Indianapolis Amy

This Christmas

So the place is decked out and I'm in the Christmas-y mood.  I've been listening to Christmas music at work and at home.  Last night I made chocolate cherry cookies and watched Christmas in Connecticut.   If you haven't seen Christmas in Connecticut- watching it will get ya in the Christmas mood... food, scenery, screwball comedy & romance.

As promised- a few pictures of the decorations.  I decided to go whimsical this year... Outside is a planter filled with evergreen, winterberry and white lights.  A fun wreath hangs above the mini trees on the mantle.  And, I'm crazy about the tree, a lovely flocked tree filled with lots of silver and red ornaments and red and white lights.  -A.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Fall Feast: Cauliflower Gratin

I'm participating in a Virtual Fall Feast-- hosted by the fabulous Hilary of Baking Bad.  I made a Cauliflower Gratin and you can go here to check out all of the awesome dishes! Check it out-- please! -A

Also participating are:  Andrea from Spice Girl, Claire from The Daily Claire, Gwen from Apron Appeal, Laurel from Lolly Sweet Treats, Enam, Nettie from Moore or Less Cooking, Elle of Elle Sees, Megan from Delicious Dishings, Stephanie of Macaroni and Cheesecake, Sara of Sasa’s Sweet Treats & Hilary from Baking Bad.

 

Looking for a Thanksgiving side dish to make?  Look no further!  I am crazy for this cauliflower recipe.  It's a decadent side dish-- one that you might be served in an upscale steakhouse.  It's cheesy and rich-- but even better, it's so easy to throw together.  You put raw cauliflower, cheese and a bit of cream in a baking dish and in less than an hour you've got a fantastic side dish.   I've served this cauliflower gratin with steak and it also is fantastic with roast chicken-- and turkey.  I've posted a picture of this dish before on the blog-- but thought I'd include some step-by-step photos to show how easy it is to make.

 

I don't normally buy all organic ingredients-- but happened to be at Whole Foods when I picked up the ingredients for the Cauliflower Gratin.

 

 

This recipe can easily be halved if you are making for 2-3 people. (reduce the cooking time to about 30-35 minutes)

 

Recipe:  Cauliflower Gratin, with a few changes from this Bobby Flay recipe
(serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 1/2 cups, shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 package of goat cheese, crumbled (I used a 4 oz package)
1/2 cup, heavy whipping cream
salt
pepper
parsley flakes (optional garnish)

To do:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

 

Place cauliflower florets into baking dish (I used a 13 x 8 x 2 dish).  Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese and crumbled goat cheese on top of cauliflower.  Drizzle whipping cream over top of cauliflower and cheese mixture.  Lightly sprinkle salt and pepper on top of cauliflower and cheese mixture.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 45-55 minutes.  Remove dish from oven and allow to set for about 5-10 minutes before serving.  Add parsley flakes for garnish (optional)

 

Scary Mantle

  

Hello there.  The weekend was a bit of a blur...too many things happening.  The highlights:  a party for my Aunt E. with plenty to drink: Italian wines, eat: lasagna and dessert:  almond cake. Saturday afternoon I met Dan Aykroyd(!) at a signing for Crystal Head Vodka (I'll post a few pictures in the next day or two).

Sunday evening I finally got out the Halloween box and decorated the mantle... I tried to make it a bit scary.  And- of course I played some music while I was jazzing up the mantle.  So I played "Werewolves of London" a few times-- ok probably about 10 times:)

How was your weekend?

Blog Reading: A Few Favorites

I read a lot of blogs- and want to give a shout out to a few posts I've enjoyed.   

I plan to add a more in-depth links section to my blog- but for the moment you can always click on the links listed at the right side of the page to check out some of the blogs I read. 

I'd like to make this a recurring thing - maybe once every few weeks or so I'll share some favorite blogs with you and highlight a few of their posts.  Let me know your thoughts.   p.s.  Three of the bloggers below are Indianapolis/Indiana area bloggers and one is an Atlanta blogger.  -A

 

 Homemade Thin Mints by Baking Bad

Don't these look awesome! I'm gonna try this:)

                                        photo credit:  Baking Bad

Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant (Indy) by All Your Food Are Belong to Us

I'm crazy for Vietnamese food and can't wait to go to Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant in Indy.

                                         photo credit:  All Your Food Are Belong to Us

 

Rope Wrapped Vase Tutorial by The Daily Claire

What a cool vase!  I think this would make a fun housewarming or fall gift.

                                           photo credit:  The Daily Claire

 

How to: Lauren Conrad's Hair by Elle Sees

Lauren Conrad's got gorgeous locks... and Elle makes it look so easy to do!

                                    photo credit:  Elle Sees

 

You can check out the blogs I mentioned by clicking on the links above.  You can also follow them on Twitter. (Baking Bad, All Your Food Are Belong to Us, The Daily Claire, Elle Sees)

Do you have a fave blog or two?  Let me know in the comments or via email at indianapolisamyinfo(at) gmail (dot) com