Tag Archives: pretty-domestic

It’s the Harvest Season …

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And the “Harvest Season” requires harvest food. Recently, we attended the wedding of one of our favorite couples. The wedding and reception were held at a beautiful location, with red, yellow and orange foliage serving as the perfect fall backdrop. The meal was fabulous, but the piece de resistance was the Butternut Squash Soup ~ the perfect Harvest Season soup! It was so rich and yummy that I committed to making some within the next week.

Here’s the recipe in time for you to prepare and serve with your Thanksgiving meal.

The Perfect Butternut Squash Soup

Image: The Pretty Domestic Kitchen

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 large butternut squash (about 4 1/2 lbs.) or 4 lbs. peeled and cubed butternut squash
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 cloves garlic (optional)
  • 3 Tbsp. butter or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt plus more to taste
  • 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Preparation:

  1. Halve, seed, peel, and cube the butternut squash. Set aside.
  2. Halve, peel, and chop the onion. Mince the garlic, if you like.
  3. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter or oil and the chopped onion. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the squash and the broth. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the squash is very tender, about 20 minutes.
  5. Transfer small batches to a blender. Hold a kitchen towel over the top (to prevent burns) and whirl until completely and utterly smooth, 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
  6. Return the soup to the pot, add more salt to taste and ¼ cup of brown sugar.

Makes 4 to 6 servings Perfect Butternut Squash Soup.

Here’s a tip. Unless you purchase the squash pre-cubed, the prep time is longer than 50 minutes. I suggest purchasing it already cubed. Other than that, the recipe is simple and the soup turns out wonderfully.

We enjoyed the soup with a glass of Prosecco. I know, not a very Harvest Season libation, but we wanted to try these cute Villa Jolanda Presseco splits found at our local winery.

Leave me comment and as Donna Brazille says, let me know “what’s on your menu.” Have a Safe and Blessed Harvest and Thanksgiving Season!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Thinking Orange & Black Today … We’re Still Thinking Pink (WellChick)!

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Happy Halloween!

My family and I will be celebrating Halloween this evening, replete with costumes and Trick O’ Treating. However, I am keenly aware that it is still Breast Cancer Awareness Month. NOTE: Pretty Domestic will be advocating and educating all year-long. That said, our favorite Doll, PinkWellChick (Barb) recently shot a video for MayoTV about her journey fighting breast cancer. The video is honest, revealing and “must see reality TV” (the good kind)! Expect to see a series of videos from Barb that will serve as warm and informational resources for women, and their families and friends, as they face breast cancer. Thank you Barb for keeping this on our radar, and for saving lives one post, tweet and video at a time!

Also, check out Susan G. Komen’s Facts for Life ~ Breast Cancer Facts.

Until Then, Happy Haunting,

~ L.

~ The Pretty Domestic

Trick & Treat! (Why Can’t It Be Both!)

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Halloween is right around the corner; and many of us will be attending parties this weekend, including yours truly. But, for those of you hosting Halloween parties, here are several great cocktail recipes to ensure your guests have a ghoulishly good time.

Dracula’s Kiss (Top Left)

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Blood Orange
  • 1 oz. Blood Orange Puree
  • 1.5 oz. Blueberry Pomegranate Juice
  • .5 oz. Lemon Juice
  • .5 oz. Simple Syrup

Preparation. Combine all ingredients, shake hard, strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange.

The Creepy Crawler (Top Right)

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Blood Orange
  • 1 tsp of passion fruit syrup
  • .5 oz. of orange juice
  • .5 oz. of pineapple juice

Preparation. Shake all ingredients, pour into a low-ball glass, and fill with ice. Top with a hibiscus flower and a teaspoon of hibiscus flower syrup.

Midori’s Spider Kiss (Bottom Left)

Ingredients

  • 1 part Midori Melon Liqueur
  • 1 part SKYY Vodka
  • Juice from half lemon
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Grenadine
  • Chocolate dipped orange slice for garnish

Preparation. Draw a chocolate web into a martini glass. Place in freezer and chill for a ghostly effect. Shake all ingredients and strain into glass. For a blood effect, drizzle grenadine down the side of the glass. Garnish with a chocolate dipped orange slice.

The Itsy Bitsy (Bottom Right)

Ingredients

  • 1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
  • .5 oz. SKYY Vodka
  • 1.5 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • 3 blackberries

Preparation. Muddle 2-3 blackberries in a shaker. Place remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with black rimming sugar. Garnish with blackberries on a cocktail pick.

Cocktail Recipes and Images: Uptown Magazine

Now that your Halloween party bar will be stocked with chillingly delicious cocktails. Serve your guests a tasty Pie a la Apple dessert.

Image: The Pretty Domestic Kitchen (Smile!)

Pie a la Apple

Ingredients

  • 5-6 Granny Smith apples that can stand on their own
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Pie Crust (homemade or pre-made)

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Preparation. Cut the top of 4 apples off and discard. Remove the inside of each apple with a spoon or melon baller very carefully. Remove skin from remaining apple(s) and slice very thinly. These apple pieces will give you the additional filling needed to fill the four apples you are baking.

Mix sliced apples with sugars and cinnamon in a bowl. If you prefer more or less cinnamon make adjustments as desired. Same goes for the sugar. Scoop sliced apples into hollow apples.

Roll out pie crust and slice into 1/4 inch strips. I added a strip inside the top of the apple, which can be seen in the photo above.

Cover the top of the apple in a lattice pattern with pie crust strips. Place apples in an 8×8 pan. If your apples are big you may need a bigger pan. Add just enough water to the cover the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and sliced apples are soft. Serves 4.

We are big on holidays at Maison Pretty Domestic; and never miss an opportuntiy to decorate with the appropriate theme. Check out our carved pumpkins from last year and this weekend.

You can pick up a Pumpkin Masters carving kit from Ace Hardware or your local grocery store. We’ve used the same set each year. Here’s a hint, purchase two kits, the tools are a little flimsy.

I hope that I’ve given you some fun ideas for your Halloween celebration. Leave me a comment and share your favorite Halloween cocktail recipes and decoration ideas.

Until Then, Trick & Treat … It really can be both!

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Pretty Healthy Pt. Deux …

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In my quest to adopt a more healthy lifestyle, I continue to try different smoothies. I am quickly learning what tastes and textures appeal to my palette. Last week, I came across another smoothie recipe that sounded really tasty, and had all of the requisite nutrients to jump-start my day.

I purchased the ingredients and tried the recipe with a special young lady in my life, Miss Jordan. The smoothie turned out wonderfully; and with football season just around the corner, and the purple tint of the drink, we named it “Jordan & Miss Lynn’s Ravens Super Smoothie.”

Jordan & Miss Lynn’s Ravens Super Smoothie!

Ingredients

2 handfuls of spinach

1 handful of kale

1/2 – 3/4 cup of orange juice

10 to 12 baby carrots

1/2 cup of plain non-fat greek yogurt

1 cup mixed berries

Prep Time: 5 to 10 minutes. Method: In a reliable blender, puree spinach, kale and orange juice until only flecks of green remain. Add all other ingredients. Blend until smooth, about 2 minutes and serve.

Recipe: A Sweet Simple Life

NOTE: It’s hard to see the purple tint of the drink, but trust us, Ravens purple!

I’ve also added a healthy snack to my daily diet ~ almonds. They taste good and the benefits are endless. For example, almonds reduce the risk of heart disease; regulate blood pressure; are helpful in reducing the risk of cancer; and contain Iron and vitamins which are helpful in treating anemia.

There are also several “beauty benefits” of almonds.

Benefits of Almonds-Beauty

  • Almonds are rich in Vitamin E which is good for beautiful skin and hair.
  • Almond oil is the best massage oil which rejuvenates the body. It is also good for skin.
  • Almond oil can be applied as moisturizer for skin.
  • Almond oil can used to treat all types of hair problems.

Leave me a comment about your favorite healthy lifestyle tip and/or recipe.

Until Then,

~ The Pretty Domestic & Miss Jordan (BTW, she typed the recipe in this post!)

Pretty Healthy!

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“I’m so busy! I don’t have time!” These are the excuses I use for my less than stellar eating habits. But we all know what excuses are; and as my Mother would say, “You make time for what’s important to you.” And she’s correct. With this in mind, about a month ago I committed to three healthy lifestyle/diet changes.

  1. Drink more water. The benefits are endless; and I’ve done a good job with my daily intake. What I found is that I prefer my water room temperature, and consequently, I drink more.
  2. Stop skipping breakfast. It’s been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I never made the time. So, I incorporated a daily bowl of oatmeal and brown sugar into my schedule. Oatmeal is a quick fix, tastes good and helps lower bad cholesterol.
  3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Now, this was going to be my challenge. I’m not the type to eat fruit and veggies all day. I’m allergic to peaches and don’t like bananas; and that’s putting it delicately. What to do?

Last week, while scanning my favorite daily blogs and websites, I came across a recipe for a Greensicle Smoothie; and there was my answer. I’d try drinking my fruits and vegetables in a once or twice daily smoothie.

In my excitement, I headed out and purchased a new blender ~ yes, I really did need a new one ~ and all of the ingredients for my Greensicle Smoothie.

This morning was my first attempt at making the smoothie. Again, I don’t like bananas, but decided to try the recipe and see if the taste was overwheliming. I even poured my Greensicle in to one of my prettiest crystal goblets, as if it would somehow mask the banana taste.

What I learned ~ nothing beats a failure but a try. While the smoothie tasted pretty good overall and I finished the entire glass, still too much banana taste for me. Again, what to do? I called my “go~to” Doll on all things health and fitness, my cousin Susan, to find out what I can substitute for a banana. She suggested Greek Yogurt.

Once again, I headed to my local Whole Foods store for my substitute ingredients. I even consulted with “Eric” the Whole Foods employee, who according to the young lady passing out avocado and black bean salad tastings, “knows everything about juicing and smoothies.” Eric agreed with Susan, and Greek Yogurt it is.

Tomorrow morning brings day two of my quest for a healthier diet. I will try my Greensicle Smoothie sans bananas, but with Greek Yogurt. Here’s the recipe if you are interested in joining me in adopting a more healthy lifestyle/diet. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite smoothie recipe. Even if it includes bananas! (This is not all about me.)

Greensicle Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

½ cup chopped kale

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup chopped orange segments (from about 3 oranges)

1 cup chopped frozen banana (about 1½ bananas) OR 1/2 c Greek Yogurt

1 cup coconut water

1 teaspoon coconut nectar (optional)

DIRECTIONS. In a blender, combine the kale, lemon juice, orange, banana, coconut water and coconut nectar (if using). Purée until smooth, pour into a glass and serve immediately. Yields: 2 drinks/Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Recipe adapted from Steve Mekoski, Purée Juice Bar, Bethesda, MD

I’ll check back in tomorrow to let you know how I feel about the new recipe.

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sundays!!!

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It’s hot! Better yet sweltering! Every time I look at the weather report for “my neck of the woods” the temperature is approaching 100+  degrees. When it’s hot, I’m not much for “cocktailing.” My main goal is to keep cool and hydrated, and nothing does the job better than a bottle of agua!

However, I don’t want to put “Champagne Sundays” completely on the back burner during the summer months. Try a Mimosa Sorbet for a cool and refreshing cocktail alternative.

Mimosa Sorbet

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. water

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. orange marmalade

Zest from 2 large oranges

1 c. fresh squeezed orange juice (about 2 large oranges)

3 tbsp. lemon juice

Your favorite champagne

Directions. Combine the water, sugar, marmalade, and zest in a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it bubbles. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Mix in the orange and lemon juice and process in your ice cream maker according to manufacturing directions. Transfer to a container and freeze until set. Scoop sorbet into champagne flutes and pour champagne over the top. Serve immediately. Makes 1 quart.

Recipe: Cooking Light

Here’s to you, and a relaxing and cool “Champagne Sunday!”

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Strawberries & Cream … AND ….

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I’m not normally a fan of milky or creamy drinks, particularly in the summertime, but I recently tried a Chocolate Strawberry Bliss at a soiree, and was sold. Probably not something you would drink in the middle of the day, but could be a nice cocktail for a girls night in. Let me know what you think.

Chocolate Strawberry Bliss

Ingredients

Directions. Pour ingredients in an ice filled shaker and shake for 30-45 seconds. Pour into a martini glass garnished with a fresh strawberry.

Consider serving it with chocolate covered strawberries from your local chocolatier; or if you are feeling brave, make them yourself.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

Directions. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

Bon Appetit!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Summer Salads & Sweet Tea

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Being “pretty domestic” means being pretty practical; and with the sweltering weather, the kitchen is the last place a doll wants to spend her time, slaving over a hot stove. Yet, we still have to eat. That said, this is the perfect time for a wonderful salad. I’m not talking about throwing some iceberg lettuce in a bowl, with a few tomatoes and a slice or two of cucumber; but savory, healthy salads that leave you wanting more!

BERRY DELICIOUS SUMMER SALAD

Ingredients

  • 8 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans
  • Bottled vinaigrette

Toss together first 4 ingredients; drizzle with desired amount of vinaigrette, tossing gently to coat.

LEMON~BASIL SHRIMP SALAD

Prep: 20 min., Chill: 8 hrs. Don’t skip the fresh lemon rind and juice in the marinade–it’s what makes this recipe special. These shrimp also make a terrific appetizer. The shrimp and dressing, as well as the Parmesan Baskets, can all be made a day ahead.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. unpeeled, cooked shrimp
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 16 cups salad greens
  • 8 Parmesan Baskets (optional)
  • Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette ~ Ingredients: ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 large garlic clove, pressed; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ cup vegetable oil

Preparation: Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Gradually add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until blended. Note: To prepare ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature, and whisk before serving.

  • Lemon-Basil Marinade ~ Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons grated lemon rind; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons hot sauce; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 garlic cloves, pressed; ½ teaspoon salt

Preparation: Whisk together oil and remaining ingredients in a bowl.

Peel shrimp, and devein, if desired. Place shrimp and next 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Seal and chill 8 hours or up to 24 hours, turning bag occasionally. Stir in basil 1 hour before serving. Drain and discard marinade just before serving.

Divide greens evenly between Parmesan Baskets or serving bowls; arrange drained shrimp mixture evenly over lettuce. Serve with Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette.

SUN SWEET TEA

Tie 14 tea bags together. Place in the bottom of a 4-quart clear container. Slice a lemon and squeeze in the juice from both halves. Put both lemon halves in your container. Fill the container with cold water, put the cover on and add three hours of strong sun.

Bring inside and take out tea bags. Add a cup of sugar, more or less depending on your taste. Chill for a couple of hours or pour over ice & enjoy!

If you want to make this your “Champagne Sunday” cocktail of choice, and for an extra kick, add 1 cup Bacardi 151 or other high-proof golden rum.

IMAGES & RECIPES: Linda Wagner Blogspot & Southern Living

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Friday Quick Post ~ Win an Eye Shadow Palette by Two Faced Cosmetics!

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Happy Friday & Happy Father’s Day Weekend!

In an earlier post, I chatted about my love for Two Faced Cosmetics Eye Shadow Palettes. I love that they come with instructions on how to apply the eye shadow to get the look that you want. From a sultry smokey eye, to a shimmery bronze beach look, or a natural matte finish for your daytime office look, there’s something for every Doll’s taste. I also love the packaging ~ “pretty” and compact enough to throw in your bag and go! I’m taking three different palettes on my upcoming vacation!

Want to Win a Two Faced Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette?!

Follow @1prettydomestic on Twitter and Tweet the following:

“I just entered @1prettydomestic Two Faced Cosmetics Giveaway & so can u! http://pretty-domestic.com/2012/06/15/friday-quick-p…aced-cosmetics/”

One winner will be chosen at random. Each Tweet counts as one entry. Enter as many times as you like. Contest ends Wednesday, June 20th at 5:00 p.m. and is open to U.S. Residents only. Good luck!

Two Faced Cosmetics is available at Sephora and online at http://www.toofaced.com/

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic