Halloween 'Temptation Candy' Giveaway!

I don't know about you guys, but we have been planning our Halloween costume since last November. And by "we" I mean, Jack.  I don't think a month has gone by without a costume discussion.  Of course, each month a new character is in the lead... Iron Man, Captain Iron Man (he exists), Luke Skywalker and now we're back to the Red Power Ranger.  Which is what he was last year.  "No, Mom, last year I was Jayden and this year I'm going to be Troy!"  Whatever that means.  Also, according to Jack, Etta is supposed to be R2-D2 and myself?  Yup, C-3PO.  Anyone have any gold spandex I can borrow?

With Halloween (finally) around the corner, the good people from Temptation Candy - a boutique online candy store based in LA - want to give YOU a treat!  But the trick is (do you see what I did there?), only one of you can win (US residents only, excluding Alaska and Hawaii).  Included in the cute baskets are Jelly Belly Beans, Starburst Candy and Caramel Hershey Kisses.  So please comment below to win, and share what you're going dressed up as this Halloween!  Also, check out the rest of the Halloween treats over at Temptation Candy.  I'll wear gold face paint if I can eat all of that. 

*Winner will be picked at random on Tuesday, October 1st.       

Lee Kum Kee Orange Chicken

Last week, we had a 'Welcome Home' dinner for Carson and the theme was orange (because of this).  Jack and I had fun decorating the table with orange balloons, pumpkins, festive flowers and screwdrivers.  Not the tool, the drink, and Jack didn't help with that part I swear.  Coincidentally, I had just been sent some products from Lee Kum Kee and included was a packet of sauce for Orange Chicken.  Orange!  No preservatives or artificial flavoring, no MSG and no HFCS.  Prepared with fresh ingredients, ready in minutes... highly recommended for a weeknight dinner.  Do I sound like a commercial yet?  Should I take over Flo's job?  But seriously, I like making my own sauce like the next Julia Child wannabe, but I'm a mom of two and I want to keep what little sanity I have left.  Therefore, sauces in bags are the answer.  Serve this Orange Chicken with brown rice, carrots, and a salad with orange tomatoes and orange bell peppers and you're ready for your orange party.  Don't forget to invite some Oompa Loompas.  And check out Lee Kum Kee's website for other yummy products!              

New kitchen : )

As I promised, here is the before...

...and after:

Biggest changes of note:

1. White and black marble floors turned into hardwood floors.

2. Light brown, shiny cabinets turned into white shaker cabinets.

3. Dark green/grey granite countertops turned into carrara marble countertops.

4. Light brown, shiny, outdated appliances turned into stainless steel updated appliances.

I do not feel worthy.  I do not feel worthy!  Honestly, I spent the majority of my adult life without a dishwasher and was always perfectly happy.  Back when I was a 20-something singleton, I once made over 250 cookies and catered a meal for over 40 people in a kitchen the size of a shoe box.  So, like I said, I do not feel worthy.  In fact, I sleep every night in my new sink curled up like a baby in a womb.  That is not true, but still, I think about doing it.  I would like to share with you some of my favorite parts, if you care to see...        

The Viking stove and the pot filler.  A pot filler!  Listen folks, I make a lot of Mac & Cheese and I can't be bothered walking back and forth between the sink and stove with a heavy pot in my hand.  (Before you throw something at your computer, that was a joke.)  But I am very much obsessed with our new pot filler.  I almost want to start a fire, just to save the day with our pot filler.  I keep saying pot filler.  Also, let's not forget the glass cabinets where I can feature my obsession with turquoise.   

The farmhouse sink and the industrial-sized faucet.  Where I sleep at night except not really.  Also, the garbage is over there on the left.  I love being able to pull that out vs. reaching under the sink.

The baking nook.  Need I say more?  You remember the oven from yesteryear.  

Maybe most importantly (and possibly the reason for the entire remodel), the banquette.  We used to pull of folding chairs from a closet and eat around a computer desk for meals.  Now we sit like a civilized family, in front of the TV.  But at least we're sitting at a real table!
And I love our red retro pendant lamp.      

Thank you for your interest in our new kitchen!  We are off to NY this week but I have some posts and giveaways for you nonetheless so stay tuned...

Carmelitas

When I asked you what I should bake in my new oven, you had good ideas.  You are smart, brilliant people.  Especially you, Person Who Recommended These Carmelitas.  You are a damn genius!  You should quit your job, and become a Treat Email Recommender.  That's a real thing.  I'll pay you in Monopoly money and baked goods.  Speaking of paying people, my son got a dollar for unwrapping 32 caramel squares.  A dollar, and one caramel.  I bribe my kids.  

Anyway, let me be very clear about this: MAKE THESE.  They are crack bars.  I even made a corner without chocolate for my friend who's allergic, and they were still wonderful.  Also, I bet you could make your own homemade salted caramel sauce instead of paying someone to unwrap 32 squares.  We're all geniuses!!        

first layer...

second layer...

Double Spinach Pasta Casserole with Pesto and Fontina Cheese

I like to eat things that are healthy and not healthy for me.  Nearly a pound of spinach?  Yes please!  4 eggs plus cream?  Sure, why not!  Veggie pasta?  Definitely!  Gobs of ooey, gooey, cheese?  Why, absolutely!  If you like a good balance in your diet as well, then this recipe is for you.  And if you need to get some green food into your belly, make this ASAP.  I followed this recipe here, but used veggie pasta instead of spinach (also had zucchini in it) and fontina cheese instead of asiago.  I also doubled the recipe and it fed over 10 adults, WITH leftovers.  It was delicious... hearty, bright (the pesto added a lot of depth) and everything you would expect from a healthy/indulgent meal. 

Here it is...

...the kitchen reveal!!!!!

Ok, you hate me.  But hey, my sister and I spent 3 hours putting that together (our thumbs are raw) and as you can see, we're still not done!  The same goes for my real kitchen... it's been 3 months and still, not, quite, there.  But I promise to reveal next week.  I promise you. 

Have great weekends!  Stay tuned next week for a spinach baked pasta dish and a caramel treat that looks unreal. 

Welcome Carson!

Big news today from the Daly household - Carson is joining the Today Show!!

Remember when I wrote about how my morning has always included this little show?  I am so excited that he is now a permanent part of it.  Little known fact: with all of his jobs and success, he is the hardest working and most dedicated father who spends EVERY spare moment wrestling with Jack and changing Etta's diapers.  Well, when he's not in NY.  In fact, I think she just pooped, could you come back Daddy?  Anyway, we couldn't be prouder over here : )

Linguine with Kale, Pine Nuts and Pecorino

I read the best quote on one of my favorite food sites which I will re-quote here: "the world would be a better place if we could all stop pretending that kale tastes good."  Oh, that makes me chuckle.  I actually do like it, but only if it's in chip form (here), surrounded by avocado (here), or a part of fried rice (here).  I'm not going to munch on the raw leaf and proclaim, "I love kale!"  But here's another way to enjoy the vegetable: in pasta.  Whole wheat pasta!  I am so healthy, who wants to go for a jog?!  (Have fun.)  Inspired by that little food blog above, I combined kale with garlic, panko, toasted pine nuts, pecorino and pasta and it was delicious.  Sprinkled with some good olive oil, served along side fresh tomatoes and avocado (which we ended up eating with the pasta bites) and you've got yourself a meal worthy of bikini season.  Oh it's fall?  Never mind let's get fat.      

*Please excuse the paper plates.  Our dishwasher hasn't been installed yet and I'm lazy.  And thank you for being patient with the kitchen reveal.  I'm trying to find a moment to take a picture when it's clean and there aren't transformers cluttering the counters.  So can you wait 14 more years?

Linguine with Kale, Pine Nuts and Pecorino 

(Serves 4-6)

Printable Recipe

1 box whole wheat linguine

2 T extra virgin olive oil, divided

1/2 cup panko

2 cloves minced garlic,

1/4 cup pine nuts

1 head of kale, finely chopped

Grated pecorino

Salt and pepper 

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, panko and pine nuts.  Toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown.  Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside in a small bowl.  Using the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.  Add chopped kale and sauté until it just begins to wilt.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add panko mixture and toss.  Set aside.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then throw in some salt.  Add linguine and cook until al dente.  Remove with slotted spoon (or drain) and add to skillet with kale and panko.  Toss, add a generous amount of pecorino, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve!  

Also, the winner of the new Weelicious Cookbook is... The Lazy Standup!  Please email me, you'll find my contact info at the top : )

New Weelicious Lunches Cookbook Giveaway!

One year ago today, my little Etta Jones was born.  Did 12 months really just go by??  It feels very cliche to say this, but kids grow up way too fast.  (Only kids, that is, we age at a snail's pace, right?)  Looong days, short years... that sums up being a parent.  Jack starts his last year of preschool next week, and before I know it I will be sending Etta off with packed lunches as well.  Time to have 12 more babies like the Duggar family.  And SPEAKING of packed lunches for lots of kids (I'm good at transitions), look what showed up on my doorstep yesterday!  Catherine McCord's new book!  If you're unfamiliar with Catherine and her site Weelicious, then you cray cray.  She creates the most unique, healthy and delicious dishes.  I've been obsessed with her first cookbook for awhile now, and I'm so excited to delve into this one, especially as a mom who has to make her son's lunch every day!  Also, is "delve" a word because it looks funny.  Hmm.  

I mean, Avocado Hummus???    

Catherine is letting me give away a cookbook to YOU.  So please comment below to win.  Winner will be chosen at random on Monday morning.    

And finally, one more sneak peek at my OTHER baby, our new kitchen (I promise a bigger reveal next week)... I am writing from this banquette area:

Sigh...

Where have I been?  Just staring at my new oven.  Licking the stainless steel.  Attempting to sleep in it JUST KIDDING KIDS DON'T TRY THAT.  What sort of baked good should break it in???  It must be worthy.  Help.