hello.

my New York happy places...

Eataly

Tal Bagels

the Rachael Ray Show green room

(tune in to see Carson on the 26th)

Back from a quick trip to New York.  First time traveling with two little ones = success, in large part due to the fact that I recently gave birth to an ANGEL BABY who gives me zero problems (knock.on.wood.).  Thankful for the fact that my MIL is cooking the majority of Thanksgiving, but excited to contribute these.  And excited that my mom will be there also and is making this again.

More later.  And past Thanksgiving day posts here and here.  

Kale and Avocado Salad

I mentioned in a previous post that we've been spending a lot of time at the live shows of The Voice lately.  In other words, I've been spending a lot of time at the craft services table lately.  If you're unfamiliar with craft service, it's basically a glorious table full of glorious food.  Things you would never buy for yourself because you know you have no will power, like peanut butter-filled pretzels, and chili cheese fritos, and buckets and buckets of red vines.  Craft service and I have a love/hate relationship.  It beckons me.  I'm not kidding, out loud.  It says my name, all day long, "Siri, Siri, Sari."     

*Ok, fine, the lady in charge is named Sari so I hear her name all day long BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A BECKONING CALL.

Occasionally (not really), I am able to avoid the junk and I'll go for something like a Kale Salad with Avocado.  I usually only enjoy cooked kale but there is something about pairing it with creamy avocado and a sesame-style dressing that makes it so delicious.  So I recreated it at home...

Kale and Avocado Salad

(Serves 4-6)

Printable Recipe

1 head kale, finely chopped

1 large avocado, diced

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 T black sesame seeds (optional)

Juice of half a lemon

Olive oil

Dash of sesame oil

Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl.  Whisk together olive oil (a few tablespoons), lemon juice and sesame oil in smaller bowl.  Add to salad and toss.  

Mini Herbed Pommes Anna

One of my favorite things to do on a weekend morning is drink coffee, page through a new Bon Appetit magazine, all the while plugging my 9-week old with a pacifier.  What, I need a moment.  It was during one of those moments that I came across this recipe.  I have no idea who Anna is, but she was probably French.  "Pommes" means "potatoes" in French, right?  Yup, I took it all through high school, I remember thing(s).  Well, whoever she is, these are delightful.  Easy to make, especially if you have a mandoline, but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party.  Not to mention you can make most of it ahead of time.  My son loved to peel through each crispy layer and so did I.