So good it'll make you wanna slap yo' mama Salmon

Friends,

This is a favorite around our household. It's a twist on a classic salmon that will not let you down. As we always say, It's so good it'll make you wanna slap you' mama. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2-4 salmon steaks (around 1/2 a pound each)

3/4 cup pineapple juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 to 4 Tbsp honey

3 Tbsp horseradish

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp fresh Parsley

1 Tbsp chopped garlic

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Wipe salmon steaks with damp paper towel and place those bad boys in a shallow baking dish (or a ziplock bag, this is easier in my opinion). Combine remaining ingredients into a small bowl and mix well. Pour the mixture onto the salmon and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the salmon filets over after an hour. Be careful not to let them over marinade because it will make the fish mushy. Preheat your oven to 450. Remove the salmon from the fridge and place everything into a shallow baking dish (if it's not already in one) and bake for 10-12 mins. After 10-12 minutes, turn on the broiler and let the salmon turn a little brown around the edges (depending on your oven could take 2-4 mins). Please DON'T overcook. Remove the salmon from all the good juices and cover to let it sit for a few minutes. Take the remaining sauce and put it in a small sauce pan on the stove. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook the sauce until it has reduced by half. Pull out your salmon and put this DELICIOUS sauce on top and you've got a wonderful healthy meal!

We also threw some steam in bag broccoli with our dish with some homemade tzatziki sauce on top.

And if there are just two you, make the leftovers into a delicious salmon sandwich with tarter sauce and tomatoes for the next day!

 This is what "before" salmon steaks should look like

 Yumm, see that golden brown goodness along the edges? That means you are good to go!

 Tah-Dah! Looks so good it makes you wanna slap yo mama.. doesn't it?

Delicious leftovers. It doesn't get any better than this!

Mint Julep cups, so many uses.. so wonderful!

Who doesn't love mint julep cups? They are great for derby parties but also have so many everyday uses! I keep my make up brushes in a mint julep cup, and use them as water glasses when people come over. Not to mention they always look great with flowers in them or a fun way to serve ice cream.

The problem is, that they can be pricey, so thank goodness for Ross Simons. These are great quality mint julep cups for an amazing price! Right now, if you buy a set (which is four cups) you get two cups free. And they will personalize them with an initial for no additional cost. Click here to get your own set right now.

Enjoy having these gorgeous cups in your home.

I wish I had thought to open up a B&B...

So you've graduated college and what do you do next? Well, the Z girls had a fabulous idea that, sadly, never crossed my mind- open up a Bed & Breakfast. These girls have transformed a wonderful house, close to the main square and campus, into a truly magical place to stay while you are away from home. They have an immaculate house that has been decorated perfectly by their Houston based designer mom and their grandmother, who makes all the linens. As you walk in the door you can smell Annie cooking a homemade pumpkin pie right before she appears and has the opportunity to offer you a glass of wine or some Mountain Valley Spring Water. Breakfast is so impressive that it awed top chef's out of New Orleans and the girls enjoy entertaining so much that they don't mind when you bring friends over to their wine and cheese hour in the afternoon. 

All in all, we should be so lucky to have come up with this idea before graduating college and diving into our current careers. At least we can always go visit these lovely ladies in Oxford.

A delicious breakfast outside

Annie & Brittany Zeleskey, owners The Z

Collins Speed, Chef Todd of American Sector in New Orleans and me

Afternoon wine & cheese

The whole group enjoying wine & cheese

The fire pit to keep us warm

Hero of the week- Chingo Bling

Friends,

His name is Chingo Bling and he's on a mission to take over the hip hop world. There he stands, a mere 5 foot something, but his persona is bigger than life.  Jean shorts, Nike swooshes on his cowboy boots and his quirky almost nostalgic rapping style makes Chingo my hero of the week. 

Enjoy!

Also, check out his new music video for, "They Can't Depot Us All."




Chingo, it was a delight! Look forward to seeing you again soon.

The Team with Chingo Bling- Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium

Wednesday Night Supper Club- Tomato and Basil Soup

Caroline Rosen Black & White Photography- The Boy I tricked into marrying me

Friends,

Another day and another meal to make. There was a time when I lived in two fabulous cities, New Orleans and Washington DC. There was constant movement and meeting, going to happy hour here and a late dinner there.. but times change and you make the best of it. I'm currently living in Tuscaloosa Alabama, which is the mecca for all things college football, but seriously lacks in all things not deep fried. Don't get me wrong, I love something deep fried as much as the next true Southerner, but there comes a time when you just want a delicious meal that takes more thought than throwing it in oil.

So, with my move to this small special town, I've embarked on my journey on learning how to cook. And I must say, it is quite delightful. At first I was hesitant because I was constantly saying, "How could I cook anything as delicious as Jacquimos?" and "nothing will ever top those mini burger bites of sunshine from matchbox"  but i've found if you start small you can actually make wonderful things that more than satisfy your palate and sense of accomplishment.

As we found other friends in Tuscaloosa that yearned for more than the current food offerings in the city  (and also had a mutual love for the TV show Hard Knocks) we formed our Wednesday night supper club. It's comprised of that boy I tricked into marrying me, my brother, and four friends of ours. We rotate weekly so we take turns every third week cooking. It's been a great reason to get excited to cook.. and experience what everyone else is cooking as well. Even if you are still in the hustle and bustle of a big city, it's always nice to find a few friends to cook with one night of the week.. and enjoy television programming of your choice.


On to the main course-  tonight we bring you homemade tomato basil soup.

Now, if you are a soup person, like myself, you can easily make this soup into your whole meal with a quick side salad or bread. I'm not kidding guys, this is TO DIE FOR. It reminds me of the delicious soup at La Madeline. A mainstay of mine (and my good friends at ABC) on M street in Washington DC.. and the only chain Emily Starkey has accidentally ever loved.


Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients
42 oz Canned Whole Tomatoes (1 28 oz and 1 14 oz can)
1 Vidalia onion chopped (around 1 cup)
6 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ cup basil leaves
2 tablespoons whipping cream - (you can also throw some milk in if you have that)
1 teaspoon salt (after that salt to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper


Directions
o Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan
o Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 4 – 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
o Drain tomatoes then add to onion and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and bring to boil
o Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 – 12 minutes
o Pour tomato mixture into a blender, add basil leaves, whipping cream, salt and
pepper.
o Puree until smooth


With just a few ingredients and a blend or two.. you have a fabulous easy to make soup!

ENJOY!

See y'all tomorrow,

Caroline

Keep Calm & Carry On - And Loose Lips may Sink Ships

What great sayings, right? They were actually sayings coined by the British government pre-WWII to raise morale of the British public in case of invasion, but they have meanings that transcends the 1930's. Who doesn't need to be reminded that it's going to be ok.. keep on going. And sometimes, less gossiping is more.

So why not adorn a spot in your home with this uplifting phrase.

You can get an easy to wall vinyl sticker if you need a piece that you can center your room around..

www.etsy.com

Or, personally I am in favor of the pillow and/or hand towels because my current spot is almost over decorated.

www.esty.com

Sign of the Arrow- St. Louis, MO

Now that you have that extra pep in your step after looking at your inspirational phrase,  you may need a little ying to your yang. Being from the South, I must say that for better or worse, I strive to constantly be in touch with the people around me. This means at times, I must remember not to cross the line into "gaudy gossip". This is not to be confused with "graceful gossip", because graceful gossip is a form of endearment. So I've found this other phrase as a reminder to keep the gaudy gossip at bay in this nifty retro print. What a great addition to a restroom... it  looks at you one last time before you head out of the door.

http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/hlllb-loose_lips_blue.htm

And let's be honest, if Katy Perry loves the mantra.. I know I do. Shake that glitter and see y'all tomorrow!