Unplugging...

I am off to the Royal Wedding! Wish me luck in the crowds and chaos of the day. Can't wait to visit Sterling and be part of all the excitement of this event.

Going to unplug while I am away...I promise to come back with many fun stories of this adventure.

Haymarket Designs

Thanks to Hopsy at Monograms & Manicures- I just discovered Haymarket Designs...my search of looking for adorable monogrammed gifts is over...August is just around the corner and I'm definitely putting one of the Haymarket picture frames and a tray on my birthday wish list. I think the chevron and clover designs are my favorite...what do you think?


Easter Strata

I was in charge of making the egg strata for our easter brunch this year...there was so much build up for my dish that we almost forgot about the entire thing...put it in oven as everyone arrived and never brought it out until someone mentioned the burning smell!! As it turned out- the "crispy" top was thankfully a hit (or maybe it was the mimosas speaking...).

I don't have the recipe in front of me- so here's how I remember making it....

What you need:
- 12 slices of sliced white bread (crusts cut off)- spread butter on one side
- 3 cups mushrooms- sauteed
- 2 onions- sauteed
- 4 sausages- grilled up and cut into bite size pieces
- if want to do veggie strata substitute the sausage with: artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes...really whatever you want
- 6 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 3 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- lots of cheddar cheese

  • Butter your casserole dish and layer the buttered bread on the bottom
  • Mix together your sauteed onions and grilled sausages
  • Spread the sausage/onions over the bread
  • Top with sauteed mushrooms
  • Cover with lots of cheese
  • Repeat these layering steps...with your top layer being the cheese
  • Mix together eggs, milk, mustards, nutmeg
  • Pour egg mixture over entire dish
  • Make the day before and put in fridge to make sure all the goodness sets before the party
Bake in 350 degree over for one hour...or until brown on top.


the forgotten strada still in the oven for this shot...but I promise- the recipe is so yummy!

Mason Jar Easter

I am definitely having some Monday depression having to head back to work after such a fabulous Easter weekend. Here's a little peak into how my family celebrated the day...my mom is amazing and makes every family event so special. We had one long table out on our deck and had mason jars filled with the simplest of flowers going down...my favorite.



Happy Easter Weekend!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays...always a special time to have my entire family together, have a nice long brunch and (weather depending) soak up the sunshine. We are spending Easter out in Inverness and I couldn't be more excited to pack up the car and head west.

loving all these easter colors...can't wait for Peter Rabbit!!
lthanks  Gen's Favorite for sharing

Happy Easter Weekend!

Mr.Boddington's Nephew

I just discovered the new designer for Paperless Post- Mr.Boddington's Nephew- and so excited to share with you. As you know- I absolutely adore all of Mr.Boddington's work. One of my friends who is getting married this summer told me how much the Boddington invitations cost and I almost fell off my chair. In comes Mr.Boddington's Nephew on Paperless post....genius. Let the cocktail parties begin!






Sweetie Pie!

This past weekend Chucks, Petey and I took a Pie in a Jar class at Workshop SF...it was a total hoot...and we came away with a great recipe and an adorable idea...pie in a jar...who would have known?!

Making a Pie in a Jar is incredible simply and incredibly yummy...and the options are endless- apple pie, blueberry pie, chicken pot pie...

Here's how you do it:

What You Need:
- Sterilized pint bell/mason jars- get the one where the jar opening is as wide as the jar
- 4 ounces of dough (3 oz for jar and 1 oz for topping)...although this was a bit much in class- may decrease portion when making at home
- pie filling (1/2 cup per pie jar)
- topper (basic crust, crumb topping)

Steps:
1. Place your 3 oz dough ball in jar. Manipulate with your fingers as fast as possible to spread the dough evenly as possible around the jar, fill to the tip top of the jar...using flour makes this process a bit easier
2. Put 1/2 cop of your desired filling in the jar
3. Choose your topping- cut out shapes with your dough, make a lattice, only use crumb topping
4. To ensure the best taste, chill your pie before baking. Once chilled brush the top with an egg wash and bake pie (on cookie sheet to catch droppings) at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden brown

Side note: You can also freeze your pie in a jar...then bake for later...screw on your lid and toss it in the freezer. When ready to bake, place in a cold oven and set temp to 350 degrees. This will ensure the glass doesn't break

Pie Dough Recipe:
Perfect recipe for sweet or savory pies in a jar...Yields 9 balls of dough
3 cups of flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp salt
12 ounces of butter (cold, diced)
1 1/2 cups sour cream
Put all dries in the bowl of a kitchen aid- add butter on speed one and mix until butter becomes pea size. Add sourcream all at once. Do not overmix. Mix until just incorporated. Divide into 4 ounce balls.

Filling Ideas:
Strawberry Rhubarb:
pint of strawberries cut in half
1 1/2 pounds rhubarb
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Crumb Topping:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks chilled, unsalted butter- cut into pieces



oops eating not making the pie....
we like to call him petey pie

CUESA Website

John and I are a part of a CSA (community supported agriculture) weekly program called Eating With the Seasons. Each week we pick up our bag filled with local, seasonal and organic fruits and veggies. I had no idea how much I was going to love this weekly treat. This CSA has given us the opportunity to try out new foods and recipes while at the same time supporting local farmers.

One of my favorite things about living in San Francisco is our farmers markets. When we are running low on our CSA chow- I love wandering thru the market for recipes ideas and season inspiration. I recently discovered the CUESA's (Center for Urban Education & Sustainable Agriculture) website and am in love! Take a look and you will see all the food that's in season, recipe ideas, farmers market dates and locations.

I just picked up our CSA weekly bag and we have a whole lot of avocados. I am going to try out this recipe I found on the CUESA website- Arugula, Avocado, Orange and Red Onion Salad 


Barn Madness

Durham Ranch is a special spot up in St.Helena. As an exclusive venue of Mint Locations- this ranch is absolutely breathtaking...captures the beauty of Napa and is an incredible spot to host a party. I loved everything about the recent Durham Ranch wedding post on Style Me Pretty....can't get enough of the flowers, ambiance, and feel for this wedding.



love the homemade favors.

White Chicken Enchiladas

I went up to Inverness this past weekend for my dear friend Sterling's bachelorette party...a fabulous group of girls, lots of wine and cheese, and old stories really made for the perfect evening. I have known Sterling my entire life and was so excited to spend the evening celebrating her.

august 26th can't come soon enough!
Here's a great recipe that I made for dinner- Pioneer Woman White Chicken Enchiladas...perfect to make ahead of time and oh so yummy! You really can't go wrong with these enchiladas...we drank lots of white wine as our classy pairing...couldn't have asked for a better night!
definitely making this again.

P.S. Paper

I have been loving following Kathryn + Ryan's San Francisco wedding on Snippet & Ink.  Kathryn is one the main girls behind this blog- so definitely is the ultimate planner. It's fun to see how they put together this party in all the spots of my backyard- Presidio Social Club and Cavallo Point.

I wanted to share with you my favorite part of her planning- the invitations and paper...of all things, it was done by a store right in my hometown- P.S. Paper. I am loving these welcome bags- the personalization of them and the color- all designed by Jill Sassa at P.S. Paper

Have a great Wednesday!

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