foodie: easy, fresh tomato sauce

once again, i brought home a bushel (well, not an actual bushel -- but close!) of gorgeous, delicious tomatoes from our csa.  so, i decided to make...drum roll please...simple tomato sauce!  fresh tomato sauce is so delicious, and surprisingly simple to make.  since tomato season is in full swing, head to the farmers market, stock up, and then treat yourself to some outstanding, homemade sauce.

here's what you'll need for sauce for 4...

2 roma tomatoes, chopped
10 plum tomatoes, chopped
(or roughly 3.5 cups of tomatoes total)
4-5 garlic cloves, crushed and roughly chopped
2 shallots, minced
1 small green pepper, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup fresh herbs (i used basil and parsley)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt

1. saute the shallots, green pepper, and garlic in the bottom of a sauce pot in olive oil, until veggies are tender and caramelized.

2. as the veggies cook, chop the tomatoes, and put them in a strainer in the sink so the excess water can drain off.

3. add tomatoes, herbs, and salt (it'll take more salt than you'd think) to the veggies in the sauce pot, and simmer on low for 30 min or so.

that's it!

we enjoyed ours over brown rice with chickpeas for a gluten-free meal, but it would be fantastic over pasta or roasted veggies, too!

enjoy :-)

my perfect weekend menu

friday night dinner:


mashed sweet potatoes with spinach & goat cheese

saturday night happy hour:


champagne cosmopolitan cocktail - my two favorite drinks combined!!!

saturday night dinner:

the yoga pot - delicious combo of lentils, zucchini & ginger.  yum!

sunday morning brunch:

blackberry-lemon coffee cake

hope you have a delicious weekend!

foodie wednesday: slow cooker gumbo {guest post}

Hi Lifestyle Maven fans, Sam here from fitness food & faith.  I’m super pumped to be sharing one of my favorite fall recipes on Cailen’s blog while she’s off becoming a wife!  As soon as the weather cools down, one of the first things I do is pull out my crock pot to make a delicious, easy and warming meal.  I love a good gumbo as it’s a great way to use up some lingering leftover vegetables in the fridge.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

1lb boneless skinless chicken, cut into 2 inch pieces

1 10oz package frozen okra

2 links smoked chicken sausage, sliced

1 cup chopped onions

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp mustard powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

2 cups chicken broth

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

2 cups cooked rice

print recipe {here}

Combine all ingredients except the rice in crock pot.  Mix well, cover and cook for 8 hours on low (or 4 hours on high).  Serve over rice with hot cornbread.

Thanks, Cailen, for letting me take over your lovely blog for the day!  I hope you’re having the time of your life. 

good food week

the past 7 days have been filled with many, many delicious meals, so (being the food-lover that i am) i thought i would share some of my magnificent meals with you all.

tuesday, october 4th, 2011 - dinner at sprig & vine

sprig & vine is this totally awesome little vegetarian/vegan bistro not far from our house.  i went with my friend, laura (a fellow yogi), and my sister, hannah, for an inspired meal.  without the protein staples we so often rely upon to provide the foundation for our entrees, sprig & vine opens up a totally new world of mealtime possibilities.  i totally loved the encrusted tempeh with honey mustard sauce, the bbq eggplant and the zucchini & black eyed pea cakes.  it was a totally awesome meal!

laura & hannah

 friday, october 7th, 2011 - date night at home

october 5th marked the one-month countdown to the wedding.  in true celebratory fashion, craig and i popped open a bottle of bubbly friday evening to revel in the less-than-one-month-til-we're-married.  we ordered pizza and sipped champagne, as pizza & wine has always been our go-to date night.  hard to believe the wedding the just over 3 weeks away!!!

saturday, october 8th, 2011 - girls' lunch & sisters' dinner

saturday morning found me (accompanied by my mom and sis) at the bridal salon for my dress fitting. it was amazing to see what i thought was a well-fitting dress turn into a custom gown, tailored oh-so-precisely just for me. 

my turkey heaven...i mean reuben

after the fitting, my mom, hannah and i enjoyed a casual lunch at a quaint old tavern.  my turkey reuben on butter-saturated toasted rye was heaven in my mouth, and the side of super-crispy seasoned sweet potato fries with vermont maple syrup for dipping didn't hurt either : )

mom's crab cake

han's chicken quesadilla

my reuben...again...

for dinner, han and i decided to enjoy a sisters' night out while we still share the same last name.  we went to honey, a small plates restaurant with artisan cocktails and innovative cuisine.  they recommend 2-3 small plates per person, so we opted for 4 shared plates and were not at all disappointed with our choices...or the portion sizes...

1. porcini-parmesan risotto cakes with a lemon-vanilla emulsion, black garlic puree, crushed hazelnuts & arugula sprouts

2. spice-rubbed scottish salmon, soft corn tortillas, sweet corn & charred poblano relish with black truffle cream

3. duck samosas - sweet & salty braised duck wrapped in flaky pastry and fried, finished with spicy aji amarillo creme fraiche and apricot chutney

4. lobster in a tomato and miso broth, served gratin-style with bubbly mozzarella over korean rice dumplings, topped with bonito flakes

credit {here}

is your mouth watering yet?

and then for dessert we ventured over to bobby's for pumpkin mousse sponge cake with a side of pumpkin ice cream filled with chunks of gingerbread cookie dough.

as you can see, i was blessed with a week of amazing cuisine, and i thoroughly enjoyed every single mouthful.

so, mavens, have any super good food lately?  you know i'm all about a good meal...

day o' food & mac n' cheese recipe

so, yesterday (as you know) was craig's birthday.  needless to say, i had a lot of food things planned.  i drove out to meet him for lunch during his lunch break.  we went to this place by his work that is rumored to have "the best" chicken caesar salad...and it did not disappoint.  besides having a yummy creamy caesar dressing and crisp romaine and buttery croutons, it also was topped with marinated portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions and breaded & baked chicken.  wow!  for dessert (yes, we got dessert with lunch.  it was his bday after all...) we shared a creme brulee.  the lemon zest they added to the custard was the perfect touch.

caesar salad

when i got home, i wrapped presents, set the table and finished making his cake.  well, actually not a "cake" per se, he requested a ganache tart with a peanut butter swirl.  fancy : )  i modified the recipe {here} with a peanut & pretzel crust, then added globs of pb to the ganache filling and topped with chopped peanuts.  completely decadent.

for dinner i whipped up homemade mac n' cheese and marinated chicken roll-ups filled with sauteed veggies.  we uncorked a bottle of bubbly and toasted the birthday boy.  good food.  good time : )

mac n' cheese

16oz medium shells
2 1/2 cups italian cheese blend (mozz, parm, prov)
2 cups sharp cheddar
2 cups milk
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
salt & pepper
dash of red curry optional (about 1 tsp)

topping:
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

cook pasta according to the directions on the package.  drain.

heat the milk in a small pot, but do not boil.  melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot and add flour.  over low heat, cook for a few minutes.  add the hot milk while whisking & cook for 1-2 min more, until thickened.

off the heat, add the shredded cheeses, 1 tablespoon salt & pepper.  add the cooked pasta and stir well. pour into baking dish.

sprinkle topping over mac n' cheese.  bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.  yummmmmmy!!!



present opened: vintage 1950s cocktail shaker!

it was a wonderful birthday!  (and i think craig enjoyed it too : )

farmers market & a waffle

coffees at meil's

so yesterday, craig, hannah (my sister) and i ventured down to a local (indoor) farmers market near my parents’ house.  this awesome little foodie haven is only open fridays through sundays, but it does not disappoint.  fair trade coffee.  fresh baked croissants.  local cheeses.  homemade pies.  organic veggies.  gourmet truffles.  i could go on…and on…

farmers markets are just delightful.  not only do they give lots of tasty free samples (hello, cheesecake), they also offer a chance to meet (and support) local purveyors.  i had the pleasure of chatting with a girl working “the painted truffle” booth.  she gave us lots of yummy treats (like a taste of an apricot-cognac french macaroon and some sipping chocolate i.e. dark chocolate melted into milk, swiss miss will never suffice again…) and told us all about the owner & head chocolatier.  a local guy who used to be a graphic designer and now makes amazingly delicious (and unique) chocolate treats.  very cool.  anyone care for a s’mores truffle?  umm…yes, please.

the painted truffle's lovely boxes

french-style maccaroons

but i have to admit, the whole reason for our trip yesterday was not (solely) out of the goodness of my heart to support the local community.  i went for a waffle.  not just any waffle.  an exquisite, life-changing waffle.  made with dough, not batter, nina’s waffles are divine.  unlike their airy belgian cousins, these waffles are dense and have an almost gooey, buttery center.  their sweet exterior “crust” is perfection…they need no toppings (though, of course, you can get them with nutella, whipped cream, fruit or pb&j).  they are unlike any waffle i’ve ever eaten.  ever.  i ordered it plain.  craig ordered one smeared with nutella.  i ate mine and ½ of his…

nina's waffles

me & my waffle

if you’re ever in hunterdon county, nj near the small town of stockton on a friday, saturday or sunday, i highly recommend that you stop by said charming farmers market and hunt down the waffle lady (fyi she’s in the back).  you’ll be hooked for life.  (if waffles traveled better, i would have totally turned this post into a giveaway…)

sinfully sweet tooth

reeses!  yum!

what is it about this time of year?  generally, i'm a very healthy person.  i work out 5 days a week (and enjoy it most of the time).  i eat healthy food because i like it and it makes me feel good (inside and out).  but then fall weather arrives and with it comes pumpkin muffins, halloween candy and spicy chai lattes.  and my healthy aspirations seem harder (and harder) to stick to...

i <3 halloween munchkins too!

all i want to do is bake oatmeal raisin cookies, drink hot chocolate, purchase (and consume) reeses and go apple-picking (and make apple pies, crumbles and coffee cakes...and then eat them...)  i feel like i could literally subsist on sugar, spice & everything nice this time of year.

baking apple pie : )

there must be something in the air that arrives with falling leaves, early dusk and crisp breezes.  something that makes my sweet tooth come alive with ravenous force.  luckily, i can (usually) control my voraciousness just long enough to get me through to the next celebration or holiday (or weekend).


pumpkin muffins

oh, pumpkin muffins, how i love thee (and thanks to han, i have a dozen of you in the fridge : )  ok, i can't resist.  i'm going to get a pumpkin muffin now and some tea too...


what's your favorite fall indulgence?

$1 fun

craig came home very excited this evening (and with good reason).  a guy from work passed along a flyer for a "dollar stroll".  what is a dollar stroll you ask?  (yeah, i didn't know either...)  well, evidently baltimore ave in the university city district of philadelphia is offering it.  from 5:30 to 8:30pm tomorrow night participating merchants and restaurants will be offering $1 specials - very cool and exciting, right?!  stuff like...$1 desserts, espresso, tea, coffee, spring rolls, yoga class, chicken skewers, ice cream, beer, cupcakes and the list goes on...

dollar stroll

so if you're in the philly area tomorrow night you should definitely check it out!  (we'll be there for sure : )  for more information about the dollar stroll click {here}.

only a few days left to enter the vintage purse giveaway!!!

boston: drink by drink

boston cocktails: )

warning:  you may get a bit tipsy from reading this post.

craig and i spent labor day weekend up in boston with his sis, val.  i haven't been to boston in years, and we could not have picked a more gorgeous weekend.  very much a fall preview, weather-wise : )  we did a lot of visiting, walking, talking, eating and drinking.  pretty much an all-around good weekend by anyone's estimation, i would imagine.  so in lieu of giving you a step by step run down of everything we did (and saw) and believe me, it was quite a lot, i figured i'd gloss over the highlights (and the drinks)!

lovely

val & craig

friday: dinner and drinks in somerville near val's apartment.  and introduction to my new love...st. germain liqueur.  it's an elderflower liqueur and has a kind of pear-citrus flavor and is completely scrumptious!  tonight val and i enjoyed cocktails of st. germain, grey goose, champagne and fresh lemon.  and yes, they were as amazing as they sound...

fenway

saturday: the morning consisted of a tour of sam adam's brewery.  very cool.  great tour guide and free beer.  i'm not beer drinker, but it was still a good time : ) i like free things, and i did enjoy learning how to properly taste and evaluate beer.  food and drink lessons are always fun.  afternoon = red sox game.  sports aren't generally my thing either, but tradition and nostalgia totally are.  fenway is a step back in time.  afterwards drinks at "game on" sports bar.  i mean free drinks at "game on".  thanks to val's connections, we were treated to two rounds of free beverages.  the evening consisted of sushi, a visit to harvard square and another oh so delicious st. germain and champagne treat!  seriously, try it.  it transports you to 1940s paris in a heartbeat (or should i say a sip)...

craig at sam adam's brewery

sunday: one word.  walking.  we walked then walked some more.  which i was totally on board with after all the food/drinks.  we started at val's place and walked through cambridge, down newbury street, stopped at quincy market for lunch, enjoyed harbor views, made our way through the north end and finally found ourselves seated at the bar of the oldest tavern in boston, bell in hand.  this time i quenched my thirst with a water (yes, i do drink water, too) and raspberry vodka and club with a splash of peach schnapps and lime wedge.  fruity and yes, refreshing.  afterwards, back to val's for some much needed down time before venturing out to dinner in the davis square section of beantown. posto (despite the hour long wait for a table) was fabulous.  homemade, gourmet pizzas.  fig, caramelized onion & gorgonzola.  wild mushroom.  roast chicken, pesto & goat cheese.  is your mouth watering yet?  and guess what they had (besides to-die-for roasted chili oil for bread-dipping)...wait for it...a st. germain sparkler.  perfection.

near quincy market

monday: final day.  slightly travel weary but still having fun.  today we walked back to harvard square to do a bit more exploring.  stopped for lunch.  indian buffet this time located in a sub-subterranean restaurant with a cavernous, hole-in-the-wall kind of feel.  afterwards, we wandered in and out of shops and took in the super preppy atmosphere : )  we made our way back towards val's place and stopped once more for our new favorite drink.  val dropped us off at the airport around dinner time for our 8pm flight and craig and i enjoyed dinner and drinks at legal sea foods.  the best airport food i've had.  ever.  and they even had st. germain...

craig & cailen : )