Warm French Lentils

Warm French Lentils:

I am loving spring and the Daffodils that Whole Foods is selling

And now to the recipe review:
ANOTHER fabulous Ina Garten Recipe. This recipe is from one of my go-to cookbooks by Ina titled "How Easy is That". I loved the flavor and I loved the simplicity of this dish.

Warm French Lentils:

Inspired from Ina Garten "How Easy is That"

Ingredients:

2 Tbs plus 1/4 cup good olive oil

1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced 1/4 inch thick

2 carrots, peeled and diced small

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup French Green Le Puy Lentils

1 whole onion, peeled and chopped

1 white turnip, cut in half

1 tsp unsalted butter

4 tsp dijon mustard

2 Tbs red wind vinegar

1 Tbs kosher salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

Heat the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the onion, leek, and carrots. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until the garlic speaks.

While this is cooking, place the lentils in 4 cups of water, add the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat after it boils, add the leek, carrots, and onion mixture and then Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the turnip, then drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl, then add the butter.

Whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm. Serve with a piece of warm crusty bread.

This is a great lunch dish as well as a dinner dish paired with a green salad. Drink some french wine with it and dream of Paris!

In other news, Tucher went to the vet today. Last night he started limping which really upset me. He wouldn't put down his front leg. He milked it for all that it was worth, receiving an ice pack, treats in bed, water brought to him, and a lift in and out of bed! This morning I knew that he would be going to the vet and he continued to feel bad. Ryan loaded him in the car and when he got to the vet, Tucher jumps out of the car (which he never does) and RUNS and PULLS ryan into the office! Needless to say, Tucher was all of a sudden FEELING BETTER! Basically, he might have pulled a muscle, nothing broken, thank goodness! Now, he wants to play with the frisbee but he is NOT ALLOWED! If I spend money at the vet cause he feels bad, then he is not allowed to come home and play! We are resting his leg for a few days, despite this look that you get when you take him outside:

Yes, he is SPOILED rotten... he lives the "life"

Chocolate Birthday Cake

Amazing Chocolate Cake!

My Nephew helping out his Grannie open her presents

The Lion at the Birmingham Zoo

Me and my favorite little guy

At the Zoo!

A while back my mom, brother, and nephew came to visit us in Alabama. Mom's Birthday was celebrated while she was here and I made her a homemade birthday cake. I love to cook, but don't love to bake. I don't know why, maybe it is because of all the flour that messes up my kitchen! However, the best part of baking is the smell that it leaves in your home. Better than any candle, that is for sure! I made this cake and everyone really enjoyed it, hope that you will too.

Of course we hit up all the favorite restaurants in Bham, including Chez FonFon, Gian Marco's, Jinsei... all in 2 days!

Beatty's Chocolate Cake

Recipe from Ina Garten via Food Network

Ingredients

• Butter, for greasing the pans
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups good cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Directions

Chocolate buttercream, recipe below

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Chocolate Frosting:

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut)

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don't whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

Hummus Chicken Salad

I love love LOVE mayonnaise. I know that might have turned some people's stomach upside down (The Logan's!), but I love it! I once gave it up for 2 months and that was one of the hardest things ever! I can give up meat, no problem, but NOT mayonnaise. Now, that being said, I hardly ever eat it. Just too unhealthy, but if I have to choose between chocolate of mayo.... mayo it is!

Trying a chicken salad without mayo as the base was a little hard for me to do... But I am very glad that I did. I only made enough for 3-4 servings, but Ryan ended up enjoying it a lot, so I only ate one serving. It is really good, and as an example of its deliciousness, it is one of Kelly's from Healthified Kitchen's top 10 favorites- it wins for her favorite wrap!

Hummus Chicken Salad Wrap

Recipe inspired by Kelly's Healthified Kitchen, originally from Aggie's Kitchen

Makes 4 servings:

8 Tbs Sabra Hummus, classic flavor (or make your own)

4 Tbs finely diced celery (I used about 4 celery ribs, I like lots of crunch!)

2 Tbs fincely chopped green onion

2 Tbs finely chopped red bell pepper

salt and pepper to taste

20 oz chicken breast, diced

2 Tbs lemon juice, divided

1 1/2 ounce raw slivered almonds

Few handfulls lettuce

4 whole wheat tortillas

Directions:

Heat a skillet to medium heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with salt and 1 Tbs lemon juice. Cook until no longer pink and then shred. While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl combine hummus, celery, green onions, bell pepper, almonds, salt and pepper. Stir to combine well. Add the cooked chicken and the remaining lemon juice. Place the chicken hummus mixture onto a wrap and top with the lettuce. Enjoy!

FYI-Ryan also just topped his "BIG Salad" (I love Seinfield!) with the hummus chicken salad and really enjoyed that as well. If you want to reduce the carbs this would be a great way to do that.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit has never been one of my favorite fruits. However, I discovered these jewels while shopping at Whole Foods. They had samples and I was starving, so I thought, why not? Although I knew that they were going to be "bitter" I still grabbed one. WOW! Nice surprise when they were so juicy and sweet! I bought 3 that day. These particular ones that are perfect right now are from Texas, called Rio Stars. I love them, and have boughten about 5 more since that day.

However, I didn't have a grapefruit spoon.... I searched my kitchen high and low thinking that there has to be one somewhere in there. After exhausting looking in each drawer, I left to go find one. After going from Target to Williams-Sonoma to Pottery Barn to Macy's I was getting a little frustrated! Didn't these stores know that grapefruit season is here and I have this new obsession with this fruit! I FINALLY found spoons at the Cook's Store in Mountain Brook. I think that the ladies there thought that I had just won the lottery when I saw they had Grapefruit Spoons! Little things in life excite me, I know!

While there is no recipe for this post, please try to find you some Grapefruit that are as delicious as the ones the Pearce's Kitchen is enjoying! And, stock up on those grapefruit spoons, you never know when you might need one!

BBQ chicken Pizza with Cream Sauce

My best friend, Sara, made this and I knew I had to make it right away. Instead of taking pics, I gobbled it down! The weather was perfect today and a grilled pizza hit the spot. We have used our Kamado Joe Grill twice in the last 24 hours! Love spring!

Picture stolen from Sara!

Click HERE for her recipe. And you can drool over her beautiful beautiful girls cause this pizza doesn't have anything on those girls!

PS-

The only difference that I did compared to sara was use leftover bbq chicken and used Bone Sucking BBQ Sauce. I also topped the pizza with a couple of jalepenos.

Pappa Al Pomodoro.... aka the best tomato soup on the planet!

If you are looking for the best tomato soup then look no further! This soup rocked my world... so much that I was craving it for breakfast, snacks, whenever! I got the recommendation from 2 pilates clients that love to cook. After hearing them rave, I knew I had to give it a try. Of course, it is Ina Garten AKA Barefoot Contessa and her recipes never ever fail me (knocking on wood). Ryan loved it as well.

Think about making this soup while the weather is still chilly. Oh heck, I would eat this in the summer!

Pappa al Pomodoro

Recipe from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa found on Food Network

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
• 1 cup medium-diced carrots, unpeeled (3 carrots)
• 1 fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and medium-diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 3 cups (1-inch) diced ciabatta cubes, crusts removed
• 2 (28-ounce) cans good Italian plum tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

For the topping: don't skip this part!

• 3 cups (1-inch) diced ciabatta cubes
• 2 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, chopped
• 24 to 30 whole fresh basil leaves (another reason to cook in the summer time!)
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil, plus more for serving
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, fennel, and garlic and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until tender. Add the ciabatta cubes and cook for 5 more minutes. Place the tomatoes in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process just until coarsely chopped. Add the tomatoes to the pot along with the chicken stock, red wine, basil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and allow tosimmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

For the topping, place the ciabatta cubes, pancetta, and basil on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss well. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until all the ingredients are crisp. The basil leaves will turn dark and crisp, which is perfectly fine. Reheat the soup, if necessary, beat with a wire whisk until the bread is broken up. Stir in the Parmesan and taste for seasoning. Serve hot sprinkled with the topping and drizzled with additional olive oil.

Kale Chips

I have talked before about the benefits of kale, but did you know they can turn into chips!!! Yes, you heard that right, CHIPS... To quote Ryan "These are like nothing I have ever had, but I like them!"

I had some kale leftover in my fridge and decided to see what the rave was all about for kale chips. The recipe is SIMPLE. As long as you have kale, olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever other seasonings you would like, it is good to go!

So, before I continue to rave, let's get to the recipe!

Kale Chips

recipe from Kath Eats (one of my favorite favorite blogs.... she is a fellow RD, and she has a youtube video of her cooking these!)

1 bunch kale, stems removed and broken into "chip" sized pieces

2 tsp olive oil or cooking olive spray

salt to taste

sprinkle with parmesan cheese (or another type of cheese or seasoning)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wash the kale and be sure that it is very dry (use your salad spinner). Place the kale on a baking sheet that is lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Be sure not to stack, you want them well spread out. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and a light sprinkle of parmesan. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are slightly browning. You want it to be crispy when you remove it from oven.

I dipped mine in ketchup and tried them in marinara. I like them both, but I also like them just plain. Such a fun way to get crunch that is very healthy!

Let me know if you brave them and how you like!

And, please notice the new labels at the top of page! I worked hard to get these started for you to enjoy! I have finished the recipe index page, so if you are looking for a recipe that is your go-to place. I am working on the other labels, and I will likely change them up, but I just wanted to get some new stuff going. Hope you like!

Salmon and allergies

The blooms are beginning to pop out and that means allergies. I believe that a lot of allergies can be reduced by what we put in our bodies. Going back to fueling up a car with good gas versus just another fluid. You wouldn't put coke in your gas tank.... so why not put good food into your own body... get the flow? I wrote this article for our Pilates On Highland Newsletter so I thought I would share it with the HUGE fan base that I have on this blog... *insert sarcasm*

Help for Allergy Season -- Kelly's Kitchen POH Instructor and Nutritionist: Kelly Pearce Spring is coming which means allergy season is about to be in full bloom. Eating certain foods can help reduce the symptoms that are associated with allergies. Research shows that the benefits of fresh organic produce, fish, and nuts can help alleviate allergy issues. Consuming fish high in omega-3 fat such as salmon, tuna, or sardines are some of the best sources. White and green tea also offers a big flavonoid boost, which supports general immune function. Another recommendation to provide an additional reduction in allergy symptoms is to consume local honey in small amounts, just 1/4 teaspoon daily is all you need. Try one or all of these remedies and enjoy the fresh air that spring can offer!

Here is the Recipe that I shared that incorporates the salmon with local honey. It is a delicious recipe and I have made it several times. Tucher always enjoys the leftovers. I serve it alongside a brown rice pilaf or couscous.

Fight the Allergy Season Salmon" Ingredients: 4 pieces of fresh salmon, each about 6-8 ounces 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard 3 tablespoons soy sauce 6 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon local honey preferably Rockhurst Farms - available at Oak Street Preheat oven to 425. Whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon (skin side down) and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Place salmon on baking sheet and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Cook until the fish is just flaky. Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and serve.

Baby Showers Galore and Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

The last two weekends I have hosted baby showers for two very important people in my life. We had a blast of course and the parties were filled with Ooohs and Aaaahs!

The BG Shower for Lindsay and Baby Ella was a lot of fun. It is always so fun to get all the Burg Girls together with our moms and throw a party. We had way too much food, but we wouldn't know how to have a party without planning for an army! The Cake by Carrie was incredible of course - lemon flavor and champagne with strawberries flavor. Delicious and BEAUTIFUL! You almost hate to cut into one of her cakes but then you do and never look back! I did make the Ella Ryan banner which was a lot of fun to make and if you would like a tutorial just let me know.

The surprise of the weekend was the arrival of Beautiful Baby Ella! Although I had to fly out before I could get a sneak peak at the bundle of joy, Ella is doing great and she has wonderful parents.

Cake By Carrie

Look at the Detail, she is sooo talented

Just a few of the many presents for Baby Ella!

Best group of girls ever... The Burg Girls

Let the excitement begin! This is what happens when you attend a Just Dance Party

The following weekend, the Pilates on Highland staff showered Holly's baby with some love. We decorated with children's story books since Holly has a love for books. All the food was themed according to a certain book. Think Perfect Piggie Sliders, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Salad, Say Please for Macaroni and Cheese, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake Baby Bites...etc. The decorations were gender neutral, so lots of linen colors with subtle color incorporated in. I had a great time planning for this shower and hosting it at my house! Although it was stressful right at crunch time, it was so much fun to have Holly (and Baby) enjoy the party!

And of course I also made this banner which was soooo easy and if you want the tutorial for it, just ask!

Presents for Baby Jason

Delicious Baby Bites from Pastry Arts

The Grub

Food!

We love Holly and can't wait for Baby Jason to arrive in April

Favors for the Guests!

I leave you with an excellent, addictive, and not so bathing suit friendly Recipe!

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans Popcorn

AKA Cinnamon Bun Popcorn!

Recipe Adapted From Our Best Bites

12 cup popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup kernels, or 1 bag low butter, lot salt microwave popcorn)

1 cup pecan halves

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup Light Karo Syrup (honey can be used also)

1 stick real butter (1/2 cup)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp good quality vanilla

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place cooked popcorn and chopped pecans in a VERY LARGE bowl. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a BIG microwave safe bowl. Like a 2 quart bowl or a Pyrex Measuring bowl. Stir to combine. Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup over the top of everything. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more. It should now be bubbly. Remove from microwave and add in the vanilla and baking soda. Enjoy the science experiment that takes place at this point. Pour this right over the popcorn and pecans, stir right away and stir a lot. Don't waste time or else the caramel will harden on you. Spread the popcorn mixture onto a foil lined baking sheet. Do a quality assurance test at this point, just to make sure that it tastes good! Then bake in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring twice, each 15 minutes. Let it cool and enjoy! Warning, it is very addictive!

Spinach, roasted red peppers, and broccoli Pizza

The pizza loaded down with veggies... before the cheese was added

I had some leftover homemade wheat pizza dough and decided to put it to use. I found this recipe from one of my favorite blogs, Pink Parsley, and modified it a little bit (She actually adapted it from another favorite of mine, Annie's Eats!). Turned out very yummy! It also helps that Ryan Grilled it on our Kamado Joe. Yes, you heard that right, the weather is nice so we can finally grill again! I long for the warmer weather where most of my food is cooked on the grill... i.e. less dishes to clean!

Broccoli, roasted red peppers, and Spinach Pizza

Adapted from Pink Parsley, originally from Annie's Eats

• 1 serving homemade pizza dough (this recipe makes 2 so just used 1/2 of it)
• 1 Tbs butter
• 1 Tbs flour
• 3/4 cup milk (I used 1%)
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed
• salt/pepper to taste
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 Tbs freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach, packed
• 1 cup roasted red bell peppers (I used the jarred ones)
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

NOTE- Ryan insisted that his part of the pizza had pepperoni on it, so I did add that to his "half". He really enjoyed it with the veggies and still felt like he wasn't eating just veggies!

Directions:

Preheat the oven or the grill to 500 degrees. If using a pizza stone, warm it in the oven for at least 30 minutes.

White Sauce: Melt the butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly until the sauce is golden and bubbly (About 1 minute). Whisk in the milk, add the garlic. Continue to cook and stir often until the mixture becomes thick and begins to bubble (not a rapid boil). Remove from heat, add in the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Then add the parmesan cheese. Either make sure that the garlic is completely mixed in or if it is still pieced together then you can just pick it out and discard it. I like garlic left in, so I just made sure it was not lumpy in the sauce!

Now, roll out the dough, brush the perimeter with olive oil, and spread the milk mixture evenly on top. Now top the pizza with the spinach, broccoli, and roasted red bell pepper. Spread the cheeses over the top. Transfer to your pizza stone or onto the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes. You want the cheese to be bubbly when it is finished.

Enjoy! We had this alongside a nice mixed greens salad with a balsamic vinaigrette. It was a great meal and a good way to get some veggies in it.

Valentine's Day

Beautiful Roses, Arranged by Ryan Himself!

The Grub: Filet Mignon, Asparagus, and a Twice Baked Potato

Toasting to many more awesome Valentine's Together

I know that Valentine's day was yesterday but I thought that I would share how we celebrated! Ryan did an excellent job, taking over the grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning! It was great and he surprised me with gorgeous 2 dozen red roses. He was the grill master, all of the food was cooked on the grill and it was amazing. Plus an excellent bottle of Cakebread Syrah to complete the meal (I got to pick the wine)!

Hope that you had an excellent Valentine's Day. I really enjoy the low key celebration ideas for this holiday, and ours was just that. Tucher of course got to "woof" down the leftovers, so he was a happy puppy!

Lots of stuff on the agenda this week, starting with a crown at the dentist this am:( Finishing off the week with a baby shower for Holly and working at POH this weekend. Plus, I need to share some great ideas from Lindsay's baby shower from last weekend. So, check back for lots of blog entries this week. Oh and the recipe for the broccoli/spinach/roasted red pepper pizza that is baking in our oven right now will definitely perk your attention!