Parmesan – Parmesan Princess

Tag: Parmesan

19
May
2014

Stitch Fix Me, Please!!

categories: Fashion

Stitch Fix included this cute styling card to give dress up and down the items! To see them in outfits!

I hope I love it, too! My stylist: Darien!

I waited two long, excruciating days to open my first Stitch Fix so I could share this fun, new experience with some girlfriends!

Here are the basics:

What is Stitch Fix?
Stitch Fix is an online personal styling company for women!
1. You fill out your style profile online.
2. Your personal stylist sends you an assortment of items.
3. You try on at home and keep what you like and send back the rest!

What does it cost?
$20 styling fee.
If you buy anything the fee is removed! Plus, there are no shipping or return charges.

Keep the entire fix and get 25% off the total!!

I will use any excuse to have wine, good cheese, try new recipes, and laugh with the girls!

My first Stitch Fix was the perfect excuse to try some new recipes!! I made a garlic kale tomato white pizza, feta and onion mini fillos, and asparagus and bacon quiche!

And of course a spectacular cheese platter of Parmesan Reggiano and Parrano!

I have never had a stylist or anyone for that matter choose clothing/accessories for me. I style myself. I love to shop, especially a great sale!
So my expectation for Stitch Fix is to have someone choose clothes for me that I would never pick for myself and wow me!! My goal is to keep the entire box and take 25%off!!

I couldn't wait to hear everyone's opinions of the online service, my Stitch Fix stylist's picks, and if the items worked for me! — I couldn’t wait to hear everyone’s opinions!!So I opened the box!

[caption id="attachment_1241" align="alignnone" width="243"] We couldn’t believe the box was so small!! 5 items including accessories!

We couldn't believe the box was so small!! I am petite! And, it is 5 items and includes accessories! — I couldn’t wait to hear everyone’s opinions!!So I opened the box!

[caption id="attachment_1241" align="alignnone" width="243"] We couldn’t believe the box was so small!! 5 items including accessories!

Item #1
Kut From The Kloth
Marquis Striped French Terry Dolman Sweater

I have to admit I was totally bummed! A sweatshirt-y looking, big looking, jail looking striped top was NOT what I had in mind!!!

So I tried it on…

Super cute! I was totally surprised! I asked the girls "how much how much is it?" They decided not to tell me and make this more interesting. They asked me to make decisions to keep or send back with cost out of the equation! Ok, fun! — Super cute! I was totally surprised! I asked the girls “how much how much is it?” They decided not to tell me to make this more interesting. They asked me to make decisions to keep or send back with cost out of the equation! Ok, fun!

I put this top on the keep pile!

Item #2
Liverpool
Carolyn Colored Cuffed Denim Short

Pastel purple shorts? Oh, Darien... I only wear pastel purple at Easter. — Pastel purple shorts? Oh, Darien… I would only wear pastel purple at Easter, but I haven’t since the late 80’s.

Of course the girls loved the shorts! I couldn't get over the pastel purple. — Of course the girls loved the shorts! I couldn’t get over the pastel purple.

I put the purple shorts on the sending back pile.

Item #3
Collective Concepts
Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Blouse

Of course, I absolutely love it because I already own it!!

So, I put the cute top I already own on the sending back pile.

Item #4
41Hawthorn
Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse

Love this blouse! I love this style of blouse so much I have 5 more just like it!!

I put the printed blouse on the keep pile because if it is inexpensive…I want it!

Item #5
Pomelo
Lydia Faceted Stones Long Necklace

Nope, nope, nope…no photo needed. Brassy yellow gold with big fake blue stones. I think my camera would have broken!

The Price Reveal:

My entire merchandise total is $240.00.
If I keep everything? $165.00

My keep pile?
$68 tulip printed blouse
$38 striped sweater

$106!! Just for those two items?
I didn’t LOVE them and LOVE the price so I sent the entire box back!!!
This experience cost me $20. It was so fun!

What we loved…

EVERYTHING FIT ME PERFECTLY!
This is bizarre, right?

What we hated…

The items didn’t go together. No outfits were created with these items.

The box is really only worth the money if you keep the whole fix and get the 25% off!

I hope you enjoyed sharing my first Stitch Fix experience with me! I will get another!! Darien figured me out! He sent me 2 items I already have in my closet!

I encourage you to totally try it! Why not? Worst case scenario is $20!
Here is the link:
Http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?reffer_id=3691311
Please share your experience, too!

The kids and I were shopping at H&M Saturday and look what I found for $17.95 What a coinkydink ; )

Ciao!

This Stitch Fix post was entirely the opinions of ParmesanPrincess and friends! Stitch Fix did not reimburse me or give me any free clothes for writing about their company!

22
Apr
2014

Homemade Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes! Yellow Cheese is Fake Cheese- That Is What My Kids Will Tell You!

categories: Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping, Sides

As we strive to learn the key ingredients in our forever young and healthy life recipe, we are experimenting with superfoods, eating more vegetables, and taking the processed “fake” ingredients out of our diets. A deli worker told my kids that cheese is white and yellow cheese is just white cheese dyed yellow. True statement, BUT they translated that into “fake” cheese. Ever since, I have been on a mission to make dishes with “fake” cheese alternatives. This led to our latest obsessions with Fontina, Manchego and my absolute favorite, Parano.

Always grate your own cheese. The difference in taste, freshness, and basic cooking properties will blow you away.

Gruyere is known to make the best potato casseroles, so I tried it for Easter!! 100% correct! Gruyere did not dissappoint! In fact, I can’t remember what cheddar scalloped potatoes even taste like anymore! Here is my recipe!

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:
7 large potatoes scrubbed and sliced into 1/8 inch rounds
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 lb. freshly grated gruyere cheese
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt/pepper

My little helpers love scrubbing the potatoes! Get the kids get involved! They will eat it because they made it!

Directions:

Warm the cream and garlic in a scauce pot and add 2 cups of Gruyere 1/2 cup at a time continuously stirring.

Gruyere melts beautifully, no chunks. Perfect consistency!

Add sliced potatoes to a deep baking dish.

I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8 Inch is perfect! — I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8
Inch is perfect!

Pour cheese/cream mixture from the saucepan over the potatoes.

Mix well and coat all potato slices. — Mix well
and coat all potato slices.

Top with the remaining Gruyere cheese, the Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 350 degrees. It will be creamy and bubbly. Mix well and let stand 10 minutes to thicken and serve hot!

Indescribable flavor burst with only a few ingredients!! You would think there had to be extra ingredients in this dish like sour cream, cream cheese, many different grated cheeses? Nope! Welcome to the power of Gruyere!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

11
Apr
2014

A New Twist On An Old Fave Beans and Greens! Garlic Garbanzo Kale Pasta!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Recipes

Garlic Garbanzo Kale Pasta!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil
3 cloves of garlic,pressed
1 15.5 oz. can of garbanzo beans
1 35oz. can San Marzano tomatoes
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. rosemary(chopped fresh or flakes)
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. basil
1 cup curly kale, washed and chopped off stems
1 lb. of your favorite pasta

Directions:

Warm olive oil in a frying pan on low/medium heat.
Add pressed garlic. (Be careful not to burn!)

Add tomatoes, garbanzo beans, all spices and simmer.

Want a little more spice? Add extra red pepper flakes!

Boil 6 quarters of water and cook pasta.
When pasta is strained, turn heat off and add kale to frying pan. It will wilt but you don’t want it to cook.
Mix well.
Pour over pasta serving.
Always top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

If you like greens and beans, you will love this dish! Enjoy!

Ciao!

10
Apr
2014

Super Chips! Garlic Parmesan Baked Kale Chips!

categories: Fun for Kids, Gluten Free, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes, Sides

Healthy. Superfood! Delicious. Superfood! Bonus, Kid friendly! Superfood!
Kale chips can be a healthy snack or a side dish served with paninis for lunch! Whether dressed up or dressed down, kale chips can be accessorized with salt, garlic salt, freshly grated cheeses, hot pepper, hot sauce, taco seasoning…their styling possibilities are endless!! Experiment!

Garlic Parmesan Kale Chips

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Separate kale leaves from thick stems.

Rinse and dry well.

Rip kale into chip size.

I have found that the kale chips bake the best on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet!

Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Brush or spray with olive oil.

Use any flavors you like! Sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc!

Shake on freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.

Bake for 10 minutes or until chips are brown around the edges.
(There is a fine line between crispy and crumbling. You might need to experiment!
10 minutes seems to be perfect!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

07
Apr
2014

Super Breakfast!! Chia Kale Egg White Super Muffins!!

categories: Breakfast, Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes

Why not add superfoods to our breakfast? Whether it is a quick healthy smoothie, a super muffin or a grab and go breakfast bar, the addition of superfoods gives us more energy for the day! This super breakfast gets us going!! Especially on Mondays!

Start healthy Monday mornings!! No excuses!

Chia Kale Egg White Super Muffins

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. egg whites per muffin
(3 egg whites for 6)
1/2 cup chopped kale

Don't have kale? Use broccoli, spinach green pepper or any other veggies you have! — Don’t have kale? Use broccoli, spinach, green pepper or any other veggies you have!

2 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella/cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven 350*
Spray muffin tins with Pam.

My kids love to help! Let them add the veggies, cheese and chia seeds! Are your kids not big on veggies? When kids get involved they will eat their masterpieces!!

Add kale, cheese and chia seeds to each.

Pour 2 tbsp. of egg whites on top of each tin.

Bake 20 mins or until egg is cooked.

20 mins was perfect for my 6 tins! Watch as soon as the egg muffin forms and the edges turn golden!

Of course we sprinkle ours with freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Enjoy!

Make a whole pan and refrigerate for quick, healthy grab and go breakfasts for the week! Slice a super egg white muffin in half and enjoy between wheat toast! Add hot sauce for a little kick!

Want more superfood breakfast recipes? www.parmesanprincess.com
Blog Posts:
No Bake Health Bars
Chia Blueberry Muffins
Ch Ch Ch Chia!!!

Ciao!

01
Apr
2014

My 5 Year Old’s Birthday Dinner Menu…Old Bay Steamed Shrimp, Gourmet Mac ‘N Cheese and Jello!!

categories: Dinner, Fun for Kids, Party Time, Recipes, Sides

Pizza, pasta, dessert for dinner…not my kid! Shrimp and gourmet mac ‘n cheese and, Oh yea, jello! Love this kid to death! I can’t believe he is 5!! Where does the time go? Enjoy these recipes with your family and make some great memories!

Old Bay Steamed Shrimp!

I use equal parts beer, white vinegar and water in my largest deepest frying pan. Don’t be afraid to do 2-3 different batches. Ideally, you want one layer of shrimp so they can cook evenly.
Shake on the Old Bay!
Cook until pink!

This classic Old Bay Shrimp recipe is amazing! Look at the size of these !!!

(seen in post from 02/28/14- Old Bay Co.Shrimp Recipe)
http://www.oldbay.com/Recipes/Shrimp/Appetizers/OLD-BAY-Steamed-Shrimp-with-Cocktail-Sauce.aspx

Gourmet Mac ‘N Cheese
1 lb. Cavatappi pasta, cooked to al dente
2 tbsp. olive oil
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (more if too dry)
4 cups freshly grated white sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt, pepper.

I love the size, texture and chewiness of cavatappi pasta for Mac 'n cheese! — I love the size, texture and chewiness of cavatappi pasta for Mac ‘n cheese!

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees!
Mix all ingredients together and add to baking dish.
Salt and pepper the top!

Add cheese last! Save about 1 cup to sprinkle on top once in baking dish!

Cover and refrigerate if you want to make ahead.

Mix in a large, deep mixing bowl and then spoon into your baking dish. This makes mixing much easier!!

Before baking, Cover with foil.
Bake for 45mins-1 hour until firm and golden around the edges.

Like a little crunch? Cover Mac n cheese with Panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes! Broil last 5-8 minutes and keep watch! Pull it out of oven when top is golden brown!

We have some partying to do! Enjoy!
Ciao!

30
Mar
2014

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!!! Easy Panko Chicken Parmesan!!

categories: Dinner, Recipes

I have almost achieved the impossible, but with temps dropping back down into the 30s tonight, I’m not so sure Bernardo will live much longer. Bernardo is my basil plant, that lived outside all summer and has died and risen on three separate occasions since September. (Even though his branches are black.) Hoping to nurse him back to his happy porch spot in the warm, partial sun, I have given him remnants of pressed garlic, the last drops in my wine glass, and of course, sprayed his branches with vinegar. I have no “green thumb,” but new shoots have shot and I have been harvesting fresh basil all winter!!

Please keep him in your prayers!! Hoping he makes it back outside!

Panko Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts,split
1-1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tbsp. Rosemary
1/2 tbsp. Basil
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, pressed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees!
Add pressed garlic to olive oil.
If 1-1/2-2 inch thick, butterfly chicken breasts to 3/4 inch thick.
Rub with olive oil and garlic.
Mix Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and spices.
Lightly coat chicken breasts in bread crumb mixture.

Lightly coat!

Place in stoneware baking dish, aluminum foiled jelly roll pan, or non-stick baking pan.
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C)

Does your oven have a probe? Not sure how I ever lived without this gadget. I program my temp, 165, and insert into the thickest part of the meat, it beeps when meat has reached the set temp!!

Broil for 5 minutes and watch closely to brown the top of the chicken!

I serve this dish over pasta with marinara sauce, a fresh garden salad and Italian sliced or Ciabatta bread!

Always top with freshly grated Parmesan and Enjoy!

Ciao!

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25
Mar
2014

My Nuni’s Sicilian Empanadas! Broccoli Pies! A Quick And Easy Rosemary Pizza Dough With A Broccoli Filling!!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Recipes

My Nuni, maternal Sicilian great-grandmother, made what she called “empanadas” or “broccoli pies”. Since it is impossible to replicate any of her creations, here is my version…For my Nuni!

Sicilian Broccoli Empanadas

Rosemary Pizza Dough:

Ingredients:

2-3/4 cups flour
1 small packet dry yeast
1/2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp.chopped rosemary or dry flakes
1 cup water
1 tbsp. olive oil
Flour for working surface

Don’t like Rosemary? Leave it out! Still a great dough recipe for pizza, Stromboli and calzones!

Directions:
Mix together flour, yeast, sugar, salt and rosemary well with a wooden spoon.
Stir in water a little at a time. Dough begins to form. Work with hands
Add olive oil.
Cover bowl with a dish towel and let sit 3-4 hours.

Broccoli filling:

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
1-1 lb. bag of broccoli florets
1 small onion chopped finely
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions:
Put olive oil in a fry pan on medium heat.
Add pressed garlic then onions and stir for a few mins.
Add thawed broccoli.

Cover with a nice coat of pepper.
Add a few shakes of salt.
Mix all together.
Cover with a lid and stir frequently.

The broccoli will cook down. Chop up big florets with your spoon as you stir. If chopping fresh broccoli, chop small!

Put them together:
Preheat oven 400! With pizza stone inside oven!
Section dough in to 4
Roll out dough on floured surface into 4″x6″ ovals.
If too elasticy let it sit a min.

If your dough won’t relax roll it out a little bigger to around 1/8 inch thick.

Scoop mixture from pan into center of oval.
Add a handful of mozzarella and a shake of Parmesan.
Fold dough over and tuck and pinch all the way around

Pinch dough in a rolling motion to close dough.

Put 2 slits in the top of each.
Brush with a tiny bit of oil.

Don’t have a pizza stone?? Get one!!!

Bake 25-30 mins until golden brown.

These are perfect! Enjoy!!

Serve with a nice marinara sauce for dipping!

Ciao!

0 comment

24
Mar
2014

Panko Ricotta Eggplant Parmesan!! Plus, Learn How To Take The Bitterness Out Of Your Eggplant!!

categories: Dinner, Homemade Italian, Recipes, Shopping

They say the perfect eggplant is “tight-skinned” “fresh” and “young”…Yeah, yeah, yeah sounds like a mom in her 30s worst nightmare!! Well, you will be happy to hear these “types” don’t exist in Western, PA! The eggplants, that is. Ours are slightly older, a little looser, more bitter…

Since we don’t get the ripe, young eggplants, to get the best taste we need to degorge!!

Cut off the ends. Peel off skin. Thinly slice. Sprinkle with salt in a colander for 20 mins. Rinse and pat dry!!

Degorging takes out any bitter taste and really makes the dish delicious!

Ingredients:

1 eggplant, rinsed,peeled and thinly sliced
3 cups tomato sauce
3 cups ricotta
1 tbsp. each thyme rosemary basil
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk

Directions:
Preheat oven 350!
Spoon 1/4 cup sauce in bottom of 9X13 baking dish. Spread around with spatula.
Prepare egg coating by beating with milk.
Dip eggplant rounds in egg and then cover in Panko breadcrumbs. Create a layer of these in the dish.

Use different sized eggplant rounds to cover as much of the pan as possible!

Next add a layer of ricotta topped with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Layer it up! Finish with sauce and cover with mozzarella cheese and parmesan

Follow with a layer of sauce then another layer of eggplant.

Cover with foil.
Bake 45 mins at 350 covered.
Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 mins until cheese is melted and it is bubbling a bit.

Panko browns on the edges! I made a salad and served a nice ciabatta!

Let it sit for 15 mins before serving!
Always serve with additional freshly grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

Ciao!

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21
Mar
2014

Happy Friday!! Gotta Love Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel’s Recipes For A Skinny Life! Have You Tried Her Mexican Chili Or Her Cocktails?? It is 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Right?? Salute!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes

Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel created a healthy way of living with her skinny recipes! From low carb, no carb to superfoods, she has paved the way for reinventing mac’n cheese, burgers and even desserts! It is no wonder she has gone from a Real Housewife of NY and “skinny chef” to having her own liquor line and a daytime talk show with her name “Bethenny!”

Photo courtesy of www.theartfulgourmet.com Kristen Hess! I popped on her site and picked up a quick recipe from Mario Lopez! Avocado, mozzarella, tomato salad on a toothpick! Add a basil leaf. Drizzle with olive oil – salt and pepper!

What a healthy and easy app, Slater!! Thanks!

Whether you have tasted her Skinnygirl cocktails or love her balls to the wall attitude, Bethenny is a real mom with a great product! Who says what she thinks! Love that !!

I am a fan of Skinnygirl margarita! I earned my shirt a long time ago when Bethenny’s skinny fried chicken recipe won over my family…amazing!

I want to share some of her favorite skinny recipes…from her book “Naturally Thin”
Try this recipe!

Bethenny’s Mexican Chili

According to Bethenny,

“This is a popular recipe on my Web site. It substitutes ground turkey for the typical ground beef; or you can just skip the turkey if you want a vegetarian version. If beans bug you, you can even leave those out. It will still be good. This chili also tastes great the next day!

Ingredients
1/2 medium onion, chopped
Nonstick cooking spray
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 each red and yellow bell pepper (or half a bell pepper of any color), chopped
1 small can of pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce (about 8 ounces)
1/2 cup zucchini, chopped
1/4 pound ground turkey breast
1/4 cup canned red pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Cooking Directions

Over medium-high heat, saute the onion in a nonstick skillet coated in cooking spray until soft. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the garlic and bell peppers, and cook until the peppers are soft and the garlic is golden but not burned.
Stir in the tomato sauce and the zucchini.
When all the vegetables are soft, add the turkey breast and beans.
Let the chili simmer for at least 10 or 15 minutes. The longer you simmer, the better the flavor.
Serve.”

This chili is awesome!! Plus it’s Friday!! Serve with Skinnygirl margaritas and tortilla chips for the perfect Friday happy hour! It is Lent…leave out the meat, no problem!

Ciao!!

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