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Author: Erin Vondra

11 Oct

Posted at 15:07h in Food

This easily became my family’s favorite meal during quarantine. Meatballs is always a go to dish that we serve with pasta, crusty bread, or spaghetti squash and a crunchy salad. I like how you can also prep the meatballs in advance and then cook off at dinner time.

Serves 4-6

1/2 cup of any breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of dried oregano/Italian herbs
2 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup of milk
2 pounds ground chicken or turkey
13-15 small slices/chunks of mozzarella (I used fresh)
1 jar of favorite tomato sauce
Parmesan & red pepper flakes for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine all the ingredients up until the meat in a large bowl. Use a fork to mix well. ▫️
Add in the meat and gently combine everything well with the fork. ▫️

Grease a deep baking sheet, casserole dish, or large oven proof skillet. Using a greased ice cream scoop or your hands, make about 12-15 meatballs and place on the pan with some room in between.

Bake for 30 minutes. Take the pan out and add the tomato sauce on top and all over the meatballs. Then place a piece of mozzarella on each meatball. ▫️

Bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve warm with parmesan and chili flakes on top. ▫️

14 Sep

Posted at 00:21h in Food

After my 100th cheeseburger of the summer, I thought a salad for dinner night was in order. I was supremely inspired when I saw @smittenkitchen last post of summer squash with crispy chickpeas and I thought I would play around with those flavors. I love a composed salad that you could make some components in advance, and quite frankly you could make the entire thing earlier in the day. There are SO many complex flavors, cool yogurt, bitey arugula, nutty quinoa, and smokey chickpeas. I added some chopped pepperoncinis for spice, don’t skip it! You could use any grilled vegetables in this and leave out the chicken to make it vegetarian friendly. Excited to have the leftovers tomorrow!

Serves 4-6

For the Salad
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, and patted dry
Paprika & Cumin
1 cup Quinoa, cooked according to package, cooled
2 big handfuls of arugula
2 cooked chicken breasts diced (or use a rotisserie chicken)
3 zucchini, grilled or roasted, diced
1 small red onion, small dice
1/4 cup diced peppercinis or banana peppers
For the Dressing
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
Salt and pepper

Whisk all the ingredients for the marinade together in a bowl. Place the chicken in a dish or ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it, covering it well. Refrigerate for an hour up to the day before.

Preheat oven to 375 oven

Place a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, brown the chicken on both sides for a minute of two in two batches, removing the chicken to a plate. Turn off the heat, and place the tomatoes in the bottom of the pan. Season well with salt and pepper. Nestle the chicken in the tomatoes and place the pan back in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes, then add the cheese to the top of the tomatoes and chicken, place back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

Sprinkle the pan with the basil and serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice to enjoy all that delicious sauce.

11 Sep

Posted at 21:50h in Food

All your favorite caprese flavors in one dish! Sweet heirloom tomatoes break down into the perfect sauce for this sweet balsamic marinated chicken. Then topped with melty mozzarella and fresh basil, it’s perfect with pasta, mash, or rice on the side. We ate every bite, kid approved!

Serves 4

2 lbs of chicken (about 4 large)
4 heirloom tomatoes, rough chopped
Olive oil
6oz fresh mozzarella pearls, drained
Handful of Basil, chopped
Marinade
1/4 cup balsamic
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 heaping tablespoons of mayo or olive oil
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt & Pepper

Whisk all the ingredients for the marinade together in a bowl. Place the chicken in a dish or ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it, covering it well. Refrigerate for an hour up to the day before.

Preheat oven to 375 oven

Place a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, brown the chicken on both sides for a minute of two in two batches, removing the chicken to a plate. Turn off the heat, and place the tomatoes in the bottom of the pan. Season well with salt and pepper. Nestle the chicken in the tomatoes and place the pan back in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes, then add the cheese to the top of the tomatoes and chicken, place back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

Sprinkle the pan with the basil and serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice to enjoy all that delicious sauce.

10 Sep

Posted at 00:22h in Food

Warm bowl of love coming right up! An oldie but goodie recipe that is perfect on a day you want to be cozy.

Serves 4

4 slices bacon, diced
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups (32 oz) chicken stock
3 cups russet potatoes, cubed
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups kale, in bite size pieces
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese, grated

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the grease. Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once sausage is browned and crumbled, drain off grease leaving a tbsp to saute the onion.

Push the sausage and bacon to the edge of the pot and add the onion to the center; saute until translucent; add garlic; saute until fragrant.

Stir in the stock and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are just tender.

Add kale and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a simmer. Top with Parmesan cheese, when serving.

02 Sep

Posted at 00:57h in Home

There is no doubt that whatever “Back to School” looks like in your house, it is not the normal routine. I feel such deep empathy for all the Moms out there trying their best to make their new realties function. Hard decisions are being made, jobs are being left behind, mothering has turned into a lot different scene all day, and frustration doesn’t even begin to cover it.

What I do know is that Moms are what makes this world go round and they have the best ideas on how to make that world a bit more organized, a bit more sane, and a bit more safe. So besides the obvious choice for back to school supplies, a case of your favorite wine, I wanted to round up ideas I have gathered from some very smart ladies and what might help you!

1. A rolling cart for all the supplies that can be hidden away when not needed. / 2. The perfect bin  or all their supplies and papers / 3. My kids have loved these masks / 4. Chic stick up white board weekly schedules / 5. A pinboard for their desk to make it their own / 6. Wireless headphones that have a built in mic / 7. A retro way to keep the kids focused  fidget with while on zooms / 8. A nice deep bucket  hat is easy to take from room to room with supplies / 9. Mask lanyards to keep them around their neck / 10. A bouncey chair  o keep them occupied during zooms / 11. An iPad stand that adjusts / 12. Tie dye masks that comes individually wrapped / 13. A double sided, easy to use anywhere, white board / 14. Blue light blocking glasses that come in lots of colors / 15. I LOVED a daily planner! / 16. A fun color coded way to organize all those papers / 17. A desk mat that comes in many colors

16 Aug

Posted at 19:16h in Fashion

I get a little nostalgic for the Nordstrom Sale. I remember going to it with my mom growing up and picking something special. I still have a few pieces that have stood the test of time from sales of long ago. And to be honest, I am not as loyal of a Nordstrom fan as I once was, but the sale is always fun to browse and possibly find the next piece I will covet for a long time. Here are my picks for the sale that opens today!

1. This leather & shearling coat is to die / 2. Gorgeous gold and diamond studs. / 3. Fun Dior sunglasses /  4. A classic black dress to wear forever  / 5. Been dying to try these supplements / 6. A soft balloon sleeve sweatshirt  / 7. I LOVE these Madewell jeans / 8. Crisp and soft Boll & Branch Sheets / 9. A perfect blue puffer. / 10. A soft faux fur jacket  / 11. Shiny workout leggings / 12. A giant bottle of the best moisturizer / 13. My favorite PJs (also come in short) / 14. A luxe cashmere tunic  / 15. A favorite Barefoot Dreams throw to cuddle in / 16. The perfect WFH slipper / 17. Cutie heart pajamas

16 Jul

Posted at 20:12h in Fashion

Though the world is just not itself right now, it appears as if most are making the best of it. From backyard baby pool parties with the littles to lake house getaways with grandparents to cross country road trips to see the sights, I am loving the optimism in an absolutely insanely crappy situation. So your pool dips may be only with your kids and your neighbors pool is the only one you are having beers at, there is still lots of reasons for a cute one piece and a cover up to sport. I have been hunting for good one pieces for months and landed on a few I like a lot, plus all these covers up make them an actual outfit you could stroll the neighbor hood in. So cheers to Summer, whatever you are making of it.

1. Gingham Suit + Navy Lace Dress / 2. Leopard Strapless + Black Palazzo / 3. Cabana Stripe + White Shirtdress / 4. Pink stripe puff sleeve + Wrap Suit. / 5. Navy Ruffle + White Linen Skirt / 6. Tassel Tunic + Block Color Suit / 7. One Shoulder Suit + Blue Drop Waist / 8. Sweet Floral Suit + Daisy Maxi Dress 

08 Jul

Posted at 20:16h in Fashion

It has been HOT here and the thought of wearing anything besides a light, breezy dress seems miserable. There is no outfit that makes someone feel better than a dress you can throw on with your favorite sandals and simply walk out the door. There are so many sweet ones right now and the best part is they are budget friendly. Here are some current favorites…

1. Short Floral Puff Sleeve $88 / 2. Floral Puff Sleeve Maxi $84 / 3. White Eyelet $55 / 4. Tiered Cotton Maxi $90 / 5. Flutter Sleeve Wrap Midi $20 / 6. / 7. Ruffle Gingham Mini $28  / 8. Striped button up $29 / 9. Pink Puff sleeve $90  / 10. Boho Sleeveless $29 / 11. Citrine Linen Midi $89  / 12. White Poplin Puff Sleeve $40 / 13. Balloon Sleeve Paisley $98 / 14. Striped Wrap Romper $55 / 15. Pink Polka Dot Mini $28 / 16. Black Shoulder Tie $28

22 Apr

Posted at 00:22h in Food

Lettuce wraps that count as a meal are the perfect mid-week menu change up. I remember making this recipe all the time for the babies because I just gave them the veg and protein, then had the full version for us. It’s healthy and light, but hearty enough to satisfy. You could also serve over rice or cauliflower rice to switch it up. Love these recipes from the archives!

Serves 4

For Filling
3 large sweet potatoes, diced
olive oil
salt & pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger (optional)
1.25 lbs ground chicken
1 can diced water chestnuts (Asian food section)
For Sauce
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (Asian food section)
1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil (Asian food section)
For Serving
Bib or iceberg lettuce leaves
chopped scallion
chopped cilantro
hot sauce like sriracha

Place sweet potatoes on large sheet pan and toss two coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside. (Can be done a day in advance)

In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Set aside. ▫️
Place a large skillet or wok on the stove over medium high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until just starting to get tender. Then add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds, add chicken. Cook and stir all ingredients together, breaking up the ground chicken as well, until chicken is done. Add the water chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and sauce. cook until warmed through and well combined. Turn off the heat.

To serve, place lettuce leaves on the plate and scoop some of the meat mixture inside. Top with scallion, cilantro and hot sauce to taste.

Note: You could make the filling in advance and then reheat later.