what jen does

Life, home, and a little travel

Month: January 2013

  • just to keep you posted
    travel

    just to keep you posted

    Just to keep you posted.  I’m still dreaming about taking that Tuscany vacation … except now I think about taking more time off. Like a month.  I know it seems extravagant / excessive / solitary … but let’s be real. It is also adventurous slash exciting.  Thinking about it gives me this leaping excited feeling…

  • crispy polenta cakes over tomato bizness
    recipes

    crispy polenta cakes over tomato bizness

    Good news. Bad news. I almost impulse bought a weeklong culinary vacation in Tuscany. I think that the only downside of the last twenty minutes is that I didn’t buy it. I wasn’t the least bit concerned with: going alone, being with middle-aged people, or having to be on other peoples schedules. The only thing…

  • 21 hours in NYC
    recipes

    21 hours in NYC

    This is the story of the time I went to NYC for 21 hours.  I don’t feel the need to write about all the trips I take – but there are some that are worthy of a quick little summary. For as long as I can remember my mom has asked us if we wanted…

  • Irish Beef Stew
    recipes

    Irish Beef Stew

    So, when I decided to make Irish Stew I honestly wondered what was different about this as compared to my previous beef stew.  But I didn’t really think too much about it. I had beef stew to make and a long walk to take by the harbor. Must get to work.  I’m of Irish heritage…

  • parmesan asparagus tart
    recipes

    parmesan asparagus tart

    One of the great parts of about these Downton Abbey meals is that I’m pushing myself to make appetizers and desserts. I mean, let’s be real, I’m just one person here … and when cooking dinner for myself there is no need for an appetizer or dessert. I can usually be found demolishing half a…

  • What’s New
    travel

    What’s New

    My mom sent me an email this week articulating that she was tired of the food posts. I mean I guess that’s fair. Especially if you haven’t bought into the Downton Abbey themed meals. Out of the last 12 posts, only one was non-food related … and that was my 500th post. I can’t believe…

  • Fancy Shmancy Almond Chocolate Cake
    recipes

    Fancy Shmancy Almond Chocolate Cake

    A couple years ago, there was a revolution in our family. It pretty much started and ended around birthday cakes. Maybe the word revolution is a bit much but essentially, my sister and I have made every attempt going forward to make all the birthday cakes … as opposed to buying them. Not only are…

  • Roasted Cod with Tomato Pancetta “Stew”
    recipes

    Roasted Cod with Tomato Pancetta “Stew”

    Based on the previews for this week’s Downton Abbey episode, I felt like we needed to prepare for a wedding. I’m not going to spoiler the episode for you but I will say Edith is still living the life of a middle child. Womp womp. I spent a lot of time searching for “the right”…

  • presto parsley pesto
    recipes

    presto parsley pesto

    I hate wasting things that I’ve bought… especially food wise. This really bugs me. I tend to be pretty good at utilizing all the things I’ve bought. My primary downfall is greek yogurt. I’m not sure why but if I end up throwing anything out for going bad … it’s greek yogurt. Never the whole…

  • Truffled Mushroom Tartlets
    recipes

    Truffled Mushroom Tartlets

    Ah, it’s another week of Downton Abbey under our belts and that means another 3 course meal. So here’s what the menu was for this episode: – mushroom tartlets – roasted cod with tomato pancetta stew – almond chocolate cake I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this charade up honestly… however, it…