6.26.2015

"Healthy" Breakfast Cookie Bars

My kids like cookies for breakfast. 
And when I mean cookies, I mean bars. Of the Cliff, Kind, and Luna variety.
 These are in our house not for them, but for the big people that need food on the go because little people make it hard to eat breakfast. 
But they have been discovered and are now begged for at least a couple mornings a week. 
After seeing that the sugar content was a little scary for them, I hunted for a slightly healthier version that would also still make them think they are eating cookies and getting away with it. 


So I tried a couple, and have landed on this one. It is easy, uses ingredients that you might already have, and you can switch things up based on your tastes. It still has sugar in it, but a whole lot less than the packaged bars. I make a batch and we eat them all week. They go great with my morning tea and early morning play doh parties. 

Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Imperfect Polish 2015
Makes about 16 bars (you can cut them any size)

2 1/2 cups rolled oats 
1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup milk (cow, soy, almond, whatever you want)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 bananas mashed until almost liquid, the riper the better
1/3 cup peanut butter (any nut butter is cool)
1/4 cup chocolate chips 
1/4 cup raisins 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking pan (8x8 or 9x9) with cooking spray. Set aside. 

In a large bowl, mix the oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. 

In another smaller bowl (I like to even just use a large measuring cup), mix the milk, vanilla, and egg together. Add it to the dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour in the bananas, peanut butter, chips, and raisins. Mix the batter really well until completely combined. Pour into the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Let them cool a bit, then cut and enjoy! 

xo
Erin 

6.19.2015

Homemade Pizza for Dummies

While I love to cook, I do not love to bake. For the most part I loathe the exact amounts and extended list of instructions. Including that some things need to just hang out for a day or two. That is annoying. And my other, possibly bigger problem, is that I cannot resist anything made from flour and baked in an oven. Be it bread or cookies or cake, that batch will be taken down in a day. Not kidding. 

But, given the amount of times we order pizza and how much I love a good thin crust fresh from the oven (I miss you Piece), I thought pizza dough is really something I want to master. And while the jury is still out, I think I have found the perfect recipe for the absolute novice baker/cook. Seriously people, there are minimal steps and it is fool proof. This coming from someone that always forgets an ingredient and has zero patience for things not coming out right. The best part about this recipe is that you can make the day ahead, the morning of, or a few hours before. It can work into your schedule, not the other way around. 


Lazy Pizza Dough 
Makes Two 9x13 rectangular pies, feeds about 4 people

Options:
  • Overnight Dough Schedule: Begin between 8 and 9 p.m the evening before for dinner between 6 to 8 p.m. (approx. 22-hour dough)
  • All-Day Dough Schedule: Begin between 6 and 8 a.m that day for dinner between 6 to 8 p.m. (approx. 12-hour dough)
  • Part-Day Dough Schedule: Begin around noon that day for dinner between 6 to 8 p.m. (approx. 6-hour dough)
3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour (bread flour works too)
Slightly heaped 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast (for OvernightAll-Day, orPart-Day Schedules respectively, above)
1 1/2 teaspoons sea or kosher salt
1 1/4 cup water, plus an additional tablespoon or two if needed 

In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients with a spoon. The dough will be craggy and rough; this is fine (see above left picture), but if it feels excessively so, add another spoonful or even two of water. (See Note up top about altered water level/flour heaviness.) Cover bowl with plastic and keep at room temperature for approximately 22 (for Overnight schedule), 12 (for All-Day schedule) or 6 (for Part-Day schedule) hours, or until the dough has more than doubled(see above right picture). This takes longer in a chilly room and less in a very warm one, but don’t fret too much over this, as the dough is generally forgiving of a loosened schedule.

Spray an old baking sheet very lightly with a nonstick cooking spray before sprinkling it with cornmeal (if you do not have cornmeal, just spray heavier. Heat oven to its highest temperature, usually between 500 and 550 degrees F. 

Flour your counter very well. Scrape dough out of bowl onto floured counter; in the time it has risen it should change from that craggy rough ball to something very loose, soft, sticky and stretchy. Flour the top of the dough, and divide dough in half (or more pieces, if you’re making smaller pizzas. see bottom left picture). Form them into ball-like shapes. Grab first round with floured hands and let the loose, soft dough stretch and fall away from your hands a few times before landing the dough on your prepared baking sheet/paddle. Use floured fingers to press and nudge dough into a roughly round or rectangular shape. Add desired fixings and bake pizza for 10 to 15 minutes, rotating if it’s baking unevenly, until the top is blistered and the crust is golden. Repeat with remaining dough.

I like to top mine with a thin coat of pizza sauce (the mario batali one is pretty darn good), fresh mozzarella (do not use the one they store in water), thinly sliced onion, and good quality pepperoni. A sprinkling of parm doesn't hurt. Working the dough to a thin layer on the pan is the hardest part. If it is tough, let it hang out a bit and try again. I also found that doing it on top of the slightly warm stove makes it easier. My pizzas tend to take more time then above, closer to 15 minutes. When the dough is starting to brown on the edges, it is done. Let it sit and cool for a bit and set up. This has become a bit of a weekly tradition, so I hope it can be in your house too! 

xo
Erin 

6.17.2015

Blocked Out


There is something about a good hand block print right now. A little bohemian, a little beachy, a little preppy. All great things to be. It is one of those prints that works just as well with clothes as it does in your home. 

1. Pretty duvets with in lots of colors from Rikshaw Designs
2. This would be perfect on the end of a bed. Furbish $225
3. Cannot resist a good pineapple print Tuckernuck $78
4. Darling little dress from Carousel $59 (on sale)
5. A soft scarf for chilly evenings World Market $10
6. Obsessed with this pillow John Robshaw $95
7. I usually like white, but this navy comforter set would be fun. Target $90
8. Pretty napkins for your table Stitch & Shuttle $25 for set of 5
9. This would be so great for al fresco dinners. Calypso $179 (on sale)
10. Love the gold detail of this shirt  J. Crew $69
11. Perfect table cloth for the Summer Pomegranate $88
12. Love a great shear, and this leaf print is sweet Serena & Lily $50
13. For cute little tushies J. Crew $25


xo
Erin 



6.15.2015

Maxed Out


Warm breezy days call for something long and flowing. Not just because it looks great, but function plays a role as well. I learned this the hard way on a windy day at the park. That lightweight sun dress I love was suddenly showing way more than was appropriate. But aside from function, the maxi dress can elevate a look simply by having a longer hemline. Somehow that makes it fancier, more grown up. And let's get serious, some of us are not into showing leg all summer long. Especially pale, extra sun screened ones. 

You cannot go wrong with black or white. Especially loving the look of a white dress right now. 

1. Love an off the shoulder First & I $50 / 2. And in white even better Madewell $158 / 3. Pleats and swing shape for days when anything tight just will not do Asos $118 / 4. I love this tasseled, sweet number so much Asos $118 / 5. Soft and slinky, this has got to be so comfy Velvet $139

This Summer, cobalt blue and soft pink are having their moment. 

1. Your favorite t-shirt turned into a flattering dress Soft Joie $124 / 2. Love the moire waist and roomy skirt Rachel Pally $166 / 3. This is the perfect shade of blue and could go day to night Madewell $148/ 4. This dress has a great drape and I love a drawstring Velvet $128 / 5. This can be feel dressed up with minimal effort Felicity & Coco $98

Whether soft or loud, a print is essential for the warmer months. 

1. Obsessed with this floral print. Not too sweet. Asos $182 / 2. Girlie and fun BB Dakota $56/ 3. Strapless with a defined waist is my jam  Joie $198 / 4. I like the slightly shorter hem of this. And that I can add my own belt Soft Joie $168/ 5. She knows her prints and this one is perfection Mara Hoffman $240

A shirt dress style lends more sophistication to a maxi. Depending on where you work, this could be a go to option for the office. 

1. You would where this dress forever. Love the navy. Vince $191 (on sale) / 2. Love the neckline and the included slip  Splendid $270 (also comes in black) / 3. Such an ease to this dress. And would make a great cover up for the pool. Everlane $65 (also comes in white) / 4. Add your favorite belt to this.  BB Dakota $88

And then the always in my heart, striped dress. I literally always try one on every time I shop. It is a problem. 

1. Extra soft with a biased stripe. Soft Joie $198 / 2. Probably not every one's favorite, but I digging the colors. Felicity & Coco $58 (on sale) / 3. I usually loathe a high low, but I really love this Faithful $155/ 4. The perfect color combo Sundry $138

xo
Erin 


6.03.2015

Brussels Sprout & Almond Salad

Life has gotten busy. And unfortunately this little blog suffers first.
  Work has picked up, with closings and new clients. The season truly has brought out the buyers and people are ready for fresh starts in new homes. Lucky me. 
And then there are the little people. I thought I was busy when they were babies, but toddlers require much more attention (I basically walk around with four arms wrapped around my two legs). And with nap time disappearing with one of them (in serious mourning), the days longer. 
SO, free time for writing, reading a magazine, and watching garbage has gotten harder. And I hate to say that plowing through a Vogue in my half hour of "quiet time" with a diet coke feels really great. 
I have still been putting cooking on my priority list, so that gives me something to share with you besides great ways to entertain toddlers (combine this & this for hours of fun) and this salad is a real winner. Just a few ingredients with plenty of crunch and the perfect side for outdoor BBQs. 


Brussels Sprout & Toasted Almond Salad
Imperfect Polish 2015
serves 4

1/2 cup almonds chopped, slivered or sliced (marcona are best if you have them)
1/3 cup light mayo
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil 
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, stems removed and thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt & pepper

Scatter almonds on a pan over medium heat on the stove. Toast, tossing every minute or so, until lightly toasted on all sides. Remove from heat and let almonds cool on a plate. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, mustard, honey, and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk in the oil slowly until combined. Taste and adjust for seasoning. 

In a large salad bowl, add the Brussels sprouts, almonds, and cheese. Dress with desired amount of vinaigrette (you may have more than you need, use on any other salad that week) and toss to coat. 

Enjoy! 
xo
Erin 

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