This is how to ring in 40, y’all! My first post of a new decade, and it’s a winner, winner, cheesecake dinner! OMG. Like, stop what you’re doing and put this in your mouth right now kinda winner. Lemon cheesecake with lemon curd: Showstopper. The pièce de résistance is the lemon curd on top. It’s pretty much a perfect dessert. This cheesecake coming out of the oven looked like a work of art with some sort of tribal design!
Cool baked on design on top! Looks almost tribal…
I make a low carb “guilt-free” version of this decadence, but I had to throw down the sugary-carby real deal. If you want to go all out and bake it in a “water bath,” I think it creates the best result, but it’s not necessary. Just make sure if you do bathe & bake that you wrap up that bad boy in tin foil. I made the mistake of baking my springform pan in water WITHOUT the tin foil and had a soggy, watery mess on my hands! You can turn these into mini cheesecakes too if you’re hosting a shower or a dinner party– just put cupcake liners into tins and follow the same directions– just reduce temperature to 325 and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Enjoy y’all! Now let me get back to noshing on my cheeeeeeeesecake. Happy Birthday to me!
Lemon Cheesecake
2015-06-07 21:21:08
A creamy, lemony filling with graham cracker crust topped with lemon curd.
Three 8oz blocks of full fat cream cheese brought to room temperature
One pint sour cream
Juice from 2 lemons
Zest from one lemon
3 eggs
1cup sugar
1 Tb vanilla extract
For the lemon curd
5 egg yolks
4 lemons juiced and zested
1 cup sugar
1 stick full fat butter cut into pieces
For the crust
Preheat oven to 350.
Melt the stick of butter in a sauce pan and add graham cracker crumbs, sugar and cinnamon.
Pat into the bottom of a springform pan, bringing some of the crumbs up along the side edges.
For the filling
In a mixer, combine room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, juice and zest of lemons, sugar and vanilla extract.
Add the eggs one at a time until combined. Mix until smooth. There may be some small lumps in the cream cheese once you mix it-- no big deal.
Pour into springform pan over crust.
Put tin foil around entire bottom of springform pan. Fill a large roasting pan with 2 inches of hot water and put cheesecake into the water. Make sure water does not come higher than your tin foil.
Bake at 350 for one hour.
For the lemon curd
Whisk egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice and zest together in a bowl over a pot of simmering water (or in a double boiler) until the mixture thickens– about 8 minutes. Be careful water isn't too hot (simmering, not boiling!) or it will cook the eggs. Whisk constantly during those 8 minutes!
Turn heat down and add pieces of butter one at a time and stir until the whole stick has been melted and whisked in. Lay a piece of saran wrap ON the curd and chill for 2 hours.
Top chilled cheesecake with lemon curd just before serving.
Notes
It's not totally necessary to cook the cheesecake in the water bath, but the texture is always creamier when I do. You can always put the springform pan on a cookie sheet and bake without it-- it's still delicious.
By Parker Wallace
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
I have always been a salmon lover, whether it’s lox or sushi rolls— it’s really a fish you can take in any direction in terms of cooking. My grandma Ronnie used to put a coat of mayo on top, sprinkle with paprika and bake it in the oven. Because salmon is a stronger tasting fish, you can rock out a more flavorful sauce or topping without losing the essence of the fish. Inspired by my garden, I pulled a combo of fresh basil and Thai basil (which is a little more “peppery”) and turned it into homemade pesto.
Fresh basil in my garden
I like my pesto a little bit more garlicky, so I add more than typical recipes call for. Seriously, y’all, I could eat pesto on anything! Fold it into pasta with a little heavy cream for a rich sauce, top it on your eggs, bake it with your chicken— it’s multi-purpose and multi-delicious!
Put basil, pine nuts, parmesan, and garlic in food processor and pulse until combined. Slowly add olive oil while food processor is on until pesto is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon pesto over salmon filets.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Serve with more pesto on the side.
By Parker Wallace
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
Why wait for dinner to have your grilled leftovers? Hello delish breakfast! (Photo Credit: Michelle Stuckey, WXIA)
Hope you guys had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Got steak leftovers? No need to wait for another dinner….this is the perfect, protein packed breakfast for the next day! You can crisp up your taters, warm up your veggies and fold that perfectly cooked steak into an omelet or scramble topped with your favorite cheese. Steak Leftover tip: Don’t cut up all of your steak at dinner— it will be easier to reheat without drying out it out. Pop your meat into some tin foil (it will steam a bit while in the oven) and reheat at 400 for 5-7 minutes.
Yellow Tail Big Bold Red goes well with Big Bold Veggies
I’ve been wanting a garden for years, and this spring, JP and I finally got it together and planted one! While he built and painted the “garden box” and I picked up the plants (tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, squash, icebox watermelon and basil) and poured us a glass of wine. JP is usually a Rum Guy, but I turned him on to Yellow Tail Big Bold Red and we’re both hooked! It’s really smooth and perfect my bald, er BOLD man! It’s also got lots of decadent flavor and is the perfect glass to pour for an evening together with friends. We sipped while planting and grilling! Added bonus, it’s under 10 bucks– retailing at $7.99. Score!
Sipping Yellow Tail Big Bold Red while Gettin’ his Grill On
Speaking of Big Bold Red…
Big Bold Red!
Beards went viral last week with this rather, uh, DIRTY study that turned out to be a joke….So, naturally, I gave JP a hard time about the cleanliness of his facial hair! He’s an artist and rocks out a black and red beard that is pretty darn cool. He’s never been clean shaven since we met 7 years ago, but he regularly uses a trimmer. When I asked him what’s important in a shaver, he said, “Power and Comfortability.” So, he put Remington’s 4-in-1 Vacuum Trimmer to the test.
Remington’s New 4-in-1 Vacuum Shaver
My man wanted power? No problem! The Remington Lithium Power Series 4-in-1 Vacuum Trimmer not only ensures a mess-free grooming experience, meaning, I’m not cleaning up little red and black hairs all over the sink! To put it in technical terms, “The high velocity fan blade vacuuming system works to create maximum power and suction.” This trimmer enables you to trim, detail, or shave any unwanted hair. Plus, Remington’s lithium battery offers up to 60 minutes of cordless use. The price point is $129, which is a great investment for this kind of quality shave. In fact, it’s so cool that I’m stealing it for myself!
Don’t tell my man I’m stealing his Remington!
*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.
Mother’s Day is around the corner and I have a wonderful selection of gift ideas guaranteed to impress Mom!
I just discovered The Bilt-House when I was out to dinner on the Westside last week. It’s 4 times the fabulous, with 4 locations (Buckhead East, Buckhead West, Westside and Historic Roswell) full of super chic styles– with clothing, accessories, shoes, boots and even some kitchen items. If you’re lucky enough to run into owner Shannon Kotze while you’re shopping, ask her about the latest styles she’s brought in for her international selection of vendors. We had a blast together at the store choosing what we were going to feature in our segment on NBC!
With The Bilt-House owner, Shannon Kotze
By the way, notice my gorg “Hamptons Chic” outfit with the popped collar, a Minnie Rose Poncho and we are both wearing Up! Pants from a designer in Montreal. These pants literally make you look a size smaller than you are! Wear them “the tighter the better” as Shannon says. Here are some other beautiful options for Mom:
Halter Chain Dress by Muse
This Halter Chain dress by Muse is perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch, dinner out or an outdoor wedding. Big, bold, floral prints are in, and what I love about this silhouette is that it’s forgiving and flowy. Plus, you don’t need a necklace with the gold chain neckline.
ChaCha Dress in Green by Charlotte Tarantola with a Jean Jacket and Love Heals Necklace
The ChaCha dress is so versatile and comes in an assortment of colors, including this lime green. It’s a style that works for all age groups (and those ruffles hide the problem areas!) I love it paired with the jean jacket and Old Gringo Boots!
THE boots to own. Old Gringo cowboy boots perfect for a sundress or jeans
Local Atlanta artisan Shelley Kyle lotions, body powders and candles
Don’t have Mom’s size or style down? You can’t go wrong with an assortment of local artisan, Shelley Kyle’s lotions, body powders and candles.
If you want to add some luck of the Irish to your Mother’s Day gifts, The Irish Store has a beautiful selection of handcrafted products, from clothing to jewelry. Check out the 2 products we featured on Atlanta & Company:
This ornamental plate is crafted in Ireland by Belleek, a company famous for making the finest quality Parian china. Belleek china is famous for its excellence – any piece with the tiniest flaw is destroyed. This plate is hand-painted with an Irish Blessing, in appreciation of the wonderful work mothers do. The blessing plate is delivered from Ireland in a Belleek gift box by TheIrishStore.com.
This sterling silver pendant is set with an oval piece of Connemara Marble, Ireland’s only natural gemstone. Every piece of Connemara Marble is unique, with a distinctive grey-green coloring. The back of the pendant is engraved with an image of Jesus’ Mother Mary in ion. This beautiful and meaningful pendant can be worn two ways, with either the marble stone or the image of Mary facing outwards.
Now let’s talk beauty products! Why not give Mom the gift of anti-aging? I’m so excited to introduce you guys to a brand new line of skin care by LifeVantage True Science. It’s a revolutionary 4 step skin regimen that is clinically proven to provide extraordinary results.
A revolutionary new line of skin care made from plant extracts with major results!
What I love about this brand, is unlike most skincare lines, True Science is made with all natural plant extracts– it rejuvenates skin from a cellular level– so you see results that last.
I’ve always been frustrated trying to figure out- is my skin dry or oily or combination? Which kind should I get? Because as you know, depending on the season, how hydrated you are, your skin is different every single day. But True Science is perfectly pH balanced, so no matter where you are on the oily to dry spectrum, it always brings you back to normal. In 4 weeks skin appears renewed and visibly younger looking.
So, there are 4 products I want to share with you– they are available individually or as a set. Get one for Mom and yourself! The Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser has a light foaming action that does 2 things: it removes impurities without stripping the natural oils and it hydrates skin.
The second step is using Perfecting Lotion, which is in a category of it’s own— it is like a hybrid between a lotion and a toner. I often get really blotchy and have some uneven skin tone. This product diminishes dark spots and discoloration and really helps improve skin tone. Look at the before and after pic with 56 days of daily use– skin looks smoother and pores look smaller!
After 56 days, skin is smoother with smaller pores.
The Eye Corrector Serum is a game changer. And a little secret I discovered– not only can you put it around your eyes to reduce lines and puffiness— you can put it on those feathery lip lines and laugh lines too!
Less puffiness and fewer crows feet lines after 56 days
The 4th part of the skincare line is True Science’s Anti-Aging Cream. Ladies, this seriously botox in a bottle. Use it regularly and watch your crows feet disappear and reduce those forehead lines. And it smells amazing! It makes your skin look dewey and radiant. Check out how dramatic the difference is in the facial lines in this before and after pic!
Amazing results from the Anti-Aging Cream
The results truly speak for themselves:
In a clinical study, 95% of people had more moisture and hydrated skin, 94% reported Smoother Skin, 88% had Brighter and more luminous skin and 87% had younger looking skin.
The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, so let’s do it up Derby style! I loved putting together this segment because it incorporated some of my favorite things: Bourbon, Fashion, Food and Beautiful animals.
Your resident Bourbon Babe (I alternate between the title of Bourbon Babe and Bacon Babe, by the way!) is telling you flat out— THIS is the best bourbon I have ever tasted. Little secret— I had a shot nip before going on set yesterday and it warmed me up from the inside and cooled my nerves on the outside, y’all! Seriously, though. J.R. Revelry is so unique and has incredible layers of flavor— a bit of fruit and baking spices, with a finish that leaves traces of fresh oak and a hint of smoke.
In the spirit of The Kentucky Derby, I have a Ginger Fizz recipe that’s off the chain. Just add 2oz J.R. Revelry Bourbon, 1oz Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liquor that’s made with fresh ginger, and lime juice to shaker, shake and pour on the rocks, top with seltzer and bitters, garnish with mint leaf.
Add Bourbon, Ginger Liquor, Lime Juice and Bitters into a cocktail shaker.
Shake it up and pour over ice. Top with seltzer and garnish with mint.
By Parker Wallace
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
Add some fresh mint to straws for Ginger Fizz “fabulous!”
J.R. Revelry was created by Jesus Ricardo, “Rick” Tapia, as a result of his passion for American Whiskey— he has a history in the spirits business— so not only does he bring his expertise, but also his Latino heritage to this new brand.
J.R. Revelry Creator, Jesus Ricardo “Rick” Tapia
This is the first craft bourbon whisky created by a Latino in the US. The name J.R. Revelry comes from Rick’s initials, J.R., and the Revelry comes from the atmosphere of celebration that this whiskey embraces.
J.R. Revelry is the official Bourbon of the Taste of Speed on May 2nd, the evening of The Kentucky Derby. It’s a charity fundraiser benefiting Bert’s Big Adventure. At no other event in Atlanta will you see a million dollar display of exotic cars and private jets. http://tasteofspeed.com/viptickets/
Southern Proper is an Atlanta-based clothing company founded in 2005. The line started with its silk ties and bowties- Beaus and Gents, as they fondly call them- and has grown to dress gentlemen from head to toe. Each collection is inspired by a tradition in the South. This season, SoPro’s spring collection features the “Day Games” which is perfect for a day at The Derby.
Super Stylin’ in Seersucker
This first outfit features one of Southern Proper founder Emmie Howard’s personal favorites: the Gingham Seersucker blazer. It can be dressed up or dressed down, and never goes out of style. Made of cotton with skosh of stretch, this jacket is as functional as it is comfortable. It has several pockets and in true Southern Proper fashion, they’ve added a little flair with a double barrel cigar pocket. We’ve paired it with the classic Proper Ox button down, the signature campus pant in the new True Green color, and topped it off with the horse shoe necktie in navy and pocket square in pink. The tie is my favorite accessory– and the pattern is a cheeky play on words: a horse and a loafer pattern.
Love this “Booze Cruise Beau”
In our second outfit, we have the new Linen/Wool Jacket. It also has fun pockets with an added pop of color under the collar. We have it layered over the Southern Shirt in True Green, the classic campus pant in Sherbet, and a SoPro team favorite: the booze cruise Beau. The bow tie pattern features another play on words: a motif composed of cruise ships and champagne bottles.
Pair your Frat Hat with Club Shorts in Duck Egg
The third outfit is for those of you placing your bets at home. Another classic Southern Shirt, this time featured in the Rich Red colorway, is paired with the Club Short in duck egg. The soft, washed-cotton shorts were designed with the country club in mind; the 7-inch inseam means you’ll look your best without breaking the dress code.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, or a lady looking to treat the Gentleman in her life to some new duds, Southern Proper is your go-to for classic pieces that celebrate the Southern way of life.
Get ready for Churchill downs- or as they say, “Do It Up for Derby!” in new Southern Proper! See their full collection as well as the pieces shown here today on their website, www.SouthernProper.com.
If you can’t see the horses at the Derby, you can experience them up close at Fruition Farm.
Fruition Farm emphasizes the horse/human connection
They have 2 locations– in Vinings and in Fairburn. At Fruition Farm, they believe horseback riding is more than just a “Whoa and Go” experience— it’s the ultimate relationship between horse and human. These are very sensitive creatures with beautiful energy. Believe it or not, a horse can teach you a lot about yourself!
Smiling Girls, Smiling Horse
Fruition Farm has retreats for women, mothers and daughters and even couples. There are trail rides for couples with picnics by the lake or in the moonlight, sunset rides with a candle lit dinner! How romantic! And they offer not only lessons for children and adults, but Fruition Farm has overnight and day camps.
Each girl is assigned her own horse at camp
These camps teach life skills as well as horsemanship skills and build friendships and memories. Campers learn the basics of horse care, grooming, nutrition, health care, equine behavior and more while also increasing their self-confidence, problem-solving, communication and assertiveness skills.
The perfect place to go to camp!
Fruition Farms specialty horse camps include overnight and day sessions:
Whether you’re learning to ride a horse as a child, or taking a romantic ride by the lake as a couple, it’s an experience you’ll remember forever. Now is the time to sign up for the girls’ camp! Each girl has her own horse to take care of for the entire week! For more information, you can go to their website: http://www.fruitionfarm.com/
Stocking your perfect pantry is easier than you’d think!
You don’t have to hang your bikini in your pantry to remind yourself to snack smarter….All you need to do is toss the fatty snacks and restock your shelves with healthier alternatives, like Popchips!
PopChips Veggie chips blend nine delicious vegetables— from kale and spinach to tomato and potato! They come in 3 flavors: sea salt, hint of olive oil and tuscan herb.
Like all other popchips, the Veggie chips have nothing artificial, no trans-fat, no dairy and they are gluten-free. They also are helping you get in— (and stay in) that bikini with half the fat of fried chips because they’re made using heat, pressure and almost no oil in the popping process.
Plus, Veggie popchips are are Non-GMO Project Verified– so this is a snack made from the purest ingredients.
I love their new single serve size— The Veggie flavor just hit stores and at only 90 calories and 3 grams of fat, they are a perfect on-the-go snack and a great solution for parents looking to creatively sneak more veggies into their children’s lives!
Popchips Veggie chips and other great flavors like Sea Salt, BBQ and Sour Cream & Onion are available at Kroger.
Available now at Kroger
Extra virgin olive oil is a kitchen staple and I admit to being a bit of a snob when it come to olive oil! You may be able to skimp on some pantry items, but it’s important that you choose a high quality olive oil. I like Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil because of the consistency and flavor that makes it perfect for everything from grilling to salad dressings. Plus, it’s the first and only national brand to carry the USDA Quality Monitored Seal for quality and purity. And it’s affordable too!
The health benefits of olive oil are incredible— improves cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation and has even been shown to decrease your risk for cancer.
Pear Ginger Dressing made with Pompeian EVOO
One of my favorite salad dressing recipes is a pear vinaigrette with Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Just pop a peeled pear into a food processor with a squeeze of half a grapefruit, a tablespoon of ginger, a tablespoon of honey or agave nectar. Blend and then emulsify with 1⁄4 cup of Pompeian EVOO. Add a pinch of kosher salt and toss with your favorite greens. I love building the salad with fresh pear and some crumbled gorgonzola. Stunning and better-for-you!
Pear and Pecan Salad with a Pear Ginger Vinaigrette
2015-04-29 10:57:56
Delicious, fresh and healthy salad using Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Your favorite lettuce (I like butter lettuce for this salad)
1 peeled, cored pear
1 Tb fresh ginger
juice from 1/2 grapefruit
1 Tb honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup Pompeian white wine vinegar
1/2 cup Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of Gorgonzola
1/2 cup of Pecans
1-2 pears peeled and sliced
Instructions
Put all ingredients except EVOO in food processor until blended. Then emulsify dressing with the 1/2 cup of EVOO. (Pour in olive oil, while food processor is on).
Toss dressing with lettuce and top with fresh pear, gorgonzola and pecans.
By Parker Wallace
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
Pear Ginger Salad set for my dinner party
Pompeian is available at supermarkets nationwide you can go to www.pompeian.com to find a retailer near you.
I like to make sure I have a fully stocked “CANTRY”- a pantry with my favorite canned goods. Cans actually seal in the foods’ nutrition, freshness and flavor naturally. It also means less prep, so you can get a healthy, homemade meal on the table in no time.
Delicious, easy to prep Quinoa Chicken and Veggie Salad
If you want a light and fresh lunch or side dish— this quinoa chicken vegetable salad is slam dunk delish. Nutrient and protein rich canned chicken combines with the freshness of canned corn, garbanzo beans, tomatoes and broth to create a super healthy dish your family will request over and over!
I just heated chicken broth and quinoa in a medium saucepan over high heat till it boils. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. Then, once the quinoa has cooled, add diced tomatoes, chicken, garbanzos. corn, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and pepper. Toss to mix well. The recipe is here on CansGetYouCooking’s site.
Fresh tilapia “cooked” in lime juice, cilantro, garlic and red onion
Marinated, Grilled Peruvian Chicken
My best friend from college, Marita, is from Peru and together, we explored Spanish culture by boozing our way studying our way through Spain. I have so many incredible memories of our exploits together– including the time we sat down to our first dinner with our host family. “Mar” already spoke fluent Spanish, but ‘Spain Spanish’ has different sayings and vocabulary (and an entirely different accent than Latin American Spanish.) Mar was explaining to our host mother that we didn’t like a lot of preservatives in our food— she used the word “preservativos.” Well, wouldn’t ya know, that’s the word for condoms in Castilian Spanish. WHOOPS! We laughed about that for years! Here’s a pic from the last time we saw each other— I miss this woman SO much!
BFF’s after all these years!
I had the pleasure of meeting Jesus Ricardo “Rick” Tapia, creator of the best damn bourbon I’ve ever tasted…J.R. Revelry will change your world, whether you’re new to bourbon, or a connoisseur like myself. (They don’t call me the bourbon babe for nothing!)
My new favorite Go-To bourbon
J.R. Revelry is the first craft bourbon whiskey to be created by a Latino. Rick is from Peru, and was kind enough to provide these scrumptious Peruvian recipes for a Kentucky Derby themed party. They go perfectly with your bourbon. Disfrute de su comida— or, as I like to say, GET YOUR EAT AND DRINK ON, Y’ALL.
Enjoy!
Pollo ala Brasa, Peruvian Ceviche and Salsa Criolla
2015-04-28 02:31:49
Delicious Latin American flavors for your next party
For the Pollo ala Brasa (Peruvian Grilled Chicken)
1⁄3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon Aji Panca (Peruvian Spice)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (3 1/2 lb) whole chickens, quartered
1 lime, quartered (for garnish)
For the Salsa Criolla
1 small red onion
1 lime
1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For the Ceviche
2 lbs tilapia fillets or 2 lbs other firm white fish fillets, cubed
8 -10 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 habanero pepper, seeded and chopped (or real Peruvian Aji Amarillo, if you can find it)
8 -12 limes, freshly squeezed and strained to remove pulp, enough to cover fish
1 red onion, thinly sliced and rinsed in cold water
For the Pollo ala Brasa
Blend soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, Aji Panca, cumin, paprika, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil in a blender.
Put chicken in a large sealable bag and add marinade. Seal bag and marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours. Turn occasionally to assure even marinating.
Prepare grill for medium-high heat.
Discard marinade, then pat chicken dry. Oil grill rack.
Grill chicken over area with no coals (or over a turned-off burner), skin side down first, covered, turning over once, until cooked through, about 30 to 35 minutes (add charcoal to maintain heat).
Garnish with lime wedges.
(IF OVEN ROASTING - Preheat oven to 500°F, and roast chicken for 30 minutes in a 13x9-inch roasting pan with 1 cup water. After 30 minutes of roasting time, tent with foil and continue roasting until browned and cooked through, or about 15 minutes longer.).
For the Salsa Criolla
Cut the onion in half, then slice thin to form half moon slices; Rinse the onion in cold water and place in small bowl.
Squeeze lime juice into bowl to cover onion slices.
Add cilantro, if using.
Serve with potatoes, beets, avocado or anything you like.
For the Ceviche
Combine all ingredients except red onion and mix well.
Place red onion on top and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours before serving.
Before serving, mix well and serve with lettuce, corn, avocado or other cold salad vegetables on the side.
It is important to use a juicer that presses the juice out of the limes, not one that will tear the membrane of the lime sections since this will make the lime juice bitter.
By Parker Wallace
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
So, I may not have walked down the aisle, but I can tell you a little about wedding trends, y’all! Who doesn’t love a beautiful bride and all of the gorgeous (and delicious) accessories that go along with wedded bliss?
Instead of going traditional, many brides are opting for a BBQ themed menu at their receptions. You are talking to the BBQ babe here….a true connesioir of good pig. OMG. Sam’s BBQ-1 is OFF. THE. CHAIN. GOOD. Like, rub it all over my face kinda good and pass me some MORE. Sam is not only getting booked up with weddings left and right, he also teaches BBQ classes called Sam’s Pork U.
Sam Huff is serving up BBQ delish at numerous wedding receptions
Now let’s talk DIAMONDS! Worthmore Jewelers is THE place to go for engagement rings, wedding jewelry and accessories— as well as fabulous gifts all year long. Antique styled jewelry is still hot right now, but Worthmore does a modern take in their settings and design so you don’t have to search for Estate jewelry. Morganite is another trend right now…it’s a gorgeous peach colored stone that was named after JP Morgan— it looks like a pinky peach diamond. STUNNING.
Morganite looks like a peach diamond and is a fraction of the price
Also be looking for this ringer on MY Finger sometime soon. I wore it in the segment and fell in love with it– **HINT HINT to my man!! I think I actually might opt for a Morganite center stone! ( :
A ring in my very near future
A big trend in wedding jewelry that we saw a lot at recent award shows, like the Emmy’s, are diamond climbers. They look so elegant and modern, especially if you are wearing your hair back.
A trend from the red carpet to the white wedding….ear climbers!
Worthmore also has accessories for the groom and groomsmen. My fave are these baseball cuff links! What a unique gift for any baseball lover…
Made from actual Braves Baseballs
Wedding hair has evolved over time— fortunately, we’re longer seeing the tightly curled “prom” hair! Instead, the ultra talented Melanie Sorrow from Melanie Salon is bringing her talents to the bridal crowd with stunning styles that range from the “perfectly imperfect updo” to cinematically inspired ‘dos. The first style is a whimsical ponytail that is all at once retro 60’s and beach babe gorgeous. It looks simple, but there are beautiful twists to the style that only a talent like Melanie can make look easy!
Whimsical, loosely braided Ponytail
Another trend is a Game of Thrones inspired style, where a hidden braid in back sweeps the hair to the side and holds it into place.
Inspired by The Game of Thrones
I was lucky enough to be the model for the third style, a loose updo that I am currently obsessed with. It looks like it’s about to spill out onto your shoulders, but it is secured beautifully, so I imagine you can comfortably dance your heart out without any worries!
I love Italian dishes, but they tend to be super carb heavy (read: pasta) and the sauces often use loads of flour to thicken them up. This piccata dish is a version of a Cooking Light recipe I found online and modified a bit– I cut the flour and sugar in half to make it more low-carb friendly. I also cooked the lemons longer to caramelize them, so instead of just adding some lemony flavor, you can eat them and they practically melt in your mouth. OMG, they’re so good! No need to pound the chicken down, just get the thinly sliced cutlets and it saves you the work.
Combine lemon slices, sugar, and garlic cloves in a medium bowl.
Dry chicken on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tb oil and 1 Tb butter; swirl to coat.
Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Place chicken on a plate. Add remaining 1 Tb butter oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add lemon mixture to pan; cook 5-6 minutes until lemon slices are lightly browned, turning occasionally. Return lemon mixture to bowl.
Wipe pan with paper towels. Heat pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tb butter to pan; swirl until butter melts. Add shallot, garlic, and thyme sprig; cook 1 minute. Add wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook 3 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Add remaining stock and flour to pan, stirring with a whisk.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 2/3 cup. Remove pan from heat, discarding thyme sprigs.
Stir in remaining 1 Tb butter and capers, stirring until butter melts. Return chicken and any juices to pan; turn to coat with sauce. Top chicken with lemon mixture. Sprinkle with chopped sage.
By Parker Wallace
Adapted from Cooking Light
Adapted from Cooking Light
What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
