Roasted tomato, goat cheese salad crostini

Today was a Costco run. I had a list. I told myself no matter what, I was sticking to the list of Henry food, garbage bags and protein shakes. As I was walking through the TV section - I was just looking, i swear - I found myself watching a food demo/commercial from Costco on creating the very recipe I'm sharing with you today. Needless to say, I didn't stick to my list. But on the bright side, I didn't buy a TV!

I did however add some goat cheese, spring salad mix and grape tomatoes to my list. Glad I did too, as it turned out to be a really yummy lunch. And seeing how I ended up purchasing Costco size packages of everything, I think I'll be eating everyday for the next few weeks!

Grape tomatoes, garlic, goat cheese, spring salad mix, baguette, salt,
pepper, garlic. Not pictured: red wine vinegar and dried oregano -
because they showed up late to the party.

I first started off by slicing a handful of grape tomatoes in half, throwing them in a bowl, sprinkling with salt, pepper and olive oil, before spreading them out on a cookie sheet and broiling on high for between 5-10 minutes. Just keep an eye on them from time-to-time!

While your tomatoes are roasting, start on preparing and grilling the crostini. This can be done in a regular pan if you don't have a grill pan. I took a demi baguette and sliced a few pieces at an angle, brushed it with olive oil and garlic before throwing it in the grill pan on medium heat.

While my crostini is grilling, I reused the bowl I used previously to coat and toss the tomatoes in, to create my vinaigrette. You can use what ever vinaigrette you have on hand. I chose to just whisk together some olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, chopped garlic, salt and pepper. I don't really measure when creating vinaigrette. I just go by taste. So make sure you taste test to measure whether or not you have the right amount of seasoning!

By the time you've turned your crostini and made your vinaigrette, your tomatoes should be ready to pull out of the oven. Mmmmm love, love, love roasted tomatoes!

Once you have everything ready to go, begin assembling your dish. Put your crustini on your plate as the base, layer it with your dressed spring salad mix, warm roasted tomatoes and goat cheese! Sprinkle with a bit more pepper (and salt if you'd like) and enjoy! 

The warm tomatoes melt the goat cheese a bit, and the combination of flavors is super yummy!

Mexico City, Mexico

Domestic Henrietta went on an adventure and found herself in Mexico City!

I love to travel! I love experience different cultures, meeting new people and getting out of the cold weather of my hometown and thawing my toes. I must admit however, that although I have always loved visiting Mexico, I've never really had a desire to visit Mexico City. From everything I've read and heard about Mexico City, it never seemed like a good idea. Single, white, female... need I say more?

With that said, I have a friend whom I'd met on a previous trip to Mazatlan that moved back to his home town of Mexico City. We've kept in touch and he assured me that Mexico City was actually a great city and a great place to visit. So with my nerves in check, I booked my flight and hotel, then jumped on a plane and found myself in central Mexico. Boy was I surprised!

The city is beautiful. The people were very kind - which from my experience is typical of Mexico.  I was surprised by how modern and clean the city was. I spent the majority of my time by myself and never once felt unsafe or concerned about my well being in anyway. Though, I really didn't test my safety theory all that much either. ;) I think like in any big city, you need to exercise some common sense when traveling alone.

El Ángel de la Independencia

 El Angel was built to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of Mexico's War of Independence, celebrated in 1810. In later years it was made into a tomb for the most important heroes of that war. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Mexico City.

Paseo de la Reforma

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love coffee! Anyone who knows me knows that I walk my dog over to Starbucks every morning. We're regulars. Everyone knows Henry. They all say hi to him, ask to pet him, give him puppaccinos... He likes Starbucks as much as I do, if not more. ;)

One day earlier this week, I actually skipped our morning walk to Starbucks!!! I was running late, so I told myself I would just drink office coffee today. I'd save myself some money, yeah... that's why... save some money. Well that's what I told myself anyway. But after I parked my car and started the two block walk to my office, I walked by Monorail Espresso (downtown Seattle). I had always wanted to try Monorail Espresso, but every time I walked by I had my Starbucks cup in hand. I can't really stop when I'm sporting a competitors cup in hand. 

So sans Starbucks cup in hand... I stopped, got in line and then ordered my 16oz Americano. Before I reached the cashier to pay, i noticed the guy in front of me grab a treat out of this self serve jar of goodies. So I asked the lady, 'are these scones or cookies?' she replied, 'it's our chocolate chip cookies. We're actually famous for them...' Famous for them? It must be one stinking good chocolate chip cookie to claim to be famous for them? Now I must try them! Wowzaaa it was good! It was so good, that I craved them the rest of the day! And on my way back to my car that night, I stopped and got another. And in the morning the next day, I stopped and got another! And their coffee is just as good!

Okay, back to the cookies... I crave them. They are big round mounds of yummieness. They're not like normal traditional chocolate chip cookies. They're not the flat spread out kind. But so good. So I took to the internet to try and find great chocolate chip cookie recipes. I stumbled upon a few recipes with cornstarch in them so I figured, what the heck, I'll give them a try.

These are super good cookies. Nice and soft in the middle. Not the same as what I had at Monorail Espresso, but pretty good. I have some ideas around my next attempt at duplicating their 'Famous Cookies', so more to come!

I recommend this recipe for everyday Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar 
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour 
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips 
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
3. Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.
4. Drop by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.

Easter 2013 Tablescape

Alright, it's about time I start posting on my blog... I've had this unpublished blog for a few years now, always thinking, 'i think i can, i think i can' come up with some fun stuff to share with everyone. In my first ever blog post, i'm going to be sharing my Easter tablescape from a couple weeks back! Oh well, so not current, but a girl needs to start somewhere! 

I wanted to keep the colors springy and fun. This year I opted for a turquoise blue table runner (from Home Goods), with a grouped center piece of an apothecary jar (Michael's) filled with jellybeans, white ceramic bunny (Home Goods) and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The place settings consisted of a turquoise charger (Pier 1) with simple white dinner plates and bowls. The napkins were also found at Home Goods and are a green paisley. The flower napkin holders from Pier 1 are a perfect pop of color to balance out the tablescape.

 For Easter dinner we had a spiral cut ham (yummmm), steamed carrots, garlic saute broccoli, my mom's baked beans (they are the best!), deviled eggs,  rolls (in the orange bundle in the top right corner), along with fresh beets, and steamed asparagus. All in all a pretty tasty, somewhat healthy Easter!

Okay, will try to be consistent here! Until next time! xoxo
Domestic Henrietta ;)