Food & Entertaining
Fabulous Farro Salads
I first had Farro in a delicious salad at Nordstrom’s Cafe. These colorful Farro salads will entice you to cook with this nutty flavorful ancient grain.
When most people talk about Nordstrom, they think about clothes or shoe shopping. I, on the other hand, think of the Nordstrom Cafe Bistro. It’s one of my favorite places to have lunch.
In a previous post I wrote about their famous Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad. For a while, that’s all I ordered when visiting their lovely bistro. Recently I noticed they had a new menu and a Farro salad caught my eye.
Their Grilled Asparagus, Farro and Frissee Salad is spectacular! Besides the ingredients listed in the salad name, you will find French green beans, tomatoes, toasted pistachios, aged manchego cheese and a honey sherry vinaigrette. It was delicious.
On a Mission to Cook with Farro
Although Farro was new to me, it’s actually an ancient grain known for its roasted, nutty flavor and distinctive chewy texture. Upon my first bite I immediately knew I had to start cooking with it.
Here are some recipes that I have gathered to start cooking with Farro. Salads are the one recipe that you can tell by reading the list of ingredients if the flavors are up your ally. These are screaming out to me.
Roasted Beet and Farro Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
If the introduction to this salad by Lindsey of Love and Olive Oil doesn’t make you want to make this salad, I don’t know what will! I could relate to her on so many dishes that I have tried while on vacation, dying for the recipe so I could re-create it at home.
That’s why I love the RSVP section of Bon Appetit Magazine. Readers write in asking for recipes from restaurants that they have recently visited. If they take the time to write, it must be a fabulous dish!
Springtime Farro Salad
I am a big fan of roasted vegetables. Roasting them brings out such great flavor. So naturally, this recipe for Springtime Farro Salad from Marie at Proud Italian Cook caught my eye. Truth be told, Marie had me at asparagus and artichokes along with the farro of course!
Black Beans with Farro and Avocado Salad
I’m always looking for protein packed salads that I can make for lunch and this Black Bean with Farro & Avocado Salad from Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer fit the bill.
Summer Farro Salad
What I love about summer salads is that they are usually full of color and this Summer Farro Salad by Naturally Ella doesn’t disappoint. My famous saying is that you eat with your eyes first so it’s imperative that the food be presented well. Your guests will enjoy this colorful salad.
Farro with Swiss Chard and Radicchio
If you are looking for a different side dish to go along with some grilled meat, this Farro Salad with Swiss Chard and Radicchio would be a great fit. Elise with Simple Recipes first had this dish at a fund-raiser. It was prepared by her two chef friends.
What I love about food blogs is that you hear the story behind the recipe. Their review along with a perusing of the ingredients is enough to tell me whether I want to try something or not. This dish is on my short list of recipes to make! Thanks for sharing Elise.
How to Cook Farro: Three Cooking Methods
Let me know if you have tried Farro and if you like it. If not, I am sure one of these recipes will entice you to cook with this ancient grain. It’s easy and simple to prepare. Here are three methods on how you can cook Farro.
Food & Entertaining
Beautiful and Creative Number Cakes
OMG, I’m in love with these gorgeous number cakes. They are a wonderful alternative to the traditional birthday cake. Today I am sharing both beautifully decorated number cakes as well as tips on how to make them.
OMG, I’m in love with these gorgeous number cakes. They are a wonderful alternative to the traditional birthday cake. Today I am sharing both beautifully decorated number cakes as well as tips on how to make them.
Gorgeous Number Cakes
These two cakes are just a couple of Adi Klinghofe’s creations. They are a work of art and so creative! Be sure to follow her Instagram account for more inspiration.
Use Cupcakes to Form Your Number Cake
Another creative account to follow on Instagram is Sophia Mya Cupcakes. I love her inspiration for using cupcakes to form the number.
Number Cake Using a Mold
Lekue silicone cake molds are available in numbers 0-9. You can create your own number combination for a special birthday party celebration. An easy yet elegant way to decorate a cake is with a variety of berries. I love the look of leaving the leaves on the strawberries.
Other Ways to Make a Number Cake
This infographic from Today’s Parent shows how you can make any number using an 8-inch round and 8-inch square cake pan.
I found this picture floating around Pinterest, however the link attached to the photo was not a working site. I wanted to share it because I feel it helps to see how they put the actual cake together to form the number.
Use Cupcakes to Form Number Cakes
As you saw above, you can form cupcakes into the shape of your desired number. It makes it easy to serve as no cutting is required. The number 2 cake above is festive with the floral pattern on both the cake and the serving board.
In need of a large serving board? You can use a large piece of cardboard or corrugated poster board and cover with foil.
The patterns below will help you decide how many cupcakes you will need to create the desired number. Depending on the size you want, you can use either regular sized cupcakes or mini cupcakes.
Which cake was your favorite?
Party Decorations
Need decorations for a milestone birthday party? Read my post Festive Party Decorations for a Milestone Birthday for some great tips.
Food & Entertaining
6 Festive Heart-Shaped Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s a wonderful time of year to pass out treats to friends and family. Following are seven great heart-shaped cookies to give you some inspiration. I love the idea of putting just a few in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon to pass out gifts.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s a wonderful time of year to pass out treats to friends and family. Following are seven great heart-shaped cookies to give you some inspiration. I love the idea of putting just a few in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon to pass out as gifts.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Mallory from Chocolate with Grace says these Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies are super soft, decorated with a fluffy buttercream frosting. They look delicious!
No time to bake? If you live near Orange Grove, Texas, you can order these beautiful cookies from Blue Sugar Cookie Co.
Heart Shaped Gingham Cookies
Elizabeth from Sugar Hero came up with this clever way to create Gingham decorated Valentine cookies. She also has some fabulous ombre colored heart-shaped cookies. Head on over to her blog to see them.
Valentine Cookies with a Message
I love these cookies with a message, reminiscent of the Valentine candies we had as children.
Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Valentine Cookies
If your loved one craves peanut butter cookies, these heart-shaped ones from The Semisweet Sisters are easy to make and no decorating required. Holly and Katie have a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these.
Festive Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats are delicious regardless of your age! These heart-shaped treats from Click Cut Create look great in cellophane bags that you can find at Michaels.
Visit these other posts for more Valentine inspiration including more cookies, desserts and ideas for a Valentine Party. Have fun creating!
Creative Valentine Sugar Cookies
Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day Gifts
Valentine’s Day Menu Suggestions
Elegant Valentine’s Day Party Decorations
Host a Valentine Party & Skip the Hectic Restaurant Scene
Food & Entertaining
Hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup
I made the most delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup. There is something about making soup that gives me a creative license to experiment. Since it was cold and snowing, I didn’t want to venture out to the grocery store so it was more of a day to raid my fridge and pantry.
I made the most delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup. There is something about making soup that gives me a creative license to experiment. Since it was cold and snowing, I didn’t want to venture out to the grocery store so it was more of a day to raid my fridge and pantry.
Pantry Staples for Soup
I always have chicken broth or stock on hand; either homemade in the freezer or store bought in my pantry. I’m rarely without the famous trio of onions, celery and carrots. Lentils and rice are also pantry staples.
I just so happened to have some Johnson Andouille Sausage that I picked up last week so I decided to make a spicy sausage and lentil soup. It was time to get creative and I loved the results.
One of my favorite things about broth based soups is that they freeze well. We will enjoy a bowl of soup for dinner tonight and I will freeze the rest in individual portions. It will make a great lunch on a cold winter day.
- light olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup lentils
- ½ cup white rice, rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb. Johnsonville Andouille Smoked Sausage, sliced
- Sauté onions and celery in olive oil until soft. Add grated carrots and garlic and sauté for two minutes. Add spices and sauté for one minute.
- Add rice, lentils and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add sausage and continue to cook until lentils and rice are done, approximately 20 more minutes.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper and crushed red pepper to taste. You may also need to add some broth or water. Remove bay leaves.
- Serve with warm crusty bread.
Other Soup Recipes Perfect for Winter
Following are some links to my other soup recipes. Enjoy!
Mom’s Healing Chicken Soup Recipe
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