Let's Pretend for a Moment

Let's pretend for a moment that we are having a lovely dinner in DC. A tasty dinner with charming company in an adorable apartment. I can't think of anything better actually. 

:)

My dear friend B has shared with us one of her go to dinner recipes. I personally can't wait to try it!

Spicy Garlic Chicken with Lemon Glaze

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

2 tsp minced garlic

1/4 tsp dried oregano

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (I just buy the bottle kind)

2 Tbsp honey

2 tsp tabasco sauce

1 tsp minced lemon zest

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1) Season chicken with salt and pepper, Stir together panko, garlic and oregano; place in shallow dish. Dredge both sides of chicken in panko mixture.  

2) Combine lemon juice, honey, tabasco and zest for a glaze in a small bowl, whisk to combine and set aside

3) Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; saute until browned on both sides and cooked through (about 12 minutes)

4) Add lemon-honey glaze to the skillet; reduce until syrupy, about a minute.  Return chicken to the skillet, flipping the pieces once to coat them with glaze.

Voila! 

FYI I usually double the recipe since MR eats enough for a small village. 

All photos courtesy of Miss B!


Thanks B for sharing such a tasty recipe! I hope you all get a chance to try it!

Easy and Delicious Warm Dinner

I kinda wish I had a place like this to call home in the fall :)

The other night the Boyfriend and I pretended it was fall and I made chicken and dumplings. 

It was so easy and delicious! 

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken ( I use Trader's chicken tenders that defrost in no time at all and cook up super fast)

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

1 tsp chicken bouillon

3 cups veggies (you can use a 16oz package of frozen veggies but I prefer fresh carrots, celery, peas, onion, corn... you get the idea)

2 cups buttermilk pancake mix

1 1/2 tbsp melted butter

2/3 cup milk

1/2 shredded cheddar cheese

salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

If you already have cooked chicken forget this part- place the chicken tenders in a medium pot, season with salt and pepper and maybe some other special seasonings I used Trader's 21 Seasoning Salute, and cook the chicken.

While the chicken is cooking cut up your veggies.

Melt butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat, I used the same pan I cooked the chicken in (I removed the chicken first though!). Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add milk and broth. Simmer 5 minutes or longer, I need to simmer it for a longer period so that the sauce would thicken up in order to coat the back of a spoon.

Stir in the cooked chicken and the vegetables, coating all pieces evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour chicken and vegetables into a casserole dish.

In a separate bowl mix the pancake mix, butter, and milk with a fork until just combined. Fold in the cheese. You do not want to mix the dough too much or else the biscuits won't be fluffy and delicious.

Drop this biscuit dough by heaping spoonfuls onto the chicken mixture.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. I believe I cooked ours for a few minutes more, maybe 5.

Boyfriend and I decided that it would be a great dinner party dish because it was so easy to pull together. It probably took about 15 minutes of prep time then 30 minutes to cook. And boy did we have leftovers afterwards!

Charming Braided Hair Tutorial

Happy Friday Sparklers!

I recently discovered this adorable braided hairstyle and I wanted to share the tutorial with you!



Sorry that the pictures are small...

 1. Start by making two pigtails, using rubber bands. Make them a bit higher up on your head.

2. Braid both pigtails...

3. ...and secure ends with a rubber band.

4-6. Remove the top rubber bands from the pigtails.

7. Cross one braid over the other.

8. Starting with the braid that's now on top, create a sort of "C" shape and pin. It doesn't have to be precise; you just want to have a nice curved shape from the braid.

9. Make the same curved shape with the other braid and pin. Curve it up and over the top of the braid you just pinned down.

10. Ultimately, you want to get a nice sort of pretzel or knot shape from the two braids. Tuck the ends of both braids behind the knot and pin them down securely.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!!

Keep Calm and Make it Work

 I am having a make it work moment. I just received the most amazing package yesterday filled with five pairs of adorable shoes. It was just surprise after surprise of amazing-ness.

Today I decided to wear a pair of nude peep toe patent leather pumps (OMG so amazing) and I thought I was good to go!

But SADLY my heels keep slipping out! I have the little heel inserts in already too! I don't know what to do?! Help ladies, help! What can I do today from my desk at work that will fix my shoe dilemma?!