An Evening in Paris...

or not... but I would like to think so...


I spent another night eating french food and watching "Midnight in Paris"...amazing...if you havent seen it, GO!  I swear the movie is like a mini vacation..you escape to the street of Paris in the 1920's....


Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, Gertrude Stein...just marvelous!!!


"As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.-Ernest Hemingway"

A Day of Inspiration...and Indulgence!

Irene may have not hit the city but boy did I...on foot!  I literally took the farmers market by storm on Monday since I was lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny day off.  I love the end of each summer in the city when you can feel and smell that slight change of season in the air.  The air is slowly gaining that crisp fresh fall feeling to it and the humidity is slowly saying farewell until the next summer season.


After taking this long walk on Monday through the market, and then an adorable quaint bookstore in the West Village where I encountered an old copy of Julia's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and then finally about four cappuccinos later I decided it was time to go home to my kitchen and do what I love the most.


On the walk home I got to thinking about what I had seen that day, what I had picked up at the market and what I had home in my fridge...then it came to me...homemade wheat foccaccia with sauteed fresh onions, yellow tomatoes, red bell peppers, fresh basil, a touch of white truffle oil and a sprinkle of goat cheese.  Heaven in the oven:)


Although I don't have pictures for you yet of the finished product, I do have a few of the sights along the way...enjoy and stay tuned for more photos...


"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." -Julia Child



XO,
Sarah

Homemade Turkey Chili...with a side of frustration....

Hey Readers (and fellow bloggers)...

Turkey Chili night...probably one of Chris's favorites and mine too I guess because I enjoy the process that goes into making it and I make such a big pot we live off of it until its time to freeze some:) So although I am looking forward to cooking and enjoying it, I must admit I have a little bit of sadness and frustration today...will my career ever end up where I want it to? Will I ever get the opportunity to share my love of cooking and planning dinners with the world?

Weighing heavily on my mind today is possibly one of my favorite movie quotes, so I shall leave you with that....

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void."

XO,

Sarah

Potato, Potata....Tomato, Frittata Quiche??

So as you all saw I had a happy frittata Saturday in my kitchen.  While on the subway this morning into work I was looking over a past issue of Food Network Mag thats usually in my bag...what can I say- the thing is like an AMEX to me..."Never Leave Home Without It"...back to what came to mind...I flipped immediately to a section about simple cocktail party appetizer's. Whether it be a party just for fun or around the holidays, these little suggestions ALWAYS aim to please any guest. Then it came to me...Mini phyllo dough pastry cups, filled with my most favorite frittata combinations...aka Mini Quiche cups!! I know, it may not be Julia Child, but it would work! Think about it...you can go out and buy those frozen(yuck) already prepared ones OR you can get creative and cater to your guests needs and likes....vegetarian, meat lover, throw in some goat cheese...the possibilities are endless! Maybe top a couple variations of them with a dollop of hollandaise?  I know whats cookin' in my kitchen for brunch this weekend:) Will post pictures when ready!

XO,

Sarah

Frittata Saturday:)

Spent a lovely morning in my kitchen yesterday...made those most delicious frtittata....caramelized onions, tomatoes, peppers, turkey bacon, basil....delish!!! here are a few photos for you....enjoy:)

XO,

Sarah

It's 4:30...and I already know whats for dinner!

Chris is home tonight and my most cherished evenings are when work ends on time, a good workout occurs, and then I am home in my kitchen cooking with Chris sitting at the island usually on the laptop selectively listening to what I am saying (lol) as I cut, peel, rinse, chop, dice, season, etc....

So, tonight's menu will consist of grilled chicken breasts with a basil and pine nut gremolata.  That's right, I said gremolata...I myself only learned the meaning of the word not to long ago while in a cooking class in the West Village although I have had many different variations of it several times just not knowing the proper term for it.  I am not using the usual ingredient (parsley) though.  Truth be told, I despise parsley and I'm not afraid to admit it!!! You wont find it in my kitchen I can tell you that.  I can smell the aroma coming out of my KitchenAid now...lemon zest, pine nuts, basil, garlic, EVOO.....as Rachel Ray would say....DEEE-LISH:)

I promise to post some pics ASAP.

XO,

Sarah

Chicken and Veggies and Wine, OH MY!

Dinner was a success! Chicken could have had a little more flavor but was tender as can be....the tomato, red onion, and asparagus bed underneath the chicken with a little white truffle oil, EVOO and a splash of balsamic was devine.  This weekend i have decided I am going to tackle beurre blanc once again so stay tuned....in the meantime, as promised, here are some photos from this evening:)

Enjoy and comments and constructive criticism welcome:)

Sarah xo

Blog night!!!

Well, I decided I really do need to get back into this regularly --it is my joy and the end of a boring work day....so I decided tonight is blog night!  My favorite ladies are joining me...Billie, Ella, Edith....etc....glass of wine in hand, fresh produce on the cutting board and a baked lemon chicken is in the works....I promise to post pics in a few!

XO,

Sarah

I really need to get back on track...

There has been alot going on lately but that doesnt mean that I should be neglecting the happiness that cooking brings me and updating this blog not to mention is very important.  I thought that it is finally time to start sharing some photos with you all.   I am also going to start a new weekend project.  I am going to pick one cookbook off of my bookcases of many cookbooks and cook my way through. Blogs and pictures the whole way to get your mouth watering.  Here is a picture of my latest pan seared crostini/cheese/cured meat/olive board....one word....heaven! 
Lots of love,

XO,

Sarah