Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bon Voyage!

I have been packing and running around all week getting ready for my month long trip to Rome, Sicily, and Florence. I cannot wait for this amazing adventure!  Great food, great people, and a great view. I can't wait to see the breath taking beauty of Italy, a place that I love so much. I will try and keep you all updated on my adventure as much as I can! Ciao!

xoxo - Alex





Ciao!
*Images via google

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Two Favorite People Got Married!

I was shocked when I heard the news that my FAVORITE Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge married the lead singer, Caleb Followill, from my FAVORITE band, Kings of Leon. I am sooo excited and jealous, but mostly excited. Wow, what a b-e-a-u-tiful couple!










(She is so gorgeous.)

* Images via google

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

An Eclectic Space

Ellen Pompeo has an absolutely breath taking home. It was once lived in by Ronald Reagan and is a beautiful 1920's Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills. She teamed up with interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard to create a home with a flair of the Mediterranean, Morocco, Spain, Tuscany, and the South of France. This space is eclectic and comfortable. I love it.















*Images via elledecor.com

Monday, May 23, 2011

A Savory Steak Dinner

Cooking light, as I have said before, is just amazing. Last night we made a delicious steak recipe from Cooking Light magazine. It is called Grilled Flank Steak with Onions and Tomatoes. My mom made her delicious steak sauce and we also made orange cauliflower and shallots as a side. Here are the delicious recipes for this healthy and colorful meal! 





Grilled Flank Steak with Onions and Tomatoes


Ingredients

2 Medium Red Onions cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
1 1/2 lbs. of Flank Steak Trimmed
2 Cups of Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
1/4 Cup of Balsamic Vinegar
Directions
1. Preheat grill to high heat. 
2. Lightly coat onions with cooking spray. Place onions on grill rack; grill 10 minutes on each side or until tender. 
3. Place onions in a medium bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.
4.  Lightly coat steak with cooking spray; sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. Place steak on grill rack; grill 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 3 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. 
5. Add tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to onions. Toss gently to combine.
6. Top steak with onion and tomato mixture. Also, top with my mother's green sauce for great flavor!



Mom's Green Steak Sauce



Ingredients

1/2 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup of chopped parsley
1/3 cup of chopped cilantro
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients together for a great sauce for steak. It adds such a delicious and luscious flavor to the meat. 


Cauliflower and Shallots

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  
2. For shallots, put on a sheet pan and cover with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast until they are soft and carmelized. Turn them for even browning, 15-20 minutes and then set aside. 
3. After they have cooled, chop the onions and put them in a medium sized bowl. Add butter, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper, mix well
4. Put Cauliflower on a sheet pan, you can use any color of cauliflower but we used orange because of the gorgeous color. Cover them with salt, pepper, olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes at 450 then stir and cook for another 7 minutes. 

5. Place the cauliflower in the bowl with butter and onion mixture and mix well. 


The Finished Product!


*Steak recipe from cooking light magazine 

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Catfish, Catfish, Catfish

Here is another amazing catfish recipe! It is healthy, delicious, and packed with flavor. It is called Bayou Catfish Fillets with Dill Sauce. The dill sauce is so creamy and it compliments the kick of heat that the fish has. You have to try it!


Bayou Catfish Fillets

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons of White Cornmeal
1 1/2 Teaspoon of Seasoned Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano
1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
3/4 Teaspoon of Ground Red Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon of Chili Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
6 (6-ounce Catfish Fillets) (Any type of white fish can be used)
Cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat Broiler
2. Combine first nine ingredients in a zip-lock plastic bag. Add 1 catfish fillet. Seal bag and shake well. Remove from bag and place on broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Reproduce procedure with the remaining fillets. Broil 6 inches from heat for 6 minutes. Carefully turn fillets over, broil for 6 minutes. Enjoy!

Calories: 247 Fat: 13.2 g Protein: 27 g Carb: 3.8 g Iron: 1.3 mg


Dill Sauce

Ingredients

3/4 cup of Fat-Free Sour Cream
1/2 Cup of Fresh Parsley Leaves
1/2 Cup of Fresh Dill
1/2 Cup of Chopped Green Onions
3 Tablespoons of Rice Vinegar
1 Tablespoon of Honey
1 Garlic Clove, Chopped
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Directions

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a food processor  then add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Process until smooth. 

*Images via me, recipe via cooking light cookbook



Saturday, May 21, 2011

Two Handsome Men.

Two of the most gorgeous men in the world.

Paul Newman & Robert Redford





















I thought we all might need a little dose of beauty on this lovely Saturday morning!
*Images via google