get these shoes

The thing I love about these shoes, is the red soles. Christian Louboutin's shoes are exquisite, but the red soles peeking out underneath are stunning. I saw a picture of Jada Pinkett Smith this week in Us Weekly (don't laugh!) and while she looked gorgeous, the thing that really catches your eye is the soles...amazing. For brides, he has made a beautiful blue sole...something blue. Go pick yourself up a pair here.

Try these...

Give these a go, you won't be disappointed. You may even be able to use up more of that leftover turkey in place of the chicken here. I make them a bit simpler by omitting the deep frying bit, and rolling them up like enchiladas. I pour the tomatillo sauce over them, top with cheese and bake them. So good. Make the tomatillo sauce, you won't be disappointed, and it is not hard to make. You can use monterey jack cheese in place of the queso blanco if you can't find it. Dee-lish.

Turkey Tetrazzini

What to do with all of that leftover turkey??? Make turkey tetrazzini, of course. The first time I had turkey tetrazzini was at my mother-in-law's. I loved it and still do, although I can't make it taste as good as hers does. I love the name, it makes ho-hum, everyday turkey sound really extravagant. I love that it is easy to make, but sounds like you've been slaving away for days making it. I love that it is named after this opera singer, Luisa Tetrazzini. When you've got a last name like Tetrazzini, you can't help but have a dish named after you. I guess when you are an opera singer, you get perks like that. Like Renee Fleming's, Diva Renee au Chocolat by chef Daniel Boulud. Now wouldn't you like to have a dessert named after you?

Here's the recipe for Turkey Tetrazzini from the Lion House Cookbook:

8 ounces spagetti, broken in pieces and cooked
5 T. butter
6 T. flour
3 c. chicken or turkey broth
1 cup light cream
1 t. salt
pepper
1 cup fresh or canned mushrooms, including juice
5 T. minced green peppers
3 c. cooked turkey, cubed
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Melt butter in skillet, blend in flour. Stir broth into flour mixture. Add cream. Cook until mixture thickens and bubbles. Add salt and pepper, drained spagetti, mushrooms, green peppers, and cooked turkey. Turn into individual baking dishes or a 2-3 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. Serves 8.

Hooray for National Bundt Day!

So, November 15th was National Bundt Day!! Did you know that? I never knew there was such a day devoted to such a pretty, yet functional object. I saw this lamp and thought it was a great way to pay tribute to the bundt. I would love to have this somewhere in my house. I love it when kitchen tools become functional as other forms and vice versa. See it at cucumberlab.com, which just so happens to be a local (as in Rhode Island local) design team. Long live the bundt.

Wicked cute

How cute is this skirt ?!!? I happen to know a little girl that would look great in this. I don't think I can justify its pricey price tag though. If only I could sew! Oh, that I had paid more attention in Home Ec. class. Sigh. Find it here in a few other colors and polka dots to boot.

Darda Race Tracks

Perhaps this post should be reserved for my car-loving husband, but I realy like this toy and I am always appreciative of a good toy recommendation. These tracks are the best, in my opinion. They're easy to put together, even for a young child, they can make more than one track configuration, very durable, and if one breaks, easily replaceable. But, the coolest thing about these tracks is the cars...they're not just any car...they have Porsche, McLaren, BMW to name a few...and they don't fall off the track, no batteries required, just pull them back a few times and they go at 600 m.p.h. (scale, that is). They are so fun to watch zoom around and around the track. I don't know who likes them more, the kids or the parents?

How cute are these shoes?

I wish I had a little baby girl to buy these for. Luckily they have big girl shoes too. Love them. Check them out here. Ultra cute.

Praline Yams

Okay. One last post for today. My sister-in-law makes these Praline Yams every Thanksgiving, and it is the only way I will eat them. I have never been a fan of the marshmallow topped version. I try to like them, I should like them, but I just can't. So, I am glad she came up with this recipe. Don't tell anyone that she uses canned yams.

1 large -40 oz. can yams, drained
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter

Place yams in baking dish. Mix remaining ingredients together in a small bowl. Crumble over the top of yams. Bake in a 350 oven for 35-45 minutes, until nice and golden brown on top. Mmmm. I love to eat them for breakfast the next day!

The Swedish Chef

Do you remember him? I loved him. I looked forward to watching The Muppet Show every Sunday night(I think that is when it was on?) . He was my absolute favorite character. I think I thought I was somehow connected to him with my Swedish heritage and all. He was just so funny to watch and listen to. I thought I was so clever that I could imitate his accent. I think we need to see a revival of this character. I almost named my blog The Swedish Chef, but I am no chef and I thought it a bit presumptuous. Hogie Wogie was just so catchy, don't you think?

Oh, Somebody Has a Birthday!

Look who is turning 7! I love this girl. I love that she is so artistic/creative/crafty. I love that she is a scrapbooker, because I am not. I love that she is such a hard worker. I love the outfits she puts together, sometimes??!! I love that she loves to watch HGTV, especially The Carol Duvall Show. I love that she loves sushi. I love that her penmanship is 100 times neater than mine. I love that she is so organized and precise. I love that over the summer, when she had a t.v. in her room, she would wake up extra early and watch VH-1 videos. Now, everytime she hears a song on the radio, she says, "Oh, I've seen this video." Nice. I love the way she ice skates. I love that she taught herself how to tie her shoes. I love that she sings in the shower at the top of her lungs. I love that since she doesn't have a middle name, she gave herself the middle name, Fluffy. I love that she is better than me in so many ways. I love that she is my daughter. Happy Birthday, you!

Key Lime Bars

While everyone has pumpkin and cranberry flavors on their mind, I have been thinking of these. The recipe intrigued me because the crust uses animal crackers and one of my favorite ingredients, key limes. Key limes or Mexican limes/West Indian limes are very different from the Persian limes that we are accustomed to in this country. True key limes are very small, and yellowish green and they pack a mean, tangy punch as opposed to their big, green counterpart. My sister, the Floridian has educated me on all things key lime. They are only in season in Florida a few months during summer,but you can still find them year round. They really are worth the effort if you don't mind zesting and jucing the little things. My mouth is already starting to pucker just thinking of them.

Bok Choy, Baby! and other fabulous sides

I love this stuff, especially prepared this way. I think you'll like it too. Another good side dish is these chili roasted sweet potato wedges. And one more simple, really simple thing, but I am sure you already know it is... oven roasted broccoli. Cut up some broccoli crowns, toss with olive oil and kosher salt, roast in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or so and there you have it. My friend, Valentina makes a medley of vegetables this way (using sea salt) and it is so delicious. We found ourselves eating the broccoli like candy, so I usually just make the broccoli minus the other veggies, although equally delicious.

India Tree

India Tree makes some really pretty decorations for cupcakes, cookies, etc. I recently bought the chocolate vermicelli and love the way it makes everything look...I want to sprinkle it on everything. Check them out here.

Happy Halloweeners