Sesame Seared Tuna With Ginger- Carrot Dipping Sauce

Confession- I love tuna but rarely cook it.  And by rarely I mean I think I have cooked it like twice.  I am not sure why it intimidates me but it does.  Well,  my dad made this tuna for me this weekend while I was home visiting and it was amazing.  It made me realize tuna is so easy to cook and I should cook with it more often.  It only takes a few minutes to cook and it is so tasty.  We didn't have all the ingredients to make the dipping sauce, so we instead used Trader Joe's Spicy Peanut Dressing which was excellent with the tuna.   This dressing is seriously delish, I think it would be great on any meat or a salad.  I highly recommend, another great Trader Joes buy.

 

Next time I make the tuna though I will definitely be making the Ginger-Carrot dressing. I think the flavors would pair well with the tuna.  Also I won't cook my tuna quite as long as my dad did.  He cooked it several minutes per side and it was more done than I like my tuna- but you know how rents can be about their meat.  The tuna really just needs to be seared if you buy Sashami grade.   This was a super easy meal for a weeknight meal.  Enjoy!

SESAME SEARED TUNA WITH GINGER CARROT DIPPING SAUCE

Ingredients

• For the Dipping Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons mirin
  • 2 teaspoons white miso
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1/3 cup carrot juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 scallion, green part only, thinly sliced

• For the Tuna

  • 3 tablespoons unhulled white sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon unhulled black sesame seeds
  • 1 pound sushi-grade yellowfin tuna, cut into 4-ounce rectangular pieces
  • 1 tablespoon safflower oil

Directions

1. Make the dipping sauce: Combine mirin, miso, ginger, carrot juice, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, red-pepper flakes, and sesame oil in a small bowl, whisking until miso dissolves. Sprinkle with sliced scallion.
2. Make the tuna: Combine sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Press tuna pieces into seeds, turning to coat each side. Heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add tuna, and cook each side until white seeds are golden, about 20 seconds per side. Transfer tuna to a paper-towel-lined plate for 1 minute, then cut each piece into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Serve with dipping sauce.

TOP PHOTO AND RECIPE VIA MARTHA STEWART

Side Note- I did not write this whole post in capital letters or in bold.  My blogger is being so wonky this morning!  and I am too tired and computer illiterate to figure it out!

Obsessions

JCREW DYED MINI JEAN SKIRT

I have been obsessed with this hot pink number ever since seeing Blair wear it on AP.  I found it on sale in Charlotte and promptly scooped it.  It fits perfectly and is a fun way to add some bright color to my outfit!

WALLPAPER

I love this wallpaper.  It is perfect for a bathroom.  Anyone know who makes it?

VELVET BY GRAHAM AND SPENCER GODDESS MAXI DRESS

I have been on the hunt for some solid colored simple maxi dresses.  I have tried on so many and they never fit right but this one does.  I ordered the Inkdrop color which is a dark Navy.  I am thinking about ordering black too.  It fits well, washes well, and is the perfect backdrop for fun jewelry or some bright sandals.  I highly recommend.

KIDS GALLERY WALL

I adore this idea of framing kids artwork in the same frames and making a uniform art wall.  I have to say this kid's artwork is pretty good:)  Really loving this whole room.

REBECCA MINKOFF SURI WEDGES

Confession I still don't own a pair of wedges.  I just can't find the right pair.  I am not afraid to spend a little money on a good pair because I know I will wear them for years.  I don't buy shoes that often- its the one thing I am practical about (haha).  Love these Rebecca Minkoff wedges.  They come in nude and brown but I think I like the nude best.

The Bachelorette

I am so glad my favorite reality show started back up.  Mondays are not the same without the crazies on The Bachelor/Bachelorette.  I am even more excited to watch this season since it was filmed in my hometown, Charlotte.  I think Emily is very pretty but last night I was a little disappointed.  I just don't see her being that exciting.  And we can talk about how many times she said "awesome" last night.  Matt and I started counting and it was alot.  I will still be watching the whole season and enjoying watching grown men cry.

Word To Your Mom

Since it was Mother's Day I decided to head home and spend some time with my mom and Matt's mom.  His parents are moving so we worked at an estate sale helping them- I got a few great pieces, pictures to come later.  Matt's car conveniently broke down so he got a free weekend in Charleston alone.  I however had such a great time with my mom and family, always do.  Wish we lived in the same city.

For mother's day, we had a big brunch and I brought my mom a bouquet of peonies.  My favorite flowers.

Me, mom , and my sister after brunch.

I made this Egg, Sausage, and Sun-dried Tomato Casserole for Brunch.  It is always a hit, you can find the recipe under my recipes tab.  Make it you will love it.

We watched The Descendants over the weekend.  I had been dying to see it but honestly did not love it.  The story line was a little too weird and sad for me.  I did think George Clooney did a great job acting and looking handsome:)

The day before I left town I found this sweet concrete fish on the side of the road. Sterling and I were on a bike ride when I found it so I quickly went back and got my car and picked this heavy fish up. I mean this thing must weigh 50 lbs. I going to repaint it just can't decide what color. Any thoughts?

Lastly I leave you this picture of my sweet baby who made my Mother's Day very special!

Life Lessons For Your Children (and you)

In honor of Mother's Day being Sunday I wanted to share this awesome article I read.  So many things I want to remember to teach Sterling on character and how to be a good, kind, and giving person.  I think even us adults can learn from it (heck I know I did). 

As I celebrate my third Mother's Day this year, I am thankful everyday that God gave me the opportunity to become a mother.  It is by far the best thing I have ever done with my life.  It has fulfilled me in ways I never knew possible and taught me to love unconditionally.  It has brought a love so powerful into my life it sometimes moves me to tears.  It has given my life a new purpose and taught me to be selfless and that the world does not indeed revolve around me.  Sterling is the light of my life and I am so darn proud to be his mother.  It is not easy and all you Mothers know that.  We have the toughest job in the world that most days goes unappreciated.  So to all you Moms and especially to my Mom, Happy Mothers Day you deserve a day dedicated to you.  Now its time to drink wine while the dads watch the kids (haha- if only that were true in my house). 

Now on to the article.  This is the list that a woman made for her sons of life lessons she deemed important.  I have to say I totally agree.   The author has asked me to remove the article from my blog, but you can read her article via.

Matt if you are reading (and I know you check my blog daily, pay attention to number 37).

And I could not resist sharing this picture of Sterling.  This is what I say yesterday when I checked on him napping.  Seems he has decided diapers are no longer necessary. Such a typical man wanting to let it all hang out.  It was pretty darn funny but warmed my heart at the same time.  He just looked so innocent and sweet napping.  Could not love him more!

HAPPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Rompers + Popsicles

Lets chat about rompers.  Ever since seeing Gwyneth in this romper on Goop I have wanted a romper.

Then I saw her in this DVF romper which made me really want it.  Sadly,  this little DVF number is out of my price range and from 2011.  So unless it shows up on Ebay for cheap this one ain't happening.

I was in Forever 21 the other day doing a quick walk thru and I spotted a romper for cheap, $14 to be exact.  I tried it on and actually quite liked it.  I have never owned a romper or thought myself to be cool enough to sport a romper.   I am not going to wear this out clubbing (not that I ever go clubbing anymore) but I thought it was cute for running errands and for the pool/ beach.  Rompers are kind of weird and going to the bathroom may be pain, but I think it is a fun casual look.   For $14 I figured if it was only used a beach cover up, no big deal.  But it keeps haunting me that maybe Rompers are stupid and I am too old to sport this look. Here is the question is 30+ too old to wear a romper?  Be honest.

I have seen Kourtney Kardashian and Jessica Alba sporting cute rompers and they both are moms and over 30, which leads me to believe maybe I can rock this look without looking like I am trying to be 21.

Thoughts?  Is a romper best left for a 20 something?  Or can a mom rock it for casual wear?

I could not find my romper online at F21 but I did find this super cute one:

{F21 Peacock Romper}

Now on to my next random thought, Popsicles.  I never bought the Zoku, the pop maker from Williams-Sonoma, I just wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money ( I can be cheap about some things).  Well my mom found me one at Homegoods for $6.99!  It works perfectly.  I made extra juice from my juicer this week,  froze it and shocker, Sterling ate the whole Popsicle.  Yep, he ate spinach and kale.  I was a happy mom since he normally never touches the green stuff.

I made two different pops:

1) kale, spinach, apple, lime and cucumber

2) orange and carrot 

The next day he requested two pops "orange and green"

Popsicle maker = genius way to get your kids to eat veggies.
And for the grown-ups, I see these Margarita and Strawberry Peach Vodka Pops being made in the near future.  Who said Popsicles are just for kids?

Sadie + Stella Show Some Love

Hi pretties!  Hope your day is off to a fabulous start!  Today I am guest posting at one my newest favorite blogs, Sadie + Stella. 

If you have not read Lindsay's blog you need for realz.  Girl is hilarious, always making me laugh.   When I read her posts I always feel like I am talking to a friend and cracking up.  She has impeccable style and taste in home decor and she loves some good food and cocktails- a girl after my own heart.  And did I mention she has two of the cutest pups around?

Check out this old chair she recently recovered.  Freaking amazeballs, right??  Head on over to her blog for lots more eye candy!

Today I am sharing my favorite room in our house and by favorite room, I mean the cleanest because it rarely gets used.  Add a kid to the equation and every room in our house is covered in toys,  finger prints and food crumbs.  This room was pretty much the only one that was picture ready:)  Here is peek, head here to see the rest!

Grilled Shrimp With Cilantro, Lime and Peanuts

You might remember the picture of my Thai Noodle bowl from Monday.  Well this is the Shrimp recipe we used to go on top of our noodles.   We will be making this shrimp many more times.  It was honestly the perfect combination of flavors and so easy to make.  We sauteed our shrimp instead of grilling them- we prefer them that way, but I am sure they are delish grilled.    I am hungry just thinking about this dish.

This shrimp would be tasty on a salad as well, but if you want to recreate our dish we used Rice Stick Noodles (found in the asian foods section of the grocery) and Bok Choy.  Little secret I have never cooked Bok Choy before but now I love it. 

I googled a few recipes but ultimately made up my own. 

SAUTEED BOK CHOY

4 bundles of Bok Choy, washed and sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove minced

1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Sautee Bok Choy in olive oil until cooked slightly.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and cook a few minutes until fragrantly.

The combination was great.  I layered the Bok Choy on the cooked Rice Stick Noodles, then added the Shrimp and drizzled the whole thing with Sriracha.  Such an amazing meal!

Grilled Shrimp With Cilantro, Lime, and Peanuts

Ingredients

2 limes
2 teaspoons fish sauce

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 pound (about 15) jumbo shrimp, shells on

2 teaspoons safflower oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

2 scallions, finely chopped

Directions

1.Zest limes into a bowl. Squeeze in juice from 1 lime, and whisk in fish sauce and sugar.

2.Preheat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil on both sides, and lightly season with salt and pepper. Grill until pink and firm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

3.Toss shrimp with fish-sauce mixture, cilantro, peanuts, and scallions. Juice remaining lime over shrimp

Top picture and recipe via