just a tribute: to my first frittata

When John received a cast iron, oven-safe pan for his birthday last June I could not be more excited. The first thing that popped in my head was frittata! I have been wanting to make one for awhile but never had the correct hardware to do so.....until now. After researching and pinning many recipes I finally decided on a zucchini, basil and goat cheese frittata. Not to toot my own horn, but I made an amazing choice. I found the recipe on Lydia's wonderful blog The Perfect Pantry.

So here it goes....

Zucchini, Basil and Goat Cheese Frittata:

Ingredients

1 medium zucchini
Cooking spray
2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced {I used a white onion}
6 large eggs
1/2 cup soft goat cheese
2 tsp milk {I used 2% because that is all John drinks, but feel free to make it healthier and get skim}
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves {Didn't have this so left it out of the recipe}
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or more to taste {the more the merrier :) }

First, grate the zucchini on a box grater using the largest hole side. Then put in a colander for about 20 minutes to dry just a little. Lydia suggested taking a wooden spoon and pressing gently on the zucchini to get rid of any loose and/or excess liquid. (They don't have to be perfectly dry by any means).

Next, make sure to preheat your broiler :)

Then, place onions and grated zucchini in an oven safe frying pan on low until the onions are semi translucent and is just barely cooked.

In a bowl, whisk the goat cheese, eggs and milk until fairly mixed. Then add the basil, thyme (or in my case, just the basil), salt, and pepper.

Next add the egg mixture to the onion and zucchini mixture. Cover the pan and sautee on low for about 3-4 minutes. After that time, take a rubber spatula and lift the edges of the frittata allowing for the uncooked egg to run underneath. Put the lid back on for another 3-5 minutes until it is almost cooked but still a little runny on top.

take the pan off the heat and sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top.

Place pan in broiler for about 1-2 minutes or until cheese mixture has melted.

(someone was being a little impatient)

Let cool for a few minutes and ENJOY!!!

What a weekend breakfast!



just a tribute: to weddings

I felt like this was an appropriate topic considering my older sister gets married in a little over a week (insert excited scream here)! I am now going to turn that excited scream into a nervous laughter. Why you ask? Because I have to give a Maid of Honor Speech and I may or may not have written it yet. Did I also mention I HATE public speaking? Also, as a person who tends to cry when they are overly happy about something, I am afraid I am going to be one of those Maid of Honors who sobs through their entire toast. I keep telling myself to calm the nerves because this day isn't about whether or not I make a great toast, it's about Katie and Andy starting a life together as a married couple. 

But enough about me (even though this is MY blog), more about the soon to be married couple! I could not be more happy for my sister, she has finally found someone who completes her, who makes her a better person, and who knows that she is ALWAYS right. I am also so excited to gain a new brother, Andy is one of the most patient and understanding people I know, not to mention he also laughs at my jokes (he must have a great sense of humor).
.....wait a second did I just start writing my toast?

Let the countdown until the big day commence!

just a tribute: to outdoor summer concerts

The ideal outdoor summer concert venue of choice for me is definitely WolfTrap! If any of you DC/NoVA folks have not been, I highly recommend it. Why do you ask? Cause you can bring in your own booze! At the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, let me also mention that you can bring in a whole picnic of different foods as well! But, it is so refreshing to be able to enjoy a concert without spending $8 for one beer or small glass of wine. John and I have had the pleasure of seeing the 3 wonderful concerts this summer:

Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw



A staple at any summer concert is always 1,2 or on occasion maybe 3 bottles of wine (depending on how many people are going, of course), a large assortment of cheeses, and a delicious entree! Colbie and Gavin put on an amazing concert! My favorite song performed was Gavin DeGraw's new single "Sweeter"!

Hot Chelle Rae and Demi Lovato

We took Shannon to go see Hot Chelle Rae and Demi Lovato as a gift for finishing up Elementary School. That's right the baby of the Kelliher Squad is entering middle school (pause for tears). Lucky for us, John went early to get us good seats, and in doing so I don't think he has ever felt more uncomfortable in his life waiting in line with a mass crowd of tweens. Here is my current favorite Demi Lovato song (don't judge, I got to keep up with the little sis)!

Jackson Browne

The last WolfTrap concert we went to, and potentially for the rest of the summer :(, was Jackson Browne. John and I bought tickets for my Dad's birthday, but I kind of feel like I bought myself a present I enjoyed the concert so much. It was the perfect weeknight concert and I would go again in a heartbeat. One of my favorite songs performed that night was "These Days". I am neither confirming nor denying whether or not I shed a tear during the performance...

What concerts have you gone to this summer?



just a tribute: to a diy mirror

Wow time flies! Didn't I just write a post yesterday? I guess not.

Regardless of when my last post was, I am excited to share my latest project with you! I had been shopping around for awhile for a mirror to go over our kitchen table. Why do I need a mirror above there, you ask? Because I need to get a last look at myself going out the door!

So, I found this fabulous white patterned mirror at Home Goods for a great price. It looked like it had been run over or stepped on a few times with the amount of scuffs it had on it (hence the cheap price), but I thought to myself how the proportions would look great! I put it my cart and purchased it, then went straight to a craft store and bought some beautiful turquoise spray paint!

It's hard to see the scuffs, but trust me they are there! We also had to tape off the mirror so we wouldn't get any paint on it.

This is after 3 coats!

The final product! It adds a pop of color in our fairly neutral apartment!

With a few more homey touches added (a beige textured table runner and some turquoise candles) I would say the end result turned out well! John however thinks it looks too "Beachy", so I obviously responded by saying he should get me a beach house to put it in!

Happy Friday Everyone!

just a tribute: to greek quinoa salad

The Greek salad combination of cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, feta and other toppings has been a favorite of mine since I can remember. Which is why I was so tickled when I came across this delicious recipe for Greek Quinoa Salad on the blog two peas & their pod. Why hadn't I thought about mixing these lovely flavors with the protein-packed healthy grain that is quinoa?

After bringing this great summertime dish to two events over Memorial Day weekend, it's safe to say that it will have to be a BBQ staple the rest of the season. The recipe below serves six people however, bringing it to big parties I doubled it and there was plenty to go around!

Chopped up olives, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers 

Cooking the Quinoa

Greek Quinoa Salad:

Yields: serves 6

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
Pinch of salt
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup feta cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To make the dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:

1. Using a strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let cool quinoa cool to room temperature.
2. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese.
3. To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano in a small bowl. Pour dressing over the salad and stir until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.


I wish a final picture to show you but John and I were so excited about trying the dish that it must have slipped my mind! Take a look at some finalized dish pictures at two peas & their pod and thanks again for introducing me to this amazing recipe!

just a tribute: to guilty pleasures

I am embarrassed to share this, but I LOVE the song "Call me, maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. I currently blame it on having a 12 year old sister, we will see how long I can use her as an excuse.

I will need my siblings to start having kids soon so when my 12 year old sister grows up I will have a reason to watch Disney movies. Until then I guess I will be a good sister and keep treating her to go see movies like Brave (it looks so good)!

Hope everyone has an amazing holiday weekend full of friends, family and my favorite....food!

just a tribute: to a facelift

I know what you are all thinking, I am too young and beautiful to get a face lift. Well, you are right, I am too young and definitely too beautiful. Therefore, it's a good thing I'm not getting one! This post is a tribute to my blog getting a much needed face lift!

After a strange 2 month hibernation I am ready to crawl out of my cave and start posting again! I would love to hear your thoughts on things you would like to hear about!

So stay tuned to hear more about my crazy life....