Archives for January 2015

Valentine’s Day with Minted + a giveaway!

January 30, 2015 / By Courtney / 67 Comments

My boys are apparently very serious about their Valentines…

Alright. It’s not news around here that I’m a fan of Minted. Their quality and style is unmatched. And now, they’ve found a way to make me fall even more in love.

Introducing… the Minted classroom Valentine.

Sigh. Sweetness overload, right?

Look, as much as I love the boxed Power Ranger Valentines that you find at your local Target, these Minted cards have a way standing out. Something super special and unique – just like your adored little one.

I had L and B each pick theirs out online (ok, I picked out B’s), and we worked away on a sunny and snowy afternoon, making them picture perfect for their oh so darling friends. I can’t wait for them to be handed out.

And I can’t wait to give you this: a $75 credit towards any Minted order. All you have to do to enter is visit the Minted website, then come back here and leave a comment telling me about your favorite classroom Valentines. I will be picking two winners, who will each get a $75 credit towards their Minted order!

If you want extra entries to increase your chances of winning, just follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. Remember, the more you enter, the better your odds of winning!

Just be sure to get entered by next Thursday night, February 5th at 11:59pm EST. I’ll randomly select a winner whose name will be announced Friday morning on my Facebook page – be sure you’re following me there so you don’t miss out!

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh, and right now with any $20 classroom Valentine order, Minted is throwing in 24 free stickers! Just be sure to use code STICKERS at check out.

Happy shopping friends!

The fine print: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you use these links to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make your purchase but please know that when you do, it supports my blog and for that I thank you.

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from January 30 through February 5, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. Two (2) winners will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter (powered by Random.org) and once verified, the winners will be notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim the prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.

Girl time.

January 28, 2015 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

It was yet another winter weekend and M had plans to fly out for business on Sunday. Always a bummer here as it then feels like the week starts earlier which, let’s be honest, is never a good thing.

Until I received a call from my favorite foodie friend that her husband too was flying out that same Sunday.

You know what that means? Jack pot!

It means our boys can play. It means lots of chilled white wine. It means 4 boys instead of 6 to manage (ha). It means the best cheese from Whole Foods with delicious crackers that B always gobbles up. It means blasting Taylor Swift and catching up on gossip and the best part…

… we can eat whatever we want.

No men demanding steak or pork or only green beans (M) or broccoli (J) or salad with extra croutons and no blue cheese. No, it was just us. So I whipped up the freshest and healthiest thing I could think of, these Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. M wouldn’t touch this platter with a 10 foot pole, but Catherine and I?

Well inhaled it. Along with our roasted brussels sprouts on the side, because neither of us can make them with the husbands home. All the while Bad Blood was blasting in the background. I’m convinced it was the best girl time, ever. Well – as much as girl time as you could get with 4 boys under 8. YIKES.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

2015-01-28 09:27:52

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Chicken and Marinade

1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, grated
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Lettuce and Fillings

8 butter lettuce leaves
1 cup bean sprouts
1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup cucumber slices
1 cup cooked thin rice noodles (we didn't find these necessary but some may like them!)
lime widges
1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
1/3 cup hoisin sauce

For the chicken and marinade

Mix the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, grated ginger, Sriracha, rice wine vinegar and grated garlic in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken and marinate, refrigerated, for 2 hours.
Heat a grill pan over high heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving platter to rest. Then, slice into strips and sprinkle with the peanuts and cilantro.

For the lettuce and fillings

Set out the lettuce, bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, lime wedges and rice noodles (if using) on the serving platter.
To assemble, use the butter lettuce leaves to contain the chicken and fillings. Add some chili and hoisin sauce on top, then roll them up and enjoy!

Adapted from Pioneer Woman

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Sticky pomegranate chicken.

January 26, 2015 / By Courtney / 17 Comments

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a killer chicken recipe around here. This one will be our go-to forever and ever, Amen. Yet it’s truly more of a summer chicken.

Let’s work on a winter one, shall we? Something just as extraordinary, yet suitable for indoor cooking as opposed to outdoor.

Meet sticky pomegranate chicken.

This recipe rocks. it. out. To begin, minimal ingredients. Win. Incredible smell in your home. We win again. And hey, the Orkin pest control guy might invite himself to stay for dinner.

Alright, pretty sure that isn’t a win. Actually, it was totally awkward but hey, he was impressed.

And you will be too.

Sticky Pomegranate Chicken

2015-01-23 11:32:47

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Ingredients

2 lbs chicken, I used bone in skin on thighs
1 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Seriously line a roasting pan with foil - cover every inch. This dish gets messy and the foil will make for easy clean up.
In a sauce pan, simmer the soy sauce and juice over lower heat. Add in the sugar and stir until dissolved.
Put your chicken in the roasting pan and pour the juice over. Roast for 45 minutes, flip, and roast for an additional 45. Keep on eye on it at the end as it may get too charred for your taste. I pulled ours out after 30 minutes or so of additional roasting.
I served with brown rice and sugar snap peas!

Adapted from Dinner A Love Story

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

C’s picks – week of Jan 25th.

January 25, 2015 / By Courtney / 1 Comment

Yep, that’s right, fellow Chicagoans. We are in the home stretch of the dreaded month of January. You know what that means? We are a teeny. tiny. bit. closer to spring. Until then, don’t mind me just staring at this photo of our amazing magnolia tree.

Sigh.

Alright. On the menu plan agenda this week in the kitchen? Let’s do this.

M is off to Florida on Sunday (I know, the poor guy), so I’m on my own with the boys. I’m guessing a little Slyce date may be in order.

Cajun chicken pasta sounds divine to brighten up a Monday.

Tuesday night is going to be all about my wintery sausage stew. Love serving this one up with Trader Joe’s warm naan bread.

Wednesday I’m back to driving little baseball stars around, so let’s go with something quick.

I’m always game to try a new soup and this 20 minute cheesy enchilada soup sounds right up our alley.

And that brings us to Friday and to a night in the city for M’s work. Thinking of wearing this… hmmm.

What do you think? Anything sound good? What’s cooking in your kitchen this week?

Dinner: Impossible – my #1 secret.

January 23, 2015 / By Courtney / 7 Comments

I realized the other day while talking to a friend that after a few posts into my Dinner: Impossible series, I still haven’t told you my number one secret, purely in the cooking sense, of course. Have to keep this family friendly.

Are you ready? It’s good.

Alright. So, my friend was going on about her crazy 4PM to 8PM hours that are filled with dance, church class, speech, homework, etc. She declares “I barely have time to eat, when am I supposed to cook?”

I looked at her like it was oh so obvious. And that’s when I realized, wait, am I the only one doing this?

See, most of the time, I don’t cook at dinner time.

Nope.

What was born out of necessity (B literally wouldn’t let me because he insisted on being held during that time) became more of benefit to the blog as well. So many of those winter months yield no light after 5PM, which is terrible for photographs (and moods). Thus began my normal routine of cooking (and photographing!) during nap time.

I realize not everyone has that luxury, whether you work out of the home or you simply have a toddler who will not nap (I want to hold you). But most parents who are at home have some time during the day to get stuff done whether that is nap, preschool, or those lucky enough to have 7 straight hours of the wonderful world of elementary school. Amen.

So, roast up these shrimp at 10AM. Get a soup going at noon. This stew is a great make ahead. Roll these puppies up during the day and bake when you’re ready to eat. I’ve been known to make this during free time on the weekends and then bake on Monday or Tuesday. Come dinner time, all you’ll need to be do is sip a glass of wine while your creation simmers away or warms up on the stove.

Who am I kidding? I know you’re driving around like a maniac. Happy Friday, friends!
C