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A Modern Classic

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The Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink Salad

September 21, 2015 Morgan Cafaro
Image Source: David Kitz for Summerland, Vogue

Image Source: David Kitz for Summerland, Vogue

I love to cook, but let's face it, cooking for one is tough and tricky (and for me, not too inspiring). When Mr. C. travels, you'll more often than not, find me with a simple bowl of cereal.  And while easy, it's hardly nutritious or filling for too long.  However, in effort clean up our menu after a long weekend spent at the lake enjoying every morsel of junk food, I threw together this delicious, super easy salad. True to it's name it features a little bit of everything which keeps the taste-buds guessing, but also allows for easy substitution for whatever is fresh and ready.

Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink Salad

(Makes one large, dinner-portion salad)

You'll need: 

- 1 carrot, chopped

- 1/4 of an English cucumber

- A healthy heaping of baby spinach

- 1 leaf of romaine spinach

- 1 handful (approximately 5) cherry tomatoes

- 1 handful sugar snap peas

- 1/2 ripe avocado, diced

- 1 scallion, white and pale green parts only, diced

- 1/4 cup of endive, chopped

- 1/8 tsp sesame seeds

-Half a tin of tuna or salmon (if canned, drained)

- A dash of red pepper flakes

- A drizzle of virgin olive oil 

- Salt and pepper to taste

To Make:

Simply combine all the elements and top with the drizzle of oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Done and done.

This salad is a bit thrown together and that's the beauty of it.  Have radishes, throw them in.  Celery?  Sure.  A bit of onion rather than scallion, that works too.  Completely guilt-free and gorgeous, this salad is the perfect weeknight meal that easily feels like a treat.

-MC-

In Food Tags Food, Weeknight dinner
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Friday Finds

October 17, 2014 Morgan Cafaro
Image Source: Elle Decor

Image Source: Elle Decor

This week was a short, jam-packed one - think early morning bake sessions, impromptu dinner parties and play catch-up from the holiday weekend.  Here are a few things that have caught my eye this week:

- I think we all have a somewhat awkward part of our home to decorate.  You know that seemingly random alcove, that almost-room that isn't quite big enough to be a true room, but isn't a closet, that tiny desk area...that can barely fit a desk.  (For me, its a single built-in shelving unit with super deep shelves.)  Consider your decorating nightmares solved with this. 

- Don't you love when you rediscover a beauty product?  Today I found an old nail polish that is the perfect pop of red, Pepperoni Red in fact.  I think it's discontinued now, but Aperitif and Fishnet Stockings are also at the top of my red list.

- I really find sample sales intimidating - all these women clamoring over clothing and accessories.  This week I braced myself for one at C. Wonder one.  It was pretty tame (by sample sale standards, and I was able to pick up a few holiday prep gifts.  (They are coming up before you know it!)  Stock up on a few little things (like these) for upcoming get-togethers. 

- These dreamy built-in shelves.

- We recently had She-Crab Soup, and I've been thinking about it ever since.  Next food challenge has been chosen.  This recipe looks like a winner.  

- MC-

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In Beauty, Decor, Food Tags Friday Finds, Beauty, Home, Decor, Food
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Sweet Tart

September 16, 2014 Morgan Cafaro
Image Credit

Image Credit

I recently stumbled across the easiest dessert recipe ever - Plum Tarts with Honey.  I made these last weekend, and they were an absolute hit.  I love that they require few ingredients and minimal bake time while still looking impressive.  Total do-again.  Next time, I'll substitute apples and pears for plums to give it an Autumn feel.  

Recipe c/o Bon Appetit

You'll need:

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
  • 1 pound (I used 3) red plums, pitted, cut into ½” wedges
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Flaky sea salt 

To Make:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Cut pastry into six 4” squares, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and prick all over with a fork. Top with plums, leaving a ½” border. Sprinkle with sugar; season with a few grinds of pepper.  (MC Note: I rolled my pastry out a bit more so that it was thinner and made 9 rather than 4 Tarts.  Adjust fruit toppings accordingly).

  • Bake tarts, rotating pan halfway through, until edges of pastry are puffed and golden brown, 25–30 minutes. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt just before serving.

  • Try to control yourself as you gobble these down!

In Food Tags Food, Tarts, Recipe
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Friday Finds

August 22, 2014 Morgan Cafaro
vintage sailing.jpg

This past week I was sitting on a boat with two scientists (yes, this is a true story).  One did research on diabetes and one worked with satellites, as in space.  They were both calm, enjoying the calm winds, the beautiful water, the sunset.  And then there was me, totally wound up and crazy.  It dawned on me the next morning just how ridiculous that was.  If those women, who are literally saving lives and doing these major things, could mellow out, I definitely needed to.  I went to yoga in the park, took some time to catch up on some reading (Vogue September issue!), and did some little things around the apartment that I've been meaning to do.  (Side note, Let it Go is currently on repeat in my head!)  

So this week's Friday Finds are all about taking a deep breathe and literally letting it go:

- This couldn't have come a more perfect time.  Just a few little reminders to on how to disconnect.

- After a busy work day, the idea of cooking can be a bit daunting,  Enter the modern marvel of a crock pot.  We dusted ours off the other night and it was so worth it.  Being greeted by the scent of a ready, delicious meal as soon as you walk in the door is such a treat (and helps ward off those in munchies that can set in as your setting up).  This board features super yummy-looking ideas for easy weeknight dinners.

- Embrace what you love.  I love vintage cookbooks and etiquette guides.  (I can get lost in Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks.)  While this one is newer, it appears to have that vintage inspired feel.  

-Is there anything better than a Friday Night?  One that includes wine and cheese.  Check out how to build the perfect cheese platter. 

Happy Friday!

In Food Tags Friday Finds, Food
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Friday Finds

July 18, 2014 Morgan Cafaro
Photo Credit - Photography By William Waldron/ Styled By JC Garcia-Lavin

Photo Credit - Photography By William Waldron/ Styled By JC Garcia-Lavin

I'm still playing catch-up from our long weekend on the West Coast, but here are a few things I'm excited about this week:

- I love Dill Pickles, but the idea of making them has been a bit intimidating and time consuming.  This recipe seems super easy, and is on my list for this weekend!

- I'm loving the humid days of summer, but these have me looking forward to fall. (And these are pretty swoon-worthy too.)

- I (obviously) adore a well curated list.  This one bullets out all the items you should toss by the time your 30.

- This dreamy apartment makes a historic home feel entirely fresh and airy.

Happy Friday!

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In Decor, Fashion, Food Tags Friday Finds, Food, Fashion, Shoes
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Beauty Resolutions

March 2, 2014 Morgan Cafaro
Drink Up - Gorgeous pitchers make it easier!

Drink Up - Gorgeous pitchers make it easier!

I'm not one for resolutions.  However, every December I'm inevitably faced with the question, "So, what is your resolution?"  Cringe. This year, like most others, it's the same - just be "better" at things - floss more, do more charity, commit to yoga, the usual. Healthy to-dos that often get sidelined when life gets busy. Then I read that model Hilary Rhoda would resolve to drink more water every time it was asked if she wanted something to drink.  Genius!  I never drink enough water, and if she needs some, I definitely do - resolution conundrum solved!  I'm happy to report that as we enter March, this is one thing that I've kept to.  I may not be up to the prescribed 8 glasses, but definitely getting better!  As for the yoga, well I did watch a video, on a mat, wearing my yoga clothes - that sort of counts, right?

In Beauty, Food Tags Beauty, Food, water, models, resolutions
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