Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨
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Food and Life

On Baking and Boys (Recipe: Tuscan Lemon Muffins)

May 4, 2011 · Narrative

All GoneI can sometimes be a brat, especially when it comes to guys.  And, for some reason, that’s when you can’t get rid of them.  I don’t do it purposely, but as nicely as possible, I just can’t be bothered.  When The Ex-Husband and I first met, I barely gave him the time of day.  I was fresh out of a terribly bad relationship and was thoroughly enjoying being single. My best friend was single at the same time as well, and we were great co-conspirators, relishing in typical single-girl adventures in our early 20s.  Because of that enjoyment, I didn’t chase my ex.  There was no sitting by the phone.  There was no wishin’ and hopin’ and wonderin’.  And I ended up married.  There is a new guy that I’ve been randomly talking to for a really short period of time.  I think I’ve done my best to express very little interest and darn it if he hasn’t become the girl, always there whenever I turn around.  I feel like I’m not being fair, and I’m likely not, but damn, a girl’s got to breathe.  It makes me feel like a brat when I internally get exasperated.  Apparently, though, that is quite the potent pheromone.  Ladies, act as disinterested as you can, I’m telling you, you’ll be golden.

I am also a total brat when it comes to baking.  Somehow, I’m lucky enough that it all comes out completely edible and even delicious some 90% of the time.  Dumb luck, methinks.  I don’t measure flour by weight.  I don’t level off properly when measuring.  I don’t use different measuring cups for liquids versus solids.  I don’t soften butter the “correct” way.  Total and stinkin’ brat.  But yet, it all seems to work out a-ok.  Life, whether it be boys or baking, shakes out the way it should be.

And such is the case with these Tuscan Lemon Muffins.  When I hear the word Tuscan, it reminds me of two things.  The first is Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun (great chick flick if you need something to add to your running Netflix queue).  And the second is a new show on the Cooking Channel called Extra Virgin.  It features Debi Mazar (the Brooklynite actress bestie of Madonna from way back when) and her real-life Italian husband, Gabriele.  Filmed in their own kitchen, featuring their own Tuscan recipes, it’s good tv.

And these are good muffins.  The recipe comes from the May issue of Cooking Light magazine and given my brattiness when it came to the ingredient list, I’m pretty darn lucky that they were edible.  Using what I had on hand, I used full-fat ricotta instead of part-skim, extra lemon juice instead of lemon rind and I certainly didn’t measure the flour by ounces or do any sort of leveling.  I also didn’t have turbinado sugar in my pantry, but did happen to have a few packages I swiped borrowed from Panera, and three of them were just about perfect.  You know, because I didn’t measure that out either.  The muffins?  They’re moist.  Slightly creamy.  A teensy hint of lemon. And the perfect treat for day four of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Thanks, PaneraHungry for more reviews?  Just noticed these Tuscan Lemon Muffins have been making the rounds.  You can check out more pictures and reviews at:

  • Liv Life
  • We are not Martha
  • More than Burnt Toast
  • The Daily Dish
  • Sugar Pies

Project 365
May 4, 2011, Photo #122

HeavenI could eat caramelized mushrooms every day. They make everything better.
Tuscan Lemon Muffins
Recipe courtesy of Cooking Light magazine, May 2011

  • 7 9/10 ounces all-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt); make a well in center. Combine ricotta and next 5 ingredients (through egg). Add ricotta mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
3. Place 12 muffin-cup liners in muffin cups; coat with cooking spray. Divide batter among muffin cups. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over batter. Bake at 375° for 16 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Cooking Channel, Cooking Light magazine, Debi Mazar, Diane Lane, Extra Virgin, Madonna, Tuscan Lemon Muffins, Under the Tuscan Sun

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    May 4, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    7 9/10 ounces of flour? That’s the fussiest measurement ever! LOL.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    May 5, 2011 at 6:16 am

    I may be eternally complaining about being single, but I am actually super picky/bratty when it comes to guys as well! The second they become even the list bit clingy, i’m out. I just have no desire to have someone breathing down my neck! I’ve been single for far too long for all that.

    You’ve really made me wish I had The Cooking Channel! This show sounds awesome as do these muffins!

    Reply
  3. The Daily Dish says

    May 5, 2011 at 8:53 am

    Girl, you’ve got *mojo* – that magical quality that draws people and perfection to YOU. And no matter how hard you fight against it, how hard you try NOT TO, it only makes it worse!

    Thanks for the laugh — I loved reading this post and I love those little muffins just as much as you do. (and maybe even a little more, now that they’ve been sprinkled liberally w/ your irresistible mojo!)

    LOL

    Reply
  4. Kim - Liv Life says

    May 5, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Your post had me laughing out loud!! While it’s been 20 years since I was single I certainly remember the days. Luckily I have a non-clingy husband, and all works out well. He travels for his job and I think we have a more successful relationship as we are not always together and actually look forward to the times of being together.
    We LOVED these muffins!! We’ve actually made them 3 times since we found them as I had a request from one of the girls at dance class to “Please make those again!”. So we did.
    Thanks for the shout out!

    Reply
  5. Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says

    May 5, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Ahh, it’s so true. I met my husband immediately after I’d seriously sworn off guys, didn’t return his call for quite some time and wasn’t acting all goofy and flirty.
    love muffins. love lemon. can’t wait to try these.

    Reply
  6. Amelia from Z Tasty Life says

    May 6, 2011 at 10:44 am

    I saw this post on today’s Food News Journal…glad I stopped by to read it because it made me smile and want to be your friend: you seem like a fun person that takes life as it comes!

    Reply

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Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.

Pinterest

Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨

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