Friday Finds

I saw a Gatsby today since I was randomly off, (the first movie I've seen at a theater in way too long) and absolutely loved it!  I'm now totally inspired to throw a GG themed party and may or may not have spent a better part of tonight's Grey's Anatomy searching on pinterest for images.  Hmmm, it may be a party of one but I dig it.  The soundtrack is off the hook, too.

Also, I'm leaving town for 2 weeks in about a week and I've decided that I'm going to take a brief posting hiatus.  I just have too much other work to do before I get out of here- I'll blab on more about that next week.  This way, I know I'll come back much more interesting.

In the meantime, I've got the goods:

 1.  Love the look of this done-up tent!  I say with rustic-modern tables.
2.  Gorgeous rhubarb tart.  Eye. Candy.
3.  Please let me live here one day.  In love with everything.
4.  APPLE CHIPS!  Chip chip hooray!  Ok, I'll stop.
5.  So enamored with these flowers at a client's house.  They look straight out of a cartoon or something.
6.  Strawberry and herb flavored water.  Perfect for spring!
7.  Such a treat when other people cook for me!  Killer enchiladas...
8.  Our spread from Mother's Day brunch last week.  There was a mass email mildly arguing over who'd bring the cookies and then no one brought any.  The pastries were good though.

Lentils w/ Kale & Raisins

Where did the week go??  I've been working extra hours the past few days and actually am trying to have a bit of a social life....which means that I'm tirrrreeeeddddd.  I don't know what's worse, the fact that 2 drinks on a Tuesday between long days leaves me rising with a slight hangover or that staying out until 4am on a Saturday screws with me for the next 72 hours.  My glory days are over.

I've also succumbed to the fact that food is medicine.  While I'm all about having fun...a wine and scotch diet needs to be counterbalanced by lentils and kale.  This makes sense.  

For added pleasure...let's throw in red wine vinegar soaked raisins.  Craziness I tell you!

Now take your weary headached self and your bowl of lentils and sit by a large body of water.  Or any size body of water.  

Yeah, ok your bath totally works.  And just stare.  

Sometimes images appear.

Lentils w/ Kale & Raisins

INGREDIENTS: (makes about 4 cups)

  • 1½ cups French green lentils (du puy)
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 small head lacinato kale
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup small diced fennel
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 6 scallions, thinly sliced
  • black pepper, to taste

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and have ready an ice water bath.

Place the lentils into a medium saucepan and cover with 2-3 inches of water.   Bring lentils to a boil, then cover with a lid.  Simmer just until tender, about 20-25 minutes.  You don’t want them to become mushy.

While lentils are cooking, clean the kale by removing stems and cutting into 2” pieces.  Blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, you want the kale to be bright green but still firm.  When at that point, shock in ice water bath.  Remove and drain excess water; reserve.

In a small saucepan, mix the raisins with the red wine vinegar.  Bring to a simmer, then shut off heat.  The raisins will absorb the vinegar; reserve.

In a medium sauté pan (I know, many pans but this ensures best results!), add the olive oil.  When hot, sweat the diced fennel until translucent then add the shallot and garlic.  Coat in the oil and cook just until you can smell the garlic, mix in rosemary….then shut off heat.

To finish: Mix the cooked lentils (drained of any excess liquid), raisins/vinegar, oil/aromatics, scallions and kale.  Season to taste with salt, black pepper and extra vinegar (if you like things acidic).

PRINT HERE!

Friday Finds

I'm watching Scandal, and no, I have no personal connection to it other than I have cooked for one of the actors, but it's currently one of my favorite new shows.  There was just a scene with "Cyrus" (I don't feel like looking up his real name), but he just totally rocked it.  He also used to play Meredith's dad on Grey's Anatomy, and I love the intensity and sardonicism he brings as this character.  A really great actor (and no, he's not the one I cooked for).

That's all, thank you.

1.  Who calls the cops on well-behaved people at 9pm on a Saturday??  People who live in my building!
2.  Glitter Guide has a great Mother's Day menu posted.  My mom would love these.
3.  I spent last Saturday filming some on-camera bits.  Felt a little scatterbrained but hopefully they are decent.
4.  Cute heart cut-out.  Super cute!
5.  One of my dream cars!
6.  Avocado salad.  Nature's butter at its finest.
7.  I love this more every time I see it circulating the wacky web.
8.  Me and the BFF, right before the cops busted our CRAZINESS.