Taste: Homemade Granola

I am settling back in after a week-long, whirlwind work trip. That means catching up on rest, plugging back into what's going on in the world and spending some time "nesting" at home. Today I am working on cooking some healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes that will carry us through this week and detox my body a bit from all of the unhealthy (but delicious) meals out last week.

One of my favorite things to make when I have a little bit of time is homemade granola. I rarely buy granola or order it at a restaurant because it is usually way too sugary for me. My simple and easy-to-make recipe is "Earthbound Farm's Famous Maple Almond Granola" from one of my favorite cookbooks, Food to Live By, by Myra Goodman. Myra and her husband started a small organic farm in California that is now known as Earthbound Farm, one of the companies that makes organic boxed lettuces.

Myra uses good maple syrup in this recipe instead of sugar, so you get a little sweetness without feeling like you are eating a box of Lucky Charms for breakfast. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Oh...it makes a ton, but you can freeze granola and pull it right out of the freezer when you are ready to use it.

Earthbound Farm's Famous Maple Almond Granola

4 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
¾ cup shelled, raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
1 ½ cups slivered or coarsely chopped raw almonds
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 ¼ cups pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A Dark Amber
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup raisins

Makes about 8 cups

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 F. Place the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the maple syrup and oil and stir until all the dry ingredients are moistened.

Spread the granola on a roughly 12 by 17 inch rimmed baking sheet. Bake the granola until it begins to brown, about 25 minutes, then stir it with a flat spatula. Let the granola continue to bake until it is light golden brown, dry and fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes longer. Stir the granola at least once more as it bakes and watch it carefully during the final minutes because it can burn quickly.

Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack, add the raisins, and stir to combine. Let the granola cool completely. Transfer the granola to an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month or frozen for up to 6 months.

Design, Style & Taste: Favorite iPad Apps

A friend recently asked me to recommend my favorite iPad apps. I thought I may pose this question on The Zoo and wasn't really sure if this post fit into the Design, Style or Taste category. Once I started listing my favorite apps, I realized it really fits in all three categories. I use my iPad for design inspiration, to shop online and I cook following recipes on my iPad almost every night.

The following is my list of apps, but I feel I haven't even scratched the surface of what is out there so if you have some favorites please share in the comment section. I would love to hear about your favorite apps!

Pulse- A great news aggregate that lets you keep up with the latest from the New York Times, Gawker, Perez Hilton...anything. You can also sink your google reader to this app to keep up with your favorite blogs.

USA Today- This is a quick and easy way to keep up with USA Today if you like that paper.

Perez Hilton- No real explanation needed.

Bible app- A great way to read the bible. You can do study plans, i.e. read the bible in a year (I have fallen terribly behind), bookmark passages, e-mail passages and many more features.

The Weather Channel- I sadly forget to use this as often as I should and inevitably forget to wear a coat on days the temperature drops.

iBooks- I love downloading books and reading them this way. The nice thing is the book downloads so you can read it even when you can't use the wireless internet like on a plane.

Friendly- This is a decent Facebook app, but I would love to find a better one. Some people have recommended Flipboard as a better way to check Facebook.

Martha Stewart Living- I subscribe to the magazine's digital issue through my iPad so it updates with new issues every month. This is one of the coolest apps. The covers of the magazine are animated and just that alone almost makes the subscription worth it.

Pandora- Perfect when you are tired of your iTunes playlists.

IMDB- It drives me crazy when I am watching a movie and can't figure out what else an actor has been in. This app keeps me sane, in that area at least.

HBO TO GO- I have loved this app more than I ever thought I would. I have been watching Bored to Death which has, sadly, been cancelled. If you have HBO on cable, you can download HBO to go and watch any HBO series. I think you have to know your Xfinity password but it wasn't too hard to set up.

PBS- I have already expressed my love of this app for one reason alone...the first season of Downton Abbey.

Zite- My dad introduced me to this app. It is another news feed type app, but it pulls stories based on your interests rather than sites you select so I always find really interesting site, articles, etc. I wouldn't find other wise.

Saks- A really cool way to shop the Saks Fifth Avenue site

Gilt- If you shop on Gilt Group the app is awesome. I like it better than the Gilt site.

Style: Winter Essentials

I am a big-time homebody, so the winter months don't bother me. In fact, I really relish the time to spend at home with a fire cooking, reading, watching movies or just hanging out with friends and family.

For me, winter is the time when I catch up on sleep and let my body rest. One of my favorite articles about taking it easy this time of year is written by Adele Reising, a New York acupuncturist, for a past GOOP newsletter: "Living According to the Season".

I like the idea of taking a cue from nature and hibernating. However, I do find myself relying on some trusty essentials to stay warm and cozy and well-hydrated through these months. Here are some of my winter essentials. Do you have any?

Cashmere wrap from Nordstroms

I am crazy about this cashmere wrap from Nordstroms that my mom gave me two Christmases ago. It feels like wearing a soft blanket. I wear it as a wrap for dressy occasions, as a scarf with a coat and sometimes just hanging around the house.



Mossimo Leggings

 Love these Mossimo leggings from Target and they are only $8.00! They are perfect for layering and lounging.

Ugg Slippers

The shearling in these slippers keeps my feet warm and cozy and the rubber sole is nice in case I need to run outside to get more fire wood.



Rosebud Salve


I received my first tin of Rosebud Salve as a bridesmaid gift several years ago and I was instantly hooked. This salve really is a cure all. I use it as lip balm, cuticle cream and anywhere else I have really dry skin which is definitely more frequent in the cold months.

Aveno Stress Relief Lotion

 I have tried all types of expensive lotions, but I have really sensitive skin and my dermatologist recommends Aveeno. I love this "Stress Relief" version which has hints of lavender and chamomile.


And if I have to venture outside, warm cashmere-lined gloves and furry ear muffs are a must!
 

J. Crew Gloves and Saks Fifth Avenue Ear Muffs

Taste: Soup Classics from Scratch

I could eat a warm bowl of soup for almost every meal during the winter time. I never get tired of soup with a sandwich or salad or just by itself. During the cold months, I like to make a big pot of soup to eat throughout the week. It makes packing lunch and post-work dinners so much easier and faster.

I have my "go-to" list of soups I make on a regular basis, but I was feeling like I was stuck in a rut recently. My husband suggested I make one of his favorites, cream of mushroom soup. I have never made cream of mushroom soup before and it really isn't one I order when eating out, but I thought it would be fun to give it a try.

When I started looking for a recipe on the internet, I found so many great ones but ultimately decided on a recipe from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home cookbook. I own many of her cookbooks (though, not this one) and have loved everything I have ever made from her books. She uses simple, fresh ingredients and I feel like I learn so much from her books and show about quality ingredients.

I am happy to report that her mushroom soup did not disappoint! In fact, it is now on the regular recipe rotation at our house. This takes a little extra work because you use all fresh ingredients, but it is definitely worth it.

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup

5 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms
5 ounces fresh portobello mushrooms
5 ounces fresh cremini (or porcini) mushrooms
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1/4 pound (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 carrot, chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves, divided
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a dry paper towel. Don't wash them! Separate the stems, trim off any bad parts, and coarsely chop the stems. Slice the mushroom caps 1/4-inch thick and, if there are big, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

To make the stock, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped mushroom stems, the onion, carrot, the sprig of thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add 6 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 4 1/2 cups of stock. If not, add some water.

Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leeks begin to brown. Add the sliced mushroom caps and cook for 10 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the half-and-half, cream, and parsley, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and heat through but do not boil. Serve hot.

I also recommend another Barefoot Contessa made-from-scratch soup classic, Chicken Noodle. We are enjoying this soup this week. It is so easy. You will not want to got back to canned soup after making these two.

Bon appetite!



Courtesy of Smells Like Home



Watch: Downton Abbey

I recently downloaded the PBS app on my iPad and was so excited to see all four episodes of Season One of Downton Abbey. I read a great article by Plum Sykes in Vogue a few months ago, "Edwardian Inspiration," and had earmarked the show as one I definitely wanted to watch.

I "gorged" myself (as my husband said) and watched all of Season One this week and I. AM. OBSESSED. If you have not watched Downton Abbey yet, you need to. Right away! There is so much to like about the show...the period costumes, the characters, the story lines, the history.

Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family, which includes three beautiful daughters, and their household staff. The going-ons of the servants are just as intriguing as the romantic lives of the Crawley sisters. The show premiered on PBS Masterpiece (and yes, I feel pretty smart for watching public access TV) in 2010 and the first season won six Emmys. The second season airs on PBS in the U. S. this next Monday  Sunday (January 9 8)

Seriously. Watch the first season this weekend and get ready for Season Two on Monday Sunday. You will not regret it!

Design: Cake Vintage

After 30 years and many, many awful New Year's Eves spent stranded in the cold searching for a ride home with sore feet and no voice, I finally found the perfect way to ring in the New Year! This year, we celebrated with friends at an intimate, low-key dinner party. And while the night was relaxed, our hosts went above and beyond to make the night special.


One of my favorite details from the night was our place settings at dinner. Our hostess' mother had just given her these wonderful paper mats for Christmas and I instantly fell in love with them. 

Our New Year's Eve Table

They are created by a Nashville-based company Cake Vintage and come packaged in an easy-to-tear-from pad of 50 place mats. I love table settings, place cards, etc. and it can be hard (and pricey) to set a table with all linens for larger groups. I think these mats are tasteful and fun and perfect for large or small dinner parties. The Bon Apetit place setting my hostess used is one of my favorites along with a few others.....

Love the simple scrolls of the Pen & Ink place mat

The Blueprint place mat definitely adds a light touch to any table.

This Songbirds place mat is just so beautiful.