Tasty

Burger in Paradise

July 1, 2013

To celebrate America’s birthday, I wanted to have a week devoted to America’s finest… and what screams America more than a burger!? And not just any burger… an In n’ Out burger!

Burger and Chips

In n’ Out Burger

  • 1 lb ground beef chuck (I used 80% lean… more fat the better 🙂 depends how “healthy” you want to be)
  • American cheese slices
  • Secret Spread
    • 2 Tablespoons mayo, 1 teaspoon ketchup, 1/4 teaspoon mayo, 2 teaspoon minced dill pickles
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Caramelized onions
    • 1 diced yellow onion, 1 Tablespoon oil, salt
  • Tomato Slices
  • Hamburger Buns (potato rolls or brioche rolls are other great options)
  1. Caramelize Onions: Heat oil in a pan over medium – medium low heat and add onions.  Stir occasionally for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Season with salt. 
  2. Secret Spread: Mix together secret spread ingredients.
  3. Burgers: Make patties with ground beef and season with salt and pepper.  The key is to make them really thin – you will need to make them thinner than you think because they will plump up once cooked. Heat oil in a pan and cooker patties over medium heat for about 3 minutes.Top  uncooked side with about 1 teaspoon of mustard.  Flip patty, top with cheese slice and cook until medium doneness.
  4. Assembly: Toast buns, top with secret spread,tomato, lettuce, hamburger patty/cheese, and caramelized onions.

Looking for the perfect side? Make these amazing chips and dip!

Baked Potato Chips with Sour Cream and Onion Dip 

  • Russet Potatoes (3-4)
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 Green Onion
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Use a mandolin to thinly slice potatoes.  I used to cut thicker slices but I find cutting them 1/4 inch or so is much better!
  3. I used an olive oil mister to spray a baking sheet, then dispersed potatoes on the sheet.  I resprayed with olive oil and sprinkled lightly with salt.  Bake for 10-15 minutes (keep an eye on them, depends how thinly they are cut)
  4. While the potatoes are baking, whip together the last 3 ingredients to make an amazingly easy dip!

Chips

Sip

Pitcher Drinks

June 28, 2013

We often set up a full bar when we have people over, but there is something great about making a pitcher of drinks that people can help themselves to!  Here were a couple drinks we mixed up last weekend:

Cucumber Gin Cooler

046Cucumber Drink Cucumber Drink 049

Strawberry Basil Margarita

106 Strawberry Basil Margarita* The margarita recipe is on the sweet side, so I would recommend cutting it with club soda if you aren’t into sweeter drinks!

Domestic

Flower Power

June 27, 2013

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I love the idea of a gorgeous hostess gift, but sometimes a pricey candle or bottle of wine just isn’t in the budget.  My latest obsession has been going to the farmers market and picking up some gorgeous blooms then using gift wrapping paper to create my own bouquet.

024 026I found this awesome polka dotted craft paper that has some weight to it (trimmed/folded the paper accordingly to get that streamlined presentation) and then grabbed some tulle to tie it all together (twine, ribbon, raffia, etc. are all great options).  Attach a little gift tag… or write a note straight on the paper!

Tasty

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Blue Cheese Dip

June 26, 2013

Buffalo BitesPintrest is not great when it comes to swimsuit friendly recipes, so between seeing pinned buffalo chicken mac and cheese and buffalo queso recipes, I had a hankering for something buffalo that was still bikini-body friendly.   So when I came across these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites I was excited to try them out.  They were easy to whip up and the blue cheese dip is going to be my new go to!  The best part: even J liked them!

Buffalo Califlower 071 091 105

Looks

Weekly Outfit #14

June 25, 2013

Whitney's Camera 3321Outfit #1: Old Navy Tee, J. Crew Necklace, DVF Pants, Prabal for Target Heels, Tory Burch Bag

Whitney's Camera 3328Outfit #2: J.Crew Jacket, J. Crew Necklace, Willow Glen Tee (from a boutique), Zac Posen Skirt, BCBG Heels

Whitney's Camera 3366Outfit #3: J.Crew Jacket, Nordstrom Blouse, James Jeans, J.Crew Sandals, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag

Whitney's Camera 3400Outfit #4: Zara Blazer, Forever 21 Tee, J.Crew Pants, Dolce Vita Sandals, Tory Burch Purse