Thursday, November 11, 2010

Old Grandpa Jacket to Cute Banana Republic Jacket??


I have been wanting to experiment with making coats lately, I think it would be fun to bring new life to an old one. I got this coat from my grandpa. I was shopping yesterday in Salt Lake and saw this coat in Banana Republic and thought it was adorable. It had raw edges, so I think this old one could be transformed into this cute one. I don't know if I have the skills to do this, so you might not ever see anything again about this. Hopefully I will have success!

New Head Bands!

Watch for them on my Etsy shop!





String!

I don't really know the purpose of this, but I saw it at Anthropologie and loved it. I am going to add some of it to the christmas tree skirt I am making and I also think it would be cute on a pillow in a cool design. I was having fun taking photos of it, that is why there are a million!







I have a sick obsession with Anthropologie!

Chicken Curry in a Hurry


Oh my I just made this and it was so good and sooo easy! I got this recipe from Real Simple online. I know this photo doesn't look that appetizing, but curries usually don't look that great.

Yield: Makes 4 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  tablespoons  olive oil
• 1  small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2  teaspoons  curry powder
• 1/2  cup  plain yogurt
• 3/4  cup  heavy cream
• 1/2  teaspoon  kosher salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1  14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
• 1  rotisserie chicken
• 2  cups  cooked white rice (optional)
• 1/4  cup  fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Sprinkle with the curry powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the yogurt and cream and simmer gently for 3 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, and tomatoes (if using). Remove from heat. 

Slice or shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Divide the rice (if using) and chicken among individual bowls, spoon the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the cilantro.

My Changes

I didn't use rotisserie chicken, so while I started the onions I just cooked the chicken in another pan with salt, pepper, a dash of the following; turmeric, garam masala, chili powder and cayenne pepper. I just started dumping stuff in. I also added some pablano peppers to the onions while they were cooking. If I would have had a serrano I would have added that because it wasn't very spicy, so in the end I added some chili powder, cayenne pepper and a little nutmeg. I served it over rice and cooked up a pre made tortilla. (The pre-made tortillas are a great substitute for naan.)

Roasted Potatoes with North Indian Spices

Because of the turn of cold weather, I try to stay in the house as much as possible. I am a pansy! And I know I have lived in Logan my entire life, I should be use to it by now. I am not, so I hibernate! I was looking online for some recipes and found a lot of fun ones. Here is one that I loved. I was skeptical when it was cooking, but they tasted so good! I got this recipe from Cooking Light online. Sorry no photo!


Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup potato mixture and 1 lime wedge)

Ingredients


• 3 1/2  tablespoons  canola oil, divided
• 3  pounds  small red potatoes, halved (about 8 cups)
• 1 3/4  teaspoons  black mustard seeds
• 6  dried red chiles
• 2  teaspoons  minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2  jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  kosher salt
• 1  teaspoon  ground turmeric
• 1/2  teaspoon  Garam Masala
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2  cup  chopped fresh mint
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice
• 8  lime wedges

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon oil and potatoes, tossing to coat. Set aside.
3. Heat remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons oil, mustard seeds, and chiles in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until seeds begin to pop. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add ginger, garlic, and jalapeño to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in salt, turmeric, and Garam Masala; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add spice mixture to potatoes, tossing to coat. Arrange potato mixture in a single layer in a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and browned, stirring every 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, mint, and juice. Serve with lime wedges.

My Changes/Additions

I added serrano peppers, pablano peppers, onion, and mushrooms. I like to add whatever is in my fridge that needs to be used. I did this in the first step. I didn't use chili's because I didn't have any. They were very good!

Happy 2 Years!!

I am behind! My house turned 2 on October 30, 2010! I can't believe I have lived in my house for two years. Last year I threw a birthday party for it and bought it a present. I haven't yet decided on what to buy for it this year, but I will for sure post it. I didn't throw a party for it, because my friends made other plans, so I didn't have one. I just like to have an excuse to throw a party. I know I am weird!