Sweet & Savory Burger Toppings

Rummaging through the fridge this evening, I was scavenging for the ingredients to make dinner. Because Chuck was with a friend for dinner, I was left "cooking for 1," a challenge when you're used to cooking for 2 (or more).

Not wanting to default to granola bars and chips, I found a great base with which to begin: a turkey burger. Now...what to do with it?

My findings were encouraging, fresh and simple: a turkey burger topped with pears, blue cheese and balsamic dressing. Sounds fancy, right? The truth is these are affordable, easy ingredients to use. It's all about the combination.

Pear, blue cheese and balsamic dressing burger.
Stick it in the oven under a high broil for
3 - 5 minutes to give it a nice finish.

This inspired me to create a series of burger toppings, each with 3 simple parts: sweet, savory and sauce. Your burger base can be beef, turkey or even a veggie burger (but I'd rethink a black bean or other flavored burger...it might not meld well with the additional flavors).

THE BASIC BLUE
Sweet: sliced pear
Savory: blue cheese
Sauce: balsamic salad dressing

THE FALL HARVEST
Sweet: sliced green apple
Savory: brie cheese
Sauce: cherry or raspberry preserves

THE HOT PEACH
Sweet: sliced peach
Savory: pepper jack cheese
Sauce: pepper jelly

THE AUSSIE (how they do it Down Under)
Sweet: pineapple
Savory: cheddar cheese
Sauce: barbecue sauce

THE ITALIAN
Sweet: tomatoes
Savory: fresh mozzarella and basil
Sauce: tomato sauce

Fire up the grill (or skillet)!

White Trash Sangria

I'm not sure why, but recently I've been jonesing for food & beverages that I normally reserve for the summer.

Maybe it's because I just got back from the Florida Keys, or perhaps because Cincinnati's winter weather has been unseasonably warm. Either way, as I think about some of my favorite summer concoctions, one that always comes to mind is my White Trash Sangria.

The origin of the name comes from my first time creating this recipe. My in-laws, Tom and Sue, have a gorgeous lakehouse in a remote area of Ohio, so while vacationing on Grand Lake St. Mary's, our local purveyor is Super Wal-Mart. The only thing more super than the Wal-Mart itself? The locals who shop there! Hence, my inspiration for the ingredients I sourced there for this cocktail.

Now, while the name is less than politically correct, I assure you this will be a hit at your next party or dinner; it's easy, cheap and tasty. (*INSERT WHITE TRASH JOKE HERE*)

Here it is, kids. Take one of these:

Real Sangria,
found in the cheap liquor aisle

And mix it with one of these:

That's right...Arbor Mist...Sangria flavor, baby.

Then, add the secret ingredient: 1 - 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Mix well until the cinnamon dissolves. Finally, throw in the sliced fruit of your choice. I prefer oranges, peaches and grapes, but you can also try apples, blueberries, strawberries or any other fruit of your liking. Serve chilled, over ice.

Now stop watching NASCAR and kissing your cousin - and have some White Trash Sangria!

The Big O

If you're like me, you probably receive at least 3 catalogs in the mail every week, not to mention daily emails that promote all things new and shiny...Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, Frontgate, Grandin Road...and the list goes on and on.

The newest catalog to hit my mailbox this week was CB2. For those of you not familiar with it, CB2 is like "Crate & Barrel meets IKEA" with a higher price tag. Because of this, I'm not a frequent shopper of theirs, but they are a good source of inspiration.

Take for example this oversize light pendant shade. BOF! (That stands for "Big 'ol fan!")


Oversized equator pendant lamp from CB2: $199

 
But, with a price tag of $199, ouch - I'm not so quick to click and buy. But now I've seen it, and if I want it, it's going to haunt me. So...how can I find the style that caught my eye for nearly half the price?

Cue angels singing, the clouds parting, and what will come down from the sky is Overstock.com.

Overstock.com offers a variety of high-quality merchandise at discount prices. You'll find textiles, furniture, decor, appliances, and much, much more. I AM a frequent shopper here, and I've found some pretty stellar deals.

Take for example this oversize light pendant shade at nearly half the price of CB2's...and, I actually like the additional metal finish on this one better.


Metal rimmed white chandelier
from Overstock.com: $105!


Here's another find of mine from Overstock.com.
I love the modern look of these white chairs, which I mixed with 2 upohlstered chairs that sit at the end of my dining room table. And, $42 each? Yes, please. Not to mention they come in silver, red and black, too.

White tabouret stacking chairs (set of 4) on Overstock.com

The same white chairs in my dining room
Photo on Pinterest

And those 2 ceiling light fixtures in the photo of my dining room above? Also Overstock.com...for 1/2 the price of something similar bu smaller at Home Depot. (Believe me - when I saw these on Overstock.com, I hightailed it back to Home Depot for a return and split my cost in half!)

Today's tip: if you like it - need it - must have it, then you must first check out Overstock.com. Save your style some dough.

Eat The Bowl

I spent the weekend in the Florida Keys after an amazing race experience with the Ragnar Relay Race series. And believe me - after 27 hours in a van without beds or showers, running 14 miles throughout that time and eventually making my way 199 miles from Miami to Key West with 11 teammates, I was ready to enjoy food and beverages in Key West!

Chuck, my better half, flew down to meet me after the race, and after settling in to the hotel and freshening up, we ventured to the sushi restaurant across the street, Ambrosia.

We definitely enjoyed our meal there - avocado and hot house cucumber salad with Miso mustard dressing, a variety of sushi and chicken katsu. One star of the meal: spicy tuna fritters.


Spicy tuna fritters nestled in a rice noodle bowl with soy sauce

The fritters were served in a rice noodle bowl which had been flash fried. When the server pointed out the bowl was edible, this inspired me to share ideas for serving foods in edible or food-sourced vessels.

AVOCADOS
I don't recommend eating avocado skins, but they hold their shape nicely as servingware. Use them for a healthy & fresh Avocado & Crab salad (diced avocados, lump crab meat, red onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper and a dash of olive oil) or as bowls for my favorite guacamole recipe.

GUAC THAT ROCKS

• 3 avocados
• 1 small red onion
• One small bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1 roma tomatoe
• 1 clove of garlic (or 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic from a jar)
• Fresh juice from 1 lime (no green plastic limes allowed here)
• sea salt & fresh black pepper to taste
• hot sauce to taste (recommended: Cholula)

1. Cut the avocados in half around the hard pit, then twist until the two halves come apart. Tap the pit with your knife to carefully remove. Gently run your knife around the inside edge. Scoop out the green flesh with a spoon and mash in a bowl to your liking: mash more for smoother guacamole or less for a chunkier texture.
   *KEEP the avocado skins (if you plan to use them for serving) and one avocado pit (if you are not serving the guac immediately).
2. Dice the following: 1/4 cup of the red onion, 1/4 cup of the fresh cilantro, both tomatoes and the garlic clove (after removing the skin).
3. Mash together the avocado and lime juice. Next, stir in the onion, cilantro, tomatoes and garlic.
4. Add salt & pepper to taste. For a kick, add a few drops of Mexican hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper or any other "heat" you have available.

Drop one avocado pit in the bowl on top of the guac and cover tightly with plastic wrap, gently pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the guac. This keeps air out and slows the oxidation process, which is why it browns. Refrigerate until scooping into the avocado skins and serving.

Or, use Tostitos Scoops! for a fun, bite-sized chip & guac combo.

PEPPERS
Garden variety peppers hold their shape extremely well for dips, stuffings and more.


Stuffed peppers, anyone?
Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living



Green, red, yellow, orange...choose your favorite pepper as a dip holder.
Photo courtesy of Peppermint Plum

So the next time you're making dinner or a snack, before you toss out what appears to be a by-product of your efforts, see how you can incorporate it into the presentation.

Chalk It Up

I find the use of a chalkboard in the home to be stylish because it's takes something functional (a visible place to quickly capture notes) and puts it to a new use (out of the standard classroom and into the home).

What you might not know is that creating your own homemade chalkboard couldn't be easier or more affordable.

In my Newport, KY home, recently purchased in August 2011, I found myself with a sizable blank wall in a large kitchen. Because of the wall's placement, adding a table or kitchen island against it wasn't really an option because it would block the walkway into the space. So, I decided to chalk it up!

START WITH...
The wall space (or any other flat surface) where you want to create your chalkboard. Decide how large you want your custom chalkboard to be, then measure the outside lines (square or rectangle).

THEN...
Head to your local hardware store. You'll need...

• chalkboard paint
• a paint brush
• white crown moulding
• small finishing nails
• blue painter's tape
• and a very small container of white paint (either craft paint or indoor flat finish)

And, this list assumes you have a hammer at home!

Here's what I recommend for the chalkboard paint and crown moulding. At my local Home Depot, the store staff cut the moulding to my measurements and even put an angle on it so when mounted, the corners were flush.

Chalkboard Paint:
http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Spray-Paint/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xilZapz5/R-100141287/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

Moulding:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202081495/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

NEXT...
Prep your surface as the chalkboard paint instructs. Then, using the small finishing nails, nail your moulding to the wall (or flat surface), keeping in mind you might need a level and an extra set of helping hands to ensure straight angles.

After the moulding is put up to make a square, use the painters tape to cover the edge of the moulding INSIDE the square...because now you have to apply your chalkboard paint.

FINALLY...
Apply the chalkboard paint, following the can's instructions for letting it dry or adding multiple coats. The final touch is covering those finishing nails with the white paint (by either washing out the brush and reusing it or using a small craft brush).

Here's my result:

Check out my homemade chalkboard with paint and pre-cut trim from Home Depot.

But don't stop at the walls...check out how this special paint can transform nearly any flat surface into a chalkboard. Here's a photo from Martha Stewart "Living" magazine that gave me this idea years ago.

Image from "Chalkboard Paint," Martha Stewart Living, January 2007.

And, here's one for a stylish cheese plate to help guests identify what they're eating - how great is that?

Posted to my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/natemoster/

Don't forget the chalk!

Flavored Vodkas: Stop Sucking Down Your Cents

If you've been in a bar or walked down the aisle at your local liquor store, you'll recognize a rising trend in flavored vodkas. Over the past few years, words you never thought you'd see on bottles are popping up like the (now) more standard vanilla and apple along with the wilder whipped cream and - yes - even bubblegum.

(Sorry, but ew. Bubblegum was meant to be chewed, not swallowed.)

Stocking the bar for your upcoming party can now be a daunting task. "Will my guests want grape, raspberry or mango? Or all three? And if I get all three, then what mixers do I get with each? And HOW many bottles of vodka am I buying?!"

To demonstrate, Three Olives vodka boasts 18 flavors.
http://www.threeolives.com/

The "Fellow" Solution:
Create a series of simple syrups your guests can use to make their own flavored vodka.

One magnum bottle of vodka + a variety of flavored syrups to add = endless combinations for your guests.

While it takes a scant more time, it's easier on the wallet AND allows you to create a "make-it-yourself" bar during a time when "on-demand" and do-it-yourself is hot. (Supporting note: have you seen the newer do-it-yourself dog washes and frozen yogurt bars popping up?)

START WITH...
The standard recipe for a simple syrup, which is 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar.

THEN...
Select the flavors you want to impart into the syrup, but stick with ONE flavor to start before you start mixing them. Throw in fresh cut-up fruit (apples, peaches, pineapple, mango, strawberries) or frozen fruit. You can also use a fresh herb like mint, cinnamon sticks or a single vanilla bean pod, featured at the link below, which can be found in the spice aisle of most specialty grocery stores (think Whole Foods).

http://www.ehow.com/how_7349483_use-vanilla-pod.html

NEXT...
To make the syrup, bring the water, sugar and your steeping ingredients of choice to a boil, strirring until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool and store the syrup in the fridge. Before serving, strain the syrup in a fine sieve or collander to remove the larger pieces.

FINALLY...
Set out the syrup(s) for your guests in labelled carafes at the bar so they can now make their own drinks. If you don't feel crafty enough to create handmade signs to help guests identify the syrups, I love these beverage labels from Crate & Barrel that hang around your bottle or carafe!

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/pitchers-and-decanters/beverage-jar-label/s208534

Be sure to include appropriate garnishes for the flavors you've made (fruit, cinnamon sticks, etc.).

Or, make a few pitchers of signature drinks using the syrup, like this Ginger Pear Fizz I made on New Year's Eve.

GINGER PEAR FIZZ

1 bottle champagne
1 large bottle of sparkling water (like Perrier)
1 - 1 1/2 cups of vodka
3 cups of pear juice
1/2 - 3/4 cup of ginger simple syrup

1. Make the simple syrup as instructed above with 1 - 2 pieces of fresh ginger root (in the produce section), peeled and sliced. Let cool. Before using the syrup, strain out the ginger pieces.

2. Pour the champagne, sparkling water and vodka in a large pitcher. Add the pear juice and simple syrup to taste.

3. Serve in a glass with a pear slice garnish.




I'd recommend making your syrups in advance of your party - say, the day before or the morning of - and letting them steep in the fridge...they always taste better that way. Homemade simple syrups will keep in the fridge for at least 1 week (and longer if you remove fresh ingredients like fruit).

NYE Cheers! with Cheesecake Spoons

My dearest friend Shelley hosted "Drinks & Nibbles" before this year's New Year's Eve soiree...and in case you're wondering, yes, that's the kind of company I keep...people who have parties before parties. :)

My pre-determined contribution was dessert. With the clock ticking towards 2012, I was pressed for time and pulled out a shortcut sweet.

START WITH...
One tub of ready-to-eat cheesecake filling...nearly all grocery stores sell this in the dairy section with the cream cheese.
http://www.kraftbrands.com/philly/products/Pages/philadelphia-ready-to-eat-cheesecake-filling.aspx

THEN...
Spoon the cheesecake filling into a quart-size plastic baggie and massage until soft. Cut a small corner off of the baggie, and you've just made a pastry bag!

NEXT...
Check out these awesome tasting spoons from Pier 1...very affordable and very stylish. Use these (or another small serving utensil) and pipe a dollop of cheesecake filling into each.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/tabid/977/CategoryId/895/ProductId/31215/ProductName/Tasting-Party-Spoon-Set/language/en-US/Default.aspx

FINALLY...
Add a fresh raspberry for garnish, and you've just served up a stylish bite in literally seconds.



Easy, pre-made fillings with fruit & cookie garnish

look stylish with the right serving utensils.

 
The variations here are endless. Try adding cookie crumbs in the spoon before piping in the cheesecake - or, add the cookie crumbs on top. Blueberries, strawberries and many other fruits would work as garnish, too.

I've invested in a few of these tasting sets (some from Pier 1) and they're amazing for presentation - without spending half your wallet or half your day in the kitchen.

Enjoy!

How to Succeed in Style

New year, new ideas, and (*drumroll*)...my new venture into the blogosphere! I'm terribly excited and already humbled by this new experience. What's not new to me, though, is my passion for celebrating the style in life.

My intent - and my hope - is that my space here will be come a source of inspiration for your lifestyle. Maybe you'd like to polish your kitchen skills...or, perhaps you're looking for new ways to impress your guests. Need a unique gift idea? What about ways to design, organize and show off your space? And, after all that inspiration, you might need a signature cocktail recipe to help you kick back and relax. You'll find these and many, many more ideas here.

Now, while you may hear the term "style" and equate it with clothing or fashion, my definition is broader. I won't tell you what you should or shouldn't wear because my view on style is bigger than the shirt on your back. It's how you influence or impact everything you touch by making it a little better. 

No matter our age, our income, or our interests, we can all add more style to our lives. My constant pursuit is "approachable style." Easy. Less fuss. Affordable. And simple ways we can all step up our own style.

So, without further ado, let's start defining style through one fellow's journey. Join me, won't you?