Gift Guide: For the Cook

You know her and you love her. 

She is the one that always brings the most delicious dish to girls night, is always looking at new recipes, and loves cooking for her family best of all. 

Anything that could make her cooking life more beautiful or easier is a win. 

Cheers to the lovely ladies that feed us so well all year long. 

 1. Only a true foodie can appreciate the beauty of this black Staub. Which is ON SALE / 2. A copper teapot that will be the star of her stove / 3. Investment knives that will make her cry of happiness. These are on sale too. / 4. A pretty shopping list that categorizes her items for faster grocery runs / 5. For the baker, a cute bread box for the fruits of her labor / 6. A pasta maker because she has always wanted to make her own / 7. Ceramic measuring cups that are pretty enough to leave out / 8. Striped mixing bowls that are great for anything / 9. YOU GUYS, this dough comes frozen to your door and you can have fresh hot croissants in your home at breakfast. No work / 10. A marble butter keeper, need this! / 11. A gorgeous bowl to elevate popcorn night. 

Other gift guides to check out: 

Girl on the Go

$25 and Under

Let's Get Cozy
2016 Gift Guides

Bon Appetit

xo

erin 

Chicken Parmesan

I feel like most of my cooking lately has been all about the classics. And making them really good. Or really easy. Either way, there is not a whole lot of creativity happening here, just my versions of foods we all love made simply and deliciously. Chicken Parm is classic American Italian and because everyone loves it, I made it for a dinner party last weekend. I also made it in advance, which is HUGE in my world right now. Little people are not the best sous chefs, so putting this together during nap time was essential. And it was great. Make this before you serve or even the day before, explanation below. Also, I use a ton of help from the store on this to save time. If you are not into saving time then feel free to whip up your own tomato sauce or bread crumbs. I envy you. This recipe is very "as you go" so you cannot mess it up, I promise you. Try it and you will rock it. 

(How bad are my photos lately? Lighting is everything and obviously my kitchen is not great)

Chicken Parmesan 

Imperfect Polish 2015

serves 6-8 (make more or less and just adjust ingredient amounts)

2 cups panko bread crumbs

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup of flour

salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried rosemary

8 thin cut boneless skinless chicken breasts (if your store does not carry this, you can buy 3 lbs of chicken and do this) 

Olive oil 

Butter 

2 jars of your favorite marinara sauce (I like San Marzano)

1 1/2 cups shredded provolone cheese 

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Place the bread crumbs, eggs, and flour in their own shallow bowl or plate. Season each with salt, pepper, a couple of pinches of oregano and rosemary. 

Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off the excess. Then coat in the egg, then place in the bread crumbs to coat well. Place on a cooling rack or parchment lined tray. Repeat with all of the chicken. 

Place a large skillet on the stove with enough olive oil to coat the bottom well and a couple of pats of butter over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, cook the chicken in batches until golden brown on each side and cooked through. About 3-4 minutes a side. Place the cooked chicken on a cooling rack. If working with a lot of chicken, you can also do this in multiple pans. Change out the oil/butter of each pan after 2-3 rounds of chicken in it. 

(Make Ahead Note: you can make the chicken in advance, let cool, and place in the fridge until ready to assemble and bake the entire dish. Can be done up to two days before) 

In a large roasting pan (you might need two), spread a thick layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer the chicken along the top and sprinkle with the mozzarella and provolone cheese. Dot a bit more sauce around the edges of the chicken and on the top, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan. 

(Make Ahead Note: You can assemble this a couple hours before your event and bake off when ready. This can also be frozen at this point and then thawed a baked when you want it. If bringing this to a friend, stop at this point as well and have them bake off when ready to eat)

Place the pan in a 400 degree oven and bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Baking for Good

Are you a big baker? It is hard not to feel bad over the holidays because baking is just not something that I am into. The eating of the baked goods I am super into, so I always find myself buying things or cramming in a sugar cookie assembly session a few days before Christmas. 

There are so many amazing local bakeries here in Chicago, but this one in NYC has me thinking I might be ordering from the East Coast this year. Baking for Good is an amazing small business run by a lovely girl named Emily. She uses local products, makes delicious goods, then gives 15% of the proceeds from your sale to a cause of your choice. Perfect idea for the holidays, right? 

They have some fantastic products, too. 

Who wouldn't want a box of a dozen photo cookies? I am Instagram obsessed, so I am super excited to order those. There are varieties of brownies, sandwich cookies, traditional sugar for every occasion, and even gluten or vegan options. 

When you check out it gives you options of what charity to donate to. A sugar rush and that warm fuzzy feeling of giving back. Perfection. 

xo

Erin 

Weekend List

What are you up to this weekend? 


We are having friends over for brunch both Saturday and Sunday, so I am going to make this strata adding my own twists. Love that I can make it in advance. 


We are also going to a party and it is going to be hot, so I am going to wear this dress (on sale) to keep cool.


I have still made no progress on the house, but I will at least try and hang my favorite nursery prints up in the little man's room. 


And maybe, just maybe, I will make a rug decision for the family room. Leaning towards this one, since it seems durable, soft, versatile, and the price is right in case I change my mind and have to move it to another room (probably happening).


I found the perfect room for inspiration for the master. A great mix of masculine and feminine. 


I am also shopping around for moving announcements and love these postcards. 


Already have the Opening Ceremonies set to DVR tonight. Fast forward is crucial for the hours long parade of athletes. 


Looking forward to slightly cooler temps so I can pop open a bottle of one of my favorite wines and actually sit outside.


Wish I had this table, it's genius. 

I hope you get to enjoy yourself and relax. 


xo
Erin