Is it Monday already?
Our weekend started with candlelight and ended with tofu. But I’ll get to that in a moment.
First, I’d like to thank lovely Jorie at The Midwest Maven for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog award! This isn’t the first time I’ve received this nomination, but it doesn’t make it any less fun or meaningful for me to be recognized! My blog project for the week will be a dedicated page to these fun awards. Please visit The Midwest Maven and check out Jorie’s life- it’s a bit different there in Chicago than it is in Park City.
I’ve been clinging to this recipe for a Frozen Lemon Mint Vodka Mojito, sent to me by Cindy at Salt and Serenity. Not only does this cocktail sound summery and refreshing, it looks like an opportunity to bust out the JUICER! Stay tuned for the verdict, and please stop by Salt and Serenity to get inspired in the kitchen!
And now, the weekend. A series of welcome rainstorms led to a romantic meal on Friday night. Saturday was still somewhat dreary, but the perfect day to catch up on chores around the house, like folding mountains of laundry and organizing my recipe books (long overdue).
Keeping Cholula inactive is important while she heals from her no-puppy surgery, but it’s like trying to keep a frog from jumping. Luckily, she loves naps.
On Saturday night, we went on a little date to Ghidotti’s, an Italian restaurant near our neighborhood. We got our vegetarian fix (only two more days to go) with a couple of handmade pasta dishes. Oh, and an appetizer called “frico”- which is basically a skillet of hot cheese. Yes, please.
You’ll have to forgive me for not photo-documenting last night’s dinner as I should have. A recent review of my blog posts made me realize how food-centric it is (and clearly I am!), so I thought I’d give the camera a night off.
Photos or not, you should make this soup. It was simple to make, and the recipe is definitely a keeper! With the clouds still lingering, I thought soup sounded comforting. This spicy coconut version seemed light enough for summer, and didn’t include meat. Score!
The most important part of this soup is the broth, which was made with lemongrass, ginger, serrano chiles, chicken stock and coconut milk. I let it all simmer much longer than the recipe called for, and removed the lemongrass stalks prior to serving. I added various veggies, more than the recipe called for (shiitake mushrooms, red peppers). I also added crushed red pepper for more heat. The Thai basil and lime juice really gave some depth to the broth. I used some homemade fish stock we had in the freezer but think traditional fish sauce would be even better. The tofu was good, but this soup would be awesome with chicken or shrimp in it!
And now, it’s back to the grind on a Monday. I’ve got wedding on the brain.
Enjoy your start to the week!
the usual bliss 
Yesterday was a blissful day…. We found out we are going to be parents… to an adorable puppy. So, to celebrate, I made the French onion soup grilled cheese sandwich and it was a dream! I ate it really slowly, like I usually do with the meals that I love, and I have not stopped thinking about it since. Good thing I have Gruyere left for another round … Thank you for the suggestion!
Good luck with the wedding planning and enjoy every moment of it!
Congrats on parenthood! And I know it’s not the same… but you will have sleep deprivation, potty training, teething, etc. to look forward to! How GOOD was that sandwich?!
Ohhhhh, my goodness! I am telling the absolute truth…I have had only two things on my mind since yesterday: puppy and sandwich. There is nothing else (ok, maybe one thing: ice-cream) that I like to eat more than a grilled cheese sandwich and the caramelized onion adds SO much sweetness and goodness and …. I need one!
Thank you! We are looking forward to the puppy and can’t wait to go to Colorado to pick him up in a month (squeezing some hiking and house hunting in there as well). Until then, we have lots of things to do: find a puppy training school (done!), read as many books as possible (in progress…I am taking lots of notes), puppy-proof the apartment, buy him a bunch of toys and a fluffy bed and all the rest of things …stare as his photos every day to make time go faster.
I finally finished the 7 super shots! Stop by and check them out!!
I will! Yippee!
HAHAHA does Cholula have a Sofia giraffe for teething? That is absolutely hilarious! I am going to be getting one for J as his teeth are bothering him a lot lately. ❤ it!
YES! A friend with a baby left it here by accident and Cholula thought it was for her… she loves it!
That is so funny! Was it that cutie patootie that was on your blog a while back?
No, that is my friend Sarah’s baby. The baby that “gave” Cholula Sophie will be visiting in August though!
haha okay.