Favorite Friday

Delicious homemade bread

It's Friday once again! The last few days my sister and her two boys ("nuggets" as I call them) have been in town. My sister just discovered talent for baking beautiful artisan bread from scratch. Yesterday she showed me some of her skills and this morning I had a great piece of toast for breakfast! Check out her blog for more bread baking adventures.

My Gelish Nails in a light silver

Yesterday I used a daily deal and got a gelish manicure. These manis dry instantly after being cured in UV light. They look flawless and they last up to 3 weeks. I had mine done at Nails Naturally and I know Embellish offers something similar.

My collection of elephant kitchen items

As a kid I always wondered about my mom's collection of chicken kitchen items. She had so many chickens (usually ceramic) that she displayed on top of the cabinets. Beyond that there were chicken platters, tablecloths and more. How does that happen? A chicken isn't even cute. Well now that I'm older I'm starting to understand. I love elephants and so mostly through gifts I'm developing quite the elephant collection in my kitchen (and in my jewelry box). I figure I might as well embrace it!

Have a happy weekend everybody.

Favorite Friday: Birthday Time!

This weekend is my birthday so it's extra exciting! Here are some things I'm loving this week.

Delicious dressing

Brianna's Ginger Mandarin Salad Dressing
This stuff is sooo tasty. It makes me want to eat salads all the time which is great! Their Asiago Caesar dressing is really yummy as well. Look for this brand at your grocery store & enjoy.

Adorable!

Elephant Ring Holder
My mom gave this to me for my birthday. I have a thing for elephants and I think he looks great in my bathroom. I'd post the link to it but she got it at a local Austin store- so go local everyone!

I wish this mail was edible!

Cake Mail
Yesterday I got a piece of cake in the mail from my sister. Who gets a piece of cake in the mail? It was so unexpected and funny. You can order cake mail for your friends from this Etsy shop. Creative!

Cooking With Love: Lasagna

Every month or so I try to go pay a visit to my grandparents. I'm so lucky to have them in my life- they are amazing, generous people so I enjoy spending time with them.  I like to go over to their house and make them dinner. I usually serve something a little more special than your average weeknight meal just to show them that I care. Last time I made Barefoot Contessa's turkey lasagna. Please try this recipe! It's time consuming but so worth it. It's 10 times better than using a jarred sauce or the recipe on the back of the no-boil lasagna noodles. I served it with some garlic bread, red wine, and fresh salad. Save this recipe for the next time you have a family get-together- it serves a TON.

Me & my grandparents at my college graduation

Turkey Lasagna

Adapted from this recipe from Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 pounds hot Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound lasagna noodles (once again I used whole wheat)
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese (I used part-skim)
• 3 to 4 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

To make:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large (10 to 12-inch) skillet. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the sausage and cook over medium-low heat, breaking it up with a fork, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.  (This sauce is delicious and would be great over any pasta if you don't have time to make an entire lasagna)
3. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with the hottest tap water. Add the noodles and allow them to sit in the water for 20 minutes. Drain.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, the egg, the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
5. Ladle 1/3 of the sauce into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch rectangular baking dish, spreading the sauce over the bottom of the dish. Then add the layers as follows: half the pasta, half the mozzarella, half the ricotta, and one 1/3 of the sauce. Add the rest of the pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, and finally, sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling.