Art Soul Food

COLOR COLOR COLOR

2011-08-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of the 80/20 color rule? Well some rules are meant to be broken...hence my crazy, colorful and eclectic office/art studio.

Over the weekend I got this desk for FREE from craigslist.com. I asked the seller if she did the art herself and she said no a friend did it and she just wanted someone to enjoy as much as she did.

From left: 1. a caricature drawing my husband and I got on our honey moon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. 2. I leave Mike little notes in the form of push pins for him to see while he is doing homework in the office :)

5 things

2011-08-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

5 things from this week that I have been working on, inspired me or simply made me smile.

This Redwood Creek Pinot Noir is a great inexpensive wine ($9.99 for a 1.5L and it's delicious? Can you say for real deal?!). It is recommended that red wine should be served room temperature... however we lose track of what room temperature should be when it is 108 degrees outside. Most red wines should be served at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Throw a few frozen cherries in a glass with this wine and it will get it to the perfect temperature plus accent the cherry notes in the flavor.

This tree mural in our bedroom is still very much a work in progress...but I was very happy to finally add some depth through shading and red accents this week.

Simple and delicious snack: Focaccia bread with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil on top.

Blooming white lilies on our living room shelf. Plus the vase is an old tequila bottle we brought back from Mexico. Things are always better if they have a story or meaning behind them.

Currently on the hunt for a lightweight and effortless poncho such as this one.

HOW TO: Create a Floating Vase

2011-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

1. Get a jar and some rope, ribbon, wire, or anything else you will use to support the jar.

2. Tie the rope around the jar very tightly (make sure it is secure), make a loop knot and then hang on the wall.

3. Add water (not too much, you don't want to make it too heavy or you will have a broken jar on the ground) and flowers!

What I am loving now:

2011-07-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

These glitter wedges:

I am now on a mission to find the perfect silvery gold shade of glitter paint to paint the heel of some old wedges I have.

Eggs and Hash Browns South of the Border!

2011-07-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning take a trip south of the border for breakfast! This was a fun way to mix up our normal fried eggs on a crostini.

Cook frozen or home shredded potatoes in a skillet with 3 tbl of olive oil over medium heat..cook for 5-7 minutes and flip. Cook the other side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Top with fried eggs, fresh salsa*, and avocado.

*Fresh Salsa:

3 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

juice and zest from 1/2 a lime

1 garlic clove, minced

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

1/4 c of cilantro, chopped

1/2 an medium onion, chopped

3 things I wish I was wearing right now:

2011-07-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

1. This color story: coral, soft white, and black.

2. Chiffon floral open cardigan

3. Fringe necklace and high waisted nautical pants combination.

Silly Dog of the Day + Sneak peak into our unfinished bedroom

2011-07-12T16:48:00.001-07:00

This is the largest bedroom we have ever had....it is also currently the emptiest. Here is our work in progress bedroom with a little bit of my art painted on the wall. I plan to add more furniture...maybe a chair or something, and also detail the tree painting on the wall. Also I need some vintage chochkees too.

The bouquet on the headboard is my wedding bouquet I hand made 4 years ago.

I do not apologize for my unmade bed because that's life. :)

He's seriously way cuter than your dog.

HOW TO: Make a Homemade Sugar Scrub

2011-07-11T17:04:00.001-07:00

Refresh your grimy, sweaty, and dirty summer face with a homemade sugar scrub! Mix 1 tsp of honey with 1 tsp of sugar and scrub away! Rinse with warm water. I have started doing this at least twice a week and my skin feels so soft and clean after.

Fresh Homemade Tortillas! Well...Kind of :).

2011-07-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have always been intimidated by the idea of fresh homemade tortillas...maybe its because I didn't grow up in a latin family so anytime I had fresh tortillas it was always at a restaurant or a friend's house. When I saw these at the grocery store I got pretty excited and thought wow I can actually make my own tortillas now! Someday I hope to learn how to make homemade tortillas (I doubt it's as hard as I think) but until then I will make these. It's just tortilla dough and you cook them up in a skillet!

Summer Entertaining

2011-07-09T13:56:00.001-07:00

1. Keep the bugs away with citronella candles from napastyle.com

2. Create a warm atmosphere with these rope lights from Target.

3. A large drink dispenser is a must have. I often use mine for sangria and margaritas at parties. This one is from West Elm.

4. You don't realized how important table space is until it's completely filled with crudite platters and nobody can set their drink down. Make the most of your space with this 3 tiered serving tray from Target.

5. Keep it simple. You want to enjoy the party too, right? Don't fuss over fussy recipes that take practically 8 years to make. The food you serve should be simple and delicious with little prep time needed so you can enjoy the party as well.

HOW TO: Create Beach Waves

2011-07-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

1. Braid 1in-2in sections of your hair, twist, then pin.

2. Spray with a light and flexible hair spray. I like this one from Pantene: http://www.pantene.com/en-US/hair-care-products/product/hair-spray.aspx.

3. Leave braids in tact for a least an hour and up to over night. Unbraid hair and shake out your beach waves!

Follow Me on BlogLovin

2011-07-09T09:07:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Upcycle Old Liquor Bottles (DIY)

2011-07-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

I love COLOR. How about you?

My dad gave me these old empty liquor bottles. I made this colorful display with food coloring and water in our office.

Sunday Brunch Inspiration

2011-07-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of Sundays ago Mike and I had a lovely breakfast on our upstairs balcony. In the picture above: Crostinis (toasted french bread w/olive oil&salt&pepper) with fresh tomatoes, goat cheese, sliced apples, peaches, honey, and fresh coffee.

Tree top view from our balcony.

Silly Dog of the Day

2011-07-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

Molly isn't allowed on the couch but it's hard to make her get off when she looks this silly, so I took a picture of her instead. She always insists on squeezing into way too small spots, I believe she thinks she is the same size as Duke (our 10lb chihuahua). Enjoy this silly dog picture of the day. :)

Breakfast Scrambler

2011-07-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

This is a fresh and healthy breakfast scrambler Mike and I make a lot. Saute 1/4 cup of chopped onions, 1 minced jalapeno, and 1 tbl of olive oil over medium heat. Add 5 eggs and scramble. Remove from heat and stir in a chopped and seeded tomato, and a small handful of shredded cheese. Serve on a tortilla.

HOW TO: Make a Teeny Tiny Room Appear Bigger and Bold!

2011-07-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

In our townhouse Mike and I have this super small 1/2 bathroom that is tucked underneath the stairs. I found the best way to make this room less claustrophobic is to paint in bold colors!

Kindly ignore the reflection of me standing on a chair taking this picture. :)

Sorry for the weird angles in these photos, the room is so small that I can't take one overview pic of the room.

4th of July Festive

2011-07-05T16:20:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th!

2011-07-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

A few things to get you ready for the holiday weekend...

A painting that almost looks good enough to eat.

(http://nelseverydaypainting.blogspot.com/)

Skip the tacky streamers and cheap balloons keep the holiday decorations clean, simple, and classy. Think fresh flowers, and simple cloth table covers(*TIP save money on table clothes and buy a couple yards of fabric, keep it rustic and don't hem the edges.)

There's nothing like an effortless summer dress like this one from Free People.

Make an untraditional fruit salad like this one: avocado, endive, raspberries, peaches, rockett lettuce, and mango.

Happy 4th!

Midsummer Grilling

2011-06-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

The grill master at work.

Bulls eye onions

Recipes:

Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast

1 lb chicken breast

a couple of handfuls of a variety of chopped fresh herbs. I used chives, basil, rosemary, and oregano.

zest and juice of one lemon

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

a pinch of salt and pepper

Combine the above ingredients and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up overnight. Cook on the grill until no longer pink in the center.

Grilled Corn

Grill corn in the husks over medium heat until the husks blacken and the kernels appear tender. Rub butter and sliced on the corn for additional flavor.

Bulls Eye Onions

Thickly slice a large onion, and skewer the onion creating an "X" shape (the skewers prevent the onions from falling in the coals. Grill over medium high heat until tender.

Grilled bread

Slice fresh french bread, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides. Grill over medium heat until grill marks form. Spread goat cheese or any other desired topping on it before eating.

Cantaloupe, Basil, and Honey Popsicles

2011-06-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

1 cantaloupe peeled, seeded, and chopped

1 handful on basil leaves, chopped

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup honey

zest and juice of 1 lemon

Blend the above ingredients in a blender or food processor and pour into an ice cube tray or popsicle mold, add tooth picks or popsicle sticks and freeze for at least 5-6 hours.

Shelf DIY

2011-06-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Good morning sunflower

2011-06-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

Woke up inspired this morning.

11 in x 14 in. Acrylic on canvas.

Price upon request.

Kasey-Bell@hotmail.com

Steak and Potatoes on the Grill

2011-06-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a classic meal with a smokey grilled twist!

1 new york strip steak

salt and pepper

Potato Salad:

1 lb red potatoes

3 tbl McCormick's brand steak rub

1 lemon, juiced

1 small onion, chopped

3 tbl rosemary, chopped

3 tbl oregano, chopped

1/4 cup mayo

2 jalapenos, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

Heat the grill. Cut potatoes in bite size pieces, place in a pot with water and gently boil them until slightly tender. Drain the potatoes and rub them with steak seasoning. Grill the potatoes until they are crisp on the outside and fork tender. In a bowl combine the lemon juice, chopped onion, rosemary, oregano, mayo, jalapenos, and garlic...stir in the potatoes.

Salt both sides of the steak and bring to room temperature while the salt draws out the excess liquid. After bringing the steak to room temperature rub the steak with fresh cracked pepper. Grill until desired doneness. Allow the steak to rest 5 minutes before eating.

Summer Solstice

2011-06-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats Matt!

2011-06-21T17:42:00.001-07:00

This past Monday one of my best friends from high school graduated from the Art Institute of Dallas as an interior design major. Here is his present. :) Acrylic on canvas, 24'' x 36''.

Garden Fresh Fajita Nachos

2011-06-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

This week's meal deal at HEB is buy any package of fajita meat and get 5 items that go with the meal for free. I couldn't resist it, but then I found myself with an abundance of fajita meat and only 2 people to feed...so I started thinking up other ways to use fajita meat: the 1st one is fajita nachos. This past weekend we went to Arlington to visit family and friends and while I was there my MIL, Jayne, loaded a bag of garden fresh goodies that I'm using here on the nachos.

I am not normally a fan of pre-marinated/pre-seasoned anything... I always feel like I can make a better marinade/seasoning for less money, that was until I tried the pre-marinated fajitas from HEB, amazing!

Layer nachos in this order and then place until the broiler until the cheese melts.

Chips

Beans

Cooked, chopped fajita meat

Onions

Peppers

Cheese

Pizza Diaries

2011-06-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Mike and I love pizza. It's our main go to cooking staple. I always make sure I have ingredients to make the crust and cheese to top it...all the other ingredients (sauce and toppings) I just use whatever I have on hand. Below are some recent and not so recent creations of ours.

Chicken bacon pesto

Chicken red onion artichoke and tomato

Asparagus red onion zucchini and rosemary

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Crust- Buy Boboli brand crust, fresh dough from the grocery store or pizzeria, or make it homemade with this recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/basic-pizza-dough-recipe/index.html

^^Bread flour can also be replaced with wheat flour or almond flour for healthier alternatives.

Follow the directions on the package/recipe for the oven temp and time.

Sauce-

This is a quick easy go to sauce recipe I use:

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 small pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (you know how hot you like things)

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Heat a sauce pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil to the pan then the minced garlic and crushed red pepper, saute until the garlic sizzles then added the can of drained tomatoes. Mash the tomatoes with a fork and you're done!

Toppings:

This is the fun part- add whatever your heart desires (or whatever you have in your pantry). Remember more toppings will mean a longer cook time in the oven (a few minutes give or take)

Enjoy!

Stuck in a rut?

2011-06-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

Get out of your mid-season rut buy displaying a rack in your home to remind you of what's inspiring you.

What's inspiring me right now:

Pairing warm sunset colors with soft whites.

p.s. Molly says hi :)

Shelves are not just for books.

2011-06-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

1. Freshen things up with reed diffuser.

2. Add something personal: here are the antlers of the 1st deer Mike hunted.

3. Use an unexpected vase, this one is an old tequila bottle from Mexico.

4. Choose books that match your color story, and ones that add texture... such as this mixture of leather and canvas.

5. Save old wine bottles to hold taper candles.

What are you going to do before Labor day?

2011-06-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

I feel like summer is falling out from underneath me, so in an effort to enjoy it before it's gone I have made a list of things I want to do before Labor day.

1. Attend food festival.

2. Go somewhere new with my husband.

3. Buy the perfect vintage summer dress.

4. Throw a large party/cook out at our new place.

5. Create a signature summer cocktail to serve at the party.

6. Learn to do something new, maybe sculpture?

7. Buy a vintage piece of furniture for our new townhouse.

8. Float the Guadelupe river with a large amount of people.

9. Ride our bikes to Barton Springs pool.

10. Make a point to take evening walks after dinner in the beautiful West Lake Hills neighborhoods twice a week.

4 things I can't get enough of right now:

2011-06-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

1. Feather earrings

2. Braided hair

3. Light weight scarves

4. Maxi dresses

Words to live by.

2011-06-12T07:33:00.001-07:00

Found in downtown Austin, TX at 8th & Red River,

Art in my Home

2011-06-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

I've always prided myself on the fact the my home has real art hanging on the walls, with a soulfulness within each piece, rather than screenprints from Ikea or Target. Look for more "art in my home" posts to come.

Found Object Art

2011-06-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

I made this yesterday for our office, it is made entirely from found objects. I placed it in our office (the primary place I paint) in hope that it will spark future inspiration.

Infused Olive Oils

2011-02-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

I love infusing olive oil with aromatics. It's a great way to quickly add flavor to marinades, sautéed meats and vegetables, or simply drizzle it on crusty bread with bruschetta.

It's simple:

Get a clean jar fill it with your aromatic (with things like garlic or peppers I like to slice it to allow more flavor to be released in the oil), the top it off with olive oil. Allow a few hours to overnight for the flavors to marinate in the olive oil.

Here I have 3 different infused olive oils:

Garlic

Serrano chiles

Blood orange zest

Stuffed Jalapenos

2011-02-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

In Texas you can always count on two things: the unpredictable weather, and spicy peppers stuffed with cheese and topped with bacon.

jalapenos

cream cheese

bacon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut jalapenos in half and cut the seeds out, fill with cream cheese. Cook in the oven for about 15 minutes or until slightly softened. Top the peppers with crumbled bacon and place under the broiler for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is browned.

Tilapia Ceviche

2011-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

The great thing about ceviche is that you can make it with whatever veggies you have on hand. It's a great no-shop meal.

1 lb tilapia, finely diced

4 limes zested and juiced

1/4 chopped cilantro

corn tortillas

peanut or vegetable oil for frying

a variety of chopped veggies

this recipe includes:

cucumber

finely chopped onion

and finely chopped carrot

Spicy mayo:

2 tbl mayo

a few drops of hot sauce

Combine the tilapia and lime juice and place in the fridge. The citrus will cook the fish in about 45 minutes or until opaque. After fish is cook add chopped vegetables. Fry the corn tortillas in 1/2 inch of oil to make tostadas. Spread spicy mayo on a tostada and top with ceviche.

Lemon and Tomato Penne

2011-02-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

1 lb whole wheat penne

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 -2 cups diced tomatoes (any variety you have on hand)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

3 small lemons juiced and zested

1/4 grated parmesan

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (more or less depending on how spicy you like it)

3 tbl extra virgin olive oil

Cook the penne to al dente. Toss with the tomatoes, chicken, lemon zest, and parsley. Toss with the lemon juice then the olive oil (always add the acid before the oil when dressing pasta or salad). Last, toss with the parmesan and crushed red pepper.

Tilapia Piccata and Wine Steamed Green Beans

2011-02-08T15:25:00.001-08:00

4 fillets of tilapia

1 lb fresh green beans, washed and ends trimmed

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup white wine, separated in two 1/4 cup parts

3 tbl olive oil

2 tbl capers

2 tbl butter

2 lemons zested and juiced

2 tbl parsley

1 small tomato, diced (I used a roma tomato)

salt and pepper

Heat the 2 tbl of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. While the pan is heating, blot the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in the flour, shaking off any excess. Saute the fish in the oil until just cooked through, about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the fish to a platter. Deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup white wine, whisking for about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice, tomatoes, capers and stir. Add the butter and stir or whisk to incorporate to bring the sauce together. Pour sauce over fish or into a gravy boat, garnish with parsley. In the same skillet add 1 more tbl of olive oil, the green beans, and the other 1/4 cup of white wine. Allow the wine to steam the green beans until tender but still crisp, 3-4 minutes. Stir the lemon zest in with the green beans right before removing from the pan and serving.

Tomato and Blue Cheese Frittata

2011-02-07T15:52:00.000-08:00

Personally, tomatoes paired with blue cheese are as classically delicious as the old couple peanut butter and jelly.

This recipe and be adjusted easily for how many you're serving....I use 5 eggs because thats how many Mike and I eat together.

5 eggs

Splash of milk, half and half, or cream (whatever you have on hand)

Good quality blue cheese (I use a stilton blue cheese)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 chopped tomatoes... plus a few for topping

2 tbl olive oil

salt and pepper

Coat a 10 in non-stick skillet with olive oil and put on the stove over medium high. Whisk together eggs, milk/cream, salt and pepper, then stir in parsley and tomatoes. Pour the mixture into the skillet, cover with a lid and cook about 7 minutes or until the bottom has set, then place under the broiler for about 5 more minutes or until the top is browned. Carefully place a plate on top on the skillet and flip the pan and the inverted frittata will slip out of the skillet and onto the plate. Before serving top with crumbled blue cheese and more tomatoes.

Roasted Garlic and Cherry Tomato Crostinis

2011-02-07T15:08:00.001-08:00

The great thing about roasting is that it enhances the natural flavors and sugars of these vegetables making them mouth watering. These simple dishes can feel elegant and is a great way to impress guests!

Roasted Garlic Spread:

5 heads of garlic

3 tbl olive oil

8oz whipped cream cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

salt and pepper

Preheat the oven until 400 degrees. Cut the tip of the bottoms of the garlic heads(not the root end) off and place in a baking dish cut side up, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about 30min or until golden and tender. Once the garlic is done roasting allow the heads to cool, then squeeze the garlic cloves into a bowl. Mash up the roasted garlic cloves with a fork, then stir in the whipped cream cheese and parsley.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes:

1 pint cherry tomatoes

2 tbl olive oil

salt and pepper

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheets(this allows the heat to get to the tomato from all directions). Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast for about 20min or until the tomatoes are bursting.

Crostinis:

1 loaf french bread

olive oil

salt and pepper

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. Slice french bread on an angle, brush with olive oil, top with salt and pepper and bake a few minutes until toasty.

Super Bowl Nachos Year #2

2011-02-07T14:58:00.001-08:00

As y'all may remember last year I made some similar super nachos....

http://artsoulfood.blogspot.com/2010/02/superbowl-nachos.html

Well this year I decided to switch it up with different toppings. Also the use of 2 different cheese creates an amazing texture difference.

Baked waffle fries

"Refried" black beans

(drain one can of black beans, place in a sauce pan on the stove over medium and smash with a fork)

Fresh jalapeno slices

Chopped cherry tomatoes

Fresh chopped cilantro

Shredded aged white cheddar

Crumbled white mexican cheese

Cook under the broiler until the cheese melts.

Food is not a Unitasker

2011-01-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

Who says food is just for eating? This painting is a product of:

coffee

balsamic vinegar

chili powder

curry powder

Salmon and Hollandaise with Marinated Cucumbers

2011-01-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

2 cucumbers (peeled and sliced)

1 lemon

2tbl fresh dill, chopped

2 6oz fillets of salmon

4 tbls hollandaise sauce

4 slices of french bread.

......here's a great hollandaise recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hollandaise-recipe/index.html

Place the sliced cucumbers in a shallow bowl and toss with the juice of 1 lemon, 1tbl salt, and 1tsp black pepper.

Season salmon with salt and pepper and place in a skillet over medium high with 1tbl of olive oil and cook until desired doneness.

Season the sliced french bread with olive oil, salt and pepper and place under the broiler for a few minutes, be careful not the burn the bread (because I always burn it :)).

Assemble your meal by placing the bread on the plate, layer with the cucumbers, salmon, top with hollandaise, and garnish with fresh dill. Serves 2.

Strawberry and Rosemary Shortbread Bars

2010-10-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

2 sticks of butter

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of confectioners sugar

2 cups of flour

1 tsp of salt

1 1/2 cups of fruit preserves of your choice (I prefer strawberry or raspberry for this)

2 tbl chopped rosemary

1/2 chopped almonds

1/4 cup rolled oats

Beat the butter with granulated and confectioners sugar with a mixer until fluffy. Add the flour, 1 tbl rosemary and salt to the mixer. Press into a 8in square or 9in round tart pan. Spread the preserves on top, then finish with the rolled oats, almonds, and last tbl of rosemary on top. Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

Best Rice Crispies Ever in Your Life

2010-10-11T15:22:00.001-07:00

3tbl butter

6 cups of rice cereal

10 oz bag of marshmellows

1/2 cup of dried chopped peaches

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1tbl maple syrup (the real stuff, none of that pancake syrup allowed)

Grease a 9x13in baking pan. Heat a large pot over medium heat and melt the butter, add the marshmallows, stirring consistently. After the marshmallows are melted remove from heat and stir in peaches, pecans, and maple syrup(move quickly so it doesn't set). Pour into the baking dish and spread evenly, allow to cool before cutting.

Chicken Burger Salad

2010-08-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

1lb ground chicken

1 egg

3 tbl breadcrumbs

1 tbl olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbl onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients above, form patties and grill until no longer pink in the center. Top with cheese the last few minutes of cooking.

Layer with green leaf lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, and top with pico de gallo and bleu cheese dressing.

"Homemade" Mac and Cheese Fakeout

2010-08-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

1 box of mac and cheese mix

1/4 cup of shredded cheeses(whatever you have on hand)

3 tbl bread cruumbs

Cook mac and cheese according to box directions, stir in shredded cheeses, transfer to a casserole dish and top with more cheese and bread crumbs. Place under the broiler for a few minutes or until golden brown.

Pasta and Co./Austin, TX

2010-06-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

We bought this Carmelized Shallot and Fourmen d' Ambert Raviolli in Merlot Pasta from Pasta and Co. on Kerby Lane in Austin. We dressed it up with come grilled chicken, homemade pesto, fresh chopped tomatos, and a sprinkle of parmesan and pine nuts. Serve with a nice glass of white wine, this meal was heavenly.

Farmer's Market Bounty

2010-06-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

Last saturday Mike and I went to the Farmer's Market in downtown Austin, it was so cool! Produce, products, artisan hippies, and live music was everywhere!

With our bounty for came home and made lunch: Heirloom Tomato Salad

Layer 1: Heirloom Tomato Slice

Layer 2: Sliced Provolone:

Layer 3: Sliced Sweet Onion

Layer 4: Heirloom Tomato Slice

Layer 5: Gorgonzola, Fresh Dill, Drizzle of Balasmic Vinegar and Olive Oil.

A Fresh and Easy Cinco De Mayo

2010-06-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Mike and I recently moved to Austin where there is no Fresh and Easy....:(

However, I found this picture so this will be the last Fresh and Easy post I have! That is until they open one in Austin! :)

I wanted to make something festive on Cinco de Mayo but I didn't have the energy to go all out, so I bought Fresh and Easy Carne Asada and fresh corn. I grilled both items outdoors, sliced it and threw it on a warm tortilla with fresh salsa and we had Carne Asada Tacos with a Grilled Corn Salsa! Fast, Fresh, and Easy!

Sushi Date Night

2010-06-17T16:28:00.001-07:00

Mike and I went to the Asian market and got sushi grade salmon, and products to make tempura vegetables and had a sushi date night! Our sushi isn't as pretty as it is in a restaurant, we just need practice rolling :)

Surf and Turf Date Night at Home

2010-04-23T17:11:00.001-07:00

My husband and I are huge believers that having date nights at home are not only inexpensive but can also be more fun and personal because it's just you and your loved one in the kitchen.

Last week we had a Surf and Turf meal with Ribeye Steak, Steamed Lobster Tail with a Lemon Shallot Butter, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Wilted Spinach.

Click here to learn how to make my husband's "perfect steak":

http://theonlinegrapevine.com/kasey/02092010-filet-mignon-stuffed-avocados-cheesecake-recipe

Here's mike being silly and having fun..

Sometimes the Simple Things are most enjoyable...

2010-04-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Such as this easy breakfast: Maple Cinnamon Waffles(from Henry's Market) spread with almond butter and topped with maple syrup and star fruit on the side.

Fresh and Easy Tortelinis

2010-04-17T12:05:00.001-07:00

Here's another great meal made easy with Fresh and Easy...

Fresh and Easy brand 9 oz package cheese filled tortelinis (follow directions on package)

tossed with:

3 diced roma tomatoes

2 minced shallots

juice of one lemon

1/4 Fresh and Easy brand spanish extra virgin olive oil

2 tbl rinsed capers

sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Antipasto

2010-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

I recently had some friends over and I didn't have to time to plan some over the top and amazing so I made a simple antipasto with blanched asparagus wrapped with provelone and proscuitto, blue cheese stuffed olives, and peppered salami.

Thanks Fresh and Easy!

2010-03-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Many of you already know about my undying love for Fresh and Easy, and here's one reason why...

Their quality products made making this delicious salad effortless. I made a Chicken Salad with Lemon Hummus Vinegarette with the products shown in the picture plus grilled chicken. P.S. This meal only cost about $10! Look forward to many more posts about the amazing things you can make with Fresh and Easy products!

Herb Salad Mix

Green Onion

Lemon Zest

Tomatoes

Mushrooms

English Cucumber

Lemon Hummus Vinegarette

Grilled Chicken

Rainy Day Soup!

2010-02-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Turkey Meatballs

Orzo

Garlic

Onion

Carrots

Celery

Spinach

Cannellini Beans

Tomatoes

Topped with Freshly Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Spaghetti and Meatballs Made Light: Turkey Meatballs and Whole Wheat Spaghetti

2010-02-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

Superbowl Nachos

2010-02-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Waffle Fries

Refried Black Beans

Fresh tomatoes

Caramelized Onions

Pickled Jalapenos

Fresh Cilantro

Cheddar Cheese

My blog @ The Online Grapevine

2010-02-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

The last 2 months I have been working with the online grapevine making recipes for specific themes. The first theme was Eating Deliciously Healthy and the second is Valentines Dinner at Home...read more at http://www.theonlinegrapevine.com/kasey

My first poached egg!

2010-01-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

The Sun Came Out Yesterday

2010-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

So I made a citrus crab salad.

Lump Crab Meat.

Romaine Lettuce.

Grapefruit.

Onion.

A Touch of Honey.

Juice of 1 Lemon.

On top of rustic bread smeared with light mayo.

Perfect combo of sweet and savory.

Quick! Easy! Delicious! Healthy!

2010-01-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

Cook Whole Wheat Spaghetti to al dente, drain water and place back in pot. Add Spinach, Crushed Red Pepper, Minced Garlic, Chopped Roasted Bell Peppers, stir until spinach wilts. Serve hot or cold.

Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Cranberry and Shallots and topped with a Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

2009-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:00

It's not the new year yet and until then I will use as much butter as I want! :) This was a great seasonal fall/winter meal.

Merry Christmas! Food related gifts from loved ones.

2009-12-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Paula Deen knives from Tim and Laura...finally have a good set of knives!

An amazing set of cookbooks from Gary! Including The Cooking Bible, Appetizers Finger Food Buffets & Parties, Wine Beer Spirits and Liqueurs, The Everyday Chicken Cookbook, and Three and Four Ingredients! This set is going to keep me entertained for years! (plus my dog Molly's face in the picture :))

My husband, Mike gave me a set of wine glasses with 6 red and 6 white stemless glasses! I love stemless wine glasses, they're so modern yet still elegant plus they're less likely to break in the dishwasher. Now I have plenty of wine glasses to be able to use matching glasses at dinner parties!!

Mike also gave me a Spanish red wine with 2 spanish cheeses(one sheep's milk, and and one cow's milk) I can't wait to try them after dinner tonight!

and lastly beautiful handmade aprons from Jessica! 1 dressy one and 1 durable everyday one! :) :)

Thanks to everyone for the gifts!

Prime Rib leftovers...made into a Homemade Pot Pie!

2009-12-25T13:52:00.001-08:00

With my prime rib leftovers I made a homemade pot pie with onion, carrots, mushrooms, and asparagus. Before this my husband and I had never had homemade pot pie, it was a great upgrade from frozen marie calendar's pies! :)

5 Minute Christmas Centerpiece

2009-12-25T13:46:00.001-08:00

This holiday season I didn't have a lot of time to plan for my dinner party, the last thing on my mind was a center piece. About an hour before my guests arrived I assembled this interactive Christmas center piece with 2 small decorative Christmas trees, different drinking glasses of different shapes and sizes filled with clear and red marbles and topped off with holiday mini reeses cups(this is the interactive part).

Christmas Dinner

2009-12-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

The weekend before christmas I had some close friends over for dinner, because I was busy graduating college, working retail during the holidays season among other things I didn't have the time to plan a creative holiday menu so I used this one from Tyler Florence:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roast-prime-rib-of-beef-with-horseradish-crust-recipe/index.html

This included a Roast Prime Rib with a Horseradish Crust, Scalloped Potato Gratin, and Roasted Onion and Mushrooms in Butter, Honey, an

d Balsamic Vinegar. For dessert I made Croquembouche, which is french for "crack in the mouth", this dessert is essentially cream puffs dipped in caramel that has hardened.

This dinner was amazingly festive and my guests loved it! They actually loved it so much that I didn't have time to take any pictures of the food, everything was gobbled down too fast! :)

Dill Chicken with Tomato Onion Relish

2009-12-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

This was delicious and refreshing, however I will say that I would rather have it on a hot summer day rather than in the middle of winter.

Meatloaf?

2009-12-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

I have never been a big fan of meatloaf, however recently I found myself with an abundance of ground beef(it's a long story). So I thought maybe I would give meatloaf a try. I made a Bleu Cheese Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Bacon on top....it was so good and comforting. I have changed my mind about meatloaf since then...with a creative mind the most bland dishes can become gourmet!

Southern Style Feast

2009-12-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

This year on thanksgiving I decided to go back to my roots with a southern style feast! This included a Holiday Ham with a Sweet Bourbon glaze, mashed sweet potatoes, Fried Okra, and the classic Green Bean Casserole....plus pecan pie and bourbon and coke all night :)

Thanksgiving in October

2009-12-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

This year on thanksgiving I didn't make a turkey because I made one the month before when Mike and I were traveling to see some family.

The skin is stuffed with fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage, half way through the cooking I poured apple cider over the bird and I used apple cider in the gravy. The perfect turkey for the holiday season!

2009-11-18T09:44:00.001-08:00

The Ultimate Pizza and Beer

Chicken and bacon pesto pizza with fresh tomatoes and onion.

Homemade pizza is a staple in our home, it's cheaper and faster than delivery, better quality ingredients, and the creative possibilities are endless!

Hello

2009-11-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

My name is Kasey and I write this blog.

WORK: I am a retail visual manager. I love the fast paced environment and the joys that come from leading creative people.

ART: I am a painter, I use acrylic and oils. My esthetic focuses on free flowing color, movement, and organic shapes.

FOOD: I believe food should be fresh, fast, and taste of the earth. Most of recipes I write are fairly healthy, but I do indulge every once in a while.

FASHION: I believe in expressing yourself daily through clothing. My style focus on effortless, wearable pieces with a bohemian and/or feminine flair.

HOME: I believe a home should create a mood/environment. My home is warm, eclectic, and inviting.

PLACES: I am from DFW, spent 2 years in Southern California, and am currently living in Austin, TX. I love weirdness of ATX, but a big piece of my heart still belongs to Orange County, CA.

THE GUY: The guy you see in all the pictures is my husband, Mike. We have been together since we were young (14&17). We grew up together and continue to grow together daily.

2009-11-15T16:17:00.001-08:00

I used the leftover tomato guts from breakfast to make bruschetta, we took it to the park in the orange circle and had a picnic.

2009-11-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

Tomatoes filled with Egg and

Sweet/Savory Maple and Black Pepper Bacon.

I found the tomato recipe on epicurios, it was just tomato filled with egg and topped with cheese and the reviews said it was too bland so I made it my own by adding garlic, fresh oregano, and feta.

2009-11-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

Hotdogs from downtown LA.

Wrapped in bacon and topped with grilled onions.

2009-11-14T10:55:00.001-08:00

rosemary lambchops with shallot balsamic reduction and steamed green beans

2009-11-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

for dessert...stilton bleu cheese and pinot noir

2009-11-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

Sausage, Tomato, and Onion Frittata with Sweet Potato Hash Browns

2009-11-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

Lamb with mint salt rub and a red wine glaze

2009-11-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

chicken noodle soup (cheese tortellinis were used instead of noodles)

2009-11-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

personal pizza on a portobello mushroom instead of pizza crust

2009-11-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

feta and spinach stuffed chicken breast, roasted tomato, cucumber, and onion salad with a drizzle of thick balsamic vinegar

2009-11-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Rosemary Citrus Pork Chops with a Drizzle of Rich Vanilla Fig Balsamic Vinegar....served along side: roasted vegetables(butternut squash, red potato and onion with more rosemary and garlic of course)

2009-11-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Good Morning.

Huevos Racheros In a Tortilla Cup