Tuesday, August 31, 2010

"Secret Hot Spots" - Soup Revolution

My other blog (Secret Hot Spots) is chugging right along... but it's a bit of a sad day... because TODAY is the final "Secret Hot Spot" airing on FOX 42.

Because of this occasion, I wanted to share my final one with you all on this blog.

If you LOVE a good bowl of soup - and you LOVE street food - you need to check out "Soup Revolution."

The owner and chef, Sara Cerasoli, went to culinary school in NYC before moving to Omaha.
Now, she dishes up these amazing bowls of soup, yummy salads, and delicious desserts Monday-Friday.
To find out where she's "dishing up" the goods, follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Tell her Jenny sent ya :)

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Night Grillin'


It looks to be a GORGEOUS night outside,
and if I wasn't stuck inside working, this is what I'd be throwing on the grill...
... PINEAPPLE BURGERS.


If you love fresh pineapple... and are looking for a new recipe...

... this is perfect for you!
I made this recipe a few weeks ago from "Our Best Bites" and loved it.

Ingredients (makes 4 burgers):
1 lb. ground beef
8 bacon slices
4 pineapple slices
BBQ sauce
4 hamburger buns

1.) Make hamburger patties - throw them on the grill and cook to your liking.

2.) Microwave bacon for 3-4 minutes (follow directions on package.)

3.) Place the pineapple slices on the grill for about 3-4 minutes until you can see the grill marks on them.

4.) Place 1 burger patty, 2 bacon slices, and 1 pineapple slice on a hamburger bun.
Squeeze BBQ sauce on top.
If you want to add cheese, I found cheddar works the best.


Make a nice fruit salad, grab a beer - and sit out on the deck!
Perfect Sunday night.
Enjoy!

Friday, August 27, 2010

One Bowl Mint Brownies

Ladies, you know those days when all you want is a little morsel of chocolate?!

Here is the perfect solution - easy to make, with VERY few dishes to get dirty!
One bowl, chocolate mint brownies...
... yum.

Ingredients:
1 stick butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 splashes of water (about 2 tablespoons)
1 cup mint chocolate chips
1 cup mini morsel chocolate chips
1 container vanilla frosting
Green food coloring

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Combine water, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Put in microwave for about a minute - until everything is melted.

3.) Add 3/4 of the mint chocolate chips and 1/2 of the mini morsel chocolate chips.
(If you can buy the mint chocolate chip "SWIRLS" brand, then add 1 full cup of those instead of the other 2 kinds.)
Stir together, until the chocolate chips are melted.

4.) Add 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract - mix together.

5.) Add flour, salt, and baking soda - mix together.

6.) Add in the rest of the mini chocolate morsels and mint chocolate chips. Feel free to add chopped walnuts or almonds too.

7.) Pour into a pan no larger than a 9x9.
Bake in oven between 20-25 minutes.

8.) It's done when you insert a toothpick in the middle, and it comes out clean.
Let cool for 20 minutes.

9.) Put some of the vanilla frosting in a bowl, add 2 drops of green food coloring, and about 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

10.) Mix together, then spread on cooled brownies!

11.) Sprinkle baby morsels on top...
... Enjoy!


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

"Sleep on It"

Not to whine, but today was not the most fun day at work...
... so I was cruising one of my favorite sites - Etsy - to find some inspiration.
Boy was I SUPER happy to find these pillows!
I think I need a few of these around my house... and the office.
Adorable ideas from Alexandra Ferguson.









Tuesday, August 24, 2010

"Secret Hot Spots" - The Cordial Cherry

Today I'm pulling a bit of "double-duty" when it comes to my blogs (Secret Hot Spots)... and posting pretty much the same thing to each one... but I couldn't help it - because what I have to share is
SO AMAZING!!!

Do you love cordial cherries? No, not the cheap kind your grandparents buy you every Christmas...
but the HOMEMADE kind.


Omaha now has one of the best places to buy chocolate covered cherries...
... at "The Cordial Cherry" located off 108th and Center in Rockbrook Village.
For those of you who live out of town, don't worry... they deliver!


With more than 50 different flavors (pineapple, apricot, raspberry, root beer, etc.) there is something for everyone!
Not to mention, they mold the chocolates into whimsical little characters!


If you're not sure... or don't believe me... stop on in - they'll give you a FREE sample!
But, their hours are a little strange...
because the owner is a school teacher by day/candy maker by night.

Open Tuesday-Friday 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.


Check out the video of this place! It was this week's "Secret Hot Spot."

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Shelves or Cabinets? Part II


Yesterday we explored the dilemma of "Shelves vs. Cabinets" when it comes to the kitchen.
Would you prefer to have everything exposed?


Or keep your goodies hidden?
Here are a few options from Apartment Therapy - for all you cabinet lovers out there.

First up... BLACK.
Shocking, right?
But, so cool.
I love how they used the glass to give the cabinets just a little "leg."


Think outside the box.
If you're bold enough, paint your cabinets PURPLE...


... or maybe even PINK!


How about using old filing cabinets for kitchen drawers?
I love this idea.


Next up, we have some really neat kitchens from KitchenBathIdeas.
The different use of height with these cabinets makes the room look extra unique.
Not to mention, the foggy glass doors.


This design plays with glass and wood. Super sexy.


Guess what this is?
A refrigerator! The cabinets ALSO look like this... crazy.


Yellow!
Think how happy you'd be each morning, going downstairs to make your cup of coffee...
... in your cheery yellow kitchen!


These cabinets remind me of a country cottage.


Dark, chocolate cabinets. Yum.


How great are these white cabinets? Especially paired with the brick wall?!
I am in love.


Green, green, green.


2-toned!
This is something I would have never thought to do, but I am really loving the way these 2 colors are bringing the kitchen together...
... very elegant.


Once again, another 2-toned kitchen.
When I win the lottery, this may have to be the way I go...


So, what are your thoughts?
Cabinets...
... or open shelves?
For me - I think it would be a happy marriage of both!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Shelves... or Cabinets? That is the question.

I'm sure all of us at one time or another (especially if you're really bored at work) envision building our own "dream" home...
... and what it would look like.
So, here's a question for ya when it comes to kitchens:
Cabinets - or open shelves?
Today, we're going to focus on OPEN SHELVES...
... tomorrow, CABINETS.
Check these out from Remodelista.

To be honest, I'm not sure I could keep all my kitchen utensils and gadgets looking clean ALL the time. I mean, I'm a neat freak - but every neat freak does have his/her moments.
However, the clean lines and simplicity - do have me won over quite a bit.


This one is so fresh and clean. Crisp.


These next few are from Apartment Therapy... which, lately - has become my therapy.
I love how the open shelves can add a pop of red, yellow, green, blue, etc. to the kitchen.













Friday, August 20, 2010

Hang Me Out to Dry


Does your living room or bedroom ever look a bit like this?
Hanging laundry around the house is never pretty...


... but now, with some help from Ballard Designs - hanging laundry out to dry can look adorable... and MUCH cleaner! (In 2 ways, no less.)


I just love how these racks can hang on the wall, and fold in or out.
They are made in ALL SORTS of different sizes, in different colors.


You can easily decorate them too - using fun accessories... such as this "LAUNDRY" sign above the drying rack. You could always spruce it up with a fresh vase of flowers.