My Favorite Cookbooks + Mediterranean Lentil Salad

At the beginning of a New Year I am always inspired to cook more and try new recipes.  One of my goals this year is to use my cookbooks more and make more fresh meals for my family. 

I often get requests about my favorite cookbooks, so here are my all time favorites. Now keep in mind I am a cookbook hoarder, I love to read them and collect them.   I probably own 50+.  These however are the most used cookbooks, the recipes never disappoint.  So if you are looking to add some new cookbooks to your collection or to start a collection these are all wonderful!

I just ordered this cookbook right before Christmas and it is quickly becoming a favorite.  We made the Coconut Oatmeal for breakfast this week and it was so good.  If you are looking to detox or clean up your diet it is a great book.  It has two different detox options 3 days or 21 days and it is filled with healthy recipes that are delicious.

 Clean Slate Cookbook

Our overnight coconut oatmeal, so good!

It is no secret I am a huge Ina Garten fan.  Like I am kind of obsessed with her, I should start a fan club. She knows how to entertain and do it right.   Her recipes never disappoint ever.   I own every single one of her cookbooks and love them all, but these 3 are my favorites.  

Good starting points: the kale chips, warm butternut squash salad, tomato tarts, quinoa tabbouleh,  Parmesan roasted broccoli, confetti corn, I could go on and on!

Back to Basics | Foolproof |  Make It Ahead

I also have a major crush on Gwyneth Paltrow- she can do no wrong in my eyes and trust me her food is good.  I have loved every recipe I have made from her books.

If you need ideas of where to start : The Lettuce Wraps, Stir Fry Chicken,  Roasted Cauliflower are favorites.

GP Its All Good | GP My Fathers Daughter

These two cookbooks have such beautiful pictures and recipes.  I get so inspired just flipping through them.  The Williams Sonoma Salad book is filled with salads for each season.  I am a huge fan of salads and this one has 365 salad recipes.  The Sprouted Kitchen has so many healthy delish recipes.

WS Salad of the Day | The Sprouted Kitchen

.....................................................................................

 I wanted to share a new recipe too.  I posted this lentil salad recipe on instagram and so many of you wanted to know about it!  This is a new recipe from my mom's friend that I made for lunch this week and it was so good and filling.  It is a great healthy salad full of flavor.  I recommend you use the Trader Joes precooked lentils, available in the fridge section.  They are perfect for this salad.  I think it would be delicious with feta added in as well.  You can easily make this ahead but I think it is best served at room temperature.
Enjoy!

|| M E D I T E R R A N E A N   L E N T I L   S A L A D ||

- 2 cups lentils rinsed (I highly recommend the Trader Joes precooked lentils in the fridge section)

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes quartered

- 1 green bell pepper diced

- 1/2 cup red onion sliced thinly

1/2 kalamata olives sliced

1/2 English cucumber diced

Dressing \\

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

-3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice from one lemon)

-1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

- 1 teaspoons dijon

- 1 clove garlic minced

- 1/2 teaspoon oregano

-1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

Mix lentils and all ingredients then pour dressing over the top.  This can be stored in the fridge for several days but it is best served room temperature.

Thoughts For Thursday

Happy Thursday Friends. I am so excited because my whole family gets in town tomorrow and we head for our week long family vacay Saturday. This year we are just headed to Isle of Palms, a quick drive for us. As close as we live to Isle of Palms I never venture over that way so I can't wait to try out some restaurants and shop over there- any locals send me recs! 

If you follow me on Instagram you already saw these two dresses but I had to share because they are both fabulous and a great deal.  Both are not maternity but work well with a bump.

[Forever 21 Southwest Shift Dress] 

I bought a size Medium for those curious.  Not pregnant I would have bought a small but I wanted room to wear it for awhile.

[Zara Floral Neoprene Dress]

I got in small in this dress.  It is super stretchy.  However not sure I will still be able to wear it nine months pregnant but for now it works.  I love this dress so much!

Have you heard of the candy line DELISH?  Well it is incredible.  Mom and I found it Walgreens and promptly went back for more.  Highly recommend.

Per several recommendations I started reading Marcus Samulesson's Memoir,  Yes Chef.   It is such a good read and a great insight into the food industry.  Any books I should download for our beach trip next week?  I usually read 3-4 books on our beach trips!

In the past week, I have made Gwennie's Roasted Cauliflower and Chick Peas Recipe.  It is insanely good.  It is from her cookbook, Its All Good.  I have to say I have been very impressed with both her cookbooks, all the recipes I have tried have been really good.

 As if I needed another reason to shop, ShopBop just marked down sale items even more.  Check out the sale HERE.  I have been eyeing this Joie top forever and now it is 40% off.  I love the blush pink color, but the spicy orange would be cute for fall.  I have this Joie Dress and have loved it this summer, it is super lightweight and comfy,  now on sale too.
{Joie Keannate Blouse}

I am tempted to snag this tie dye Joie Dress too because it could totally be worn into the Fall with a blazer or leather jacket!  It is 40% off too!  Good deals to be found HERE.
{Joie Fori Dress}

How cute are these cookies for the Holidays?  I am always trying to think of cute ways to package goodies for the holidays and love this!  Would also be cute as a party favor.

Pretty Please do me a favor and go vote for my friend Julia Ryan (aka Pawleys Island Posh) to win the Serena and Lily Room Makeover.  Her little girl Wells so deserves this!  You can vote HERE, it takes like two seconds.  and if you feel crazy you can vote once an hour up to 10 times a day.  Help my good friend out!

Have a good Thursday!
xoxo

Thoughts For Friday

TGIF.  Who is ready for the weekend??

Can we discuss how excited I am to have some new Reality TV.   I was so over the Beverly Hills Housewives towards the end, I could barely watch it.   I am happy the NYC girls are back and that they brought Bethenny back, I am always a fan of her.  I guess Ramona finally ditched Mario for cheating and gotta say I am digging the new girl so far.  Sonja always proves to be interesting and I love laid back Carol.

Southern Charm is a constant train wreck but I can't stop watching it  I always love to see the local spots where they film.  I have to admit I love Whitney's mom, she may be my favorite character.  Always sitting in her caftans, having her butlers make her a martini- gotta love her.

This year Matt and I decided we wanted to do more of a real garden.  We were going to build an upraised bed but one of his friends suggested The Earth Box.  I just ordered 2 and I am going to plant our produce this weekend.  He swears by the Earth box and says his produce grows really well.  I will report back on our results.

So far we are going to plant: kale, arugula, swiss chard, squash, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower (should be interesting), habaneros, and herbs.

If you are looking for an easy and delicious side dish, you must try The Barefoot Contessa's Roasted Broccoli with pine nuts.

You roast the broccoli with minced garlic. Then toss with pine nuts, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  The flavors are amazing.  Sterling loves it too and he is picky, but when I made it this week he went back for seconds!

Frances is such a doll when she wakes up from her naps.  I love walking in her room and seeing her sweet smile.

She is wearing her Rikshaw Pineapple dress.  If you follow me on instagram (snoopnattynat) I will be running a giveaway to win this same dress and bloomer set next week.

Sterling started soccer back for the Spring and I have to say I am loving the practices and games. 

Matt decided to help coach this year and it warms my heart to see the two on the field together.

I am so excited my favorite Equipment shorts are back out in a fun floral print.  I bought the leopard version last year and wore them all the time.  They zip in the back and have no pockets so they fit really well and are flattering.

|| Equipment Lewis Short

I recently ordered  The Sprouted Kitchen new cookbook and it is just awesome.  Beautiful photographs and recipes.  If you need a new cookbook check this one out.  Every single recipe looks amazing.  I have already made two recipes and they both were great.

|| Sprouted Kitchen

This kale slaw with soaked golden raisins and pine nuts was simply incredible.

Have a great weekend!

Obsessions

{Rory Becca Keala Shift Dress}

I am smitten with this Rory Becca Number.  The perfect dress to dress up or down and I have been really into Navy for Fall.

{Good Food Made Simple Steel Cut Oats}

This is my newest breakfast obsession.  You can find it in the freezer section and all you have to do is microwave it for three minutes and breakfast is served.  Usually I don't buy premade things like this, but it has only natural ingredients (steel cut oats, brown sugar, dried fruit).  It actually tastes delish!  I always add a little fresh cinnamon to the top of mine.  It saves me time from making my own and it is so good for you!

{Madewell Leopard Sidewalk Flats}

I have desperately been wanting some leopard ballet flats and these are some of the cutest I have seen!  I am leaning towards the black and white pair but honestly love them both!

{Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Fresh Bacon}

Even though the temps here have not been very fall like here,  I have really been into fall recipes.  We made this soup last night and served it with Truffled Gouda Grilled Cheeses.  I forgot how amazing this soup is, please make it you won't regret!  The recipe is under my recipes tab.

{Faux Fur Throw}

I am convinced I need a faux fur throw for my bed.
At least for the fall months, it looks so luxurious.

I found a great version at West Elm that I think needs to be mine.  Can't you just imagine being cuddled up on the sofa one cold and deary day sipping hot chocolate/drinking red wine snuggled up with this blanket!!  Pure perfection.

::West Elm Faux Fur Throw::

{Madewell ColorBlock Sweater}
Obsessed with this neon yellow/tan color combo! 

NYC Recap

Happy Monday!  I got back in town yesterday from such a fun girl's trip to NYC.  My dad was so sweet and booked a trip for me, my mom, my sister and sister in law.  We actually flew back in Saturday but I was not breathing well and had to go to Urgent Care in Charlotte after we landed.   One steriod shot, a new inhaler and steriod pills and I am on the mend. 

 I was so happy to see these loves yesterday.  They always request that I bring them back NYC tee shirts.

Wednesday morning we flew out bright and early to NYC.  This tote is my favorite carry on.  It fits so much and can fit under the airplane seat.

Tote | Suitcase

Tee | Jeans | Similar Scarf under $20

Chilling with my sister on the airplane.

We landed,  checked in our hotel and headed to lunch.  I had a mile long list of restaurants I wanted to eat at while we were in NYC.  First stop was Jack's Wife Frieda.  We all loved it.

The breakfast bowl + Greek Salad.  The breakfast bowl was insane and it came with this avocado jalapeno dressing that was out of this world.  

Grilled Halloumi cheese.  I loved the addition of grapes with the cheese.

That afternoon we shopped and then headed back to shower for dinner.

Dress | Shoes | Purse

We had dinner that night at Buddakan.  Matt and I ate there last year when we visited and loved it.  I seriously dream about these edamame dumplings.

This was a cauliflower pop- filled with cheese and wrapped in breadcrumbs.  

The next morning we were up bright and early for Live with Kelly.  My dad won VIP tickets at a silent auction.  

Waiting for the show outside the studio.

I have to say I watch Live with Kelly most days so it was so cool to see it filmed LIVE.

 The guest host was John Leguizamo.  I loved him he was so funny.

We had awesome seats on the third row and during commercials Kelly would walk over and talk to us.  She is even cuter in person and so tiny!!

The two guests were Matt Leblanc and Dakota Fanning.

The girls. 

What I wore:

I bought this sweater during the shopbop sale and it was my favorite purchase.  I am wearing a size small.

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans (on sale) | Booties

After the show we headed to Magnolia Bakery for a small nibble.  I had the sugar cinnamon muffin and it was incredible.

My mom had the caramel cake and it was legit.

We strolled through Central Park.  It is so gorgeous in the Fall.

Then we headed to Fred's at Barney's for lunch.

I loved the atmosphere here.  I had the chopped chicken salad.  This was however probably my least favorite place we ate at.  The food wasn't bad it was just not as good as some of the other places we dined at and pretty pricey.

We shopped a little more and then headed home to change for Happy Hour.  My blouse has the cutest split back.  It runs on the large side, I am wearing a size 2. 

What I wore:

Blouse | Jeans | Sandals | Purse | Necklace

We had happy hour at the Crosby Street Hotel and loved it.  Fun atmosphere and great drinks!

Dinner that night was at Mario Batali's new restaurant La Sirena.  This may have been our favorite dinner.  We loved the decor, atmosphere and the food was incredible.

I loved the tile floors.

We shared four dishes.  The pesto lasagna, ravioli, gnocchi and meat pasta. 

All 4 of us ladies.

Friday it was a rainy day but we ventured out anyways.

I had a meeting at the Baublebar Showroom and got to preview some of the new Holiday collection and trust me it's good!

I especially loved these earrings that are now online.

After that we headed to ABC Kitchen for lunch.  I had heard great things about ABC kitchen and it did not disappoint.  It is all farm to table and I wanted to sample everything on the menu.

We all shared the Squash Toast for appetizer and it was so good! I have plans to recreate this at home!

Then mom and I split the burger and carrot/avocado salad.

 I don't eat burgers often but this one was really good.   It had jalapenos and a delish herb mayo.

My outfit that day:

I ended up not packing my blush Joie sneakers after several people commented the NYC streets would ruin them.  I bought this Ugg pair after seeing my sister's and I think I like them even better than the Joie pair.  I walked miles in them and they were so comfortable.

Sweater | Tee | Jeans | Sneakers | Necklace

That night we grabbed drink at The Highline hotel.  Kind of a gothic vibe and super chill.

The bartender made us a tasty drink with vodka, grapefruit, and mint.  

What I wore:

I love this blouse because of the length!  You can even wear it with leggings because it covers your bottom.  I am wearing a XS.

Blouse | Earrings | Jeans | Sandals

We then headed to dinner at Cookshop. 

 I had the Mezze Platter and it was so good.  It had roasted beets, cauliflower, broccoli rabe, eggplant, and farro.  

These three items were favorites that I packed and I got so much use out of:

This clutch is super flat and easy to pack.  I love the size and the fact that it can hold so much stuff.  This driftwood color is new for Fall and the perfect neutral.  It comes in 10 other color options.

Uber Clutch

Ugg Sneakers

These are so comfortable and the color went with so many of my outfits.  I am now addicted to the casual sneaker.  They are also water resistant which worked out great since I had to wear them in the rain one day.  I went up a 1/2 size in these.  I am normally a 9 and did a 9.5.  They are under $100 too!

I didn't walk miles in these heels but I walked several blocks and they didn't hurt my feet.  The caramel color went with all my outfits. They run TTS. 

Heels