Pinspiration

At the office, almost everyone makes, bakes, or creates a little something for fellow co-workers ((ok so some people buy stuff as well - but hey, Christmas time is the perfect time to try all those adorable Pintrest things you've been dying to do!))

 Last year I attempted the red velvet cake pops; other than not staying on the sticks, they were quite delicious! 

This year I tried cookie dough bites from Pintrest!

{found here}

I think it's safe to say most folks like to eat the cookie dough during the baking process. I know my brother and I would always sneak a few bites when we embarked on our annual Christmas cookie bake-a-ton. ((yeah. just dubbed it that mom, sorry)) Which, this year I sadly had to miss out on because we're getting our kitchen redone and thus no-baking or cooking until December 24th. Before the holidays, are you nuts? I asked my mom the same thing. She's nearly at her wits end, but I pray it will be done for Christmas eve, or we'll have to resort to take-out. YUCK. I love my tradition Christmas meal, surrounded by my mom's entire family. It's the coziest, most cramped meal of the season and I LOVE IT :)

What are some of your favorite Holiday traditions?

Happy Friday - Have a lovely weekend!

((PS. I made this photo with type over it straight on my phone - the app is called TYPIC - download it!

You won't regret it! OH, and it's free))

Blackened Chicken

It's been much too long since my friends and I have been able to have our weekly dinner – so sad! I even had a scrumptious must-try to make for us last week... I ended up cooking it for just me and my roommate. It was anything but sad though- super delicious in fact! I found the recipe for a blackened chicken with lime-cilantro quinoa (here) and had been saving it to try cooking quinoa for the first time! 

Things I did different :

I wasn't able to find quinoa at the grocery store that day, so I resorted to simple brown rice

I added some chopped, sauteed onions to the rice (cause I love the flavor of onions)

I completely forgot the ingredients for the avocado spread - so we used Greek yogurt (I think it's a decent substitute for sour cream)

 ...and voila – I call it fiesta chicken!!

Dinner

Not to toot my own horn... but I like to think I'm pretty good at throwing things together for a meal. Friends and family may think other wise but my Dad is an amazing cook and I like to think I took after him in that respect!

This little pasta dish was quite delicious. It was a mix of things I had in my pantry, of which I threw together: pine nuts, goat cheese, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and italian sausage. For a sauce, to add a little punch, I mixed a little of white cooking wine with olive oil and lemon juice and then added spices to taste! 

Try it out, or mix up a version of some of your favorite ingredients! As always pair with some wonderful wine! This Butternut Chardonnay was from my boss at VS (a nice christmas surprise)!

Cooking with Friends 2

I posted about cooking with friends last month, and totally forgot to post about Mel's fabulous shells!! Check it out:

Our most recent weekly dinner was at Melyssa's apartment. She made us stuffed shells! 

Mmm they were delicious!

Cooking with friends

Some friends and I have decided that once a week, work schedules permitting, we would cook a completely home-made meal for one another. I think it's much more fun cooking for friends, as opposed to a cooking for one. The first week, Erin and I cooked at our apartment. I made cilantro shrimp with onions, peppers, and tomatoes in a white-wine sauce, paired with whole grain rice and Courtney brought the wine!

The following week, Courtney cooked at her apartment. She made a us a delicious feta and spinach wrapped chicken with couscous. She also made a lovely caprese salad! This time, Erin and I brought the wine!

This week is Melyssa's turn! She said she will be making stuffed shells. I don't believe I've ever had a stuffed shell, so I look forward to trying it!