Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  Work has been incredibly busy lately and it's supposed to be pretty icky this weekend so I'm excited to have a few days off to relax, catch up on my shows and reading, maybe start a new puzzle.....all the real exciting stuff :)  Here's a pic from a gorgeous sunset I caught earlier in the week - is there anything prettier than a cold winter sunset?  Hope you have a great one!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Moroccan Chickpea and Carrot Tagine

In an effort to eat less meat in the new year, I recently was perusing one of my favorite cookbooks, Half Baked Harvest Super Simple, and came across her Moroccan Chickpea and Carrot Tagine full of hearty veggies and yummy spices.  Since my local Trader Joe's did not have harissa paste in stock {and pandemic shopping means I'm not going to hunt it down all over the city} I did a quick google search and found I could use Sambal Oelek, an Indonesian Chili Paste I already had at home, as a good substitute to give it a kick.  This tagine was an easy weeknight meal that made yummy leftovers and can just as easily go in the crockpot to make it even easier to enjoy on a busy day.  The flavors were delicious and it was filling enough that I didn't miss the meat at all.  Definitely a keeper!

Moroccan Chickpea & Carrot Tagine

Ingredients

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 {1-inch} piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated/minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 carrots, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1-14oz can diced tomatoes

2 Tblsp harissa paste {or sub with sambal oelek}

2 tsp smoked paprika

3/4 tsp ground cumin

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Salt & Pepper

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2-14oz cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 fresh cilantro, chopped

For Serving - Couscous, naan, fresh mint

Instructions

1. Heat 2 Tblsp olive oil in large pot over medium high heat.  When shimmering, add onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.  Add carrots and bell pepper and cook 5 more minutes until carrots have softened.  Add tomatoes, harissa, 1 cup water, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and large pinch each of salt & pepper.  Stir to combine.  Cover and cook until tagine has thickened and is the consistency of stew, 15-20 minutes.

2. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice, chickpeas, and cilantro and cook until chickpeas are heated through, about 5 minutes.  Add more water to thin tagine if needed.

3. Serve over couscous with naan and top with fresh mint.

Serves 4-5

adapted half baked harvest

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Fave Books of 2020

2020 was quite a doozy but one thing that remained constant is my love of reading.  Even without my daily bus commute for the majority of the year I still ended up reading an impressive 23 books in 2020, carving out time after work and before bed to get my daily pages in.  This year's books included a lot more non-fiction, including books from my work's Antiracist Book Club, and though it was hard to narrow it down to just a few, here are the books I read this year that I highly recommend you getting on your list ASAP.

I fell in love with Ruth Reichl when Maddie and I saw her speak back in 2019 and I finally got around to reading her book Save Me The Plums about her years as the final Editor in Chief at Gourmet Magazine.  This memoir is delightful, engaging, and solidifies my belief that I would love nothing more than sitting down with Ruth and a cup of tea and listening to her tell me stories about her life.

Feeling unimpressed {to say the least} with the 2020 occupants of The White House, I finally picked up my copy of Becoming, Michelle Obama's autobiography detailing her life starting out in the southside of Chicago all the way to her last days in The White House as First Lady.  It's an inspiring and beautifully written memoir that reminded me what it's like to have decency and humility in the First Family.  Such an exceptional woman.

The Great Believers follows a man through the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980's and intertwines the lives of the characters with those uncertain times and present day Paris.  It's engaging, heart wrenching, and an absolute page-turner, recently optioned for TV by Amy Poehler so make sure to read it before you watch!

I read a lot of antiracist books this year in my journey to becoming an antiracist, and though it was tough to choose just one, Ibram Kendi's How To Be An Antiracist breaks down the history of racism in America so eloquently, weaving an instruction manual of antiracism with his own history and life experiences.  It's a must read for anyone trying to breakdown the institutions of racism, and probably even more of a must read for those who think we already have.  

I adore Fredrik Backman and Anxious People did not disappoint.  Set during an real estate open house, the thoughtfully written characters and humorous dialogue come together to make you laugh, cringe, and be thoroughly entertained.

Know My Name should be mandatory reading for everyone.  This memoir follows "Emily Doe", sexual assault victim in the infamous Stanford rape case and the years of her life before, during, and after the trial that was all over the headlines.  This moving account from the survivor's perspective shines a light on how our court system fails the most vulnerable in society and how through the worst circumstances someone can still come out of it feeling hopeful and strong.  Such a powerful and important book that I could not put down.

I squeezed in The Death of Vivek Oji on the last two days of the year {a super quick read} and am so glad I did.  It's a beautiful story not so much about death but about discovering who you are and acceptance by those you love.  If you're looking for a quick and dramatic read, look no further.

There were so many great reads this year and I'm already well under way on 2021's list!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Honey Ginger Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry

Most trips to Trader Joe's I pick up a block of tofu, figuring it'll be a quick and healthy weeknight protein to have on hand.  My newest favorite iteration comes from Pinch of Yum's Honey Ginger Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry that has delicious flavor, comes together super quickly, and can be made with basically any veggies you have hanging out in your fridge.  I've already made this one several times and it definitely hits the spot when I need a quick and yummy dinner and want to use up what's left in my fridge.  Enjoy!

Honey Ginger Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry

Ingredients

For Stir Fry

1 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice

2 Tblsp vegetable oil

14oz extra firm tofu

4 cups fresh veggies {I typically use broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, celery, carrots, etc}

3 green onions, minced

For Sauce

3 cloves garlic

2 Tblsp fresh ginger

2 Tblsp honey

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup canola/vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Sauce.  Puree all sauce ingredients together in food processor or blender until smooth.  Set aside.

2. Tofu.  Cook rice according to package directions.  Press tofu with paper towels to get out all excess water {I'll typically wrap it in paper towels, put it on a plate, and put a heavy frying pan on top while I'm prepping the other ingredients to really squeeze all the water out}.  Slice tofu into small cubes.  Heat oil over medium heat and when shiny, add tofu and about 1/4 cup sauce.  Pan fry tofu until golden brown.  Remove from pan and drain on paper towel lined plate.

3. Veggies. Return pan to heat and add veggies with 1/4 cup stir fry sauce.  Cook until slightly softened. 

4. To serve, arrange veggies and tofu over cooked rice and top with more sauce.  Sprinkle with green onions.

Serves 3-4

adapted from pinch of yum

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{some light lunchtime pruning on friday}

{cocktails to go}

{yoga}

{attitude}

{a busy kerry park so we walked right on by}

{love these cold sunny days}

{grateful c carried our groceries back up the hill after a 3 mile walk}

{met market sushi}

{saturday afternoon margaritas + a great book}

{saturday night dinner}

{breakfast burritos}

{so happy daddy propped up a pillow for her to rest her heavy head}

{sunday night cauliflower pizza}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

 

What a week!  I don't know about you, but I spent most of Wednesday in tears of joy, relief, happiness, excitement - all of the above!  I feel like for the first time in 4 years, I can truly breathe.  The Inauguration brought so many moments of hope and joy, but my absolute most favorite was listening to Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb".  So much power, grace, and wisdom from such a young and deeply talented woman - if you didn't get a chance to watch it, I'd highly recommend checking it out {and if you did, check out her interview with Anderson Cooper}.  Her words give me hope for the future and watching the new First Family heading into the White House gave me a renewed sense of excitement that we have decency, truth, and integrity back in charge.  I know I'm sleeping a little better at night and I hope you are too :)  Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

photo via the little market's instagram

Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice

It's about to get really cold here this weekend {perhaps even snow?!?} so if you're looking for a quick, flavorful, and soul-warming dish, look no further than this Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice from Half Baked Harvest.  I made this for us a few weeks back and while it's so quick and easy to put together on a weeknight or hectic weekend, it's also insanely warming and yummy, sending us both back for seconds with enough for leftovers the next day.  I'd highly suggest you try it soon - just be careful with that turmeric because it stains like no other! :)

Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 Tblsp turmeric

2 tsp ground ginger

3 Tblsp sesame oil or olive oil

2 medium shallots, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1/4 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper {more or less to taste}

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks

1-2 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups canned coconut milk {we used 2 full cans and less broth}

2 Tblsp fish sauce

2 cups fresh baby spinach

juice of 1-2 limes

salt

2 cups cooked rice, for serving

fresh Naan, for serving

Instructions

1. Toss chicken with turmeric, ground ginger, and 1 Tblsp oil.  Let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Heat 2 Tblsp oil in large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side.  Add shallots, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and cilantro and cook 3 minutes.  Toss in sweet potato.

3. Reduce heat to low.  Add 1 cup broth, coconut milk, and fish sauce.  Partially cover and simmer 20-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  If sauce is too thick add additional broth.  Stir in spinach and lime juice and season with salt.

4. Service chicken and sauce over rice.  Top with fresh cilantro and serve with naan.

Serves 5-6

adapted from half baked harvest

xoxo,

stephanie marie

A New Day

Finally, after 4 loooooong years, the day has finally come to put hope and decency back in the White House.  Joe Biden has a long way to go to unite the country and get the pandemic under control, but I'm confident and optimistic that we are turning a page and starting a brand new chapter that will be peaceful and unifying.  Hoping and praying that things go smoothly today and beyond, and while I'll most likely be working from the living room watching the events unfold on tv {a stark contrast to the last inauguration}, I can't wait to bust out a pint of Pie-den Kam-ala Mode tonight {it's delicious!} and toast our new President and  Madam Vice President {you bet I have my pearls and Converse ready}.  However you feel about these two, let's wish them the absolute best as they embark on this journey of unity and healing - I think we can all get on board with that.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{facetime friday}

{filet mignon burritos from asadero}

{citrus season}

{saturday treats}

{christian + nina + vogue + margaritas = perfection}

{homemade salmon chowder}

{morning walks}

{sleepy face}

{finally taking down the christmas decorations}

{holiday breakfast burrito}

{sunset}

{a good reminder on mlk day}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Christmas {Part IV}

After opening presents we headed outside to take in the gorgeous and sunny {and freezing!} Christmas Eve morning.  Jack had the best time running around the yard all bundled up and playing with his grandparents, and Nina and Ruby met Rex from down the field {so many puppies!} and while Nina did her best to keep up with the little ones, she was happy to chill with mommy and daddy after awhile.  After everyone headed out we made our way back to the city where we had yummy leftovers and fancy wine while watching The Grinch, then woke up Christmas morning to a Zoom breakfast with the extended family.  It wasn't the Christmas we had imagined a year ago but we definitely made the best of it and I'm so thankful that after a year full of a lot of sadness we got to end on a high note with these wonderful people.  Hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season as well!

that face

"grandpa - can you help me get on this?"

success

so happy

eagles soaring over {most likely trying to pick up ruby}

nina and rex {jeff & steph's new puppy}

rex

christmas eve grinch + yummy wine

christmas morning zoom brunch

xoxo,

stephanie marie