Raspberry Chocolate Souffle

I have to confess, my hubby is way better than me at baking.  I don't have the discipline to use the recommended amount of sugar or butter (thought process - 2 cups of sugar??? I think NOT).  I also find the idea of using a measuring cup uninspiring (I guess this means I will never be a pastry chef).  On Friday we worked together to create this flourless raspberry bittersweet chocolate souffle, without following any recipe.  It turned out beautifully.  The smell was irresistible, and the souffle was decadent - sweet, bitter, fruity, rich all in one bite.  Given we only used one tablespoon of sugar and butter, I think this will become a regular late night treat.

Step1: Heat up one block of bittersweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon of melted butter or margarine in low heat.  Meanwhile, butter-up the inside of the serving dish.  Cool off the dish in the fridge.
Step2: Turn off the stove.  Mix in one tablespoon of cocoa powder, one tablespoon of sugar, and one whipped egg.
Step3: Blend or crush the raspberries using a fork
Step4: Pour the mixing in the serving dish. Blend in the crushed/blended raspberries.
Step5: Bake for 20 min @ 350F

I was playing around with the settings, and I just love how this picture turned out. 

All about Beige - Geometric dress and metallic shoes

This is one of my fav dresses, because it is versatile and effortless.  The geometric shapes made it interesting, and the pleated detailing is just lovely!  What can I say I love pleated dresses, check out my other posts on this & have a great weekend! :)

Shoes - Guess (old, similar here )
Dress - TLH by Hype(sold out)

Summer Destination - A trip to Banff, Canada

 

It was surreal to wake up to this view from our hotel room.  The tranquility of Lake Louise and glacier in the distance was mesmerizing.  I don't think I have ever felt as relaxed and peaceful!

 

 

To be honest, Banff wasn't even on my bucket list a few months ago.  Kauai was usually where we visit in the summer.  I am so glad we booked this trip to unwind after our 3000 miles road trip from Phoenix to Calgary, where we now call home.  I am so blown away by Alberta, which seems to be an under rated province.  Oh and we were able to travel with our four-legged furry sons this time, since it is only 2 hours away from Calgary.  I can't wait to return in Winter to go skiing/snowboarding!

 

 

 

Fresh Butter Poached Lobster with Scrumptious Risotto on a Budget

I'm a huge seafood lover.  My definition of a "balanced" diet would mostly consists of seafood.  :)   This is one of my all time favorite comfort food, perfect for weekend cooking!

Ingredients:
Fresh lobster.  Grocery stores like Albertsons generally have a lobster tank in store.  Ask the lobster to be steamed ( lightly) for free. 
4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
4 tablespoon butter, at room temperature
1 cup finely chopped onion1 1/2 cups Arborio rice1/2 cup brandy1/2 cup grated Parmesan1/4 cup chopped fresh chivesKosher salt and freshly ground black pepperCorn and other veggies optional.

Directions:
Lobster - Start with 1 tablespoon of water, then add one piece of butter at a time over medium-low heat and whisk.  When all the butter has melted, add de-shelled lobster.  Poach for about 5 min.

Risotto - Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat ( or replace with olive oil).  Cook until the butter begins to foam and then turns brown, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Add the onion and cook, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add the brandy and simmer until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of stock and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of stock to absorb before adding the next. Cook until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, the remaining butter and 2 tablespoons chives. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bon Appetit! 

Enjoying the Day off - Maxi Pleated Dress

The weather is finally cooling off a bit.  It's so nice to take a few days off before leaving for Calgary, Canada.

Maxi Dress - Victoria's Secret
Jacket - H&M

Summer Blues - #2 Essie's Bikini so Teeny & New Beginnings

Essie's Bikini so Teeny is another one of my favorite summer blue nail polishes.  There are many reasons I love this polish.  First of all the name is just irresistible, isnt it? :)

To me this is the perfect shade of baby blue/pastel blue.  Also, for some reason this polish lasts a lot longer than the Butler Please shade I previously reviewed.  This polish tends to stay on for over a week for me. 

(source for picture above: Essie - I will have to try this sometime)

Sorry I have not been as active on the blog lately.  Phoenix has reached its usual extreme summer heat.  It's getting really difficult to be outside for more than a few minutes.  I will need to get back on the weekly outfit posts very soon..

So I have some news to share.  My husband and I (and our two little dogs) are moving!  We have given up our comfortable jobs to embark on a new journey.  Cheers to new beginnings! xoxo

Refreshing Summer Delights - Fish Ceviche Tacos

I love these fish ceviche tacos in the summer heat.  It's incredibly easy to make, healthy, and unbelievably tender and delicious! The fish is slowly cooked in the lime & lemon juice over 4-6 hours in the fridge.  It doesn't get any easier than that!

Ingredients:  1 1/4 pounds very fresh (sushi-grade) fish fillets (such as tuna, hamachi, barramundi, or mahi-mahi), cut into equal sized cubes

Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, diced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
12 purchased taco shells

Steps:

-Sprinkle fish with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, onion, jalapeños, and cilantro and toss.
-Cover and chill until fish turns opaque (cooked) (4-6 hours) (tip: if you really need it for dinner soon, you can steam it instead for 5 min. Just place the bowl in a large pot, cover the bottom of the pot with water, and place a lid on, use low to medium heat after the water starts to boil)
-Use a food processor to chop the tomatoes. Add tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, hot sauce, cilantro, and avocado.  Enjoy!

Aloha Hawaiian Shrimp Scampi

We spent last few years' summer vacations in Hawaii.  One thing we could not get enough is the delicious street food.  My husband created his rendition of our fav Shrimp Scampi in Kauai.  It is absolutely delicious and brings back so many fond memories!!

Ingredients: 
20-25 large shrimp (never frozen) with shell (street food style!), deveined
5 cloves of garlic (or more depending on your taste :)
3-4 table spoons of Sriracha
2 table spoons of low sodium soy sauce
2 table spoon of butter (or replace with olive oil)
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
2 slices of lemon 

Steps: (15 min)
-Devein shrimp.  Combine Sriracha, cayenne pepper, soy sauce in a dish. (5 min)
-Toss the shrimp in the mixture to coat (2 min)
-Heat a large stainless skillet over medium high heat (2 min)
-Add butter and garlic (or replace butter with olive oil) (40 sec)
-Add shrimp in a single layer.  Cook for 3 min on one side in medium heat.  Turn over and cook for another 2 min (until opaque) (5 min)
-Squeeze lemon joice over the shrimp
-Serve with your fav veggie and rice


This is our fav shrimp scampi in Hawaii.  Their food truck was so successful that they opened a brick and motar store in a popular plaza packed with high end restaurants.

I seem to be always eating in Hawaii ( :

Summer Blues - #1 Essie's Butler Please

Like many others, I have also been a bit obsessed with the blue nail polishes.  I thought I would do a series of my fav ones.

#1 Summer Blues: Essie's Butler Please. This deep blue is very versatile and work friendly.  I wore it here with the outfit Pretty in Coral - pleated skirt and bow wedges.

Pretty in Coral - pleated skirt and bow wedges

 Hope you had a great weekend!  Mine was relaxing and eventful.  I love this coral skirt, it goes with just about everything and it is very pretty.  Have a great week!

Pleated Coral Skirt - BCBG Generations (sold out)

Top - Kenneth Cole

Shoes - Guess

Necklace - Etsy