Stack ‘Em High

The good news about today is that we are only one day from the weekend starting right?

One of my very favorite things to make is a good stacked dish. I’ve used this tool before when I was showing you how to plate a stacked salad. This is the first time that I used both metal rings on top of each other to make an even taller stack. It’s so easy to do, and quite impressive if you’re serving it for dinner.

These Tuna Stacks are simple but pack a punch of delicious and are perfect for your sushi fix. Start with your first metal ring and press your rice in (I used sticky but regular white would be fine too). Then, do the same with avocado, cucumber, and then crab.

When you’re adding the ingrediencies, once you get to a point where your first metal ring is running out of room that’s when you add the second one. Mine was about when I added the crab.

If you don’t have metal rings, you can make this on a tad smaller scale with a one cup measuring cup. I’ve done that before too. After you are happy with your stack very carefully add the tuna (I seared on each side for about a minute or so).

For the finishing touch add a mix of lite mayo and Sriracha, and drizzle on top.

I mean, it’s Thursday after all, I don’t see anything wrong with starting the weekend a little early.

What do you say?

Dolled Up

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday!

As you may have seen on my Instagram, MK and I attended this years Heart Ball this past weekend and I thought it would be the perfect time (as it may be my only super dressed up date night this year) to share this Dior Dictionary Word.

If I’m being honest, 97% of the time I think the word “dreamy” is stupid. But in this case, I just love the way Dior describes a ball gown. He truly makes it sound, well…dreamy. Even in a time when they dressed up far more than we do now he still creates such an image.

It was so fun to get all dressed up with The Husband. As I said, we, rarely get very dressed up these days. So I feel like this is a good reminder that every now and again, it’s important to dress up with your significant other. And as Dior said, having a beautiful gown in your closet is just as important as a suit and great for when you need to look nice for a fancy occasion.

Enjoy your day!

Just Add Europe

Helloooooo Friday!

I love when I randomly get inspired by such cool people. Last week while doing food photos at one of my accounts, I got to talking to one of the chef’s. She’s originally from around the Venice, Italy area. We got to talking about different places in Europe and her upcoming trip to Spain to see her family (they relocated). I was saying how much I liked Europe. She then asked me:

“What is it you like about Europe?”

I’m not going to lie my head went so many places because there truly is so much to love. The coast lines, the views, the wine, but what I really didn’t want to blurt out was oh the pasta! Even though it’s close to true. What I ended up saying was “The people. They seem to be so relaxed and just enjoy life.” Excitedly, my chef friend responded “ You’re so right!! People in Europe take time to enjoy. Americans are so obsessed with work, it’s all they care about.” This surly struck a cord with me. Not that work is a bad thing by any means but when I step back and look it is so easy for that to be your main priority.

I then stumbled across and article about a woman who moved to Spain when she was 20 and built a life and family there and among a few other things, she basically said the same thing. Life was much more relaxed over there. The people, not so obsessed with work.

I’m by no means saying to quit your job (unless that’s right for you), or abandon your current work ethic, believe me mine is alive and well, but I do feel it’s important to add a little Europe to your day and take a minute to just enjoy the day. Dust off those books you’re only halfway done with or are on your list to read, have a drink and good conversation and not look at your phone, or maybe even take a hot bath! Me? I say incorporate them all.

Along with adding Europe to your life, add it to your drink, too. I’m not going to lie this drink is delicious but also a tad unexpected.

*Recipe from Food Network

1. Cut tomatoes into slices, and let sit in vodka with a little salt for 6-12 hours.

2. Prick grape tomatoes and toss with balsamic in a bowl and marinate for 4 hours at tome temp.

3. Drain tomatoes and reserving vinegar. Bring vinegar to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer until syrupy, about 20 minutes; let cool.

4. For each drink, drizzle some of the balsamic into the bottom of a chilled martini glass. In a shaker, muddle 2-3 basil leaves with a splash of tomato vodka. Add 1 1/2 of the vodka and one cup ice, shake it and strain into glass. Garnish with grape tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella balls on a skewer.

   Serving this cocktail at a party is a great conversation starter or just a unique drink to switch up a usual martini.

   Enjoy the weekend Friends! Thanks for stopping by!