Sailing Away with Rue Magazine

I adore the 'Spring Harbor' editorial in the March/April 2012 issue of Rue Magazine.  Perfect styling, colors, photography...makes me happy I am vacationing by the water this week. 

Guest blogger: Roasted Cauliflower & Aged White Cheddar Soup

When Jaime asked me to do a guest post on her blog while she was on vacation in Florida I was very excited!

Jaime and I had ordered these Cuisinart hand blenders from Open Sky and I knew I wanted to use mine for this post. The recipe I had in mind was Roasted Cauliflower and Aged White Cheddar Soup from Closet Cooking.

If you haven’t checked out Closet Cooking yet you should definitely head over and take a peek. Kevin from Ontario, Canada created this wonderful site and his recipes are fantastic. I find myself constantly saving them (check out his Grilled Cheese Croutons...like REALLY? I need this now!)

So here is my version of Roasted Cauliflower and Aged White Cheddar Soup. I hope you enjoy it!

Roasted Cauliflower and Aged White Cheddar Soup (adapted from Closet Cooking Closet Cooking)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• Olive Oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tablespoon for dried thyme (1 tablespoon if you are using fresh thyme)
• 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 1/2 cups aged white cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup lowfat milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• Hand blender (a food processor or blender would work too)

Pre-heat your oven to 400 F.

Cut the cauliflower into florets and coat with 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 400 F for 20 to 30 minutes (or until the cauliflower starts to brown).

Dice the onion. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot. Saute the onion for 5 minutes or until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and the thyme and saute for another minute.

Add the vegetable broth and roasted cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Let simmer for 20 minutes.

**Next time I make this I am going to use chicken stock instead of vegetable stock      because it will keep the soup light in color

Take your hand blender (or put mixture in the food processor or blender) and puree the mixture until it is the consistency you like.

Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove soup from the heat and add in the milk.

I served mine with a garlic crostini and toasted pine nuts. It was delish!

Thanks, Emily! Check out her blog Simply Gourmet in Southie.

Friday Faves

Weekend uniform @ Atlantic-Pacific

Adore the mixing of yellows.

Birthday cake Oreo stuffed brownies @ Bake at 350

These cookies are sooooo good; need to make this.

Bold blood orange soda @ The SoHo

Reminds me of Italy.

Matchbook wall art @ P.S. I made this...

Cute, fun DIY I want to try.

Tablescape 101: Spring Brunch @ Bright Bazaar

Pretty inspiration.

I am off to Florida tomorrow for a week of enjoying warm weather and sunshine!  I have a couple guest bloggers filling in and you'll hear from me too.  :)

PS: Check out my new CBSBoston.com posts: Top Boston Beauty Supply Stores & Where to Watch Your Favorite Boston Teams

Through the "Eyes" of Google Street View

 

 

 

Before Google Street View was released in 2007, cars drove around the world to capture each street with 9 cameras on each car. Some "accidents" happened along the way. Artist Jon Rafman selects unique images from the views--from a car on fire, man in the window, an unruly stallion, and car accident, among others--seen on the Huffington Post. These photos are strangely beautiful to me, despite a bizarre unaffected and distant quality to them.  Click the link for more.

What I'm Wearing Wednesday: Atlantic City

We had so much fun in Atlantic City over the weekend. Staying at The Borgata, Friday night was all about learning Black Jack. Saturday we went to the outlets and Trump casino. That night, we celebrated my friend's birthday with a delicious dinner at Izakaya Japanese restaurant in the hotel; I highly recommend if you go there.  Dancing, drinks, and more Black Jack followed. I walked away a bit poorer but richer in memories & friendships :)

Saturday night I wore:

• Banana Republic striped boat neck shirt- from last year
• H&M faux leather skirt
• Spanx fishnets
• Calvin Klein black boots
• H&M earrings
• BCBG 'Harlow' envelope clutch
• BCBG ring
• Laura Mercier 'Mistress' lipstick