February 15, 2012

Baked Artichoke Squares

My parents entertained A LOT when we were growing up. It was pretty exciting because it meant a few things. 1. We could play video games without my parents getting into our business. 2. We could steal cans of Coca-Cola from underneath the card table and make our own soda concoctions in the backyard 3. My mom would have certain special things for us to eat like Baked Artichoke Squares & DESSERT. We only had dessert when company was over.

The thing about these Baked Artichoke Squares is that they’re not the prettiest looking appetizer. What they lack in beauty, they make up in taste. Me and my brothers always got into them before our parent’s guests arrived and my mom would chase us around the house totally peeved. Flash forward a few decades and I’m in my own kitchen, making them for company. I always have a difficult time not polishing off the batch before I put them out on a plate for guests. Old habits die hard.

My friend Jessica put it best by describing them as being like “portable artichoke dip!” She’s totally right. It’s like artichoke dip met quiche and had a baby. And the baby was the most perfect baby EVER!

recipes, Uncategorized

February 13, 2012

Warm Pear-Raspberry Bruschetta

ENTERTAINING 101: If you’re planning on having a slumber party involving LOTS OF WINE, make sure breakfast the next morning is SIMPLE.

Toasting bread, caramelizing pears and spreading cinnamon sugar & mascarpone on top is child’s play.

Adding a side of scrambled eggs with truffle salt & bacon? That’s where things get a little more complicated.

Photographing a brand new recipe in front of 4 people who are waiting to eat breakfast? Crazy idea!

Especially when you forget to drink coffee.

This one is definitely going in my I DRANK TOO MUCH LAST NIGHT BUT HAVE TO FEED SOMETHING AWESOME TO GUESTS, folder. It’s super scrumptious & simple!

around the home, my everyday life, Photography

February 12, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 6

This is what this past week looked like:

Wearing all black and finding color.

Uncategorized

February 10, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

Fashion time! 4, 6 & 8 are my faves
Let it be simple. Strive for good enough!
Bag organizer! WANT.
I have a new blog crush! Check out Emmadime. You’ll love it.
I’m obsessed with this song and that look at about 1:13.
Everything is going to be OK. I know it will, Mati! You have the best attitude!
Like WHOA!! Strawberry Cashew Milk Shake. Perfection.
Rad Business cards collected from Alt Summit 2012.
This is so creepy, yet I can’t stop watching it.
DIY Valentine’s Day Cards. I love the watercolor one.
I love her sense of color as much as I love her sense of humor
Beautiful Cookies trumped by nose picking! HAHA
Love all of these colors!
This light in this kitchen is stunning. Oh & there’s pancakes too!
Fantastic/Fun/Breathtaking wedding Part ONE and TWO
Someday I’ll have chickens…

This week on the Joy the Baker podcast, Me & Joy talk about FRIENDSHIP. The good, the BAD & the ugly. It’s real talk!

I also finished another organizing project on High Straightenence. My bathroom shelves are nice & neat.

A big THANK YOU to Hello Giggles for including me in their 5 Blogs You Should Be Reading List! xox

recipes, Uncategorized

February 9, 2012

Clove-Scented Sidecar

FACT 1: I’ve never ridden in a sidecar. I’ve always wanted to.

FACT 2: I’ve never had a sidecar drink. Until now!

What would happen if you drank a sidecar while riding IN a sidecar? I bet it would be a very messy endeavor. It would be classy as all heck though. With some cool goggles, a nice scarf and some leather gloves. Wait!

This is the image I have in my head:

CONTINUE READING

recipes, Uncategorized

February 8, 2012

Roasted Butternut Squash & Arugula Salad

LITTLE EFFORT, BIG IMPACT. That’s how I’m living. I almost typed livin’ but I don’t know if I’m that cool.

Maybe I am. I dunno.

I’ve got a lot on my plate these days and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m working, podcasting, organizing, mom-ing, wife-ing, cooking, making…In other words, there are a lot of ings in my life right now. The most important ing in my life has been and will ALWAYS be eating. You could have guessed as much.

Since I’m a busy lady with a love for new dishes, most of the recipes I’ve been clipping out have been simple and short. A lot of them require mostly pantry staples with a few fresh produce elements thrown into the mix. This one does just that! I had everything in my kitchen except arugula & apple cider.

Aaaaaand wouldn’t you know that with all the my grocery planning, I totally forgot to pick up the apple cider! It was probably those 3 unplanned minutes spent in front of the kombucha shelf figuring out what flavors to get. Guava? Mango? Passionberry? Oooh Strawberry! Tough decisions. When I got home, I made the executive decision to add the orange juice I already had in my fridge to the warm vinaigrette and it worked like a charm!

This salad has all my favorite things:

Toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, Parmesan, arugula & roasted butternut squash.

Loving. Can we make that the new WINNING? Please?

recipes, Uncategorized

February 6, 2012

Heart Glazed Cornmeal Cookies

My Kitchen Aid Mixer is named Sir Charles Mixalot III. I just call him Sir Mixalot for short. We had a conversation the other day. It went something like this:

Sir Mixalot: Hey Trace! Would you please use me? I’m sick of collecting dust on your pantry shelf.

Tracy: Hey. You talk! Fiiiiine. I’ll use you. What should I make?

Sir Mixalot: I’m a little outta shape. Something easy. Baby steps. Take it easy on me.

Tracy: I totally get it Sir Mixalot, I haven’t worked out in awhile too. How about cornmeal cookie dough?

Sir Mixalot: I can totally handle that. You’re a dear. Many thanks. Don’t forget to clean my crevices afterward.

Tracy: Ummm. OK…

So I busted out Sir Mixalot and put him to work. The dough came together in a snap. We high-fived and I gave him a deep cleaning (head out of the gutter!). Then I got to work cutting, baking & glazing these cookies. The dough was the easiest part thanks to Sir Mixalot. The glazing part was a little tough and I only say that because I had a 3 year old running around the kitchen island begging me for some cookies and showing me a new toy every 5 seconds. Labor of love, my friends. LABOR OF LOVE.