Baby lettuces

Many people have an aversion to Brussels sprouts. I get it, I get it, I really do - if undercooked they are hard and bitter, if overcooked they are mushy and bitter. But if cooked just right, they are awesome. Ask my friend Jenn. I brought them to a pre-Thanksgiving party this past fall, and she cringed. (Yes, I am the lame friend who brings Brussels sprouts to parties.) But little did she know, I had sauteed them in bacon fat (not just any bacon, but thick slabs from the Whole Foods deli counter) and sprinkled them with sea salt and pepper and they were rich and flavorful and crunchy. And as a result of me force-feeding her the sprouts, she now makes them all the time.

I also like Jenny and Andy's approach to making Brussels sprouts enticing: just rename them "baby lettuces!" Nobody cringes when you mention "lettuce," right? And the recipe on their blog, Dinner: A Love Story, looks even better that the baby lettuces that I usually make.

"Baby lettuces" via Dinner: A Love Story

For the full recipe, head over to Dinner: A Love Story.

Happy Hearts

Valentine's Day is upon us!  What better way to celebrate than curling up with someone you love with a glass of wine and some sort of chocolate-y dessert?  Unfortunately, as a full-time student, nice wine is a little out of my price range.  Luckily, my dad is constantly on the hunt for good but reasonably priced wine, and he fills me in on his finds.  Last year I posted about PKNT, which sells for $7.  More recently I've discovered Tavernello, which retails for about $4.

I've only seen it in two varieties - red and white - but it's the number one wine in Italy.  If it's good enough for the Italians, it's good enough for me (and my Valentine)!

*image via Tavernello

Happy Galentine's Day

According to Leslie Knope, today is Galentine's Day.  Oh, you're not familiar?

It's kind of an awesome idea.

*video via movieweb

Follow us on Pinterest!

Is everyone else as obsessed with Pinterest as I am?  I like to use it as a way to bookmark things, especially meal and outfit inspiration.  Plus, I'm always stumbling across new fun blogs to read.

Check out the "Pinterest" buttons to the right and you can follow our boards!

P.S.  Happy Valentine's Eve!  I know it's an overly hyped-up, commercialized holiday but it makes me feel all lovey-dovey.

A new recipe

As Anna mentioned, you should check out our new "good reads" page, because it is full of blogs we want to share with you. One of those blogs is The Wednesday Chef. Luisa (the Wednesday Chef) tested out a delicious recipe from the cookbook Ancient Grains for Modern Meals. She made an artichoke tart with goat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of cream and butter. The crust is made of polenta instead of wheat flour. I took one look at the recipe and had to make that night. It is light and healthy, but filling and creamy. I highly recommend it.

Back on the horse

As Liz said, we're back on the blogging horse.

We decided to give the blog some new life, too.  We even expanded the list of our favorite blogs and made a separate page dedicated to our favorite reads.  Next week I'll be back here to fill you in on where I've been since...er...December.


*image via sharon montrose's animal print shop, with which I have a slight obsession

The Friday Find: Vintage Book DIY

Photos and tutorial via Design*Sponge

What a cool way to take an old book and turn it into a useful organizer for your modern gadgets. Find the tutorial and more photos here.