Orzo with Artichoke Pesto, Grilled Corn and Tomatoes

If the skirt steak and chimichurri is my new easy summer dinner, then this is my new summer go to dish-- Orzo with Artichoke Pesto, Grilled Corn and Tomatoes.  It's a great light dinner, side dish (with grilled chicken would be yum) or the perfect lunch.  Neither Andy nor I are big artichoke people-- love the flavor, not keen on the texture.  Well, this solves that problem since the artichokes are pureed in the pesto.


 
Orzo with Artichoke Pesto, Grilled Corn and Tomatoes
Adapted from Giada

Artichoke Pesto
1 (8-ounce) pack frozen artichoke hearts, thawed or 16oz jar of artichoke hearts in oil, drained
½ bunch flat leaf parsley
A few sprigs of fresh basil
½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 cloves garlic
Few glugs of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until combined.

Orzo with Artichoke Pesto, Grilled Corn and Tomatoes
4 ears corn
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1⅓ cups orzo

Prepare orzo according to the package directions for 4 servings (224g uncooked).

Shuck the corn and rub it with a little olive oil. Place the corn directly on the hot grill and cook for about 4 minutes, turning to grill all sides. After it's cooked, cut it off the cobs.

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, corn and tomatoes. Top with pesto and toss until combined.

Summer Supper

We enjoyed a great dinner on the roof on Saturday, but this could easily be a week night dinner. I need to remember that skirt steak is the perfect match for a week night dinner. It doesn't have to be marinated and it cooks in 5 minutes.



Skirt Steak with Chimichurri
Inspired by Everyday Occassions

Half bunch of flat leaf parsley
Few basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
½ cup olive oil
4 tsp balsamic vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Skirt steak

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until combined.

Season skirt steak with salt and pepper.  Cook on a very hot grill for 3 minutes on one side, flip and 2 minutes on the other side.  Let rest for a few minutes before slicing, on the diagonal, against the grain. Serve chimichurri sauce over the steak.




Succotash
Inspired by Camille Styles

Corn, either frozen or fresh
Edamame, shelled
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Red bell pepper, diced
Vidalia onion, diced
Butter
Lemon
Salt & Pepper
Fresh basil

Have you noticed I'm not that great with measurements?  I'm fine with it for baking but cooking? Um, not so much.  I think it's because it doesn't really matter.  Really like edamame? Use a lot!  Prefer corn? Double up.

In a large skillet, melt some butter and saute the onions until translucent.  If you're using any frozen veggies (e.g. corn, edamame), add those and cook until heated through.  Add any fresh veggies (e.g. corn that's been cooked/grilled/boiled/baked, red pepper, and tomatoes) and saute until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Right before serving, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the dish and add fresh basil.

Weekend Recap: No Plans

Random Round-Up: Citrus, Saffron and Gold

I love yellow. It's my color. It's my happy. For me, this is the perfect start to the weekend. TGIF!
 

 
Lela Rose Embellished Woven Silk-organza Dress // iomoi Coasters - Stripes, Palm, Palm Beach, Bamboo // Aphro Chic Placemat // Fiat 500c in Giallo // Chef'n Fresh Citrus Juicer // Elva Fields Golden Age Necklace // Lanterns at Z Gallerie // Sillano Earrings at Anthropologie // Madewell Leather Transport Tote // Persephone Bowl by Jonathan Adler // Poster by Luke Beard

Inspired by... Sorelle in Style

My sweet friend Kelly pinned this image the other day, and I just can't get it out of my head. I'm not usually an animal print person (actually, not at all... don't own a single item), but I could get behind these shoes with this outfit.
 

 
inspiration image Sorelle in Style // top Silk Button Down Blouse by Greylin // jeans Paige Denim Jeans - Verdugo Ultra Skinny in Kelly Green // earrings Nordstrom Pavé Crystal Stud Earrings // sunglasses LOFT Medium Square Sunglasses // nail polish Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun // bangles Nordstrom Hammered Bangles // ring Society Social Coral Cocktail Ring // handbag Kate Spade Grove Court Blaine // shoes Steve Madden Eternnal Pointy Toe

Engagement Party Invitations & Decorations

Thanks Elizabeth for some of the photos that I snagged!

Sources:
streamers - crepe paper folds from Zuchers in orange, flame red, bombay pink, pink and white // other sources here (although they seem to be out of stock a lot) and here (very high quality crepe paper, more expensive) // tutorial by Jordan on Oh Happy Day
balloons - affordable sources here and here (where we purchased ours with other party supplies) // we had them inflated at the floral department of our grocery store
table clothes - Table Vogue (I finally got to order some for myself!)
food - we DIY'd the food... my aunt barbara's pesto torta, antipasto skewers, beef tenderloin sandwiches, prosciutto crostini (inspired by the Italian Dish found via Pinterest), Adriana's sugar cookies & truffles, color coordinated Jelly Bellies
flowers - beautifully arranged by Heidi

Party Inspiration

I'm sure the other hostesses that were party planning for Stacy & Eric's Engagement Party wondered what they had gotten themselves into when I emailed them my inspiration board for the party! Kidding aside, they were all great sports about it and we made it happen!
 
top left Erin Hearts Court - Photos from Hitched Event // top right Brooklyn Bride - Neon Wedding Inspiration - Balloon by Geronimo Balloon Troopers // bottom left Geronimo Balloon Troopers // bottom right Streamers by Oh Happy Day
 
Come back tomorrow for the party details, sources and recipes!

Weekend Recap- Celebrations!

We had a weekend full of celebrations! First up, the party continued to celebrate Stacy & Eric. After last weekend's fabulous trip to Montauk, we had a tough act to follow. Thankfully we had a wonderful group of hosts and hostesses and a big group of family and friends ready to toast the bride and groom.
 

 
More details about the party inspiration, planning and details tomorrow, but now the party pics.
 

 
The celebrating continued on Sunday with Father's Day dinner at Andy's parents' house. Of course, I didn't take any pictures to document, but it was the perfect ending to the weekend! I hope all the dads out there had a wonderful day. It was a double doozy for my dad as it was my parents 40th ANNIVERSARY!!

Summer Reading

Growing up, I dreaded summer reading. I always waited until the weekend before school started and tried to cram it all in. I've just never been a big book reader. Probably because I always tried to read before bed and after three pages I was out like a light.

I have found that I love a good read when I'm on vacation (as long as I can tear myself away from my MacBook and blogs). Here are a few books that are on my summer reading list as recommended by close friends.
 

Craftermath

The other day I received a picture text...


 
Elizabeth, you know me so well! Why was this word not in my vocabulary? I have a feeling I might overuse it now. I'm knee deep in craftermath (heck, who am I kidding, there's always craftermath in our apartment) this week while we finish up projects for an engagement party this weekend!

I long for the day when I have a dedicated craft room. Everything has a place and everything is in its place. And if this space is anywhere close to looking like the pictures below, I know I'll be one happy girl.
 

 
first row, left to right Martha Stewart's Craft Room at Cantitoe Corners and Erin Gate's Office Featured on the Everygirl second row, left to right Sharlene's Office designed by Elle Uy featured on Design*Sponge and Office by Betsy Burnham third row, left to right Kelly Carter's Office with Interior Design by Kelley Carter featured in Lonny May 2012 and Interior Design by Amanda Nisbet featured in Lonny March/April 2012 forth row, left to right BHG and Timothy Whealon

Weekend Recap- Montauk

Whew! Such a fun weekend that went by too quickly. We headed out to the Hamptons, Montauk specifically, for a girls weekend. Technically it was Stacy's Bachelorette Party but since there were no crazy shenanigans, we decided that a girls weekend honoring Stacy was a more appropriate description.

After an easy flight up to Long Island, we cruised in our minivan down Highway 27 through all of the adorable Hamptons towns before arriving at our final destination-- the Montauk Yacht Club.


 
Had a great day by the pool before showering Stacy with presents and the required girly games.
 

 
On Saturday, the skies cleared and we enjoyed some outdoor cocktails at Cyril's. I'm sure my 23 year old self would have been out on the dance floor but my 30 year old self immensely enjoyed the people watching.
 

 
Such a fun weekend celebrating a truly fabulous friend. Can't wait for the wedding!