Happy Friday, all! I hope you had a great, short week!
We are heading into these last few days before June with zero plans and I could not be more thrilled. May was a nutzo month and I need a few weeks of R&R, to say the least! If the weather holds out I think we’ll head off to the Farmer’s Market this weekend, then try to squeeze in a trip to the zoo. Because there’s nothing more heartwarming than watching your child go bananas for a stocked pond of koi fish. Koi fish. Forget the lions – the fish have got it. According to Lincoln, anyway!
As a word of caution, do not scroll down through this Friday Favorites post if you are hungry. I found some SERIOUSLY outrageous recipes to share with you this week and hand to God my stomach was rumbling the entire time I was writing this post. My only problem is figuring out which recipe I want to make first!
In the meantime, wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend and please enjoy my favorite finds from the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click the light blue link to be taken to the original source.
Favorite devour: Fig and Prosciutto Pizza with Balsamic Drizzle. I all but openly wept when I stumbled upon this sinful recipe a few days ago. Four of my favorite foods on one delicious pizza – I die!! Recreating on a GF crust as soon as I can get my hands on a few juicy figs.
Favorite funny: Gluten is my B!tch (<– Amazon affiliate link.) I downloaded this book on my iPad almost a year and a half ago, after I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, but didn’t start reading it until I was flying to NYC last week. Ummm, I had to put the book away because I was laughing too loud and getting crazy looks from my fellow passengers! If you have CD or a gluten intolerance, you need to read this book for your sanity!
Favorite grill: Goat Cheese Guac Burgers with Cheddar and Caramelized Onions. GET. IN. MY. MOUTH!!! (twss) What a crazy unbelievable burger combo. Must try ASAP!
Favorite fashion. Totally adore this cute blouse and necklace combo. I’ve always wanted to get in on the chambray shirt trend but look weird in collared shirts (just trust me.) I feel like this would give me the look without the pesky collar!
Favorite weeknight: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peanut-Lime Sauce. Ever since making my roasted pork tenderloin I’ve been on the lookout for other easy PT recipes and this one fits me to a T. Peanut sauce which, hello, I’ve never met one I don’t like, pairs with grilled tenderloin in this easy weeknight meal. Yum, YUM!
Favorite snack. I recently created this sweet and savory snack combo for The Laughing Cow, in anticipation of Memorial Day, but it would be super fun for the 4th of July, too. I LOVE pairing fresh fruit and cheese!
Favorite gluten-free: Chicken and Rice Casserole. A couple nights ago I made said casserole from Danielle Walker’s Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple cookbook and it was OFF THE CHAIN. The rice is actually cauliflower rice and she uses a homemade cashew sauce in place of “cream of xyz” canned soup to bring the casserole together. I’d never made cashew sauce before, and honestly questioned who I was in my soul when I decided to make it, but holy buckets it was so, so good. Ben said it was “better than I expected” then proceeded to eat three servings so I think that speaks for itself. ;) I found the recipe online from one of her TV appearances so give it a try!
Favorite photo. I am all about the burgers today! The photo of this Aussie Burger with the Lot stopped me dead in my tracks. I mean come. on.
Favorite product: The Honest Company Face + Body Lotion (<– affiliate link
). I’ve been using Honest Company products for a few months and my favorite so far is their Face + Body Lotion. I use it for my body, and on Lincoln’s face + body, and his skin is honestly like SILK because of it. The lotion is thinner in consistency which makes it great for giving him baby massages before bed, too!
Favorite salad: Kale Caesar Pasta Salad. OH YEAH! Awesome twist on the classic Caesar Salad. Definitely making it for our next grill out.
Favorite organization: Baby Boxes. I am already struggling with organizing Lincoln’s important + fun docs/mementos which is why I love this baby box organization idea. As many things as we have now, I can only imagine how much we’ll start accumulating in the busy years to come.
Favorite side: Cheesy Grits and Spinach Casserole. Come. To. MAMA!!! You guys know how crazy I am for cheesy grits – add spinach and bacon and I’m toast.
Favorite find. The good news is that I’ve finally found Ben’s and my retirement home in Charleston. Phew – what a relief! The bad news is that it’s 7.5 million dollars. WAHHHH. I think I’ve scrolled through the photos at least 50 times. Le sigh!
Favorite treat: Healthy Greek Yogurt Chocolate Fudge Pops. Oh man, when I was little those Jello Chocolate Pudding Pops were ma JAM. Can’t even imagine how delicious these must be and bonus that they’re made with Greek Yogurt. Must have for the summer!
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Pizza and fudge pops! Perfect summer treats!
Finally! Someone else who admits they look weird in collared shirts! I thought it was only me!
Can’t wait to try the Pork Tenderloin. Are there any side dishes you would recommend? Many thanks, Kristin!
I think a nice side salad or coconut rice would be delicious! Recipe for coconut rice is near the bottom of this post: http://iowagirleats.com/2012/04/17/jamaican-jerk-chicken-the-best-rice-ever/
I love everything about this.
I understand that these take a lot of time for you so, as much as I look forward to Friday Favourites, I love that you are doing them when it’s right for you. I hope you don’t stress about doing these posts, I think readers enjoy them because YOU enjoy doing them. And you can’t enjoy them if you feel over pressured.
Just a thought and a way to say that I appreciate what you do! :D
Thank you so much, Michelle, that is so thoughtful of you to say! :)
A few weeks ago I had to put away Yes Please by Amy Poehler because I was laughing too hard on the plane! I had tears running down my cheeks from trying to keep it all in, what a mess!
I look incredibly lesbian in collared shirts.
Thank you so much for including my pizza in this amazing round up :]
oh just two more organizational tips for your little guy – one set up an “educational e-mail” – one which you will turn over to him when he hits those last few years – use it for FAFSA, colleges, scholarships, AP’s or college credit courses during HS – driver ed information –
2 – when he hits middle school – a separate file – for volunteer work hours – verified and all things he may need for scholarship stuff – including references. :)
You may also want to think about the checking acct when he hits sixteen – the one with both your names on the check – to write for prom/ball tickets, uniforms, dances – application fees – parking permit fees.
Oh – the places you’re going!
Born and raised in Charleston and would love to live in Iowa. If not for all the blasted winter weather! BTW, I went to high school with the listing agent….crazy :)
Stop it – that is crazy!! Tell them to hook me up! ;)
Your last link made me think of this “recipe” I found on a blog for kid’s snacks the other day. Lincoln might like it! http://www.instructables.com/id/Nutella-Cool-Whip-Popsicles/
I would love to see a compilation post of all your Laughing Cow snack ideas! :)
Omg, that PIZZA!
My husband and I make a similar fig and proscuitto pizza, inspired by Cafe Prego in Ogunquit, ME, but we use pesto for the sauce and then top it with arugula tossed in balsamic vinaigrette after it’s out of the oven. To die for!
That house. My god.
Those burgers look to die for!!
I have those sandals! That whole outfit is super cute and I love the pink shorts!
Food looks awesome as usual but you won my heart with the fashion this week! I love chambray, and those sandals and pink shorts. The whole ensemble is gorgeous, I would adore pulling off an outfit like that. I went to the site but didn’t see the pink shorts? Not that my butt wouldn’t get dirty, but they are super cute.
I have got to start that baby box thing now! With all the papers that came home with my daughter at the end of the school year, our desk is looking a little rough. Love that shirt too!
P.S. We made your root beer can chicken this weekend and it. was. fabulous. My husband won’t stop talking about it! :)
My favorite way to grill whole pork tenderloin is to season it with kosher salt, black pepper, rosemary and crushed garlic. Let it sit for 30-60 minutes before grilling over direct heat. If you want a sauce to go with it, my family loves a roasted garlic vinaigrette.
Ingredients
1 head of roasted garlic (see below)
1/3 cup of olive oil or canola oil
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Roast the garlic. Squeeze the cooled roasted garlic out of the skin into a bowl. Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, parsley, Dijon, and sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Mix well using an immersion blender until smooth. Set aside.
I would love to get a slice of that pizza for breakfast right about now, YUM!
Isn’t it so funny how kids are always excited about the box the present came in, or the koi at the zoo? It’s so cute. I really love the laughing cow crackers and fruit snack you have up there! That sounds amazing! Perfect for the 4th :) Thanks for the link!