Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Tomato Dill Soup + Truffled Grilled Cheese


Looking for the perfect comfort dish?  Well look no further.  This is a fabulous spin on the standard grilled cheese and tomato soup combo.  This tomato soup is knock your socks off good and so easy to make!  We ate it three days in a row and I am so not a leftovers person.  We even used some of the leftover soup to make sauce for our Ravioli- pure genius I tell you.   You will never want to eat canned soup again.

  And if you have never had a truffled grilled cheese you are missing out my friends.  The truffle oil is an amazing addition to any grilled cheese.   Truffle Oil can be expensive, but want to know my secret?  I look for it at TjMaxx and Homegoods.  You can find it there in the foods section for way cheaper than the grocery store.  It is usually made with white or black Truffles.  Matt and I both prefer the White Truffle Oil.

 I would like to introduce you to the new vamped up Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese:)

{TOMATO DILL SOUP}
 Adapted from Sara Foster's Everyday Food
Serves 8 to 10 / makes about 3 quarts

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced (I used three carrots since I had no celery)
2 celery stalks, diced (I didn't have celery so I omitted this)
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I didn't have this so I omitted it)
1 cup heavy cream


Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook and stir about 10 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and cook and stir another 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the chopped and crushed tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper and bring to a low boil. reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3.  Use an immersion blender or transfer in batches into regular blender and puree. I like mine to still have some texture so don't puree until it turns to liquid.  Just pulse a few times.

3. Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the dill, parsley and cream. Taste for seasoning and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm or store refrigerated until ready to serve.



{Truffled Grilled Cheese}
-2 Slices Wheat Bread
-2 slices American Cheese
-Mayo
-Truffle Oil

We have tested this sandwich several times but this combo seems to work best.  Matt and I both swear by good old American Cheese on grilled cheese sandwiches, but if you don't like it I am sure any cheese would work.  I always use wheat bread because that is all I buy but I am sure it would be off the hook with white bread. 
Take the two slices of cheese and place between bread.  Spread a thin layer of mayo on the outsides of the bread.  The mayo is what helps the bread brown nicely.  You can also spread on inside if you love mayo.   You can use butter if you don't like mayo but mayo works so much better and gets the bread slightly crispy.   After assembled place mayo side down in a pan drizzled with truffle oil.  Also drizzle truffle oil over top side of bread as well.  Use a decent amount of oil so you can taste it but not too much as to make bread soggy.  I would guess I used about a teaspoon per side.  Cook until cheese is melted and bread browned.  I just use a regular old skillet pan to cook ours in on medium heat.  Do not use high heat or it will burn.  Cook it slow and on medium heat.  Slice and dig in!  This grilled cheese will change your life. 


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Obsessions

This is the perfect shoe in my opinion.  I love the black and camel combo, it would go with everything!!   Pretty sure these are coming home with me.


My sweet mom surprised me with this blouse when she came to visit last weekend.  She knows me well and knew I had been wanting a snakeskin blouse.  I love this one!  Fits perfectly and I know I will rock it all Fall.




How cute is this dress from Gap?  Love both colors.  A great transitional dress.  It is only $59 but you can get an extra 30% off thru tonight with code THANKYOU.


I bought this cookbook awhile ago but I just recently busted it out and I am obsessed.  I have been making so many delicious recipes from it the past week.  For my Chapel Hill friends, Sarah Foster is the one who started Fosters Market which was one of my favorite places to eat while I was in college.  If you love to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients this cookbook is a must!


{Agate Bookends}
Another surprise from my mom.  They look perfect in Sterling's big boy room!


{Quote}
I love October and all that Fall has to offer.  It is my favorite season.  Bring on the cooler temps, fires, red wine, boots and sweaters, tailgating, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes!


One more thing.  I am also guest posting at Anna's beautiful blog A NewFound Treasure sharing my nexts!  Here is a sneak peek.  Check it out HERE!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Scenes From Our Weekend

Here is what went down.
Did a little Antique shopping with my mom and found the perfect Lucite bench for our bedroom.  Of course it was already sold.  I am still stewing about this.  I actually loved the fabric and it was in great condition.  Figures, right?

Although I missed out on the bench, I did score some sweet vintage jewelry at an Estate Sale we hit up that day.


I loved having my family in town.  This is me,  my mom,  and sister before our art walk we went on Friday night.


Saturday we hit up the Farmers Market and I was so flattered that one of my readers from Atlanta stopped me on the streets to say she loved my blog.  Made my day and made me feel like a quasi celebrity!  So thank you for stopping and saying hi!  Sterling loved the jump castle.


Saturday we did a booze cruise with my rents. I made Greek Salad Skewers- thank you pinterest.  All you do is skewer Feta, olives, cucumbe,r and cherry tomatoes.  Super easy and delish.  Both my dad and Matt commented on how much they liked them.   I figured the men wouldn't like them but I was wrong!


Our boat ride rocked.   Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to have a boat and live near the water, it really soothes your soul.



My mom had the genius idea of bringing Sterling Big boy underwear this weekend (and no he is not potty trained yet, have yet to attempt it) .  He loved them and wanted to wear them right then of course.  My mom put them on him and told him to tell us before he needed to tee tee.  Two hours later I had honestly forgotten he was wearing them.  He says "Mommy I made a poo, I need you to change it."  I looked down and there was pee all over our den rug and poo running down his legs.  Big Boy Underwear = Massive Fail. 
This is right before the bath we had to take to clean everything up.  I dread potty training, for reals.


Ended Our Weekend with some delicious homemade Tomato Dill Soup and Truffled Grilled Cheese.  If you have never added truffle oil to your grilled cheese sandwich you are really missing out!  Recipes coming Wednesday!


Friday, September 28, 2012

Thoughts For Friday


Word. Its Friday and that makes me happy. I love the weekends.  My rents are here this weekend which makes me even happier. Tonight we are doing an art/wine stroll and I can't wait!

Can we talk about this entryway?  Pink + Leopard + That Chandy = a girl's dream.  I must incorporate some aspects of this into my house.


I just saw these pictures of Kristen Cavallari six weeks post baby.  She looks amazing.  I think I was seriously still in maternity jeans 6 weeks out.  I hope she shares her tips.  I am going to blame it on the fact that she is younger than me and bounced back quickly!  But man she looks incredible!   It is still kind of weird to me that she has a baby, but not as weird as Snooki having a baby!



J Crew is having a sale right now where you get 25 % and free shipping on orders of $150+, use code STYLE25.   Here are a few goodies I have my eye on.




Ever since Natasha posted this recipe for Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas from Maria's gorgeous blog Yummy Mummy, I have been dreaming about them.  How delicious do they look and sound??   I plan to make to them next week, problem is the hubs is funny about meatless meals.  Maybe I will just cook a side steak to go with his:)


Have ya'll heard of Pose?  It is a new App where you can take pictures of your outfits and let friends view and "like" them.  It also will provide links if you want to buy what someone is wearing.  Pure genius I tell you.   It is just like Instagram but for fashion!  It is my latest obsession.  The app is free- you can follow me at nataliemason24.



Speaking of fashion- new favorite fall color combo= orange and burgundy.  Love it.


For all you locals this Sauvignon Blanc is on sale at the Pig right now for $4.99- yep you read that right.  Normally retails for $9.99 and it is now $4.99 so go on and stock up.  Its good.  Matt claims it tastes as good as the expensive stuff.  Stock up for hostess gifts or parties.  Heck I am stocking up for weekly wine drinking.


I picked up Sterling's Halloween Costume this week.  He told me he wanted to be Spider Man so I figured I better snag a costume before they were all sold out.  He is obsessed with it.  He napped in it and then insisted on wearing it to the park it.  It was tripping me out.  But at least he is getting more than one wear out of it, right?



This quote really spoke to me this week.   Have a great weekend!



Thursday, September 27, 2012

My Favorite Jeans

I have gotten several emails from readers asking me my favorite jeans.  I have tried on many, many jeans.  I know what I like and I know exactly how I want my jeans to fit. 

A few musts for me:  I prefer a darker wash, it is always more slimming in my opinion.  I also prefer higher waisted jeans.  After a baby the higher waist really just helps suck things in, so you have no over hang if you know what I mean.  I am also a huge fan of skinny jeans.  They are all I wear.  I think they are the most versatile because they work with boots over them, with ballet flats or with heels.  I also like my jeans to have a touch of stretch, not too much and not too little- it has to be the perfect amount.  Not too much to ask for in a pair of jeans, right?

The four jeans below are my tried and true favorites.  I own them all and I promise they are flattering.  I know jeans are not cheap and I take jean buying very seriously.  I wear mine for years before I buy new ones.  These all wash and wear well.

I am not going to lie, I own two pairs of these because I am terrified one pair will be dirty and I will have nothing to wear.  That is how much these rock.  I bought one pair before I had Sterling and then after I picked up another pair to have a back-up.  I get compliments everytime I wear these.

I also have "The Skinny Jeans" in black as well.  As you can see they sit higher up on the waist and look super slimming.  I high;y recommend the black and blue in this jean.



I used to be very loyal to my 7 jeans til my friend Katie introduced me to these.  They are seriously the best fitting jeans.  I swear they suck you in and make you look 5 lbs thinner easily.  They are a dark Navy color but could almost pass for black.  These are an everyday staple of mine.


I blogged about these a few weeks ago and trust me they are the best colored jeans you will find.  They suck you in and slim you in like no others!  I swear these feel like they have Spanx built in them.   Plus all the colors are pretty fabulous.


I own these in Nude and love them.  They sit high up and never really stretch out too much!  The pockets on the front are sewn shut too which creates a sleeker and slimmer look.


They just came out in these two new colors for Fall and I really want the light green pair.



So there you have it, all my favorites jeans!  So tell me am I missing out on any fabulous jeans?  What are your favorites?  Any must haves I need to add to my Fall Wardrobe?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Spicy Thai White Bean Dip


Alright, lets dish.  Do you get in a recipe rut?  Always cooking the same things?  Well that was true for me in the appetizers department.  I had gotten pretty comfortable with my cheese and hummus tray.  Always a hit but I was eager to spice things up and try something new.  My girlfriend Erin recommended this recipe to me.  I made it last weekend with a few tweaks, because I am always tweaking recipes (it's what I do, plus I always like things spicier than they are- hello Sirachia).  It turned out great, such a fun new appetizer with crazy good flavors.  I did find that it was better after it sat overnight and had time for the flavors to really set in, so keep that in mind. 

The three main ingredients are below.  Bad part is you have to hit up two different grocery stores for the ingredients.  The Thai Peanut Sauce is from Harris Teeter and the chopped veggies are from Trader Joes.  Worth the trip though, just buy them and have them on hand for next time you need an easy app.   Try this recipe next time you are in an appetizer rut.  It is a refreshing change.  Plus if you love Thai food this will be a huge hit in your house!


{SPICY THAI WHITE BEAN DIP}

- 1 Can Cannelini Beans, Drained and Rinsed
- 1 bottle Harris Teeter Thai Peanut Sauce
-Trader Joes Healthy Chopped Veggie Mix
- 1-2 small scallions sliced
-Handful of Cilantro finely chopped
- Several dashes of Siracha and Texas Pete
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Tostidos

Mix all ingredients together and let sit several hours or overnight.  Serve with Tositidos.

-