birthday in this communal-style wine bar in West Village, with the most amazing gimlets and a bathroom covered in chalkboards.

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard

Other eats and drinks we love…

Portland Lobster Company – Portland, ME

One Eyed Mike's - Baltimore, MD

Salt – Baltimore, MD

B and O – Baltimore, MD

Abacus – Dallas, TX

Thai Passion – Austin, TX

Whataburger – Dallas, TX

Tropics Bar and Grill – Waikiki, HI

Skyline Chili – Cincinnati, OH

Ox Roast – Warren, OH

Zink - Charlotte, NC

Basil Thai - Charlotte, NC

In and Out – Los Angeles, CA

La Mirabelle – NY, NY

Psycho Suzis – Minneapolis, MN

Lou Malnati's - Chicago, IL

Wildfire - Chicago, IL

Yolk and I – Chicago, IL

The Pink Door – Seattle, Washington

Silver Spoon - Rapid City, SD

Diego's - Newport, RI

Crop Bistro - Stowe, VT

Turning Point Café – Hoboken, NJ

Shake Shack – NY, NY

Dos Toros – NY, NY

Freeman's – NY, NY

Beauty and Essex – NY, NY

Artichoke Pizza – NY, NY

The Smith – NY, NY

Buoun Gusto – NY, NY

The Campbell Apartment – NY, NY

Keen’s – NY, NY

The Meatball Shop – NY, NY

Ah Chihuaha – NY, NY

Dominique Ansel Bakery (Cronut) – NY, NY
Muse - Sag Harbor, NY

Maison Kaiser - NY, NY

Monday, November 18, 2013

Daily Inspiration: Dealing With Problems

I found this helpful this week…

Approach problems with a light touch. When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me. You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately. Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious. Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way. When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me. Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence. This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective. You will be surprised at the results. Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant.

You will always face trouble in this life. But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter. Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light.

~Jesus Calling

XOXO,

Jessa

Celebrating Richard. Turning 28.

Richard turned 28 on Thursday! For us, Richard's birthday really kicks off the holiday season. We just love this time of year - and we love celebrating birthdays. Ok, really, we love celebrating anything and everything. Since temperatures dropped, I wanted to make him a yummy, filling and hearty meal. Hello, Chicken Pot Pie. Since I was walking all over our neighborhood pulling together last minute items for his special day, I ran out of hands and ended up substituting quite a few things on this recipe but it turned out great! This will certainly be a keeper since I can mix the recipe up so many different ways (recipe below)!

I was beyond excited to give Richard his birthday gift this year! Richard has so many wonderful memories of growing up hunting in the tiny town of Chester, TX with his Dad. With a little research and help from family, I was able to give him a framed map of Tyler County from the 1930's and a picture of the house he used to stay in during his hunting trips! I believe it is extremely important to capture those wonderful memories in your home to share with friends, family and later on, kiddos.

Since we were in Texas a few days before the big 28, we had a fun lunch celebration with family. Richard's sister baked a yummy cake that gave us an extended sugar high.

Once we were back in NYC, we continued the celebration with a fun variety of donuts from Doughnut Plant in the Lower East Side. I don't eat donuts too often. But let me just tell you… these were delicious. We had peanut butter and jelly, coconut cream and tres leches. The peanut butter and jelly was my favorite! The six of us were in donut heaven.

I'm sure you can tell that Richard has something to do with this collage.. :)

Cheers, Richard! I hope 28 is filled with joy, new adventures and as always, lots of laughs. You make me smile every single day. And here is an ode to saddle oxfords. You rocked those shoes over 20 years… =)

Chicken Pot Pie
Mix and Match Mama

Shopping List

1 tablespoon butter

1 pound chopped, cooked chicken (click hereto see how I get my chicken)

2 cups frozen vegetable medley (mine had corn, carrots, peas and Lima beans in it)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup milk

1 can biscuits (I used Grands)

Salt and Pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Melt butter in an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat (see below if you don't have an oven safe skillet). Add in your cooked chicken, frozen veggies, soup and milk with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Heat through about 5 minutes.

Top mixture with your biscuits and pop in the oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until biscuits are brown and chicken mixture is bubbly.

Remove from oven and serve.

If you don't have an oven safe skillet, then just transfer everything from the skillet to an 8x8 glass baking dish and bake it in there.

Jessa Note: This time, I substituted with ground turkey (chicken), cream of mushroom soup (chicken soup) and greek yogurt (milk)! Also, make sure the biscuits are fully done before pulling from oven.

Happy Birthday Richard!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Fall in New York City

This quote made me laugh…

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”

- Nora Ephron

…because it's the way I've been feeling. I'm seriously trying to figure out just how long I can hold on to Fall while squeezing out every last drop. Here's what I've managed to squeeze out so far:

This was our first year to go apple picking! The colors, the views, the weather…