LOVE NOTE#128: For My Boyfriend Beef Strips!!

Hello Foodie Friends!

I just came back from the market today and since it was a random Thursday, the manager usually likes to have his specials. I was able to score 2.25 pounds of bottom round for $6.89! Woot! Woot! Whenever I do purchase a Manager's Special, I make sure to prepare it for the same night or freeze it stat:) Added to which I had a free coupon for a pound of baby carrots with the purchase of $10 (ummm... that's easy!) and buy one get one free coupon for Meaty Bones - Potato it's your lucky night so be a a good boy! Although I believe my son would much rather prefer some beef strips! I always feel so happy when I score a good deal... and I'm tempted to skip out of the market like a little school girl... only I would risk looking a bit wacky to a place I frequent so often;)

This recipe is easy because it's cooked on the stove top and the red wine reduction is really fabolish!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. steak cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch strips
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (I seem to be on a soy sauce kick this week!)
• 2 cloves of garlic - minced
• 1 cup red wine (cooking wine makes it so easy b/c it already has salt!)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

• in a bowl add soy sauce, vinegar, red wine, pepper, crushed pepper then mix and set aside
• in a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat then add the garlic and saute until golden
• add the strips of steak to the pan then add the marinade. Let the marinade boil then reduce heat, cover and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the red wine sauce is reduced

Pictured here over steamed spinach and brown rice. So hearty and delicious! Whatever the mood post the 9-to-5, this can sure add a smile to the lips for the rest of the night:) Mmmmm...

Thanks for visiting and see you next time!!!

XoX,

Marikym

LOVE NOTE #127: Call Me Carmelized Chicken (Ga Kho)

Hi Everyone!

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and outdoor activities! July is just about to close and I hope everyone has had a nice month! I'm gearing up for August as the retailers love to have back-to-school sales on well, just about everything! It's time I update my Vera Bradley collection and with a relatively new (within the past year) outlet store nearby, I can do it without feeling (too) guilty! Le fiance supports my habit which is sweet... since he knows that I enjoy them so much:) Thanks Bone! And all her handbags are really affordable (even at retail!) and built to last! And when things go on sale, that's when shopping gets really fun because you can get crazy-good deals! The Vera Bradley Outlet is always so packed but the gals who work there are always so sweet and helpful... I'm a bit addicted to these handbags because of the variety of patterns, the comfort quilted fabric, and all the discreet pockets make them so functional as well! Vera Bradley even came out with a coated-cotton fabric so you could very well carry her bags every day of the year! Don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean I've retired my Novacheck and monogrammed canvas to the back of my closet permanently! It's just really nice to switch things up:) When I lived on the West Coast I had never heard of Vera Bradley; but here on the East Coast they are pretty much everywhere! I'm one honorary East Coast Girl that can now look the part too! Yay!

Sometimes when you go into the store it can be overwhelming... with all the other shoppers you are nearly colliding with because everyone is looking at the merchandise and not where they are walking (I'm guilty too!) It almost feels like a frenzy...added to all the colors and styles... so you better get your energy in... and what better way than with a protein-packed meal?! Chicken is my go-to source for some much needed protein! This easy recipe is adopted from my childhood ... one of my favorite dishes my Mommy use to make:) it is called Ga Kho in Vietnamese or translated into carmelized chicken in English. It's really easy to make and even my Irish-American fiance really enjoys it as well! Yay! So here goes...

Ingredients:

• 5-6 chicken legs
• 4 cups of water
• 1/4 cup of lite soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional but I like things spicey!)
• 2 packets of splenda (I like the sugar substitute but many people use sugar which is fine!)

Instructions:

• combine the water, soy sauce, pepper, crushed red pepper, and splenda packs in a bowl and stir until mixed.
• using a knife, poke holes into the chicken legs so that they can cook more easily (no pink inside!!!) I chose to use skin on, bone in because I find that they come out much more tender and succulent!
• add the chicken to a large pan
• pour the mixture over the chicken
• cook on medium-high heat until the sauce is reduced or carmelized - turning the chicken ever 15-20 minutes for even coloring (about an hour)

And there you have it... so easy! Often times fish sauce is used instead of or in addition to the soy sauce, but we like it just the way it is above! Adding garlic and ginger can add depth as well. This is the basic version, and it's fabolish as is! Serve it with rice for dinner (brown rice is pictured) and a simple vegetable side (I know tomatoes are considered fruit - shown), or if you are on the go, put it inside some banh mi (baguette)! This Vietnamese-inspired dish is sure to please your taste buds! Although I cook this with skin on, I usually remove the skin and do not eat it (to spare me some of those pesky L-B-S's!!!)

Thanks for inviting me into your kitchen and see you next time:)

XoX,

Marikym

Little Love Kitchen Accessories: Aprons for Charity!

Hi Foodies!

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer! With a little time between my boards and wards, my BFF, Tina, suggested I look into creating some fun kitchen apparel and accessories to benefit my favorite charity, Operation Smile! Thanks chica! Besides enjoying cooking, crafting is another one of my hobbies. And here is the verdict: a cute pink animal print apron with a sweetheart neckline that is trimmed with lace of course! The adjustable tie at the neck and waist make this one size fits all! It's almost too cute to wear in the kitchen! Animal print has always been one of my favorite patterns, now I can wear it every day and get away with it too...LOVE!

XoX,

Marikym