Chestnut soup with truffle drizzle

The holiday season is upon us and I love creating healthy recipes to compliment the seasonal favorites.  This recipe is from a Williams Sonoma cooking class, I modified slightly leaving out the heavy cream.  The chestnuts keep it thick so it has a great consistency.  Its easy and can be whipped up ahead of time.  I made this today and can't wait to serve for Thanksgiving.  

Chestnuts and madeira can be found at your local Trader Joes. 

photo from williamsonoma.com

3 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped carrots 

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 fresh parsley springs

2 whole cloves

1 bay leaf

6 cups chicken broth

15 ounce jar peeled and cooked chestnuts, crumbled

1/4 cup madeira * 

*Optional truffle cream topping 

1/2 cup creme fraiche 

3 tablespoon heavy cream

2 tablespoon white truffle cream or oil 

Mix all together and drizzle over top 

Melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat, stir in celery, carrot and onion.  Cover and sweat vegetables for 15 minutes until soft.

Wrap parsley, cloves and bay leaf in cheese cloth and bundle to make a bouquet.

Add broth and bouquet, bring to boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and keep covered for another 20 minutes.  Add chestnuts and madeira simmer and cook for another 5 minutes.

Puree soup with hand blender, or transfer to blender adding salt and pepper to taste.  

Enjoy!

ML

Egg muffins

The school year is upon us so that means busy mornings for all the moms & dads out there.  I used to make these egg muffins every Sunday. They make a great easy morning breakfast or a healthy snack for during the week. Take your own spin on them substituting your favorite veggies and meat.  I wiped some up today and thought it would be a great time to share.  I used chorizo, spinach and low fat mozzarella.

Spring for the Organic option- Muffins ready for the oven 

Ingredients:
12 Eggs
1/4 Cup Almond milk
Salt & pepper
1 Cup spinach (chopped)
4 Tbs Chorizo
1/4 C mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl crack all the eggs, add in the milk, salt and pepper then beat until thoroughly mixed.  Spray muffin tin with non stick spray, add vegetables to the tin then pour in the eggs top with meat and cheese.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until the eggs are set.
Be sure not to over bake, so they are can be re heated nicely.  Store in Tupperware and keep in fridge until ready to enjoy.

Enjoy! 

Ideas:
Bacon, spinach and cheddar
Turkey sausage, mushrooms and tomatoes
Turkey bacon, spinach and feta
Bacon, onion, red pepper
*You will need to cook the meat before adding it to the muffin tins.

Friends for life {3 things I learned in Vegas}

3 Things I learned while in Vegas with a friend of 25 years. 

1. Kids run you ragged, but it may not be a bad thing:

            Gym time may be hard to get in but she stays fit by chasing the kids around and has never looked better.  It also preps you for the long days and Vegas nights running on only 6 hours of sleep.  I still require 8+ hours for normal functionality.

2.  I drink too much and she enjoys “grown up" dinners:

            A glass of champagne was pretty much glued to my hand 24/7.  While she was thinking about where and when the next meal was coming, I was more concerned where I was going to get my next glass of champagne.  We were able to get into Giada’s, a new Vegas restaurant and was able to indulge in wine, champs and great food with out her hearing “Mommy, mommy, mommy”.

3.  Britney Spears and French fries will always be part of our life:

            Although we stayed up late, we were not studding our stuff and twerking in the club, but giggling our way into any restaurant at 1am that was still serving up French fries (and champagne).  To my surprise we still know every word to Britney Spears circa 1998-2002 and still remember the dance moves we had made up to “hit me baby one more time” in 1998.

Friends grow up, move away, and move on to have husbands & kids

(Well hopefully) but friends of 20+ years never seem to change.  We can go a month or 2 without actually talking on the phone, but still know exactly what the other is doing on a daily basis. Time spent together is fun whether it’s riding a Ferris wheel or chatting over a good glass of wine, topped of with many belly laughs.  Oh and lastly, I learned we are still irresponsible enough to let our phones die on a daily basis with out any major concern.

great views from the High roller 

Thank you Vegas! until next time. 

-Suz

Baby shower weekend #1 (DIY)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! What a wonderful fast weekend we had celebrating a friends baby boy.  Planning a shower is always fun! Baby shower decorations can range from baby bottles and owls to fancy plates and banners, we chose the ladder.  I have to say it was more work then anticipated but turned out exactly as I visioned and had my friends name written all over it.  The day of was quit hectic due to set up and food prep (a special thanks to my husband who spent his morning picking up balloons) but everything came together wonderfully.

We focused on decor seeing the setting was a blank canvas and had some space to fill in. The party started at noon so I chose a "tea party" theme for food and drinks.  This went over very well and kept the food cost down, food tends to be the greatest expense.  I cut the cucumber sandwiches with a round cookie cutter and left the prosciutto and ham as open faced sandwiches.  This made for a cute display of  food and saved me time on labels (although I did plan on making them).  The best part of tea sandwiches is the finger food aspect, It limits silver wear therefor saving some $, I wrapped forks in bow tie napkins and placed them at each table setting.  Gold charges found here ($2 ea.)  adds a pop of sophistication top them with white glass plates for a clean stylish look.  

Table scape

Food display/banner

Decor: If you have never arranged flowers make a point to put an arrangement together this week.  Its relaxing, fun and saves a lot of money! I had some friends over the night before to help with arrangements in the gold boxes and glass jars.  The polka dot table clothes and burlap runner are from factory direct party here and I rented the white linens to go underneath.  This layering type of style adds dimension and style to the tables carrying a small cost. I ordered an array of blue colored balloons including some polka dot balloons and hung them all around the seatting area, you can never have to many balloons.

DIY flowers 

Games & Favors:  We played two games, baby scramble and baby name bags.  This keep everyone engaged before the opening of gifts and allowed for some guest interaction.  The winners of the games received a potted succulent.  I loved this idea because its cheap, pretty and they last forever!

Favors: Choosing favors is always challenging…. you want something guests will use while keeping the cost reasonable.  I chose carnival suckers, it adds some fun color and brings the child out in everyone.  For chocolate loving guests I bought some mini baby ruths and butterfinger candy bars.  

We set out a DIY cost saving but pretty shower and I have to say I was amazed and very happy with the way everything tuned out! I was worth ever ounce of energy, we had a successful shower for 24 people all under $1,000. 

Menu: 

Cucumber/ cream cheese & chive sandwiches

Prosciutto/ arugula & honey crostini  

Ham/ brie & apple 

Chicken curry lettuce wraps 

Smoked salmon plater/ fresh dill/ mini dill pickles/ capers/ herbs cream cheese & sliced french bread

Fruit platter with scones

Hummus with sliced veggies/carrots/cucumber & radishes

Kale salad

Olive tapenade 

Cake:

Ombre blues - Meringue bakery - here

Hit of the party

Drinks:

Champagne (6 bottles) 

OJ

Strawberry lemonade 

Lemonade

Ice Tea 

Cucumber & lemon infused water

Small mason jars 

Polka dot straws

Flowers:
Blue hydrangeas
White roses
Gold boxes
Blue mason jars

Decor:

Balloons 

Banner - DIY

Onesies 

Pom Poms 

Gold chargers 

Rentals: Baker party rentals

Chairs

White table linens 

Games:

Baby scramble 

Baby name bag game

Favors:

Mini candies 

Carnival round suckers 

Zucchini cakes {Gluten free}

The summer is officially here and gardens are in full bloom.  Zucchini is one of the easier veggies to grow and boy do they grow!! We have a few great zucchini recipes to share this summer, here is one that has been perfected.  Enjoy!

 

2 Cup- shredded zucchini

½ Cup- almond flour

½ Cup- shredded cheddar cheese *

2- garlic cloves chopped

1- egg

¼ tsp- garlic powder

½ tsp- herbs de provence

½ C- shredded cheddar cheese 

 

Preheat oven to 350. Add all ingredients to medium size bowl. Slice the zucchini with a Medellin and remove moisture squeezing it into a towel, add to bowl.  Continue adding ingredients, chopped garlic, almond flour, garlic powder and herbs de provence, lastly add one beat egg.  Mix with hands to combine.  Roll into medium size balls and place on baking sheet then slightly flatten.  Bake at 350 for 5 minutes then broil each side on low for 8 minutes, until golden browned.

*Omit the cheese for a paleo version*

Find almond flour here or at your local Trader Joe's, Mothers market or Sprouts. 

New Years in Napa!

There are few places in the world that can offer majestic scenery, impossibly delectable cuisines, the charm of the European countryside and endless flows of vino.  Thank goodness we have one such location just a quick flight (1 hour) or drive (6 hours) away in no other then Napa Valley.

To ring in 2014 in style, we decided to ditch the club scene and the high-priced-fixed-menu-because-its-New-years type of restaurants and headed north with a few friends. I was pleasantly surprised at how lively the town was.  Winter is usually low season for the destination, but Napa wine country definitely offered up a very good time. 

Stay:

The new Andaz (Hyatt) Hotel is centrally located in Downtown Napa, and a must stay in Napa. The property is walking distance to all the great wine bars and restaurants.  Its contemporary designs and spacious suites offers a great home away from home.  We will definitely be doing back!

Taste:

Needless to say, there are tons of great winery options in Napa; here are a just of few of our faves: Alpha & Omega, Trefethen Vineyards, and Caymus. 

Eat:

• Bounty Hunter - For a casual night out, this place has great BBQ and almost too long of a wine list. The beer-can Chicken is popular and visually intriguing.  But you must come early!  The eatery does not take reservations and wait time for a table of ANY size usually runs about an hour or more.

• Gott's Roadside - While many talk about the burgers with egg bun, GET THE CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH.  You won't be sorry! 

• Cole's Chophouse - Traditional steakhouse.  The apps and sides were particularity amazing.

Celebration:
NYE at 1313 Main: The Great Gatsby themed party was one of the highlights of our trip. Great music, photo booth and open bar VIP area with high end wines.  And really...who doesn't like a costume party!

Inspired:

Castello Di Amorosa - We wouldn't recommend this place for a fab glass of Cab or Super Tuscan, but the property is definitely worth checking out.  You'll really feel like you've been transported to Tuscany, and suddenly you feel like you're on a real international vacation.  

The castle designs (apparently all materials imported from Italy) to the amazing rooftop views are not to miss! On the hand, skip the tour.  It'll be the best $17 you'll ever save.

Xoxo!

New Year…new blog!

Welcome to Modern Lyfe. 

We are Suzanne & Lydia.  Just a couple of modern gals living in Orange County.  We are ordinary women with extraordinary experiences in food, fashion, travel, fitness and everyday LYFE.  And we're starting 2014 with a goal to share everything that inspires us...and offer fun and glamorous treats of wisdom for all aspects of daily living.

Check back later for updates on our bio page.  Thanks for visiting!

xoxo!

ML