pL aw11

photos: oracle fox
some of pamela love's AW 11 beauties. I a huge fan of the designer.

flat love!

I have been in search of a fab flat for a while now, I have heel syndrome. I can't stand to buy flats for some reason but it is strange because I would wear them so much more than painful heels. I love this Charlotte Olympia flat, I could see myself getting my money worth out of them. I am obsessed with Leopard print.

Trapani, Sicily :: Fontana Salsa Olive Oil :: Busiate Pesto Trapanese

Fontana Salsa for an olive oil tour!


Sicilian mother and daughter singers

Lunch was served after our tasting and this was the spread: we were all drooling over these traditional Sicilian dishes: fresh, rich and hearty, but most of all full of fabulous aromas and flavors. This was my favorite meal the whole trip; olives, bruschetta, salad and the best pasta ever!

Busiate Pesto Trapanese

I had to try making it right away and this is my 1st Attempt:

Chianti Classico with the black rooster is the best

Paired with an arugula salad

Results: awesome and ALMOST the same. I couldn't find the Busiate pasta but found something that looked similar made with durum wheat semolina and water. It turned out a little dryer than the Sicilian Chefs but we still loved it.

Busiate Pesto Trapanese

Ingredients:

1 pound busiate or any other type of pasta

1/2 cup almonds

4 ripe tomatoes

a good handful of fresh basil about 20 leaves

2 garlic cloves

1/3 cup pecorino cheese

salt and freshly grounded pepper

extra virgin olive oil

reserved pasta water

Process: If your almonds are with skin, start by peeling them. To peel, blanche the almonds by adding them to the boiling water for 1 minute, drain and wash with cold water. Dry with paper towels and most of the skins will come of immediately. For the rest, taking one at a time pinch the almond on the end and it will come off.

Next, toast the almonds for a few minutes in a non-stick pan, this will bring out their aroma and sharpen the taste.

In a pestle mortar crush the garlic with some salt, add the almonds and basil and continue to crush till you are happy with the texture adding olive as needed and reserved pasta water, season with pepper and with extra salt if missing.

To peel the tomatoes, make a shallow X on the bottom and dip them in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Then quickly take them out to a bowl of ice water to prevent further cooking. Drain, peel, core, take the seeds out and chop the flesh. The tomato flesh could be blended in a blender but the pesto should not be added. If all crushed in a blender, well let me just tell you it will not look pretty.

Then gently mix the tomatoes with pesto and grated pecorino, adjust the seasoning.

Boil the pasta till “al dente” and serve with some fresh pesto alla Trapanese on top.

Quick Arugula Salad

a couple handfuls of arugula

1 sliced shallot

3 hearts of palm slivered

4-5 asparagus shaved or slivered

a handful of walnuts toasted

a handful of cannellini beans

Dressing is just lemon juice and good olive oil

Mix it all together and enjoy!

Gorge du Verdon, Provence

I just got back from the most amazing vacation! I had to get back to blogging and now have tons to share. First, the gorgeous Gorge du Verdon in Provence, it is one of the most picturesque sites in the South of France, and it is man made. The water comes from rain and the melted snow from the mountains (at least I think that is what our bus driver said)

We were in the South of France for my sister in law's wedding where she married a guy who has vacationed here since he was little, oh to live in Europe!

It was such a blast, a large group of us rented paddle boats and took off. We all ended up linking boats together and broke out the wine for a fabulous day. The French people didn't know what to think of us Texans all blocking the river, they took pictures.

nm

From the recent neiman marcus catalog, how great are these gifts??? I would like one of each!

The ipad case in green, yes please! I got an ipad for xmas but haven't been able to settle on the perfect case, I think this is the one.
The alarm clock in white so it is indiscreet in color but it will buzz and jump around the room so my husband will actually get up and not press snooze!
The convenient flats for traveling. I like to wear heals but sometimes I need something more comfy, and they will pack so well!
The camcorder for catching every moment in style!

Find them all at neimanmarcus.com

kathrine power :: www

katherine power, one of the geniuses behind who what wear at f/w fall 2011. Find more here.

New Candy!

I just love my new bag, find it here.